Cricket Fans’ Cup Floweth Over

It’s THAT time again. Every four years the attention of the cricketing world is drawn to the venues of the ODI World Cup. Followers only eat, sleep, drink and breathe cricket, as the cliché goes, for the duration of the competition. Little else matters to them except what goes on at the quadrennial event.

The discussion at offices and homes, on the streets and clubs, on land, sea or air is only about the World Cup. The day’s play involving perhaps more than one match is discussed threadbare by everyone, the expert and the common fan alike.

This reaction is even more vociferous when the competition is held in the sub continent. We have had enough experience of this for it has been held three times already in this region and each time with more fervour than before. And as we have seen even those not normally interested in cricket will be gradual converts as the competition unfolds.

So what can we expect from the 13th edition of the World Cup to commence on October 5. High quality cricket, several close finishes with so little separating at least half a dozen teams and the opportunity to show that ODIs are still relevant in a sport that has embraced the T-20 format to its heart.

No one questions its popularity and entertainment value and how it has engulfed everyone associated with the sport from players to fans, from administrators to sponsors. But there is still a lot going for the 50-50 format and hopefully the World Cup will help bring back the format to its old glory when it was the hottest property in cricket.

That settled it is now time to discuss the all-important question – who will win the World Cup? That is the thought uppermost in everyone’s mind.

The bookies will install their favourites – that is their job. But it is not every time that the team most favoured has won the title. Roughly put in the 12 editions, the trophy has been shared by favourites, not so favourites and even outsiders.

From this angle every World Cup would appear to have an open look. However, among the ten participating teams only half a dozen have a chance to win while the other four are just there to make up the numbers.

I say this despite the fact that the format with each team playing one another gives all of them a chance to recover from a poor start or slide after a flying start. And in my book the four that are there to make up the numbers are Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ireland and Afghanistan.

Yes, they might notch up the odd upset but they lack the fire power to go all the way. So here is a quick look at the six teams which have a chance at glory.

India: One of the favourites. Besides being rated No 1 in the ICC rankings they have home advantage and this has worked out in their favour – winners in 2011, semifinalists in 1987 and 1996. They have also been runners-up in 2003 and semifinalists both in 2015 and 2019 while their sensational triumph in 1983 will always be their proudest moment. At the very least they look good for another semifinal spot but going all the way cannot be ruled out.

Australia: Their best credentials are being five-time champions including one in the sub continent in 1987. They were also runners-up at Lahore in 1996 and at Lord’s in 1975.

The Aussies are currently ranked No. 3 so going by that as well as their awesome past record a semifinalist spot is almost assured. But like in India’s case, going all the way and a sixth title triumph cannot be ruled out.

England: A bit fortunate in winning at home the last time four years ago England will be keen on proving that they are deserving winners. For that they will at least have to enter the semifinal and then hope for two good days.

Currently ranked No. 5 their recent performances do not inspire confidence but they have an impressive record in the competition, being runners-up three times including once in the sub continent in 1987. History is against them though – only two teams have retained the World Cup, West Indies and Australia.

New Zealand: Runners-up on the last two occasions and extremely unlucky in not being the winners four years ago the Kiwis from being eternal bridesmaids – seven-time semifinalists – have transformed themselves into serious challengers for the trophy.

Like in England’s case their recent showing has not been impressive and they are currently ranked No. 6. Still a semifinalist spot beckons but one cannot see them go all the way.

South Africa: The eternal chokers of international cricket South Africa, despite having some of the finest players in their ranks have been unable to shake off this unwanted tag. They are the only one among the six not to have reached the final let alone winning the trophy but they have been semifinalists five times.

Currently they are ranked No. 4 thanks to some admirable performances of late. Yet another spot in the last four beckons but that unwanted tag could stand in their way of going beyond that.

Pakistan: The ‘hot’ team of the moment. They were ranked No. 1 till a little over a week ago but are still No. 2 as they commence their campaign. With some of the most talked about cricketers in their ranks all of them having proved their credentials Pakistan’s place in the semifinals can be taken for granted their mercurial reputation notwithstanding. After that it is a matter of two good days.

They have an admirable record: winners in 1992, runners-up in 1999 and semifinalists five times including twice in the sub continent in 1987 and 2011.