World Cup Predictions

Semi's: Aus, S.L, W.I and S.A.

Semi Finals - Aus vs SL and SAF vs NZ

Finals - Aus/SL vs SAF

Winner - Aus/SL

Star Players: Ponting, Lara and Sangakkara

Edited by Vipera russelli - 12 February 2007 at 2:22pm

well 1st im an australin so illd neva bet againt


S.A are doing great atm (vs PAK?)

i think it will be close but aus will hit a 7 of the last abll to win  (1nb 1run and 4 overthrows)

Originally posted by Clobber Originally posted by -JP- Give us some legible reasons for your choices, as well.

maybe now...though I don't hold out much hope

Edited by spin wizard - 12 February 2007 at 10:11pm

Edited by SL lion - 13 February 2007 at 2:16am

I think he is being very supportive of his team.......a bit patriotic???????????

Originally posted by spin wizard Give some reasons mon!

Originally posted by SL lion semi= australia, new zealand, sri lanka and south africa. final= south affrica vs SL winner= sri lanka

Semi's: Aus, NZL, IND and S.A.

By the way i'm not willing yet to predict the winner of the tournament but from were i'm standing SA look the most promising.

 

 

  Making predictions before seeing the pitches is rather a lottery. Relaid surfaces take some bedding in and we could well see some upsets. 
   Any of the top eight sides are capable of beating any other on any given day - as England showed just recently.
   England will be strengthened by the return of KP , Vaughan (fingers crossed!) and Jimmy Anderson.  Lewis is likely to start too , but I worry that he might be a little up and down and go for plenty.
   Australia have the talent and temperament to repeat their triumph of 2003. That final was so one sided , India were completely blown away as Pakistan was in 1999.  The Aussies' strength lies in it's batting , it's bowling is not as potent as 4 years ago. McGrath has lost his 'nip' and if Lee is wayward they'll battle to bowl out the top sides.  Having said that , they are unlikely to be phased if asked to chase 320 or so - they back themselves.
  
 South Africa will go to the islands full of confidence after demolishing Pakistan. Smith's return to form seems to have galvinised the whole side and they are going to be tough to beat.  They're a fickle bunch though , a surprising loss in the super 8's to say , England , could see the whole side implode and not make the semis.  Kallis is the key to big scores , along with Smith and Gibbs.  If Hershelle stays smokefree he could be one of the stars of the show.  Their lack of quality slow bowlers is their achilles heel and they could struggle to slow the runrate against batsmen that are "in".
  
    India have oodles of talent and have a decent chance of a semifinal place. The batting is strong and if the starts are good , then Dhoni can hurt any opposition. The problems are two fold I think. They field poorly , Yuvraj apart - top sides like SA , Australia and NZ pressurise the batsmen and run outs are commonplace when playing these sides.  My other concern is if the top order fails the middle order looks shaky. Australia and SA can still get past 300 after being 30-3 , I don't think India can.
 
    Pakistan infuriate me. All the talent but the whole side is flawed. When one isn't interested , the rest follow suit!  To win this tournament means total concentration and a hardnosed approach - something I don't think they possess.  They could have some terrific results , but they are likely to be offest by some diabolical losses. Making the semifinals might come down to runrate and if they get bowled for 107 again , they can forget the last four.
  
    Sri Lanka are doing the business and I fancy them for the last four. Fine batsmen and the best fielding side in Asia. Bowlers of class - just a nicely balanced side. They seem a happy bunch and they're dangerous - they might just win the tournament!

    West Indies have a chance and they've come on in leaps and bounds in the last 18 months. Strong batting and in Taylor a bowler capable of knocking over the top order. To qualify for the semis I think Lara needs to bat higher and Gayle and Chanderpaul will have to keep giving them quick starts.

     New Zealand will be smarting after losing to England , but can turn that around by beating Australia next week. If they get beaten 3-0 , their world cup is down the tubes too. Confidence is everything and they have to get it back.  Still a useful side that will push all the others - Bond , Fleming , Stryris and Oram must shine for them to make the semis. The reason I think they won't is that apart from Vettori and Bond they lack quality bowling.

   So Oz , SL , SA and either England or India for me.  The winner , I'll take Sri Lanka.
   

South Africa for my money is gona make this time. they are ful of confidnc, in the richest form of thier lives, have beaten Australia of late quite often!!

Originally posted by Mojo Originally posted by RightHandBat So, beating WI in their last series was a fluke, was it? No it wasn't, because India is a very tough team to beat on their home soil. But whether you're an India fan or not, you have to admit that the Indian team is nowhere near their best when they play away from home. And unfortunately for them, they're playing the world cup away from home.

Well then, I guess their 2003 WC Performance was poor.

Originally posted by Desi4u I am surprise you guys are writing off the world most unpredictable Team Pakistan. In there given days they can beat any team in the world.

hahaha, it never takes long for this tired old cliche to be wheeled out