Date: 20/3/2007
Author: Ian Pont
It would seriously good to get some sort of perspective on this 'super group' A that includes SA and Australia. Yes, the Dutch team are disappointed with their efforts. Yes, losing by more than 200 runs is not what was planned for. But, and this is a massive BUT, the SA and Australian batting line ups are quite awesome. This is also the smallest ground in the West Indies (Ponting said it was too small for ODI's) and the pitch is the best batting track. Poor Edgar Schiferli, who is our most dangerous bowler, then tweaks his hamstring and we lose 50% of our opening attack. That's tough when a small country isn't overly blessed with pace bowlers.
Look around some of the other groups: iffy pitches, large boundaries and lesser teams to play against. The NL squad has been amazingly unlucky (or lucky) to face world number one and world number two within three days. Both opponents out to batter all opposition and finish in top spot on run rates.
We have the third youngest squad at the World Cup and it's very likely half a dozen older players may be unavailable after this World Cup is over. So we have some valuable experience being developed here - even if we are not running the best teams in the world even close. Did anyone expect us to seriously do that? Let's cut the guys some slack.
Our ground fielding overall has been world class! Not much to chose between many of the Test teams and us.
The question is can we learn from being outclassed and outplayed by teams that spend multi-millions on their full time cricketers, pay them millions and have the best facilities in the world to practice on?
So please, let's get some perspective. Teams far better than the NL team have been smashed by SA and Australia. It would be simply ridiculous to expect the Dutch to make an impact. Having said that, players' pride drives the team to keep going and wave the Dutch flag. The youngsters playing now will be all the better for it. Anyone who watched Mark Jonkman bowling at Gilchrist and Hayden with decent respect from them, will acknowledge progress is being made. it's just not fair to judge that progress against giants of the game at the top of their sport at the Cricket World Cup.
Ask yourself what you serious expect given the limitations.... Our big match is against Scotland who also don't wish to leave without any points from this world cup. It should be a good match. Pity Edgar Schiferli is missing...
I'll post this again, since it was on the last post of the page :/
