JOHANNESBURG, Feb 17: Australia, odds-on favourites to become the second nation to win back-to-back World Cups, are still unsure of playing in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe as done by England.
Mixed reports have surfaced here during the last couple of days. One day it was claimed that Aussies are certain to fulfil their commitment in Zimbabwe but doubts were raised the next day especially after Ricky Ponting’s men demolished India and Pakistan to make certain of a place in Super Six stage.
Though no official news has come out from the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) on the issue but rumours abound here that the Aussies would not go to Zimbabwe to express solidarity with England and New Zealand.
Later on Sunday the news was floated in the Kimberley press box that Australia will definitely play against Zimbabwe and will charter a special flight and fly into Bulawayo on the eve of the match and fly out no sooner than the match finished.
If the Australians do decide to follow their English cousins and fail to turn up for the game against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo it could mean an early exit for India or Pakistan as Heath Streak’s team will certainly advance into the next round courtesy “eight bonus points” leaving just one place for Pakistan, India and England to fight for.
However, World Cup organisers firmly believe that the Australians will not adopt the same course as England and New Zealand, who opted out of their match against Kenya in Nairobi, due to the fact the game’s ruling body is led by an Australian.
Chief organiser of the World Cup, Dr Ali Bacher, was however not unduly worried whether the teams fulfil their commitments or not as he made it clear that the show will go on irrespective of what the competing teams decide.
“World Cup is much bigger than a competing nation. It will go on irrespective of whatever one decides. International Cricket Council (ICC) is the game’s ruling body and their decision on any issue is binding,” he told Dawn.
A negative decision on the issue by the Aussies will not go down well with other cricket playing nations particularly with the Asian and Africans who have been quite vocal for stern action to be taken against England and New Zealand.
Nothing can be taken for granted in this World Cup which has been full of surprises and controversies even before the competition started. And one thing is for sure that there are likely to be more controversies cropping up in coming days in this billion dollar sporting extravaganza.