Langer's_Babe
26 Jan 2003, 19:31
i know the aussies will win but i think the aussies better becarful because south africa are playing great cricket
Bomber Spirit
26 Jan 2003, 19:57
I'll tip Australia, but not with any great degree of confidence. South Africa are our biggest dangers, especially with them being at home; while New Zealand could be smokies.
South Africa is the only team to worry about if we have a full list but if we don't have McGrath and Gilespie in then there could be an upset. Also the allrounder position that selectors play around with doesn't really seem to have worked too well.
I'd rather have someone like Greg Blewett who actually can bat and does swing the ball around a bit . Lehmann can bowl a bit as well so I would rather a decent batsmen then a hit and miss allrounder.
If the team stay fit then Australia should be convincing winners with South Africa the main danger
Any reason why Justin langer doesn't get considered?
Langer's_Babe
26 Jan 2003, 21:10
i wish they would choose him it sucks that hes not playing hes a great player
Briedis
27 Jan 2003, 02:35
Originally posted by Angus1
South Africa is the only team to worry about if we have a full list but if we don't have McGrath and Gilespie in then there could be an upset. Also the allrounder position that selectors play around with doesn't really seem to have worked too well.
I'd rather have someone like Greg Blewett who actually can bat and does swing the ball around a bit . Lehmann can bowl a bit as well so I would rather a decent batsmen then a hit and miss allrounder.
If the team stay fit then Australia should be convincing winners with South Africa the main danger
Any reason why Justin langer doesn't get considered?
Just to be different I picked the kiwis as I reckon they are a real chance to win it. They are a very good one day side and Australia will be hoping that they don't meet them in the final for sure...
I can't see any of the sub-continental teams doing very well considering all of their form over the past two years in South Africa, and Australia for that matter, has been very ordinary.
England are no chance, the Windies have the batting at the moment I reckon and may pull off a few upsets but lack the bowling to win he cup.
On the all-rounder topic - perhaps the Aussie selectors should be investing in Brett Lee and helping him become more of an all-rounder. He strikes the ball very cleanly when on song and with him acting as the all-rounder that would open the way for someone like Langer, who should be in the side, to be in the side...
Kenny_01
28 Jan 2003, 02:23
I think Australia will win. *surprise, suprise*
Brett Li
28 Jan 2003, 03:50
Originally posted by Demon3
go aussies.
love the way England doesn't get an option:rolleyes:
*come on everyonebutaustralia*
ScouseCat
28 Jan 2003, 05:58
Australia are clearly the best team on paper and should win the World Cup with the main threats coming from New Zealand, South Africa and England.
McAlmanac
28 Jan 2003, 14:24
South Africa on home soil for me. In form at the right time. New Zealand are the smokeys.
catattack
28 Jan 2003, 14:27
It's out of South Africa and Australia. But I reckon the Aussies will win The World Cup! New Zealand will do very well also!
I don't think Australia will win but I'm a bit fuzzy on the other teams. I just don't think it'll be Australia.:cool:
Joe Mama
29 Jan 2003, 21:32
The South African's won't blow this World Cup, simply because guys like Allan Donald & Lance Klusener desperately want to erase the bitter memories of 1999, and I think that they have the team to do it.
Unlike Australia, the Proteas don't have any injury worries, or blokes on one leg, and they had a good one day series against Pakistan just recently.
The teams from the sub-continent (excluding Bangladesh) won't do anything (with the possible exception of Pakistan) because they seem to be concerned more with thier personal sponsorship contracts then on preparing for the World Cup (Just look at the dismal performance displayed by the Indians in New Zealand, and you'll know what i'm talking about).
The Kiwi's are the dark horses here, not only do they have a great tactitian and captain, but if Chris Cairns is fit, if Nathan Astle & Craig McMillan find some form, and if Shane Bond gets some support from the Kiwi's bowling line-up, they could sneak into the finals, and cause a big headache for the Aussies.
The Poms seem demoralised, but if Vaughn, Trescowthick & Knight can find form, they should make the job easier for their lacklustre bowling line-up.
The Windies have been improving under the captaincy of Carl Hooper, and with Brian Lara fit and raring to go they should get the runs on the board, but like the Poms, the Windies bowling stocks are a bit thin, and this deficiency has only been accentuated by the loss of Marlon Samuels.
The Zimbabweans, although they have the world class Heath Streak, Henry Olonga, and the Flower brothers in thier roster, the massive problems in thier country, coupled with personal tragedies, should be a massive millstone around thier neck, and will be lucky to get into the Super 6 stage.
Out of the minor countries, I think that the Kenyans should be the best out of themselves, Bangladesh, Holland & Canada, not only do they have players with first class experience (captain, Steven Tikolo) but thier roster mainly consists of Native Kenyans, rather than Indians and Whites who mainly run the game in the Eastern African country.
Bangladesh have been out of thier depth sine they were granted Test Match Status four years ago, and I hope that they improve on thier recent, ill-fated outings.
Holland, like the Kenyans, have a great number of Dutch born cricketers that have learned thier craft in thier home country, and although they did win they ICC Trophy last year (the One Day Tournanment that decides who qualifies into the World Cup), they will have a tough time of it.
And lastly to the Namibians and the Canadians, well Namibia only has around 500 active cricketers in their small, Southern African country, and like in South Africa and Zimbabwe, Cricket is for the most part the domain of the small white community (which consists of English speakers, Afrikaaners, and Germans), and that why a lot rests on the young shoulders of fast bowler (and member of the Khiosan tribe) Burton Van Ooi, he only took up the game a few years ago when he was placed in a boy's home, and since his great spell in the final against Scotland, he has been earmarked as the ambassador for Namibian Cricket, and the main strike bowler for his side.
The Canadians, a motley crue of Canadian born Austrailians (the Canadians are captained by former Victorian off-spinner, John Davison), Indians, West Indians, and Canadians, have the daunting task of scrounging up some good results with an inexperienced line-up and soem tough pool games, hopefully Coach, Gus Logie, can create some good luck for the Canucks because they're going to need it.
RoosLuver
30 Jan 2003, 18:27
Aussies of course with countries such as South Africa, NZ and India challenging them for the title
SpecialBruce
2 Feb 2003, 14:50
West Indies if they can get their bowling attack right. Nixon McLean not playing for a while needs to somehow find his form and they will go all the way.