Say what you want about them, they are the best ODI team in cricket. They have been killing all their opponents so far. Even the fancied Saffers were trounced suitably.
They beat opponents and beat them in style. They set Federeresque records in cricket that is possibly only going to be surpassed by them alone. Ponting et al may not be the most loved cricketers, but then why does that matter when you win the way they do you ask? But it does matter. At least it does to cricket.
Respect to these amazing cricketers from Oz. But oh how sweet it feels when someone manages to top them!
It's not that I have anything against the Aussies. I really respect them a lot as a team, but, they don't give their opponents a chance to beat them. And like in business it is competition that keeps a sport thriving as well. When one team dominates all others the sport loses its charm. Somehow cricket is losing its soul. The officials of the BCCI, PCB, and ICC are fast killing the game with their shameless Corporate sponsor butt-kissing shenanigans. And then there's the Aussie team that is killing the will of any fan believing in the game. Sports needs heros to make the game big. True noone is bigger than the game, but the game needs at least a few for the fans to believe in the game.
For all their exploits on the field the Aussies are not a particularly inspiring bunch. They do evoke a lot of respect from all, but somehow the game seems so unwatchable ... even when the Aussies make one of their famous comeback victories. I'm sure that even the Aussie supporters must be sick and tired of seeing their team steamroll their opponents in this manner.
As a team they are on a different level. It seems almost futile to play against them. Not a good day at the office for your team? Count on them getting hammered, pounded, thrashed,
It is not that the Aussies are the most talented, the fittest, the smartest, and nor do they have the most heart of the teams that are out playing cricket today. But somehow they manage to make the most of what they have and just come out fighting and most importantly win.
How much would an Indian fan or Corporate body pay to support a team like the Aussies? I'm sure a lot of people would love to support a team that despite breaking records set by themselves, never seems to lose their appetite for performing. It doesn't matter how many runs they score, how many the opponents score, they are always going out on the field believing that they are capable of beating their opponents.
Perhaps the Aussies should win this WC as well. Just because they are the only team out there that actually deserves it. And yet here I am hoping that for the good of cricket elsewhere among the others there is a team that can stand up to this juggernaut and beat them down.
Fine it would only be for a day as these guys do not take to even losing once kindly, but just for that one day I want someone else to revel in beating the best team in the World.