Going into the fifth day of the Cricket World Cup, no minnow has yet sprung a surprise. Netherlands came the closest to doing so, 50 overs gives big teams enough time to recover unlike the T20 format. So, here's review of the performances of the big teams.
1. India:
The opening game against Bangladesh was touted as a banana-skin. But, India faced the situation with calm. Put into bat, their batting was flawless. Virender Sehwag stuck to his promise of playing for longer and looked likely to surpass Tendulkar's 200. Virat Kohli, the other centurion, has silenced all doubters with a very mature knock. He adapted to the pressure well and this knock will give him a lot of confidence.
As fas the bowling is concerned, Munaf, Zaheer and Harbhajan controlled the situation well after Sreesanth went for plenty. Sreesanth is a great seam bowler but his inconsistency early-on means that he is always going to be a risk in limited overs cricket. He has certainly played himself out of the playing eleven. It'll be interesting to see whether India opt to play an extra-spinner or play Nehra. With Yuvi and Pathan in the side, spinning options are plenty and Nehra's inclusion will help in supporting the quicks. But, Piyush Chawla's good recent form and spinner friendly tracks may force Dhoni to play the extra-spinner. He has to choose between getting the balance right or playing eleven in-from players. India should look to play to their strengths, by playing the extra-spinner than trying to gain the Ideal balance.
2. Australia
The Aussies have found it difficult to play the Zimbabwean spinners. It is a worrying trend for Ponting's men who prefer to play quicker bowlers and have played in seamer friendly conditions for a major part of their cricketing summer. Their batsmen, Ponting included, need to adapt to the spinning conditions as most teams are fielding spin-heavy line-ups. Michael Clarke is currently the only player looking comfortable in combatting spin. Meanwhile, their bowling department didn't fail to perform despite the conditions not favoring them. Australia, are certainly looking to play to their strengths by playing three fast bowlers. But, one wonders whether they taken it too far. With Krejza being the lone specialist spinner they seem to be disregarding the subcontinent conditions.But, Aussie quicks have performed well in the subcontinent previously too. Their major concern is their batting. Australia's poor batting cost them the Ashes and their obvious inadeptness against spin bowling might be the reason why they won't defend the reason.
3. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had a perfect game against Canada. I believe, they have a great balance in their squad. If there is a weakness, then it is the heavy dependence on Sangakarra and Jayawardene in the middle-order.
4. South Africa
South Africa no longer look like a one-dimensional side. Infact, most observers felt that they played an extra spinner. Imran Tahir, lived up to the hype. He has the quality that every leg-spinner yearns for, control over his line and length. South Africa fielded three specialist spinners against the Windies as a result, playing with only six frontline batsmen and expecting Botha and Peterson to bat well during the death overs. Including, Du Plessis and Duminy, South Africa have eight bowling options which is more than adequate especially with the quality of Steyn, Morkel, Botha and Tahir. I suggest they play an extra middle-order batsmen who will be crucial when the team chases a big total. Morne Van Vyk can replace Peterson in the side. Van Vyk is a good hitter of the ball and if he takes up the gloves, then South Africa can have the best fielder in the world, AB De Villiers back to where he belongs.
