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| Saturday, 25 September 2004 |
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England well on course to win ICC trophy Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England The Oval, London, Friday - Unless the unforeseen happens, England are well on the way to winning their first major trophy in the annals of one-day cricket when they lock horns with the West Indies at the Oval, tomorrow. However everything depends on the weather keeping fine and allowing a good and exciting game of cricket to be watched by the full house that is expected, for this ICC Trophy final. It is not easy to predict the weather, especially at this time of the year. It can get cold, it can get warm and when it is lest expected it can pour. The wicket that has been prepared for the final looks a 250 plus wicket and if the batsmen on both sides, bat the way this type of game requires, then a run feast should ensure. The bowlers too, if they can bowl wicket to wicket and contain the batsmen, then they would have given their side a chance of victory. The teams will not be taking any chances. This being a final that both sides want to win, no quarter will be or given asked. It must be remembered that the teams, especially the champions having a lot of money to be won. US$ 300,000 to the champs. That's a helluva lot of money and the two teams will be yearning to pocket it. England will be under pressure, not only show that their cricket is on the up and up, they will also want to shut the mouths of their critics and satisfy their supporters and give them something to cheer. England have entered three World Cup finals, but have never been able to win and bask in its glory. Sad when one comes to think that England gave the game of cricket to the world. The good news in the West Indies camp is that champion batsman Brian Lara has been declared fit to play. When he was struck by a brute of a delivery from Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan pace ace, and fell to the ground, it looked as though it was the end of Lara for this tourney. But it was later learnt that he was only dazed and shaken and that he would be fit to lead the Calypso boys, and god willing to final championship honours. In an earlier article I said that the Windies are the 'dark horses', and that they have it them to surprise the cricket world. They have so far lived up to that tag, and if the pieces fall right, then they can gobble up the Englishmen. Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds failed in the last game. But that was owing to sudden lapses in concentration. It will be different this time. Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Powell will have to score. Sarwan who has been in tremendous form, and another good knock should seem him carry away the 'Man of the Series' award. Bowlers, with Mervyn Dillon likely to come back will be strengthened. Collymore, Bradshaw and Hinds must be spot on. England has everything that goes to see them emerge victors Skipper Michael Vaughan showed the way against Australia performing adequately as an allrounder. He will have to lead from the front again. Trescothich, Solnkai, Strauss, Flintoff and Collingwood must all make runs. All eyes and hopes would be on Flintoff performing in an allround capacity. he is not consistent, but can turn things England way with his - come or go Chicago - approach. Elder statesman Darren Gough who has the right temperament for this style of game, is sure to show that he has a lot more fire left in him. Harmison, Flintoff, Wharf and Collingwood are ideal limited over bowlers, with Harmsion being the more hostile with his late swing and ability to get the ball to climb rib cage high and torment the batsmen. The stage is set for a blockbuster of a final. |
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