CUP FAVOURITES
The bowling machines
Predicting an outcome is always tough for anyone. Many pundits of sports have had egg all over their faces or fallen flat trying to envisage how an event would end. I’m expected to name the teams I believe will make it to the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be played on 9 and 11
July – ahead of the final at Lord’s on 14 July.
I know it’s a brave move but worth a try as a close analysis of the teams shows where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
I’m not looking at all the teams but three of the top sides, which in my opinion carry the necessary ammunition to make it to the semifinals. My choices would be England, India and Australia as they’re likely to make it to the last four.
The fourth team could be either the West Indies or Kiwis although
I’m not putting too much effort into analysing the last semifinalist – rather, it is to justify my thinking with regard to the three teams I’ve mentioned above.
To begin with, Australia have won the World Cup the most number of times and India on two occasions while England have been the maid but never the bride. That’s the background, though it may not hold water in this year’s tournament.
Furthermore, one needs to consider the format of the current
World Cup, which is unique. Every team is playing nine games against all participating sides. In short, it’s about maintaining the momentum.
In such a scenario, two things could happen. Firstly, the quality teams can afford to drop a game but will have the fire power to win the rest. And what about the teams that aren’t so fancied? They can surprise you for a game or two but may fall away with defeats and eventually be decimated.
In this context, I believe that to win or progress in a World Cup, teams need to have certain qualities – and this time around, it’s the bowlers that come out on top. Watching the tournament unfold and considering the care that the ICC gives the pitches, one has to
expect high scoring games. Indeed, 300 plus runs has to be the standard for a team to win on most grounds. In such a scenario, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that teams with bowlers who can take wickets will feature strongly.
There are many such factors in the three teams I have mentioned, which is why
I believe they are the front-runners.
Let’s look at England for a start. They possess some real gems in the form of
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood with extra pace, and Adil Rashid with his leg spin. All three are wicket takers and the damage they could cause in their allotted overs to back up a strong batting unit will be England’s formula.
The Indians are no different. Jasprit Bumrah, and spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep
Yadav, will certainly influence India’s performance at this World Cup.
In the case of Australia, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon will lead the attack.
People may argue that most other teams have similar combinations in their bowling, but one needs to look at the batting strength too.
I don’t rule out the importance of batting at all as it’s an integral part of any team. However, quality batting with the capability to bat deep with wicket taking bowlers is the formula for a World Cup win on 14 July.
The three teams I’ve mentioned have what it takes to go all the way. At least, that’s my prediction!