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Better than expected

After the first nine days of the tournament, I have to say that the quality of matches has been better than expected, maybe because so many of the top teams are relatively evenly matched making results difficult to predict. Still early in the tournament, but so far Australia, South Africa and Pakistan look a cut above the rest which I suppose points to the fact that in sub-continental conditions the teams with the best bowling will usually be on top in a tournament this long. India have been shockingly poor in the field even by their usually indifferent standards and a semi-final place will need a lot of luck.

The scheduling of the tournament is still the worst part of it though. Why there aren't two matches each day is unfathomable as is the fact that India play South Africa in Nagpur where crowds aren't bothering to turn up whereas Eden Gardens plays host to Ireland v. Netherlands and Kenya v. Zimbabwe, surely the two most anticipated clashes! ;-) Politics is clearly well and alive in Indian cricket scheduling and its a pity that the ICC doesn't come down more heavily on these sorts of goings-on.

So my predictions after the first round of data would be Australia vs. India in one semi and South Africa vs. Pakistan in the other. After that the head and the heart diverge. India vs. Pakistan at the Wankhede on Apr 2nd would be lovely but my feeling is it will be Aus vs. SA with the Proteas to win their first title. I'm sure I'll be eating my words soon but lets see :-)

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