First of all let me congratulate England for winning rather retaining the Ashes down under..This should have happened long time ago when Macgreth and Warne (sorry if I got the spelling wrong Glen) left the field and credit goes to Australia also for holding on until now.
The era of Australian domination is over just like the West Indian domination in seventies. However, I cannot forget Sir Botham's contribution in mid eighties but this time it is the team work that lead to the victory and credit goes to Flower behind the scene and Strauss for workman like leadership. I knew he had all the credentials to lead a victorious team but do not be complacent the Australian team by all its worth and standard was very poor outfit.
Like Australian politics and not being able to stand up for their man of Wickileaks Australia has shown it is still under the Queen's Grip but not a Republic of People who can be proud of their history and achievements as a nation.
Coming back to World Cup, who will win?
In cricket it is hard to predict but I go for South Africa and with the shrewed leadership of Smith, they can do it.
South Africa did a good thing by appointing him as the captain when young. He has matured to be the best standing captain and with stature and amiable smile, like our smiling assassin Muththiah come World Cup he should (without injuries of course) be able stand to the rigours of one day cricket and raise the World Cup.
Their only weakness is spin (slow) balling department in both facing the spin ballers and using spinners to compliment the army of pacies they have.
The wickets and weather are going to be their spoiler enemies and Smith should be able to smell the weather as well as dirty politics well in advance of the World Cup.
Please do not be corrupt like Gilchrist and play the game by the spirit of the game.
Unlike football (it is a corrupt game, anyway) in South Africa they are not under pressure and when one is not under pressure one achieves better results.
Good Luck Southies!.
Mind you umpires can be spoilers especially Australian and English!
Now why I did not fancy any of the South East countries.
In this part of the world the cricket is corrupt like politics. Good example is Sri-Lanka and my gut feeling is that they will not even pass the Round Robin Stage (unless they use some undercover political maneuvering).
India got the Mega Star image like Indian celluloid's and Pakistan is still struggling to emerge from Military to civilian life with terrorist holding the country transom and unfortunately religion has become a curse to neighboring countries (it is so in Sri-Lanka too, it does not matter in what form it comes with monks in the parliament doing sweet nothing).
To the players I have one warning.
Cricket is stronger than a religion in this part of the world.
Do not play dirty or politics with the game.
Win or lose enjoy the sunshine and the game.
Good workman like players we will remember to our twilight years.
What matters is the game not the individuals and one should be able to say "I did it my way" and "it worked" and a smile for the waiting cameras.
If you play by the rules we will be with you when you are under the weather and the press.
One example would suffice.
When Shrawag was denied a century, a few of us were behind you.
You have a point to prove and when you play against Sri-Lanka but do not make it spoil your excellent performance.
You can be the " player of the series" if you have a simple game plan and play one ball at time.
Your balling will be a secret weapon and practice that too to win.
The era of Australian domination is over just like the West Indian domination in seventies. However, I cannot forget Sir Botham's contribution in mid eighties but this time it is the team work that lead to the victory and credit goes to Flower behind the scene and Strauss for workman like leadership. I knew he had all the credentials to lead a victorious team but do not be complacent the Australian team by all its worth and standard was very poor outfit.
Like Australian politics and not being able to stand up for their man of Wickileaks Australia has shown it is still under the Queen's Grip but not a Republic of People who can be proud of their history and achievements as a nation.
Coming back to World Cup, who will win?
In cricket it is hard to predict but I go for South Africa and with the shrewed leadership of Smith, they can do it.
South Africa did a good thing by appointing him as the captain when young. He has matured to be the best standing captain and with stature and amiable smile, like our smiling assassin Muththiah come World Cup he should (without injuries of course) be able stand to the rigours of one day cricket and raise the World Cup.
Their only weakness is spin (slow) balling department in both facing the spin ballers and using spinners to compliment the army of pacies they have.
The wickets and weather are going to be their spoiler enemies and Smith should be able to smell the weather as well as dirty politics well in advance of the World Cup.
Please do not be corrupt like Gilchrist and play the game by the spirit of the game.
Unlike football (it is a corrupt game, anyway) in South Africa they are not under pressure and when one is not under pressure one achieves better results.
Good Luck Southies!.
Mind you umpires can be spoilers especially Australian and English!
Now why I did not fancy any of the South East countries.
In this part of the world the cricket is corrupt like politics. Good example is Sri-Lanka and my gut feeling is that they will not even pass the Round Robin Stage (unless they use some undercover political maneuvering).
India got the Mega Star image like Indian celluloid's and Pakistan is still struggling to emerge from Military to civilian life with terrorist holding the country transom and unfortunately religion has become a curse to neighboring countries (it is so in Sri-Lanka too, it does not matter in what form it comes with monks in the parliament doing sweet nothing).
To the players I have one warning.
Cricket is stronger than a religion in this part of the world.
Do not play dirty or politics with the game.
Win or lose enjoy the sunshine and the game.
Good workman like players we will remember to our twilight years.
What matters is the game not the individuals and one should be able to say "I did it my way" and "it worked" and a smile for the waiting cameras.
If you play by the rules we will be with you when you are under the weather and the press.
One example would suffice.
When Shrawag was denied a century, a few of us were behind you.
You have a point to prove and when you play against Sri-Lanka but do not make it spoil your excellent performance.
You can be the " player of the series" if you have a simple game plan and play one ball at time.
Your balling will be a secret weapon and practice that too to win.
