It's The Thrill Of The Chase That Keeps On Delivering

Derek Pringle believes the even battle between bat and ball is what has made this World Cup so gripping, rather than 50-over slog fests

Four weeks into this WorldCup and the public jury still appears to be out as to whether this tournament has fired the public imagination. For me, though, it has been excellent... so far.

As one who believes cricket needs a balance between bat and ball in order to have meaning and internal tension, the sight of bat not overwhelming ball, and scores not heading north of 400, has been not only a relief that bowlers are still relevant, but it has also made for some great contests.

Indeed, a pattern has emerged, and it is that teams – at least the most successful ones – have gone back to playing old-school, one-day cricket.

By which I mean they are not obsessed about biffing six to eight runs an over in the first 10 overs, and instead are more intent on preserving wickets for an acceleration in the second half of their innings.

The reason for the shift has been partly due to the extra pressure tournament play with a knockout stage brings on players.

But mostly it has been due to the variety in pitches and weather, both of which have traditionally brought an extra dimension to bear in cricket that it doesn’t in most other sports.

Pitches, prepared by the venue’s groundsman with the merest directive from the International Cricket Council that they be dry with a modest covering of grass.

More important to ICC is that boundaries have been at least 70 yards and while the odd corner of some grounds might have been a little under, it has meant, for the most part, that miscued big shots have tended to bring wickets rather than sixes. Which is how it should be.