Aussies and WC will miss Hussey, Hauritz

The reigning champions Australia led by that dashing batsman Ricky Ponting who are making a strong bid to make it four-in-a row by winning the 2011 World Cup in the sub continent were jolted when it was announced that Michael Hussey and Nathan Hauritz would not be available.

Hussey and Hauritz suffered serious injuries during the seven one-day internationals against England and although given intense treatment haven't recovered sufficiently to take their places.

Left handed batting champion and brilliant fielder in any position Michael Hussey will be badly missed. He has been the muscle in the middle order of the Kangaroos batting and one who is able to hang on to the half chance.

Ponting disappointed

His absence will be a severe dent in the Aussie cricketing juggernaut. Ponting will no doubt be disappointed that 'Mr. Cricket' or 'Mr. Reliable' will be out of the scene of action.

Nathan Hauritz who missed the Ashes series against England forced his way back with some telling performances in Shield cricket and was expected to carry the team's spin attack.

He was a tantalizing off spinner and with the sub continent wickets likely to be spin friendly, Australia would have banked heavily on him to shoulder the spin responsibilities and tease and lure the opposing batsmen to their demise.

SLC fishing for a coach

Now that Trevor Bayliss has decided to end his innings as Sri Lanka cricket coach after the 2011 World Cup, there will be a surfeit of coaches who will be batting to pocket that plum.

Bayliss took over that onerous duties of coaching from another of his countryman Tom Moody, and to his credit it must be said he aligned himself well with the cricketers and the administration and had a god run.

At one time the SLC was toying with the idea of plonking for a local coach to take over. But apparently there does not seem to be any one on the horizon with the necessary credentials and SLC has been forced to do a bit of shopping internationally for a coach.

Preference

In the past the preference was for an Australian coach. Many Australian coaches did a stint here, but it was Sri Lankan born Australian Dav Whatmore and former Australian all rounder Tom Moody who met with success.

Aussie coaches were in big demand because their cricketers were on a roll brushing aside all opponents by playing an aggressive and demoralising style of cricket which other teams were envying and keen to learn.

But in recent times with the retirement of their stalwarts, Australian cricket nose- dived and with it went the demand for kangaroo coaches. It would be interesting to watch how SLC will go in this aspect.

Whatmore with Arjuna Ranatunge as captain won the 1996 World Cup final.

In the final

Moody with Mahela Jayawardena as captain took the team to the final of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and that they could not win it was just one of those things. Adam Gilchrist with a breath taking innings of 149 took the final away from the Lankans.

Names of foreign coaches that SLC would be looking at and keen to have are Tom Moody again, Darren Lehmann, Ray Jennings and Mickey Arthur. It would be a good buy if we could again have Moody. But Moody is stuck with a job with his old Shield side Western Australia and it is not likely that he would accept.

Lehmann, Jennings and Arthur are also on lucrative jobs and they too may not be tempted. Stuart Law assistant to Bayliss will not be a bad idea if he has not already made up his mind to also quit with Bayliss.

Pakistan will miss stars

The Pakistan cricketers who will be challenging strongly to emulate the feat of their 1992 team led Imran Khan when they won the World Cup will be badly hit with the suspension slapped on their stars Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer.

Led brilliantly by that wonderful all rounder Imran Khan, Pakistan beat England in the final at Lord's to send their countrymen mad with delight.

In recent times Pakistan cricket has been in turmoil owing to the uncertain security situation with touring teams refusing to play there. Now their home engagements have to be played in neutral venues.

No alternative

With teams refusing to play in Pakistan, the International Cricket Council had no alternative, but to also move the World Cup matches that Pakistan were to host to other venues.

With Pakistan cricket in disarray, it has been further hit like a vicious bumper from 'Rawalpindi Express' Shoaib Akhtar with the news that former captain Salman Butt and two pacemen Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer have been found guilty of spot fixing and having a five year ban slapped on each of them.

Had the present Pakistan squad led by Sahid Afridi included the three suspended players, their chances of having a go at the World Cup would have been that much more rosier. But that's how the game goes and although the Pakistanis would have dearly loved to have the suspended three trio with them, they will now have to perform without them.

Cricketing miracle

But the Pakistanis have men who can deliver and their millions of fans as they will be hoping that they perform a cricketing miracle and bring home the trophy.

As for Butt, Asif and Aamer they disgraced themselves, their countrymen and the time honoured game of cricket by playing the ugly and disgraceful side of the game and deserve the punishment. They must be thankful that they were not handed down a life ban.

But that's how the game goes and although the Pakistanis would have dearly loved to have the three suspended players with them, they will now have to perform without them.

Even without the threesome, the Pakistanis did well to stuff the Kiwis in a one-day series in their own backyard and should use that victory as a spur to try and win the 2011 World Cup.

Pakistan go out as the dark horses in the World Cup and if they are able to shed their individual play and combine as one unit, then they have the men who can go on a roll and take home the richest prize in the game.

[email protected]