Teams having strong Lower and Middle Order batting to dominate the World Cup 2011

Many say that teams having a very good batting allrounders, mastery in spin and fielding performances are going to play a dominant role in deciding the fate of the 2011 world cup, but yet, the author feels that a strong lower and middle order role could be crucial for the teams to fancy their chances. Let us first look into the top teams and how are they slated in the 2011 World Cup Matches.

Aussies

The current Australian batting line up of 5,6 and 7 is perplexed to say the least and they look vulnerable in the spin department and most of the team must already be looking forward to utilize this golden opportunity. Yes, the likes of White, Hussey, Smith or for that matter, Fergusson, are not masters of spin and it has to be Ponting or Clarke who have to play the full quota of 50 overs. The batting is the great cause of concern and speaking of chasing a target, they will surely be exploited. They should look like Johnson promoting the order is such situations to negate this deadly threat; but again, they need to hide 3 batsmen against this promotion. Though their prime concern is in their batting, they are covered by the boastful bowling line up, with Johnson, Lee and Tait in their prime form. Another main asset is running between the wickets and fielding. Ponting will feel happy to win the toss every match and bat first, since their bowlers are very very hot. Though Ponting will eye for a semi-final spot, they are sure to reach the Quarter Final stage..

Bangladesh

They have an erratic bowling attack making them look pedestrian. But for their captain, no bowling partners look formidable to handle the pressure on the field. They will crumble on any given day. With their opposition in India, England and W.Indies in their group, it will be a surprise, if they are able to make it to Quarter Finals. Their biggest concern in their middle order and they do not have enough expereince to handle the pressure to set a target or to chase a target.

England

England has already started to talk about promoting KP to open the innings along with Strauss and this was not a tried combination and this might create a big blow. Making KP to open the innings might not argur well with this setup. This is because they only have solidity in Strauss, JP, Trott and Ian Bell and they do not have specialists who can strike at will. All their fast bowlers depend on swinging conditions and their performance   will be tested on these trying sub-continent conditions. Again their batting order in 5 ,6 and 7 are not capable of swinging the match – Yes, the likes of Morgan, Bopara and Collingwood have all failed in the last 7 ODIs with Morgan not a good player of spin. They have only one quality spinner to boast off and they need to have KP to bowl some off-spin. They cannot pass their Quarter Final

India

Too much pressure on India might make them crumble. Their biggest worry is on the bowling department, especially with the absence of ever reliable Praveen Kumar. I would prefer India to open the bowling with Ashwin and Zaheer against countries like W.Indes and England, since they have left handers who would open their innings. This would thus mean that India has to go with one fast bowler in Zaheer and 3 spinners playing against teams like W.Indies and England. Piyush has to be in the playing XI, ahead of Sreesanth, for playing against other countires, though they have handful of irregular bowlers who might let their captain down at pressure situations. In such a situation, Munaf Patel can open with Zaheer. Their strongest point is that 5,6 and 7 are capable of turning the match to any level. They are sure to reach Semi-Final stage.

NewZealand

Their team depends on its batting strength in the form of Taylor, McCullum, Ryder with the bowling all rounders like Styrus and Oram, already going beyond their prime age. Another weak link is the middle order which will collapse while setting/reaching a target. Their bowling department looks very weak and their Group format is such that they are not expected to go beyond Quarter finals.

Pakistan

Pakistan have entered this World Cup as an under dog. It is one of the most talented team yet the most controversial as well. And this does not put them in good stead. Their fast bowling department is weak with Umar Gul the only exception. They have to rely heavily on spinners especially, Ajmal, Afridi and Hafeez. Their another biggest let down will be the batting contributions at 5,6 and 7. They are not as forceful as you expect from strong teams. Yet on a given day, they will be the favourites. Their batting hinges heavily on Misbah and Younis Khan and if they fail, so will the entire team be. Thus, reaching a Semi-Final spot will be a big surprise

South Africa

South Africa with their tag as ‘chokers’ are the teams started understanding the label ‘chokers’ and are already looking for a semi-final berth. Their biggest strength is in all 3 departments - batting, bowling and fielding – yes, as regards their batting is concerned, their 5,6 and 7 looks very solid in AB, Duminy looking firmly in their prime form. Their openers and Kallis are strong enough too! Their bowling department is strong in the form of Steyn, Morkel, Botha and leg-spinner Tahir. They can save about 30-40 runs in the field and all this puts them for a Final birth!! Yes, Smith can smile and sign-off his captaincy in a grand style.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is next best to South Africa, with their batting and bowling department matching player to player. Yet, their biggest concern is crumbling on pressure. If Sangakarra and Jayawardane departs, their lower order barring Mathew, is a worry. That Suraj Randiv is omitted will surely be a matter of concern, their bowling department, otherwise looks very strong. They have very good all-rounders in Mathew, Perrera, Dilshan and Sangakarra and they have a lethal bowling attack in Malinga with able support from Mathew, Perrera and Muthiah. All this puts them for a Final birth as well.

West Indies

Their batting depends on Gayle, Bravo, ChanderPaul and Sarwan. Their bowling department does not look threatening at all. Their fielding is also a big let down for them. All they need to do is win against Netherland, Ireland and Bangladesh to make it to Quarter Finals and they are not expected to go beyond that.