By Matthew Harris
With less than four months to go until the 50 over World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand, we can now look forward to a surfeit of ODIs in the coming weeks. England will play no less than seven internationals in Sri Lanka while New Zealand versus South Africa is the latest series to be contested ahead of the main event.
Elsewhere, India are the reigning champions but after the visit of West Indies was abruptly curtailed, how are the 2011 winners shaping up ahead of their defence?
Encouraging signs?
MS Dhoni’s India are third favourites with Betfair to win back to back titles and as a team that traditionally doesn’t travel too well, the squad would have been pleased with a 3-1 series win in England earlier in the year.
That confidence would have been hit by a heavy loss to the Windies in the recent opener but two straight victories by comfortable margins suggests that the Indians are building some momentum in the run up to the World Cup. Questions still remain over their ability to win consistently outside of India and in particular, there will be concerns over Virat Kohli who continues to struggle when batting overseas.
Ironically, there were some encouraging signs for the West Indies too, as Marlon Samuels scored two centuries in three matches and with Chris Gayle and possibly Sunil Narine to return, the 2012 T20 Champions were progressing nicely. Sadly, the dispute that forced Dwayne Bravo’s men home from the tour leaves the prospect of a shadow squad travelling to Australia and New Zealand – a side similar to the one skipper by Floyd Reifer against Bangladesh in 2009.
Home advantage?
As joint hosts for the 2015 tournament, Australia are favourites to take a trophy that they won on three consecutive occasions between 1999 and 2007. Since their most recent triumph, the country has been rebuilding following the retirements of key players such as Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath but is Michael Clarke’s side really deserving of that favourites tag?
Their most recent outing in the One Day arena resulted in a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan – a scoreline that masks the fact that the host country were without Saeed Ajmal. Having been reported for a suspect bowling action, the spinner faces a battle to resurrect his career and an inconsistent Pakistan look far weaker without him in their ranks.
Elsewhere, it’s worth looking out for co hosts New Zealand who are particularly strong in the batting department with Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor forming one of the strongest top fours in World Cricket.
The Kiwis will thrive in home conditions but much depends on all their first choice players remaining fit – something that is rarely achieved.
Chokers no more?
Can South Africa finally shed their unwanted tag as cricket’s one day chokers? The country hasn’t won a major trophy since re-admission but despite losing Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis ahead of the World Cup, the Proteas are looking strong.
Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers are consistent run scorers in this form of the game while Faf Du Plessis hit three centuries in a recent tri series victory, where the South Africans overcame World Cup favourites Australia in the final.
The outsiders
England’s national side will be relieved to focus attention away from Kevin Pietersen’s book and back to matters on the field. The recent series against India was little short of calamitous but the selectors have responded and although under-fire skipper Alastair Cook retains his place, there are some positive changes further down the order.
The sensible decision has been taken to recall Ravi Bopara for the tour of Sri Lanka while James Taylor scored heavily for Notts Outlaws in the One Day game and deserves another chance. However, the inclusion of Gary Ballance would make the batting line up far more effective.
Sri Lanka will also be looking to build a positive base in the seven ODIs against England and the key man could be skipper Angelo Mathews who has enjoyed a prolific 2014 with the bat and will be looking to carry that form into next year.
The remaining sides are essentially here just to make up the numbers although Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and the UAE will all be hoping to cause at least one upset along the way.
As for the outright winners, favourites Australia could be the team to beat but it will be fascinating to monitor South Africa’s progress in New Zealand as the Proteas are looking equally strong in the lead up to the 2015 tournament.
