'Passion of Indo-Pak tie understandable'

Indian team revolves around Ganguly, Pakistan bowlers will have to remove him quickly to put them on the back foot, writes, Bob Woolmer.

THE AUSTRALIAN'S comprehensive defeat of New Zealand who have had an outstanding one day year, only served to remind everyone just how tough the Australians are and how determined they are to win the one major ICC trophy that has eluded them. It also heralded the fact that this round of games is an effective quarter-final and the team that "hits the ground running" will make it through to the semi-final.

Interestingly, after a brilliant start to the ICC Champions Trophy, with temperature at 28 degrees and sunny and warm weather, the temperature is just reaching 17 degrees which is significantly cooler. The prevailing wind, the south westerly, has changed to a north westerly. Why is this interesting? Well simply because the ball stops swinging and the pitches will start getting colder and damper helping both seam and spin as the ball will grip. The toss will be important as bowling first will be advantageous and sides batting first will have to work hard to set a competitive total.

It certainly will test the character of all the teams. As I write England who I think will be very dangerous because they know these conditions take on Sri Lanka. We are all aware that Sri Lanka are in prime form however their performance against Zimbabwe was below par. These two teams will battle it out for the dubious honour of playing Australia!

HT Image