Bangladesh plays South Africa today. I am sure South Africa will dish out a clinical performance to sweep Bangladesh aside. No doubt, Bangladesh is a much improved side but not enough to take on the biggies. Team India is not a small fry but the team was a little too over confident on the day, after decimating West Indies in a practice match a couple of days earlier. Beating Bangladesh was taken as a given by Team India, because they were looking far into the tournament: Super Eight and beyond. We required one inspired performance like that of Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe in the 1983 edition. That was not to be. Period.
No prizes for predicting the semi-final line up! It is likely to be Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, most probably in that order. I fancy Sri Lanka's chances of reaching the final and they can upset the Australians if they do. Who knows, they may just get to meet the defending champions in the semi-final and knock them out! My choice for Player of the Tournament is Sanath Jayasuriya, if Sri Lanka reaches the final and Scott Styris, if New Zealand does. It could be a toss-up between the two, if both Sri Lanka and New Zealand match up in the final! Jacques Kallis has a very good chance but I don't expect South Africa to reach the final of this World Cup. And the Australian winning machine combines so well that it is difficult to single out any one player. It is a tribute to their ultimate team effort.
1 comment:
Well said.
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