Cometh the hour, cometh the performance. Based on the evidence of the Indian team's performance in their first two fixtures, one can reasonably conclude that they were saving themselves for the World Cup. There's something about colored clothes and the white ball that seems to bring out the top game out of this team. The same unit that was definitely tepid in the recently concluded Tri Series where they didn't make the finals. Was it all according to plan? To not be fully invested in a side show and save themselves physically and emotionally for the big occasion?
It is pleasing to watch the transformation of the bowling performance. Umesh is still wayward but at least he has the pace. But the difference in Shami's performance is nothing less than magical. Where was this control hiding these past months? He had an air of resignation about him in the tests, often seeming listless against confident batters. Same question to Shikar Dhawan who seems to be middling nearly everything thrown at him. And Mohit "last-minute" Sharma has turned out to be a revelation based on the evidence available.
Concerns still linger about Rohit's form and lack of runs from Dhoni. Can Virat please overcome this new found weakness in the pull shot that I first observed in the Adelaide test? The inability to push the scoring in the death overs in both the matches seems to not make full use of the good platform put up the top order. This batting unit hasn't been tested while chasing a stiff total. Both the wins have come defending good totals - which is saying a lot given what was expected of the bowlers - after winning both tosses and batting first. But with the two main games in the pocket, India can now play the theoretically weaker team from the other group in the quarters. But sterner tests lay beyond.
Unless cricket is played in the Easter Islands or some such corner, one can count on Indian fans in strong numbers to throw their voice behind the team. MCG bathed in a loud, throbbing sea of blue was truly a spectacle to see.
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England, part of the Big "axis-of-evil" Three, has been run ragged in the tournament that they want shortened in 2019. Sweet irony. They have been mauled on either side of the Tasman sea by the co hosts and have managed a win against Scotland. But a lackluster performance by the English team in a world cup seems to be given. But the talk still reeks of the sun not setting on the empire.
An ideal format could be 10 teams in two groups of 5. The top 6 ranks qualify automatically, the remaining 4 are selected by pre-WC qualifiers (other test playing nations + associates). Top 6 make it to an all play all Super 6 round. Decide semi finalists and a best of three final. Any takers?
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As powerful batters help themselves to easy runs against hapless teams (Chris "school-bully|" Gayle and Tillakaratne "I'm-still-playing" Dilshan), I'm really looking forward to what should be an evenly matched contest: the Aus - NZ game. Go black caps!
It is pleasing to watch the transformation of the bowling performance. Umesh is still wayward but at least he has the pace. But the difference in Shami's performance is nothing less than magical. Where was this control hiding these past months? He had an air of resignation about him in the tests, often seeming listless against confident batters. Same question to Shikar Dhawan who seems to be middling nearly everything thrown at him. And Mohit "last-minute" Sharma has turned out to be a revelation based on the evidence available.
Concerns still linger about Rohit's form and lack of runs from Dhoni. Can Virat please overcome this new found weakness in the pull shot that I first observed in the Adelaide test? The inability to push the scoring in the death overs in both the matches seems to not make full use of the good platform put up the top order. This batting unit hasn't been tested while chasing a stiff total. Both the wins have come defending good totals - which is saying a lot given what was expected of the bowlers - after winning both tosses and batting first. But with the two main games in the pocket, India can now play the theoretically weaker team from the other group in the quarters. But sterner tests lay beyond.
Unless cricket is played in the Easter Islands or some such corner, one can count on Indian fans in strong numbers to throw their voice behind the team. MCG bathed in a loud, throbbing sea of blue was truly a spectacle to see.
----------------------
England, part of the Big "axis-of-evil" Three, has been run ragged in the tournament that they want shortened in 2019. Sweet irony. They have been mauled on either side of the Tasman sea by the co hosts and have managed a win against Scotland. But a lackluster performance by the English team in a world cup seems to be given. But the talk still reeks of the sun not setting on the empire.
An ideal format could be 10 teams in two groups of 5. The top 6 ranks qualify automatically, the remaining 4 are selected by pre-WC qualifiers (other test playing nations + associates). Top 6 make it to an all play all Super 6 round. Decide semi finalists and a best of three final. Any takers?
-----------------------
As powerful batters help themselves to easy runs against hapless teams (Chris "school-bully|" Gayle and Tillakaratne "I'm-still-playing" Dilshan), I'm really looking forward to what should be an evenly matched contest: the Aus - NZ game. Go black caps!
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