Expect nail-biting finishes at World Cup 2007
 

by Dinesh Weerawansa

Caribbean-style music, glorious uncertainties of cricket, all the exciting and nail-biting moments that would keep spectators on their seats edge! Yes, these are some of the key ingredients in the recipe for the up coming ICC World Cup cricket tournament which starts in the West Indies in two days time.

The World Cup fever is on in every part of the globe, especially in the cricket-crazy sub-continent. For most sports fans in the subcontinent, cricket is part of their lives and it would be a carnival atmosphere not only in the Caribbean islands but in this part of Asia as well.

Those affluent and cricket-mad fans from all over the world would be heading for one destination during the coming days. That's none other than the West Indies, the champions of the first two World Cup tournaments, which would be hosting the 'Olympic version of cricket' for the first time ever since the inaugural tournament in England in 1975.

The 2007 edition of the world's greatest cricket treat is not going to be just another World Cup. As Sri Lanka coach, Tom Moody has quite correctly pointed out, this is going to be the most open World Cup tournament ever. With New Zealand bringing the cricket supremacy of world champions Australia down to earth in the last series with a 3-0 sweeping, it could be anybody's game.

Most Test nations that are making their way for the World Cup have almost equal chances of making it to the finals. Despite the shock defeats at the hands of Kiwis, defending champions Australia still looks a formidable outfit that would not surrender the title.

That's what the Aussie skipper Rickey Ponting was saying that Australia is going to be the hardest team to beat.

But with somewhat familiar conditions to that of home, subcontinent teams India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka too have equal chances of climbing the pinnacle of world cricket.

Most Lankan stars of yesteryear have predicted that Sri Lanka team for the 2007 World Cup is stronger than the champion team in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga.

On the other hand, India and Pakistan too have done their homework well and would be making every effort to bring back their sweet memories. All three subcontinent teams have emerged champions once each.

Morale of the New Zealand team is high after their giant-killing performance. The three successive wins over the World champions have injected new life to the Kiwi team, which is worth watching. At the same time, South Africa too would be trying to make their presence felt.

Above all, the home conditions would give a distinct advantage to the West Indies to make their World cup dream a reality after 28 years. Cheering home supporters with Caribbean music and familiar home wickets would give the West Indies a slight edge even before the first ball is bowled. But if the West Indies are to make best use of that luxury, they will have to dish out their full talent.

But no other team would be able to match Sri Lanka's player record and experience. The Lankan team is enriched with four of the best batsmen who have made a name in world cricket. They have jointly scored nearly 32,000 ODI runs - Sanath Jayasuriya (11,538), Marvan Atapattu (8,529), Mahela Jayawardene (6,185) and Kumar Sangakkara (5,476).

Together with Russel Anold (3,832 runs), the five most senior Lankan players have jointly figured in over 1,250 ODI matches - an experience hard to match.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka enjoy the luxury of having three of the leading wicket takers who have shared 1,087 ODI scalps amongst them - Muttiah Muralitharan (432), Chaminda Vaas (370) and Jayasuriya (285).

Sri Lanka is the only country that has won the World Cup as the co-hosts. This they achieved in co-hosting the 1996 edition with India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, powered by a majestic century from Aravinda de Silva, crushed Australia by seven wickets in the final in Lahore.

On the 17th of this month, Sri Lanka will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of this memorable feat. The upcoming mega event would be the last World Cup for three of the world's greatest batsmen ever - Jayasuriya, Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar.

They have proved that age is not a barrier for them to let their willows to do the talking. Spectators would be expecting a few memorable treats from them. Whatever the final outcome, seven weeks of heart stopping action is in store.