If previewing the test playing nations was tough, giving an account of the non-test playing nations playing the World Cup is even tougher. Ireland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Netherlands and Canada are the non-test playing nations who will participate in the cricket festival in the subcontinent. While Zimbabwe qualified due to their ODI status; the others made it after finishing in the top four of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in the year 2009. All of them participated in the last World Cup and have come back to make an even better impression. In this post I will preview each of these teams in short as I do not know much about them. I will look at some of their key players who are relatively famous and can put in some good performances.
IRELAND
The fairy tale of the 2007 World Cup will be immortal. They impressed everybody as they were good throughout the tournament. The wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan led to their inclusion in the ICC ODI rankings. It is surprising to know that they are ranked ahead of Zimbabwe at number ten.
Since the 2007 World Cup Ireland has participated in two T20 World Cups and has been hosting a team for an ODI every summer. In the 2009 World T20 they reached the super eights stage and that really showed what they are capable of. In the 2009 World T20 they fought hard in their two games and were a little unlucky with the rain leading to their elimination.
When I was watching a program on these teams, some of the players mentioned that Ireland are the Australia of the minnow world. I would agree with them because Ireland have some very good players who have made an impact at the international level at some time or the other. The O’Brien brothers are an absolute asset to the team. Niall is a good wicket-keeper and is one of the most vital cogs in the Ireland batting. He is the kind of a player who can consolidate and also take the attack to the opposition. I would call the other O’Brien i.e. Kevin “The Wall” of the Ireland team. He has been their most dependable batsman in crisis situations. Time and again he has performed with his side in trouble.
The captain William Porterfield has a very important role to play for Ireland. As an opening batsman he has to provide them with solid starts. He is their main man up front and a lot would depend on him. He would be partnered by a man who opened for England in the last World Cup. Ed Joyce will play for his homeland and would be striving to do well He would hope to do much better than what he did during the last World Cup. Ireland would also rely on Trent Johnston, their former captain. A tireless performer, he is by far their best bowler. He doesn’t have much pace but that nagging line and length is his main strength.
The player to watch out for: George Drockell. A left arm orthodox spinner, gives the ball good turn and flight. He would be very useful in the subcontinent.
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe were a very promising team at one time when Streak, the Flower brothers, Sean Ervine, Whittal etc were a part of the team. Political turmoil meant that they suffered in international cricket as well, losing their test status along the way. However, the spark has be re-ignited and they have come back a much stronger team. They are set to regain their test status soon and this would do their confidence a world of good.
Zimbabwe have developed into a good unit. Some of their players have done very well in the last year. The main setback for them before the World Cup is the withdrawal of Sean Ervine from the squad. He would have been a good all rounder for them but they mustn’t worry as some of their players have the potential to do really well. Chigumbura, their captain holds the key I think. He is a very good all rounder who can take the attack to the opposition while batting and can be a very tricky customer with the ball.
Prosper Utseya, their off spinner would be a crucial player for them. He can turn the ball and also give it flight, vital when it comes to playing in the sub continent. He would have to combine well with Ray Price who has been really good with his left arm spin since his return to international cricket. If you look at their batting then you would see that a lot depends on Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu and Charles Coventry. If these guys can get good runs then Zimbabwe can put good pressure on the opposition. However, they would have to bowl extremely well to defend in such a scenario. I would say their batting is much stronger than their bowling.
Player to watch out for: Brendan Taylor. He is a real match winner and a lot of Australian players would agree with me.
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands are playing their third consecutive World Cup and would be looking to do much better than what they did in the previous editions. One highlight over the last two years was their surprise win over England in the World T20 2009. However, they would be really keen to perform even better in this tournament and the coming future.
Being close to England means that some of their players get exposure at the county level. Thus some of them have really flourished in the last few years and this group of players holds the key for them. Ryan Ten Doeschate is their best player by far. He is a fantastic batsman, a good bowler which makes him a huge asset to any team. This is the sole reason he was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction earlier this year. His performance in this tournament would be the key for Netherlands’ overall returns.
Netherlands have had this policy of allowing players with Dutch passports to play in the team irrespective of where they play their first class cricket. Dirk Nannes has played for them in the past before being picked for Australia. Their latest Australian import is right handed batsman Tom Cooper. A former Australia under-19, has tremendous potential with the bat and has been good for the Netherland and for his state side the South Australia Redbacks. He would be their main man in the middle order with Ten Doeschate.
The most experienced player for the Netherlands is Bastian Zuiderent. He holds the record for playing in every World Cup match his country has featured in. He made a fifty in the 1996 world cup against England as an eighteen year old and since then has been one of their mainstays. Like Zimbabwe, the Dutch batting is stronger than their bowling.
Player to watch out for: Alexei Kervezee. The 21 year old is playing his second World Cup and I would say he is their most promising talent. He can provide the team with brisk starts up front.
KENYA
The dream of the 2003 World Cup did not help the cause of Kenyan Cricket. In fact, they used to play more matches against the top sides prior to their successful campaign in South Africa. Due to this, their development was hampered and they did not get the platform that they sought. Kenya return to the place where it all started. It was in the 1996 World Cup that they played their first ODI and it would bring back good memories for players who were there then like Steve Tikolo and Thomas Odoyo.
The new look Kenyan side is led by Jimmy Kamande. As a captain he would have to lead from the front with his performance with the bat. They would depend a lot on the services of Tikolo and Odoyo. Both have to bat and bowl really well if Kenya are to impress in this tournament. This is most probably going to be Tikolo’s last World Cup and he would like to end on a good note.
The other key players for them would be Mishra, Ongondo and the Obuya brothers.
Player to watch out for: Maurice Ouma. A wicket keeper and a batsman, would be very crucial to Kenya.
CANADA
The Canadian team were known due to just one man, John Davison. His attacking batting surprised and thrilled the whole cricket world. This time however he is not alone as some others have that potential in the squad led by Ashish Bagai. Rizwan Cheema is another big hitter and has been some sensation in Canada. A lot would depend on these three players at the World Cup if Canada are to impress.
Player to watch out for: Rizwan Cheema. I expect him to thrill the fans with some big hits.
MY PREDICTION:
With the new format it becomes very difficult for these teams to progress further. In the last World Cup it was still possible for them to prolong their stay at the tournament. The most they can do is pull off some upsets and I think Ireland and Zimbabwe have the best chance of doing that.
No comments:
Post a Comment