It was maybe fitting that Shane Watson collected the last Man of the Match award of a long and gruelling Australia tour. For someone so derided, he bore by far the greatest workload of the various different squads, from the Champions Trophy warm-ups through the Ashes Tests, T20s and finally the ODIs. Of 23 games, he played in 20, accumulating over 1000 runs although only eight expensive wickets. Amongst those runs were some pretty special centuries, including that 176 at The Oval and this week's 143 at Southampton. That's one England's spinners Tredwell and Root won't forget in a hurry.
The highest individual score was Michael Clarke's memorable 187 at Old Trafford, and he demonstrated that you don't have to slog your way to thre figures. On the other hand, Aaron Finch produced one of the most incredible batting blitz in history at the Rose Bowl. 156 in 63 balls produced a world record for T20 internationals, but could he temper those instincts to make a Test player? Averaging sub-30 in 33 first-class cricket at the age of 26 suggests otherwise. George Bailey seems to be progressing from T20 specialist to very capable 50-over performer but at 31 his career is limited. Not as limited as Chris Rogers' but the latter proved he can do the business as opener, if only until someone else comes through the system, or Phil Hughes rediscovers the form of five few years ago. Steve Smith's debut hundred at The Oval did his cause no harm either, although his bowling is short of what should be expected of a genuine all-rounder.
Considering the Aussies' 0-3 Ashes defeat, it was remarkable how well their bowlers performed. Graeme Swann was the series' leading wicket-taker but Ryan Harris, just behind him, averaged under 20, a world-class statistic in a major Test series. Unlike Harris, James Faulkner was another very busy man this summer. His left-arm pace was quicker than first appeared and he provided useful late-order runs, too. Clint McKay's hat-trick at Cardiff was the highlight of his tour, Mitchell Starc had his moments and Peter Siddle was his usual reliable self in Tests, although perhaps less incisive than usual. Mitchell Johnson demonstrated in the past week that there are no faster bowlers in world cricket, and in the Southampton finale managed to combine that raw speed with control, menace and economy. The jury's out on Pattinson, Bird and Coulter-Nile but next winter's bowling line-up will probably be determined by who's fit. Nathan Lyon looks to have secured the spinner slot but if teenager Ashton Agar can rip the ball as well as he let rip with it in that record-breaking tail-end 98, he may mature into a rival.
Behind the stumps, Darren Lehmann and his team probably have it right with Brad Haddin playing the Tests and Matthew Wade in the shorter formats. It is probably correct for a selection policy involving watching how all the players perform in the Sheffield Shield. There are still several spots to nail down in the Test side, and it will be interesting to see whether David Warner returns to the fold to do battle - maybe that's not the best choice of phrase! - with all the England team and the Barmy Army can throw at him.
I'll no doubt return to the issue as the Ashes return gets closer....
Showing posts with label Shane Watson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shane Watson. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Aussies looking strong
One round to go in the World T20 Super Eights and it's Australia who are looking the strongest team so far. They are the only team still unbeaten in the whole competition and they have been winning easily, too.
Today, South Africa were the latest victims of George Bailey's side, but the competition so far has been all about Shane Watson. Not only has he struck three half-centuries in four innings, with more runs (234) than anyone else but the Aussie opener also leads the wicket table, too, with ten victims. That's what I call an all-round performance!
All eyes were also on the India-Pakistan clash which followed the latest Watson show, but this proved to be another mismatch. Lakshmipathy Balaji claimed another three-wicket haul and Ravi Ashwin maintained his good form with the ball to restrict Pakistan to 128 all out. Gambhir may have fallen second ball but Virat Kohli starred in the run chase. With such a modest target, he made the task look simple, ending on 78 not out. Nice to see Yuvraj Singh back in the runs and wickets, too.
The nice thing about a three-match group stage is that every fixture counts and, indeed, results so far have left the semi-finalists in the balance until the last few days. In both groups, the top two meet each other but Australia's formidable net run rate makes them near certain of progressing even if Pakistan beat them. If they don't, then there's a whisper of a chance for South Africa to sneak through at the last minute but they need a dominant victory over India on Tuesday. On play in the past week, I can't see it happening.
Because of the respective net run rates, Group One is more open. Sri Lanka have maximum points but if they lose heavily to England, West Indies could leapfrog them by beating New Zealand. On the other hand, the Black Caps could surprise us all and qualify should they beat the Windies and England fail to beat the hosts.
All refreshingly interesting, so much better than the interminable IPL structure!
Sri Lanka and Australia must be favourites to advance, and I fancy England and India to join them.
Today, South Africa were the latest victims of George Bailey's side, but the competition so far has been all about Shane Watson. Not only has he struck three half-centuries in four innings, with more runs (234) than anyone else but the Aussie opener also leads the wicket table, too, with ten victims. That's what I call an all-round performance!
All eyes were also on the India-Pakistan clash which followed the latest Watson show, but this proved to be another mismatch. Lakshmipathy Balaji claimed another three-wicket haul and Ravi Ashwin maintained his good form with the ball to restrict Pakistan to 128 all out. Gambhir may have fallen second ball but Virat Kohli starred in the run chase. With such a modest target, he made the task look simple, ending on 78 not out. Nice to see Yuvraj Singh back in the runs and wickets, too.
The nice thing about a three-match group stage is that every fixture counts and, indeed, results so far have left the semi-finalists in the balance until the last few days. In both groups, the top two meet each other but Australia's formidable net run rate makes them near certain of progressing even if Pakistan beat them. If they don't, then there's a whisper of a chance for South Africa to sneak through at the last minute but they need a dominant victory over India on Tuesday. On play in the past week, I can't see it happening.
Because of the respective net run rates, Group One is more open. Sri Lanka have maximum points but if they lose heavily to England, West Indies could leapfrog them by beating New Zealand. On the other hand, the Black Caps could surprise us all and qualify should they beat the Windies and England fail to beat the hosts.
All refreshingly interesting, so much better than the interminable IPL structure!
Sri Lanka and Australia must be favourites to advance, and I fancy England and India to join them.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Team of the Year: One-day Cricket
As I mentioned in my last blog, there is no such thing as 'The Team' representing a particular nation, nor even a county these days. It's all horses for courses. After compiling my international XI for 2011, I noted that only two had also made my Test team of the year, one with the bat and one with the ball. Can you guess who?
The opening pair are the swashbuckling Shane Watson and the more patient Mohammad Hafeez. The Aussie was devastating in the World Cup and has struck 42 sixes during 2011 at a strike rate of more than a run a ball. That's pretty good in T20 but superb in the 50-over format! The Pakistani was the fifth highest run scorer and sixth highest wicket taker, too. Watson can also bowl some decent medium pacers, too, but doesn't take many wickets these days. However, he makes my team as a batsman alone, eclipsing even the legendary Virender Sehwag (hit by injury for half the year), Sri Lanka's World Cup heroes Dilshan and Tharanga and emerging Caribbean talent Lendl Simmons.
Kumar Sangakkara also compiled more than 1100 runs at an average above 50, a rarity. He thus repeats his status as number three in both my Teams of the Year. Perhaps surprisingly his strike rate is inferior to that of my number four, Jonathan Trott. Unfairly criticised for apparent slow scoring, the SA-born England star made over 1300 runs in ODIs, and nobody passed 50 more often. He is just the man you need to keep the scoreboard ticking over while the flashier men gamble for the boundaries. Only one man outscored Trott in 2011 and he was Virat Kohli. Great to see one of the Indian youngsters making a greater impact than his more illustrious and experienced countrymen.
Since taking over as Aussie captain, Michael Clarke has enjoyed a personal renaissance this year. His team are recovering from last winter's Ashes battering, particularly in the one-day game, and Clarke has been leading from the front, scoring 900 runs in 24 matches at over 50 apiece at an admirable strike rate of 80. He thus completes my specialist batting line-up.
My captain and wicketkeeper is MS Dhoni. Not only did he play such an important role in winning the World Cup but he has since shown why he is probably the finest 'finisher' in the one-day game. He scores at more than five runs an over and, because he is often still there at the end of the innings, whether batting first or chasing a target, averages almost 60!
While Watson and Hafeez provide the back-up, my front-line bowlers come from three different nations. A few years ago, Shahid Afridi would have been a genuine all-rounder and one of the most dangerous one-day batsmen in the world. These days, runs are harder to come by and it is his leg-breaks which are bamboozling batsmen. He has taken 45 wickets in 2011, second highest in the world, and at a meagre average of just over 20. Saeed Ajmal's 34 victims at 17 apiece earn him a spot in both teams of the year, keeping out Swann, Patel, Ashwin and Shakib.
My pace bowlers both have an unorthodox slinging action. Mitch Johnson took 39 wickets in 22 matches and has proved a useful late-order flayer of bowling at the death. he gets the nod just ahead of fellow Aussie Brett Lee. Lasith Malinga, of course, is just the bowler you want to cramp batsman at the start and end of an innings. He is clearly the number one T20 fast bowler, with his deadly fast swinging yorkers. However, he has proved to be almost as devastating over ten overs, often delivered in three spells, and has taken more wickets (48) in ODIs than anyone else in the past year. With his crazy delivery action and even crazier hair, the Sri Lankan is one of the most exciting men in world cricket and wraps up my One-Day XI of 2011.
Watson (Aus), Mohammad Hafeez (Pak), Sangakkara (SL), Trott (Eng), Kohli (Ind), Clarke (Aus), Dhoni (Ind, *+), Afridi (Pak), Johnson (Aus), Saeed Ajmal (Pak), Malinga (SL).
My next blog will examine the other players, including those not on the international stage, who have excelled in 2011.
The opening pair are the swashbuckling Shane Watson and the more patient Mohammad Hafeez. The Aussie was devastating in the World Cup and has struck 42 sixes during 2011 at a strike rate of more than a run a ball. That's pretty good in T20 but superb in the 50-over format! The Pakistani was the fifth highest run scorer and sixth highest wicket taker, too. Watson can also bowl some decent medium pacers, too, but doesn't take many wickets these days. However, he makes my team as a batsman alone, eclipsing even the legendary Virender Sehwag (hit by injury for half the year), Sri Lanka's World Cup heroes Dilshan and Tharanga and emerging Caribbean talent Lendl Simmons.
Kumar Sangakkara also compiled more than 1100 runs at an average above 50, a rarity. He thus repeats his status as number three in both my Teams of the Year. Perhaps surprisingly his strike rate is inferior to that of my number four, Jonathan Trott. Unfairly criticised for apparent slow scoring, the SA-born England star made over 1300 runs in ODIs, and nobody passed 50 more often. He is just the man you need to keep the scoreboard ticking over while the flashier men gamble for the boundaries. Only one man outscored Trott in 2011 and he was Virat Kohli. Great to see one of the Indian youngsters making a greater impact than his more illustrious and experienced countrymen.
Since taking over as Aussie captain, Michael Clarke has enjoyed a personal renaissance this year. His team are recovering from last winter's Ashes battering, particularly in the one-day game, and Clarke has been leading from the front, scoring 900 runs in 24 matches at over 50 apiece at an admirable strike rate of 80. He thus completes my specialist batting line-up.
My captain and wicketkeeper is MS Dhoni. Not only did he play such an important role in winning the World Cup but he has since shown why he is probably the finest 'finisher' in the one-day game. He scores at more than five runs an over and, because he is often still there at the end of the innings, whether batting first or chasing a target, averages almost 60!
While Watson and Hafeez provide the back-up, my front-line bowlers come from three different nations. A few years ago, Shahid Afridi would have been a genuine all-rounder and one of the most dangerous one-day batsmen in the world. These days, runs are harder to come by and it is his leg-breaks which are bamboozling batsmen. He has taken 45 wickets in 2011, second highest in the world, and at a meagre average of just over 20. Saeed Ajmal's 34 victims at 17 apiece earn him a spot in both teams of the year, keeping out Swann, Patel, Ashwin and Shakib.
My pace bowlers both have an unorthodox slinging action. Mitch Johnson took 39 wickets in 22 matches and has proved a useful late-order flayer of bowling at the death. he gets the nod just ahead of fellow Aussie Brett Lee. Lasith Malinga, of course, is just the bowler you want to cramp batsman at the start and end of an innings. He is clearly the number one T20 fast bowler, with his deadly fast swinging yorkers. However, he has proved to be almost as devastating over ten overs, often delivered in three spells, and has taken more wickets (48) in ODIs than anyone else in the past year. With his crazy delivery action and even crazier hair, the Sri Lankan is one of the most exciting men in world cricket and wraps up my One-Day XI of 2011.
Watson (Aus), Mohammad Hafeez (Pak), Sangakkara (SL), Trott (Eng), Kohli (Ind), Clarke (Aus), Dhoni (Ind, *+), Afridi (Pak), Johnson (Aus), Saeed Ajmal (Pak), Malinga (SL).
My next blog will examine the other players, including those not on the international stage, who have excelled in 2011.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Sehwag's World Record!
Today, Danesh Ramdin played an assured, run-a-ball, personal best ODI innings of 96 as the West Indies compiled a useful total of 265. Unfortunately for them, this was in reply to India's mammoth 418-5, and the Trinidadian's efforts were obliterated by the phenomenon that was Virender Sehwag's 219, easily surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous world record set last year.
Sehwag's ability to strike a ball is well known but he doesn't often convert early blitzes into big innings. The World Cup opener was one of those and now the West Indies were on the receiving end of the greatest of them all at Indore. It wasn't just a T20-style slogfest either. Sure, he swung the bat for some mighty straight sixes but there were some brilliant flicks and audaciously delicate 'upper cuts' to the boundary, too. He survived a couple of run-out attempts and a dropped catch but even Darren Sammy had to applaud a marvellous performance which his batsmen never stood an earthly of matching.
It took 2,962 ODIs before Tendulkar became the first man to hit a double and at one stage it looked as if it would take only another 261 before the 250 barrier was breached. However, it took a rare mistimed slog off the innocuous medium pace of Kieron Pollard to dismiss him.
So where does this innings ran alongside the best of one-day innings? Well, undoubtdly a million miles ahead of the very first ODI century, compiled by Dennis Amiss back in 1972. Kapil Dev's 175 not out blitz against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup was a real eye-opener, especially as he came in at number six with his side reeling at 9 for 4! However, the first truly special innings against a top team came from the majestic Viv Richards. At Old Trafford in 1984 he plundered an unbeaten 189, a record which lasted 13 years before being eclipsed by Saeed Anwar's 194 for Pakistan against India at Chennai.
Two years later, Saurav Ganguly's 183 may not have broken a record but, in tandem with Rahul Dravid he broke Sri Lanka's hearts and possibly some bones and windows around Taunton in the World Cup. That was wonderful to watch. Anyway, Anwar's record stood for another 13 years and, incredibly, 1,753 matches before then 36 year-old Tendulkar notched another cricketing milestone by becoming the first to reach 200 in a single innings, this time against South Africa at Gwalior, just a few hundred miles NE of the location of today's innings.
Apart from Viv Richards' demolition of England and confirmation of his status as the finest one-day batsman of his era, I suppose the only other innings which would compete with Sehwag's knock is Shane Watson's World Cup tour de force against Bangladesh in April. 185 not out in 96 balls, including 15 sixes. That was probably the greatest sustained display of big hitting ever seen in a one-day international, but for majestic strokeplay combined with clever gap-finding, the humble Virender's double-century will take some beating.
Sehwag's ability to strike a ball is well known but he doesn't often convert early blitzes into big innings. The World Cup opener was one of those and now the West Indies were on the receiving end of the greatest of them all at Indore. It wasn't just a T20-style slogfest either. Sure, he swung the bat for some mighty straight sixes but there were some brilliant flicks and audaciously delicate 'upper cuts' to the boundary, too. He survived a couple of run-out attempts and a dropped catch but even Darren Sammy had to applaud a marvellous performance which his batsmen never stood an earthly of matching.
It took 2,962 ODIs before Tendulkar became the first man to hit a double and at one stage it looked as if it would take only another 261 before the 250 barrier was breached. However, it took a rare mistimed slog off the innocuous medium pace of Kieron Pollard to dismiss him.
So where does this innings ran alongside the best of one-day innings? Well, undoubtdly a million miles ahead of the very first ODI century, compiled by Dennis Amiss back in 1972. Kapil Dev's 175 not out blitz against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup was a real eye-opener, especially as he came in at number six with his side reeling at 9 for 4! However, the first truly special innings against a top team came from the majestic Viv Richards. At Old Trafford in 1984 he plundered an unbeaten 189, a record which lasted 13 years before being eclipsed by Saeed Anwar's 194 for Pakistan against India at Chennai.
Two years later, Saurav Ganguly's 183 may not have broken a record but, in tandem with Rahul Dravid he broke Sri Lanka's hearts and possibly some bones and windows around Taunton in the World Cup. That was wonderful to watch. Anyway, Anwar's record stood for another 13 years and, incredibly, 1,753 matches before then 36 year-old Tendulkar notched another cricketing milestone by becoming the first to reach 200 in a single innings, this time against South Africa at Gwalior, just a few hundred miles NE of the location of today's innings.
Apart from Viv Richards' demolition of England and confirmation of his status as the finest one-day batsman of his era, I suppose the only other innings which would compete with Sehwag's knock is Shane Watson's World Cup tour de force against Bangladesh in April. 185 not out in 96 balls, including 15 sixes. That was probably the greatest sustained display of big hitting ever seen in a one-day international, but for majestic strokeplay combined with clever gap-finding, the humble Virender's double-century will take some beating.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Players of the Week: Chris Woakes and Shane Watson
With a full set of IPL matches, a round of County Championship fixtures and a few ODIs, there was plenty of cricketing action to monitor and individual performances to admire over the past week.
In England, the shock result was Warwickshire's demolition of favourites Somerset. In response to pre-season questions on whether the county could turn second places into trophies, Marcus Trescothick had said that they had been working on a few things over the winter. Well, putting in the opposition on a Taunton belter of a pitch and getting bowled out twice in a day aren't my idea of a winning strategy, Tres! No, he isn't my Player of the Week! Leading candidates from the domestic circuit include Dale Benkenstein, whose 150 for Durham in their win over Yorkshire was his second century of the campaign so far. Derbyshire enjoyed a rare innings win, against neighbouring Leicestershire, with Tim Groenewald claiming a match analysis of 8-97 along with an unbeaten 60 with the bat. Last season's leading wicket-taker, Andre Adams this week staked his claim for a repeat performance with 5-54 and 6-31 in Nottinghamshire's nine-wicket hammering of Hampshire.
Back at Taunton, Warwickshire opener Varun Chopra struck only his third first-class hundred, and it was a 'double', which set his side on their way to that memorable innings and 382 run victory. However, even his 210 was eclipsed by young England bowler Chris Woakes. He was my first Player of the Week in 2010 and did it again back in January, but his all-round performance just about earned him a third accolade. His run-a-ball 129 took the Bears past 600, then took 9-91 in the two Somerset innings. For someone who bats at eight or nine, it is perhaps incredible that he has a first-class batting average of 32, better than Chopra, and a bowling average of under 25. That's world-class statistics but he can't get a place in the England team. Huh??!
On the international scene, Indian and Aussie batsmen have taken the glory this week. In the IPL, young T20 specialist Paul Valthaty has eclipsed everybody with his striking for Kings XI Punjab. His brilliant 120 not out against the Super Kings was followed by 75 against the Deccan Chargers, putting even Adam Gilchrist in the shade. Mike Hussey has also enjoyed a good week, both with Australia and in India, while veteran Shane Warne showed he can still be a mean bowler, conceding a miserly 63 runs from his twelve overs this week. Other contenders must include Gautam Gambhir and some bloke called Tendulkar who scored another hundred. Apparently he does that quite often...
However, even Sachin has to play second fiddle because my International Player of the Week is Shane Watson. In the last two ODIs against Bangladesh, he plundered an astonishing 185 not out in 96 balls, including a record 15 sixes and 15 fours. Even more remarkable was that his runs came out of an innings total of just 232! Not only that but in the following game, he contributed a further 72 in 40 balls. Nice preparation for his stint at the IPL, although he has yet to reach such heights in the shorter format.His ODI average has now risen above 43 at a strike rate of almost 90. Oh, and he can bowl a bit, too. Wih these kind of performance he can expect more MikesSpinOnCricket Player of the Week awards, too.
In England, the shock result was Warwickshire's demolition of favourites Somerset. In response to pre-season questions on whether the county could turn second places into trophies, Marcus Trescothick had said that they had been working on a few things over the winter. Well, putting in the opposition on a Taunton belter of a pitch and getting bowled out twice in a day aren't my idea of a winning strategy, Tres! No, he isn't my Player of the Week! Leading candidates from the domestic circuit include Dale Benkenstein, whose 150 for Durham in their win over Yorkshire was his second century of the campaign so far. Derbyshire enjoyed a rare innings win, against neighbouring Leicestershire, with Tim Groenewald claiming a match analysis of 8-97 along with an unbeaten 60 with the bat. Last season's leading wicket-taker, Andre Adams this week staked his claim for a repeat performance with 5-54 and 6-31 in Nottinghamshire's nine-wicket hammering of Hampshire.
Back at Taunton, Warwickshire opener Varun Chopra struck only his third first-class hundred, and it was a 'double', which set his side on their way to that memorable innings and 382 run victory. However, even his 210 was eclipsed by young England bowler Chris Woakes. He was my first Player of the Week in 2010 and did it again back in January, but his all-round performance just about earned him a third accolade. His run-a-ball 129 took the Bears past 600, then took 9-91 in the two Somerset innings. For someone who bats at eight or nine, it is perhaps incredible that he has a first-class batting average of 32, better than Chopra, and a bowling average of under 25. That's world-class statistics but he can't get a place in the England team. Huh??!
On the international scene, Indian and Aussie batsmen have taken the glory this week. In the IPL, young T20 specialist Paul Valthaty has eclipsed everybody with his striking for Kings XI Punjab. His brilliant 120 not out against the Super Kings was followed by 75 against the Deccan Chargers, putting even Adam Gilchrist in the shade. Mike Hussey has also enjoyed a good week, both with Australia and in India, while veteran Shane Warne showed he can still be a mean bowler, conceding a miserly 63 runs from his twelve overs this week. Other contenders must include Gautam Gambhir and some bloke called Tendulkar who scored another hundred. Apparently he does that quite often...
However, even Sachin has to play second fiddle because my International Player of the Week is Shane Watson. In the last two ODIs against Bangladesh, he plundered an astonishing 185 not out in 96 balls, including a record 15 sixes and 15 fours. Even more remarkable was that his runs came out of an innings total of just 232! Not only that but in the following game, he contributed a further 72 in 40 balls. Nice preparation for his stint at the IPL, although he has yet to reach such heights in the shorter format.His ODI average has now risen above 43 at a strike rate of almost 90. Oh, and he can bowl a bit, too. Wih these kind of performance he can expect more MikesSpinOnCricket Player of the Week awards, too.
Friday, 25 February 2011
World Cup First Week
Well, we've got through Week One of the 2011 World Cup and at last all the teams have seen some action. Already it feels like we, like Virender Sehwag at the wicket, are in for a long slog. Don't get me wrong, there have been some terrific performances and I'm sure there'll be plenty more, but the tournament hasn't really yet caught fire.
Mr Sehwag provided some opening match fireworks as India showed what they are capable of against Bangladesh, and we have seen some excellent innings from Kohli, AB De Villiers, Jayawardene, Sangakkara and even Andrew Strauss. Perhaps the batting performance that set the pulse racing the most was from the Flying Dutchman Ryan Ten Doeschate. While the other Associate nations were being flattened, his 119 in 110 balls raised expectations of a genuine upset which might have enlivened the first week. However, England managed to hold their nerve, if not their catches, and break the Netherlands' hearts at Nagpur.
All the pre-tournament favourites have looked in ominous form, although none have been truly tested. There have been only two fixtures involving the top 8 Test sides and even they proved to be sadly one-sided as South Africa beat the West Indies and today Australia made short work of neighbours New Zealand who in turn had crushed poor Kenya earlier in the week.
So who is my Player of the Week? For me, four players have been truly outstanding. Virender Sehwag is always an entertainer and anyone who can boast a strike rate of more than a run a ball over more than 200 ODIs is a bit special. To hit a career-best 175 in the pressure-cooker situation of a World Cup opener in Bangladesh shows he is a cool character, too. I've already written about Ryan Ten Doeschate and he, too, is a proven match-winner in one-day games, although with the Netherlands he is rarely on the winning side at World Cups.
Shane Watson has come into this competition on the back of some fine all-round performances for Australia against England. In the first two matches here, he has passed fifty on both occasions, bowled a few tidy overs with one wicket and been his usual busy self in the field. Forget Ponting, Clarke or Hussey; Watson could yet be Australia's biggest single weapon in their challenge for an amazing fourth successive World Cup triumph. However, my Player of the Week is a bowler: Mitch Johnson. He may not have faced the best batting line-ups but against Zimbabwe his two spells as first-change proved critical, netting him an analysis of 4-19 in 9.2 overs. He then captured another four wickets in the victory over New Zealand, getting Ryder and Franklin caught behind in the same over and finally ending McCullum's late-order resistance to give his side a relatively easy run chase. OK, so he has undoubtedly been assisted by Brett Lee and Shaun Tait softening up the openers but Johnson has focussed on line and bounce rather than the vagaries of swing, with excellent results. He has largely left the wayward wides to the Kenyans and helped the Aussies to a couple of wins and pole position in Group A.
This weekend will see perhaps the first big game of the World Cup, as India take on England at Bangalore. Let's hope we are in for a classic because there haven't been any edge-of-the-seat climaxes so far. Pakistan may also be feeling confident and that's something they seem to need to succeed. However, Sri Lanka must be favourites to retain their 100% record tomorrow in their game against Shahid Afridi's men. Later in the week, could the Netherlands upset the Windies, who struggled to make an impression against the South Africans? If Gayle survives the first over, he could compile a huge innings but Roach, Bravo et al need to keep Ten Doeschate quiet. Roll on Week Two!
Mr Sehwag provided some opening match fireworks as India showed what they are capable of against Bangladesh, and we have seen some excellent innings from Kohli, AB De Villiers, Jayawardene, Sangakkara and even Andrew Strauss. Perhaps the batting performance that set the pulse racing the most was from the Flying Dutchman Ryan Ten Doeschate. While the other Associate nations were being flattened, his 119 in 110 balls raised expectations of a genuine upset which might have enlivened the first week. However, England managed to hold their nerve, if not their catches, and break the Netherlands' hearts at Nagpur.
All the pre-tournament favourites have looked in ominous form, although none have been truly tested. There have been only two fixtures involving the top 8 Test sides and even they proved to be sadly one-sided as South Africa beat the West Indies and today Australia made short work of neighbours New Zealand who in turn had crushed poor Kenya earlier in the week.
So who is my Player of the Week? For me, four players have been truly outstanding. Virender Sehwag is always an entertainer and anyone who can boast a strike rate of more than a run a ball over more than 200 ODIs is a bit special. To hit a career-best 175 in the pressure-cooker situation of a World Cup opener in Bangladesh shows he is a cool character, too. I've already written about Ryan Ten Doeschate and he, too, is a proven match-winner in one-day games, although with the Netherlands he is rarely on the winning side at World Cups.
Shane Watson has come into this competition on the back of some fine all-round performances for Australia against England. In the first two matches here, he has passed fifty on both occasions, bowled a few tidy overs with one wicket and been his usual busy self in the field. Forget Ponting, Clarke or Hussey; Watson could yet be Australia's biggest single weapon in their challenge for an amazing fourth successive World Cup triumph. However, my Player of the Week is a bowler: Mitch Johnson. He may not have faced the best batting line-ups but against Zimbabwe his two spells as first-change proved critical, netting him an analysis of 4-19 in 9.2 overs. He then captured another four wickets in the victory over New Zealand, getting Ryder and Franklin caught behind in the same over and finally ending McCullum's late-order resistance to give his side a relatively easy run chase. OK, so he has undoubtedly been assisted by Brett Lee and Shaun Tait softening up the openers but Johnson has focussed on line and bounce rather than the vagaries of swing, with excellent results. He has largely left the wayward wides to the Kenyans and helped the Aussies to a couple of wins and pole position in Group A.
This weekend will see perhaps the first big game of the World Cup, as India take on England at Bangalore. Let's hope we are in for a classic because there haven't been any edge-of-the-seat climaxes so far. Pakistan may also be feeling confident and that's something they seem to need to succeed. However, Sri Lanka must be favourites to retain their 100% record tomorrow in their game against Shahid Afridi's men. Later in the week, could the Netherlands upset the Windies, who struggled to make an impression against the South Africans? If Gayle survives the first over, he could compile a huge innings but Roach, Bravo et al need to keep Ten Doeschate quiet. Roll on Week Two!
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