The Hindu : Sport : World Cup will find a worthy winner

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Saturday, Apr 28, 2007
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World Cup will find a worthy winner

Peter Roebuck

HERCULES: Matthew Hayden's weakness had been his uncertainty at the start of his innings but he has worked exceptionally hard in the nets. — Photo: AFP

Whatever the outcome of the final, Australia has been the team of the tournament. Happily Sri Lanka has been the second best side and one of the few saving graces of a mostly portentous competition has been the manner in which the two leading sides have navigated their way to Barbados. Perhaps their meeting will enliven an event otherwise as dreary and longwinded as a budget speech.

At any rate the 2007 World Cup will find a worthy winner. It is no small mercy. Moreover the final will be a contrast in styles. Sri Lanka has played a cavalier game whilst the Australians have resembled a tank division relentlessly crushing poorly armed opponents.

Easy path

Neither side encountered much difficulty reaching the final. Australia's semifinal victory was almost embarrassingly easy. Blink and the South African challenge was over. Not since the Charge of the Light Brigade has any outfit undertaken as doomed an assault as did the South Africans on that dismal day.

Graeme Smith and company suffered from a paralysis of the brain that expressed itself in reckless misadventure. Like most champions, the Australians disrupt an opponent's thinking, forcing them to reach beyond themselves.

Credit must be given to the Australian system and especially its coach, selectors and senior players. By no means were the inclusion of Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg universally acclaimed. Both can be as expensive as a fancy shopping mall.

Spotting talent

But the Australians are adept at detecting and releasing latent talent. Hogg could spin the ball both ways and Tait could send them down at searing pace. Accordingly they were chosen ahead of dependable operators like Stuart Clarke and Jason Gillespie.

Over the years the philosophy of seeking variety and extremity has served the selectors well. Another country might have been distracted by Shane Warne's indulgences or Andrew Symonds' drinking. The Aussies embraced their danger.

John Buchanan's coaching skills have also been crucial, not least his ability to think from outside the square. Few teams have been as well prepared mentally, tactically and physically as these Australians.

Great motivator

Buchanan may look and sometimes think like a nerd but he has an original and independent mind and can clearly motivate players. His greatest strength is that he has managed to stimulate his older players. Not that proud warriors like Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath need much coaxing.

Australia's senior men have performed superbly. Certainly Hayden and McGrath have surpassed most expectations, including mine. Hayden's weakness had been his uncertainty at the start of his innings. When trying to tap quick singles he resembles Hercules at a sewing machine.

Hard work

His response has been to work exceptionally hard in the nets, not to correct his fault but to improve his ability to attack the new ball with straight hitting. Shaun Pollock could confirm that the strategy paid dividends. He has been formidable.

McGrath took a considerable risk by appearing in these finals. It could have ended in tears. Apparently the selectors wanted him to retire alongside Warne and Justin Langer. Instead he backed himself to contribute in the Caribbean.

Once again his faith in himself has been amply justified. He has bowled magnificently and his yorker to Kallis was pitched to perfection. He is a great bowler whose work has a beauty of its own.

Despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya for next to nothing, Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand with almost as much authority. Sri Lanka also has a fine captain and coach, and some penetrating bowlers and forthright batsmen.

Much in common

Indeed the teams have much in common, including astute coaches, sharp captains, bemusing spinners, accurate seamers, dangerous slingers, alert gloveman capable of collaring an attack and athletic fieldsmen. A rousing finale can be anticipated, and then both coaches and several senior players will go the way of all cricketing flesh.

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