MARCH 21 ― With three of the Cricket World Cup quarter finals played ― the remaining tie takes place today between New Zealand and the West Indies ― co-hosts Australia are still very much the team to beat.
India and South Africa were impressive in their extremely comfortable respective quarter-final victories over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it is true, but Australia’s triumph over Pakistan in Adelaide yesterday provided the clearest sign yet that they are ready to win lift the trophy on home soil.
Looking solely at the bare statistics, it would appear that the Aussies enjoyed an easy stroll against Pakistan, chasing down their target of 214 with 16 overs and one ball to spare and six wickets still in hand as Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson bashed boundaries to take their team over the line.
This, however, was one game to back up the old saying that there are lies, damned lies and statistics, because the task for Australia was much more difficult than those facts and figures make it appear.
Pakistan were frustrated to only register 213, having lost a number of key wickets at inopportune times just when batsmen seemed to have themselves set for a big score ― no less than eight Pakistani players got themselves into double figures but none of them went on to make 50, leaving them to reflect upon what might have been.
But within a few overs of the Australian reply, the game had suddenly become very much an even contest. After Aaron Finch was dismissed in the third over, star batsman David Warner and then captain Michael Clarke fell in quick succession ― both to the outstanding Wahab Riaz, who proceeded to give the new man at the crease, Watson, a real working over.
It was a key moment of the game. Watson was clearly struggling to pick up the ball as Riaz flew with lightning-fast deliveries and equally spiky verbal barbs, and Pakistan sensed another breakthrough which would have put them very much on top.
Their great chance soon came when Watson misjudged an attempted pull shot and skied the ball straight to Rahat Ali, who got under the ball but, disastrously for Pakistan, dropped it.
It immediately felt like a golden opportunity had passed Pakistan by, and so it proved as Watson showed great character to overcome his nervous start, growing in authority as time passed by and eventually finishing unbeaten on 64, thrashing a couple of dismissive boundaries off the frustrated Riaz in the process to gain a measure of personal revenge for his earlier working-over.
In the end, Australia progressed with plenty to spare but it had been a real scrap during the early stages of their innings and that, I believe, will stand them in great stead ahead of next week’s semi-final with India.
Hard-earned victories of that nature are gold-dust. It’s one thing to cruise to a huge victory when everything comes off and everyone is firing on all cylinders, but a different kind of confidence, resilience and team spirit are developed through tough wins.
With one of their star batsmen and their captain removed in quick succession, and Riaz bowling brilliantly, Australia without doubt had their backs against the wall yesterday. The fact they came through that challenge successfully will make them even harder to beat in the remainder of the tournament.
Another hugely encouraging aspect of the victory from Australia’s perspective was that it once again demonstrated the great depth of their match-winning options.
Whereas Mitchell Starc had been their star bowler in previous games, yesterday Josh Hazlewood was the man who delivered, taking four Pakistan wickets. And although Watson had struggled at times during earlier games, on this occasion he stepped up to play the most important innings.
Glancing through the Australia team list, indeed, pretty much every player looks capable of turning the outcome decisively in his team’s favour ― a luxury that nobody else can afford, with other teams relying on two or three individuals to come up big. Australia, to their great fortune, possess a whole team full of matchwinners.
That said, the semi-final clash with India next Thursday could be a beauty. Reigning champions India have their own spectacular players and will not give up their crown without a fight. Against this Australia team, though, they will need all the luck in the world.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
