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MARCUS HOOK'S WORLD CUP DIARY 2003 (PART FOUR)

                   
Sunday 23 February: West Indies v Canada and India v Namibia
Both of today’s matches set the likely tone for the week ahead. Apart from the England-India tie on Wednesday and Sri Lanka versus the West Indies two days later, there aren’t many evenly balanced affairs to look forward to this week. The Indians did a thoroughly professional demolition job on Namibia, which will hopefully put out a few bonfires back home. Danie Keulder’s low catch at short mid-wicket to see the back of Sehwag was soon forgotten when Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly put on 244 for the second wicket. After failing to cash in against Holland, the pair both found their range. The Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar is lucky to still have a right ear after a straight drive by Tendulkar missed his head by a matter of inches. When their turn came the Namibians were never in the hunt. After losing wickets at regular intervals the tail succumbed to Yuvraj Singh of all people. Now, I told you Canada’s John Davison was a little gem. I gather he has been attempting to make his name in Australia, but has not commanded a regular place in either the Victorian or South Australian sides. Perhaps, after making the fastest century in World Cup cricket history, it is time for him to make an Ian Ward-like return. The way the lean right-hander went to his hundred – advancing on Mervyn Dillion and straight driving arguably the best bowler in the West Indies team for six – was one of the moments of this World Cup. It took an acrobatic catch in the deep to dismiss the opener for 111. The catcher, Vasbert Drakes, then returned figures of five for 44 to wrap the Canada innings up. The West Indians needed a little more than twenty overs to reach their objective, with everyone other than Chris Gayle (who has the misfortune of being in my fantasy team) enjoying themselves. Wavell Hinds shared in two fifty partnerships, both of which were posted in just 28 balls. Hinds’s own half-century took 24 balls, which was bettered by one delivery by Brian Lara, who went on to make a majestic 73. But, for me, the one to watch out for still Ramnaresh Sarwan. Perhaps he will be the difference on Friday. With all of the mediocrity in store, it really is tempting to look that far ahead.

 


Canada's John Davison launches
into the bowling of Dillon on his
way to the fastest hundred in
World Cup cricket history.


Aravinda de Silva departs for 41 after being caught behind off Kenya's Collins Obuya.		 Monday 24 February: Zimbabwe v Australia and Sri Lanka v Kenya
Me and my big mouth! Kenya’s 53-run victory over Sri Lanka was a real turn up for the books. Coming on top of New Zealand’s decision not to play in Nairobi, perhaps the unthinkable prospect of Kenya progressing the Super Sixes is no longer so unfeasible. Sanath Jayasuriya said afterwards it was one of the worst matches he has ever been involved in. His comments could well sum up the mood in the Sri Lankan camp right now, especially with clashes against the West Indies and South Africa just around the corner. His batsmen simply got too bogged down and when a push was needed Sri Lanka’s tail proved to be longer than ‘War and Peace’. Collins Obuya’s return of five for 24 was the best ever by a Kenyan bowler. The writing was on the wall when the 21-year-old leg-spinner dismissed Kumar Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva in consecutive overs. The man who took the two all-important catches, Kennedy Otieno, also enjoyed a good match having earlier clouted 60 off 88 balls, including two sixes off Chaminda Vaas. Thankfully, Zimbabwe didn’t follow Kenya’s lead and cause me to wear even more egg on my face. The Aussies cruised to a relatively comfortable seven-wicket win in Bulawayo, with Adam Gilchrist’s 61 in equal time providing the impetus. Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann rounding things off with an unbeaten fourth wicket stand worth 92 in 15 overs. It would be fair to say that Australia did not have it all their own way today, though. Brett Lee came in for a bit of tap, particularly from Heath Streak. Andy Blignaut looked no mug with the bat either; dishing out some punishment of his own to Gillespie and Hogg. If they bat like that against Pakistan next week, even if England manage to overcome India on Wednesday, their future in the tournament is far being assured.

 
Tuesday 25 February: Pakistan v Holland
The only notable thing about today’s contest between Pakistan and Holland at Paarl, which Pakistan won by 97 runs, was Wasim Akram capturing his 500th wicket in one-day internationals. I see he has now become a target for Hampshire, certainly as their second overseas player and maybe even as their captain. As good a player as Wasim is, though, I really cannot see him getting through a whole season of county cricket. As Graham Gooch said on tonight’s World Cup Centre on Sky Sports 3, he would enjoy bowling at the Rose Bowl, but may not be so keen on the away games. Charles Colville then showed his depth of knowledge by asking Mushtaq Ahmed whether he was looking forward to playing Hampshire on a regular basis this summer. But Mushtaq had to point out that Sussex and Hampshire are in different divisions of the County Championship! One cannot overstate the importance to England of tomorrow’s game at Durban. If they beat India, just one look at who is likely to progress from Pool B suggests they stand a very good chance of reaching the semi-finals. Should the lose, however, it is as good as certain they will be flying back to Heathrow next week. Dave Evemy and I were discussing what an important player Paul Collingwood has become for England. With Michael Vaughan doubtful, Collingwood, Stewart and Flintoff will have to perform with the bat tomorrow. I was interested to see that the Durham player has been basing his game on Graham Thorpe’s. Following the announcement Thorpe made today, perhaps he will have to make way when the Surrey left-hander returns to the England fold. It is good for the game of cricket that Thorpey believes he is ready to play again. But I wouldn’t mind betting Fletcher and Hussain will be looking for reasons not to pick him – as seems to be the way of things where Surrey players are concerned – so we can probably look forward to Graham proving a point at the start of the new county season.

 


Wasim Akram celebrates his 500th
victim in one-day internationals.

India's Ashish Nehra taking a ODI
career best 6-23 against England. 		Wednesday 26 February: England v India and New Zealand v Bangladesh
There is no question about it. Day-nighters make the tournament a bit of a lottery. I wonder what the Sri Lankans think of them? They need to win their next two to progress to the Super Sixes and both games will be played under lights. At the end of the day I guess you just have to be philosophical about it. After all, has anyone ever won a World Cup without experiencing a degree of good fortune? One take on England’s 82-run defeat in Durban tonight was that it could have been an even more convincing win for India. I actually thought we batted extremely well in the conditions, which made Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath look like world-beaters. The key wicket for me was Collingwood, who went to an absolute jaffer just when he and Flintoff looked as though they might turn things around. Andy Flintoff’s all-round contribution was another encouraging thing to come out of today’s game. Even if England do bow out of the competition on Sunday, as now seems likely, a number of players will be able to say they put their hands up at various times. One who hasn’t yet, though, is Andy Caddick, who, despite finishing with the best figures allowed India to get off to a whirlwind start. Tendulkar and Sehwag brought up the fifty in the ninth over. In comparison England were 19 for two at the same stage. Today’s other fixture between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Kimberley was less eventful than a night out with Chris Cairns, who’s unbeaten 33 in 21 balls carried his side to victory with more than sixteen overs to spare after Bond and Oram had cleaned up with the ball and McMillan had played himself back into form with the bat. But I agree with Stephen Fleming, the Kiwis’ captain, when he says that reserve days should be built into the schedule in future. If you are playing someone as awful as the Bangladeshis, the last thing you would want to do is share the points due to an abandoned match.
                   

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