World Cup theatre of war, dogs of war needed

By Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

COMMENT: When the umpires call ‘play’ in the 10th Edition of the ICC World Cup next month in the sub continent, the curtain will go up and it will be a theatre of war from then on.

A theatre of cricket war, that is for the ruthless. In this war there is no second chance. Kill or be killed will be the final frontier.

If the war is to be won, then the men required are dare devils.

The hit squad to a man must be experienced, have their ear to the ground and troops who have been to war before and fought and won.

Having said that the question on every cricket and sport loving fan after the 15-man squad for the 2011 Cup was announced is; Is that squad carrying cricketing dogs of war who can win, and bring relief, joy and happiness like did when President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave excellent leadership that helped win the terrorist war? It is the consensus that the squad announced are not dogs of war who have fought and won, but like one wag described it ‘Spice girls’.

We could not but agree with that wag

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made it known right along, that winning the 2011 World Cup is not the thing it is the thing and quite candidly said that the best team, a team that must win the cup be selected.

But we who have played the game, having done a close analysis of the squad picked make bold to say that the men who matter who could have given clever leadership not only with the willow and ball, but also with positive thinking are sadly missing from the squad.

The Sri Lankan squad, looks like lambs to the slaughter. Sri Lanka play in a group that has Australia and Pakistan. We are at war with them in the first two games. It is a win both situation.

It is inexplicable the picking of two batsmen in the middle order. A selector told us before the team left for Australia for three one-dayers that a particular batsman is being taken and if he fails, it could be the end of the road for him.

Failures in final 15

That batsman was not even given a game. Since his return he has not delivered. Then how come his inclusion? The other middle order batsman has also failed consistently. How come he too made the final 15?.

There are more questions that beg answers in the picking of the final squad of 15. Was it a collect effort or was it a ‘one man’ show? We think it was a ‘one man’show.

All participating countries are flinging their best and most experienced war veterans to the front line. The selectors are not throwing their youngsters to the wolves.

They have made it known that this theatre is not for the young and the timid. Look at India who are strong favourites to carry away the World Cup like they did in 1983 in England under Kapil Dev. They are led by a master tactician in Mahendra Singh Dhoni and include players of proven ability in Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambir, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Harbhajan Singh.

Australia who are pushing for a three-in-a- row will be led by hungry lion in Ricky Ponting who will be looking to devour after being starved by the Brits who lashed them 3-1 in the Ashes series in their own back yard.

The Aussies will have Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Terry Pain, David Cameron, Michael and David Hussey and will recall the ‘bomber’ in Shaun Lee who is rarin’ to go.

England well-knit side

England who are now over the moon after their Ashes triumph will have Andrew Strauss cleverly leading them with players of tested and proven ability in Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Stephen Finn, James Anderson an Chris Tremlett.

West Indies will have a capable team with Darren Sammy leading them from the front like he did playing here recently.

Chris Gayle will lead the batting onslaught with Adrian Bharath, Darren and Dwaynne Bravo, Kieron Pollard with blistering pace, Dwaynne Smith and other black supermen.

Pakistan cricket which is in disarray at the moment will also be bringing with them men who can deliver. Belter Sahid Afridi will lead them and can turn a game with his belligerent hitting like he did against Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 final in England.

New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will also be no push overs.