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Originally Posted by Nostromo I think the various available options would certainly make SA favourites...at least on paper. Time will tell. |
I agree that SA are a strong team, I was no way criticising them - just wondered how Rachael almost expected them to with the WC - I found strange.
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Originally Posted by Nostromo I am not certain what the reaction of the rest of the players to Pietersen's return really is, irrespective of what they say to the papers. They did rather well without him in th CB Series, playing like a true team after a long time. Now that 'KP' is back with all the media hype & expectations to follow, I won't be surprised if some of the hardworking 'regulars' are pipqued. |
Good point - but the same applies if Vaughan plays - I think the one player who turned Englands fortunes in the ODIs in Australia "Loye" will also feel hard done by, I think without him being able to stick around in the final games, England would have lost that series.
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Originally Posted by gibbs=fan 132175 Ern, you never cease to amaze me. Its always about England and Flintoff. |
Never mentioned Flintoff - but even most England supporters have written England off even before a ball is bowled, I am not doing that, but at least I gave my reasons.
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Originally Posted by Ernest I gave one vote to England because they have some momentum going, plus Pietersen is back in the side, also England have a bowling attack as good as any, remember of late both Australia and New Zealand bowlers have gone for 300+ in Australia. |
And that's true - the England batting has been poor for some while, but look at the pounding the Aussie and New Zealand bowlers took from the batsmen - I have little faith in the England batting but if Pietersen clicks, then IMO England have the bowlers to defend a total.
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Originally Posted by gibbs=fan You voted for England because of their current form.[...] That is fair but then you vote for Pakistan( awful form of late). Just because England won a few games recently it does not make them contenders. I still feel consistency is a problem and you cannot win the WC without consistency. |
Fair point - I was not rating Pakistan above South Africa, my vote was a reminder that on their day - they can play one day cricket - so can Sri Lanka.
I said in my post I think this is the most open world Cup yet, would you bet against Sri Lanka on a day?.
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Originally Posted by gibbs_fan Everybody says that SA have no chance if the pitches are low and slow.[..] Well what makes anyone think that Australia or England will fair any better in these conditions. (I dont rate Dalrymple or Hogg at all). |
I never said South Africa could not play on a slow pitch, I also don't rate Dalrymple or Hogg that high - thus far.
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Originally Posted by gibbs_fan Why does not anybody look at South Africas record in West Indies. Perhaps if they did this, they would not make such silly comments. [...]Unfortunately, my pick is still Australia. They are the most consistent ODI side. |
Well I have made no comments about South Africa - or negative comments about any side, I have posted possitive comments about England - someone has to.
Australia are the favourites - that was the point of my post - but by no means certain.