Aussies triumph, ICC blunder

The World Cup finally ended with the familiar image of Australia winning the cup and the ICC blundering yet again. It has been a recurrent theme throughout the over stretched event.

We hoped to see a competitive match between the two best teams reaching the final, with many neutrals hoping for an upset resulting in Sri lanka snatching the title that looked like being Australia's from the outset. The weather intervened to reduce the match to 38 overs each and then disrupted the end. In between the Aussies posted an imposing total , with a brilliant innings from Gilchrist that would always test the Lankans. Someone from the Aussie side always stands tall when it counts and it was the turn of Gilchrist, whose brilliant innings of 149 proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Lankans threatened with Jayasuriya and Sangakkara at the crease but folded on their departure. In truth, they did their best, but it was never going to be enough to beat the awesome Aussies, who are simply the best on all counts and by a distance. I had so much hoped for an upset but as I watched the match, I had to admire the Aussies and concede that they were the rightful and worthy winners.

The other rather unfortunate image of the whole event has to be the part ICC has played in making it a forgettable event. The one day game is a cash cow that panders to the needs of sponsors at the expense of the fans who love the game. The ICC were like imperialists who invaded the Caribbean, took away all the things that make it a special place and put in place their stringent rules and regulations to suit their greedy needs. The locals were rendered helpless in their own backyard and prevented from enjoying the event as they would normally do. It was a succession of blunders right through that will unfortunately colour the event in peoples minds. They tried to reverse some of their decisions but it was too little too late in the end. It was therefore fitting that it was a blunder on the final day that ended the tournament in total darkness. The ICC are clearly not in touch with what people want and what is good for the game and they can't even interpret their own rules with an army of officials at hand. It would be laughable if it didn't go further to tarnish this wonderful game of cricket which they clearly know or care little about.

So the Aussies walk away with the cup again and it is up to their competitors to watch and learn from the masters and catch up with them. As for the ICC, they have blundered too many times now and need to be held accountable before they completely ruin the game.

Aussies steamroll into the final

Australia steamrolled past South Africa to reach the finals for the third successive time. After all the big talk from the South African camp before the clash of being ready to put up a big fight, they failed to walk the talk. It proved to be a one sided game, with the Aussies hardly breaking into sweat.

The Aussies didn't have do anything more than turn up and play their normal game. It was the South Africans who once again seemed to be suffering from stage fright on the big stage when it really mattered. They were responsible for their own demise after winning the toss and deciding to bat. They needed to take the initiative by dictating terms and posting a big total to have any chance against the seemingly indestructible Aussies. What transpired was a pitiful batting display leading the Proteas to post their lowest total in the World Cup. It begs the question of whether the team still carries mental scars from previous tournaments when they have failed to produce at a similar stage.

You have to applaud the Aussies for their thorough professional performances throughout the tournament. Those stalwarts Hayden and McGrath again produced fine performances with bat and ball respectively to see the Aussies home at a canter. They have beaten every team that they have played by a huge margin to signify the gap that exists between them and the rest.

It remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka, with their powerful bowling lineup, that the Aussies have yet to encounter, can dismantle them from their lofty perch. They have the team and the game that can challenge the Aussies on the day but they will have to fire on all cylinders and then some to beat the mighty Aussies and stop them from being crowned World Champions for the third successive time.

Majestic Mahela

Sri Lanka booked their place in the final with a wonderful all round performance, beating the Kiwi's comprehensively.

Mahela Jayawardene was on top form and played one of his best innings to date. He paced it just perfectly, starting slowly but solidly, nudging and quietly accumulating his runs. Then in the final ten overs, he suddenly changed gears and played a majestic array of shots which was a delight to watch. It wasn't brutal powerhouse hitting of a Hayden, Symonds or Smith, but a classical display of wristy cuts and pulls with precision timing and placement. It made me sit up and take notice and you could sense that this was a very special batting display with a master at work.

The bowlers backed up the batsman with all of them firing at the right time and the bewildered Kiwi's helplessly surrendered like lambs to the slaughter. Master Murali again weaved his magic spell with four wickets. The difference in class between the two teams was evident today and the Kiwi captain, Stephen Fleming, admitted as much in the post match analysis.

So the red hot Lankan's are through to the finals, where at the time of writing, it is very likely that they will meet the Aussies, who seem to be overpowering the South African's to a poultry score of 130-9 in the 41st over. It is all being set up for a meeting between the best two teams in the tournament.

Great match to finish Super 8's

At last we had a game befitting a World Cup, the best so far. There was a packed house at the Kensington Oval, great atmosphere and a close game that ebbed and flowed and went down to the wire. England won with a nail biting finish, with the young Stuart Broad hitting the winning runs. It didn't seem to matter which team won in the end, it mattered more that it was a good contest.

It was a match for farewells, many came to watch Brian's Charles Lara's final match. The Prince of Trinidad hangs up his boots after a glorious career and his genius will always be remembered. It was fitting that his last match was against England, a team that he has had much success against, making both his world record innings of 375 in 1994 and 400 in 2004 against them. The script wasn't as he would have liked for his farewell, with Marlon Samuels running him out for 18 runs, greatly disappointing the huge crowd, who came to watch the master play one last great innings. It wasn't to be, but when Lara thanked the crowd at the end and asked if he had entertained them over the years, he got a resounding roar of yes. It was sad to see him walk off the field for the final time, with a tear or two in his eyes, but everyone has to go at sometime and we will always have the memories.

The final will be a week from now, lets hope that it is as entertaining as this one to make it a fitting finale.

Eight year innings ends

Duncan Fletcher announced his resignation today after eight years as England coach. It was a long reign, in which he took the Test team from the bottom of the pile to number two in the rankings. When he took over in 1999, England had reached a low point loosing to New Zealand and were booed off the field at the Kennington Oval. It's ironic how the next time the boos came, it was at the Kensington Oval, signifying the end of his reign.

There is no doubt that he brought the team great success over a number of years, with England beating every Test nation and reaching its greatest hour by capturing the elusive Ashes in 2005.That should have been the beginning of a new dawn, of seriously challenging Australia to the number one position, instead it started a stark decline. The wheels started to come off since then with injuries to key players,brutal white wash in the Ashes and disastrous One Day form, which has ultimately been the reason for Fletcher's departure. Focus has always been given to Test matches, with a total lack of interest and planning in the One Day game, which has been shown up in the World Cup.

Everyone has a shelf life, however good they are, and it is no different for Fletcher. The team needs an injection of new blood, fresh ideas and a general shake up in the whole set up. There is speculation of who will take up the reigns. David Morgan, Chairman of the ECB, was being predictably cagey in the press conference today to announce the news of Fletcher's departure. Reading between the lines, it seems this change was anticipated, be it either enforced or voluntary. It seems that the ECB have a fairly good idea who they want and are in talks with the yet unknown party. There are a few coaches on the market at the end of the World Cup like Dav Whatmore and Tom Moody, with Moody being touted as the man along with home grown Peter Moores, England Academy Director.

The usually inscrutable and stony faced Fletcher will be emotional leaving the post but he can look back at his eight year innings and feel quite satisfied with his achievements.

Boos ring out for sorry England

England are out of the World Cup after being beaten emphatically by South Africa. This was a match that promised a lot, with both teams fighting for a semi final place. England just can't get their act together in the One Day game. It's as if they just don't know how to play this form of the game and it showed yesterday with another collapse engineered by the impressive Andrew Hall who took five wickets and put the final nail in England's coffin. South Africa now join Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the semi finals

I was at the Kennington Oval yesterday, scene of England's Ashes celebration in 2005, which seems so long ago. Preparations were underway for the first Championship match of the season between Surrey and Yorkshire and there was a buzz around this famous ground where I saw my first live cricket match and holds such cherished memories.The players were training on the field and I gave a shriek as I spotted a favourite of mine, Darren Gough with a big smile on this face going through the training drills.

The staff around the ground were all busy but had an eye or an ear to proceedings at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. I caught a quick glimpse of the match in the cricket shop and had a quick chat with the guys there and we were all pleased at that stage when England had only lost two wickets and there was still the promise of Pietersen and Flintoff to come. When I next checked the score a few hours later, I was surprised to hear of the pitiful display and knew that a defeat was assured bar some miracle and so it proved to be.

England will now have to do a post mortem on yet another disappointing outing at a World Cup. It is surely time for Duncan Fletcher to depart and some new blood to be injected into the set up, which has had much success in his tenure, but now is in need of a shake up. Michael Vaughan's place in the One Day team must also be a question after he failed to improve on his below par record. Paul Collingwood must surely be in contention to lead the side as one of their best players, with a good cricketing brain.

The fans rightly booed the players after the match, as they had failed to deliver and let everyone down, not least themselves.

Aussies cruise to victory again

We all wanted a close match and expected the in form Sri Lankans to give the almighty Aussies a close game. Well we were disappointed yet again as it would be an insult to even call it a contest. The Sri Lankans sent out the wrong message from the start by resting Vaas and Murilitharan and with Malinga sidelined, their attack was depleted and robbed the public of a good contest.

If it was a tactic to rest their best players, it wasn't a tactic that a champion team like Australia would use at this stage in the tournament. You want your best team to play together and keep up the momentum rather than break it and loose a winning streak. The Lankans are keen to avoid meeting the Aussies in the semi finals and all their plans seem geared to that end. Lets hope for their sake that their plan works and doesn't backfire on them.

It all amounted to another one sided match and we have seen too many of these this time. Every time the Aussies play, it is like watching a replay, the only difference being the opposition they play against and defeat. They are clinical, professional and finish the job with consummate ease. It is all too easy and when teams like Sri Lanka turn out with a weakened side, it makes their job even easier.

Meeting of the underdogs

It was meant to be India versus Pakistan, a match that was much talked about and keenly anticipated before the tournament. In its place we had the meeting of the two underdogs who have done so well and stolen all the headlines with their giant killing.

Bangladesh were clear favourites, having beaten the mighty Indians and top ranked South Africa. They were however decidedly under par throughout the match in all aspects of the game. The fielding that has normally been so good was scrappy, the bowling unimpressive and the batting very fragile. One wonders if it was the pressure of being favourites or the lack of a challenge of taking on a top team that was the reason for their poor performance.

You can't take anything away from the Irish, who bounced back after the trashing inflicted on them by the mighty Aussies. The fairytale continues for them and one can't help but be impressed with them, as is evident by the army of fans they seem to have collected. The win gives them automatic One Day International status.

The match was sold out a long time ago, and those Indian and Pakistan fans that turned up were at least treated to a party atmosphere. In order to fill the ground after many not showing up, there was free admission after 11am. The Irish know how to party and at last we had the kind of atmosphere we have been looking for all along.The Blarney Army might give the mighty Barmy Army some competition in the future. Irish eyes were certainly smiling at the end.

One day game in need of review

Is it just me or is the one day format getting stale and boring? I have lost interest in this form of the game for a long time now, much preferring the Test matches, which requires a higher level of skill, tactics and endurance and to the cricket connoisseur holds no end of fascination and interest.

Attempts have been made to revamp the format, with power plays, being the major innovation but it has not achieved the desired result, in my opinion. Maybe the ever increasing number of matches that are played these days, mainly to fill the coiffures of the greedy national and international boards, is responsible for this lack of interest. If you eat the same food every day, you soon tire of it, even if it is your favourite food, so maybe it is the same in this case.

The 1996 World Cup was where the One Day format grew in popularity with Sri Lanka, the winners that year, changing the nature of the game with their innovative tactics of scoring heavily during the first 15 overs and the last 10 overs. It was new and exciting at the time and other teams followed these tactics with much success and popularity, especially in the subcontinent with the flat pitches paving the way for huge totals.

This World Cup has been much criticised for the lack of excitement due to lack of crowds, inclusion of too may minnows and exit of India and Pakistan. Maybe the old format is also responsible. It doesn't help that it is almost certain which teams are going to be in the semi finals, never mind the eventual winner, bar some miracle.

Too many matches have been one sided and really tedious to watch, with the lethargic play, disinterested players, and dull commentary all just going through the motions. Even evenly matched teams have failed to produce many tight contests. I have found it painstaking at times and would even prefer going to the dentist than watch this drub affair. The ICC in their wisdom and greed have prolonged the tournament to add to the torture.

The Twenty20 format might also contribute to the lack of interest in this format. The compression of the play takes the best bits of the 50 over game and removes the dull bits as the lull in the middle overs is avoided.

The Caribbean should have been the perfect location in which to showcase crickets lucrative and usually popular format but in this case it might just have highlighted its shortcomings and the desperate need to inject some life into it, if that is possible.

Almost over and out for the Windies

West Indies defeat by South Africa almost signifies their exit from the World Cup. There was much expected of them in their own backyard and with their win against Pakistan in their first match, promised so much. Many fancied the West Indies doing well here with home conditions to their advantage but the dreaded curse of a home nation never winning the cup looks likely to continue.

The Windies suddenly went off the boil in the Super 8's with a series of lacklustre performances. The energy, enthusiasm and hunger seemed to be missing from the players and evident from their subdued body language on the field. Lara seemed unable to motivate his team to raise their game, seeming almost disinterested at times. There has been a distinct lack of unity within the team and one can only speculate at the reasons for this. It will all surely be reviewed when the inevitable post mortem is carried out and plans for future are discussed, especially with Lara announcing his retirement from the one day game.

The party hasn't really got going yet in this tournament, and when and if it does, the hosts look like missing out on all the fun and the coveted prize.

Aussie March Continues

The Aussies continue their relentless march towards the semi-finals, casting aside opponents with consummate ease.

England threatened to post a reasonable score to give the Aussies their first real challenge, but then predictably threw away a strong position and posted a below par total, before one had time to get excited.

It looked to be a fairly tight contest in the beginning but the Aussies were always in control and ready to put the foot on the accelerator if required. Ponting again played a captains knock and Symonds came in at the end to win the match with some trademark powerhouse hitting and romp home.

This Aussie team is a well tuned outfit, focused on the job at hand and at the moment are miles apart from the rest of the pack. This tournament is crying out for someone to beat the Aussies, and stop them winning the competition for a third successive time. It would be good for the tournament and cricket in general. At this stage thou, they have more than half a grip on the trophy and only a brave person would bet against them winning. We can but hope!

Tigers Come of Age

The addition of South Africa to Bangladesh's growing list of top teams that they have beaten, must surely propel them in the elite pack. They can no longer be considered outside of this group and must be taken seriously.

One almost could sense throughout the match that there was going to be an upset. It was like knowing the end of the story, and it was just a case of watching how it was going to happen. The Tigers play with such raw energy, passion and hunger, of a team just beginning to taste real success and relishing the whole experience. They have nothing to loose in these games, that they are expected to loose, and much to gain. They have made huge strides in this tournament, along with Ireland, and have almost stolen the show from the 'big boys'.

In an otherwise lacklustre and very disappointing tournament, so far, with one sided matches, empty stadiums, exit of India and Pakistan and the renowned Caribbean flavour not allowed to surface by the stringent rules and regulations, at least we can celebrate the coming of age of the tigers.

Last Ball Thriller

At last we saw a really close match between England and Sri Lanka after after a number of one sided matches. Sri Lanka were the firm favourites and as the form side were predicted to thrash England out of site, as they had done in England last summer. England had a new sprint and energy about them in the field, not displayed so far by them in this tournament.

The balling and fielding was much improved but the batting continued to disappoint and follow a similar script, with Vaughan and Joyce departing early. This pair have to fire and time is quickly running out for them. Things looked comfortable for a while with Bell and Pieterson, but the unfortunate run out of Bell lead to yet another batting collapse.

The game seemed to be heading Sri Lankans way until Bopara and Nixon stepped up the pace in the final few overs. The young and impressive Bopara had three runs to win the match from the last ball, but some cunning trickery from Fernando, who ran up but did not release the ball tricked the youngster into showing his shot selection and then he balled the appropriate delivery to clip the stump. It was a great come back game for Fernando and justified his captains backing in balling the crucial final over.

The win sets Sri Lanka well on their way to the semi finals, but England now face a hard task with their next two games against the big two, Australia and South Africa. They are almost must wins for them but they showed that are capable of putting in a good performance and if the batting can improve in line with the balling and fielding, anything is possible.

Where is the World Cup Fever?

This Cricket World Cup is still waiting to be truely set alight. It held the promise of the best ever World Cup but so far it has been disappointing.

The Super 8's is a time you would expect the play to get more interesting, but you have a handful of teams that are the front runners, with Australia leading the pack by miles. Then there are Sri Lanka and New Zealand, followed by South Africa to make up what many believe to be the semi finalists.

The inclusion of Ireland and Bangladesh in the Super 8's has not made for competitive matches so far. The smaller nations have not historically done too well at this stage but there is still the chance that they could cause an upset or two.

The big empty grounds, exclusion of India and Pakistan and the home team not doing very well has not helped the competition. With respect to Ireland and Bangladesh, the match between these two will not be the mouth watering prospect that it was expected to be between India and Pakistan. A lot of other matches have lost the gloss with smaller teams as opposition.

The pricing of tickets has come into question with the focus on selling tickets abroad, which has excluded many of the locals who are crucial to add the renowned Caribbean flavour that the event so badly needs. The weather is also causing disruption as it is the rainy season ansd one wonders why it was planned at this time when this was known.

I hope for the good of the competition and the game that its showpiece event comes to life in the next few weeks, leading to the final stages, and becomes the spectacle we all expected and want it to be.