The Super Eight round of this ongoing World Cup Cricket 2007 is now going on. After the two days of intervention the remaining matches of this round will resume from 7th of April. This is true that the unexpected exit of India and Pakistan has destroyed much of the attraction of the tournament.
Now, the million dollar question is that which four teams will get the ticket of the semi-final round. I think Australia, Sri Lanka both have already gone a long way and are near to the semi-finals. For other two teams, I would like to bet on New Zealand and South Africa. However, in the last match against Sri Lanka, England showed that they are likely to come back with their full pace in the coming matches. Except Sri Lanka and West Indies, all the teams have 4 matches remaining in the super eight. So, in four matches anything can happen.
I think in this world cup, Sri Lanka is a balanced team who has a good batting line up and almost all of their front line batsmen are in good form. On the other hand, their bowlers are getting success continuously. Lasith Malinga is the star attraction of this World Cup. You cannot ignore Chaminda Vaas too.
Australia is dominating the cricket world again and it is in superb form. In all the three departments, Australian players are impressive. I become astonished seeing their ground fielding as well as catching. Moreover, Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist are now on fire and whenever it happens, the opponent bowlers have nothing to do except seeing their destructive batting. Captain Ricky Pointing is doing his job in the best fashion. Australia is almost sure to reach the semi-final.
South Africa is now the no.1 ranked team in the ICC ODI ranking. However, in terms of their performance they could not surpass Australia in this world cup. It is also true that they are still one of the strongest contenders of this world cup. Jacques Kallis is now in a good form and their bowlers especially Charl Langeveldt is doing his job very well. I think that South Africa will reach the semi-final.
New Zealand came to this world cup after whitewashing Australia in the home series. However, in the warm match of the world cup, they unexpectedly lost to Bangladesh which sent them on back foot but from the beginning of the world cup they started to get back their rhythm and showed their ability to win the world cup. At this moment, captain Stephen Fleming and all rounder Jacob Oram are in a good form which is most important for them. On the other hand, for bowling, Shane Bond is now rocking. This speed star is now in his prime form.
Do you agree with me about the four semi-finalists? How about West Indies and England? Do you think that Bangladesh and Ireland can cause some more upsets?
The situation is so tough. So it is not easy to say that who are going to play the semi-final match. But my opinion is, Australia, South Africa. Sri-Lanka and new-Zealand
Posted by: animesh chandra bain | April 6, 2007 2:15 PM | Permalink to Comment