Minnow words

'Minnow' is a term used to refer to small fish. In sport, it also refers to small/underdog teams who're competing with established giants.

At this World Cup, although Geoff had England in his list of ODI 'minnows', the minnow teams are (in alphabetical order): Bangladesh (despite wins against Sri Lanka, Australia and India in the last 2.5 years), Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe.

Ergo, half of the teams in this World Cup count as minnows. Australia's thrashing of Scotland and Sri Lanka doing the same to Bermuda will undoubtedly get people asking the ICC more questions about why these countries are playing at the World Cup. Like Stuart pointed out, a close game between the minnow was realistically the only way there could be some interest in a game, say between Ireland and Zimbabwe.

This discussion on minnow teams is interesting and it comes at a time when Tasmania, who topped the points table in this season's Pura Cup, find themselves in the Pura Cup final, against New South Wales, starting next week.

If Australia's cricket administrators had stuck to their stand and not included Tasmania in the domestic competition at all, or had included it say in the 1990s rather than in 1977/78, we may not have seen the emergence of the likes of David Boon or boring run-machine Ricky Ponting.

Ponting ought to realize that Tasmania was a minnow too. He spoke out against minnow teams for this World Cup and also during the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. To be fair to him, he does have a point. The ICC gives these teams a series of big games once in a couple of years (at the ICC Champions Trophy and at the World Cup). There's no doubt that these minnow teams feel hopelessly out of depth in such events. The better way to get these teams to improve their standards are to first make them play more games with each other (which the ICC is doing) and to have them play against at least one major team on an annual basis, so that by the time they get to a major ICC tournament, they've played against at least some of the major teams at least once.

In other minnow news, there seems to be dissent in the English ranks. When England were 4-0 down against India last year, Hoggard commented that he'd rather take a 5-fer in an Ashes win than a 5-fer in a World Cup win. Of course, they were his views. Michael Vaughan though seemed to offer a different take now that the Ashes were lost 5-0. He said

I guess winning the tournament, with the relative inexperience of our bowling attack and where we've been in one-day cricket recently, would be a bigger achievement than winning the Ashes.

The general rule of thumb, by the way, is that England always have an inexperienced bowling attack. Find me one series in the last couple of years where England's captain/coach haven't been quoted as saying their bowling was inexperienced. I'm fairly sure they said it before the 2005 Ashes too.

Back to what Vaughan said though. He's obviously saying that he'd be happier with winning a World Cup (with this team) than the Ashes.

Labels: 2007 world cup, australia, bangladesh, bermuda, canada, england, holland, kenya, minnows, netherlands, ponting, scotland, tasmania, vaughan, world cup, zimbabwe

Thus spake Jagadish @ 10:02 am | Sledge/Read 1 sledge(s)
Did you like the post? [ Subscribe to the blog feed - | | Tweet ]

It's a Tie!



In Jamiaca, Irish cricket came of age on the world stage today as Ireland snatched a thrilling tie from Test nation Zimbabwe. In front of rowdy supporters, some of whom dressed as Leprechauns and danced in a congo line as Zimbabwean wickets fell, the Irish lived up to their billing as a "minnow" to watch.

Jeremy Bray carried his bat for a masterful 115n.o that was the backbone of Ireland's 221/9. In reply Zimbabwe looked set for victory at 203/5 in the 44th over before a late clatter of wickets did them in. It was clear, however that the Irish players did not give up, and they fought their way back into the match. With each Zimbabwe wicket, the Irish crowd grew more energetic.

Zimbabwe entered the last over needing 9 to win with only 1 wicket in hand. Stuart Matsikenyeri, who top scored with 73n.o. and number 11 Ed Rainsford got 7 off the first 5 balls leding up to the climatic final delivery. Instead of trying to get a single, Matsikenyeri heaved a mighty blow, missed the ball, and stayed planted at his crease, while Rainsford ran down the pitch and was run out, leaving the scores level. It was the third tie in World Cup history and the result means that a loss by Pakistan against either of these teams will mean that the Pakistanis will be going home.


Big Dwayne Leverock

In Trinidad, Bermuda, despite their mauling today, losing by 243 runs, are becoming fan favourites. Leading the way for them is Dwayne Leverock, the policeman who weighs about 120kg (265 pounds) and it's not all muscle. Despite his girth, he proved to be quite nimble in the field and gave a jig when he took a wicket. The Bermudians took 3 outstanding catches, but dropped too many routine ones as Sri Lanka piled up 321/6. Lasith Malinga with his beach blonde locks, was impressive as he peppered the Bermudians with his 90+ mph deliveries. He wasn't quite as fast as Shaun Tait yesterday who got over 92 mph while Malinga topped out at about 91 mph. Malinga demolished the Bermudian top half with 3/10 as the Bermudians folded for 78.

Incidentally, this match replaces Australia's demolishing of Scotland yesterday as the second largest margin of defeat in a World Cup. Maybe those critics of the minnows being in the World Cup had a point.

Tomorrow will see a big match in St Lucia as New Zealand will battle England, while South Africa will play the Netherlands in St. Kitts.

(Croos Posted from Rain, No Play)

Labels: 2007 world cup, bermuda, ireland, sri lanka, world cup, zimbabwe

Thus spake Sean @ 7:34 am | Sledge/Read 0 sledge(s)
Did you like the post? [ Subscribe to the blog feed - | | Tweet ]