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| Friday, 10 September 2004 |
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Any of seven teams could win By Muttiah Muralitharan I'm so disappointed to be missing this year's Champions Trophy because we are a good side at the moment. We are definitely a side in form, having played very well against South Africa, beating them 5-0, and having won the Asia Cup as well. So for me to miss one of the biggest tournaments after the World Cup following my shoulder surgery is very disappointing. We have some good fast bowlers coming through in Sri Lanka. Chaminda Vaas is dominating at the moment, Nuwan Zoysa is also bowling well, young Lasith Malinga is a very good prospect and Farveez Maharoof is a good all-rounder. We also have spinners like Upul Chandana bowling well and batsmen who can bowl spin like Sanath Jayasuriya, who is so experienced. To be honest any one of seven teams could win - England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, South Africa and New Zealand. You can't really tip anyone although you can say Australia are favourites. Australia's batting line-up is very strong. They are all very powerful players and even if they lose wickets they maintain their scoring momentum so that can be tough for their opponents. Mentally they are a bit tougher than other sides as well. I think their bowling may be a weakness, however. They are not performing at their peak in that department. Pakistan lost to us in the Asia Cup and I also saw a few matches of theirs against Australia. They have a good batting line-up and good all-rounders but lack something mentally. They always lose their way in the final overs and lack consistency. India are bound to miss Sachin Tendulkar. When he plays, India play good cricket as a whole. Even if he doesn't play well his presence in the side lifts the rest of the players. But without him India have struggled. They lost in Holland too and twice against England in recent matches. They are lacking in confidence a bit - even in their batting because the big players are not scoring. It's a worry for India because they are not in a good frame of mind. I am not convinced they are going to be a big threat. South Africa have got big players in the shape of Jacques Kallis, Her schelle Gibbs and Shaun Pollock. While they have poor recent form in the subcontinent they might come into their own in English conditions because the ball can come onto the bat better and sometimes the ball will swing for them. They also have a bit of an easier path to reach the final compared to most of the other teams, however. England are a good side but always for some reason something goes wrong for them in these big tournaments. Maybe they will do well but I am not so convinced they can win because their one-day form is very bad. They did win two one-day games against India but apart from that they have no form to speak of. Lastly, we need to mention the Kiwis. New Zealand are a well-disciplined side are tough to break down, and though they have no big players everyone tends to perform for them. They will give Australia a good run for their money when those two teams to meet.(BBC) |
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