thE impaCT oF thE veterRanS

aT the time of this writing most of the tEams are reachinG the caRRibeaN for the caRniVal of cRikKEt due in 2 weeks!

moSt of the teams at this woRld cUP have a few players who would be playinG their lasT woRld cUP. Let us talk about the veteRanS and their impaCT in this tournament.

The teams from the sub-continent (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) have a few players who would want to leave their mark in most probably their last world cup appearance. The famous FOUR from India -> Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Kumble in all probability might be playing their last world cUP. It might be argued that Tendulkar and Dravid might make it to the next world cUP but it is 4yeaRs away and any discussions about that may not be valid at this juncture! Watch out for some sizzling performances from these wounded Tigers from India! Sri Lanka as well have players like Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Vaas and Attapattu who would want to make it a point in their last world cUP appearance. Jayasuriya and Murali have the earlier experience of winning the cUP in '96 and that would mean a lot in crunCH situations @ this cUP! On any day they can be 4Some to any oppostion! Pakistan on the other hand have players like and Inzamam, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoiab Aktar(if he'z cleared and fit to play now!) who would be playing their last world cup. Watch oUT for these old war-horses!

Teams from the Australian sub-continent have a lot of players who may be playing their last world cUP. The New zealanders are an under-rated team at the world cUP always just because of the number of all rounders in the team! Fleming and Bond are definitely playing their last world cUP with Mc Millan and Styris might have a long shot to make it to the next world cUP. So the under-rated team would want to make a definite impaCT! Watch out for the fiery Bond and the ever-determined leader Fleming! The situation from their trans-talisman neighbors, the Australians is worse with players Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mc Grath, Symonds, Hayden and Hussey being on the wrong side of the 30s. It might be argued that Hussey, Ponting and Symonds may stretch it out until the next world cUP but is not worth discussing now! Watch out for the wading and the hungry kangaroos!

This leaves us with the English, the African and the American nations. The English leader Michael Vaughn with the history of his injuries and age catching up would be playing his last world cUP. It might be also argued that Collingwood who'z already 30 might be a doubtful starter for the next world cUP with the amount of all-round responsibilities he'z shouldering now a days! It definitely takes a lot of toll on the body! Watch out for the shrewd leader Vaughn who might still have a trick or two left in his hat! The West Indies which is a part of the American nations have one player Brian Charles Lara who is definitely playing his last world cUP. Chanderpaul who'z already in his 30s might be also playing his last world cUP. These guyz might definitley want to re-write the history books with a host nation winning the title! Watch out for these Lions in their own den!

Now coming to the African nation, South Africa has players like Pollock, Gibbs, Boucher and Kallis definitely playing their last world cUP. These guyz have a point or two to prove that South Africa are no longer chokers when it comes to cruCH games and major tournaments! Watch out for these methodical determined lot!

Starting March 1st watch out for a new story evryday unTiL the D-DAY....the start of the inaugural match at the cUP!