Barry Richards
VB Series Starts World Cup Countdown
By Barry Richards
Jan 14, 2006, 09:57

Why would you be a bowler? The VB Series in Australia is likely to be another run feast and a sign of things to come at the World Cup. One aspect that has troubled me, and no doubt a few bowlers, is how small the grounds are becoming. Cricket must be the only sport where the playing arena has got smaller over time and boy has it cost the bowlers. The fear of litigation and the new fielding slide has seen to that and compared to twenty years ago is like comparing oranges with apples but undoubtedly the winners have been the spectators. Their insatiable desire for big hitting has seen 20/20 getting to become “sexy” and big scores the norm. It is a concern for the long term but that is another story.

Be that as it may, the VB Series might just give us some indication of what the World Cup is likely to produce. Australia, even in transition, look streets ahead of the rest even allowing for an ageing team with real strength in depth in their batting. The Australians look well equipped with the emergence of Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey. Who can test them?

South Africa and England are probably the closest although India and Pakistan can never be discounted. Looking at the challengers is interesting.

England after the highs of the last Ashes are back to earth after Pakistan and a few cracks are appearing. Michael Vaughan has been an astute leader but has not produced his best form with the bat and that puts huge pressure on Flintoff and Pietersen. There is no doubt they will be the lynch pins on the small West Indian grounds. Strauss and Trescothick are formidable and the England batting looks solid. Reverse swing will be a factor and England can look forward to being very competitive in 2007. The hot conditions are not always to their liking but if they keep their focus and plan carefully they will be there at the end. The lifting of the trophy might just revolve around how well the selected spinners bowl - that will be a big job.

South Africa’s strength again will revolve around seam bowling. Shaun Pollock, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Charl Langeveldt all look similar and if there is a criticism it is the “sameness” of the attack. South Africa’s attitudes are similar to Australia’s and that “never say die” mindset counts for a lot. The hurt of the last World Cup still lingers for them; but there is a lot to put right. Much depends on South Africa’s batsmen to “outmuscle” their opponents and Jacques Kallis will need to move into overdrive and perhaps overcome a cautious attitude that sometimes prevails. Their fielding has always been good and is crucial on small grounds.

India have the potential in batting although Tendulkar is on the back nine of his career and the desire to push the barriers is not as strong as it was. Sehwag is the key, though he may be too over-ambitious to be really consistent in a campaign like the World Cup. He will play some cameos though and one could easily be in a crunch game. Dravid and Greg Chappell will need to carefully plan the bowling options and try and limit opposition totals to a manageable amount so the batting can express itself.

Pakistan are perhaps the hardest of all to read. Bob Woolmer has done a good job under the examination of a disjointed administration and critical media but he needs to keep the focus for all matches. Pakistan tend to go “walkabout” at some stages of a long campaign. Inzi is a lovable character but he relishes home and sub-continental challenges much more than those outside of that area. Of all the batsmen, he can dominate but you feel he doesn’t like to take the lead in all situations. Pakistan are talented, no doubt, and Shahid Afridi is one to watch. He has matured but he still likes to take the bowlers on and he, more than any, will be a trump card with bat and ball.

Australia must be favourites and if Shane Warne makes himself available it will give the Aussies even more options. One-day cricket is a firm favourite and the World Cup is the pinnacle. All sides have an eye on the trophy but the side that beats the Aussies is the most likely to hold it aloft.

Bigstarcricket columnist Barry Richards is a former South Africa opening batsman who averaged 72 in his four Tests, before partition. In first-class cricket he amassed 28,358 runs at 54.75, including 80 centuries. Now as a TV commentator, Barry remains one of the most perceptive thinkers in world cricket.