With just 20 days to go for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the cricket world seems to be in turmoil. Australia has just entered their worst phase in ODIs since 1997 and they have one match to correct many flaws and test new players. This is a situation Australia is certainly unused to. Their recent string of losses also coincides with a fine run for South Africa and as a result, South Africa is the top ODI team in the world going into the World Cup. Once again, unknown territory!
The added pressure on South Africa and Australia could just prove telling in the World Cup and give an unfavoured team the chance to make a mark. England is looking strong, but is very underconfident at the best of times. New Zealand seems to be a little stunned by their own performances and will struggle to keep the same standard going. Sri Lanka is all of a sudden run out of steam and has uncomfortable questions to answer! India, on the other hand is coming into form, but injuries may prove to the bane of the campaign for them. Pakistan are all at sea with their team combination and one cannot help but feel that they have chosen a poor squad that lacks in experience. Which basically leaves the West Indies at home as a strong team to contend with. And their recent performance in India notwithstanding, they truly can make a difference.
Not since the 1996 World Cup has there been no clear favourite. Some may argue that Australia will bounce back, but it seems unlikely that they will complete their hat-trick of titles. South Africa’s time has come and they are also an in-form team. Perhaps the best prepared of the lot. But they are also known chokers! As we approach the tournament and more players get fit or injured, team compositions will alter eventually shifting the balance.
As Ian Chappell rightly said, this is perhaps a tournament that the fittest and not necessarily the best team will win.