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The ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup
pompeynic
Member Posts: 2,834
in Poker Chat
Before everyone starts shouting “ this is a poker forum “, I post this here to see if anybody else is looking forward to this and to start a thread so people can contribute there own thoughts. The lack of a general sports thread makes me wonder if people are interested, so please feel free to move somewhere else if you want to.
Ten teams, all playing each other once, leading to the top four playing in semifinals for the right to play the final and become World Champions. I like this format, rather than two different groups only playing the teams in that group. It should allow the best four teams, who are consistent, to reach the Semifinals. It also allows for the “ off day” everyone has from time to time and the wonderful British weather claiming the odd result. So who do we all think will make the semifinals, finals and more importantly, who will win it?
I think England and India are certain to be there. They have the two best batting lineups, both are better than average in the field and have competent bowling attacks. Of the rest New Zealand look the best “team” strong batting, well organised and energetic in the field and a decent bowling side. Australia, on paper, have a strong looking team, they have pedigree and are always fiercely competitive, England beat them soundly last year and on that performance I would not have given them a chance, but, World events tend to bring out the best in them. Pakistan and the West Indies have both shown batting ability in recent series against England, Chris Gayle had a monster couple of games , but can he last the entire tournament at his age? It will be a big ask. Both teams are poor in the field and need to find something on the bowling side of things to be a threat. South Africa have Amla , De **** and Markram at the top of the order but not much else, Rabada and perhaps Tahir in the bowling but with Steyn on the wane I don’t see them being in the business end of the tournament. Sri Lanka have a few talented batsmen, are woeful in the field and are outgunned in the bowling department. The sight of Malinga the slinger no longer strikes fear into opponents. Bangladesh are an almost carbon copy of Sri Lanka batting their strong point, they are slightly better in the field but again sadly lacking in wicket takers. Afghanistan have the best leg spinner in the world, two competent spinners to back him up but no seam bowling. I saw a little bit of their warm up game against Pakistan, the fielding was awful, three dropped catches in the first fifteen overs, when you are the biggest underdog you cannot afford to gift opponents extra lives. They are heavily reliant on their talismanic wicket keeper and swashbuckling opener on the batting side, one or two others have shown promise against some of the smaller nations.
One thing to note is that the ICC are controlling all the pitches and with some of them being used more than once, teams will need to be able to win in different conditions as the tournament goes on. It is for this reason that I think Afghanistan, with their very good spinners have a chance to upset one or perhaps two .
So I have England , India and New Zealand as a lock for three of the semi final spots.
The fourth team comes from Australia, Pakistan and West Indies. Australia lack a quality spinner and their much vaunted pace attack got taken apart by England, but they did beat India over the winter. Pakistan will get their quality leg spinner back, but how fit he can be is questionable. The West Indies are also lacking a quality spin option but have Andre Russell back in the squad, the biggest question for them is can Gayle stay fit throughout. Ooooh this is hard....... ok I will go for Australia, their squad just looks that bit stronger.
It will obviously depend on who plays who in the semis , but should it go the way I think, India and England should avoid each other and will contest the final. Everything points to England winning. Since the 2017 Champions Trophy they have 26 scores of 300 or more, the next best is 15, their run rate is 6.33 India is closest to that 5.87. Why then do I worry. Well the pressure will be enormous as they get closer to the prize, England have never won it before and have shown that their bowling can be vulnerable, especially if they have had to bat first and maybe not set the target they should have. A lot is being thrust onto Archer’s shoulders, and he has only played a couple of games, but he does have the god given gift of pace, real pace.
So after all that England for me. Sadly I will miss most of it as I shall be in America and doubt they will have much coverage.
Apologies if people are not interested, but, if you are add your thoughts and we can have some fun talking about the tournament.
Ten teams, all playing each other once, leading to the top four playing in semifinals for the right to play the final and become World Champions. I like this format, rather than two different groups only playing the teams in that group. It should allow the best four teams, who are consistent, to reach the Semifinals. It also allows for the “ off day” everyone has from time to time and the wonderful British weather claiming the odd result. So who do we all think will make the semifinals, finals and more importantly, who will win it?
I think England and India are certain to be there. They have the two best batting lineups, both are better than average in the field and have competent bowling attacks. Of the rest New Zealand look the best “team” strong batting, well organised and energetic in the field and a decent bowling side. Australia, on paper, have a strong looking team, they have pedigree and are always fiercely competitive, England beat them soundly last year and on that performance I would not have given them a chance, but, World events tend to bring out the best in them. Pakistan and the West Indies have both shown batting ability in recent series against England, Chris Gayle had a monster couple of games , but can he last the entire tournament at his age? It will be a big ask. Both teams are poor in the field and need to find something on the bowling side of things to be a threat. South Africa have Amla , De **** and Markram at the top of the order but not much else, Rabada and perhaps Tahir in the bowling but with Steyn on the wane I don’t see them being in the business end of the tournament. Sri Lanka have a few talented batsmen, are woeful in the field and are outgunned in the bowling department. The sight of Malinga the slinger no longer strikes fear into opponents. Bangladesh are an almost carbon copy of Sri Lanka batting their strong point, they are slightly better in the field but again sadly lacking in wicket takers. Afghanistan have the best leg spinner in the world, two competent spinners to back him up but no seam bowling. I saw a little bit of their warm up game against Pakistan, the fielding was awful, three dropped catches in the first fifteen overs, when you are the biggest underdog you cannot afford to gift opponents extra lives. They are heavily reliant on their talismanic wicket keeper and swashbuckling opener on the batting side, one or two others have shown promise against some of the smaller nations.
One thing to note is that the ICC are controlling all the pitches and with some of them being used more than once, teams will need to be able to win in different conditions as the tournament goes on. It is for this reason that I think Afghanistan, with their very good spinners have a chance to upset one or perhaps two .
So I have England , India and New Zealand as a lock for three of the semi final spots.
The fourth team comes from Australia, Pakistan and West Indies. Australia lack a quality spinner and their much vaunted pace attack got taken apart by England, but they did beat India over the winter. Pakistan will get their quality leg spinner back, but how fit he can be is questionable. The West Indies are also lacking a quality spin option but have Andre Russell back in the squad, the biggest question for them is can Gayle stay fit throughout. Ooooh this is hard....... ok I will go for Australia, their squad just looks that bit stronger.
It will obviously depend on who plays who in the semis , but should it go the way I think, India and England should avoid each other and will contest the final. Everything points to England winning. Since the 2017 Champions Trophy they have 26 scores of 300 or more, the next best is 15, their run rate is 6.33 India is closest to that 5.87. Why then do I worry. Well the pressure will be enormous as they get closer to the prize, England have never won it before and have shown that their bowling can be vulnerable, especially if they have had to bat first and maybe not set the target they should have. A lot is being thrust onto Archer’s shoulders, and he has only played a couple of games, but he does have the god given gift of pace, real pace.
So after all that England for me. Sadly I will miss most of it as I shall be in America and doubt they will have much coverage.
Apologies if people are not interested, but, if you are add your thoughts and we can have some fun talking about the tournament.
Comments
No love for South Africa Nick?
PS - we'll need to move this across to the Rail or a Sports Board, but let's leave it here for a few days to see if it helps it get a bit of traction first.
Not convinced New Zealand are a lock for the semis. They have a gun bowling side, but their batting is pretty hit/miss, relying heavily on Williamson to bat long and often.
For me it'll be England, India, Australia + NZ/SA in the semis. Warner looked like he'd never been away at the IPL, so I expect plenty from him. He'll thrive off the hostile receptions he'll receive too.
@Vince_107
Enjoying your cricket musings Vince, & just wanted to wish you good luck in Sunday's Vegas Stack Builder freeroll.
This time round I am a volunteer (we have been given the unfortunate name of "Cricketeers") at the matches in Taunton and my 20 year year old son is taller than me!
My semi-finalists are England, Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies with Afghanistan as a possible surprise package (if they can get a few runs).
I would be surprised if the Windies made the final 4. They are a match for anyone on their day, but making the Final 4 in this format will be difficult.
I believe England, Australia and India will make it. I would favour South Africa to pip New Zealand for the 4th spot.
England to beat Australia in the final. Now THAT would be special...
WHAT A CATCH!
Good start to the campaign.
It's a bit like the football, you're not involved.