World Cup Snippets

8220;The hype was too much. They have never experienced so much pressure. Ultimately they are human. It is very disappointing that they did not qualify for the semi-finals. I feel they deserved to make it to the last four after beating teams like Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan,8221; Wadekar said here today. 8220;The expectations from the team were too many. Some others made a lot of money.8221;

He also felt India should have reached England earlier than April 24 as they generally take time to acclimatise. 8220;We needed some more time to get used to the cold climate as we are traditionally slow starters and then try to make it up.8221;

Wadekar refused to blame the points system for the team8217;s exit as the management two months in advance about it. 8220;We were aware of it. We should have beenprepared for it though there is scope for improving the points system,8221; he added.

Indian fans in mourning

MUMBAI: India8217;s unceremonious exit has led to a pal of gloom in the city altering completely the joyous mood after the team8217;s convincing victory over Pakistan.

As Pakistan tamed Zimbabwe to register a 148-run victory and shunted out India of the championship, disappointment was writ large among fans and in a number of areas fans decided to hold two-day mourning. Some shopkeepers have decided to down their shutters

Talking to UNI, Osmanbhai, a milk shop owner said that it would be shutters down for him tomorrow and he will also hoist a black flag to show his protest. He blamed the entire team for not not putting much effort and said that there should be a good captain to lead the country.

Another youngster Nadeem from Colaba vowed that he will never watch cricket in his life and will follow the oath till he dies. 8220;I am a great fan of cricket, crazy for it, but the team has reallydisappointed me,8221; he lamented.

Rajan Karnataki, another fan said, 8220;my heart aches for Sachin, whose sacrifice and sense of duty towards the motherland did not gain him the World Cup as a reward.8221;

The failure of India to make it to the semi-finals also drew violent protests from a number of people who said the Indian team members should be stoned on their return for letting down millions of their countrymen.

Warne for three-match final

LONDON: Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has suggested playing a best of three games World Cup final in order to find the top side of the tournament. 8220;Even the greatest side can have an off-day,8221; Warne wrote in The Times. 8220;A three-match series, played on different grounds in varying conditions, gives us all a more even chance to perform.8221;

The World Series Cup played annually in Australia stages the final over three matches.

8220;There is also a way of making one-day cricket in general more attractive,8221; Warne added. 8220;At the moment, two fieldersare allowed outside the circle in the first 15 overs. My idea is for the batting side to be able to call another period of five overs when the same restrictions apply.8221;

8220;The skipper of the batting side can play the joker8217; at any stage of the innings 8212; maybe by sounding a siren around the ground to add a touch of drama.8221;

Saqlain best offie: Akram

LONDON: Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram hailed Saqlain Mushtaq as the best off-spinner of his generation after the 22-year-old grabbed a hat-trick to take his team into the World Cup semi-finals. 8220;I8217;ve been saying he8217;s the best off-spinner ever that I8217;ve seen, and he showed that again today by taking a hat-trick,8221; Akram said after the 148-run victory over Zimbabwe at The Oval on Friday. Saqlain ended the game with the last three wickets, recording only the second hat-trick ever seen in a World Cup match. All three of his victims fell to sliders8217; 8212; a disguised ball which Saqlain drifts from leg to off.

Saqlain, who regards The Oval as his secondhome after playing there with county side Surrey, said: 8220;I am delighted to take a hat-trick in the World Cup. It is great for me, my supporters and Pakistan.8221;