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Journalism of Courage
There’s one battle at the World Cup that’s not getting extensive TV coverage (not even by ex-models in tight miniskirts): the left-handers against the right-handers. The better batting seems to have come from the southpaws, and Vaas’s hat-trick on Friday gives them the edge in the bowling stakes too. The two teams, on form and reputation:
THE LEFTIES
Matthew Hayden: Built as big as the scores he rattles up
Sanath Jayasuriya: Started with a typical hundred. Who’ll bet against more?
Brian Lara: Injured, off form, did you say? Ask the South Africans
Stephen Fleming (Captain): The best in the world, say his peers. Need we say more?
Saurav Ganguly: Okay, we know what you’re thinking but rewind to before the lean trot
Michael Bevan: Will he even get a look-in in this Aussie squad? Can walk into any other team…
Adam Gilchrist: Dangerous anywhere. Just give him a bat
Lance Klusener: Right-arm bowler has a sledgehammer left-hand bat. Almost back to his best
Wasim Akram: Greatest left-arm fast bowler ever. The case rests
Daniel Vettori: The best left-arm spinner around, can bat a bit too
Chaminda Vaas: Hat-trick hero has a knack of blazing spells, best is 8/19
THE RIGHT STUFF
Virender Sehwag: Tendency to go fishing compensated by magnitude of potential
Herschelle Gibbs: Best batsman of his age, and the only fielder who can step into Jonty’s shoes
Jacques Kallis: Quite simply the Jacques of all trades. Any team’s dream
Sachin Tendulkar: The Little Master, plain and simple. End of argument
Ramnaresh Sarwan: Talent slowly tempered with maturity and consistency; two good knocks in the cup so far
Yousuf Youhana: Adapts his great technique to suit the one-day game, at his best in the slog overs
Mark Boucher: Equally good behind the wickets and in front
Shaun Pollock (Captain): Cup opener showed him at his best, has thrived since taking over as skipper in troubled times
Shane Bond: One of the fastest, instant hit for Kiwis with his pace and clean action
Glenn McGrath: Best fast bowler in the world. Speed, accuracy, discipline, aggression. What more could he need?
Muttiah Muralitharan: Best-ever off-spinner, can spin the ball on any track and an asset on the field. Just don’t go by his smile
