Cricket World Cup: 'Two old rivalries good enough to ignite the competition'

The Australian fans as well as the Australian cricket team could not have asked for a better start to the World Cup. For the former, the impressive win posted by the hosts against archrivals England would have been satisfying to watch.

And if Saturday’s match showcased cricket’s oldest rivalries, Sunday’s will be all about cricket’s biggest rivalry between India and Pakistan. More than a billion people will be rooting for their team and one hopes for a very absorbing contest.

Pakistan have been flying under the radar and are a very good, if mercurial team. I reckon Australia are the best team in the fray and Pakistan beat them 2-0 not long ago. The team has an impressive bowling line-up that will enjoy Australian conditions. They have some really good young batsmen who rally well around Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

The latter has managed to lead from the front and has the galvanizing effect that Imran had when the World Cup was last held in this part of the world. Then you have Shahid Afridi, who has retired and come back more times than a rock band. These are all matchwinners on their day and Pakistan have always found a new gear when they are at a World Cup. I think they are an under-rated team this time.

If Pakistan find a new gear, India have always found a new gear against Pakistan at World Cups. So far. It would take a braver person than I to be dismissive of M.S. Dhoni’s Midas touch. At present they look deceptively vulnerable, but it might just take a game or three for the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and even Shikhar Dhawan to hit their stride, and this World Cup format affords that.

Who knows, maybe a game against their arch enemies is just what they need to gee them up after their recent performances. The area of serious concern is bowling, especially with fitness issues that seem to have beset the Indian pacers. Their fielding too seems to be an area of concern.

The World Cup is up and running, but the media speculation around the fitness of Michael Clarke continues. Saturday’s match showed that the Australian team is capable of holding the fort till he returns. George Bailey has led the team very often and is an exceptional one-day player. His record in the last 12-18 months has been impeccable and he really knows this team well.

While Clarke is a critical team member and leader, the hosts have the wherewithal to do well even in his absence.

Looking across New Zealand and Australia, the World Cup has suddenly caught the imagination of the public. We saw full houses in both the opening games and record crowds are expected in the Indo-Pakistan match as well, at Adelaide.

Obituaries were being written about the 50-over game and there are challenges facing it. A good World Cup that showcases high-quality cricket would give it a shot in the arm. The host countries offer a variety of conditions that ask questions of the batsmen. It also is being played with two balls, which offers something for bowlers. This will also challenge the technique of batsmen who hitherto were used to flat pitches.

It’s a long tournament that boils down to three crucial games for the big teams. The team that has the quality and planning to peak at that stage will go the distance.

-Gameplan