Cricinfo - Looking ahead to the semi finals (14 June 1999)

The Super Six games had a bit of everything on show: ability, effort, achievement, enterprise and downright good luck! That Australia, India, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and South Africa all qualified for the Super Sixes, was due, maybe, to a few other factors thrown in too. Whatever the reason, they all got there and that was the main objective. They also provided some moments of great cricket.

I was very fortunate to commentate, either on television for BBC, or radio for BBC Radio/World Service/Internet, on six of the nine Super Six games, and also on ten other games in the preliminary rounds. I covered another few for print. While it was a great strain on my recuperative powers, organisational and especially driving skills and patience, I managed well because the cricket was there to be enjoyed and appreciated. It was a wonderful experience. Life is good, so play hard!

From June 04 to June 13 alone, I may have travelled 2000 miles on all of the motorways of England, being in another city almost every other day. This is not to mention the preliminary rounds of the World Cup, which may have also allowed for another 1500 miles. I probably know every make of car and truck now and every bump in the roads of the motorways too.

In the Super Six rounds alone, I drove from London (Australia v India - The Oval) to Leeds, (New Zealand v Zimbabwe) about three and a half hours, or 300 miles; then back from Leeds to London (cricket meeting); back again to Manchester (India v Pakistan), about two hours and 200 miles, then back to London (Australia v Zimbabwe - Lords), then to Edgbaston, Birmingham (South Africa v New Zealand) about one and a half hours and about 150 miles; then back to London (Pakistan v Zimbabwe - the Oval) then finally back to Leeds for South Africa v Australia. It was totally exhilarating!!

All of these journeys were completed by car, like every other sports journalist. Many people might think that sports journalism is an easy job and full of flash. That is not entirely true. There are severe set-backs sometimes, but one has to endure and enjoy.

Now we come to the semi-finals and eventual finalists. Remember that I had forecast, even before the competition had started, that there would be a South Africa v Pakistan final. I had also suggested that the semi-finalists would be South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and India. If this was an aviation examination, I would have passed, just, since three out of four means 75% success. The normal pass mark in aviation related examinations is 70%.

Pakistan v South Africa in the final is still very possible, but New Zealand and especially Australia will, not may, have something to do with it.

Australia are now on a roll, having won the last five games they have played, including that drubbing of the West Indies when it mattered most. Indeed, they have not lost since May 23 when they lost by 10 runs in that thriller against Pakistan at Leeds in a game which produced 540 runs in 100 overs. Australia are like an aircraft carrier. Once it is in motion, and at full tilt, it takes about twenty miles, sometimes more, for the ship to stop. Australia are at full tilt now, pedal to the metal, so look out, as there is no stopping them now. They are now a good bet to win the whole thing with their attitude.

Pakistan has the flair everyone knows and loves. They can produce the totally enthralling experience of orgasmic cricket, allowing for all sorts of juices to flow with the pleasure of seeing cricket played with class, finesse, charisma and uncanny natural ability. However, the down side of Pakistan's team we also know. They can be a great big dud, an unexploded bomb, dangerous but inactive, when it suits them. We will see which team turns up for the semi-final against New Zealand at Old Trafford.

New Zealand themselves are something of an enigma. They are the quiet achievers, with little fanfare, but highly efficient. No team in the entire competition has been as good as New Zealand at using the obviously limited talent it has as efficiently and effectively as New Zealand. New Zealand know that they are not one of the fancied teams, so it does not really matter to most outsiders how they perform. Yet, to all of the team's players, it does matter. Pride of performance is everything in professional sport. New Zealand is the "dark horse," so to speak.

South Africa are smarting after their loss to Australia in the Super Sixes. Hanse Cronje is not his normal studied but approachable self. He is more angry than most of his team-mates and will seeking revenge in the semi-final against Australia at Birmingham. The great veil of invincibility fell away badly for South Africa against Australia. Catches they would normally take were easily grassed or not attempted at all. The overall confidence they had at the start of this competition has been dented a bit, but they are nothing if not tenacious. I will never count out South Africa's great ability to work hard, mechanically even, to succeed.

So, when it comes down to it, I will suggest that Pakistan will beat New Zealand, but I am not altogether sure on the Australia v South Africa semi-final. It might just come down to venue, as Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and their coach, Bob Woolmer, have both had some great times at Edgbaston. The Australians, though, have shown that they have great fighting qualities. They are also learning, slowly, how to win.

So, here is my final suggestion. Put some money on both Australia and South Africa to get through to play Pakistan in the final. There is a point in all this. I do not normally bet, as it is difficult to choose here. It would be great to watch and do commentary on, though. Whatever you do, enjoy the cricket!

Looking ahead to the semi finals (14 June 1999)

The Super Six games had a bit of everything on show: ability, effort, achievement, enterprise and downright good luck