The 2023 Cricket World Cup

by Duty281 Mon 18 Sep 2023, 1:09 pm

First topic message reminder :

After the drama-free finish to the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the 2023 Cricket World Cup will finally get under way on the 5th October, having been initially delayed by Covid and then threatened by a Pakistani boycott.

England are the defending champions, and they're also the reigning T20 World Champions. Doubleplusgood, eh? They're looking to be the first nation to win consecutive ODI World Cups since the Aussie vintage of 1999-2007. Biggest adversaries to that are likely to be India, who haven't won a major global competition since the 2013 Champions Trophy, but will no doubt be heartened by the knowledge that the last three ODI World Cups have been won by a host nation.

Five-time winners Australia can never be ruled out, while Pakistan are fueled by a burning motivation to win the World Cup in the homeland of their greatest rivals. New Zealand have made the last two finals - losing the last on boundary count, would you believe? - and will hope to make the final step this year.

South Africa will presumably think they're due to win something, as they've not won a global competition since the 1998 Champions Trophy, while the Afghans will believe they can spin anyone into submission. Bangladesh will be hoping to make a sizable impact at the ODI World Cup for the first time.

Sri Lanka breezed through qualifying and will be encouraged by making the recent Asia Cup final, even if they did get hammered in said final. The Netherlands round off the ten teams after performing minor miracles in qualification, which of course means the West Indies, the winners of the first two ODI World Cups, will be missing out on this tournament for the very first time.

The ten-team format for the World Cup remains as simple as ever. Ten teams all play each other once, and the top four teams in the group at the end of it go through to the semi-finals, where it becomes a straight knockout. 48 matches total. There will be reserve days for the three knockout matches and, if necessary, Super Overs. But you can't win games on boundary count anymore...

Fixtures:

Tournament Odds:

Squad Lists (Teams have until the 28th September to finalise their squads):

by GSC Fri 27 Oct 2023, 6:47 pm

Finally a great game at this world cup. Always looked like Pakistan were a decent way short of a good total but a late SA collapse almost made it happen

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 7:03 am

Safe to say Travis Head was worth the wait

by eirebilly_01 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 7:31 am

The Aussies look a whole pile more threatening with Head in the team. Fair play to Warner who has been outstanding this CWC as well.

by eirebilly_01 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 8:39 am

In fairness, New Zealand have fought back quite well here.

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 8:55 am

Still on for a big total but this does give more to the notion that Labuschagne and Smith don't both fit into this team now Head is back

by eirebilly_01 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 9:02 am

I have never seen Labuschange as a ODI player myself. Smith still has it though.

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 9:03 am

eirebilly_01 wrote:In fairness, New Zealand have fought back quite well here.

Still looking at 400 to chase though. Suppose not impossible on this ground - but very unlikely. That Warner/Head opening was just too much...

by eirebilly_01 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 9:18 am

alfie wrote:
eirebilly_01 wrote:In fairness, New Zealand have fought back quite well here.

Still looking at 400 to chase though. Suppose not impossible on this ground - but very unlikely. That Warner/Head opening was just too much...

At the start of this CWC I had South Africa as my favourites but in Fairness to Australia, they are finding some form at the right time.

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 9:41 am

All out for 388. Nitpick the middle order not cashing in on the start but it's a monster total

Should be enough to beat NZ and kill off the group stage with 2 weeks to go. Can we skip it?

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 10:13 am

NZ won 4 games and gave impressions ( illusions) of being the top contender
Now we find that was because their 4 wins were against pretty much bottom 4 sides.
Their opening big win vs regining champions was an illusion within the illusion
Last 2 games and reality has struck.

Aus on the other hand Aus have gone from looking bad to impregnable now
Their batting have found form, unbelievable form and their first two losses were against top sides

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 10:15 am

Ind, Aus and SA have pretty much played what could be their test match compositions

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 10:23 am

Is it too late to get Crawley and Duckett on the plane

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 10:59 am

GSC wrote:Safe to say Travis Head was worth the wait

Clever move to type 'Travis'.

by wisden Sat 28 Oct 2023, 11:21 am

NZ's miracle man Mitchell is flying 31* from 25 balls...they need a big score from him today if they're gonna get anywhere near it

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 11:24 am

Yeah, Mitchell's still looking in excellent touch. While he's there there's hope for the Kiwis.

by wisden Sat 28 Oct 2023, 11:36 am

Backing NZ here...Australia were probably 40 runs or so short after the start they had and I think that's because they wouldn't change the batting line up...labuschagne should have dropped down the order...hitting out isn't his game would have been better off having Maxwell inglis etc in earlier

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 11:59 am

When the required total is so big...it's never gonna be gettable in a high profile, full strength high stakes game.
The best a good chase does is keeps the chasing side with some chance until the last 7 to 10 overs
Like the Aus/Pak game

In the end I think NZ will fall short by atleast 50 runs

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 12:12 pm

If this pair can get it to about 100 or so off the last 10 there's a chance. But can't lose many more

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 12:20 pm

181 needed from the last 20. Despite the loss of Mitchell, a decent platform is being built for the T20 hitters of Phillips and Neesham later on.

by eirebilly_01 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 12:26 pm

Its looking a bit grim now for New Zealand

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 12:29 pm

When you have 9rpo for last 30 overs it's an unwinnable situation
Batters have to keep going else the RRR becomes unmanageable
Keep going means a few risky shots, means sooner than later a wicket falls and RRR climbs a bit more and now with lesser competency to follow
And somewhere between last 10 and last 5 they crumble in a heap succumbing to this vicious circle

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 12:52 pm

The vicious circle of keeping up with RRR now of 10 brings another wicket and new batter in will push the rate further up
Could have been 2 in that over and had Rachin been take any remainder kiwi hopes too would have been killed

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:05 pm

An amazing innings from Ravindra. Should have been caught first ball after reaching his ton, but Maxwell dropped a sitter.

RRR staying below 10, they've managed it well. That's not an issue. Being 5 down with 10 overs left is the issue. But they're in the fight. And if one of Ravindra or Neesham bats through, they'll be close. If both they'll win, obviously.

Australia have got four overs left from Hazlewood and Zampa, their best bowlers. But they'll likely need Cummins/Starc to do better than they have in the other six.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:09 pm

Thanks Duty, I was just about to type how even things were... until that last ball.
Great innings from Ravindra.

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:16 pm

Outfield an utter disgrace, once more. Marsh lucky to escape serious injury.

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:18 pm

Duty281 wrote:Outfield an utter disgrace, once more. Marsh lucky to escape serious injury.

It's Horrible

by **Pal Joey** Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:26 pm

KP_fan wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Outfield an utter disgrace, once more. Marsh lucky to escape serious injury.
It's Horrible

I meant to ask you, KP_f... there should have been more matches at Eden Gardens before Match 28. That ground is looking good. Ban v Ned match on there now... can understand Bangladesh playing there but there should have been more 'big' games there before now.

I love this Dharamsala ground in terms of aesthetics and the spectacular setting but that outfield looks so patchy with loose sand underneath... and is so dangerous. It's barely holding together.

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:33 pm

Dharmshala , Lucknow two lower grade centers added with a lot of games
These are important political centers for the ruling BJP govt
States controlled by opposition parties have been sidelined and Eden garden Kolakata and Mohali being 2 prominent ones

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:36 pm

Half decent finish , this. Only just got in to see these last few overs and slightly surprised to see NZ still in the contest...

Still would fancy Australia to close it out. And indeed even as I type Henry gets out rather tamely. All up to Neesham...

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:36 pm

When he gets it right Cummins has best slow ball bouncer off cutter into the pitch
At Par with Bumrah

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:44 pm

Not sure I'm running a single to keep Boult on strike last ball of the over...

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:46 pm

GSC wrote:Not sure I'm running a single to keep Boult on strike last ball of the over...

Then again

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:49 pm

Exceptional last two balls from Hazlewood.

19 off the last is probably a little too steep, particularly with Boult on strike, but it is Starc bowling....

Can NZ find three sixes?

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:51 pm

Good close game anyway thumbsup

19 off the last is a big ask though...

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:52 pm

Australia will be glad they didn't settle for 275 par

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:52 pm

Five wides! Shocked

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:52 pm

Five wides ?! Pressure...

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:53 pm

Nice of Starc to knock 5 off for free

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:57 pm

Might be the best game of the WC so far...two days in a row.

Australia win by a whisker...unless Trent Boult can hit a six to finish...

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:59 pm

All done. Australia just about settled for the semis now. Well done after those early reverses clap

Might be a bit of pressure on NZ now ; but you'd still think they should make it.

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 1:59 pm

Starc's had a horror day, but that full toss wasn't nailed. Had it been then NZ would have won. Some superb fielding from Aus in this last over, also.

Aussies win. Some thrilling drama in that one. Finally getting some close finishes! Shame the semi-final door is now closed with about 15 group games left.

Every time NZ looked like getting on top they would lose a crucial wicket. First Mitchell, then Ravindra, finally Neesham.

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:00 pm

Brilliant effort by NZ to almost chase that down. Just too much damage done by Australia's opening pair

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:02 pm

Two blistering hot exciting games on consecutive days
Well played kiwis ...much closer they came than expected
Take a bow Neesham.....how do they afford to keep him out
Smith's iconic voice resounding again with same mix of excitment and despair as on that July 2019 evening
Aus raised their level of fielding in the last two overs on that loose trash outfield saw them save the game from slipping away

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:06 pm

Semi-final match ups do look interesting.

India obviously the best team, but hometown pressure and a poor KO record drags it back. SA currently in superb form, especially with the bat, but they are the Tottenham of world cricket and things will surely go wrong.

Australia had a slow start, now they're flying, albeit their record against fellow semi-finalists reads 1-2, and now they've got Head back who has hit the ground running. NZ, the reverse, good start and now they've lost two on the bounce, both to other semi-finalists, but they've still got a lot of quality.

Wouldn't like to call it. Looks as though NZ will get 4th and Aus 3rd. SA are a win behind India, but have a superior NRR and still to play India. But currently looking like India v NZ (2019 rematch) and SA v Aus as the semi-finals.

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:10 pm

Dutch have got two early wickets in their defence of 229.

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:26 pm

It isn't actually settled though... Australia trail NZ on NRR but have Bangladesh and Afghanistan to play as well as the hopeless England so you'd think they will be OK. But NZ still face SA , Pakistan and Sri Lanka so have work to do to make sure of a spot.

Obviously those two are in a good place. But with some of the results we have seen here , it isn't totally sealed yet.

Ironically we are just now getting close finishes as the overall picture seems just about wrapped up. Luck of the draw I suppose...

by GSC Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:31 pm

Worst case scenario for this tournament structure. Clear top 4 teams that separate early.

by alfie Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:37 pm

GSC wrote:Worst case scenario for this tournament structure. Clear top 4 teams that separate early.

True that is a pity. Saw Dobell lamenting the lack of "jeopardy" : but he was pushing for four groups of four and quarter finals. What would that mean ? Basically you'd know the quarter finalists before the competition started...

by KP_fan Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:42 pm

NZ has 4 wins only and their remaining 3 games are vs SL, Pak and SA
They are capable of losing all 3

If either Pak or SL win 3 more games NZ could be eliminated ....esp SL have 4 games in hand and their NRR is not too bad

by Duty281 Sat 28 Oct 2023, 2:45 pm

alfie wrote:It isn't actually settled though... Australia trail NZ on NRR but have Bangladesh and Afghanistan to play as well as the hopeless England so you'd think they will be OK. But NZ still face SA , Pakistan and Sri Lanka so have work to do to make sure of a spot.

Obviously those two are in a good place. But with some of the results we have seen here , it isn't totally sealed yet.

Ironically we are just now getting close finishes as the overall picture seems just about wrapped up. Luck of the draw I suppose...

True, if NZ lose two or three of their final three then the door could be ajar for quite a few teams, as that would leave them on 8 or 10 points.

If Afghanistan beat SL and Ned, they'll be on 8, with games v Aus and SA to come. If SL could beat Afg and Ban, bit of a stretch, they'll be on 8, with games v Ind and NZ to come.

Pakistan can lift themselves to 10 points if they find form and win their final three games, v Ban/NZ/England. England's maximum points tally is also 10, as is Ban/Ned.

Maybe not quite all over, but it'll require NZ falling apart and one of the bottom six finding form that has so far eluded them. Pakistan the most likely to gatecrash the top four if it happens, and winning the World Cup from here would be classic Pakistan. Afghanistan also in with a decent shout.

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