ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
And finally after a 4 year long wait, the cricket world cup 2011 is just 11 days away to kick start off in Dhaka, super contenders India vs upset wonders Bangladesh on 19th Feb, 2011. The subcontinental grounds are more batsmen friendly and boasts of run feasts where talents from all around the world die to play on. The environment is not felt anywhere else in the world. Thousands of fans screaming at the top of their lungs, mexican waves and the battles fought. This is the arena where cricket is considered next to religion if not more, with some cricketers worshiped as gods. If i am not wrong, I think when New Zealand was once touring India, Stephen Fleming hung microphones at the nets to get accustomed to the crowd excitement, which was unlike what they were used to in their homeland.
PAKISTAN :
The tournament did start off with some controversies with the bans imposed on Pakistani players ex-captain Salman Butt, magnificent Mohammed Asif and teennage sensation Mohammed Aamer who were all proven guilty of spot fixing during the Pakistan Vs England series. Flamboyant Sahid Afridi is all set to lead the team.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/9388893.stm) Afridi is a destructive force and can spring a surprise to the opponents. With stable Misbah as a wall that keeps pushing with immense power. Shoaib Akhtar probably will be considering this as his last world cup and will be playing it with all his life. We all know how destructive he can be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3FxTVb5HBs (Pakistan moments)
AUSTRALIA :
Australia with the series victory of 6-1 over England in the recently played ODI series, will have to play their best to defend their championship status. Captain Ricky Ponting might also play it as his last world cup will use all his wits to be the captain with the most world cup wins. With a fast bowling battery consisting of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger and gift of the gods in Shane Watson, a captain who is considered as one of the greats of the batting masters has its spinal cord made of Michael Clark and the Husseys. Andrew Symmonds will be missed, as a matter of fact any team would, team Australia will be all set to dominate their way through the series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iKoAgPOjqQ&feature=related (The Defenders)
NEW ZEALAND :
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has announced his retirement as the National team captain after the mega event. High on Jesse Ryders century, the team would be the one of the underdogs but with players of the caliber of Brandon McCullum and Jacob Oram, led by the captain of action could scale heights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVxd8aiuRk (The Under-dogs)
WEST INDIES :
The 2 time world champion where the gentle giants ruled decades back are contending with potential match winners who are threats to any opposition on their given day. Left out in the IPL 2011 auctions, captain Chris Gayle on his favorite hunting grounds will make serious attempts to make his mark. With explosive all rounders in Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo the nations will see a lot of fireworks. Having ex-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan back in the squad, who combines force with all time veteran Shivnaraine Chanderpaul to pour the experience with rage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdhSEmQZOsE (Once ruled the game)
SRI LANKA :
The team with spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan playing his last world cup and supported by mystery magician Ajantha Mendis, toe crushing Lasith Malinga, destructive Tillakaratne Dilshan who can turn around a match in a matter of a few overs, evolving Mahela Jayawardene and captain Kumar Sangakara won the championship in such ground conditions in the 1996 edition. They are also a leading contenders for the cup.
ENGLAND :
The originators of the game but other than the 2010 T20 world cup, it didn’t win any ICC events. High on the Ashes victory, the humiliating 6-1 by the kangaroos served the English side a balancing jolt to make sure they forget the Ashes not and get back on the road to the mother of all trophies. Captain Andrew Strauss will need to hold his nerve while leading the pack in the quest for the jewelled prize.
SOUTH AFRICA :
Like England, this is another strong side which has never won the world cup. History has witnessed how hard luck changes destinies and who else can best describe it other than South Africa. Another star studded line-up and proven match winners who have been there and done almost everything, raising the bar of performance not only for themselves but also for world cricket.
INDIA :
Now just before the signal if flared to start the tournament, the Indian camp suffered a jolt as its medium pace bowler Praveen Kumar failed the fitness test. Rightful replacement would be Sreesanth, says the Indian cricketing greats. The squad look solid but I will miss the games of Rohit Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Robin Uthappa. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the guy who has yet a lot to learn about the delivery of expectations. The stage lights will definitely be on the God of cricket, as they talk of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. A lot is being said about his last world cup and that the team should win it for him. Captain cool MSD has a formidable squad line up with the top 6 in Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj, Raina and Yusuf, cannot ignore the tons Harbhajan recently played. Home conditions though would be in favour for the team but the pressure will be immense. Team India is also a favourite for the trophy of 2011.
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