It was hardly a surprise We are crap at World Cups. The very words are cricketing kryptonite to anyone in an England cap. And after the debacle against Ireland, an exit in the quarter-finals doesn’t seem too dreadful.
How many teams win the World Cup without their best players? Our most destructive one-day batsman, Kevin Pietersen, was out injured – as was our best ODI bowler, Stuart Broad. And no sooner had Ajmal Shahzad demonstrated just how useful he could be, with both bat and ball, then he too was on the plane home. It’s not easy to shrug off three key injuries. And did anyone look at yesterday’s bowling line-up and think – yup, that’ll win us the tournament.
England have been on the road for five months Many people have dismissed this excuse, arguing that as well-paid professionals, the players were duty-bound to knuckle down and do their job. But we reckon it’s valid. Strauss, Bell, Trott, Prior, Collingwood, Swann and Anderson have been living out of a suitcase – and in each other’s pockets – since October, continually travelling, netting and playing. There’s a human physical limit to the length of time any cricketer can retain their intensity.
Three of the four semi-finalists are Asian This can be no coincidence, especially as Bangladesh also played fairly well, overall. The Asian teams have exploited their mastery of local conditions, and the advantages of passionate home support. Even Pakistan have been well represented in the stands.
Neither Australia nor South Africa will win it either Who cares if New Zealand or Sri Lanka claim the bragging rights? The two nations we really care about – the ones we hate to see gloating and celebrating – have both been flung out alongside us. The Saffers’ demise was particularly satisfying. The biltong-munchers have swaggered around for years, in that superior fashion of theirs, virtually claiming that the trophy is their birthright. And how many World Cup knockout matches have South Africa ever won? Zero.
We lost to the most likely champions Although it would have been nice to have at least taken one wicket, there is no disgrace at losing to Sri Lanka on their own turf. While all the attention has been on India, the Lankans have quietly but efficiently gone about their business. They’ve only lost once so far – to Pakistan – and not by much. Their naggardly bowling has suffocated the life out of opposition batting, while their own batsmen have been clinically confident. Barring a major upset, they will beat New Zealand – and if a few variables go their way, have a better than even chance of defeating India or Pakistan in the final.
At least we had Jonathan Trott At the start of the tournament, exactly what odds would you have got on Trott being the leading run-scorer at this stage – surpassing even Tendulkar? What a revelation he’s been. And thank goodness he has English ancestry.
Maxie Allen
