Guys, Sorry for the loooooonng silence in this group, let's hope it was the one before the storm.
Well, the carnival of cricket is about to start with the most sought after "Cup" just around the corner. Of course, we cannot be left far behind the action.
I was wondering if everyone got my mail regarding the rules of the contest we shall be having, the points system and the registration page have since been created. They may not be fool-proof but I am sure you would appreciate the efforts behind it. Deepak Jain, a fellow-MBTian (he's on the list now, welcome sir!!!), helped me out with the JavaScript - Thanks babu thanks.
Another thing worth mention is the site created by Sameer. I managed to get a sneak preview, I am sure you would like it as well.
Sameer gave an idea of reviewing each teams chances all the way to the World Cup ... Was thinking of starting with India but then I thought, we should look at the enemy camps first and what better place to start it all off with than - the defending champion's Australia.
Some people consider them to be such over-whelming favourites that they feel the Aussies should be handed over the trophy directly while the others fight it out for second place. Before going to that extreme, lets take a look at the team and their past performances in World Cups.
The Aussies pride themselves for having a great cricketing tradition. Their record in World Cups stands as a testament of the same.
Most noticeable is the fact that whenever they have crossed the group stage, they have invariably made the finals.
No one can forget the way they fought back in the last edition of the Cup, especially the matches against arch rival South Africa. But the man who said to Gibbs, "You just dropped the Cup" is no longer in the side, and I feel therein lies the chance for the others. With the exit of the Waughs (one tenacious, the other classy), and considering that Mcgrath, Gillespie, Warne and Bevan are not at their fittest, the Aussies look beatable. They would be keen on the Hayden - Gilchrist combination to fire at the top of the order with the in-form Ponting coming in at three. The injury to Shane Watson means Ian Harvey gets a chance and this could be a blessing-in-disguise of the Aussies as Harvey has a lot of experience in this format of the game. Symonds has been out of the side for long and is making a comeback. With Warne, McGrath, and Gillespie back and Lee in good form, they are the tried-and-tested bowling attack. In all probabilities, Hogg and Bichel should replace Warne and McGrath for the (not-so-tough) games against Namibia and Holland.
Warne's retiring from ODI's after the World Cup and this should spur the rest on as they would like to give him 'ek Cup aur' before he leaves ... but as the saying goes, "there's many a slip between the Cup and the lip."
They might be the side to beat, but they are in no ways unbeatable !!!
The Australian XV -
Batsmen: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Bevan, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn
All rounders: Andrew Symonds, Ian Harvey
Bowlers: Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie
Wicket keeper: Adam Gilchrist
All comments welcome.
Well, the carnival of cricket is about to start with the most sought after "Cup" just around the corner. Of course, we cannot be left far behind the action.
I was wondering if everyone got my mail regarding the rules of the contest we shall be having, the points system and the registration page have since been created. They may not be fool-proof but I am sure you would appreciate the efforts behind it. Deepak Jain, a fellow-MBTian (he's on the list now, welcome sir!!!), helped me out with the JavaScript - Thanks babu thanks.
Another thing worth mention is the site created by Sameer. I managed to get a sneak preview, I am sure you would like it as well.
Sameer gave an idea of reviewing each teams chances all the way to the World Cup ... Was thinking of starting with India but then I thought, we should look at the enemy camps first and what better place to start it all off with than - the defending champion's Australia.
Some people consider them to be such over-whelming favourites that they feel the Aussies should be handed over the trophy directly while the others fight it out for second place. Before going to that extreme, lets take a look at the team and their past performances in World Cups.
The Aussies pride themselves for having a great cricketing tradition. Their record in World Cups stands as a testament of the same.
1975 Runners up
1979 Group stage
1983 Group stage
1987 Winners
1992 Group stage
1996 Runners up
1999 Winners
Most noticeable is the fact that whenever they have crossed the group stage, they have invariably made the finals.
No one can forget the way they fought back in the last edition of the Cup, especially the matches against arch rival South Africa. But the man who said to Gibbs, "You just dropped the Cup" is no longer in the side, and I feel therein lies the chance for the others. With the exit of the Waughs (one tenacious, the other classy), and considering that Mcgrath, Gillespie, Warne and Bevan are not at their fittest, the Aussies look beatable. They would be keen on the Hayden - Gilchrist combination to fire at the top of the order with the in-form Ponting coming in at three. The injury to Shane Watson means Ian Harvey gets a chance and this could be a blessing-in-disguise of the Aussies as Harvey has a lot of experience in this format of the game. Symonds has been out of the side for long and is making a comeback. With Warne, McGrath, and Gillespie back and Lee in good form, they are the tried-and-tested bowling attack. In all probabilities, Hogg and Bichel should replace Warne and McGrath for the (not-so-tough) games against Namibia and Holland.
Warne's retiring from ODI's after the World Cup and this should spur the rest on as they would like to give him 'ek Cup aur' before he leaves ... but as the saying goes, "there's many a slip between the Cup and the lip."
They might be the side to beat, but they are in no ways unbeatable !!!
The Australian XV -
Batsmen: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Bevan, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn
All rounders: Andrew Symonds, Ian Harvey
Bowlers: Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie
Wicket keeper: Adam Gilchrist
All comments welcome.
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