World Cup wide open

Its World Cup fever at its best as the world’s greatest cricket extravaganza starts in the Caribbean next week. Especially in the cricket-crazy subcontinent, cricket fever would be at its best. There is a passion for cricket and it is a part of most people’s lives here. Hence, we could expect a carnival atmosphere not only in the Caribbean islands but in the sub-continent as well.

What makes the ninth edition of the World Cup cricket even more interesting and exciting is the fact that the tournament has become wide open even before the first ball of next Tuesday’s ‘curtain raiser’ game between the West Indies and Pakistan is bowled. As former Australian cricketer and present Sri Lanka coach, Tom Moody has quite rightly stated, this is going to be the most open World Cup tournament ever in its 31-year-old history.

Almost all ICC full member nations have equal chances of making it to the finals. Despite the shock defeats at the hands of Kiwis, Australia has a formidable side that could well be successful in their title defence.

As their captain Rickey Ponting has warned, Australia could well be the hardest team to beat. Bangladesh’s exciting two-wicket win over New Zealand in their ICC World Cup warm up match in Bridgetown on Tuesday has been an early indication that there could be many more shocks.

New Zealand is a team which came to the Caribbean with their heads high and to go down to minnows Bangladesh is the least that they would have expected.

New Zealand is a team which humbled the reigning world champions Australia 3-0 in the last ODI series prior to the World Cup. They are the ones who brought down the Aussie cricketing glorydown to earth. If Bangladesh could upset a team of that calibre, it is an indication that the team from Dhaka is motivated for another giant-killing performance.

It is an eye opener for Sri Lanka as well as Bangladesh is drawn in the same group along with India and Bermuda. It’s nice to see Sri Lanka warming up with a thumping win over Scotland. But they should not get carried away by early success, especially as they faced a weak opponent like Bermuda.

Definitely, the Group ‘B’ attraction would be the Indo-Lanka tie on March 23. But we can’t take things for granted. Sri Lanka can not afford to make any mistakes, if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive. Apart from the first round tie against India, Sri Lanka has to be extra cautious when they take on Bangladesh.

True, we have a far superior side to that of Bangladesh. But one small mistake could spoil the World Cup dream. Every single ball could turn out to be an ultimate decider in a crunch situation. India has been rated as one of the front-runners for the title and they are well set to give Sri Lanka an acid test.

But Sri Lanka has a well balanced side which is a rich blend of experience and youth. We will not get a formidable team like this and this is Sri Lanka’s best opportunity to regain the World Cup they won in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga.

Calypso music, glorious uncertainties of cricket, excitement and nail-biting finishes are some of the key factors that would be associated with the 2007 World Cup. Besides Australia and New Zealand, there three teams from the sub-continent - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, could turn dangerous opponents at any moment. At the same time, we cannot forget the strong South African outfit, which is a good bet.

Advantages home conditions would give a distinct advantage to the West Indies in their bid to win the third World Cup after Clive Lloyd’s men’s invincible performance in back to back tournaments in England - in 1975 and 1979. Besides Brian Lara, they may not have superstars in the squad but still, they have a well-knit side that could come good.

Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar are three of the most experienced batsmen who have made a name with their broad willows. If their bats continue to do the talking, then the World Cup fans are out for a grand treat.

Sri Lanka will be fielding one of the most experienced sides. In Sanath Jayasuriya (11,538 runs), Marvan Atapattu (8,529), Mahela Jayawardene(6,185), Kumar Sangakkara (5,476) and Russel Anold (3,832), Sri Lanka have five veteran batsmen who have jointly aggregated nearly 32,000 ODI runs.

There is no exception in bowling. The total joint contribution of Muttiah Muralitharan (432), Chaminda Vaas (370) and Jayasuriya (285) is 1,087 ODI scalps. Sri Lanka has a huge bonous here as their experience would matter a lot in handing tense situations. Whatever the outcome would be in Kensington Oval, Barbados on April 28, cricket fans across the globe are set to have a rare treat for the next seven weeks.