All things equal, what is it that would differentiate the six big teams in the World Cup. For practical reasons, let us not consider Bangladesh and Ireland. One is tempted to leave out the West Indies too, but let’s not!
Australia has redefined the art of aggression. And for once, we will not go on a rant about their sledging. It’s not always about sledging when Australia takes the field. It’s body language, the small signals they send out even when they are throwing the ball back to the keeper, they dont merely lob it back. Every throw leaves an impression on the batsman. It also helps that they chase down just about everything. And drop almost nothing. So when a team comes up against a unit that is so good, how do you win? Are there any chinks in the armour?
The only real chink seems to be the bowling. But that has more to do with the lack of big names than anything else. But they do seem breakable on this front as New Zealand has proved time and again. In the batting department, they are just as in your face playing audacious shots. Sure a long and talented (and in-form) batting order helps them take a risk or two but one needs to have the self-confidence to play the way they do.
New Zealand is another side that has all the confidence. Scrappy they may look, but they are effective. Making every resource count is their motto and while they may not be as aggressive in terms of body language, they dont lack any aggression in their play. Right from the top of the batting order, they have players who are ready to dig deep and play out whatever situation they may be faced with. Shane Bond and Jacob Oram perhaps personify their aggression but one cannot forget Craig McMillan, the true scrapper who simply refuses to lie low. The New Zealand-Australia match should be the highlight of the ongoing Super Eight and perhaps, the best final.
South Africa is fragile and although their captain and non-stop chattering bowlers would like to show that they are on top, their body language sometimes belies that. The batting is aggressive, but at some level, lacks the skill. A couple of failures leaves them exposed and a good bowling and fielding line up (the kinds Australia and New Zealand possess) can hold up their progress. At this stage, they are good enough to make the semi-final, but should they be up against New Zealand or Australia, it could well be curtains.
Sri Lanka has the skill, but they seem to be getting the batting wrong. Fielding is as good as any, and the bowling has the enigmatic Malinga and Murali with the steady and incisive Vaas to back up but that apart, they can be run ragged. Malinga himself is erratic and the loss to South Africa would have hurt. Now they need to get past the West Indies, one minnow team and England to ensure a spot in the semis. The games against Australia and New Zealand should be exciting but one doesn’t see them beating Australia. New Zealand, perhaps.
Which brings us top the two underperforming big teams: England and West Indies. If the four teams mentioned prior to this form the possible semi-final line-up, these two teams have only themselves to blame. They have too many internal issues and trivial things that should have been sorted out by now. Team selection and infighting will be the bane of the West Indies team while an out of form top order and erratic bowling will bring down England.
If we are to argue that the skills of the top six teams are well matched (not really true across the board, but on an average, there are minor differences) it will eventually be the will to win and the aggressive outlook that would differentiate them. Australia v New Zealand looks the most likely final at the moment unless they end up facing each other in the semis.