CWC week 1 : A tale of Varying Fortunes

As we speak, Bangladesh and Ireland are locked in a tight battle for ascendancy to round up an eventful first week at the Cricket World Cup 2011. The week saw all teams compete at least once, the highlight for me being an interesting glimpse at the state of the game in the lesser fancied cricketing nations: Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland and for sake of completeness, Canada.

The common factor in all the "associate" teams performances has been the inability to capitalize on hard gained advantages. Ireland seem to be trying despreately to prove my point. 150-5 to 165-8 with a target of 206 is a prime example of how if one is playing to just "compete at the world stage" instead of playing to win, one ends up squandering good positions. Netherland's loss to England was another case in point. After scoring 292 with that innings of a lifetime from Ryan tenDoeschate, one would have thought Oranje would show more spirit in their defense of the total. Peitersen came out blazing but went quiet all of a sudden as Strauss hacked his way to 88. The much talked about "momentum" shifted there. the dutch had literally run the Poms ragged in the field. There were no-balls for too few fielders in the circle towards the end from England. I mean .. seriously ... against Netherlands?!?!?! and this was supposed to be one of the favourites for the title. Dr.Baltar has had visions about how England might not even make it to the quarters at this rate. Anyhoo, the downfall of the Dutch was the strangely timid fileds they set. It was as if they were willing to let the Poms run 10 in an over but not hit boundaries. Thats exactly what happened till over no. 49. the Dutch became victim no. 3 of the minnow mindset in this tourney.

No.1 and 2 were bagged Kenya and Zimbabwe, of course. Here we have a team that has arguably the best record of all non-test playing nations, a team that has seen the semi-final stage of a world cup 8 years back, a team that once was on the verge of test playing status. that they were never granted that status is a different tragedy. The way Kenya capitulated against New Zealand, and let Pakistan run away after an airtight opening spell was plain disappointing. True, this is a team sans some of the names that featured in almost all of its glory days, but one would have expected more grit from the African side. Same can be said of Zimbabwe, a side on the rebound after much strife, their performance against Australia was a bit baffling. Dr.Baltar is confounded and cannot discern whether the Aussies were taking it slow after two big thrashings from India and SA in the warm-ups or whether the Zimbabweans did really bowl that well to start with. 260 was a chaseable score though, and a little more fight was expected from the men sporting red. They did however, have their moment of glory when Mpofu thre down the wickets from the midwicket boundary, making the great Punter see lots of RED!! So much so that it cost an innocent TV set its life at his hands... deplorable action, says the good Dr.. Any bets on how much a Virat Kohli or a Yuvraj Singh or a Bhajji would have been fined for such a "show of disgust"?? :P

Canada on the other hand knew exactly what they were doing. They were playing the rabbit caught in the headlights of a speeding truck on an unlit highway at midnight. Sri Lanka promptly crushed them with utmost ease. No nonsense, no hiccups, comprehensive mauling. The points table will show all associate teams with losses aginst their names, but it doesn't do justice to the unexpected brilliance from Netherland, the incredible implosion of Kenya and the baffling start to Zimbabwe's bowling innings. West Indies, one must say are trying incredibly hard to gain a place amongst these minnows. They too, did a royal job of screwing up a great start against SA. Much like Amla for India, AB seems to be their nemesis. last time they met in aa world cup, he'd poubded 146 on one leg, and he promptly helped himself to another ton yesterday.

Amongst the big boys, New Zealand flattered against Kenya to return to their shambolic top-order ways against the Aussies. After the Kenyan demolition job and the earthquake back home, the crushing defeat against Australia leaves the Kiwis in a very shaky state. The Dr. doesn't fancy them as Semi-finalists. they'll make the quarters just because there are 3 absolute pushovers in their group. Pakistan looked solid with four half centuries and a 5ver from Afridi, but their real test comes tomorrow, against Sri Lanka. its a mouth watering contest, that. A possible dress rehearsal of the Semi-final [oohh.. the Dr. is in a real soothsayer mode today :P]! It will set the tone for the weeks to come, for sure. both teams need a clear ascendancy before they come up against the ominous touch of Watto n Mitch. Watson n Johnson look like they are determined to carry a less fancied australian side through this title defense. It will be fascinating to follow their exploits over the next few days.

And with that we come to the clash that'll always play up the "Lagaan" sentiments. India V England. Judging by England's performance against the Oranje, the Poms should be bracing themselves for a long long day in the field, and lots of "Jellybeans" from Zak n Yuvi "pies" specially reserved for KP. it'll be interesting to see how Swann performs. We all know Viru thinks spinners do not deserve to bowl to him, n how he and the demi-God tackle Swann might decide the fate of the game. [for those with theie subtext-detectors turned OFF, Dr. Baltar doesn't think English bowlers deserve to get these two out.] As always, The Dr. shall bleed blue on Sunday!

GO INDIA!!