The most unpredictable team, and Aussie's Champions trophy blues....

ICC Champions Trophy 2006
Australia vs West Indies

When I came back home from University, I logged into www.cricinfo.com, expecting the match between Australia and the West Indies to be already over, with Australia winning by a large margin. But it wasn't to be. Jerome Taylor had just bowled Mike Hussey, and I was surprised that the match was going to be this close.

Two more wickets for Taylor followed in consecutive balls, and it all seemed like a dream. Once again Australia lost a game in the Champions Trophy, and the West Indies, out of all teams, were the winners. A fantastic win, and the Champions Trophy is getting more and more interesting with thrilling games and unexpected victories.

Turning point:
Hussey's wicket. That was a rash shot he played, but Taylor bowled it in the right place and that started the hat-trick. Hussey is known to be a world-class finisher. Getting him out meant that the game was more in favor for the West Indians.

My Man of the Match:
I really thought that Taylor should have walked away with the Man of the Match award, for his hat-trick really stole the game away from the Australians. They had lost wickets regularly at the start, but the partnership between Gilchrist and Clarke seemed to put Australia back on track. Then it looked like Australia were going to go home comfortably, with Hussey to come in soon. But then, the hat-trick changed it all. True that Morton's innings was priceless, and his partnership with Lara ensured that a respectable total was put up, but the hat-trick just changed the course of the game in a flash and its a rare feat to achieve as well. Plus, Taylor had also taken Ponting which is one of the most valuable wicket anyone could get in cricket, I would say. Nonetheless, hats off to Morton, who put up a terrific show.

My final say:
Australia's nightmare in the Champions Trophy continues. Before the tournament, everyone thought that Australia and India were going to go to the Semis without a problem. Now, everyone's chances are equally possible. England are hoping that this is a sign that they can still keep the Ashes, and everyone is becoming more and more impatient to see the game between the Aussies and the Indians.

Plus, this shows that the title of the most unpredictable team goes to the West Indies. One day, they collapse for 80. Another day, on the same ground, they beat the World Champions. You can't get more unpredictable, if not only inconsistent.

Hats off to the Windies. Hope that they continue to surprise more opponents. The tournament has just started.