http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Ricky Ponting to star in ICC World Cup 2011 Game 4
ICC World Cup defending champions, Australia, begin their title defence with a match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 at Motera in Ahmedabad.
The Australian captain is confident of registering a victory against the minnows.
However, this will be the first time in almost a decade that the Kangaroos will go into the mega event without being tipped as the favourites to win the cup.
The Aussies are positive about their assignment, and they know if they manage to win their fourth consecutive title, it will be their biggest triumph.
Interestingly, Zimbabwe has defeated Australia in the 1983 World Cup. They also registered a win against them in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup. So, the team from Africa should take heart from their two global triumphs over the world champions, and should play aggressive cricket in order bring down the mighty Aussies.
Shane Watson
Shane Watson remains a key player for his team, as he is one of the best players these days, particularly in limited overs cricket. It doesn’t matter whether his team is chasing a mammoth target, or looking to score a massive total, while batting first, Watson is always looking to score big runs.
Currently, he has been in supreme touch, amassing 1077 at an impressive average of 41, including an unbeaten 161 against England in a huge 294-run chase.
In addition, he has claimed 28 wickets with his medium pace at an average of 24.
His contribution will be crucial for his team at the top of the order, as he sets a solid platform for the middle order players to build on. Right from the beginning, he would like to dominate the Zimbabwean bowling attack in order to send a warning to the top teams around the world.
Ricky Ponting
The Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, needs no introduction, as he has led the Australian side in two consecutive global triumphs.
Ponting, who missed the entire One Day series against England, has suffered from a broken finger injury. Although, he celebrated his return with two half-centuries in the warm-up games against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 respectively.
His presence and form will be crucial for his team, and if he fires with the bat in crucial matches, Australians will have a tournament to remember.
Brendon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915
Zimbabwe’s best batsman, Brendon Taylor, has been in fine touch, scoring 723 runs at an average of 40. His tally of runs includes two centuries and a best of 145 against South Africa. He is aggressive in nature and plays with a lot of authority, as he has the ability to take on the best in the world.
Taylor shot to prominence against Australia in 2007’s Twenty20 World Cup, where his calculated unbeaten 60 led his team to victory. He will have fond memories of that victory, and would want to produce another significant performance against the world champions.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Elton-Chigumbura-c55937
He certainly is a player to watch out. An aggressive stroke maker, who has the ability to play on both sides of the wicket, Chigumbura can score against the best bowlers in the world.
In the warm-up game, Elton cracked a match-winning 81 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751.
Moreover, he follows it up with gritty medium pace bowling, and has taken 81 scalps at an average of 38. Playing against Australia brings the best out of Chigumbura. In 2004, he hammered 77 against an attack comprising of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.
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