The two legendary West Indies pacemen point out that retaining the title of ODI champions won’t be easy for the Australian team.
NEW DELHI: At the moment, the Indian team might seem a bit haggard, but there is no doubt that India continues to be the hub of modern-day cricket. And for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, the organizers sure know that, as far as cricket fans are concerned, the hustle-bustle lies here.
On Tuesday, it was the turn of two more legendary figures from West Indies, who came to town to showcase Barbados tourism and ask the Indian fans to hit the road and be there for the cricket carnival. The two gentlemen, both quickies in their respective eras, whose mere sight sent shivers amongst batsmen, Wesley Hall (who made a mark in the 60s) and the 6’8’’Joel Garner (in the 80s), were paired up to champion a common goal - popularize tourism in Barbados during the tournament. Hall is not new to the task, having served as tourism minister of the island, and Garner is currently the chairman of the Barbados cricket selection committee.
Naturally, both of them were more sought for their views on cricketing matters and India’s prospects in the forthcoming Cup. Here’s what they said:
‘Likely to be competitive’
Joel Garner: Consistency will open the road to final. You will have to play consistent cricket over a period of six months and that would be the key to success in West Indies.
Australia definitely have the edge over others but I guess five or six teams would have outside chances and you can’t discount teams like Sri Lanka and even New Zealand.
Wes Hall: I totally agree with Joel that consistency would be the key. And with a few senior Australian cricketers calling it quits, I think we would have a level playing field in the World Cup. Australia dominated the scene for 10 years or more but it won’t be the same for them. Anyway, every team goes through such phases and competition would be more even this time.
‘Talent isn’t enough’
Hall: I think it’s rather difficult to pick two teams for the final even though we won’t mind West Indies and India in the final. Cricket still is a game of glorious uncertainty and it all boils down to how you play as unit. India is a good team in terms of bowling and batting but it all would depend on how these two departments go together. West Indies is going through a transition phase and they were not winning till the other day.
‘Fast bowlers being hit’
Hall: Twenty years ago, 230 would have been a winning score and now even 280 doesn’t seem secure. And we never imagined scenes like a fast bowler being hit over the head till Twenty20 came.
‘All well with our pitches’
Garner: We had some matches there (Kensington Oval) in October and again in February, a West Indies Masters vs World Masters match would take place there. It’s not really a new pitch and there is no worry at all.
‘It’ll be the best WC’
Hall: It’s not very easy with ICC when it comes to preparation and I think last year, 10 ICC teams came to examine the preparations and we got a thumbs up on each occasion.
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