The cricket world has waited more than 1400 days. When Sri Lanka and New Zealand open the World Cup it will be 1413 days since MS Dhoni blasted a six on the second last over against Sri Lanka to win the 2011 World Cup for India.
That amount of time only serves to heighten our sense of expectation and desire for the sport’s showcase event.
After a very highly praised tournament in India, one should expect a similar case if not better from the upcoming cup, so here are five reasons why the 2015 World Cup will be the best ever.
1. Australia and New Zealand do it right
Excellent stadiums, passionate supporters, efficient organisation and so much more. Australia has a knack of hosting world-class tournaments and with the current form the Kiwi and Aussie national teams are currently in, combined with the thrill and spectacle associated with the World Cup, expect the supporters to come in masses.
2. A very open World Cup
The favourites for this year’s edition would have to be Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, although I wouldn’t rule out India, Sri Lanka and England to make a strong showing. What will be truly interesting is how some of the smaller nations such as Ireland, Scotland and debutants Afghanistan (who were predicted to be champions by a robot in New Zealand) fair. Expect a few upsets in this year’s edition; remember Ireland versus England in 2011?
3. Young stars
This is the perfect stage for a number of cricket’s rising or already established young talents to truly announce themselves to the world. Aussies Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazlewood are all poised for a big tournament while abroad talents Joe Root, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kane Williamson and Quinton de Kock are all ready to create a major impact on the world stage.
4. Veterans
This may well be the last World Cup for many of cricket’s finest talents. Players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, Michael Clarke, MS Dhoni, Daniel Vettori, Younis Khan, Sahid Afridi, Dale Steyn and Mahela Jayawardene are all poised for perhaps their final tournament. So enjoy watching them light up the world for one last time.
5. Records will be broken
One just needs to view AB de Villiers’ amazing 31-ball century to know there will be more of that to come in this year’s edition. With bat sizes increasing, boundaries decreasing and run rates rising, expect more amazing innings to come. Although don’t ignore the many sensational bowling spells that will be conjured in this World Cup edition.
Liam Rickard
Roar Rookie
Sure thing Pat
Pat Malone
Guest
Wake me up in 35 days when we get to the business end
Johnno
Guest
Batathon no thanks, 92 was the best as that was ODI cricket at it's best an even contest between bat and ball. The sweet spot of the bats are so good these days. I want the days of ODI cricket where you would be in with a good chance to win even if you only brought up 160. The younger generation clearly don't find scores of 150 in an innings attractive. I liked totals like that, or batting under lights chasing 200 being a real challenge a 50/50 game. In the old days at the MCG getting 180 batting first, you would back yourself bowling under lights defending 180 on a big MCG ground. Not anymore, but maybe the younger generation find 300 as a regular score fun to watch I find it boring. I have no problem with ODI cricket going back to the old days of the 70's and 80's, and 90's, where getting a 6 was a novelty and getting too 200 you really had to work. I have no problem with run rates only being 3 an over e.g. scored of 150-180 in an innings. I like a lot of defence, and good defensive bowling, a preserving your wicket, and a 6 a novelty. Those days seem over, lots of runs are boring, low totals and lots of wickets are mor fun to me, but Gen-Y don't think so, they have a different view on cricket lots of runs. I like the Geoff Marsh grafters of ODI cricket and Kepler Wessels, those days seem gone sadly. 92 world cup was the best balance ODI at it's best, even contest between bat and ball.