WORLD CUP: Solid Australians tick the boxes

The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup is already entering its second week, and after 10 matches of varying competitiveness and quality, it is difficult to discern whether this World Cup is destined to be a success yet. The fortunes of the tournament lie in the same unsure pensive state as the chances of the team who have dominated so thoroughly over the past decade.

I'm not a man who gets involved in a lot of these fancy new technologies (this esteemed blog aside), but doing the Internet rounds you find certain trending dialogues in social media inescapable. The latest common discourse is that this tournament  is already feeling overlong, and that there has been barely any competitive cricket in a week.

Sure, there have been inevitable logistical imperfections such as the ticketing problems for the final in Mumbai, but this is the ICC we're talking about and no Cricket expert would have expected competency from such an organisation. There hasn't been a last-ball classic yet either and we've had our fair share of huge thrashings, but all in all it's been solid viewing. Cynicism seems to be a job requirement for cricket punditry these days. It is the in-thing to pour scorn on every World Cup in the last 20 years because of the minor flaws inherent in the formats and fortuitous happenings of each tournament. In truth, of the last five World Cups, only 2007 left a sour taste in my mouth or the mouths of anyone I know.

As a wonderfully lethargic home pundit, I haven't had to experience the frustration of many (often delayed) flights back and forth around the subcontinent. I haven't had to experience India's stifling heat nor have I viewed the panorama of empty stadiums during neutral clashes. But this is the perspective of 99% of the Cricket fanatics watching this World Cup, many of whom have watched every ball just as I have, even at the late hours the games run to in Australia.

The ten games so far have all had their own unique charms. Only three have had any lasting tension late in the match but you can't expect thrillers every day from any tournament, even that model of efficiency the Football World Cup. These one-sided contests have been somewhat skewed towards the front of the tournament as well. More one-sided humiliations will come, but tight high-quality contests should pepper throughout with increasing regularity. The only real nagging problem with the World Cup is that the top 4 in each group advance to the Quarter Finals, and barring any miracles the Quarter Finalists are essentially a foregone conclusion. But each match can still be enjoyed on its own merits, and there are many marquee clashes to come, starting tonight when India face England in Bengaluru.

As the World Cup goes on, the paths of its participants will start to diverge. Some teams will ride a wave of good form, others will sink into an interminable trough, some should fluctuate wildly. Then there is the major upset or two which always finds a way of happening. The Quarter Finalists may be easy to pick, but their order isn't whatsoever.

As for Australia, they have had two comfortable wins, but still don't look convincing.There have been brilliant patches from the raging pace trio of Lee, Tait and Johnson, and the top order pairing of Watson and Haddin have looked as dominant as ever, but there are still huge questions marks over the depth in either department. Neither Zimbabwe nor New Zealand tested the Aussies, whose basic skills were enough alone to do the job. The first big test will come against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Last night came the first result that could reasonably be called an upset, with Pakistan's 11 run win over Sri Lanka. Pakistan's triumph last night could halt Sri Lanka's rampant ODI confidence, which started late last year with their series win in Australia. Sri Lanka remain favourites for the match in my book, but Pakistan might just have done Australia a great favor.

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - The Netherlands

The Netherlands World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Alexei Kervezee - 21 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Eric Szwarczynski - 27 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Wesley Barresi - 26 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Tom Cooper - 24 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman

Bas Zuiderent (Vice-Captain) - 33 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Tom de Grooth - 31 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Atse Buurman - 28 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Ryan ten Doeschate - 30 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Peter Borren (Captain) - 28 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler

Spin Bowlers

 Pieter Seelaar - 23- Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Adeel Raja - 30 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Bernard Loots - 31 - Right Arm Medium Bowler

Mudassar Bukhari - 27 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Bradley Kruger - 22 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Berend Westdijk - 25 - Right Arm Medium Bowler

The Netherlands are a frustrating enigma in their international performances. They have been one of the higher ranked associates for 20 years now, and are always improving, but have not been able to pull away substantially from the likes of Canada, Scotland and Ireland. This will be the nation's 4th World Cup, and 3rd consecutively, but there has not yet been any substantial upset. The only two Dutch World Cup wins were over fellow minnows Namibia in 2003 and Scotland in 2007. But there are signs of recent progress, not least thanks to the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup where the Dutch claimed their first Test scalp, with a win over England. They'll face England in their opening game and their performance will be indicative of whether this will be a fruitful World Cup, or a procession of easy defeats.

The Netherlands are probably the 12th strongest of 14 teams in the World Cup, yet are unlikely to win a game. The quality divide between the two groups means that the struggling Kenya and Canada have been drawn together, while the Dutch have been drawn with Associate front runners Ireland. To have any chance of a win during the tournament, the Dutch will need their star all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate to fire. He is the marquee man in a strong and by now quite experienced looking batting line-up. The experience of Bas Zuiderent who has been at every World Cup, and the anchoring reliability of Eric Szwarczynski will provide stability, around which the young fast scoring talents Kervezee, Cooper and Barresi can play their natural game. 

As is increasingly common with the Associate teams however, there are questions over the Netherlands' bowling attack. It is the Dutch batting which has won most of their games in recent times, and none of the bowlers have yet established themselves as showing real class. However as opposed to mostly medium pacers, there are genuine quicks, something which Associate nations often lack.

Prediction

The difficulty of Group B is likely to define The Netherlands' World Cup. India and South Africa could put them to the sword, but every other game could at least be competitive in the best case scenario. Ireland though is the only team they should realistically beat, and Ireland will need to have a bad day.

Hosford's XI

Kervezee, Szwarczynski, Barresi, ten Doeschate, Zuiderent, de Grooth, Borren (C), Bukhari, Kruger, Seelaar, Adeel Raja

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - Ireland

Ireland World Cup Squad

Batsmen

William Porterfield (Captain) - 26 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Paul Stirling - 20 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Ed Joyce - 32 - Left Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Niall O'Brien - 29 - Wicket Keeper - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Gary Wilson - 24 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Kevin O'Brien - 26 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Andre Botha - 35 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler

Andrew White - 30 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Alex Cusack - 30 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

John Mooney - 28 - Right Arm Medium Bowler - Right Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

Nigel Jones - 28 - Right Arm Medium Bowler - Right Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Albert Van der Merwe - 31 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

George Dockrell - 18 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Trent Johnston - 36 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Boyd Rankin - 26 - Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler

For all of Bangladesh's recent achievements and improvements, it is Ireland who have truly had the steepest and most rapid ascent on the Cricket landscape. A decade ago they were nowhere compared to other Associate powerhouses like Kenya, Canada and The Netherlands. But their ignominious frustration was even greater. The openness of the World Cup even allowed far lesser teams like the U.A.E and Namibia to qualify before Ireland. Then came the success of the 2007 World Cup, as Ireland reached the Super Eights on the back of a spectacular upset win over Pakistan.

In the four year interim, Ireland have continued to climb the ODI ladder, becoming the undisputed top dog of the Associate nations and even jumping Zimbabwe for No.10 in the ICC rankings. The real challenge for Ireland at this World Cup is the toughness of their draw, and the unfamiliarity of the conditions. But based on the squad chosen Ireland's selectors know what they're doing. For starters more than half the squad is retained from 2007, which is particularly unusual for the associate nations. More importantly, the squad is perhaps more than any other, completely all-rounder filled. Ireland seem to have a similar setup to New Zealand, where the crux of their team lies around workhorse all-rounders rather than natural loads of talent. But on the subcontinent the formula could be perfect. Ireland are likely to play a team which bats down to No.9 and contains 7 or 8 legitimately decent bowlers.

The Irish must be careful not to fall into a trap with their novel ideas however. Recent form and the way the warm-up games played out suggests that Ireland will line up  all-rounders down to No.9, with only the young spinner Dockrell at 10 and the lanky quick Rankin at 11 as strike bowlers. Trent Johnston potentially fits as a 3rd strike bowler but has lost most of his pace and penetration now at the age of 36 Dockrell is a key weapon, being Ireland's lead spinner, but he is 18 and should not have too much pressure on his shoulders. Playing just Dockrell and the spin of all-rounder White which is scarcely above part-time quality could potentially be an underestimation of how vital spin will be in this World Cup. Yes slow medium pace will be useful too but not as much as variety will be, and Botha, Cusack, Mooney and Jones are more or less the same thing, presenting dobbly medium pace. Ireland's brilliant Top 4, and the depth of those all-rounders will provide adequate batting strength, what the Irish need to concentrate on is not conceding 300+ totals in every game and wasting their batsman's good work. The extra front-line spin of Van Der Merwe provides that option, without sacrificing the balance of a still strong batting line-up.

Prediction

Ireland have been dealt an unlucky blow in that they are in Group B.The luck is particularly unfortunate as Ireland are currently ranked 10th above Zimbabwe, but these positions have reversed since the World Cup draw was made. If based on current rankings Ireland would be in Zimbabwe's place as the 5th team of Group A, where they would likely defeat Kenya and Canada, and would fancy themselves against their old bogey Pakistan, and a distinctly average New Zealand. But in Group B they are likely to score just the one win, and will have to fight for it over the Netherlands. 

It is in the middle positions that it really becomes a group of death compared to Group A. Bangladesh and the West Indies are only a shade above Ireland, and England in current form could be gettable, so the Irish will fancy their chances of reaching the Quarter Finals, but they'd have to win two of those matches which looks a bit of a stretch (especially as the most gettable of the 3, Bangladesh, are playing in their home fortress.) Ireland should beat the Netherlands and consequently take 6th in the group.

Hosford's XI

Porterfield (C), Stirling, Joyce, N.O'Brien, K.O'Brien, White, Mooney, Johnston, Van der Merwe, Dockrell, Rankin

WORLD CUP: Group A Squads - Bangladesh

Bangladesh World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Tamim Iqbal (Vice-Captain) - 21 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Imrul Kayes - 23 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Shahriar Nafees - 24 - Left Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Junaid Siddique - 23 - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

Mohammad Ashraful - 26 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Raqibul Hasan - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Mushfiqur Rahim - 22 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Shakib Al-Hasan (Captain) - 23 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Naeem Islam - 24 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Mahmudullah - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Suhrawadi Shuvo - 22 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Abdur Razzak - 28 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Nazmul Hossain - 23 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Shafiul Islam - 21 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Rubel Hossain - 21 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

This World Cup represents a coming of age not just for Bangladesh's cricket team, but for the whole nation. A country of just four decades, their rise as a cricking power has been meteoric. Little more than a decade ago Bangladesh were an associate minnow, considered comfortably below Kenya and barely on par with the likes of the Scottish and Dutch. Victory over Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup was the primary stepping stone and a year later they had jumped the queue to become the 10th Test nation. But through all the steady progress in cricketing infrastructure, Test match success has been hard to come by. A disappointing 2003 World Cup where they failed to win a game, including losses to Kenya and Canada, caused many people to question their status. A first Test win came in 2005 over a declining Zimbabwe but did little to allay concerns. But since the last World Cup four years ago, Bangladesh's improvement has taken a steeper slope.

The historic win over India to qualify for the Super Eights, where they recorded another huge upset over South Africa, announced Bangladesh's arrival on the world stage. An extremely telling insight into the threat Bangladesh poses is a stat that few people seem to have taken notice of or mentioned. As of 2010 with an ODI win over England in Bristol, Bangladesh have now beaten every other Test playing nation at least once in an international match. In the last two years Bangladesh have also achieved the milestones of first Test and ODI series wins over (non-Zimbabwe) Test opposition. In 2009 Bangladesh took advantage of contract disputes in the West Indies to score twin whitewashes over a weakened team 2-0 in the Test series and 3-0 in the ODI series. Then in late 2010 came the first series win over full strength opposition, an emphatic 4-0 ODI belting of New Zealand. Looking to the future, Bangladesh cricket is in a particularly healthy place thanks to the subcontinent culture of bringing cricketers up through the levels at absurdly young ages, creating teenage international players. The Bangladesh team is made up almost exclusively of men in their early 20s, but a majority of them now have at least two to four years experience as internationals.

For all of Bangladesh's improvement, their overall status must be kept in perspective. They remain right in the lower reaches of the Test playing echelon. Their batting ranks outside the superstars Tamim and Shakib remain of a scratchy standard in an international context, and their fast bowling attack is still not of international quality. But make no mistake, Bangladesh have the weapons to do anything in this World Cup. A slew of ever-improving dangerous spin bowlers is led by their enterprising captain Shakib Al-Hasan, who must surely qualify as the best all-rounder in the world. Shakib bats at No.4 or 5 and is a genuine world class run machine, all while being his nation's premier strike bowler. The other of Bangladesh's trump cards is vice-captain Tamim Iqbal, who's impetuous destructiveness at the top of the order makes Chris Gayle look staid and consistent. If the now quite experienced middle-order batting and support spin bowling can back up Tamim and Shakib on a regular basis, Bangladesh will be a genuine force at this World Cup.

Bangladesh play all six of their group games on home turf at this World Cup, and the advantage they gain by this cannot be underestimated. Bangladesh by far have the greatest discrepancy between their home and away performances of any Test nation. Away from the subcontinent Bangladesh can still be easy beats, as they lack genuine depth in batting and especially are absent of world class fast bowlers. But the truckloads of quality spinners and uniquely spin friendly conditions (even compared to India and Sri Lanka) make Bangladesh at home every bit as tough as even the top ranked teams. No team will escape Dhaka or Chittagong without a real fight. 

Prediction

Unless they have very off days, India and South Africa will probably be beyond the Bangladeshis. But winning all four other games is genuinely realistic. In all likelihood the final Quarter-final spot will come down to the Bangladesh-West Indies match which promises to be a humdinger. But at home Bangladesh are a genuine power, and would have to be considered favourites for that game. Expect to see them in the Quarter Finals.

Hosford's XI

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al-Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - West Indies

West Indies World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Chris Gayle - 31 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Adrian Barath - 20 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Devon Smith - 29 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Shivnarine Chanderpaul - 36 - Left Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Ramnaresh Sarwan - 30 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Darren Bravo - 21 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Carlton Baugh - 28 -  Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Dwayne Bravo - 27 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Kieron Pollard - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Darren Sammy (Captain) - 27 - Right Arm Fast Medium Batsman - Right Arm Lower Order Bowler

Spin Bowlers

Sulieman Benn - 29 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Nikita Miller - 28 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Ravi Rampaul - 26 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Kemar Roach - 22 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

Andre Russell - 22 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

The West Indies are somewhat of an enigma, with a difficult to predict fate at this World Cup. They of course have been in terminal decline for the best part of twenty years, with outright turmoil filling the last ten. The Caribbean festival in 2007 went so wrong, both as a tournament thanks to the incompetence of the ICC, and the poor performance of the hosts. Their failure to really threaten any Test nations genuinely throughout the tournament was made even more disappointing because it represented the swansong of the legend Brian Lara.

The four years that have since passed have surely been the worst years yet in the sorry history of 21st century West Indies cricket. Contract disputes leading to player walkouts resulted in a humiliating pair of Test and ODI series defeats at home to Bangladesh by a team scarcely able to even be called second XI quality. The general feeling remains that the Windies to this day have not fully returned to the very best team they can play since the strike. In 2010 the notoriously blase Chris Gayle finally saw reason and resigned from the captaincy, but with no suitable candidates ready or willing, the captaincy went to Darren Sammy, despite the fact that he is far from a certain starter in any form of international Cricket. Sammy is one of the least credentialed Test and ODI captains in recent memory on paper but to his credit he has stepped up, proving to be a strong marshaller of troops and showing the natural leadership qualities the West Indies administrators saw in him. But his Cricket will need to lead by example at this World Cup.

The West Indies' squad for the tournament still looks suspiciously light on genuine talent when you consider the cricketing depth of the Caribbean system. But it is at least a stable team. The Windies recently look to be at their most stable off the field, and consistent on the field since the last World Cup. The batting is the key for the calypso men. Chris Gayle is always inconsistent but he should surely have a good day or two in the tournament, and if they come against quality opposition he could singlehandedly cause an upset. Gayle's opening partner Barath is a young superstar who could potentially lead the way for the West Indies in the World Cup. Chanderpaul, Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo have vast amounts of talent and experience in the middle order and if they all find form, any team would struggle to bowl the West Indies out. 

But the bowling looks to be a huge issue. For a nation famous for its legendary mean fast bowlers, the lack of depth is astonishing. Ravi Rampaul is international quality, but hardly world class, and yet for any West Indies ODI squad is an automatic selection. Spinners Suliemann Benn and Nikita Miller will be useful at times, but lack consistency and real killer turn. In a dilemma similar to Australia's, it could be the form of the young vibrant pair of Kemar Roach and Andre Russell that decide their fate. Both are supremely talented bowlers of express pace, but both of them (Russell in particular) are inexperienced and unproven on the big stage. If they fire along with the batsman then the West Indies could spring a surprise or two, which could be all a team needs to be out of the tournament because of the Quarter Final format.

Prediction

The West Indies unit looks to have stabilized enough to be able to play its best cricket in this tournament. But there are question marks over how good that is. They should beat Ireland and the Netherlands at least (even that looked decidedly unlikely two years ago) but D Day will be March 4 and the game against Bangladesh. There is very little to split the two sides and the in form Bangladesh recently overtook the Windies for No.8 in the ICC ODI rankings. That game should decide who makes the Quarter Finals in 4th. Neither team is likely to go any further.

Hosford's XI

 Gayle, Barath, Sarwan, Chanderpaul. Dw Bravo, Dr Bravo, Sammy (C), Baugh, Benn, Roach, Russell

The spot-fixing problem.

This past week, the Australian sporting news landscape  has seen a fortuitous conglomeration of two wholly separate stories with disturbing similarities. As news filtered through that Bulldogs prop Ryan Tandy had been arrested on charges of providing false evidence to authorities in relation to spot-fixing allegations directed at him, a storm was building on the other side of the world. Pakistan's accused trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir faced an ICC hearing on allegations of spot-fixing in a Cricket Test Match against England, while it is also been announce that the trio will face legal trial in England.

Spot-fixing is a term which is new to most people's vocabulary, if not completely new as a concept. It refers to fixing specific features of a sporting contest, usually something small and inconsequential enough in the game's overall scheme. Because bets can nowadays be made pertaining to almost any fine detail of a sporting match, corrupt individuals can involve participants in the match by promising payouts in return for a single minor action instead of something as obvious and heinous as throwing an entire match. Both of these recent examples are textbook cases of how easy spot-fixing is, and highlight the likelihood there is of far more unnoticed instances of spot-fixing.

Our local small-time spot-fixing scandal came about in September 2010, during a Round 24 match of the National Rugby League between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the North Queensland Cowboys. The preconditions for spot-fixing were rife. It was a late season match between two struggling teams both well out of finals contention, with comparatively little media exposure for an NRL match. Authorities of the NRL and TAB Sportsbet observed an unusual proportion of bets in the "first point scored" category had been placed on a Cowboys penalty goal as the first scoring instance in the match. While not especially unlikely, it was suggested that the amount of bets placed on that particular instance was outside the standard deviation of established betting patterns.

Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy was accused of complicity when he gave up a cheap possession turnover in the opening minutes, then conceded an equally amateurish penalty in perfect kicking range for the Cowboys. The Cowboys took the surprise option of a quick tap and caught the Bulldogs off guard, scoring a try in the corner as the first points of the match instead.

Barely a month earlier in England came the spot-fixing scandal which gained worldwide attention. During the 4th and final match of a Test series between England and Pakistan at Lords, British newspaper News Of The World released a report alleging that fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir had accepted bribes from agent Mazhar Majeed to deliberately bowl no-balls on certain predetermined deliveries. Pakistan's captain Salman Butt was implicated as an intermediary in these deals. The report was the result of a sting operation by News Of The World reporters who secretly filmed Majeed counting out bribe money and stating that Amir and Asif would bowl two no-balls on certain deliveries. In the match both these predicted no-balls eventuated, and both were notably extreme oversteps.

Majeed was arrested by Scotland Yard in response to the video, and the implicated players were stood down indefinitely. Last week the ICC enquiry handed down its verdicts. Salman Butt has been banned for ten years (five suspended), Mohammad Asif for seven years (two suspended) and Mohammad Amirfor five years. The controversy has likely ended the career of two of Pakistan's best, and severely dented the career of 18 year old Amir who had been raved about in many cricketing circles as the world's next great fast bowling prodigy.

Match-fixing is not new to Cricket. A series of betting controversies plunged the game into disorder in the 1990s, centred around Indian bookmakers invariably. Cricket match-fixing made the news in Australia when it was revealed that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne had accepted money from an Indian bookmaker styling himself "John" in return to weather and pitch information a series of times throughout 1994 and 95. The scandal was heightened by the fact that the Australian Cricket Board fined the pair privately and did not release the information until it was uncovered by the media in 1998.

Most infamous of all of course were the revelations of 2000 of wide ranging match-fixing indiscretions on the part of South Africa Hansie Cronje, who was banned from all forms of Cricket for life, leaving his glowing reputation in tatters. Cronje was then killed in a light plane crash in 2002. Conspiracy theories have abounded in recent years that foul play on the part of people involved with corrupt bookmaking played a part in Cronje's death, as well as the mysterious sudden death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer during the 2007 World Cup. In both cases these are almost certainly conspiracies without wait, but it is a measure of the power and influence Indian and Pakistani bookmakers have over popular discourse. The bizarre flight of Pakistan wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider in late 2010 is another example of the frightening immediacy of spot fixing. Haider ran from the team hotel in Dubai midway through a series and fled to London, making claims of threats against him and his family if he did not participate in further fixing. These bookmaking powerbrokers may not be capable of murder, but have the spectre and weight enough to make people think they are.

It was thought after the Cronje scandal, and the doors it opened in exposing related instances, that match-fixing had been largely stamped out of Cricket. In reality, the Cronjecreative types of bet. By now the real time nature of the Internet has reduced a pursuit which was once little more than picking who you thought would win a game, down to an almost infinite set of possibilities, where absolutely anything is fair game as betting fodder. On the subcontinent the outcome of every individual delivery of a Cricket match can be wagered on.

Rugby League has been happily free from Cricket's sordid recent history of corruption, but this is of little solace. The fact that a sport traditionally difficult to fix and consequently free of such problems, is now becoming embroiled in the same scandals, is perhaps even more disturbing. The nature of modern gambling has facilitated spot-fixing as a very profitable corrupt venture for those willing to try. Whether or not the Tandy case is a genuine example of spot-fixing is not of particular importance. The allegations have raised the awareness of fixing Rugby League matches as theoretically possible, to potential fixers and to an increasingly distrusting public. Recent rumours are surfacing that a second 2010 match involving the New Zealand Warriors could also have included an instance of spot-fixing.

The problem obviously is that spot-fixing can be done any number of ways and is nearly impossible to detect. Individual cases will come to light from time to time but there is no way of knowing how widespread the practice is. Traditional match-fixing involves rather blatant attempts at influencing the final result of an entire contest, but there is no conceivable limit to how spot-fixing can be covertly achieved.

Two solutions that have been posited in relation to both these scandals, particularly the local Rugby League scandal, have taken hold with certain prominent members of the sporting community. The first is banning players from betting on their own games, or betting outright. This is an important issue with many complex facets to deal with, but its an issue for another day. It is irrelevant to the spot-fixing problem as the players only financial dealings are with the corrupt fixers and bookmakers. The second distinctly local solution is a good old banning of gambling outright in this country. This is a happy notion, albeit pathologically naive. The argument overall is a political one, with views on both sides which smarter men than I understand far beyond my simple sports-centric opinions. Attempting to ban a practice so rampant and indelibly stamped in the economic fabric as it is on subcontinental markets, would do nothing except to cause turmoil and would not be a deterrent to such a powerful section of people. A practice with elements of seedy underground illegality would become consumed by seedy underground illegality exclusively. From an Australian perspective, legal sports betting remains well regulated and is perhaps the healthiest form of gambling in the country, operating with far less reputation for devastation than other forms of gambling. The nature of Internet gambling and its ability to reach anyone also has rendered any notions of nations bans obsolete.

The overriding fact is that spot-fixing is a unique and especially dangerous problem as its nature, as well as the power of those behind it, make it practically impossible to ever police, or to even notice a majority of the time. Pakistan opening batsman Yasir Hameed was quoted as saying 'almost every match' was fixed in some way. You'd like to hope this is not the case, but there's no way of knowing, particularly when Pakistan are involved. There are no perfect solutions and the reason spot-fixing is so frightening is because there appears to be no conceivable way to stop it.

Any delusions to a sporting world free of betting corruption are misplaced, just as gambling will always be a human problem. But steps can be taken to limit its spectre in sport specifically. Quite clearly the first of these must be a halt to the rampant inventing of new betting markets out of thin air. Yes sports betting is a complex science for its devotees, and there needs to be a variety of options and alternatives, but surely the need for a betting market on every single ball of a Cricket match is of little necessity. Spot-fixing is specifically about the small things, exploiting tiny inconsequential betting markets. If these are taken out, those trying to corrupt a sporting contest can to an extent be weeded out as they will have to commit substantially bigger high-stakes fixes. The rest of the work needing to be done is up to the sporting bodies though. Sports have to look after their players financially so they are not so tempted by the lure of bribes. The contexts of the two scandals in question are particularly relevant. the Pakistan Cricket Board is of course a dysfunctional organisation specialising in tumult, and regular disputes with players over their income are part and parcel of the idiocy. The NRL in turn has a notoriously inadequate salary cap. 2010 already showed the devastating impact this has had, with the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal rocking the league to its core. If the NRL is not careful players could increasingly turn to far more shady income sources than the AFL or Rugby Union.

The final vital key in fighting the problem of corruption is to train those involved in the sport to recognise it. Players, officials, even fans to an extent. Spot-fixing is extremely difficult to pick up on, and we can never expect to notice every instance. But if more money and manpower can be put into educating referees and umpires, as well as perhaps training specialised off field observers to know what they're looking for, in time it may become harder and harder to get away with it. But the most important education is for the players themselves, so that impressionable youths like Mohammad Amir can't fall into the trap of corruption.

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - England

England World Cup Squad

Batsmen
Andrew Strauss (Captain) - 33 - Left Hand Opening Batsman
Matthew Prior - 28 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman
Jonathan Trott - 29 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman
Kevin Pietersen - 30 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman
Ian Bell - 28 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman
Ravi Bopara* - 25 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-rounders
Paul Collingwood - 34 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler
Luke Wright - 25 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Michael Yardy - 30 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler - Left Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman
Tim Bresnan - 25 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler - Right Hand Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers
Graeme Swann - 31 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
James Tredwell - 28 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers
Stuart Broad - 24 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
James Anderson - 28 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Ajmal Shahzad - 25 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

*Edit: Bopara replaced original squad member Eoin Morgan who was withdrawn due to a finger injury.

England have the talent in their squad to sweep all before them in the World Cup and be No.1 team in the world. The ever-reliable trio of Strauss, Trott and Bell are improving every day as one-day players and will support the X-factor Pietersen adequately. Anderson, Broad and Swann are one of the best wicket-taking trios in the world, and when in form the gruff workmanlike efforts of Collingwood and Yardy are of perfect value in ODI cricket, particularly in India. But yet again the timing of a World Cup after an Australian Ashes summer has taken its toll. England cannot use this as an excuse. Yes the Australians may have the luxury of being at home as opposed to being in what equates to an endless 6 month touring party, but they have to play the same amount of Cricket over these summers. Even after this load Australia have managed to win the last two March centred World Cups.

The majority of England's squad seem to either be out of form or carrying niggling injuries and English chances of World Cup glory have slipped from the best in 20 years in November, to being most unlikely. Two thirds of England's vital bowling triumvirate are out of condition as both Swann and Broad are returning from injury layoffs. James Anderson, by some miracle perhaps, has survived so far without major injury and with the burden of carrying the attack on his shoulders. England need him to survive the tournament which is far from guaranteed with his extended workload. Jonathan Trott impressed in Australia but may not score his runs fast enough for a subcontinental World Cup. Collingwood and Prior are in bad stretches of form, and Pietersen remains as petulant and inconsistent as ever. On top of that, England's premier One-Day batsman Eoin Morgan is out of the tournament, more due to bad management than anything else. 

If England are to be a threat in this World Cup though, they'll need to sort out their side's structure. For a few games in Australia as injuries took their hold, the selectors experimented with a strange looking batsman heavy line-up with Collingwood at No.7. As soon as the system took hold it was abandoned in lieu of a more traditional setup. Aside from the fact that this seven batsman line-up managed England's only win of the series, it was a cleverer idea than it might have appeared. It didn't work primarily because every front-line bowler was missing, and because Matthew Prior opening created a structural imbalance. If Anderson, Broad and Swann are all healthy and in form, England have all the strike power they need. The variety of medium pace like Collingwood and Trott would genuinely be of more value than playing Bresnan or Shahzad as a strike weapon. With the front-line trio bowling 30 overs, it leaves just 20 to be shared by a plethora of useful bowlers: Yardy, Collingwood, Trott, Pietersen and whoever plays out of Bopara and Wright. Yardy more often than not can be relied upon to bowl all or most of his 10 overs as well. Morgan's absence may have weakened my theory slightly from a middle-order standpoint, but it remains the way to go providing Bell or Bopara open and Prior is moved down to No.7 as a specialist keeper, who's batting talents are a bonus and can anchor the lower order. What batting depth it would be to have genuine all-rounder Yardy at 8, Test centurion Broad at 9 and the very handy Swann at 10.

Prediction

The format of the tournament could be England's saving grace. If those out of form can find some form, and those in form can be taken care of so they don't break down, England should do enough to reach the Quarter Finals 3rd in the group. At full strength England would fancy their chances over any of the seven teams in Group A. Once it comes down to those final 3 games to decide a champion, it's any one's guess and if the English boys can keep their bodies going and peak at the right time they have the potential to beat anyone. My pick? Quarter-finals.

Hosford's XI

Strauss, Bopara Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood, Prior, Yardy, Broad, Swann, Anderson

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - South Africa

South Africa World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Graeme Smith (Captain) - 29 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Hashim Amla - 27 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Colin Ingram - 25 - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

AB De Villiers - 26 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Jean-Paul Duminy - 26 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Morne Van Wyk - 31 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

All-Rounders
Jacques Kallis - 35 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Faf du Plessis - 26 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler

Spin Bowlers
Johan Botha - 28 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
Imran Tahir - 31 - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Robin Peterson - 31 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers
Dale Steyn - 27 - Right Arm Fast Bowler
Morne Morkel - 26 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

Wayne Parnell - 21 - Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Lonwabo Tsotsobe - 26 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler

South Africa have perhaps the most interesting and surprising squad of any of the 14 teams at this 2011 World Cup. It is not so much the names that are unexpected, but the sudden back flip selectors seem to have had, and how unusual the balance of the squad looks. 

South Africa's vibrant and always successful (except in World Cups) One-Day International teams have always been characterised by a certain unique approach in terms of the balance of the side. A look over South African squads of the past will see experienced packed top order batting, a select group of mean fast bowlers, with a long list of exciting medium pace bowling all-rounders of varying quality but unwavering excitement in between. Names like Klusener, Pollock, Kallis, McMillan, Kuiper, Cronje, Kemp, Hall and Morkel are just a few names that roll of the tongue. Quality spin is rare to be seen. Yes there's been names like Henry, Symcox, Adams, Crookes, Boje and Peterson, but they would hardly instill much nostalgic fear in any cricket fan's mind. The top and the bottom of the squads may look rather similar, but the diversion from standard practice comes in the middle, where the usual swashbuckling style has given away to a quartet of spinners, and a middle order more about no-nonsense prodding and poking. 

A lot has been made of this unusual squad with many people dismayed. However I feel like it's a big step in the right direction. For starters South Africa's brilliant adventurers on paper have always crumbled at the World Cup when it really mattered. More importantly, the kind of characters being persisted with were unconvincing. The biggest exclusions are the plethora of big-hitting all-rounders who were spectacular but woefully inconsistent, like Albie Morkel, David Miller and Ryan McLaren. The selectors have finally come out of their stale shell and picked an appropriate timely squad for the conditions, not afraid to take risks such as picking Imran Tahir who is yet to play a single ODI, or the unproven du Plessis and Van Wyk who may seem like surprise picks, but make perfect sense in a subcontinental context. Unfortunately one recent trend has been stuck to in this squad, the omission of Test Wicket Keeper and all-time great Mark Boucher in favour of a multi-tasking AB De Villiers behind the stumps, despite his still novice international keeping skills. Boucher's batting, safe keeping and overall experience would be of far more use, and better balance the the squad than Robin Peterson whose selection as a fourth front-line spinner borders on overkill. Smith and Duminy can adequately provide back-up spin support.

Prediction

It's always impossible making any pick about a South African World Cup performance such is their luck at the tournament. 2007 was the first World Cup in which South Africa were not eliminated through a freak upset or fortuitous happening, but instead they were mediocre and never threatened despite coming in as No.1 int he world. On paper South Africa or India should win the whole tournament and only a brave man could bet against the Proteas. But I am a brave man. South Africa will fight for 1st and 2nd in the group with India, setting up a likely Quarter-Final with major underdogs Pakistan or New Zealand. The recipe is ripe for shock and disaster there.

Hosford's XI

Smith (C), Amla, Ingram, Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, du Plessis, Botha, Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe.

WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - India

India World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Virender Sehwag (Vice Captain) - 32 - Right Hand Opening Batsman

Gautam Gambhir - 29 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Sachin Tendulkar - 37 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Yuvraj Singh - 29 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Suresh Raina - 24 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Virat Kohli - 22 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain) - 29 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Yusuf Pathan - 28 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Spin Bowlers

Harbhajan Singh - 30 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Ravichandran Ashwin - 24 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Piyush Chawla - 22 - Right Am Leg Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Zaheer Khan - 32 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Ashish Nehra - 31 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Munaf Patel - 27 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Sreesanth* - 28 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

*Edit: Sreesanth replaces original squad member Praveen Kumar who was withdrawn due to an elbow injury.

Fate and chance have conspired to build an immeasurable load of pressure onto the shoulders of India's marvellous cricketers. India are now the No.1 Test side in the world, and have a formidable One-Day lineup which can beat anyone on their day. It could be argued that they'd be No.1 in both forms if it wasn't for the Indian obsession with resting their superstars in the One-Day game. Although I suppose the prioritisation on Test Cricket is commendable. If this wasn't enough for the disturbingly Cricket-mad public of India to build pressure on their team, this World Cup also happens to be come after the disaster that was India's first round exit in 2007, and on top of this, the chance for retribution comes at a World Cup which India are hosting. For all the successes of India's national team over the past decade, there is a distinct feeling that this 2011 World Cup is the make or break moment which will define the final legacy of this golden era.

On paper, India justify the tag of favourites, as ever because of the strength of their batting. Only Harbhajan and Zaheer are really world class bowlers outside India but it doesn't really matter very much when you have a batting line-up such as India's. But at home India's bowling unit is so effective, as Harbhajan and the slew of seemingly pedestrian medium-pacers manipulate the unique conditions which only they seem able to ever truly master. The biggest discussion point over the squad is the selection of young spinners Ashwin and Chawla over Test-incumbent Pragyan Ojha. I feel the arguments are somewhat mute though. Although one of the two will likely get solid game-time on the spinning wickets, their most important role in reality is to cover for the unthinkable, an injury to Harbhajan. The effectiveness of Sehwag, Yuvraj, Tendulkar and Pathan as a backup quarter to Harbhajan are the key to India strangling sides in the middle overs. Although I have no doubt India will go the double-pace-double-spin option on occasions, logic would dictate that the most formidable setup would be to play three quicks and rely on the depth of those support spinners.

India's squad, unfortunately for anyone supporting another country, shows a well-timed wake up call from the selectors. Dozens of young but rusty hopes, particularly in the fast-bowling and all-rounder departments as well as inconsistent under performers, most notably Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, had played major parts in recent Indian One-Day Cricket. But when push has come to shove,the selectors have gone the tried and tested formula, and only the young spinners Ashwin and Chawla are of any particular surprise.

Prediction

For India it is all about how they handle the immense pressure of the home World Cup, and all its peripheral circumstances. Presuming they are not overwhelmed, then the Indians are surely favourites in their fortress-like home arenas. India or South Africa should top Group B and of the two, India are surely less likely to suffer a monumental choke. Once India reach the semi-finals (which they should easily enough), its anyone's guess.

Hosford's XI

Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Kohli, Dhoni (C), Pathan, Harbhajan, Zaheer, Patel, Nehra

This week in sporting history: THE UNDERARM INCIDENT

February 1 marked three decades since modern cricket's most infamous moment of controversy, the underarm delivery Australian captain Greg Chappell ordered his brother Trevor to bowl as the final ball of a One-Day International against New Zealand.
For Greg it was a major blip on what was a glittering but always controversial career. For the unfortunate underachieving Trevor, he will always be remembered for his role in the debacle.

The defining visual of the underarm incident is Trevor Chappell rolling the ball along the ground towards New Zealand batsman Brian McKechnie, who threw his bat away in disgust. The wider context of the day cannot be forgotten however, as it adds to the sheer drama of the event, and highlights what a devastating anti-climax is ultimate conclusion was. World Series Cricket was barely two years in the past, and had given Australian cricket with its legacy of spectacular day-night One Day cricket with coloured clothing and white balls. To continue this popular new fad, the Australian Cricket Board established an annual triangular tournament of one-day matches involving Australia and two touring teams to be played over the summer in conjunction with the Test matches. The World Series Cup began in 1979 and, under different names, continued until 2007 when it was replaced by the current format of five-to-seven match bilateral seiries', adding to the over-saturation of superfluous one day contests.

This was a time when the Australian public, driven by youth, were captivated by the spectacle of 50 over One-Day Cricket.  In the modern age of over-scheduling, most one day series hold little interest to anyone outside the immediate playing group. It can be hard nowadays to even imagine a context where an Australian captain could find the result of 'just another one-dayer' so desperately essential as to commit such a foul act. Not that Greg Chappell would ever have considered even the most inconsequential dead rubber anything other than vitally important and worthy of full effort. For all of his faults, this was the genesis of Chappell's cricketing genius.

In the summer of 1980-81, New Zealand and India visited in what was an evenly matched series filled with tense clashes that continued to delight the public. As it was, India were inconsistent and over time faded to finish a clear 3rd, and Australia and New Zealand qualified for the five-match finals series. On February 1 the teams were at the MCG for Game 3, with the series tied at 1-1. So outside any World Cup there could be few more important one day matches. It could also be said that for Australians the home triangular series was more important than the World Cup, which at that point was a decidedly English venture with white clothes and Test-like conditions. World Series Cricket had moved Australia's interests away from this conservative English state of thinking towards the new exciting spectacle of day-night cricket.

 Australia amassed 235 from their 50 overs, on the back of a 90 from Greg Chappell which was predictably not without controversy itself. When 52 Chappell was caught in the outfield by Martin Snedden, but the catch was a tight one with the ball close to the ground and Chappell stood his ground. Snedden was adamant the catch was taken but Chappell did not walk and the umpires called not-out. Later replays showed the catch was indeed cleanly taken. New Zealand's reply was anchored by a stellar century from opener Bruce Edgar, who batted throughout the 50 overs for 102 not out.

Entering the final over New Zealand were 6 for 221, requiring 15 with barnstorming all-rounder Richard Hadlee (now Sir Richard) new to the crease and on strike. An error in bowling calculations from Chappell meant that he was left with the far from optimum option of brother Trevor to bowl the final over. On a pitch which was playing absurdly low by today's standards, Hadlee took four off the first ball but then was trapped  LBW. No.9 Ian Smith was able to mishit a couple of swings into the outfield and scramble a pair of twos before being bowled. This left New Zealand at 8 for 229 with little known medium pacer Brian McKechnie the new batsman. Seven were needed to win, a six could tie it and take the teams to Game 4 with the series still locked up. As they say, the rest is history.

For thirty years since that fateful day, Greg Chappell's actions have gone down as a definitive low point in Australian sporting folklore. Relations between Australia and New Zealand were strained like never before. No sporting controversy had caused such wide ranging national antagonism between Australia and a political ally since Bodyline. New Zealand prime minister Robert Muldoon called the underarm delivery "the most disgusting incident I can recall in the history of cricket." But in reality, there were few genuine repercussions outside cricketing circles, as people on both sides of the Tasman for the most part agreed it had been a low act. But the fact remains, sliding a ball up the pitch underarm was not prohibited in the tournament laws. The overriding question mark of why this was the case is what really astonishes many people. I've been asked many times why such a ridiculous happening could legally occur in the first place. One element is simply that the very bizarreness of every possible unpredictable event can't be legislated against. But there is a wider context, that of the origins of bowling itself.

In the earliest centuries of Cricket the default form of bowling, the only form for all intents and purposes, was underarm. Cricket drew many similarities from bowls, and the ball was delivered in a similar way on similar grass surfaces. The only ostensible difference was the presence of a batsman. Although there's no concrete evidence as to how cricket surfaced, it's easy to imagine a lawn bowls patron accidentally striking a moving ball with a plank of wood, the seed of an idea dawning in his eyes. It would rival the romantic origins of Rugby (supposedly invented when an enterprising young student at Rugby School in England picked up a football mid-game and ran off the pitch with it). Until well into the 19th century, bowling was done either by the original rolling method, or by a pitched variant where the ball was delivered underarm, but projected airborne. Many specialist bowlers, most notably the revolutionary Edward "Lumpy" Stevens, began to develop the art of bowling, discovering and studying phenomena such as spin and air resistance, and learning the physics of bowling. An extremely subtle art involving precise lines and lengths developed, but it was still all underarm.

It wasn't until well into the early part of the 19th century that there were recorded occurrences of a new roundarm style, which may or may not look a bit like Mitchell Johnson. By the time Test Cricket began in 1876, underarm was largely superseded and the modern overarm style was dominant. Even into the the 20th century underarm bowling was a notable minority rather than a rarity. Until at least WWI there remained the odd underarm bowling professionals. Only in the last hundred years has it really disappeared from the game in any practical sense. Even still, instances of underarm bowling are peppered all the way through the 20th century, because of special circumstances such as injury or bowling action illegitimacy. Some forms of first-class cricket in time banned underarm entirely, or because of its anomalous nature specified that a bowler must notify the umpire of his intention to bowl underarm. However the ACB, in its running of the World Series Cup had omitted any specific rule prohibiting the practice. This was not because of any ideological deference towards the idea of underarm bowling but was merely an oversight born out of how unlikely such an occurrence would be. By 1981 the idea of delivering a ball underarm in an international was so foreign and inconceivable that when it suddenly happened, in such a high profile match and with such egregious and unsavoury motives, the shock waves were intense and still ring out thirty years later.

Local News Wrap: January 15-30 2011

Tennis

Injury denies Nadal/Djokovic thriller
2008 Australia Open Champion and perennial World No.3 Novak Djokovic finally broke the sophomore hoodoo off his back last Sunday by winning his second major at the 2011 Australian Open. In the process he scored emphatic wins over the great man Roger Federer in the semi-final, and Britain's favourite choker Andy Murray in the final, both in straight sets. His form was so ominous to suggest that he could have gone even to beating a full strength Rafael Nadal than he managed in losing last year's US Open final in 4 sets. Until his quarter-final Nadal looked quite unstoppable, but a torn muscle in his thigh which started to show up during a marathon second game left him helpless against consistent but hardly world-bearing countryman David Ferrer. The injury denied Rafa perhaps not a sure Rafa-Slam, completing a non-calendar year grand slam by adding the Australian Open titles to the French, Wimbledon and US which he won last year, but certainly denied us a titanic final between two masters of power.

Aussie Kim class of the field
Belgian superstar and long time Aussie fan favourite Kim Clijsters has finally won the Australian Open, her 4th grand slam title adding to the three US Open triumphs she achieved previously. Clijsters may have suffered lapses throughout the tournament and played a particularly below-par first set in the final, but that she still so emphatically and inevitably won a tournament where was far from her best highlights gulf in women's tennis. If both Williams sisters are fit and motivated, Clijsters is at her best, and the plethora of talented tour players but Grand Slam chokers like Wozniacki, Zvonareva and Jankovic play to their potential, women's tennis could be absolutely captivating. The added factor of someone like Li Na, sweeping all before her in reaching the Australian Open final, and stunning youngsters like Petra Kvitova, defy popular claims that women's tennis is in a rough patch. The problem is that the majority of these top ranked tour players remain underachievers, and the Williams sisters remain committed to their questionable program of minimal tennis, which noticeably has not helped decrease their propensity for injury. As it is there is Clijsters. Although she falters on clay and grass courts, its hard not to imagine Kim starting a hard court legacy in Melbourne and New York.


Football

Last chance heartbreak for the golden generation
Australia's ever beloved Socceroos are still licking the wounds from a devastating Asian Cup final, in which the Socceroos dominated every facet of play only to watch Japan steal Asian football's biggest prize 1-0 from a freak extra time strike by substitute Tadahari Lee. The loss potentially represents the final chance at international silverware for many of Australia's aging legends. The Socceroos campaign had gathered steam at the perfect pace, but one can't help but wonder if Japan's emotion charged semi-final penalty shootout win over South Korea primed them for the pressure moments more than Australia's rather leisurely 6-0 demolition of a foul Uzbekistan did. The Socceroos dominated the first half, but were unable to put away the many chances that presented themselves, helped by the sterling efforts of Japanese goal-keeper Eiji Kawashima.

As the pressure built in the second half there were lapses however, with the Socceroos lucky to escape from a few counter-attacking raids, and the enterprising play of the first half game way to a more predictable series of increasingly inaccurate crosses into the box. A brilliant save by Kawashima denied Harry Kewell one-on-one, but it was nevertheless a goal Harry should in any normal circumstance have put away. Lee's strike came in the 109th minute, shortly after the half way interval in extra-time, and came about inevitably from two tiny errors from the Socceroos left backs. Luke Wilkshire allowed Yuto Nagamoto to break clear and find space to cross to Lee who's fresh legs were able to wrong-foot a slightly off the ball David Carney, leaving Lee unmarked with the way clear for a spectacular finish.

Spectacular Roar seal historic achievement
The Hyundai A-League is about to enter its final fortnight, and the setup of the top 6 is nearly clear. After all the troubles and disruptions caused by the flood disaster, the Brisbane Roar have managed to stay on track, scoring tough wins 2-0 over the Wellington Phoenix and 2-1 over the Melbourne Heart. These results seal the club's first ever minor-premiership. The job coach Ange Postecoglou has done can not be underestimated. The unprecedented amount of player swaps he did before the new season raised question marks but have resulted in arguably the most dominant single season by an A-League team ever. But now they must complete the job, against more experienced finals teams.

The battle over the final two spots in the six is nearly settled now. The Heart needed victory over the Roar to stay in touch with crosstown rivals the Melbourne Victory who they drew with 2-2 in a thrilling local derby, and with the Wellington Phoenix who bookended their loss to Brisbane with impressive displays against the Perth Glory (2-0) and the Newcastle Jets 1-0. The Victory and Phoenix look somewhat safe for 5th and 6th now. The Heart will need to score an upset win over the in form Central Coast Mariners to retain any realistic hope, and the Jets would need a miracle. The Mariners on their part have pulled clear in the battle for 2nd with Adelaide United, after winning their grudge match 2-1, rather tempering United's

Full Ladder here.

Cricket

Weary poms feel Ashes hangover.
Australia's cricketers are saving some sort of face with some impressive one-day performances in the needlessly long seven-match series which is ongoing. Even more encouraging with the World Cup pending has been the quality of cricket and the drama, most games have remained competitive until late in the contest with two last over thrillers. For all the criticism of Australian cricket, a 4th successive World Cup may not be out of the question. Injuries have wreaked havoc with the squad as Michael Hussey, Nathan Hauritz, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith and Shaun Tait have all come down with substantial injuries of varying severity. Hussey's hamstring tear in game 1 and Hauritz' shoulder dislocation while fielding in game 2 are the gravest concerns.  No player (with the possible exception of the superhuman Watson, and the comeback hero Lee) have showed any particularly consistency either. Yet through all the setbacks and periods of bad play, Australia lead the series 5-1, and everyone has put their hand up at some stage.

Game 1 was all about Watson's heroic 161 as Australia overhauled a formidable 294. Game 2 saw Hussey's replacement Shaun Marsh expose our idiotic selection policy by scoring 110 after not being picked for the World Cup. Australia were 4 for 33, then 8 for 142, yet still won comfortably in the end. Game 3 saw Brett Lee at his brilliant best and some useful overs from Xavier Doherty on his return to the team, before David Hussey and Brad Haddin overcame an early batting collapse to chase down 215. England won Game 4 but the performance of Steve Smith silenced his doubters with bat and ball. Captain Michael Clarke was the notable man missing from the form sheet. Then in Game 5 he made a gutsy 54 to anchor Australia's innings, before a disciplined display from the whole bowling line-up sealed a convincing win, and then struck a wonderful 82 off 70 balls in Game 6, leading Australia to a remarkable chase of 334, Australia's biggest ever successful run chase.

Even conceivable bit players like David Hussey, Steve Smith and John Hastings have performed well at times. The only player with no real form is Cameron White, but he is a class player and will surely come good sometime during the World Cup.