Australia loose recent matches because of the BOWLING and not BATTING. Even with Pointing, Gillchirst and others in the team they wont be making 340 runs or more. That means that the Kiwis and south africa and Engand are no longer intimidated by australian bowling. I mean Australia batting is still the same. Their bowling attack is Very good. Bret Lee and Glen Mcgrath still bowl the same way like they use to. Shaun tait regularly clocks 154 kmph regularly. Mitchell Johnson and Bracken are still much better than than say Ifan, Rana Naved or Lewis or any of the Bowlers produced by other countries. But the only difference is other countries batsman are giving the bowlers back instead of letting them get intimidated. About Subcontinent countries(except Srilanka)the less said the better. A bowler like Mitchell johnson who get regularly thrash by kiwis get a haul of 5 wickets against India even as Chanderpaul and gayle belted the oz bowlers. A crap bowler ike Andre nel tormented India and Pakistan batsman during the recent African tour. Even West indies and Srilanka does not get intimidated by Oz and african bowlers. Nothing to be said about India and Pakistan fielding and bowling below par not even average. Sri lankan batsman thrash Kiwis in Kiwiland. Indian and Pakistaan batsman are just FLAT TRACK heros palying in HOME CONDITIONS. So Australia despite their loses are in a much better position to win the CUP than India or Pakistan. I would say that the semi finals possibilities among 8 countries will be (Australia/Srilanka/England/ WEst Indies ) any two and South Africa and New Zealand. India and Pakistan out in the second round. Wouldnt be surprised if bangladesh beats India.
RE:World cup probable semi finalist
by Ashwin Vishwesh on Feb 21, 2007 07:17 PM Permalink
Cuz NZ is as good as AUstralia, NZ is the second best team in the world, capable of beating south africa india or pak. they have some of the best players who can raise to the occasion
