Captains cook heady concoctions

Waugh8217;s tactics to delay his team8217;s victory against the West Indies by deliberate slow batting to help push the Caribbeans into the Super Six, ahead of New Zealand, came in for all-round condemnation.

Neither Cronje nor Waugh was repentant. One was confident the implement he used would soon be the norm rather than the exception. The other justified his tactic and did not rule out a repetition if required in the Super Six stage.

Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin was under fire as his team lost two crucial ties and stood on the verge of elimination. But three wins in a row,including a sensational one against hosts England, have elevated him once again to the status of a true leader.

But Azharuddin, visibly indifferent at the best of times, had to show he meant business with good tactical acumen, defending a modest total against England and goading his men in a way seldom seen on a cricket field.

The English, who invented the gentleman8217;s game now gone unbelievably commercial, once used to take pride in the leadership skills they learnt in the playing fields of Eton and Harrow.

But five matches into the World Cup, skipper Alec Stewart is facing the axe. His ploy to put India in to bat was criticised and the entire set-up in the country is now looking ready for a major reshuffle.

The outspoken Arjuna Ranatunga, hailed a hero when he led his country to World Cup victory in 1996 in the sub-continent, hogged headlines for all the wrong reasons as his ageing side came a cropper at the mega event.

He waved aside predictions that his team might find the going tough and wasmore keen to score debating points with Australian leg-spin wizard Shane Warne. He is vilified back home for his team8217;s ignominious exit from the championship.

West Indian Brian Lara had lifted his ordinary batting side to great victories over Australia at home, but his willow was silent as the twice champs crashed out early once again to plunge Caribbean cricket into uncertainties.

Pakistan8217;s Wasim Akram has installed himself in the inspirational mould of his illustrious predecessor Imran Khan, who led that country to the World Cup in 1992.

Akram8217;s men are yet to sort out batting frailties, but the captain has led from the front as their fearsome bowling has laid everyone low thus far, the reverse against Bangladesh notwithstanding.

New Zealand, considered dangerous floaters coming into the tournament, needed a last gasp blitzkreig against hapless debutants Scotland to clinch their Super Six berth at the expense of the West Indies.

Stephen Fleming8217;s men have done little of note after an upsetfive-wicket win over Australia. But the team has stayed afloat and the captain8217;s own poor batting form, which has put the team on the defence more than once, is yet to be dissected.

But Aminul Islam is the captain enjoying the highest popularity ratings right now, atleast for the millions of Bangladeshis back home after winning a battle within the war.

The debutants pulled off two victories, including a historic upset over Pakistan that set off wild rejoicing back home.

One man stands out in the crowd of harried skippers 8212; Alistair Campbell of Zimbabwe.

The stylish left-hander8217;s unheralded side has stormed into the Super Six with upsets over India and South Africa and looks in genuine contention for a semifinal berth with four points already in the kitty. But it8217;s Henry Olonga, Neil Johnson and Grant Flower who are attracting attention.

Who said captaincy is always a bed of thorns?