Cricket World Cup (Part 2) - Rivals to the SubContinent

Lets talk about remaining test playing nations which we have not discussed in previous blog. In this list there are 2 world champions. One(West Indies) which is now only the shadow of the previous team and another(Australia) which is on the way to become one. Third team(South Africa) is the unofficial world champs only problem they have is they choke and that's been there biggest problem.

Forth Team is, I dont know what is the problem with them, they have reached to semi-finals on 5-6 occasions and still not tagged as chokers. Last but not the list is Country of the origin of Cricket, they must be feeling shame for eventing the cricket and not winning this tournament.

Don't laugh to England because they are running Ashes Winner. I dont know why this tiny nation, harp so much about there Ashes win because no buddy give a damn about it..enough of England bashing..let analyze remaining teams.

Australia: Current world champions must be finding themselves in a peculiar situation where first time in so many years they are not tagged as potential world champion. May be cause the world champion players have been retired and there recent losses at home. One thing is sure about them that never count them out. This team has some of the best fast bowlers in the world with quality and speed as well.

I have always been great fan of Australia, this team comes at you all the time. There never say die attitude made them the best team in the recent years. Its good that they are not tagged world champion as that has made this world cup interesting.

Even though this team has lost the ashes, they know how to raise from it like a phoenix and capture the cup which they love to win. I think this time also they will be unstoppable until they meet the team like Pakistan on the journey to World Cup Finals.

Impact Player - Shaun Tait: Fastest bowler in the world by long margin. He was instrumental in there last championship win in the Caribbean. He has the habit for straying on the pads or bowling wides but on song he is unstoppable. This is the guy who can consistently bowl all 6 deliveries for 150km range. He can look like a spoiled child, not listening to anyone about his like and length. But once he gets his act correct he can be devastating.

New Zealand: This world wont bring happy memories to the NewZealanders as there has been a massive earthquake in CristChurch. This small Island with population of 4 million which is actually lot less than population of Pune city.

I sometimes wonders about them as they have been in the semi-finals for as many as 5 times but are not tagged as Chockers. May be because they somehow qualify for it unlike South Africans who stamp there authority in the league matches.

This team always had potential but some how they could not produced the results they capable of. In recent months they have performed really bad. They are picking up themselves, Daniel Vittori is trying his best to lift moral his team.

Impact Player - Ross Taylor: When he came to the scene, he was regarded as next best thing in world cricket. But somehow like many New Zealanders he faded away somewhere. This person has shown us how patient and devastating he can be, he century has helped New Zealand to win match against unpredictable Pakistan. I am sure this Vice-Captain of New Zealand has to play big roll in reaching to Semi-Finals which this team is famous for.

West Indies: The tag of World Champion was experienced by them, they had it for fist two times. Thank god that they won those tournament because our generation could not had known to there greatness.

They are have come out of the shadow of there past. Once the team who terrorized the world with its fantastic players. Its has been similar team to Pakistan but failures..are not compared to Pakistan. They have shown some sparks in ICC tournament but nothing substantial yet.

This team is gelling well under Darren Sammy, with wealth of experienced player's like Chandrapaul and Sarwan in the ranks every one needs to watch out this team. Kemar Roach has bowling some express deliveries with spin of Sulieman benn at the other end. Its always been good to have West Indian team to spice up the world cup.

Impact Player - Kieron Pollard: 6.6" height is the typical West Indian characteristic. He may not have the flair which old west indies had, I haven't see the great old West Indian team but surely he has there power. This Trinidad born cricketer is just 24 years old and surely we are going to see lot of power hitting from him in future.

South Africa: Currently best side in the world with prolific run scorers like Hashim Amla and AB Devillers. My previous comment is pretty interesting as it does not include name of Graham Smith or Jaqous Kallis. This team has one of the best all rounders in the world. Best fast bowling attack with 2 superb fast bowlers Dale Styen and Mornie Morkal.

Most unfortunate team in the world or can I say 'Chocker' because they have chocked in some of the unbelievable situations. They always carried this tag of favorites but failed to leave up-to its potential. I think they will easily qualify for the Quarter finals but there journey will surely end there.

Impact Player - Dale Steyn : If South Africa has to win in knockout rounds he as to fire. If he does not fire from one end there is high probability that they will choke once again. He has shown in past 2-3 years as how deadly he can be in the Test matches but it is with red ball. He has to prove to everybody that he is good with white ball too. His batting skills could come handing in difficult situations.

England: I am writing this countries profile at the last because this is the place they come out at most of the time. In last 1 year they have shown bit of improvement but they need to improve more in there one day cricket skill. It is very amazing that the country of origin of Cricket cannot produce quality players. 

It very unfortunate to see that there whole world revolve around the Ashes. If u see there Arch-rivals from down under, they want to be best in every thing. This self satisfying attitude has taken England no where. The loss of league match to Ireland has proved that they are not the side that win world cup. This is the side who looks very good on paper with quality batsmen and bowlers but never performed on the field.

Current surge in the performance is based on imported players like Kevin Peterson and Jonathan Trott(South Africa), Eoin Morgan (Ireland). Don't know how many of more players they want to import because they are not able to produced one yet. In my view there best batsman was Mark Trescothick but he also has retired so only God can save Queens Team. ha ha ha..

Impact Player - Tim Bresanan: After very long time I have seen a bowler who can bat and bowl. In my view he is the true all-rounder. If many of you have noticed, he is the person who is new member of the team. Ever since he has joined the team, its performance has improved. He was the instrumental in the winning the Ashes and will has to play crucial role in world cup too.

You might say that I have written about the minnow team but to be frank, apart from one odd performance there is nothing to write. I sometimes feels that they are wasting there time. There is been talk of reducing the number of teams from the world cup but if u look the passion in eyes of these players you would understand that this world cup is the only forum where they can test there skills. This game is all about endurance and I think they have equal right to be here. If we discontinue them from playing then we wont see next Sri Lanka in near future.

Once again I have included 3 all-rounders in my list of impact players because in my view these are the players who get involved with the game for most part of 50 overs. They are one of the fierce-some hitters of the ball.

This world cup is going to be world cup of the all rounders, lets watch there performance and appreciate the game. As we are hoping for India to win the cup, we have to appriciate the people who make so many sacrifices for love of this game.

So whoever wins this world cup, lets wish all the teams 'best of luck'.