One-Day Mataram

Just before the start of the second semi-final between South Africa and West Indies, I wrote...

South Africa have won the toss and decided to bat first. Hmmm... interesting! They aren't afraid of the tremendous form of the West Indian top order!! Interesting indeed!!

And it did turn out to be quite interesting. South African calculations turned out to be completely off the mark as the mighty West Indian batting juggernaut crushed all opposition on its way to the final. However good the West Indian batting may have been, some part of the responsibility for the loss must be owned up by the South African think-tank. What on earth were they thinking when they decided to let WI chase? Didn't they know how well Gayle and co. had chased down targets in this tournament? Did they only rely on their intuition that the wicket would crumble?... because it didn't! Not a bit!!

However, take nothing away from the clinical nature of the West Indian batting. Gayle, with his new-found ability to carry his bat almost through the entire innings, was quite magnificent. And what I found most incredible was the way in which Ramnaresh Sarawan stepped into an opener's shoes with Chanderpaul out due to an injury. That just goes to show the amount of confidence that this West Indian side is brimming with. And it's an all-round thing... not restricted only to batting. Now a confident and in-form West Indies will take on Australia in the finals.

This is the best thing that could've happened to Champion's Trophy 2006. A resurgent team bidding to retain it's title against a mighty cricketing superpower wanting to claim the only prestigious silverware that does not adorn it's shelves yet. Now if only the tickets were reasonably priced, I would've loved to watch the final, sitting in the beautiful Brabourne stadium! But that's a grouse I'll reserve for another post!