this is the worst world cup ever. teams are refusing to play their matches, matches are abandoned because of rain, even empires are refusing. 
The theme of this wc is “unite the people”. 
Thanks to stupid Englishmen!
Australians haven't made up their mind about playing or abonding their match in Zimbabwe. I bet they'll decide when the odds will be against Pakistan and India (after a couple of games it will be clear if they can keep Pakistan or India out of Super Six). They'll prefer Zim and Eng to proceed to Super Six to avoid a challenge in Semi or Final.
Harare win could prove vital to either side
The match between Zimbabwe and India at Harare Sports Club could just turn out to be the most important of Pool A. Indian team coach John Wright described it as a must-win match for them. Zimbabwe are in pretty much the same position.
Before the tournament began, Zimbabwe on current form could expect to beat the two minnows, Namibia and Holland, and lose to the other four Test-playing countries in their group. Two factors have changed all that.
The first was that England were forced to forfeit their match with Zimbabwe. The second is that Zimbabwe are playing an Indian team now apparently in crisis, a team whose remarkably talented batsmen have equally remarkably lost confidence in their own ability.
If Zimbabwe manage to overcome their own frailties and beat India, they will be well placed to startle everybody, including themselves, and reach the Super Six stage of the tournament. They will have to beat Holland, which should not present a problem unless the weather intervenes. At least four victories are required under normal circumstances to reach the Super Sixes. Australia look certain to go through, while Pakistan also look likely candidates.
Four years ago Zimbabwe did just that, reaching the Super Six stage with victories over South Africa and India, while remarkably two teams who beat Zimbabwe, England and Sri Lanka, failed to make it. But four years back Zimbabwe were a much stronger team, with Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Eddo Brandes and the two Strangs in their ranks – not to mention the then captain Alistair Campbell. During the past two years Zimbabwe have all too often failed to be competitive at international level, mainly due to a weak bowling attack.
The loser of this match will probably have to say goodbye to any realistic hopes of reaching the Super Sixes, especially as England are also in the equation, despite their points handicap. A victory, especially if India win it with a good batting performance or Zimbabwe win it with a good bowling performance, will be a great boost to confidence and will give the winners a major boost as they look towards the next stage.
Andy Blignaut has passed a fitness test and so the Zimbabwe bowling should be at full strength against India. But an attack of Streak – not the bowler he used to be – Blignaut, Hondo, Olonga and Murphy is no great shakes compared to most other Test-playing teams, whose batsmen might even consider them an opportunity to play themselves into form.
Yet if they all click together – and especially if Olonga should have one of his occasional days of brilliance – they might well trouble a nervous Indian batting line-up. With reportedly more grass left on the pitch than usual, it could be that Zimbabwe are actively preparing for such a possibility, and may even put India in to bat if they should win the toss.
India have not yet officially decided on their batting policy, although when asked they have said they are considering dropping captain Sourav Ganguly in the order, although Sachin Tendulkar is likely to stay at the top. They may well also play three seamers and drop either Anil Kumble or Harbhajan Singh, but at the moment are keeping their cards close to their chests.
In view of their greater potential, India must start the match as favourites. On their last visit to Zimbabwe two years ago, they comfortably won both the encounters with the hosts in a triangular tournament also involving West Indies. They have won five and lost two clashes between the sides in this country, so historically home advantage is not a significant ally as far as Zimbabwe are concerned.
The wild card is the weather. Cricket in February in Zimbabwe is always a risky business, and it often rains for most of the day in a normal rainy season. Even in the current drought, rain is very possible, especially in the afternoon. A draw would frustrate both teams and probably please England.
India’s current strength is their bowling, Zimbabwe’s their batting. Which will be stronger on the day, if the day is to be completed.
http://www-usa.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/FEB/142759_WC2003_18FEB2003.html
I personaly think India will loose this one and will be out of World Cup.They have too may guys who are out of form.You cant have bad bowling lineup and out of form batsmen and still think of winning.*
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Changez_like: *
Australians haven't made up their mind about playing or abonding their match in Zimbabwe. I bet they'll decide when the odds will be against Pakistan and India (after a couple of games it will be clear if they can keep Pakistan or India out of Super Six). They'll prefer Zim and Eng to proceed to Super Six to avoid a challenge in Semi or Final.
[/QUOTE]
well australia's match with Zim is on 24th and it will be too early for Australia to judge who is gonna go through so i think they will go and play the match.
A match India has to win tomorrow otherwise there will be a huge, maybe insurmountable mountain to climb after that.
All Zim has to do is score 230 first and let India's batsmen do the magic.
But I strongly believe India will win this one. Too much at stake.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Changez_like: *
Australians haven't made up their mind about playing or abonding their match in Zimbabwe. I bet they'll decide when the odds will be against Pakistan and India (after a couple of games it will be clear if they can keep Pakistan or India out of Super Six). They'll prefer Zim and Eng to proceed to Super Six to avoid a challenge in Semi or Final.
[/QUOTE]
Since Zimbabwe is certain to go to the Super Six If Australia refuses to go to Zimbabwe. Australia wont be able to carry all their points to Super Six and they will go to super six with 4 points same as Zimbabwe and Pakistan (or whichever team goes there). I dont think Aussie can afford that.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by andha_qanoon: *
Four years ago Zimbabwe did just that
[/QUOTE]
That time Indians beat themselves. Tomorrow also Zimbabwe needs to play their natural game, Indian batsmen will hand over the match to them and their misery will be over.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
Since Zimbabwe is certain to go to the Super Six If Australia refuses to go to Zimbabwe. Australia wont be able to carry all their points to Super Six and they will go to super six with 4 points same as Zimbabwe and Pakistan (or whichever team goes there). I dont think Aussie can afford that.....
[/QUOTE]
I think Pool B matches will help them decide to play or forfeit.
If Zimbo wins tommorrow, they will go through definatly.
If India lose their hopes will still be alive with victories over Namibia, Pakistan and England.
I expect the Indians to win, because I don't want to see a sissy Indian team on March 1st. But I will still be rooting from Zimbabwe.
As much I want to root for Zimb but the same time I'm wondering my personal satisfaction can come in way of pakistans reaching super six.
So what outcome between these two teams should interest Pak? I personally think if India wins then there will be race for two spots instead of one considering Aus will play Zimb. Can anyone fill me in here..
India and Zimbabwe:
*Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field first
India 77/0 (13 overs.)*
they are in pretty good shape rightnow.
Nimibia and England
*Namibia won the toss and elected to field first
England 27/1 (6 overs)*
seems like Nimibians have a fair grip on England's batsmen :-)
India 104/1 off 18 overs. Shewag out. A good start.
England 52/2 off 13.4 overs. :D
India 135/1 off 25 overs..good to see Tendulkar among runs
Finally a good start by India. Ganguly did the right thing by dropping down the order.
130/1 in 23 overs.
Tendulkar 74 n.o.
Mongia 6 n. o
India just dropped its 2 wickets suddenly..
no century for tandulkar, but good batting from him indeed.
Tendulkar Gone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
India 145 / 3
Tendulkar 81 B G flower
Ganguly and Dravid at crease.
Let's hope they build on the initial opening partnership.
Good innings by Tendulkar but two quick wickets have pegged India back a bit. A platform from which Gangs and Dravid can launch an assault.
tendulkar seemed dangerous.
just a delightful sight seeing him batting
wish he could score centuries in every innnings…such a pity when he gets out early…
anyway, cuz of the two wickets…match is almost evenly balanced. :k:
Ganguly and Yuraj gone.
India 184/5 off 39 overs.
They have squandered the early advantage.
Zimbabwe back in the match.
England 172/4 off 35 overs. Go Namibia.