Finch hits World Cup ton as Australia dominate Sri Lanka
hold the pitch together, but then browner pitches also at the very same venue.
Uniform neutral pitches are a key requirement for a global tournament like this and that has unfortunately not always been the case. Sides have to adjust, but the disgruntled murmurs emanating from some team camps can be understood.
It’s a shame that it's not practical to cover the entire playing area like is the norm in Sri Lanka. That effort requires huge manpower but it has become something of an art form for us and helps protect cricket from some of the monsoonal downpours we have to contend with.
For Sri Lanka, the forward strategy is a pretty simple one: bat well and build totals the bowlers can defend; or work out how to chase down the totals set. There is a need to get back to basics in terms of building long partnerships.
Australia
This gives them the opportunity to strengthen their all-round abilities by selecting Ravindra Jadeja or Vijay Shankar, or instead go with the full batsman in terms of experience and class in Dinesh Karthik.
Whichever way they go, it will be looked on as an opportunity by their passionate and fantastic captain Virat Kohli, and especially by KL Rahul who will probably be promoted to open the innings.
The weather forecast for their epic clash with Pakistan looks reasonable and it should be a fantastic contest. India will be favourites to extend their fine record in World Cups against Pakistan and their unbeaten run in this tournament.
However, Pakistan are very dangerous when things click and we will just have to see which Pakistani team turns up on the day.
South Africa, meanwhile, are struggling to break free from the AB de Villiers selection controversy after news broke that he had made a last-minute offer to play in the World Cup despite previously retiring from international cricket.
My view is that AB has been plagued with indecision in the recent past and has struggled to balance out the requirements of playing lucrative franchise cricket with the sacrifice that comes with playing for your country.
The reasons for this are complex, and possibly not entirely of his own making, but if he wanted to return to the international fold a sacrifice was in turn required well ahead of time to prepare and reintegrate fully to the South African side.
The decision to refuse his offer of a comeback for the World Cup must have been a hard one, especially in light of the expert skill he brings to the side and his clear match winning ability, however it seems a decision taken after much thought.
The issue would have been better served if it were public knowledge before the tournament began rather than being disseminated once South Africa lost a few games.