The Three Big Questions
Any merit to Tendulkar’s 25 team World Cup or Martin Crowe’s 18 team idea?
Batting masters Crowe and Tendulkar have both shared their views recently on the changes needed to the World Cup format. Both agree that expansion rather than rationalisation are the keys to growing the global game and reducing the gap between associates and their test playing rivals. The thinking of both deserve merit, and both were tremendous students of the game. The expansion will take time but it is completely necessary to prevent the one sided wallopings occurring at this stage of the World Cup. It’s like comparing the exam results of kid who never goes to school with a kid who never misses a class. Bigger format and short games (40 overs) works.
Is Australia’s new lineup risky?
We’re presuming that yesterdays team is the team they’ll use in the rest of the competition, save for injuries. That means Shane Watson misses out, Smith bats 3 and Maxwell at 5. The move significantly increases the firepower. Maxwell, Marsh, and Faulkner are an ominous trio to have coming in at the death. The flip-side is of course the risk of early wickets and relying on the same three to hold an innings together, against their natural games.
How does this World Cup rank with past editions?
Probably one of the best so far. The associates are competing well at times, the crowds are excellent, and the weather has played its part too. Some World Cups have been farcical – I’m looking at you 2007, so it’s a refreshing change to see a well run machine with three favourites all playing well and on a collision course.
Today’s Matchup
India v West Indies, WACA (Perth – sunny all day), starts 2:30pm local time
India – $1.41
West Indies – $2.85
A stern cricketing test is exactly what India need to measure their World Cup chances. Whether they’ll get it from an unpredictable West Indies team, however, is anyones guess. After making their way through the competition unscathed, and returning to some of their best form, India will be keen to test their game with the different challenges a West Indies team will throw at them. They’re likely to be: an opening assault on their seam bowlers by Chris Gayle; followed by an even bigger assault on their death bowlers by Darren Sammy and Andre Russell; and steep bounce from the bowling of Jason Holder on the most conducive surface in Australia.
How they cope with the challenges will give everyone a better indication of how competitive India will be in the closing stages of the tournament. Especially given the interesting quarterfinal position jostling between Australia, Sri Lanka and England.
Today’s Bet
The “probably won’t get a bat but if he does he’ll score a hundred” bet
Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t had much chance in the World Cup so far, but he’s a quality player and just look at the price offered on him for Man of the Match ($19). We’ll take it.
Odds from Palmerbet.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
