World Cup: Cricket Dot Chess
Aus-SL Finals will take off in a few hours, in Barbados...
1. Australia have a batting line-up wherein all players can keep a high strike rate, and they have about 3-4 batsmen who can give volume of runs as well (Hayden, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey). Sri Lanka has a split- Jayawardene can provide a volume of runs at moderate strike rates; Jayasuria and Sangakara have strike rates but will they provide a volume? Australia can exploit the fact that Sri Lanka will have to hit the right combination in the middle. But on the bright side the younger Sri Lankans are doing fine.
2. The bowling looks good on both sides and with similarities in the variety (Malinga/Tait, Vaas/Bracken, Murali/Hogg...). However, McGrath and Murali are both in different class, so the probabilities can hinge around these two. What looks good is that both teams have ample wicket taking options to keep the finals interesting. But if Australi bowl first, they will try to throttle the opposition under 150-170, as we had discussed against South Africa...
3. However, Australia batters will go after most bowlers (because each batsman having a strike rate capability). But will they target Jayasuria or Fernando (who had run-up trouble) in particular? Can we expect Tom Moody to come up with active defensive tactics for a few overs, if needed, apart from a basic dot strategy? (Lanka got Dilshan in when Styris attacked Murali, but will that be enough against the Aussies).
Good luck to both teams.... The world is waiting for Sri lanka to stop Hayden/Ponting...
Saumil
saumilzx.com
Mumbai, India
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