Power vs. Grace ?
I had picked New Zealand to win against Sri Lanka.
Mr. Bond didn't show up.

I had also backed South Africa to stop the Aussie streak.
The whole team didn't show up.

So the cricket WC finals is going to be played between Sri Lanka and Australia :)
Both the semi-final games were decided even before the start of the second innings, there has been just 2 matches that went to the wire this World Cup. May be 3 if you count the Ireland vs. Zimbabwe match!

I just hope atleast the finals turn out to be a nail biter. This match up in the finals is what everyone [else] expected and wanted to see - the ruthless Aussie power against the grace and charm of lankans. I think it will come down to the magician's spell. If Murali can get a 35 for 3 and the under-rated Vaas has a decent outing, I bet Australia will have a tough job on their hand. And yeah, the Sri Lankan batters also need to turn up for the game unlike the South Africans.

May be I should back Australia. May be I can stop the Aussie juggernaut ;)

A sad day - April 16, 2007
My heart goes to the families and friends of the victims and to all the Hokies. My prayers are with them. It was indeed a very, very sad day.

Who is on your list?
Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa. They make up my list of semi-finalists. Though England and West Indies may believe they have an outside chance of getting a back door entry, I still believe the four top ranked teams will come through.
New Zealand are a hard working bunch and I believe this is their world cup with two unmatched heroes. One answers to the name-Bond. The other is believed to be the most cerebral captain for over a decade now, Stephen Fleming.
They have always been the dark horses of cricket world cups and after their heartbreak in 1992, I would want this to be their tournament.

The next few matches in the super-eights are very important and I hope are going to be interesting contests.

Troubled times...
for the holiest of holy cows in India - Sachin Tendulkar!
Apart from the show cause notice to explain his statement related to Chappell, he is now sued for cutting a cake that had a tricolor base. Either we don't question him at all, or we question him about anything other than cricket. But this time for a change, I am on Sachin's side.
It is true that nobody can question his commitment and it is not his fault that the Indian High Commission ordered a cake like that. why target Sachin alone here?
India played poorly and lost those two important matches. Thats all there is to it.
Let Sachin eat his share of cake and enjoy it :)