MELBOURNE : With strong hosts expected to challenge, a highly-fancied South Africa facing their demons and a
sprawling format certain to generate criticism, the cricket World Cup’s return to Australia and New Zealand is a case of deja vu in many ways.
Since the trans-Tasman neighbours first co-hosted in 1992, the one-day game’s global showpiece has morphed into a commercial behemoth and a television event followed by millions around the world.
Familiar themes endure, however, and many of the 14 teams competing at the February. 14-March 29 have arrived in the Antipodes with the same baggage as World Cups past. Boasting a world class attack, a fearless leader in AB de Villiers and an embarrassment of batting riches, South Africa have a gilt-edged chance to break their duck in the tournament. None of de Villiers’ squad was party to the semi-final disaster at the 1999 tournament in Britain or their first-round exit in 2003 on home soil.
The ‘chokers’ tag is still irritating, though, said retired skipper Graeme Smith.
‘Unfortunately it’s something they’ll never get rid of until we go on and win a tournament,’ he told the ESPNcricinfo website. ‘We made some stupid mistakes.’
Australia, far and away the most successful team at the World Cup with four titles, failed to make the knockout phase in 1992 and are under pressure to win on their home pitches. In common with the 2011 tournament in the subcontinent, when Ricky Ponting’s leadership was under constant speculation, the co-hosts have been distracted by local media reports of a rift between captain Michael Clarke, his team mates and the country’s cricket governing body.
Recovering from hamstring surgery, Clarke was given a deadline by selectors to be fit in time for the team’s second group match even as pundits have questioned his place in a batting lineup already brimming with class. (AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel