#360view: Favourites should progress with Australia going on to win the title

Joy Chakravarty 21:32 17/03/2015
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  • While other teams have three or four players who can change the complexion of the match single-handedly, Australia are the only team that has eleven potential match winners.

    On the face of it, barring South Africa’s match against Sri Lanka, the other three quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup look easy to predict in favour of India, Australia and New Zealand – the three most impressive and consistent teams in the championship. 

    And yet, each of the four quarterfinals are potential banana skins – the slightest of mistakes, and the favourites can take a mighty tumble.

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    Pakistan are not ready to relinquish their position as the most unpredictable team in the world, but they have massive competition from the West Indies for that title.

    Misbah-ul Haq and his men are on an upward curve right now after a nightmare start when they lost to arch-rivals India and to West Indies by a huge margin, but they have won four matches since then. The introduction of Sarfraz Ahmed instead of Nasir Jamshed has solved their biggest problem – that of a solid opening foundation.

    Wahab Riaz (L) and Rahat Ali (R) will test Australia with their pace and guile.

    And with Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali troubling the batsmen with their pace and guile, Australia will be tested if Pakistan turn up with all cylinders firing.

    Having said that, I truly believe Australia are looking the best bet as the eventual champions. The foremost reason for that is while other teams have three or four players who can change the complexion of the match single-handedly, Michael Clarke’s is the only team that has eleven potential matchwinners.

    India have been a most complete cricket side, excelling in all departments in their six matches so far. And yet, their batting has been tested and they had to depend on the lower middle order in two of their last three matches.

    Bangladesh should not pose too much of a difficulty for the defending champions, but it must be said that they have batted really well in their last two matches. How they bat against the Indian bowling attack in the big Melbourne Cricket Ground, will determine whether they fly back home, or stay in the competition.

    The West Indies’ chances will completely depend on individual brilliance, because as a unit, they do not inspire much confidence.

    Captain Jason Holder would like to have Chris Gayle back in the playing eleven after a back strain kept him out of the UAE match, and if the big man gets going, West Indies can chase any total, or raise any target.

    However, New Zealand clearly hold an upper hand in this contest. They have a superb bowling attack and Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Daniel Vettori will be a handful.

    Two of the best bowlers in the game, Daniel Vettori (L) and Tim Southee (R), will aim to guide the Blackcaps to world cup honours.

    Which leaves us with Wednesday’s match between Sri Lanka and South Africa. It’s a case of the mind saying South Africa, but the gut insisting on Sri Lanka.

    Past history should not play a role, but while the Lankans have been fantastic in contending in the big tournaments – having reached the finals in both 2007 and ’11 – South Africa have floundered just when the fans expect the world from them.

    On paper, South Africa should win this hands down as they have the better batting and bowling unit. But Sri Lanka have been consistent. However, the Proteas should edge this one because they have a better bowling attack.

    So, here is the semi-final schedule as far as I am concerned: Australia v India in Sydney, and New Zealand v South Africa in Auckland.

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