Great cricket to come!
What a great time it is for cricket-lovers! I still haven't caught my breath after the thrilling series between Pakistan and India, and now not one but two amazing series are coming up: Oz in South Africa, and the Pommies in India. As we all know, both Oz and RSA played in a tri-nations just resently, where Sri Lanka surprized everybody by making it to the final where they put up some good resistance but finally lost two games to one. However, the ODI matches suggested that this will be a close series, as neither team managed to put on the game that we know they are capable of. One important factor for Oz is that Adam continues his brilliant record against RSA; 3 tests, 473 runs, and an amerage of 157.66! These figues also includes his best ever batting performance, 204 NO. The Afrikans are as usual depending on Pollock doing significant damage to the fierce Australian batting lineup, and that captain Smith can step forward and produce good figures again. All in all I expect the Aussies to win the test series, but the ODI matches are much more unpredictible. The series opens with a 20twenty on Friday 24th, with Oz missing both McGrath and the new wonderboy Hussey due to personal matters, so RSA must be favorites in this one. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!
posted by Brage @ 21:59
1 comments
1 Comments:
I think the South-africans will be very disapointed with their performance in the VB series after what was a promising test-series against Australia. They looked certain to win the final test to draw the series, only for some Australian fourth-innings magic to shatter their hopes. I felt the 2-0 series result flattered the Australians somewhat, the Proteas put up a good fight, and in many ways the teams looked pretty evenly matched. But it is just that ability to produce magical performances that have cemented the aussies on the top of the world rankings. And that will probably prove the difference between the sides once more.
About the ODI's. I agree that the Proteas chances are far greater here, but I think the aussies must remain favourites. Their batting lineup is simply baffling: Led by top ODI batsman of the world, Adam Gilchrist, and including four of the five batsmen currently sitting at the top of the ICC-ODI rankings (The number three spot is occupied by Indian prodigy Mahendra Dhoni). Even if South-Africa has amazing attack in Shaun Pollock, there are 40 overs left to the other bowlers, and the Proteas options here are somewhat limited, with captain Smith from time to time opting to have a go with the ball himself. The Aussies will certainly miss mcGgrath - any team would- but they still have Brett Lee, and I would say the aussies have a slight overall edge with the ball. The decicive factor should prove the aussie run-machine, with batsmen of superior quality and a very long tail. To sum it up I doubt if the home-advantage will be enough to cancel out the sheer power that is Australian cricket. But I look forward to good and exciting cricket, and will keep my fingers crossed for a small upset!
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