All my recent spare time has been devoured by sports. This led to be no new post in the blog. With Sri Lanka virtually stomping over England in One Day International Cricket & Football in full flow I could be hardly blamed. Pommies has been bashed like they have never being before with Lankans going to the fourth ODI today with unassailable 3-0 lead. Mahela Jayawardena has led the team (which was suppose to be in transition & internal rife) admirably & most importantly led from the front. His magnificent Test century at Lords signaled his intentions which England seems fail to notice. His fabulous century at riverside sealed the ODI series with such emphatic style which left England side in disarray. At the beginning of the tour our team was supposed to be cannon fodder to England team. But now they have routed the injury depleted England side by such big margins the only excuse England have is the injury list. But with such a strong county cricket setup they should have been able to cover those injuries with ease. But it was Sri Lanka who coped with losing their regular captain Marvan Atapattu to injury & strike bowler Muralitharan to family reasons. The future bodes well for Sri Lanka with the only question being who will be the captain after Marvan returns. But right now many wants Mahela Jayawardena to stay as the captain, which I think is right. On the other hand England is clueless about how to cope without their captain Vaughn & talisman Flintoff . To them the future looks quite bleak.
And Brazil has just won 3-0 over Ghana who played quite well except their strikers. It could have been 3-1 or 3-2 easily. Or 2-3 even. Thankfully Ronaldo & co survived to fight another day. Brazil are slowly but steadily are coming to their best & the Ronaldo (whose waist lien attracted so much attention & criticism) looks more & more threatening. Now they will face France in quarter finals which should be a very good match. I think Brazil have more than enough fire power to over come France who stuttered though qualifying & somehow beat Spain. With England Vs Portugal & Germany Vs Argentina matches coming up it is going to be a feast of football. I’m going to stick my head out and say that Brazil, Itlay & Argantina will win their matches while England & Portugal match is too close to call. Will Scolari triumph over Ericcson again? Or will England fine any sort of rhythm to their play & shooting boots for Lampard ? With Deco & Costinha absent from Portugal midfield & Ronaldo doubtful after that horrendous tackle Portugal are up against it. Anyway should be a wonderful round of football for all the fans of the beautiful game.
Links:
Wisden Cricinfo
FIFA Worldcup2006
# posted by Rambler @ 9:46 PM
