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Craig HillAustralian Women Southern Stars Favourites In ICC Women's World Cup
March 3rd 2009 11:33
Australia is doing its best to shed the favourites tag ahead of the start of the 2009 ICC Women's World Cup – but few rivals are buying it.
The West Indies and England both declared the five-time champions the team to beat in the eight-team tournament, which begins in Sydney on Friday.
England captain Charlotte Edwards has high hopes for her ever-improving side but concedes the hosts and defending title holders will take some beating.
"Australia in Australia have to be favourites. They are the current champions and they've dominated the game for the last 10 years," she said on Tuesday.
"But I think it's going to be the closest World Cup we've been part of. The teams are coming closer together."
Former Windies opener Sherwin Campbell, coach of the women's side, also installed Australia as favourites but didn’t discount strong showings from at least three other nations.
"They (Australia) have been around for a while, they are (defending) champions and they are definitely one of the favourites," Campbell said.
"Along with New Zealand, England and India, I think any of those four teams can win the tournament."
Handling the expectation and the ticking bomb that is the favourites tag is one of the many challenges facing Australian skipper Karen Rolton.
She knows anything short of a sixth World Cup victory will be viewed as a failure.
"I think we will try and keep a lid on it (the hype). We've just had a tough series against New Zealand and they're going to be up there and so are England," she said.
"We have a little bit of advantage playing in Australia (but) there are going to be at least three teams tough to beat."
"New Zealand is going to be a threat along with England and India."
"Teams are getting really strong now. We are playing a lot more cricket and the quality is getting a lot stronger."
Rolton and the consistent Lisa Sthalekar - hard to pronounce and even harder to get out - along with the multi-talented Ellyse Perry and in-form batter Alex Blackwell, form the nucleus of a powerful Australian side.
Playing at home only adds to the Southern Stars' potency.
"Our team is pretty confident. Hopefully we will have a bit more knowledge of the grounds than the other teams." Rolton said.
"Hopefully that will hold us in good stead."
Australia begins its campaign against arch-rival New Zealand at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
CA Media Release
The West Indies and England both declared the five-time champions the team to beat in the eight-team tournament, which begins in Sydney on Friday.
England captain Charlotte Edwards has high hopes for her ever-improving side but concedes the hosts and defending title holders will take some beating.
"Australia in Australia have to be favourites. They are the current champions and they've dominated the game for the last 10 years," she said on Tuesday.
"But I think it's going to be the closest World Cup we've been part of. The teams are coming closer together."
Lisa Sthalekar
Former Windies opener Sherwin Campbell, coach of the women's side, also installed Australia as favourites but didn’t discount strong showings from at least three other nations.
"They (Australia) have been around for a while, they are (defending) champions and they are definitely one of the favourites," Campbell said.
"Along with New Zealand, England and India, I think any of those four teams can win the tournament."
Handling the expectation and the ticking bomb that is the favourites tag is one of the many challenges facing Australian skipper Karen Rolton.
She knows anything short of a sixth World Cup victory will be viewed as a failure.
"I think we will try and keep a lid on it (the hype). We've just had a tough series against New Zealand and they're going to be up there and so are England," she said.
"We have a little bit of advantage playing in Australia (but) there are going to be at least three teams tough to beat."
"New Zealand is going to be a threat along with England and India."
"Teams are getting really strong now. We are playing a lot more cricket and the quality is getting a lot stronger."
Rolton and the consistent Lisa Sthalekar - hard to pronounce and even harder to get out - along with the multi-talented Ellyse Perry and in-form batter Alex Blackwell, form the nucleus of a powerful Australian side.
Playing at home only adds to the Southern Stars' potency.
"Our team is pretty confident. Hopefully we will have a bit more knowledge of the grounds than the other teams." Rolton said.
"Hopefully that will hold us in good stead."
Australia begins its campaign against arch-rival New Zealand at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
CA Media Release
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Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
