ICC Cricket World Cup Thread

[Tee]

Dude. World Cup thread.

Sorry - definitely do not want to start an India v Pakistan slagging match. I hope a team from the sub-continent wins, any one from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or even Bangladesh!!

[tsb]

Sorry - definitely do not want to start an India v Pakistan slagging match. I hope a team from the sub-continent wins, any one from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or even Bangladesh!!

[SouthAfricaRed]

I hope a team from the sub-continent wins, any one from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or even Bangladesh!!

I think a Team from the Southern Hemisphere will win it

[Tee]

I think a Team from the Southern Hemisphere will win it

You are probably right but it does seem to be quite an open tournament with some of teh favourites having problems and other sides coming into real form - sad news that Brett Lee is out of the WC.

I just want to see some expolsive cricket - the ODI get criticised but I much prefer them over the boring 5 day game.

[Monty]

By the way if any Cricket fans want a program/souvenir or any such crap like that while I'm there, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

[Jayesh87]

By the way if any Cricket fans want a program/souvenir or any such crap like that while I'm there, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

If you are at any India games a program from there would be awesum

[captainfog]

I just want to see some expolsive cricket - the ODI get criticised but I much prefer them over the boring 5 day game.

philistine

[Tee]

I am sorry but test cricket is boring in comparison.

ODI is the future! Forget 20-20 though! That is like 5 a side football in comparison with the 11 a side game.

Random WC predictions:

Leading run scorers: Ponting followed by Dravid and Lara

Leading wicket takers: Pollock followed by Akhtar (if fit) and Mohd Asif

[tsb]

Leading wicket takers: Pollock followed by Akhtar (if fit) and Mohd Asif

If the latter two pass their dope tests

[Tee]

If the latter two pass their dope tests

I dont think they have even taken them yet

[DeeGame]

I dont think they have even taken them yet

Its a fix

[captainfog]

Its a fix

of what?

[tsb]

Its a fix

That's taking the piss that is....





























...I've got my coat

[captainfog]

Ponting unconcerned by losing run

This team generally lifts itself and plays its best cricket when there's some big games on the line

Ricky Ponting
Australia captain Ricky Ponting said five straight defeats in one-day internationals would not diminish the World Cup holders' credentials.

Ponting and his squad flew to the Caribbean on Wednesday to defend the trophy they won in 1999 and 2003.

And the skipper said: "There's been a bit of negativity around the team over the last couple of weeks.

"But we'll be extremely hard to beat. I'm not that fussed that we're going in having lost our last five games."

Ponting conceded his team had not been "playing our absolute best" during their losing run at home to England and then in New Zealand.

But he added: "We've had up to six or seven of our top 11 players out, which probably hasn't been reported that much over the last couple of weeks.

"That should be able to bring the best out in the players.

"This team generally lifts itself and plays its best cricket when there's some big games on the line, and it doesn't get any bigger than a World Cup."

Before their losing run, and the ankle injury to pace spearhead Brett Lee which ruled him out of the tournament, Australia looked far stronger than the other teams at the World Cup.

But things have changed and Ponting conceded: "I know now that we're drifting favourites."

Key players, including Ponting, vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, all-rounder Andrew Symonds and batsman Michael Clarke have returned to the team after missing the New Zealand series.

Although Andrew Symonds (torn bicep) and record-breaking opener Matthew Hayden (broken toe) will miss the opening matches of the World Cup, Ponting is not concerned.

Australia are fortunate in that they kick off against minnows Scotland on 14 March and continue against the even weaker Netherlands four days later.

The showdown on 24 March with South Africa, who recently took over Australia's ranking as the top one-day side, is Australia's first major test.

Symonds and Hayden will aim to return for that match.

[Tee]

Well it looks like it is all over for Pakistan before the tournament has even begun. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohd Asif and Abdul Razzaq all out of the tournament. Any faint hopes of doing well have surely now disappeared.