The Final Countdown..

The much anticipated Semi Finals begins tomorrow with the Kiwis pitted up against the '96 world champions. I hope it is not a replay of the previous encounter between the two teams in the Super Eight. Australia has left a dent in the NZ team after they mauled them in the Super Eight match. New Zealand has got Oram and Bond fit for this game, which is a good news. But it is time for the top order to regain its lost touch, especially Fleming, who has a century to his credit, even though it was against Bangladesh. Styris has been the man for New Zealand, this series, with 462 runs and 9 wickets. But like I said earlier in one of my blogs, it is Shane Bond who is Fleming's trump card. Bond is the most economical bowler in this series, but I still feel his best is yet to come. He has troubled the batsmen, but has not really been among the wickets. His best is 3/31 and am sure he can do much better than that. Also New Zealand will be wary of Malinga factor, who is a force to reckon with, even though I will never hail him as a great bowler. The fact that he has picked up 15 wickets, even after missing about 3 games, still does not impress me. Sri Lanka looks like a very formidable side at the moment. They have played to their strengths and most importantly their captain is among runs now, helping himself to 4 fifties and the leading run scorer for them. But still both the teams lack the firepower to dethrone Australia, so it should not matter much for Australia, whoever wins this game. I have a gut feeling that Sri Lanka are going to pull it off against New Zealand, even though I wish that does not happen !