Game 1 Aus vs Eng (January 12th)

As the Aussies strolled to their routine opening win, I was more than a little surprised to note the new 'all baggy green' uniform which as replaced the yellow (or 'gold' as the aussies would prefer to think). When the underarm tactic was employed 26 years ago, (apparently) lots of people said yellow was an appropriate colour for Australia to wear. So they've finally decided to wise up? With South Africa, Pakistan and heck even Bangladesh sporting green these days, oneday cricket could turn out to be quite a visual strain. I guess as long as their team is winning the Aussie public couldn't care less. The rest of the world, save for a (few?) several millions of my countrymen, couldn't give a damn either. For my part, I hate change even for change's sake, so this'll have to be my latest whinge. Hopefully it'll stay that way if the Black Caps get their act together on Sunday and Tuesday.

The exit of Kevin Pietersen must have the organisers banging their heads in disgust. Where are the crowd pullers now, especially when England plays New Zealand? I'm ambivalent about this. It means New Zealand may have an easier time of it against England, with the star player gone. On the other hand, they've never played against him before, on the international stage at least, and have missed the chance to sort him out before the World Cup. Remember, England and New Zealand are in the same group. From the organisers' point of view, they'll be hoping either Shane Bond or Andrew Flintoff have a great tournament now, just to keep the spectators interested. Pietersen's injury is a reminder that fourteen (the strength of the kiwi contingent) is not a safe
number of heads for a squad. The kiwis will play at least eight games and you can bet your life there will be a few fitness issues. England haven't made too many sensible calls in selection of late, but they do have a squad of sixteen in place. Even though Bracewell expects a half or fully fit trio Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram and scott Styris to join the squad later, experience should've told him more backup is needed. Crossing my fingers the squad stays injury free and returns to winning ways.