CWC 2011 is here...

So we are just over two weeks from the start of the quadrennial show piece event in cricket and no better excuse to (once again) revitalize this blog !!!. When something happens once every four years, there is always a sense of anticipation and excitement preceding it, so what if the event is likely to consist of about a month of mostly mundane matches (I am not sure how many Delhiites would fill up the Kotla on the 7th of March to see Canada and Kenya battle it out). So if we, as spectators, are feeling even more than an iota of excitement, one can imagine what the players must be going through as they prepare to fly into the subcontinent. Indeed, for a Sachin or a Kallis, both giants across generations, it will be their final chance to feel a WC trophy in their hands. It is nothing short of a tragedy that one of them has to resign himself to a CV without a World Cup win on it.

So as we countdown to the Cup, this arm-chair expert will bring to you his analysis of the top eight contenders. However, to make predictions based on any kind of analysis is hazardous, since the format of the Cup has ensured that most, if not all, of these eight would have fairly smooth sailing till the quarters. And then, of course, all it takes are few bad overs, one bad shot or a costly fielding lapse (hopefully not an umpiring error) to end the World Cup dream !!. This is my biggest grouse against the World Cup. In that respect, the 1992 World Cup was the best format. Nine teams played each other with the semi-finals to follow. Even if you needed to have 14 teams, a better way would have been to straightaway have the semi-finals. With only two slots out of seven, it would have ensured that the two best teams over a period of a month, deservedly, got into the semis. This time, one can almost visualize Australia battling Bangladesh/West Indies (the only debatable QF slot), Sri Lanka taking on England, Pakistan v South Africa and India meeting New Zealand. And then, its all equal. Especially since there are no clear and overwhelming favourites. Hopefully, there will be that one team that will dominate the league stages and then, turn on the heat at the correct moments in the knock-out, leading all the way to the trophy at the Wankhede on the 2nd of April.

Be that as it may be, in subsequent posts, we take a look at the teams.

Cheers

Amit