ICC Cricket World Cup - Part 2

First topic message reminder :

Table

New Zealand	5	9	1.591
England	5	8	1.862
Australia	5	8	0.812
India	4	7	1.029
Bangladesh	5	5	-0.27
Sri Lanka	5	4	-1.778
West Indies	5	3	0.272
South Africa	5	3	-0.193
Pakistan	5	3	-1.933
Afghanistan	5	0	-2.089

Pool Fixtures

Thu, May 30 
10:30 England vs South Africa  (The Oval)

Fri, May 31 
10:30 West Indies vs Pakistan (Trent Bridge)

Sat, Jun 1 
10:30 New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (Cardiff)
13:30 Afghanistan vs Australia (Bristol)

Sun, Jun 2 
10:30 South Africa vs Bangladesh (The Oval)

Mon, Jun 3 
10:30 England vs Pakistan (Trent Bridge)

Tue, Jun 4 
10:30 Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka (Cardiff)

Wed, Jun 5 
10:30 South Africa vs India (Southampton)
13:30 Bangladesh vs New Zealand (The Oval)

Thu, Jun 6 
10:30 Australia vs West Indies (Trent Bridge)

Fri, Jun 7 
10:30 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Bristol)

Sat, Jun 8 
10:30 England vs Bangladesh (Cardiff)
13:30 Afghanistan vs New Zealand (Taunton)

Sun, Jun 9 
10:30 Australia vs India (The Oval)

Mon, Jun 10 
10:30 South Africa vs West Indies (Southampton)

Tue, Jun 11 
10:30 Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Bristol)

Wed, Jun 12 
10:30 Australia vs Pakistan (Taunton)

Thu, Jun 13 
10:30 India vs New Zealand (Trent Bridge)

Fri, Jun 14 
10:30 England vs West Indies (Southampton)

Sat, Jun 15 
10:30 Australia vs Sri Lanka (The Oval)
13:30 Afghanistan vs South Africa (Cardiff)

Sun, Jun 16 
10:30 India vs Pakistan (Old Trafford)

Mon, Jun 17 
10:30 Bangladesh vs West Indies (Taunton)

Tue, Jun 18 
10:30 England vs Afghanistan (Old Trafford)

Wed, Jun 19 
10:30 New Zealand vs South Africa (Edgbaston)

Thu, Jun 20 
10:30 Australia vs Bangladesh (Trent Bridge)

Fri, Jun 21 
10:30 England vs Sri Lanka (Headingley)

Sat, Jun 22 
10:30 Afghanistan vs India (Southampton)
13:30 New Zealand vs West Indies (Old Trafford)

Sun, Jun 23 
10:30 Pakistan vs South Africa (Lord’s)

Mon, Jun 24 
10:30 Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (Southampton)

Tue, Jun 25 
10:30 England vs Australia (Lord’s)

Wed, Jun 26 
10:30 New Zealand vs Pakistan (Edgbaston)

Thu, Jun 27 
10:30 India vs West Indies (Old Trafford)

Fri, Jun 28 
10:30 South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Edgbaston)

Sat, Jun 29 
10:30 Afghanistan vs Pakistan (Headingley)
13:30 Australia vs New Zealand (Lord’s)

Sun, Jun 30 
10:30 England vs India (Edgbaston)

Mon, Jul 1 
10:30 Sri Lanka vs West Indies (Riverside Ground)

Tue, Jul 2 
10:30 Bangladesh vs India (Edgbaston)

Wed, Jul 3 
10:30 England vs New Zealand (Riverside Ground)

Thu, Jul 4 
10:30 Afghanistan vs West Indies (Headingley)

Fri, Jul 5 
10:30 Bangladesh vs Pakistan (Lord’s)

Sat, Jul 6 
10:30 India vs Sri Lanka (Headingley)
13:30 Australia vs South Africa (Old Trafford)




Knock Out Fixtures


To Follow

Aus overcompensated by sending Maxwell too early and actually he delivered what he is capable of.......when going at 2 Runs / ball he can do 20s and 25s

The other 2Runs / ball potentials in the tournament
--Pandya can do 30 to 40s at that rate
-Butler can do 40 to 50s at that rate
-Russel ( out due to injury now) can do 15 to 20 at that rate
-Gayle has probably dropped out of that bracket or at best a 10 to 15 at that rate candidate.

Finally one sticks. This is very good for Pakistan as they could really slow the scoring down here.

KP_fan wrote:Aus overcompensated by sending Maxwell too early and actually he delivered what he is capable of.......when going at 2 Runs / ball he can do 20s and 25s

The other 2Runs / ball potentials in the tournament
--Pandya can do 30 to 40s at that rate
-Butler can do 40 to 50s at that rate
-Russel ( out due to injury now) can do 15 to 20 at that rate
-Gayle has probably dropped out of that bracket or at best a 10 to 15 at that rate candidate.

I was rather surprised to see him up the order so far too. A case of pitching for the moon or looking to get him to exploit the spinners rather than face whatever Pakistan held back for the death overs? 
Either way it didnt work.

Warners wicket has changed the landscape significantly but they will still be pitching for 350. The amount of chances Pakistan are creating if they buck their fielding and luck up it could be under 300 though.

Maxwell was the right choice to come up the order. They had a set batsman in place and he can score quickly. Khawaja and Marsh are not know for driving on inning's, they are more the anchor role.

It could have paid off, just it didn't but still the right choice for me.

Australia tried to push hard early on, a bit like England when they played South Africa, and like England the gamble hasn't quite come off and they've lost a lot of wickets.

289/6, Pakistan well in this.

Excellent fightback from Pakistan. Its all down to Carey to get the Aussies an imposing total now.

Pakistan have shown some heart to pull this back. With the poor start and the worse fielding they looked like they were folding, but they have put themselves back into a decent position. Short of another NCN miracle innings they should be looking at a chaseable target. 
If they do turn Aus over then their qualification campaign is really back on track, beating 2 of the big 3 already would be pretty snazzy

These late wickets should see Pakistan keep the Aussies under 350. That will be excellent after the start that they had. I would say that it is not impossible for them to chase that either.

NCN gone now, this is excellent for Pakistan.

Four wickets for 25 runs - Pakistan really clawing back some credibility.

And another. Pakistan on fire and now 320 looks a bit away...

Certainly looks like theres going to be lots of encouraging bum slaps over the innings break for Pakistan. Solid group bowling performance. 

Cummins gone as well makes an all out with balls to spare favourite. 

Theres obviously some help for the seamers but Paksitan are in the better position now.

...looks out .....304/9 surely?


This DRS is ridiculous...the batsmans walked and theyve not even fired up hawkeye yet!

What a majestic yorker from Amir to cap a superb spell of bowling. What a fightback from Pakistan. A couple of hours ago it looked like it was going to be 380 and game over at the interval.

5 for Amir ...crumbs! 
Remember when he was the boo boy? Crowd seems to love him this time...thats how unpopular Aus are!

307 all out. Australia pushed for 350+, but crumbled in their attempt. An absolutely outstanding spell by Amir - likely to be one of the best spells we'll see all tournament. Pleasure to watch.

I make Pakistan favourites from here. If they can get through the new ball, it's a good batting track with small boundaries. Australia also have a 5th bowler issue.

Wow
gone from 222 -2 after 33.2 overs to 307 all out after 49 overs.
Maybe there is something in the pitch and/or Finch & Warner played very well aided and abetted by some poor fielding.

Great comeback from Pakistan in the latter part of the innings, Amir really excellent throughout and deserved his Michelle. Australia will be really disappointed with that finish mind, they do seem to lack firepower down the order, Khawaja and Marsh aren't really the guys you want in to try and push on. Also perhaps guilty of aiming a bit too high and going too early (e.g. Maxwell, who's a better player than that, though I do think sending him in up the order was the right move).

The pitch looks pretty decent, so Pakistan will fancy their chances I reckon, but Aus's bowling is dangerous.

Vaughn has Aus at 70% to win .... hes looking at how much carry and swing the pitch is giving the seamers. Pakistan couldve had Aus out for much less if theyd fielded like professionals.


Im less convinced, theyve only got 2 genuinely good bowlers and no real 6th option.

Gooseberry wrote:Vaughn has Aus at 70% to win .... hes looking at how much carry and swing the pitch is giving the seamers. Pakistan couldve had Aus out for much less if theyd fielded like professionals.


Im less convinced, theyve only got 2 genuinely good bowlers and no real 6th option.

If Starc can do things with the new ball it could get ugly for Pakistan. However the change seamers are a clear step down while expecting 10 overs from Maxwell is not something most teams would look to do.

From the start they had, that final total is poor which will give Pakistan confidence. Great to see Amir in the wickets, sounds like he was bowling really well.

There was a LOT in the pitch that Pak bowlers showed in the latter 1/3rd of the game,,,and to me gives the impression it's not a 300 pitch, but a 250 pitch.

Aus should canter to a easy win here 80-20 in Aus's favor and my 10$ going down the drain

I think Australia have got enough, I expect their main seamers to do some damage, then the support bowlers will benefit as the pressure builds. I'm saying Australia by 50 runs

About 60-40 in Pakistan's favour for me. The first ten overs are huge.

Starc and Cummins have taken 13 wickets so far. 

Stoinis and Zampa 8

NCN 1

Maxwell 0 


So they've dropped their 3rd and 4th best bowlers and will be relying on 20 overs from guys whove had little impact in the first 3 games and a 5th choice seamer with no back up at all. 
It really does put the onus on the new ball because the only way they will control the scoring is taking wickets.

Very poor shot to gift a wicket away. 2/1. They need to ride out the new ball period, not attack it with gusto.

9 boundaries, 2 singles and a no ball off  7 and a half overs.... talk about picking off the bad ball!

Yep, there's been some excellent driving and pulling from this partnership. 10 overs gone, just one down. Puts Pakistan firmly in control, as conditions will now become very favourable to the batting side.

Bit of rain on the horizon, perhaps, but if it happens a DLS target would be no hardship to Pakistan.

Ah, now Babar Azam plays a poor shot. Out for 30, he's left plenty of runs out there.

Its still a long way to go and they are behind where Aus were at this point so dont get too carried away Duty. 


And Azam holes out ....56/2 shows its not easy

I was about to write about the poor bowling by Aus, then Babar goes and does that. Two really soft wickets for Pakistan.

Hafeez taking on Maxwell now. Pakistan's RRR at a very comfortable level (6.59), but being two down at this stage is far from ideal.

Australia starting to become desperate for a wicket.

I wouldn't cal the RR very comfortable, I'm wondering whether Imans going to end up being another players blamed for losing a game with a century.

Its turning into a pretty good game now, back to being finely balanced. It wont take many wickets for Aus to feel well in control

Just as I was about to write that Pakistan were on top, but a wicket or two would change things, Cummins picks up Iman. A nothing ball really, short and down leg, but Iman gloves it through to the keeper. All three of the Pakistan wickets have been pretty soft really.

Game right back in the balance.

Yeah, three nothing dismissals, added to their earlier woes in the field. It's pretty 50-50 at this stage, Pakistan need another sizeable partnership.

Oh wow, Hafeez. The ugliest full toss plonked straight to the fielder.

Four shocking dismissals from Pakistan - pressure of chasing I guess. Australia could go on to win this at a canter now.

Now, finally, a good ball met with a very tidy catch. A good wicket.

That should be the game. Often today Pakistan's biggest enemy was themselves.

Goodness me. First Hafeez slogs a rank full toss straight to deep mid-wicket, then Malik inside edges a good one from Cummins and Carey - who had just mis-stumped Sarfraz in Finch's over - takes a good catch diving to his left.

Suddenly Australia miles on top. Pakistan need a hundred partnership here.

And that surely is that. A decent ball from Richardson, getting a bit of lift outside off, but it's a real nothing shot from Asif Ali, who fiddles at it and edges behind. Not a great day for him, having dropped two easy catches earlier (including an absolute sitter off Warner).

Surely game over now for Pakistan?

Well Hasan Ali's giving the ball some tap. Don't think it'll last though!

No it didn't. Fun while it lasted.

Hasan Ali showing there's not much wrong with the pitch certainly, and rather emphasising just how well Pakistan could have been set without all those dopey dismissals.

All over now though. One shot too many, and he's bounced out by Richardson. Not to be too critical as it's not really his job, but having just hit a couple of fours you do wonder if he really needed to go after that one.

Rueing the fact that England met the good version of Pakistan. The one that turns up about once every ten games

Tomorrow's intriguing game at Trent Bridge looks unlikely to be played to a result, with rain set to be decisive. The wettest June in decades in England, just happens to coincide with the Cricket World Cup!

Australia look a bit lazy in the field right now. They've still got a job to do.

Fifty partnership between Sarfaraz and Wahab Riaz. Suddenly, Riaz can actually bat and strike a good ball into the stands.

54 off 48. Just three wickets left.

Brave effort from Riaz ends with a DRS review. The thinnest of edges.

44 from 34. Can Amir replicate his bowling heroics with the bat?

That looked out to me in real time. Surprised it wasn't given on field and even more surprised Finch agonised over the review and only asked for it with a second left.

Easy from an armchair, I guess.

Amir chops on after two balls. Surely, surely the end.

2 in the over for Starc and Australia are almost there. I've always liked Starc - sometimes he goes for a few but he so often makes things happen and takes a few.

The end. Good win for Australia, but Pakistan will be kicking themselves at how they've lost this one.

A good game of cricket & here is some opinion:

*Troll English fans version *


Ohh my Gaaawwd......Aus beat Pak and Pak beat Eng...means there is a Big gap between Aus and Eng

No wonder Eng could not beat Aus in the warm-up game either in a lowly sub 300 chase
And Eng media / crowds have fueled Warner who will no doubt pummel them in the World cup game & is all fired up for the Ashes also.

and btw since India beat Aus...there is a huge valley between Ind and Eng



* My Own View*

-Pak lost the opportunity with the ball....with the pitch offering nibble off the seam until the end.......after winning the toss and with their quality of bowling.....they let Aussie top order get away with too much.

Trying too hard, too pumped up.....and also made the mistake of not opening with Hasan Ali.....give credit to Warner though and some to Indian bowling for holding him back the other day.

-Pak should also have been bundled for less than 250, but with 6 down...aus took it easy and for granted and that's a costly sin these days for before you know tailenders can drive the game away.

-Aus are a top side and played like one...many pieces fell in place for them....they must get Maxwell and Smith to practice more....if they have to carry the fifth bowlers slot....or better enuf get Mitch...he is an OK limited over player.

--Pak, NZ, WI are all in the race......as this was an expected result.
the biggest wild card is for me top-of-table NZ who are yet to play a game against a top side.

I'm gonna agree with KPF for once...Pakistan made mistakes with the ball and didn't adapt quickly enough to bowl a better length. I'm gonna have to give Vaughn some credit for firmly suggesting that batting first gives your bowlers a better read of the pitch and the lengths to go for and making Aus strong favourites after setting what looked a chaseable 300 because of the help for seamers
Their fielding and lack of batting down the order hurt too. In the end it was a but of a meek surrender but ultimately a game they were expected to lose.
Gone is almost any chance of qualification sadly.
Aus got away with it to an extent, their bowling attack was risky but maybe stacking the batting depth is what's helped to give Warner the freedom to relax and play freely.

It leaves Aus pretty well set to go through, they will struggle to blow it from here despite having 3 tough games left.

If England beat the west indies tomorrow then the top 4 is pretty much wrapped up as far as I'm concerned. If they dont, which is far from certain, then kpf can have his little dance and there will be some real spice in the later games.

On the plus side with the weather Tesco have some great deals on preapred BBQ meats.

The weather is freakishly bad. We've had as much in one day in some places as in last year in the entire period of the world cup so far!