Old enemies renew rivalry to kick-start the show
It looked like a lonely place. The veteran guides were roaming with the visiting groups, as though it was just another day, to show the fine points of MCG -- the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. There was not any special buzz; rather the routine work around the venue continued as per schedule.
Unlike Bangladesh's training sessions, where a host of journalists wait on till they get the opportunity to speak to the players, there wasn't much fuss regarding Australia and England's sessions. The press meets ahead of one of the biggest matches of the ICC World Cup were not as crowded as one would anticipate.
The environment did not complement the fact that the game's oldest rivals were about to go neck and neck on the first day of the mega event. But then again this is Friday's story. On Saturday, things are expected to be completely different.
The world will feel the beat of the sports-loving nation today as the big bowl, which will also host the final on March 29, is expected to become a human sea with about 90,000 spectators.
Plenty of predictions have been made, analysts punched in their numbers; the last few months have been dominated with talks regarding the strategies that the different stars would use; and now it's time to put all that in the middle.
Given the intense emotions that come to the fore when these teams meet, it comes as no surprise that the opening attendance has the chance of breaking the previous record. The MCG saw a record crowd last summer as 92,112 piled into the ground on Boxing Day to witness the same opponents take the field. The best-attended match during the 1992 World Cup was the final between England and Pakistan, which drew a crowd of 87,789.
It was a factor also dominated the pre-match press conference yesterday. The Barmy Army will no doubt be in the stands to cheer the English cricketers, but James Anderson still expects his side to receive a wild welcome in the stadium today; a prospect which got Australia skipper George Bailey excited.
"I certainly feel like we've been ready cricket-wise for a long time. So I think it's just the anticipation and excitement. Obviously there has been a lot of talk about a big crowd, big tournament, and a big clash to kick it off. The boys are just very, very excited about," was what Bailey said when asked as to how it would feel to play in front of 90,000 people.
As a pre-tournament favourite Australia will want to begin the tournament on a winning note and the record speaks in favour of them as well. England, on the other hand, will go into the tournament having won only two of their past 15 matches in Australia.
England on the other hand will look to gain confidence from their past results against the hosts. They beat them 4-0 in an ODI series at home in 2012 and also won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia in 2010-11 and 3-0 in 2013.
Bad blood always boils whenever these two teams meet and players are intimidated from various sides. Bailey had to encounter a few uncomfortable questions with regards to that; an issue though which he handled brilliantly.
"No," he said when he was asked if he had seen the posters of the inner city and a banner which said "Missing! a pair of … if found, return to the English cricket team."
"Very witty, isn't it? Who's come up with that? Hungry Jacks or something? Very good," Bailey responded. The stage is set for a flying start to the tournament in Melbourne. As a result many would hope that the rain Gods go easy on the match and not spoil the party like it did yesterday.
Though today's forecast is good, Melbourne's weather is quite unpredictable, much like a cricket match.
5 Facts
- Australia have won 13 of their last 15 ODIs against England played in Australia
- Australia have lost their last two World Cup matches, after winning 32 of their preceding 33 (one tie). They have not lost three consecutive World Cup games since 1979 (last two games of 1975 tournament and first of 1979)
- A win for England on Saturday would be their 50th in ODIs against Australia. They have lost 76 and tied two so far
- Australia have won nine of their last 11 ODIs at Melbourne. England have lost eight of their last 11 against Australia at the venue
- Brad Haddin needs four runs to become the 18th player to score 3,000 ODI runs for Australia
Today’s MatchES
New Zealand v Sri Lanka
Time: 4:00am
Venue: Christchurch
Australia v England
Time: 9:30am
Venue: Melbourne
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