Dont crucify Sree : Sreenath

Indian veteran pace bowler Sreenath told Indians not to crucify Sreeshant. Sreeshant gave 53 runs in the match against BD.

The dew was very much there and the Indian bowlers could not grip the ball. Because of the dew factor only did Shakib elect to field. The dew factor weighed heavily on Shakib's mind, according to Imran.

It is always better not to crucify anybody. Any player can have a bad day in office.

Sreenath opined that the Indian bowling was always an area of concern and the Indian bowlers did overcome some challenges.

One should know the mental state Sreeshant is in. He was not there in the fifteen and he came in as a replacement for Praveen. He was also not in the eleven and he came as a replacement for Nehra. So he is not fully prepared. His tendency to attack with pace and swing also proved futile.

The ICC's decision to field only ten teams for 2015 WC was proved right by the performance of Kenya and Canada. Both were ousted by professional teams. Pietersen had attacked the longish 2011 WC schedule and Ponting supported the ICC decision.

To protect the Crown, Aussies go to the field against Zimbabwe. Australia were invincible in 03 and 07 and hope to defend the WC title. Match starts at 0230 PM IST.

Indian campaign on a flyer : Sohail

Amir Sohail, ex batsman of Pak, feels that India has started her campaign on a flyer. She has given a great demonstration of her powerful batting strength.

The only way is to restrict the current favourites to 280 odd and then have a go at their bowlers.

Writing in his column for the 'News', the Pak batsman says " "If the teams who are yet to come up against India find a way to restrict their batting to around the 280 mark, I strongly believe they can upset the favourites."

"If you look at the Indian side closely, you will find they need to improve their fielding and on occasions the bowling can be vulnerable on a decent pitch where they could go for runs."

"Virender Sehwag who recently said that he would be looking to bat for the full 50 overs, made his intent clear by playing some exquisite strokes and settled down to gather singles with his partners, before a mix-up with Sachin Tendulkar saw the little master run out by the length of the wicket.

"The loss of his partner did not pressurise Sehwag as he took on the responsibility to produce a workman like effort in all respects, perfectly knowing when to rotate the strike to the younger mates, and hold back and then when to step up the tempo."

Imran on Geo Super channel said that the dew factor has weighed heavily on Shakib's mind as he elected to bowl.

"Basically I think Shakib gambled on the dew factor but his bowlers were unable to bowl with discipline and line and length to restrict India to around 300.

"I think the dew factor will still come into play in this tournament but batting will also become easier as the tournament progresses into the month of March. It is going to be hardwork for the bowlers and they will have to depend heavily on trying to reverse swing the ball." said Imran.

Former Pak wicket keeper Moin Khan said that Sehwag had given a clear warning to the other teams that he intends to bat the entire 50 overs, a warning which can send jitters down the spines of the bowlers.

"The Indian batting looks formidable and teams will have to be very careful working out bowling strategies against them. They should plan out something for Sehwag as he wishes to be there for full 50 overs." said the wicket keeper.

Reverse swing to play vital role !

The Pakis stunned the world with their ability to reverse swing the ball. Waqar and Wasim became deadly with the old ball. Now Umar Gul of Pak, Zaheer of India and Malinga of SL are known to be the experts of this sort of swing.

Allan Donald, the new NZ coach, feels that the reverse swing can make or break a team

Says he "The reverse swing is a massive thing and a huge key for me in this World Cup. That is where (the death overs) games are going to be won and lost."

That the Kiwis have reverse swingers was proved in the second match of the WC, when they shot out Kenya for 69.

Says the Kiwi skipper, Vettori "I think Tim Southee and Jacob Oram are probably the two best guys who have the ability to bowl both... Hopefully with Allan's knowledge, it will improve and we will find some result".

So batsmen, beware !