Dull & Duckworth

In the year 2007, the Caribbean hosted a world cup, dull and drab for most parts of it. The only news catching events were the murky death of Bob Woolmer and the events surrounding the disaster.
The ICC event for the ultra short format of the game hasn’t attracted too many to be frank, the inaugural edition being an aberration. The world cup last year in England wasn’t too exciting, especially after the overdose of T20 thanks to the IPL. The Caribbean edition wasn’t going to be great either, as it was launched days after the hectic IPL. The weather would make it even tougher for the tournament to become a success.
This is where the ICC missed the trick. The world cup could have been hosted in Australia or New Zealand, which is a better place for tournaments in this genre. It would have also meant that the tournament would have been spaced out well out of reach of the IPL; however the thought of Ashes must have loomed large in the minds of the organisers. On any day, a test match between England and Australia would catch more eyes than an Afghanistan- Ireland game.
Another area where the ICC needs to put their hands down is the induction of Duckworth Lewis Method in T20 Matches. It is farcical to decide the outcome of matches in three overs. The ICC ought to come up with the better plan to mend things in the shortest format of the game. You wouldn’t want to reach the stage where matches are decided by the flip of the coin.
Barring a few exciting moments, the tournament so far has been a dull and drab event. The super eights might have a different story to tell. Let us look at my pick of the best teams and players of the tournament so far.

India:
They might have lost the title, but India looks all set to clinch the crown yet again. Suresh Raina has been breathtaking and the team bolstered with the maverick “Dhoni” and a bowling line up consisting of Yusuf and Yuvraj best suited for the low and slow tracks of West Indies; the “Men in dark Blue” can walk away with the trophy which they lost in the United Kingdom.

England:
This team has never won any ICC trophy. But England is definitely the dark horse of the tournament. The batting line up looks fresh and players like Kiewswetter, Lumb and Wright form a great balanced team in them. Morgan has been my player of the tournament, his shots are at their innovative best and he has been the only player along with Mahela Jayewardene to mix caution with aggression.

Australia:
The Aussies might have gone empty handed every time the shortest version’s world cup has ended, but never count the Aussies out. They have a great unit this time around; led by the dynamic Clarke Aussies can demolish any team on their day. Watson has been brilliant and their bowling is probably the strongest seam attack with the likes of Johnson, Siddle.


New Zealand:
They have consistently performed well in this format, and the only team which has never lost to the “Mighty India” in the T20 version. Vettori is a master when it comes to containing the batsman, and New Zealand has the right bowlers to suffocate the batsman in the sluggish wickets. Expect another “Nairobi 2000” if the kiwis get going.
The super eight promises to be more exciting for the jaded spectators. Let us hope the rain and Mr Duckworth & Lewis stay away for rest of the tournament.