Trivandrum: The tied result against the Three Lions, even after recording 338 batting first, will be a definite wake-up call for MS Dhoni’s Team India. The win by the Irish of course, has been the upset of the tournament so far, and William Porterfield’s men will be primed for another giant-killing act.
Caught up amidst all the hue and cry of the India versus Ireland game, and in a way pushed to the margins is the day match of Sunday, the England-South Africa clash at Chennai. In its own rights, this could turn out to be one of the matches of the tournament as the on song Proteas' face the wrath of the Three Lions, who will have a definite point to prove after their previous two games.
Also, a win in this game will be vital for Andrew Strauss’ men to progress to the quarter-finals, as a loss would leave them in a perilous position of 3 points after 4 games played. So with a lot riding on this game, I would not be surprised if the big ego of Kevin Petersen stood up to be counted for the Englishmen.
But if I am a betting man (and I am), then my money would well and truly be on the South Africans. Their batsmen, especially AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, are in spectacular form and the bowlers are looking potent as well. Imran Tahir, as expected, has been a real revelation so far.
The English bowling on the other hand, other than Graeme Swann, has been one of the worst in the tournament. If the Proteas batting comes a cropper against the English bowling, many cricket pundits out there would be extremely surprised.
The only chance England might have in the game is if they are bowling first and James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan are able to exploit the early morning assistance at Chepauk. A few quick wickets at the top, and the South African middle-order, which does not have that much experience and has not been tested all too much in the recent past, will come under the scanner.
Coming back to the Indian game, with the strongest batting line-up in the competition, the co-hosts would be the favourites for most matches that they play. But the bowling department is a real worry, and I, for one, am not impressed with the idea of a 2 pace, 2 spin attack in which the second pacer is Munaf Patel.
At his best, Munaf is just a line and length bowler, and lacks the penetration and variety to be a threat with the new ball. And also, with the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh in the squad, it makes more sense to go with 3 pacers and play Harbhajan Singh as the specialist spinner.
If normalcy prevails on the day, and someone like a Kevin O’Brien does not go ballistic, then India should pick up the win in this game with consummate ease. But Ireland will be sniffing for some more gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow.
Prediction: India, South Africa to win. But England to be in with a chance if Proteas bat first.
Caught up amidst all the hue and cry of the India versus Ireland game, and in a way pushed to the margins is the day match of Sunday, the England-South Africa clash at Chennai. In its own rights, this could turn out to be one of the matches of the tournament as the on song Proteas' face the wrath of the Three Lions, who will have a definite point to prove after their previous two games.
Also, a win in this game will be vital for Andrew Strauss’ men to progress to the quarter-finals, as a loss would leave them in a perilous position of 3 points after 4 games played. So with a lot riding on this game, I would not be surprised if the big ego of Kevin Petersen stood up to be counted for the Englishmen.
But if I am a betting man (and I am), then my money would well and truly be on the South Africans. Their batsmen, especially AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, are in spectacular form and the bowlers are looking potent as well. Imran Tahir, as expected, has been a real revelation so far.
The English bowling on the other hand, other than Graeme Swann, has been one of the worst in the tournament. If the Proteas batting comes a cropper against the English bowling, many cricket pundits out there would be extremely surprised.
The only chance England might have in the game is if they are bowling first and James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan are able to exploit the early morning assistance at Chepauk. A few quick wickets at the top, and the South African middle-order, which does not have that much experience and has not been tested all too much in the recent past, will come under the scanner.
Coming back to the Indian game, with the strongest batting line-up in the competition, the co-hosts would be the favourites for most matches that they play. But the bowling department is a real worry, and I, for one, am not impressed with the idea of a 2 pace, 2 spin attack in which the second pacer is Munaf Patel.
At his best, Munaf is just a line and length bowler, and lacks the penetration and variety to be a threat with the new ball. And also, with the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh in the squad, it makes more sense to go with 3 pacers and play Harbhajan Singh as the specialist spinner.
If normalcy prevails on the day, and someone like a Kevin O’Brien does not go ballistic, then India should pick up the win in this game with consummate ease. But Ireland will be sniffing for some more gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow.
Prediction: India, South Africa to win. But England to be in with a chance if Proteas bat first.
