The Battle Of The Fans

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Every cricket fan has an opinion...

By Tristan Holme

We're now at the business end of this World Cup and after over a month of cricket, everyone has seen enough of the major sides to have an opinion.

But in order to avoid any dull, objective and sensible views on who will lift the trophy in less than two weeks' time, I spoke to fans from the tri-nations of the southern hemisphere - New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - to see who was the most confident going into the final stretch.

Fighting in South Africa's corner we have Andrew Wex, a student who recently finished his degree, still fresh from the bruising experience of Saturday's loss to New Zealand. The bruises were plain to see in some rather tentative answers.

So Andrew, why will South Africa win the World Cup?

"Well it's a tough one for us to win. We have the depth and the talent, it's just the inconsistency that plagues us. It's gonna be a rough ride but it's definitely do-able."

What would you say is your biggest weakness?

"Our biggest weakness is the collapse of the openers and the middle order - the guys lack consistency there."

Not the slower bowling?

"Well Andrew Hall has played very well throughout the tournament, but I suppose you could say we lack the depth in that department and Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock have failed where they normally would have succeeded."

The Aussies and Kiwis are gonna give much more confident answers mate, you need to do a bit better than this...

"Well it's all about the scoreboard at the end of the day, but we're having a good time in Grenada and if the cricket doesn't go our way then there's no need to wallow in our self pity. It's just a game and we're here to enjoy it."

But SA can still do it?

"Oh most definitely. It hasn't been done before - in the past we've dropped our bats, we've dropped catches, we've dropped the World Cup as they say. It's a hard game but hopefully we'll bring it home."

Fair call. Next up is the Kiwis, represented by Kev (who is proudly unemployed) and Dave, a lawyer.

So fellas, why are the Black Caps going to win this gig?

Kev: "There's a couple of good players and they're hitting some good form at the moment, so I'm getting pretty excited about our chances. We've got players like Flemo, Scotty and Jake Oram and we're playing pretty well at the moment, so fingers crossed..."

Dave: "We're a strong team right throughout - we bat right the way down the order, and out of all the teams in the tournament I think we're the most likely to beat Australia. We beat them 3-0 last time out, and we also have the best fast bowler in the world in Shane Bond, who's torn the Aussies apart at the top of the order before."

So what's the biggest worry as far as weaknesses go?

Kev - "Ah, I think it might be over-confidence at this stage! We do also suffer top order collapses though luckily we've got a strong middle and lower order and they tend to save us a lot. We really need guys like Ross Taylor to come good."

Dave agrees, so I ask them if they have anything to say to the fans of Cricket365. Kev duly provides the best answer of any nation:

"You should be in the Caribbean!"

Couldn't have said it better myself... Now onto those arrogant Aussies, represented by Paul (an electrician) and Alan (a 'professional student'). Alright then boys, why will we have to suffer the terrible ignominy of watching the Aussies win the World Cup yet again?

Paul: "I think their form's just too good at the moment. The bowling attack's really come to the fore and they started off fairly slow but no team looks like they'll get past them."

Alan: "They're just too good - they've got so many good players and they're a well-drilled team. I think it all started when they lost the Ashes to England two years ago, which got them pretty pumped up for the recent series in Australia which they won 5-0, and they've just carried that form, concentration and hard work into the World Cup."

Aside from losing 3-0 to New Zealand of course...

Alan: "Well we were without some key players, but I think that was just a case of some tough love - if we'd won that then there might have been a bit of complacency heading into the World Cup."

Paul: "It was the kick in the arse that we needed."

Ok. But what's your biggest weakness that could cost you the tournament?

Alan: "At the moment, middle and lower order not getting enough batting time."

So your weakness is a result of too much strength then?

Paul: "Not to sound arrogant, but they have been playing very well and without being beaten, you can't really find a weakness in the team."

Yes yes, ok. But what about tomorrow's game against Sri Lanka - is it the toughest test yet?

Paul: "Well I think it depends whether or not Malinga comes into the attack - he's definitely a boost of confidence for them. Without him obviously they're still strong given what they did to New Zealand, but I'm quietly confident that we'll come through."

Alan: "It will be a good test. I think either they'll play really well and set themselves apart from everyone else, or they could be complacent and struggle. But either way, they'll come through and win."