India’s final league match of the World Cup Cricket 1999, against England at Edgbaston on Saturday May 29, will be a riveting encounter, crucial not only for India’s qualification into the super six stage, but also for the semi final stage of the prestigious tournament.

Fresh from its rollicking victories over Sri Lanka and Kenya, India can still not afford to rest on its laurels. Not only would a victory against England tomorrow help India ensure its place in the super six, it will also make the task of qualifying for the semi-final stage that much easier.

And, the other match on Saturday, between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Chelmsford, will be watched with equal interest. If Zimbabwe, not the favorites, win that match, they will end up with six match points, equal to England’s present tally of six points.

In that eventuality, India would be required to register a win over England on Saturday to up its present match point tally of four to six. Of course, if India, England and Zimbabwe are all tied at six match points each, India would easily make it to the super six stage on the strength of its superior net run rate. Between England and Zimbabwe, one would then be eliminated, depending on their net run rates.

However, if both India and Zimbabwe were to lose their matches against England and South Africa respectively, an even more interesting situation would be created. Both India and Zimbabwe would be tied at four match points each. Then, the Indian fans would have to pray that Sri Lanka wins its match against Kenya on May 30 to have 4 match points in aggregate and make it a three-way tie between India, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

If it remains a two-way tie between India and Zimbabwe, India would be eliminated and Zimbabwe would go to the super six on the strength of it having defeated India in the India-Zimbabwe match, albeit by just three runs. If it is a three-way tie, the net run rate would come into play and India would stand the best chance of making it to the super six.

Of course, in the event of a three-way tie at four match points between India, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankans will have the advantage of playing the last match against the Kenyans. Ranatunga’s boys will then have the clear target of slaughtering the Kenyan bowling and then bowling out the Kenyans for a low score. If the Sri Lankans can thus improve their net run rate sufficiently, they will still stand a chance of making it to the super six.

So, the Indians must not rest on their oars. Winning this match against England is crucial. More so, because the match points earned at this league stage will be counted for deciding the qualification from the super six stage to the semi-final stage. And, now that India is on a winning streak, no harm in keeping it going.

Thus, if a team like South Africa (from Group A) and Pakistan (from Group B) were win all their four league matches, they would be required to win only one match in the super six stage to qualify for the semi finals.

So, if India defeats England tomorrow, not only will it ensure its entry into the super six, it will also make its task easier at the next stage on way to the semi finals.

We will give live commentary of the match on the IndiaExpress.Com World Cup 99 site.

---