The warm up matches for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 have begun and with this the wait among the cricket fanatics for the much awaited magnum opus is over. Though the event formally starts only on February 14, but the cricket enthusiasts would have already been glued to the TV sets today (of course whoever had the opportunity to visit the Adelaide Oval would have gone to be part of this event). I am pretty sure that this year February 14 would have already lost the importance that it had enjoyed all these years.
It must have been a tad disappointing for the Indian fans to witness another India-Australia encounter. Even Indian team would have preferred another opponent, just for the sake of change. Since ICC is already aware of the tours, I feel they should not have planned an India-Australia match for a warm-up.
Personally for me, it was refreshing to see the Aussies back in bright yellow dress. Somehow I like them in this dress than the green one that they wear. As far as Indian apparel is concerned, it looks definitely suave. This time the broadcasters have added some new graphics and data to their repertoire for the viewers. There is something called "heat map" which describes where the bowler is pitching. They have a progress bar at the bottom to indicate at what stage the match is currently with respect to the complete quota of overs (somewhat similar to the video progress bar). The graphics that displays the batsmen's score and bowler's figure now displays their picture as well. For a batsman, some data analysis like how much % of balls he middled, left alone, he was in control of, etc. and for a bowler % dot balls, etc. provides interesting info for the viewer to deal with. I also learnt that there is some special device that the commentators are using this time compared to the usual stuff. There is no DRS in the warm-up games but it is still an integral part of this world cup and will come to use in the main event. However only Real-time Snicko and Hawkeye ball-tracking will be used, while Hot Spot will not find a place in DRS.
Now coming to the match, the result was no different from what we have been watching for the past 3.5 months between the two teams. Australia won the toss and elected to bat. Warner and Finch started the innings in the best manner they know. However it was surprising to see Stuart Binny open the innings for India with the new ball when we had both Umesh and Shami in the team. It being a warm-up game, with Indian bowling unit still unsettled (remember Ishant is also out now), I understand that the think-tank is compelled to experiment.
Most of the early discussion in the commentary box when Warner was batting revolved around the "ridiculous" size of his bat. Glenn Maxwell was at his explosive best today, carrying on from where he left in the finals of the tri-series. Had he carried on without retiring, India would have been chasing some 400+ score, not that it would have made any difference to India. George Bailey would have been happy to have a decent score, considering he averaged only 17 in his last 10 innings before this. But his strike rate did not impress. May be he strengthens the possibility of making way for Michael Clarke when he returns. It is learnt that he may play the next warm-up game, which is ahead of the schedule of his recovery time from injury. He did the same in Test series, so anyone can make a guess on what would happen if things go wrong. Australia would definitely be concerned about Shane Watson, not the kind of all-rounder that they would need with his current form. Steven Smith's exaggerated movement outside the off stump is something he has to think about and even the opponents. Australia definitely has a well oiled pace attack, the only worry being who will make it to the playing eleven.
Rohit disappoints again. After some experiment in the tri-series, Virat is back to one down. Shikhar continues from where he left in the last match. That is comforting. Ajinkya continues his good form but he has to learn soon that he has to be a finisher. It will be good for him and team both. Making some 50+ scores is not enough, especially at the top order (his average is just 30). Most disappointing in Indian batting was that the all-rounders (Ravindra, Stuart and Axar) in the team, had 18 overs to play and none was up to the task. India's bowling is still the biggest concern, posing more questions than answers.
I finish this with the mention of the fielding efforts, an important element in the limited overs. David Warner's brilliant fielding ended Suresh Raina's not so sure innings whereas Mitchell Starc with a single and stretched hand plucked the ball from air to reduce MS's innings to 1 ball. Amidst these brilliant efforts on the field from Aussies, in one instance, Indian batsmen were able to run 4 runs.
This was about day one. Australia seems sorted, India still not looking like a defending champion.
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