Fanfare: Eager fans evenly split (19 June 1999)

19 June 1999

Fanfare: Eager fans evenly split

Philip Spooner

Pakistan or Australia.

That's the question on everyone's mind as the world awaits the final of the seventh World Cup at Lord's tomorrow.

Until the last ball is bowled we will not know the new kings, but one thing is for certain: there will be a new champion.

Defending champs Sri Lanka were bumped out in the first round and it's up to their "Asian cousins", Pakistan, to try to deny Australia a second World Cup triumph.

Pakistan have attracted most affection from Barbadian fans, but there are some who are backing the Aussies to win. Our informal man-in-the-street poll showed an even break.

"Pakistan are playing together, that's why they are doing so well," says Colin Layne.

"Australia depend too heavily on their captain, Steve Waugh - he's really the Australian team.

"Sometimes his brother (Mark) makes a contribution, but he carries most of the weight."

Colin's brother, Keith Layne, however, has a different view.

"I like Australia because they have been fighting consistently over the past five matches or so and they should continue along that vein."

He says Pakistan appear "here and there" and although they are a talented unit, he believes their performance depends on how they turn up on the morning of the game.

The form book leading up to the game shows interesting reading.

Pakistan enter the final on a high with a crushing nine-wicket win over New Zealand in Wednesday's semifinal.

"Things are falling into place," says captain Wasim Akram. "No one can stop us if we carry our form into the final."

They are sure to be backed by their vocal fans who have been a major attraction at their games.

Steve Waugh's men had a tight tie against South Africa on Thursday and advanced to the final due to barely finishing higher than the Proteas in the Super Sixes segment of the competition.

"We are a close-knit side and can overcome any adversity," says Waugh, one of cricket's toughest campaigners.

Charlene Thorpe, a 13-year-old student who follows the World Cup on the Internet, likes Steve Waugh and picks him as her Most Valuable Player.

"I think Steve Waugh is a good player and he is good enough to win the game almost by himself," she says.

"Batting is their main strength, and actually, both teams are good, but I favour the Aussies."

Tavin Sandiford, a shy schoolboy cricketer, also likes the Australians.

"Pakistan have a good team, but the Australians have been improving as the competition goes on," he says.

The youngster's view is not echoed by two more senior observers, however.

Jeffrey Hunte, who has been following international cricket for more than 30 years, backs Pakistan to the end.

"Pakistan have the artillery to deliver the goods on the big day," he says with confidence.

"Wasim and Shoaib (Akhtar) are bowling well and the opener, Saeed (Anwar), is coming into form."

Hunte warns that the Aussies are a "tough, fighting unit who won't give an inch" but he still favours Pakistan because of their natural talent.

Richard Harris is also backing the Asian because he "likes the make up of the team, its all-round ability and the depth."

He thinks the Aussies are a bit fortunate to be in the final, having slipped past South Africa, and will be under pressure to win.

He thinks Akhtar, the 22-year-old pacer who has been clocked at 95 miles per hour, is a major "missile" and is a "great attacking bowler who will get 'licks' but will get you wickets".

If Australia win, it will be their second world title in an unprecedented fourth trip to the final. They won in 1987 under Allan Border when they beat England by seven runs in Calcutta.

They lost in 1975 to the West Indies, and under the captaincy of Mark Taylor, went down by seven wickets to Sri Lanka in 1996.

Pakistan, too, seek their second title, in their second final. Back in 1992, under the inspirational leadership of Imran Khan, they beat England by 22 runs to win the tournament which was staged in Australia and New Zealand.

All the fans agree that the standard of the competition was excellent and the best teams made it through to the final stages, and that the final should be a "block-buster".

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)