War of the Words: Sunny Vs Ponting

In the heat of the world cup, there is a small word tussle going on between ex India's Captain Sunny and current Australian captain Ponting. Personalities have always been a part and parcel of the game of the cricket especially in the recent times. All along Australians have been criticized for mouthing words on the field. They have always been aggressive on the field and not just in the way they play, but also the way they behave when not part of on the field action (politically correct way to criticize;).

As of now Australians are at their most vulnerable in last 3-4 years. I should point out that they are still my favorite to win the cup. Their recent losses have been after a long season (CB Cup) and a depleted team with a in-experienced captain (in NZ). With the way they have been behaving last few years, I was expecting more teams to take a shot at them while they are down. I was expecting South Africa to take the first shot and then may be New Zealand and England follow the suit.

In 1999, World Cup Australia used choking against SA and even during the last trip to SA there were mouth attacks by Warne and Company. This was a time to give it back to them and rub it in for SA, but I guess SA would rather reply by their action on field.

So, I was not very surprised by attack on the Australian team. I was more surprised that Sunny was the person who attacked. It was a perfect shot, just the way Sunny played his cricket. Measured, poking at the weakness and defense ready so that you don't give the other team chance to knock you down. So, what do I mean by that.

Well he mentioned an opinion, but the way he said it, it felt like a fact. He didn't get personal and pointed to specific players. He acknowledged that they are and have been the best team and compared them to the well known and the most loved dominating force in the cricket world - West Indies of the 70's. It was a perfect strategy to poke the opponent. Something equivalent to Spartans choosing the battle ground to sustain maximum loss to opponent. As an unbiased opinion, the attack was not correctly targeted. The two key sledgers Warne and Lee are not in this team. Trademark Sunny (First Test Result: Sunny 1- Ponting 0) to him. Now the ball is in Ponting's court