Cricket: World Cup 2011 Fever Part - 1 Minnows

Just couple of days left for the World Cup to start. Here is an exclusive preview of what will be the 10th World cup in limited overs cricket.

World cup is returning to the subcontinet after 1996 world cup which was won by Srilanka. I will give a detailed review on each world cup in separate posts. Here i will take you to the teams competing and their strengths and weaknesses.

First lets look at the minnows in other words the underdogs. In this section i will review Netherlands (also called Holland), Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. It would be foolish to call Bangladesh a minnow as they have almost defeated all the test playing nations quite convincingly recently. But to be precise lets add them here.

Bangladesh
As said in all the minnows Bangladesh leads them in all respect. Infact Bangladesh is a serious threat to all the main teams in this world cup in various respects. Local conditions, spin friendly pitches, local support are few to name. Apart from these one of the biggest asset is their attitude thru which they have clean sweeped New Zealand in one dayers. This is a perfect platform for them to showcase their talent and show the world that it is not far behind.

Ireland
Next comes Ireland. They were the surprise package in 2007 world cup. They play serious cricket and few of their team memebers have eventually made it to the England main squad. They have their strengths and can surprise the main teams and one of the team to watch out for. Their only draw back will be not enough experience in world tournments and playing with big teams.

Zimbabwe
Next comes Zimbabwe. They were once transforming to a good cricketing side but fate had differnt version to their story as their test status was revoked and their main players withdrew from squad and they had to start all over again. Now they are in a stage of transforming again, but in their early stages. They can win with minnows but it will hard to say that they can spring any surprises against main squads. But there is a strong chance of they making quarters, which in itself is a big victory and morale boosting one.
Kenya
Next comes Kenya. They were the promising side when they debuted in 1996 world cup and surprised everyone when they defeated westindies. In 2003 too they came till semifinals, though thru some forfeited matches in their favour. They are a side who lack the big match experience but can be devastating on their day. But in current circumstances their biggest hurdle will be the minnows itself. Its highly unlikely that they will make it to the quarters, but if they do it will be good for kenyan cricket.

Netherlands
Next comes Netherlands. Netherlands is also one of the promising sides in world cricket. They are in and out in world cups. They have match winning players but they havent performed as a team in recent times. This will be a perfect platform to show the world that they belong here. Its highly unlikely that they will make it to the quarters but will give good fights for the minnows.

Canada
Last but not the least canada. Canada is the weekest team in this world cup. They will try not to be last in this world cup. This world cup will give them good platform, international exposure and experience. They will give a close fight to minnows in their group and try to prove things wrong.

All the best to the minnows in their respective matches and look farward to some surprises and upsets in this tournment. Minnows and underdogs are the primary teams who create and define the terms surprises and upsets, so look farward to it.

Cricket: "Bangladesh Wins First Away Series Against WestIndies"

Bangladesh at last have arrived in the international stage with a away series vitory against WestIndies. This is the first time they have won a series away. Inspite of they playing with a second string team of WestIndies, they should a lot of character and applied themselves to win this series.

It was Sakib Ul Hassan who turned it for Bangladesh, he bowled brilliantly and batted extra-ordinarily to see bangladesh through in both the test and was rightly adjudged Man of the series. This is just a beginning and bangladesh have a long way to go, with the resource they have they will surely see success with other top league teams in the days to come.

West Indies was hit by contract issues, due to which all the leading player went on a strike. The board has to decide on the second string team in a haste. Second string teams have a lot of talent in the form of Roach and Sammy who will surely considered inspite of return of the main side. What ever may be the reson, West Indies gave away the series to Bangladesh.