Top5: Reasons why India will win the Cricket World Cup

Last weeks game between Bangladesh and India proved a bit inevitable, with India coming out easy winners and progressing into the Semi Finals of the Cricket World Cup.

This has led India to playing Australia on Thursday night at the SCG.  While India's record against Australia in Australia this summer isn't exactly glittering, there are firm reasons why India should be regarded as favourites, including:

5. Runs, lots of runs.
Put simply, the Indian team can bat the hell out of cricket.  Their openers include a bloke who has 2 ODI double centuries to his name and the talent doesn't really level off until you get into their bowlers.

This level of talent has allowed India to set menacing totals through the tournament, which could be challenging to Australia who have more of a hit-or-miss approach to batting, while also allowing them to chase seemingly any target.

And this is just their last 5 games.

This World Cup has seen games won through big scores and India are the biggest scorers of all. 
 
4. Form and Confidence
One criticism you could make of India is their engagement with the press, they seem totally disinterested and give very general remarks.  They don't seem to know who they are playing or care.

They are strutting.

While they came into this tournament with an unimpressive record, they have turned their form around in the bat of an eye.  They were focussing on the World Cup, this is the tournament they are here for, they are focussed on winning and they are doing it.

3. Rain
Australia is a Country in the Southern Hemisphere.  Our Summers occur from November through February, then we hit Autumn in March.  It is in March that the sun stops to shine so much and it starts to rain.
 
This may seem obvious but still be news to the organisers of the World Cup.

For the uninitiated: Rain.

Scheduling a finals series for the end of March in Australia means that it is very likely that it will rain and matches will get washed out, or interrupted.

This suits India down to the ground due to their scoring ability and their lack of ability in losing wickets.  Should games be reduced and decided by the Duckworth-Lewis method, its very likely to be in Indias favour with their fire-power. 

2. Ravindra Jadeja 
Jadeja is the best spin bowler of the last 3 teams in the World Cup & the 2 remaining teams aren't great players of spin, this puts India in a unique position to win the tournament as they can have more variable bowling plans and attacks.

He also grows a sweet 'mo

Daniel Vettori has been excellent for New Zealand, with his influence in the game against Australia changing the momentum away from Australia and ultimately winning it.  That being said, Vettori is hardly spinning the ball and doesn't bat as well as Jadeja.

Glenn Maxwell for Australia is becoming a good holding bowler, but will be of little threat to India.  Maxwell can change a game with his batting, but then so can any of the Indian top 7.

Jadeja has a similar ability to change games with the ball as Vettori but has done so more regularly throughout the competition.  Expect the opposition to be wary of him, which will reduce run scoring at the very least. 

1. Injuries
Put simply, India have'nt suffered any major injuries in this tournament or leading up to it.  Their XI is settled and in good form.

They are the form and healthy side going into the Semi Finals and it will take a real upset to defeat them.

Thought of the Day: Aussie approach is on-the-money

Taken from theage.com.au today (20.03.2015):

Apparently Australia is going to take its match tonight against Pakistan like a final.

I guess that's a good thing, as it IS a final.

Top 5: Thoughts on the India v Bangladesh match

India take on Bangladesh at the MCG this very afternoon, in a game that will decide which team will progress to the semi finals of the Cricket World Cup.

Taking some time to view the game as a Cricket lover, there are a number of issues around it that immediately spring to mind. 

5. This game is good for Cricket
While being a cricket tragic, I don't actually know a lot about Bangladeshi cricket. 

For instance, I'm not sure if Bangladesh have ever played at the MCG before this World Cup.  I can recall them playing a 2- Test Series in the Northern Territory against Australia many years ago in which Steve Waugh managed to become one of the first players to score a century against every Test-playing nation, but little else.


Comparing that series to this game is a great example of how this game is great for cricket.  Not only is an unsuccessful team in the finals, but they are getting 'big game' experience against a very successful side at (arguably) the biggest venue in cricket.

Moving away from that feel good story, a game involving India at the MCG in the Cricket World Cup finals is sure to involve a lot of fans going and watching the game on TV.  And that means more money for the game.  Hopefully.

4. This game is bad for Cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been making a lot of statements around this World Cup about whether it is the last tournament of its kind, or even whether the format will be reduced to only include Test playing nations.  Obviously this is a bad idea for growth and the game at large.

A Quarter Final involving India is the minimum that the ICC (read: BCCI) would accept and the structuring of this tournament has almost guaranteed it. 

One could certainly argue that improvements could be made to the tournament, though it will be hard to convince the ICC to make them if they pose any risk of all of India not making (at least) the Semi Finals.

3. The atmosphere will be the best of the Quarter Finals
For anyone in Melbourne who doesn't have plans after 2:30 today, it would be well worth your while getting to the MCG to take in the atmosphere of the game, even if you aren't a cricket fan.

The Indian and Bangladeshi fans are some of the loudest and most enjoyable going around, and with over 50,000 of them expected at this game; it is sure to have a cracking atmosphere.

These guys, they make noise.

 Compare this prospect to the low turn out of the South Africa v Sri Lanka game last night (even though the Sri Lankan crowd were in full voice) and the prospects of the Australia v Pakistan (though the Pakistani crowd is sure to show the Australian fans how to support their team) and  New Zealand v West Indies (bring back the steel dums!) games, and its sure to be a hoot.

2. There will be a lot of runs
It has been well documented that India has, arguably, the best and most balanced batting line up in the World Cup.  One of their openers has 2 (that's TWO) ODI double-centuries to his name and the level of talent doesn't really start tapering off until you pass their wicket-keeper, who can also bat a bit.

Bangladesh, similarly are no slouches in wielding the willow, and will relish the Indian bowling attack which, while being decent, they will see as threatening as Englands.

I can look at this for hours.

1. The losers tag is already prepared
India are expected to win this game, and easily.  If they don't; they will be labelled as weak, questions will be raised about their bowling attack (and possibly their mental state) and effigies of the players / management will be burned.

I've always thought their was good money to be made in the effigy building business.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are expected to lose and will be labelled as 'valiant competitors' or some such in the outcome if they do.  It's doubtful effigies will be burned, which, is a good environmental outcome at least.

Top 5: Ways to improve the Cricket World Cup

I'd like to make one thing clear right now: The Cricket World Cup has been pretty great so far.  There have been some great games, close games and upsets. 

After an Australian summer of Test Cricket with a disinterested opponent, some meaningless ODIs and the empty-big hits of the Big Bash, it has been a real (local) success at least.

Now that has been said, there are obvious ways to improve it, improve the image of ODI cricket and bring more people to the sport (as players and spectators).

Here are my Top 5:

5. More games
This may seem obvious, but while there is (at least) one game on every day, there could certainly be a lot more.  More games that are more accessible will bring in more fans.

Australia, one of the host countries, played Saturday night against New Zealand in what was  its first game since the 14th of February (two weeks).  In defence of the organisers, one game was washed out, but there is an existing precedent for teams to play an ODI every 2 to 3 days.  Why are fans being denied?  It is only dragging out the tournament & reducing interest in it.

This Monday there was no game at all played.

An empty MCG.  Normally only seen on Melbourne Football Club match days.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), arguably the best sports stadium in the most sports-mad city in the country, has a 21-day break between games.  Further, the MCG is the only ground in the State of Victoria that is hosting games. 

The last time the World Cup was in Australia there were regional games held throughout Victoria that created interest in the game and brought international games to regional areas.  It was a win-win.

There are many people sitting around wanting to go to games, not least those in Queensland, but there is simply no option to go.

4. More teams
This follows on from the previous point, particularly if the ICC want to ensure that the competition goes for 6 weeks.

Some of the best games of the tournament so far have involved the non-Test playing teams (disparingly referred to as 'minnows'), including; Ireland upsetting the West Indies, war-torn Afghanistan winning their first ever World Cup game (against Scotland), Ireland beating the UAE in a nail-biter, Zimbabwe pipping the UAE, and England being smashed by everyone.

These games may not have shown the best talent in the world, but they have been played with passion by players who wan't to do well.  Similarly, cricket fans want them to do well, the players are representing the sport they love.

By creating more games with more teams, the competition will attract more fans.   There are only 14 teams playing in this World Cup, and there are several more that could be there including; Kenya, Holland and Hong Kong.

Some may scoff at the attractiveness of Holland v Kenya as an event, but given that some of the best games have involved the 'minnows' & there is genuine interest in the tournament, all games become relevant.

3. Change the opening ceremony
This goes without saying, but the opening ceremony to the World Cup was really terrible. Really.

Little wonder it wasn't promoted, it was reminiscent of a Rock Eisteddfod or other similar poor presentation.  Darryl Braithwaite played and without taking anything away from the creator of 'Horses', I last saw him play at the Melbourne Show.

I also saw this.  It was better.

The World Cup Captains all had to walk through picnickers along tarpaulin onto the stage while being stalked by bizarre dancers.  It was weird and uncomfortable.  Also, it didn't precede a game.  It was a stand alone night of nothing that meant nothing and just left everyone confused and a little embarrassed. 

2. Get rid of fielding restrictions
When Australia first hit 400 runs in an ODI match (back in 2006), I thought the world was about to end as a score that big was surely a sign of the apocolypse.

Since then, scores of 400+ have become a regular feature in this World Cup, reducing the level of competition between bat and ball and the contest overall.  A 6-hitting competition maybe adequate for T20 games as they only last a few hours, but 8 hours of it gets very tiresome.

And his team just hit 300+

My first thought around evening up the competition was to remove boundary scores and simply make batsmen run 4s and 6s (balls hit into the crowd would also increase spectator interest if they were suddenly part of the game), though this would be difficult to police.

The most obvious other approach would be to get rid of the fielding restrictions in ODI games, as well as the 'power plays'.  Batsmen don't need any help any more.

1. Improve the telecast
Again, fans will only go to or tune into something that is interesting.  For this World Cup, Australian fans have only had Australian games broadcast on free-to-air television.  All of the other games are only available on Pay TV. 

If administrators are serious about making the event something that attracts fans, make it accessible to them and put it on TV.

Sign of the Times: What's the difference?

A recent view of the irrepressible Townsville Bulletin presented the two following stories under the National and International banners.  The question is, though, what's the difference?

Star Wars YouTube Clip of the Day

Thought of the Day: Australia's World Cup Squad much like the Rebels

Cricket Australia, the omnipotent rulers of the Australian Cricketing Galaxy, released the players who will be making up the World Cup Squad this weekend past, leading to a mix of nods of agreement and surprised eye brows being raised.

While there are some players who would seem to be automatic selections, there are many others in the squad whose presence cannot be rationally understood.

Taking a few parsecs to consider the team, I came to the conclusion that the selected players are very much like the Rebel Army that attacked the Death Star in Return of the Jedi.  Some are wizards, some are risk takers and others just seem to be there.

With this theory in mind - lets look at some of the comparisons:

Michael Clarke (capt) = Admiral Ackbar

Michale Clarke is a great Cricketer, and a great One Day Cricketer.  He can lead, bat, bowl and field; when fit.  

When he isn’t fit, he can sit and commentate and observe fairly obvious things going on.  Like traps.

Thank you Michael. Yes.  It's a trap.

George Bailey (vice-capt) = Mon Mothma
Mon Mothma is something of a conundrum in the Star Wars world.  She is a leader of the rebellion, but seems to brood over the death of Bothans like no-one else.  Actually, it is precisely no-one else that cares about the dead Bothans.  Watch the movie, she goes all quiet about them being dead and no-one seems to give even a single moments interest.

Anyway, onto Bailey.  He’s in the team and is a leader, but no-one is sure why.  Perhaps it has something to do with his ability to present to a crowd. Similar to Mothma, it seems a long, long time ago since he actually earned his place.

David Warner = Han Solo 

Powerful player with an impressive track record.  Also isn’t afraid of smacking around his enemies, though I dare say Joe Root is a little less intimidating that Greedo.

Aaron Finch = Chewbacca 

Han Solo’s partner.

Shane Watson = C3PO 

Moves around robotically and doesn’t look like he could catch a ball unless it was hit right at him.  Claims to have some fairly incredible skills (e.g. fluent in over 6 million forms of communication / bowls at 130 km/h and can open the batting) though they don’t seem that effective in practice.

Steven Smith = Wedge Antilles

Fly under the radar and kill all our enemies with no reward or recognition? No problems.

Do you even know who wedge is in Star Wars?  You should.  He’s awesome.  He turns up to all the sky battles in which pretty much everyone dies but comes out unscathed.  

He has flown (literally) under the radar for most of his career but is in actual fact a literal destroyer of the opposition, much like Smith who wasn't even in the team until Ackbar got injured. 

Brad Haddin (wk) = R2D2

Handy and rather vocal member of the team who always seems to have a crucial role in any battle he is involved in.

Like R2D2, Haddin seems easy to replace (surely there are better droids out there that can be foiled by something as simple as stairs?), though continues to provide value through runs, leadership and conning the computer systems of a space station to tell you which garbage compactor your friends are in.

Glenn Maxwell,  = Luke Skywalker

Seemingly blessed with every talent under the (possibly multiple) sun(s), Maxwell is still young, a little hot headed and prone to the odd decision (e.g. while on an attack mission, hand yourself over to the enemy).

The Force is strong with this one.

Could turn a game with either bat or ball in his hand, no confirmation as to whether he kissed his sister.

James Faulkner = Lando Calrissien 

Best finisher in the Galaxy, Faulkner (like Lando) will stay cool under pressure to deliver the knock out punch from any situation, regardless of how dire things look.  He’s also the coolest guy in the team.

Xavier Doherty = The Dead Ewok

Much mystery surrounds the inclusion of Ewoks in a Rebel Army; they don’t stand taller than the Storm Troopers hips and, more importantly, they don’t have laser guns.

Similarly, Xavier Doherty can’t really bat or field, and his bowling has been described as “holding”.  Given that there are spin/slow bowlers in the country that can bat and field (e.g. Steve O’Keefe, Adam Zampa) and/or take wickets (e.g. Fawad Ahmed, Jon Holland, Cameron Boyce) there isn’t any clear explanation to Doherty’s inclusion in the team.

In the end, his inclusion is just a bit sad.