Daijiworld Media Network
Christchurch, Feb 14 : Hello and a warm welcome to wherever you are in any corner of the planet. The 2015 WC is about to start off with a game between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Before I go on about the respective sides' recent form, let me throw some more light on the 2015 tournament.
So many moments. I could go on and on and on. It's time for the biggest prize in world cricket - the carnival as they call it, to begin. Yes it's World Cup time again, folks! The 2015 World Cup is here and we are just warming ourselves up for what should be a celebration of the great game. It doesn't get any bigger than this!
There is an over-reliance on Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene and Angelo Mathews to get them the runs with the bat. While the bowling without Lasith Malinga doesn't pose any threats with due respect to the likes of Kulasekara, Eranga and the others. One good news will be the return of Lasith Malinga. If Malinga is back amongst the wickets and the runs are put on the board by the batters, then we may yet see a different Sri Lankan team.
Sri Lanka on the other hand aren't going into the tournament as one of the favorites. The reason being their recent form hasn't been great. They were whitewashed by India away in a five match ODI series, also losing to New Zealand in the recently concluded ODI series. In between they defeated England at home 5-2 in a seven match series. But Sri Lanka at home are always a different proposition. So one shouldn't read too much into that series against England.
The bowling will be sperheaded by the swing sensations in Tim Southee and Trent Boult with able backup from the experienced Kyle Mills - who may find it difficult to get into the eleven, with the wily old fox Daniel Vettori weaving his magic. They are led by a brilliant strategist in Brendon McCullum and lots of experts including Martin Crowe think that this is their best chance to emerge triumphant after six semi-final appearances. Will they do it remains the big question though.
Just to let everyone know that they will take some stopping, they crushed South Africa by 134 runs in a warm-up game. The runs are flowing from the bats of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and down the order they have the dangerous Luke Ronchi and Corey Anderson.
Why are New Zealand hot favorites? This is why. Their last three ODI series have gone like this - they beat Pakistan in the middle east 3-2 in a five match series. Then they thumped Sri Lanka 4-2 at home in a seven match series, before rounding off their World Cup preparations by defeating Pakistan 2-0 in a two match series at home.
Now onto the main action and that is involving New Zealand and Sri Lanka. New Zealand are the form team going into the World Cup and look in great shape at the moment. Their side is led by the inventive and swashbuckling Brendon McCullum and they possess enough firepower in their ranks to go all the way. They missed out in 92 when they looked set to win, but it won't be a surprise at all if they go the whole distance this time.
A massive crowd had turned up for the opening ceremony and it brought smiles on people's faces which was good to see. The residents of Christchurch needed this after all the heartache suffered in recent times.
It was a disaster that forever changed the lives of Christchurchians and slowly, but surely they are getting things back on track. So it was fitting in a way that the opening ceremony and the first game of the World Cup has been given to Christchurch. Gavin Larsen, the former New Zealand seamer put it perfectly at the opening cermony when he remarked - 'This is really important for Christchurch, the people really need something like this after the earthquake. It's just fantastic.'
For the uninitiated, Christchurch was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2011. 22nd February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude aftershock of an earlier earthquake that occurred in September 2010 caused a disastrous disruption to Christchurch. There were nearly 200 fatalities and 10,000 injuries. Losses are estimated to be in the vicinity of 40 billion dollars.
So enough build-up given? I think so. Let's move on and shift our attention to today's game between New Zealand and Sri Lanka set to be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. It's very important for me to mention about the resilience of Christchurchians. Resilience? Why you may ask?
Sachin Tendulkar. Jacques Kallis. Ricky Ponting. Muttiah Muralitharan. Kevin Pietersen. Some of the biggest stars to have played the game. Marquee names. Household names. Crowd pullers. Heroes. Role models. Unfortunately, we won't get to see them in action anymore as they have either retired/not picked. Their time is up. Time for new stars like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, David Warner and the rest to make a name for themselves. Who knows, the 2015 edition may throw up a new hero or an established star may make his career-defining performance.
As I said previously, there are so many wonderful past memories from World Cups gone by, that it will take me the entire day today and more to relive all of them. Just reminscing about all the moments brings out pleasant and often unforgettable moments. Every player knows that for him to be recognised, he has to show off his skills to the entire world on the grandest stage of them all.
The World Cup is the stage for some of the greatest performers to strut their performances. And invariably, the champions pull off their best acts on the biggest stage of them all. From Clive Lloyd to IVA Richards to Kapil Dev to Wasim Akram to Aravinda de Silva to Shane Warne to Ricky Ponting to Glenn McGrath to MS Dhoni - the World Cup has seen them produce their defining work.
The tournament will be played over a duration of 44 days with the final scheduled to be taking place on the 29th of March at the 'G'. There will be many nerve-wracking, heart-stopping, exciting, thrilling - and all the other adjectives you can possible think of - memories that will be served up during the course of the tournament. Yes, there will be the comical, the utterly ridiculous, the controversial, the odd fight here and there thrown in as well. So in short - expect the unexpected and some more!
MS Dhoni's surprise decision to promote himself in the final in 2011 - a move that was a masterstroke eventually
Zimbabwe in 83 and 99. Kenya in 96 and 2003. Ireland in 2011. The minnows come to the party!
Shane Warne being sent home in 2003 for a failed drug test after taking a banned diuretic
Sachin Tendulkar's 673 runs in 2003, yet nullified by Australia's dominance
That infamous and heart-breaking misunderstanding between Lance Klusener and Allan Donald which led to South Africa being labelled 'Chokers'