Hayden guarded about WC favourite

In Chennai, M Hayden was guarded when asked who the favourite is during WC 2011.

He was promoting his book Standing My Ground in Chennai yesterday. Talking to media he said " It will be a near thing between India, Lanka and Australia. It would be hard to pick one team over another. S A and England come next"

Hayden said that his Chennai mate Dhoni headed a team with the right blend of youth and experience. " India has some very promising young cricketers. She also has the legendary Sachin on whom the cricketing gods are smiling".

"In Dhoni, India has a captain who is calm and unruffled, when even condtions are chaotic. He has the ability to bring the team together, which is the hallmark of a good leader. I enjoyed playing under Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings".

Musing on Ricky Ponting's struggle for runs in the Ashes, he said " He has had a rough couple of months. But he is a gifted batsman and a warrior. He will fight back in the World Cup".

When asked why Australia has not found a good replacement for him, the ex hitter said" Shane Watson is doing a good job as an opener. He is growing in confidence all the time".

Hayden called Chennai the City of Destiny. He said he was proud that he was a member of a franchise that he respected in the IPL. "It has been a honour playing for the CSK at a venue, Chepauk, that I love. It is a memory which I will cherish".

The IPL brought players from different countries together. About Bajji, he said "Even though he had a stormy relationship with the ace spinner, one of the highlights of the IPL was me and Bajji chatting for a long time in a corner of the dressing room, exchanging ideas and thoughts".

The initial match India has got - on Feb 19 - causes jitters in one's spine. In WC 2007, India exited ingloriously, losing to Bangladesh and then losing to many. The first loss was to Bangladesh. So the initial match gives one the chills. Then India was under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, who was running a bad phase astrologically, the period of the 8th lord. Dravid's astrological bad luck continued as he was dropped from ODIs and is not even considered now for the WC !

Cricket is defined as a game of chance by Bradman. All shots are risky and the game is fraught with vicissitudes. Fortunes normally fluctuate in ODIs and T20s. One ounce of luck is worth tons of talent. Only the combinaton of luck and merit can bring home the bacon !