Group A (Aus, RSA, Scotland, Holland)

A real big blow, and without Symonds, Australia is gonna struggle!!! South Africa is enjoying supreme form, confidence and fitness. Whwewas, Aussies are on a slide. And a most likely defeat in the chapel headlee trophy will only do bad to asutralis plans!!! My money on South Africa

Originally posted by daisy77 Originally posted by MP12 Adam Gilchrist will miss the first 3 games of the world cup because his wife is expected to give birth, this means that the opening parntership will be Watson and Hayden Ohhhhhhh this a big blow to the Aussies!!!

So Haddin will be the wicket keeper and probably bat at 6 or 7. I actually think that for the games that for the games that Gilchrist is away for they should try putting Hussey opening. The first 3 batsman in a ODI should be the ones that are most likely to hit 100 and those 3 would be Gilchrist Hussey and Ponting and with Gilchrist out next would be Hayden.

On another interesting fact if Haddin were to somehow get injured the Australian's will put Hussey in to keep! Has anyone seen him keep?

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi A real big blow, and without Symonds, Australia is gonna struggle!!!

Who said Andrew Symonds won't play. He suffered a severe injury but his
recovery has been fantastic, so don't speak to soon we might see roy on the park.

o yes... I feel for Van der Vath.. he is better than Langevth ( dont know how to spell :p) and ven better than Nel for me!!

Langeveldt has been quite successful at "death" bowling - not particularly quick , but good lines with a touch of away swing.
  The team will be pretty confident after watching Australia struggle this last month. If Brett Lee doesn't make it I see SA beating them and if they bat first , making a big score into the bargain.

Edited by Sledger - 19 February 2007 at 6:02am

South Africa currently have Pollock and Kallis in top wicket-taking and run-scoring form, and a fully fit team with a powerhouse batting line-up of: Smith, de Villiers, Kallis, Gibbs, Prince, Kemp, Boucher, Pollock, Hall and super bowlers in Ntini, Pollock, Langeveldt, Nel, Hall, Kallis and Kemp.

yes aussies dfeats were not a surprise...i beleive this would have happened even if thier top players had played..!! I feel Brett Lee's absence should not harm aussies plans a great deal. They play Bret Lee to take wickets. Aussies selectors have included far too many similar type of bowlers in thier squad, like johnson, lee and tait. All of them go for plenty!! A staurt Clark would have done the job. Thier bowling is gonna strugglr. Specially on windies tracks, they ae not gonna get the bounce and pace even!!

ya it looks better!! but clark has not been a success story in onde dayers...infact he has been the second worst bowler by economy in death overs!! Brt Lee's story was not any different. We cannot expect McGrath alone to curtail all runs from one end. johnson Tait Watson will all leak runs!! Clark might not be that effective in windies conditions

Originally posted by RightHandBat Lee has been ruled out of the WC and Clark has been added to take his place. Now, the bowling look's a lot better with him included, that's for sure!

M.Johnson is very good too so if he is playing they shouldn't miss Lee that much......I know Lee has the experience but Johnson is such a good bolwer that I think even if he does not totally make up for Lee , he is going to coming very close to fulfilling that job.

Originally posted by RightHandBat Gilchrist's baby has been born and Gilchrist will play the the whole WC. Thank god! Batting look's a lot stronger now. A Gilly-Haydos opening combination. :D

Wow what good technology, babies born on schedule! Congrats to the family, now onwards, cricketers should concieve only with boards permission, taking care of all future assignements, how irresponsible of these guys!

Originally posted by spin wizard As the opposition, I would prefer to see Clark than Lee. Clark has a history already of being smacked all around in ODI's and typically by the West Indians!