That's Seven Teams... no it's eight... or is it?

Wickman has been busy but not too busy to keep an eye on the inane ramblings from cricket press conferences and interviews in the build up to the World Cup. Wickman doesn't know whether it is harrassed journalists struggling to do their quotas or fading stars desperately trying to keep their names visible in the hope someone renews their recording contract... btw how does Bob Willis keep on getting a contract with Sky? Look the guy was a great cricketer and Wickman will always have a manly place in his heart for that performance at Headingly, but listening to Bob commentate feels like someone is dragging a thousand fingernails across a thousand blackboards (see pics of blackboard + quite hideous nails). Or a loved one complaining about one's quite reasonable drinking. Life's too short. And whatever it is that makes you shiver when the blackboard thing happens is going to break if it happens much more and then Wickman's going to launch a lawsuit against someone, anyone and and and... *takes deep breaths*

Anyway Wickman's eye was drawn to a sensational headline on bbc.co.uk quoting Terry Alderman. Now apart from the fact that old Tezza is an Aussie (see previous posts) he did seem to be an all round hero when Wickman was still too small to use a grown up bat. (Captain 00 in case you were wondering). What that man could do with a cricket ball in English conditions and to G Gooch in particular, was mesmerising. Even sickening. It made you feel good, but terribly bad all at the same time. But now, in a desperate attempt to be talked about, he's become a doctor. And that's surprising. Because his wiki entry says he does a bit of radio commentary and hasn't studied medicine. But here he is worrying about the Brummie Turncoat and whether he'll ever be as good again based on what happened to someone else who played cricket for Australia when Wickman didn't even know what cricket was. Dr Alderman is worried. *Wickman drops into coma and hopes its not Dr Alderman attending as he hasn't a hope in Hades of coming out of it - hang on maybe playing Willis on loop will bring him out*

If that wasn't enough (thanks Tezza by the way - I'll wait for the team doctor's view on it if you don't mind) he's here telling us that NOT eight, but SEVEN teams can win the world cup this year! Crikey that's narrowed it down. Wickman's sitting up! Alderman said it was too early to write off Australia's [that's one] World Cup defence, but noted there were a number of other nations to fear. He said: "I'd be watching out for Sri Lanka [two], while Pakistan [three] on their day can beat anyone.

"New Zealand [four] have shown what they can do... West Indies [five] are on their home turf [the old home turf can't discount 'em argument - top punditry], England [six - shaaaaat sir] have just beaten Australia and South Africa [seven] are number one in the world rankings."

Now that's some top quality opinion making there. Let's face it you aren't going to get a Crimbo card from your old pal Greg Chappell for that and the next time you bump into Rahul, Sachin, Sourav and the lads, don't be surprised if they don't ask you to supper. But at least you've cut it down by that one top team for us. Wickman's earlier post on the World Cup fancying India was obviously just plain wrong. Wickman looks forward to welcoming you to Hampton Wick to discuss in great detail, with Bob W, scintillating topics such as these.

And just for good meaure, Brian Charles Lara has added some balance to the debate by telling us "Each major team has the game to do it - it is down to consistency and controlling your nerves". Hang on - what's his definition of major? Perhaps he's snubbing someone... does he think one of the big eight isn't that big? Doubt it... Wowsers... That Sir, is genius. Next you'll be telling us that on the day one big performance from someone that stands up to be counted could swing a semi-final. Wickman waits, his breath bated...

Eight Teams Could Win It!

So it has started. The World Cup predictions industry. Wickman loves it. Apparently there are eight good teams in the tournament. And one of them could win it. Wow! First of all we get Sir Viv. Now Sir Viv has a ground opening to publicise. So first of all he wades into the England team. England, he says, are unlikely to win the World Cup. Well blow me down IVA. You are predicting that a team that has won a handful of games in the last year - and has been absolutely dicked on by Sri Lanka in its own back garden over the Summer - might struggle to win the World Cup? Well done. You haven't lost it. Then he says West Indies might win it! Wickman could be knocked over with a feather. And his justification? No one who has hosted the World Cup has won it so this is an opportunity - Wickman paraphrases... but you're catching what he is pitching. Some real PR brains have worked on that statement. And this wise old sage sums it up and tells us - no word of a lie - "Any one of eight teams could be competitive - there are eight good ones at the tournament." Stephen Fleming is more circumspect. He thinks Australia aren't playing quite as well as they were so the tournament may be a bit more open than we might have thought. Well goodness gracious... He goes on to tell us that South Africa might win because they have just beaten Pakistan. And... "We're going into a World Cup where on any given day there's up to eight teams that can win it". Wickman is off down the bookies with the equity in the Wick pavillion...

Pie Mystery Solved...

Wickman has no idea who ate all the pies (although he suspects a couple of Wick players) but he thinks he knows who's serving them up. The Kiwis have handed the Aussies their fourth spanking in a row as they scored 91 off the last 10 overs to win in Auckland. You might argue that with Punter, Gilly and the Brummie turncoat sitting it out Australia aren't at their best - but runs didn't seem to be the problem. Hussey and Hodge would stroll into most international teams on current one-day form. No, it's the fact that the Aussie bowlers are serving up more pies than Four'N Twenty that's exciting Wickman. There's nothing like an Australian with a crick in his neck from craning to see the leather disappearing into the crowd to put a smile on Wickman's face. In fact the thought of Mick Lewis going for 10-0-113-0 against the Saffas is one of Wickman's guaranteed cures for Monday morning work inspired depression. Even the eternally gobby McGrath is going at 5+ an over at the moment. Looking to get Brett Lee fit has got to be Buchanan's top priority in the next couple of weeks. If the World Cup started tomorrow you'd have to fancy those Indians... Actually maybe Buchanan should take Lewis...

World Cup

Wickman is watching India dismantle Sri Lanka. The Lankans (Tony Greig has a lot to answer for - Wickman thinks "Lankans" is just plain wrong) are getting murdered. Admittedly Murali isn't playing. Neither is Vaas although he's not the threat he used to be. Yuvraj is astonishingly good. 95 from 83 balls. He's creamed the best Sri Lanka have to offer all over the oval. Maharoof bowls the last over of the match at 80mph + and he's taken him for 4,4,6,4,4 to win the match. Wickman reserves the right to change his mind, but on this form India have got to be a great bet for the World Cup finals. Wickman doesn't fancy any attack, including Australia's, against this batting line up. So who's going to get more runs than the Indian top six?