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NormWorld Cup Fever! (Cricket Style)
March 15th 2007 12:53
Well it’s now underway, what many cricket fans have been waiting for since the Ashes demolition in December, the ICC Cricket World Cup. Whilst the Commonwealth Bank Trophy and the Champions Trophy are two highly sought after championships, this is the pinnacle of one day cricket, what many nations will train hard for over four years to break into.
And Australia have been gearing up for this contest for a number of months. With a disappointing end to the Australian cricket season both on home soil and in New Zealand, they were looking for some revenge in the World Cup. After a few practice matches, where they could flex their sporting muscles, they decided to make their stance in the first match, and unfortunately for minnow opponent Scotland, this could only mean one thing, a demolition derby.
The final score was 6-334 for Australia, and after limiting Scotland to a miserly 131, meant that their was a win for their first match, and such an imposing win (203 runs – a record for the World Cup), it meant that the men in green and gold had shown the cricket world that they had come to the West Indies to play.
But let’s face the truth here. Sure it was a fantastic win for Australia, but the score means nothing. Scotland was a easy opponent first up, and only the serious cynic would have considered a loss for Australia in this game. Looking at the result for the team means nothing, but looking how the individuals played can tell us a great deal.
First of all, lets look at the batting. Skipper Ricky Ponting again proved his batting prowess, top scoring for the side and recording his 23rd ODI century with a 113. Gilchrist worked well with Hayden in the opening partnership, and despite Gilchrist missing out of his half-ton, scoring 46 off 55, he gave Australia the foundation to work with.
Hayden worked well as cover man, assisting both Gilchrist and Ponting in their runs. Earning 60 off 73 balls, he was able to prove beyond doubt that he deserved this role he recently returned with. Other than these big three openers, the next best batter was youngster Hogg, who came in at the tail-end of the innings to replace Ponting and drive the final nail into the coffin for Scotland, notching up 40 runs off 15 balls which included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Watson also was relatively in touch, scoring 18 off 11.
In the batting innings came off two batters who have earned their keep Clarke and Hussey. Clarke was only able to notch up 15 off 20, whilst Mr. Cricket himself did not even make double digits, scoring only 6 runs. Whilst this means nothing at the moment, add this to his role in New Zealand and suddenly many people will be looking at Hussey to see if he can regain his impressive form in time.
From the bowlers viewpoint, McGrath silenced any critics that he had lost his touch, notching up the impressive total of 3-14. His six over spell included 1 maiden over, a rate of 2.33 (third best in the side), and any doubt that he was leaving the game because he had lost his touch. Hogg and Hodge were able to grab one wicket each, earning the equally impressive 1-16 (2.23 Econ) and 1-17 (2.83) respectively, whilst Watson (0-18, 2.57) and Bracken (0-12, 2.00) was able to keep the Scottish side without a chance.
The only concern came from the biggest inclusion to the squad pre World-Cup, youngster Shaun Tait, who was able to claim two scalps including danger man Poonia for only four runs, but was very expensive in his spell. In his eight overs, his results were 2-45, making his Econ the biggest at 5.62 for the game, which also included 3 wides. Whilst it was no concern in this match, when we face up against the bigger opponents such as South Africa, it might mean that Tait will give up more runs than Australia can afford.
Whilst there are a few points we have to consider from this match, the biggest thing to take away from this was the victory. This means that Australia are in winning form again, and this can only mean good things for the side. Whilst it is only the optimist who can consider that Australia will once again go through the tournament without dropping a match, they have just gone one step closer in securing the number ODI side position again, and along the way the World Cup.
Until next time, sports minds.
And Australia have been gearing up for this contest for a number of months. With a disappointing end to the Australian cricket season both on home soil and in New Zealand, they were looking for some revenge in the World Cup. After a few practice matches, where they could flex their sporting muscles, they decided to make their stance in the first match, and unfortunately for minnow opponent Scotland, this could only mean one thing, a demolition derby.
The final score was 6-334 for Australia, and after limiting Scotland to a miserly 131, meant that their was a win for their first match, and such an imposing win (203 runs – a record for the World Cup), it meant that the men in green and gold had shown the cricket world that they had come to the West Indies to play.
But let’s face the truth here. Sure it was a fantastic win for Australia, but the score means nothing. Scotland was a easy opponent first up, and only the serious cynic would have considered a loss for Australia in this game. Looking at the result for the team means nothing, but looking how the individuals played can tell us a great deal.
First of all, lets look at the batting. Skipper Ricky Ponting again proved his batting prowess, top scoring for the side and recording his 23rd ODI century with a 113. Gilchrist worked well with Hayden in the opening partnership, and despite Gilchrist missing out of his half-ton, scoring 46 off 55, he gave Australia the foundation to work with.
Hayden worked well as cover man, assisting both Gilchrist and Ponting in their runs. Earning 60 off 73 balls, he was able to prove beyond doubt that he deserved this role he recently returned with. Other than these big three openers, the next best batter was youngster Hogg, who came in at the tail-end of the innings to replace Ponting and drive the final nail into the coffin for Scotland, notching up 40 runs off 15 balls which included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Watson also was relatively in touch, scoring 18 off 11.
In the batting innings came off two batters who have earned their keep Clarke and Hussey. Clarke was only able to notch up 15 off 20, whilst Mr. Cricket himself did not even make double digits, scoring only 6 runs. Whilst this means nothing at the moment, add this to his role in New Zealand and suddenly many people will be looking at Hussey to see if he can regain his impressive form in time.
From the bowlers viewpoint, McGrath silenced any critics that he had lost his touch, notching up the impressive total of 3-14. His six over spell included 1 maiden over, a rate of 2.33 (third best in the side), and any doubt that he was leaving the game because he had lost his touch. Hogg and Hodge were able to grab one wicket each, earning the equally impressive 1-16 (2.23 Econ) and 1-17 (2.83) respectively, whilst Watson (0-18, 2.57) and Bracken (0-12, 2.00) was able to keep the Scottish side without a chance.
The only concern came from the biggest inclusion to the squad pre World-Cup, youngster Shaun Tait, who was able to claim two scalps including danger man Poonia for only four runs, but was very expensive in his spell. In his eight overs, his results were 2-45, making his Econ the biggest at 5.62 for the game, which also included 3 wides. Whilst it was no concern in this match, when we face up against the bigger opponents such as South Africa, it might mean that Tait will give up more runs than Australia can afford.
Whilst there are a few points we have to consider from this match, the biggest thing to take away from this was the victory. This means that Australia are in winning form again, and this can only mean good things for the side. Whilst it is only the optimist who can consider that Australia will once again go through the tournament without dropping a match, they have just gone one step closer in securing the number ODI side position again, and along the way the World Cup.
Until next time, sports minds.
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Comment by Jeannine Baird
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