Pak may swamp Windies, India-Australia encounter even: Roebuck
March 23rd, 2011 - 2:56 pm ICT by ANISydney, Mar. 23 (ANI): Cricket commentator Peter Roebuck is of the view that Wednesday’s quarterfinal between Pakistan and the West Indies and Thursday’s quarterfinal between India and Australia are even for all four sides.
“Sport has its own ways, and takes all sorts of other factors into account, including the drop of the coin, the bounce of the ball, weather and nerves. And cricket is an individual game in the guise of a team sport. An inspired player can turn a match on its head,” he says in a write-up for the Sydney Morning Herald.”Pakistan have played strong cricket in this campaign, and ought to eject the West Indians. Shahid Afridi’s side appears united and spirited, and Waqar Younis seems to be succeeding as coach. Waqar has told them not to indulge in the factionalism that blighted his career,” he adds.
“The West Indies can cause an upset. It is by no means impossible that Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo will carry the day,” Roebuck says.As far as the India-Australia match is concerned, he says: “Everyone except Australian supporters believes the holders are in with a fighting chance of beating India.”
He believes India will be under more pressure, while Australia will enjoy the luxury of starting a World Cup match as outsiders.For India, he says that an awful lot will depend on the openers and Yuvraj Singh, whose work has improved considerably after his father told him to stop whining and to get into shape.
“Australia look ripe for the plucking but it’d be foolish to discount them. It’s hard to see this Australian side lifting the trophy but that does not mean they are pushovers,” Roebuck says. (ANI)
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Tags: australian supporters, chris gayle, commentator, factionalism, fighting chance, guise, india australia, kieron, morning herald, peter roebuck, pollard, quarterfinal, ramnaresh sarwan, shahid afridi, sydney morning herald, team sport, waqar younis, west indians, west indies, yuvraj singh