David EdwardsHas Ten Runs Lost Australia The Trophy?
October 19th 2006 13:05
As most one-day cricket fans are just getting into the ICC Champions Trophy in India, Australia has indeed started their campaign on the backfoot. In their first match of the competition, in what was considered a simple match to start off with, the Aussies have lost against the West Indies by ten runs.
Now first of all lets point out that this was a fantastic match, one that most people would have been glued to until the wee hours of the morning. West Indies lost their first few wickets without a worry, and the match had all the marking of a whitewash as the islanders were 4-64. However a 137 run partnership between Runako Morton and Brian Lara steered the side back on track, and were able to complete their overs on a solid 6-234.
Whilst Australia were constantly in the chase, especially as Gilchrist and Clarke held a 101 run partnership, but a hat-trick by Jerome Taylor in the final overs of the match lost the Aussies their momentum, and in the end they simply could not cover the score in time.
Now a single lost like this would not matter in any other normal tri-series tournament, but the Champions Trophy is a special occasion. As in Australia’s group (consisting of India, West Indies and England), everyone plays each other just the one time before the semi finals, so in essence every match can destroy a team’s chance of championship victory.
At the moment India top the table, effectively squashing the Poms by 4 wickets with ease, and the West Indies are just behind them. Australia and England round out the group.
The system consists of everyone in the group playing once, before the top two go through to the next round. What this means for Australia is that we have a chance to get some practice for the summer slaughter as we have to beat out next opponent to stay in contention, England.
The Poms were not that confident against the home side of India, but as we all know from the Ashes last year it is never a good idea to swagger into this game in case we are caught off guard.
But what this means is that facing up against our old foe on Saturday night, it is definitely a do or die situation. From our perspective, Australia have to win against England, then hope for either a upset against India, or even worse, support England in beating West Indies in their final match.
Regardless of how it will pan out over the next few matches, one thing is for certain. This Champions Trophy is still anyone’s, and there are quite a few good matches on the way before this championship wraps up.
And all of this from just ten runs.
Until next time, sports minds.
Now first of all lets point out that this was a fantastic match, one that most people would have been glued to until the wee hours of the morning. West Indies lost their first few wickets without a worry, and the match had all the marking of a whitewash as the islanders were 4-64. However a 137 run partnership between Runako Morton and Brian Lara steered the side back on track, and were able to complete their overs on a solid 6-234.
Whilst Australia were constantly in the chase, especially as Gilchrist and Clarke held a 101 run partnership, but a hat-trick by Jerome Taylor in the final overs of the match lost the Aussies their momentum, and in the end they simply could not cover the score in time.
Now a single lost like this would not matter in any other normal tri-series tournament, but the Champions Trophy is a special occasion. As in Australia’s group (consisting of India, West Indies and England), everyone plays each other just the one time before the semi finals, so in essence every match can destroy a team’s chance of championship victory.
At the moment India top the table, effectively squashing the Poms by 4 wickets with ease, and the West Indies are just behind them. Australia and England round out the group.
The system consists of everyone in the group playing once, before the top two go through to the next round. What this means for Australia is that we have a chance to get some practice for the summer slaughter as we have to beat out next opponent to stay in contention, England.
The Poms were not that confident against the home side of India, but as we all know from the Ashes last year it is never a good idea to swagger into this game in case we are caught off guard.
But what this means is that facing up against our old foe on Saturday night, it is definitely a do or die situation. From our perspective, Australia have to win against England, then hope for either a upset against India, or even worse, support England in beating West Indies in their final match.
Regardless of how it will pan out over the next few matches, one thing is for certain. This Champions Trophy is still anyone’s, and there are quite a few good matches on the way before this championship wraps up.
And all of this from just ten runs.
Until next time, sports minds.
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Comment by StephenP
If they could organise some decent batting wickets over there, it might give us a chance!!
We easily have the best top 7 out of all the countries competing, and with Lee, McGrath, Bracken and Watson, with capable backup in HOgg, Symonds and Clarke, we definately have the attack to take 10 opposition wickets.
Just give us a decent pitch!!!!
Cheers,
StephenP
Comment by TheCoach
The simple fact is that we constantly argue that we are the best Test and One Day side in the world, and if that's the case then the pitch would be no excuse.
We have won on Indian pitches before, and i think we will be able to do it again sometime soon!