Apart from India, England are also a curious case. Whether they turn out to be next Australia, or next South Africa, we are yet to see. But, signs are ominous. I think, England that I knew, are dead. It’s something else. Some one has replaced a drunken fatty old man with a cool, young dude, who is although not so drop dead handsome, but still is 6’2, weighs 90 kg, agile and most importantly, has got a clear mind. Some one has got a crush. Me?
South Africa have always been the strongest of contenders, well almost eternally. Almost eternal is another fact, that they have been the biggest of chokers. They have one of the best players of the world for all departments of the game. Smith, Amla, Kallis, AB, Duminy, Styne, Morkel, Tsotsobe. What else could one ask for, then? Maybe, they conquer their big match ghosts someday? That’s some wishful thought. On evidence, this is not going to happen. They lost two close matches to India. It’s debatable whether they got petrified or enthralled in the third. Still, if they are not playing semi-finals, that is going to be surprising.
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Apart from Australia, rest should be making to semi finals, in all possibilities. Australia can do it also, but what if they meet any of these three sides before semi final?
Then, I look at rest of the crowd. These day, Sri Lanka are Pakistan, Pakistan are New Zealand, New Zealand are Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe are Kenya, and where is Kenya? Tell me, are they coming? Sri Lanka, are a force on slow tracks, but you never know which way their batters will turn up on the day. Pakistan, I did not compare them to New Zealand of yore, for efficiency. I mean, that although they are lying low. But, they are the most dangerous, the most underestimated side of the cup. Frankly, I will not be surprised at all, if they reach semi finals. Pakistan are just jaded. And so are New Zealand. Pakistan are jaded for a reason. But New Zealand are jaded for no apparent reason. That’s blasphemous, but I think, some thing is wrong with their team environment. They aren’t that bad.
Rest are West Indies, Bangladesh, which I remembered myself. And for the records, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada are also going to visit the sub-continent, that’s from CricInfo.
