Turns out that everything between the Australians and Sri lankans was more or less the same- decent bowling from both sides, but nothing special, and lots of light-gray shots and top edges from both as well. The difference was Adam Gilchrist who demonstrated his clean hitting with only about half a dozen unintended mis-hits (acceptable by modern standards).
Was the Gilchrist caught and bowl chance off Fernando costly. None of the commentators seems to bother about that, as it would have made some difference, since no Australian could break away in the last ten overs.
The only disappointing thing was that Sri Lanka did not have some special defensive fall-back plan for say 3-5 overs, in case wickets did not fall. They got Dilshan to replace Fernando (when Ausssies targeted him), and then got Fernando back. But as mentioned in my preivew blog just before the finals, something more drastic was needed.
I will post a report of the World Cup soon, as a follow up to my book. The Aussies are ahead, but not by as much as most of us believe they are (as we saw the finals came down to one magical innings plus tons of luck for both sides). Most teams have not used their resources well, except Australia/Sri Lanka....
But the era of light-gray shots has set-in worldwide (the Malinga six was just as effecient as any other). Just that Australia have made a science out of it. Can someone please tell us how many boundaries in this World Cup were played along the ground and how many were smacked one bounce into the fence? How many mis-hits landed safely, if not for six....
It is time to relax a bit...more later
Saumil
saumilzx.com Mumbai
Apr 29, 2007
Apr 28, 2007
Cricket World Cup Finals preview
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
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
Apr 26, 2007
Aussies did it again
Firstly, I have to clarify that I am not a fortune teller and I cannot predict what someone else will do or attempt to do. We can at best anticipate possible scenarios. (see Apr 25th blog)
Unfortunately for South Africa, they fell to Australia's first inning bowling of ODI.. Yes, I had indicated that Australia can restrict under 150-170, when bowling first and why it happens is clear in my book.
Also, my third point was about when Gibbs should bat ahead of Kallis. Today, when Smith was out they should have done so, or tried to send someone else (from their lower order hitters) to smack or pinch, if they wanted to be positive against Australia....
Sending in Kallis, and then asking him to fabricate shots is not worth it, as you waste your top orthodox batsman.
However, Australia finally batted well in the semis...Congratulations!!!
Other points about Sri Lanka/Australia finals later.
Stay tuned and check more updates on saumilzx.com for excerpts
Thanks
Saumil
saumilzx.com
Unfortunately for South Africa, they fell to Australia's first inning bowling of ODI.. Yes, I had indicated that Australia can restrict under 150-170, when bowling first and why it happens is clear in my book.
Also, my third point was about when Gibbs should bat ahead of Kallis. Today, when Smith was out they should have done so, or tried to send someone else (from their lower order hitters) to smack or pinch, if they wanted to be positive against Australia....
Sending in Kallis, and then asking him to fabricate shots is not worth it, as you waste your top orthodox batsman.
However, Australia finally batted well in the semis...Congratulations!!!
Other points about Sri Lanka/Australia finals later.
Stay tuned and check more updates on saumilzx.com for excerpts
Thanks
Saumil
saumilzx.com
Apr 25, 2007
Chess in Cricket World Cup 2007
Track it here and on my website: www.saumilzx.com
Sri Lanka have just won the first semis. My points/questions for South Africa-Australia semis (today) are still on my site but I include them here.
Australian batting in the semi-finals has failed in the last three World Cups, only to be bailed out by their bowlers. However, here are some issues to ponder about.... it is the knock-out phase...
1. Can South Africa put pressure if Australia bat first? Should Andre Nel open & bowl full-wide to Hayden to dot around? Type 3 bowling makes more sense than type 2, based on what we have seen.
2. If Australia bowls first in the semis/finals, will they restrict the opposition to 150-170? They have done that in many finals, exploiting some of the advantages of bowling first in ODIs...on good pitches and without any special bowling... hmm..
3. When should Gibbs bat ahead of Kallis? The Aussies will expolit this fact for sure.
Saumil
www.saumilzx.com
Sri Lanka have just won the first semis. My points/questions for South Africa-Australia semis (today) are still on my site but I include them here.
Australian batting in the semi-finals has failed in the last three World Cups, only to be bailed out by their bowlers. However, here are some issues to ponder about.... it is the knock-out phase...
1. Can South Africa put pressure if Australia bat first? Should Andre Nel open & bowl full-wide to Hayden to dot around? Type 3 bowling makes more sense than type 2, based on what we have seen.
2. If Australia bowls first in the semis/finals, will they restrict the opposition to 150-170? They have done that in many finals, exploiting some of the advantages of bowling first in ODIs...on good pitches and without any special bowling... hmm..
3. When should Gibbs bat ahead of Kallis? The Aussies will expolit this fact for sure.
Saumil
www.saumilzx.com
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