The Hindu : Australia may prove too good for the Dutch

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 20, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Australia may prove too good for the Dutch

By G. Viswanath

Potchefstroom Feb. 19. In less than a week's time Australia settled down into a fine fire-fighting unit and sent out clear signals that it is here to defend the World Cup it won four years ago at Lord's.

Marshalled by the energetic Tasmanian, Ricky Ponting, Australia handled the first match of its Cup campaign with remarkable poise and completely outwitted Pakistan. A lesser team might have allowed itself to be run over by Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar at `The Wanderers'.

Ponting put his front foot across, worked the ball around, packed punch behind his shots and succeeded in driving away the varied Pakistan attack that asked serious questions and posed dangers. Ponting looked straight at the Pakistan bowlers spewing fire and doused it and led his team like a champion.

The counter from Ponting was quick, effective and efficiently carried out. The `Punter' gambled and it proved to be a big hit. For a while Andrew Symonds watched his skipper at work before taking charge. Symonds had been a real bit and pieces player until that afternoon when he played the innings of his life.

Without doubt it was a tough first match for Australia, but it came through with its reputation intact.

Australia did not concede an inch to India at the Supersport Park, Centurion. Ponting used his fast bowlers as a potent weapon and crushed India. Victory was achieved without breaking a sweat.

Now almost a fortnight into the World Cup Australia is contemplating changes in the team to provide its reserves a chance and hone their skills. Ponting and coach John Buchannan have dropped hints about resting Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillepsie and Brett Lee. It can afford to juggle around because its next opponent is Holland at the North West Stadium here on Thursday.

After Shane Warne's ignominious departure, Ponting's team put up a brave face and made light of it. Left arm spinner Brad Hogg has taken the lead role as a spinner, but Buchannan wants another spinner, preferably an offspinner, should the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping committee find Warne guilty. Nathan Hauritz is reported to be the frontrunner.

A player who is likely to benefit by Australia's return to the rotation policy is seamer Andy Bichel (for Gillespie or Lee). Damien Martyn and Jimmy Maher are also likely to get a second chance. The idea is to make sure that everyone remains in contention for future selections against Zimbabwe and England.

In the next 11 days, Australia will face two serious contestants; Zimbabwe on February 24 and England at Kingsmead, Durban on March 2. In between it will take on Namibia at Potchefstroom on February 27. On the basis of its performance against England in the VB series at home, Australia should prevail again and remain the undefeated team in Group `A'.

Australia said long ago that it would travel to Bulawayo for its match against Zimbabwe. It's possible that a new travel plan is being drawn up so that the team will reside in Bulawayo for the shortest possible time.

Holland made a fine start bowling out India inside the 50th over at Paarl. It first qualified for the World Cup in 1996 and thereafter has been consistently making the competition as an ICC Trophy qualifier. In the second match it played the full 50 overs and captured four England wickets. Australia might prove to be too good for it.

Ponting has said it he will not allow `complacency to set in'. "We want to win and I don't think complacency is ever a factor in this team. We all want to improve ourselves and everybody can see that every time we train and every time we take the field for a match. Take the fielding, it has looked great from the sidelines, the energy and intensity through the innings has been there and it gives the bowlers real enthusiasm at the top of their marks knowing we are trying to jump on every run. If we have that same attitude, then there will never be complacency.''

The teams (from): Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Jimmy Maher, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Ian Harvey.

Holland: Roland Lefebvre (captain), Luuk Van Troost, Daan Van Bunge, Jacob Ian Esmeijer, Ruud Nijman, Jan Feiko Kloppenburg, Tim De Leede, Henk Mol, Reinout Scholte, Nick Statham, Adeel Raja, Klass Van Noortwijk, Edgar Schiferli, Bas Zuiderent, Jeroen Smits.

Umpires: Messrs: Dave Orchard (South Africa) and Peter Willey (England), TV Umpire: A. Dar (Pakistan), Fourth: Ian Howell; Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle. Hours of play (IST): 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 5.45 p.m. onwards.

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