I was thinking that Pakistan has a very good chance this year –good bowlers, very good batsmen, good depth in the XI, Bob Woolmer and a track record of doing quite well in the world cups in recent times if they do not run into India. However, this was before Asif and Akhtar found themselves out of the tournament.
Coming to the actual tournament, round 1 matches versus the minnows are very much like the warm up matches which precede them. Given that the world cup will carry on for nearly 2 months and we will see a marathon of matches, the semi finalists will in all likelihood be those who deserve their spot. My semi finalists, in order – Australia, South Africa, India and West Indies.
Semi-finals –
Australia over West Indies;
South Africa over India
Finals –
Australia over South Africa.
Given the unpredictability of the one day game, the cliché – ‘any of the top 8 teams can reach the semis is very true.
It will be an unprecedented and a huge accomplishment, even by Australian standards, if they do manage to win the world cup for a third consecutive time. The West Indies couldn’t do it in 1983 when they were thwarted by India the current era where one day cricket is more understood by the teams compared to the 70s and 80s, and the game is more competitive on the whole, it would be a much bigger achievement.
Where individuals are concerned, I am looking at Nathan Bracken and Sourav Ganguly to have huge world cups. Bracken has been nothing short of exceptional for Australia in the last few seasons. However, 2007 has been below par for him and he will look to reverse that. Ganguly, on the other hand, has had a tough last couple of years for various reasons. With the 2007 world cup, in all likelihood to be his last, he will look to go out gloriously.
However, given out of the blue performers in the world cup, be it teams (India in ‘83, Pakistan in ‘92, Sri Lanka in ‘96) or players (Gary Gilmour, Geoff Allott), I am not very sure how any prediction can be made with a lot of conviction. So take the above predictions with spoonfulls of salt.
Now, who do you think will win the world cup?
Picture taken by Smither Jones.
KKLA Sports Apparel Co., Inc (Icehockey Jersey,Soccer Jersey,baseball Jersey,Football Jersey,Basketball Jersey). Our company consists of design, develop, produce, sale and service. Now we have more than 6 professional factories for our own products. Professional QC for professional products and service.You can mix NFL MLB NHL NBA Jerseysdifferent styles and sizes. And there is no mini order for you, Lowest price and Best service. Let’s be friends and business partner. Don’t hesitate to contact with us if you need anytime. We can supply those all NFL MLB NHL NBA Soccer Teams,such as NFL Teams: Buffalo Bills Jersey , Chicago Bears Jersey , Green Bay Packers Jersey, Jacksonville Jaguars Jersey ,Miami Dolphins Jersey , New York Jets Jersey , Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey , St. Louis Rams Jersey, Washington Redskins Jersey,NHL Teams : Buffalo Sabres Jersey , Colorado Avalanche Jersey , Detroit Red Wings Jersey ,Edmonton Oilers Jersey ,Minnesota Wild Jersey , Ottawa Senators Jersey , Phoenix Coyotes Jersey , San Jose Sharks Jersey , Vancouver Canucks Jersey , NBA Teams: Atlanta Hawks Jersey ,Cleveland Cavaliers Jersey , Milwaukee Bucks Jersey,Minnesota Timberwolves Jersey , Orlando Magic Jersey,Philadelphia 76ers Jersey , Seattle Sonics Jersey , Kobe Bryant Jerseys Jersey ,MLB Teams:Arizona Diamondbacks Jersey , Cleveland Indians Jersey , Houston Astros Jersey , Los Angeles Dodgers Jersey , Oakland Athletics Jersey ,Pittsburgh Pirates Jersey , St.Louis Cardinals Jersey , Toronto Blue Jays Jersey ,Soccer Teams: Barcelona Jersey , Juventus Jersey ,Lyon Jersey ,Red Bull Jersey ,England Jersey , Portugal Jersey and so on