The first week of WC 2007 has just concluded and what a start it has been. The most inexplicable things have taken place in these last 7 days. Brilliant bowling, sharp fielding, sizzling strokeplay and huge upsets -- this is it, this is the magic that the World Cup always has in store.
After a colorful opening cermony which showcased the vibrant hues of the Carribean, the WC opener on March 13th was always going to be a cracker of a game. West Indies versus Pakistan, unpredictability at its very best when these two sides match up against each other. It was indeed a fabulous contest. After a slow start WI finally broke the shackles in the form of Marlon Samuels, when he thrashed Ifthikar Rao in the 28th over. The momentum shifted towards the West Indies and from there on it was calypso time all the way. I would love to see the West Indies keep up this good form and carry it all the way through. They are one side everyone in the world wants to watch.
After a couple of dull and boring matches following the opener, the World Cup truly came alive when Ireland took on a young Zimbabwean team. The Irish are a surprise package with players having limited ability but tonnes of determination and an attitude to stick it out. In a humdinger of a clash that went right down till the wire, the Irish team sneaked out a tie when it seemed certain that Zimbabwe would cruise through. It was a morale boosting victory for Ireland and their cricketing ambitions were given a real fillip.
Then we had the incredible, mercurial Herschelle Gibbs perform an unimaginable feat. Six sixes in an over!!!! Phew.. its been done by Shastri and Sobers at first class level, but to do it in an international game and that too at the World Cup is just truly an outstanding achievement. Van Troose, the Dutch bowler need not be ashamed because the man who tore him apart is one of the most gifted players in the world. Gibbs for long has promised so much but the lack of self belief after the dropped catch in the 1999 World Cup has been his undoing in all these years as an international cricketer. This one over should mark a change in his career fortunes and I won't be surprised if Gibbs goes on to become one of the greats in South African cricket history.
If all this was'nt enough, what followed was unbelievable. On March 17th, two giants from the sub-continent Pakistan and India took on the supposed 'minnows' (time to knock off that word from the dictionary, there are no minnows at the international level) of world cricket - Ireland and Bangladesh respectively. By the end of the day, we had Pakistan kncoked out of the World Cup 2007 and India just another defeat away from packing their bags. The unexpected turn of events has left the whole of India and Pakistan shell shocked. While our neighbours were utterly disastrous right from the word go, we got into a seemingly good position and then threw it all away in sheer mid-day madness. 5 wickets in the space of 5 runs against a modest Bangladesh attack is unacceptable. India finally managed to set the Bangla boys a target of 191. And the way those young lads chased it was memorable. Tamim Iqbal showed glimpses of Saeed Anwar in that breezy knock of 51. And the confidence these guys have is an indication that just like Sri Lanka - who took a huge step forward in 1995-96, this Bangladesh team too has taken a step to the next level. Meanwhile, India better forget this as a bad dream. They have their task cut out. Two must win games against Bermuda and Sri Lanka, will give them a window of opportunity to make it to the next stage of the Cup.
Pakistan have had a shabby second World Cup in succession. If 2003 was a disaster then 2007 has been a catastrophe. They need to take a serious look at the quality of cricketers they are producing. 131 runs against an Irish attack is certainly not what we expect from the likes of Younis, Yousuf and Inzy. Its time to bid goodbye to the old boys and look at building a new team for the future. The same could be true for India if the old pros don't come to the party in the next week.
So there it was, a round up of the first week of World Cup 2007. It would do this wonderful game a world of good if the next few weeks can match up to this enthralling first one. With the Super 8's coming up from the 28th of March its just gonna be a treat for the cricket buff. I am just licking my lips in anticipation. At this stage I am rooting for the West Indies and their unmatchable and distinctive flair to carry them through. Cheers!!!!
Posts
