Most disastrous world cup in cricket history will end in Barbados today. Two best teams, Australia and Sri Lanka, will clash in the finals of the 2007 cricket world cup. Can Australia able to achieve Hat-trick cups? Can Sri Lanka able to repeat 1996 finals? Will this final become another dud as in 2003?
Batting:
Except Michael hussy, all the Australian batsmen are in roaring form. Mathew Hayden, leading run scorer, is creating shivers in the opposition bowlers. Ricky Ponting, world’s best batsman, is playing captaincy knocks at high strike rate. Michael Clarke is the most composed batsman in the world cup. He is the “Rahul Dravid of Australia”. Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson can increase run rate within a short span of time. If Hussey and Gilchrist fire to their potential, it is almost impossible to this Australian team.
Sri Lankan batting is not looking as formidable as Australian lineup. It may brittle under pressure from Australian fast bowlers and finals atmosphere like their neighbours (Indians) in 2003 final.
Except Mahela Jayawardene, no other batsman is looking as promising as Australians. Sanath Jayasuriya is inconsistent throughout this tournament. Though Chamara Silva is playing well in this world cup, his inexperience may cost him dear in the finals. Kumara Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga and Arnold are playing well throughout the tournament. If they play well, Sri Lanka may upset the world champions. Australia team was beaten in most of the matches by the individual brilliance of the opposition rather than team effort. Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara, Kevin Pietersen and Gibbs proved this fact in recent times. Can Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene repeat this feat?
Batting Rating:
Australia – 8/10.
Sri Lanka – 6/10.
Bowling:
Glenn McGrath will try his best in the last of his glittering International career. If Sri Lankan batsmen able to play this legend well, match may be in the Sri Lankan kitty. Sri Lankans hammered Shaun Tait in the super 8 match. Nathan Bracken is another danger man. Sri Lankans can easily play Brad Hogg and Shane Watson. First 10 overs are crucial against Australians. They will try to exert maximum pressure in those overs.
Sri Lankans are blessed with the most versatile bowling line up in this world cup. If Vaas and Malinga can able to take the top order wickets of Australians, Muralitharan will take care of the rest. Australians have not faced these 3 bowlers for the past 14 months. This is the most worrying aspect for the Australian team management.
Bowling Rating:
Australia – 7/10.
Sri Lanka – 8/10.
Fielding:
Both teams are equal in this aspect. Rating – 8/10.
Captaincy:
Ricky Ponting already established his credentials as one of the great captains.
Mahela Jayawardene has surprised everyone with his maturity, tactics and captaincy knocks. He is the captain of my “dream team”. He is slightly ahead of Ponting in captaincy aspect.
Finals of the 1999 and 2003 world cups are ended on disappointing note with Australia ruthlessly crushed Pakistan and India. Can Australian able to repeat it against another sub-continental team, Sri Lanka?
My Verdict: Australia is favourite as it is more balanced than Sri Lanka in all departments. Sri Lanka crushed Australia in 1996 world cup in Lahore (thanks to Aravinda batting and Ranatunga captaincy).
Australia is waiting for revenge.
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