There will be plenty of debate between now and February 14, but for now, here are 10 talking points to ponder
Peter Della Penna05-Nov-2014West Indies: Implosion versus explosion
The world of West Indies cricket has recently been dominated by off-the-field headlines, which is never a good sign. The squad abandoned its tour of India in a pay dispute over a new collective-bargaining agreement signed by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) that players say they never saw or approved. The dispute fueled speculation that West Indies wouldn’t make it to the World Cup, but both sides now appear close to a resolution.
Many fans will be watching intently to see if the controversy galvanizes this immensely talented squad, which needs to sharpen its focus if it wants to reach its first World Cup final since 1983.
Afghanistan’s Cup debut
In the past two World Cups, Ireland have been the darling underdog for most neutral fans. In 2015, Afghanistan will be that feel-good story. The first-time entrants already have three World Twenty20 appearances under their belt, but qualifying for cricket’s 50-over showpiece event holds even greater significance.
Twenty20 cricket is often presented as a way to close the disparity between uneven teams and open the door for more upsets because the games are shorter; but Afghanistan have shown it can compete at 50-over level, so if it knocks off some of the big boys Down Under, it won’t be any fluke.
Where there’s an Aussie cricket crowd, a beer snake isn’t too far behind.•AFPCrowds, crowds, crowds … oi, oi, oi!
India’s run to the 2011 title was cheered on vociferously by home fans who were desperate to see the hosts win their first World Cup since 1983 and deliver a first crown to cricket’s greatest modern batting icon, Sachin Tendulkar.
There may not be such a sentimental connection for home fans in Australia this time around (the Aussies won three straight Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007), but that doesn’t mean there won’t be fun in the stands.
Along with cheering on the home team, Aussies know how to get creative during dull passages of play and boost the crowd atmosphere. That includes making beer snakes, when fans stack all of their empty plastic beer cups together to make a long chain between sections. It’s an amusing sight.Oh, the format
When it comes to the Cricket World Cup-unique format, there is too much emphasis on the final destination than the journey. The format, which gives each country a minimum of six matches to play regardless of whether they advance out of the group stage, discourages the excitement of the early upset, like we saw with India losing to Bangladesh and Pakistan being stunned by Ireland in 2007. Instead, we are given 42 group-stage matches, which may appease TV rights-holders, but it also makes the tournament too predictable.
To give some perspective, in the month it takes the FIFA World Cup to determine a winner, the ICC World Cup is still working through the group stage. The event is a marathon, not just for the players, but also for fans and viewers. It takes a committed soul to stick around for six weeks and still have enough energy to enjoy the final.
Sangakkara’s swan song?
One of cricket’s modern greats, Kumar Sangakkara is beloved by Sri Lankans and non-Sri Lankans alike. This will likely be the 37-year-old’s last ride on the World Cup merry-go-round, along with teammates Tillakaratne Dilshan, 38, and Mahela Jayawardene, 37.
Sangakkara is fourth all-time in runs scored in ODI cricket with 12,857. If he maintains his current average through the World Cup, he will likely pass countryman Sanath Jayasuriya (third overall, 13,430) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (second, 13,704).
Sri Lanka have played the role of bridesmaids on the big stages, runner-ups at the World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2007 and 2011. After finally winning the World Twenty20 crown in April, will the third time be the charm again for Sangakkara at the Cup?
The return of Christchurch
It is no coincidence that the Cricket World Cup kicks off on Feb. 14 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The country’s second-largest city was decimated by a major earthquake in February 2011, killing 185 people. The New Zealand-Sri Lanka opener at the newly certified Hagley Oval will represent a cathartic comeback for Christchurch and its people.
On January 1, 2014, Corey Anderson beat the record for the fastest ODI hundred previously held by Shahid Afridi.•AFP “God Defend New Zealand”
Aside from the joy in seeing cricket come back to Christchurch, hearing New Zealand’s national anthem on a loop during the course of the tournament is something that will be pleasing, Kiwi or not. It’s a lovely blend of melody and lyrics, the first verse sung in Maori and the second in English.
Remember these names: Aaron Finch and Corey Anderson
Two of the tournament’s breakout stars are poised to come from the host countries. Australian opener Aaron Finch burst onto the international scene by setting a Twenty20 international record of 156 runs off 63 balls in 2013 against England and has since followed with four centuries at the top of the order in ODI cricket. Keeping a red-hot bat will do wonders for Australia’s World Cup chances.
Corey Anderson, meanwhile, showed he is a box-office performer in New Zealand’s last home summer. On New Year’s Day, he broke Shahid Afridi’s 18-year-old record for fastest ODI century by notching his first 100 runs in just 36 balls against West Indies. With the ball, he has a knack for taking wickets and is an athletic fielder, making him one of the must-watch players of the Cup.
Not your grandpa’s uniforms
One of the many clichéd knocks on cricket from casual sports fans is that the game literally looks too dull — players dressed in all whites (including sweaters), giving the appearance of grandpa at bingo night.
But for those who may be getting into cricket for the first time, the World Cup will be different, featuring players in colored uniforms that would fit into any other modern-day sport. If anything, some of the kits will be more brash than conservative. Just check out the iconic West Indies uniforms.
Dale Steyn
Another cricket misnomer is the old adage of the sport being a “gentlemen’s game.” When a fast bowler is roaring in, bouncing the ball at a batsman’s head at 95 mph, nothing could be further from the truth.
The perfect example? South Africa’s Dale Steyn, the world’s preeminent pace bowler who currently sits at No. 1 on the ICC’s ODI top bowler rankings. Speed merchants like Steyn are worth their weight in gold, especially with their ability to swing the ball as opposed to bowling dead straight. Intense wicket celebrations only add to Steyn’s spectacle.