Brett Lee out of the World Cup

Well it seems that Brett Lee will not be playing in this years cricket world cup due to an ankle injury. Thats a big blow for the Aussies. I don't think they will win it this time, i think it maybe South Africa - who seem to be clicking into form at the right time. Should be a good tournament, may the best team win.

Update - 01/03/07:

And they continue to drop:

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif join Abdul Razzaq on the sidelines. The trio will not be participating in this years world cup. Pakistan will most definatley miss the trio. It's really opened up the world cup.

Austrailia will have some key players missing, same goes for Pakistan. Looks as though this could be the year for the Proteas.

The fun and games begin on 13/03/2007.

Update - 14/03/07:

Well the hosts got off to the perfect start, by comfortably beating Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament. I think both teams should make it through to the knock out stages, however i can't see either lifting the trophy based on yesterdays performance.

Austrailia at this moment look as if they are going to trounce Scotland, and kenya look home and dry in the closing stages of their macth against Canada.

I think some of the minnows may cause the odd upset in this tournament. I can see Kenya, and Bangladesh maybe giving the more fancied sides in their group a run for their money...


Update 17/03/07:

Well it's been a few days since i updated this thread. Since then we've seen Sri Lanka comprehensivley beat Bermuda, and Ireland sneaked a draw with Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe were coasting with 10 overs to go, how they ended up drawing i will never know).

Yesterdays macthes saw Sout Africa thrash Holland, with Herschelle Gibbs producing the magic he is more than capable of (a maximum over six 6's). What a turn around for that man, he was out of form earlier in the year, he was banned for making racist comments against Pakistan, and now he's flying. Well ok i know alot of people will say "it was only Holland", but hey give the man some credit for hitting six 6's in a row, which has never been done in international cricket before. Take a bow Mr Gibbs - well done.

Yesterday's other match saw New Zealand cruise past England by 6 wickets. Basically the collapse by the English batsmen left their bowlers with very little to defend. Monty Panesar made his World Cup debut and took a wicket, could have been another if Pieterson has held on to the catch.

Todays Matches see the Indians making their first appearance against Bangladesh. I think Bangladesh will push them hard, as i have them down for springing a surprise in this group.

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their defeat by the Windies, against the little fancied Ireland, who themselves must be overjoyed with their performance against Zimbabwe. Could be tricky.................



UPDATE 24/03/07

Well what a last few days we've experienced. As predicted above, Ireland and Bangladesh produced the shocks of the tournament. The real shocking news from all this is the "suspicious death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer. Police have recently revealed that he was infact murdered. RIP Bob. Lets hope those responsible are brought to account swiftly. The incident brings back memories of Escobar the columbian footballer who was shot to death following Columbia's exit from the football world cup back in 1994.

India now have to rely on Bermuda beating Bangladesh, in order to get through. Which i can't see myself.

The England camp has also been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Andrew Flintoff was dropped for 1 game for his part in a drunken incident. Apparently he has been warned about his behaviour before. Former cricketer Ian Botham not surprisingly, thinks the 1 game suspension is an over reaction. The way i see it is that players have a responsibilty, as they are representing their country. England had just lost to New Zealand, and they thought lets drown our sorrows by going out on the lash...

BTW congrats to Ireland for qualifying for the super 8's. They are already joined by the Windies, South Africa, Austrailia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. The remaining 2 places are still up for grabs, as England and Kenya face each other today, and Bangladesh play Bermuda tomorrow.

Today also sees South Africa playing Austrailia, in game which could easily be the final.