England yet to learn

Well it is not something new for cricket viewers and players who have had to pay a heavy price for underestimating their opponents be it whomever they are playing. History dates back to the 1970s where Australia lost a game to Zimbabwe and India losing the plot against Sri Lanka when both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka were yet to be awarded test status. Moving further, West Indies were bowled out for 93 runs despite chasing 166 against Kenya in the 1996 world cup with players like Brian Lara and Richie Richardson. And then, Sri Lanka losing to Kenya in 2003 and Pakistan losing to Bangladsh in 1999 is well in front.

India have paid the price thrice in world cups when they as mentioned above lost to Sri Lanka in 1979, lost to Zimbabwe in 1999 which ended their dreams in the super-sixes itself and in 2007 when they lost to Bangladesh by 5 wickets to give an early exit along with Pakistan. This time as well, this is the second time that such a thing has happened and it is nice to see the deserving teams emerging out victorious at the end of the day. The teams who have had to pay a price for their underestimating are India (1979, 1999 and 2007) and Pakistan (in 2007).

One can remember the way the same Holland bundled out the runners-up India in the first match in 2003 for 204. Timely strikes from Anil Kumble and Javgal Srinath saved India from making it to the record books for the wrong reasons when Holland were bundled out for 136. Holland were yet to win a match in a cricket world cup and had India lost that one, one can imagine the fate of the team and that of the world cup. Yesterday as well, Holland gave England bowlers a fitting reply when they amassed 292 runs ion the board and then had the man-of-the-match award on their side.

The man of the match was awarded to RN ten Doeschate for his 119 that included 3 hits out of the ground along with 9 hits to the fence. Things didn't stop just there for, RN ten Doeschate had two out of the four wickets of England that fell and was one of the two bowlers from the Netherlands side to have bowled his full quota of 10 overs. It was good to see the England batsmen undoing the damage that their bowlers-Anderson and co were found doing. Chasing 293 runs might have been easy against Holland but this can be considered as a warning call to England.

England - The Most Unpredictable of All

Well last night,it was fascinating to see team England not only defeat the Proteas but also take complete control of the game. This was not just another game that is won by a team in the last moment nor was it that sort of game which was one sided by the so called strong team dominating its opposition. One would have hardly expected England to win the fourth one day international at Port Elizabeth against South Africa especially when they were facing the Proteas in their own den and not to forget the thrashing they received at the same hand a couple of days ago.

Moreover England have not been the team to beat for any decent opposition. The only team that can be expected to be at the receiving end of England are minnows like Banglandesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. And England beating South Africa is really a wonder. Nevermind that England have whitewashed South Africa in the 5 match one day series played in April 2008 of the Natwest trophy. Also the way they regained the Ashes earlier this year (when another 5-0 whitewash for England was thought to be on the cards) is still fresh in the minds of the cricket fans.

It should be a dream come true for England to have dismissed South Africa for just 119 and in just 36 odd overs and in addition to have achieved the target in just 31.2 overs. Thanks to some great bowling by James Anderson who neither lies in the ranks of any great bowler like Glenn McGrath, Dale Styen and others. Neither was Steve Harmison rated among top bowlers of the world for their match saving and match winning efforts whatsoever. All for the lone reason that they belong to the England squad whose team rating is top only when counted from the bottom.

Only four of the South African batsmen could cross the double digit mark out of which one person scored a half century. Just a couple of months ago, England lost 6 out of the 7 games played against Australia after their Ashes victory. Sitll, England were there for a surprise when they beat Sri Lanka and South Africa to enter into the semi finals of the ICC Champions trophy when hardly anyone expected that from them. What happened to England in the semi finals against Australia is secondary. And one victory for team England is followed by a series of heavy losses like it happened in the 7 match ODI series against Oz and the other instance being thier 5-0 loss to India last November.

Keeping these facts in mind, England can well be considered as the most unpredictable team in the world fpr no oje knows what is going to happen when England plays.