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| Tuesday, 21 September 2004 |
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Will England prove their competence against Aussies ? Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England Edgbaston, Monday, The Australian cricketing mean machine which has been well oiled and tuned by its minder Ricky Ponting should run over Michael Vaughan's Englishmen and call halt to their progress when they meet in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the London Oval tomorrow. Unless the glorious uncertainties of the game come to the fore, the rampaging Aussies must win. They are tight and elegant in every aspect and if the hosts are to topple the yellow and green shirts, then they will have to perform a miracle. Australia underlined their favourite tag by smashing the USA and New Zealand. While they just played about with the Americans, they unleashed their fury against the Kiwis and stuffed them well and good. The wicket here looks very dry and although it will be batsman friendly, the early moisture in it and the morning conditions will be helpful to seam and swing. In the circumstances, the side winning the toss will want to field first. If Australia field first, then new ball bowlers Glen McGrath, Jason Gillespie, along with Michael Kasprovicz and Shane Watson will ruin the England batting. Especially McGrath, Gillespie and Kasprovicz are intelligent and clever users of the new ball. McGrath has fine in dipper and moves it away from the batsman very cleverly. Gillespie gets the ball to climb rib cage level and could move it disconcertingly off the wicket. Kasprovicz is one of the finest cutters of the ball. The England early batting has not been striking well and it will require a superhuman effort from Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood to score against them. The Aussie batting is sound and strong with Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden to bash it around with Ponting, Martyn, Symonds, Clarke and Lehman to pile on the agony. Stephan Harmison the tall young England fast bowler has been enjoying a very successful summer and would want to cap it all with good final effort. Darran Gough has been cunning as he always does and Alex Wharf and Paul Collingwood would endeavour to make an impression. Spin will come from Ashley Giles. However the cynosure of all eyes will be the two best allrounders in the game today, Andrew Symonds and Andrew Flintoff. While Symonds is the better player, Flintoff needs luck to get into top gear. Symonds against the Kiwis gave an exhibition of beefy strokeplay that sent the ball three times over the fence at the Oval. If he gets an opportunity to bat, then the English bowlers will be in for a severe thrashing. Flintoff who smashed a lucky hundred against the butter fingered Sri Lankans, will owing to his impetuosity offer a chance early on and the Aussies will not drop it, like the Lankans did and allow him progress. The teams have been hard at practice, sharpening their rough edges and will put their best men out for this battle and what is assured is a real cricketing battle at Edgbaston. The weather here has continued to uncertain. It remains that way this time of the year and it is hoped that the weather gods will be kind and allow good, exciting cricket to be played, wishing both teams luck and allowing the best team to win. The side doing the requirements needed for this style of game right will win. There could be changes in both teams after the captains have a look at the wicket and the conditions in the morning. There will be full house at Edgbaston. |
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