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Craig HillAussie threats are quick
March 27th 2007 13:26
Ricky Ponting and his men face a real test in the Super 8s in the coming month. While defeating Holland and Scotland may have done little to disprove Ponting’s view that the minnows were out of their depth at the World Cup the acid test for underdone players like Hussey comes in the next six games.
Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke are all suspect against genuine pace. Jerome Taylor, Shane Bond and Lasith Malinga will all fancy their chances against Australia’s top order and with players like Hussey and Watson short on time in the middle in the last two weeks the Aussies may be vulnerable if they lose early wickets.
The Chappell Hadlee series showed how brittle the Australian line up can be under pressure. Defending the trophy will make for a significantly bigger challenge than 3 warm up games across the Tasman.
For nations like the West Indies who thrive on building momentum the chance at six matches in a row will be just what they need. The likes of Gayle, Sarwan and Lara mowing down opposition totals with 2 points already in the bag will be to the benefit of the home nation.
Sri Lanka have old heads that will cope with the variety of six different opponents in the coming weeks. Early swing from Vaas and pace from Malinga will challenge the best batting line ups. Maharoof improves daily and Sangakarra and Jayawardena give the middle order experience that will surely come in handy with six high pressure games ahead.
South Africa may feel the lingering effects of their World Cup history while England are short on experience and six games against high class opposition (including the home expectations of an easy win against Ireland) may be too much for them.
As per past form New Zealand have the line up to pull off deserved victories against international heavyweights. Three or four wins from six is not beyond them and as a result expect them in the semis.
The final four will come from Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies. At least one of Sri Lanka or the West Indies will make the final and perhaps Australia or New Zealand as their opponents.
Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke are all suspect against genuine pace. Jerome Taylor, Shane Bond and Lasith Malinga will all fancy their chances against Australia’s top order and with players like Hussey and Watson short on time in the middle in the last two weeks the Aussies may be vulnerable if they lose early wickets.
The Chappell Hadlee series showed how brittle the Australian line up can be under pressure. Defending the trophy will make for a significantly bigger challenge than 3 warm up games across the Tasman.
For nations like the West Indies who thrive on building momentum the chance at six matches in a row will be just what they need. The likes of Gayle, Sarwan and Lara mowing down opposition totals with 2 points already in the bag will be to the benefit of the home nation.
Sri Lanka have old heads that will cope with the variety of six different opponents in the coming weeks. Early swing from Vaas and pace from Malinga will challenge the best batting line ups. Maharoof improves daily and Sangakarra and Jayawardena give the middle order experience that will surely come in handy with six high pressure games ahead.
South Africa may feel the lingering effects of their World Cup history while England are short on experience and six games against high class opposition (including the home expectations of an easy win against Ireland) may be too much for them.
As per past form New Zealand have the line up to pull off deserved victories against international heavyweights. Three or four wins from six is not beyond them and as a result expect them in the semis.
The final four will come from Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies. At least one of Sri Lanka or the West Indies will make the final and perhaps Australia or New Zealand as their opponents.
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Comment by Anonymous
how ridiculous. Aus were 5-6 players short, 5 of them top order batsmen....of COURSE the line up was 'brittle' compared to the usual X1.