indeed....
it was a BAD move dropping Mark Waugh..n to add to that they got rid of their wcup winning captain Steve. And they are thinking of sacking him from the Test team as well.
Duno what's got into the Ozzie Selectors but whatever it is...its not right for the world of cricket.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
I disagree Ehsan bhai, Its all bout handling the pressue as Great Imran khan said.:) I have a gut feling that Ponting wont lift the Cup. It may not necesserily be Pakistan (God Forbid) It was Steve Waugh who took all the pressure on himself and made sure his team qualified for the Semis. And Ponting already has shown vulnerabilities in his captaincy.
[/QUOTE]
I hope you are right, but looking at their recent record they are head and shoulders above everyone else. Look how they demolished England today and that was without a number of their leading players. On form they should take it but then world cup produces its own upsets, so who knows.
At the moment though Australia all the way.
Heart says Pakistan
Head says Australia.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
I hope you are right, but looking at their recent record they are head and shoulders above everyone else. Look how they demolished England today and that was without a number of their leading players. On form they should take it but then world cup produces its own upsets, so who knows.
At the moment though Australia all the way.
Heart says Pakistan
Head says Australia.
[/QUOTE]
i dont think demlishing England puts them way above every other team Ehsan bhai. And also Sri lanks without Murali is worse then England. I m sure New Zealand will sort them out like they did in VB series last year :) . (And so will Pakistan, insha'allah) . I just cannot forget the Fleming's shrwed feild placings against Damien Martyn. taking three fielders square on the offside and Martyn couldnt do anything except haplessly giving them catches in almost every match.
Australia maybe on a different planet in test cricket but in one days they are not way ahead. They are better than the rest but time by time teams like Pakistan, South Africa and Newzeland have beaten them in their own backyard. And beating them in the WC won't be a different thing.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
Australia maybe on a different planet in test cricket but in one days they are not way ahead. They are better than the rest but time by time teams like Pakistan, South Africa and Newzeland have beaten them in their own backyard. And beating them in the WC won't be a different thing.
[/QUOTE]
Totally Agree.
No doubt Australin are playing great cricket.But Favourites never won worldcup after 1979. ;)
They cant keep playing great cricket forever.I think either of Pakistan,SA,India,NZL will peak at right time and win the cup.
Australia's back up bowlers are pretty good as well. Miles better than the likes of Zahid. Watched Brett lee working over England's top order bowling in the 90's and they just couldn't play him. fast rising deliveries...different class.
I think if Wasim was leading the side and Moin was picked we would have had a better shout, but good luck to those who are there now.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Australia's back up bowlers are pretty good as well. Miles better than the likes of Zahid. Watched Brett lee working over England's top order bowling in the 90's and they just couldn't play him. fast rising deliveries...different class.
I think if Wasim was leading the side and Moin was picked we would have had a better shout, but good luck to those who are there now.
[/QUOTE]
Australian wickets, conditions, and bias commentary makes the team look better than they are. If Pakistan starts playing their home games seriously, then they'd have a record better than Australia or the great West Indies (1980's) at home and their overall record will look realy flash.
Last summer NZ showed what could be done to Australia if adjusted to conditions well. They drew the test series against full strength Australian team. Infact they almost won had the umpires not been biased. They also tharashed Australia out of the VB series.
As for Australian back up. Guys like Brad Hogg and Clarke could be found in any street of Pakistan. They are awfully average cricketers.
Point is: Australia is a great team, but not much more than Pakistan and S.A. Single factor seperating these three teams from others is their firepower in the bowling department. Imran Khan brought this bowling fire power theory into action in 1992 and ever since then its only became popular and popular. Now NZ and SL are working on same theory and are catching up to these top teams since they have little more firepower in their bowling too.
Pakistan is the best. Only things needed are APPLICATION and MOTIVATION.
Go the Green Machine!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pathan Bhai: *
Australian wickets, conditions, and bias commentary makes the team look better than they are. If Pakistan starts playing their home games seriously, then they'd have a record better than Australia or the great West Indies (1980's) at home and their overall record will look realy flash.
Last summer NZ showed what could be done to Australia if adjusted to conditions well. They drew the test series against full strength Australian team. Infact they almost won had the umpires not been biased. They also tharashed Australia out of the VB series.
As for Australian back up. Guys like Brad Hogg and Clarke could be found in any street of Pakistan. They are awfully average cricketers.
Point is: Australia is a great team, but not much more than Pakistan and S.A. Single factor seperating these three teams from others is their firepower in the bowling department. Imran Khan brought this bowling fire power theory into action in 1992 and ever since then its only became popular and popular. Now NZ and SL are working on same theory and are catching up to these top teams since they have little more firepower in their bowling too.
Pakistan is the best. Only things needed are APPLICATION and MOTIVATION.
Go the Green Machine!
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very well said, i agree with that Hogg and Clarke part. i would like to include Shane Watson in that list too.
South Africa!
Why?
Because
Home ground advantage.
Keepin' in mind 'Revenge' of losing three World Cups straight with almost had a chance on it.
Under Captaincy of Polluck, all-rounder.
Combination of Nithi, Donald bowling attack.
Smashing Kallis, Lance, all-rounder.
Gibbs, Kristen hard-hitter openers.
Jonty Rhodes, perfect fielder.
Mark Boucher, a wonderful keeper.
Why else do you want, let me know, okay?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pathan Bhai: *
If Pakistan starts playing their home games seriously, then they'd have a record better than Australia or the great West Indies (1980's) at home and their overall record will look realy flash.
[/QUOTE]
Are you suggesting Pakistan doesn't play its home game seriously ??
About Australia and its players - They may not be as talented as Pakistani players but they are capable of handling the International pressure better than any other team because of their solid domestic cricket and their deciplined grooming.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
Are you suggesting Pakistan doesn't play its home game seriously ??
About Australia and its players - They may not be as talented as Pakistani players but they are capable of handling the International pressure better than any other team because of their solid domestic cricket and their deciplined grooming.
[/QUOTE]
Its been a while since Pakistan played at home. Even when they do get regular visists, they lose the due advantage because of the wickets, bad crowds, negative PR etc. A team taking maximun out of their home condition is India. And that is what i meant by Pak not taking the games seriously.
2ndly, read carefully above and you'd find me agreeing that because of Australia's solid domestic cricket and deciplined grooming they have an awesome side. But talent comes natural. And thats where Australia is compareable if not beatable by both SA and PAK.
remember, host teams have never won the WC in history. And i don't think this record will be broken this time.
101% Pakistan. Inshallah, we will win. its hope and prayers of 140 million people.
Pakistan have little to no chance-best chance of the Asian countries, but still little. is mahmood gonna win us the big games?
Cos you know Shoaib is gonna break down, Wasim couldnt win aanything now, and Waqar is so fgar past it its not even funny.
Our batting is worse.
Hope Pakistan, realistically Aus (unfortunately, would rather Israel rule the gobe then have these white supremists win), or SA. India has less chance then even we do-there bowling is sooooo bad. Tinu Youhannan! :rotfl"
Lanka? oh baby! hell NO!
England.......hope not-they'll never shut up.
Who will win? Only time will tell. The team I am supporting is Pakistan, even though I think their captain is pathetic and so are the batsmen. But I don’t have any choice its still my team 
As for Australia, they might win but some how I don’t see them winning. South Africa got a big chance as well but in the last two world cups they lost it under pressure. This time the pressure would be even more due to the home ground factor. India and England both have what it takes to surprise people.
But in the end Pakistan is my team no matter if they put our heads to shame by pathetic batting once again. 
and if they win well there is nothing like it.