The Hindu : Sport : World Cup: Hall and Garner back Australia

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Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007
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World Cup: Hall and Garner back Australia

Special Correspondent

HOPEFUL HOST: West Indies's Joel Garner and Wes Hall are confident of delivering the best ever World Cup. — Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI: Legendary West Indian pace bowlers Wesley Hall and Joel Garner back Australia to win the World Cup this year but find another five to six nations capable of claiming the sport's biggest prize with consistent displays over six weeks.

The West Indies plays host to the World Cup from March 13 to April 28. Barbados, where India is due to play three matches, is the venue of the final.

The 69-year-old Hall, along with Garner, addressed mediapersons in the capital on behalf of Barbados Tourism on Tuesday.

"Australia is the favourite but outsiders like Sri Lanka and New Zealand are among the other countries whose chances cannot be discounted," said Garner who made it clear that he did not believe in comparisons.

"It all depends on how well you play as a unit," said Hall and continued, "At present, Australia is an embodiment of supremacy in world cricket. To win consistently, you need to have players who are prepared to raise their game to another level."

Talking about India's fluctuating fortunes in the pace department, Garner said, "you only get as much as what you put in weeks and months ahead of an important series or the World Cup.

"Just by taking a few young bowlers and throwing them into the deep end is not the answer. You need players prepared to work very hard. Then only you can see results," he said.

When asked about the prospects of helping India, Garner said, "with due respects to Mr. Greg Chappell, I don't want his job."

Hall emphatically stated that the West Indies would deliver the best World Cup ever. "We are aware that no host has ever won the Cup and we are keen to set that straight."

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