2019 Cricket

Exactly That - Khan is one of the best bowlers in the world and was destroyed today

The WC should have the likes of Ireland , Scotland , Zimbabwe, Kenya , Bermuda etc - the fact they manipulated the qualifying to ensure they weren’t there is poor

All those countries in the second tier have provided shocks over the years and it’s poor they aren’t at the tournament. ICC and BCCI clearly just want the likes of India and Australia in the last four - they couldn’t take the risk that a smaller nation would provide a shock to knock them out

No way, this tournament is already going on too long as it is. I'm not sure I'd want teams in World Cups just because they caused an upset in a tournament a few years ago either.
 
A viewpoint valid so many years ago. Not in today’s cricket. The Windies were worse yesterday, should they be questioned why they are here?


The question is always asked of associate nations or, in this case, the new full members but never asked when an established full member is tonked.
 
No way, this tournament is already going on too long as it is. I'm not sure I'd want teams in World Cups just because they caused an upset in a tournament a few years ago either.
It won’t go on longer - might be shorter - have 4 groups , they play each then top two go into quarters then semis then final. Surely that’s quicker
 
No way, this tournament is already going on too long as it is. I'm not sure I'd want teams in World Cups just because they caused an upset in a tournament a few years ago either.

If there was more teams then there would be more than one group. Upsets have happened at every World Cup and have been part and parcel of the competition.
 
It won’t go on longer - might be shorter - have 4 groups , they play each then top two go into quarters then semis then final. Surely that’s quicker

This would be good, but the ICC want as little chance as possible that one of the big teams (most notably India) get knocked out, which is why they used to have groups then Super Eight instead of Groups -> Knockout. A WC more like the football WC would be nice though, few more of the smaller nations and straight into the knockout rounds after the group stage. Won't happen though.
 
Yeah I realised that as soon as I posted. Think my main gripe is with the format of this years competition, I'm bored already.

Indeed. But India's early exit in 2007 effectively began the era of such processions before the tourney gets to the interesting part. TV companies dont like upsets.
 
Saffers really didnt want to keep these group stages alive did they, horrible performance having got in a winning position. Always helps if you appeal when you get the oppos gun batsman out too 🤣🤣🤣

Kiwis tried to outchoke them too
 
Saffers really didnt want to keep these group stages alive did they, horrible performance having got in a winning position. Always helps if you appeal when you get the oppos gun batsman out too 🤣🤣🤣

Kiwis tried to outchoke them too
Thought SA should have managed that better and won that but a great knock from the NZ skipper to see them home. Unbeaten so far and finding ways to win. SA seemed woeful in the field again and a side looking forward to the plane home
 
SA bowled pretty well in the end, that spell from Morris in the middle overs was really good, they just didn't have enough runs on the board to defend. Williamson was awesome though, paced his innings beautifully, hit the big shots when he needed to and finished the job. Great knock.
 
So good ole Swanny thinks that England can score 500... getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

... I think it sets us up nicely for a 198 all out against SL today.
 
I assume the England 481/6 against the Aussies last year is still the best ever? Not a million miles away from that magic number and it will happen, probably sooner than later. England on a destructive batting day would be likely candidates but plenty of sides capable these days. If we get the likes of Roy, Bairstow and Morgan firing on all cylinders and the bowlers have an off day it's definitely on.
 
I assume the England 481/6 against the Aussies last year is still the best ever? Not a million miles away from that magic number and it will happen, probably sooner than later. England on a destructive batting day would be likely candidates but plenty of sides capable these days. If we get the likes of Roy, Bairstow and Morgan firing on all cylinders and the bowlers have an off day it's definitely on.

I am waiting for the customary 'off day' capitulation match. Hopefully we get it out of the way before we get to the knock outs.

BTW, is it time that the ECB invested in some quick drying system like what they are doing in Bangalore
 
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I am waiting for the customary 'off day' capitulation match. Hopefully we get it out of the way before we get to the knock outs.

BTW, is it time that the ECB invested in some quick drying system like what they are doing in Bangalore


lets hope something happens before the KO stages, dull as dishwater couple of weeks incoming sadly

not sure about the drainage, pitches have become a lot duller and flatter since they improved the drainage at most of the test grounds, i understand the obsession with the commerciality of cricket these days but over drying of pitches not necessarily a good thing
 
On a different note.. Apparently there is a WC Song which was launched with a bit of fan fare and Flintoff.
.. after that it seems to have disappared.. You can hear a couple of bars between overs.

.. but not much of an impact IMO
 
It won’t go on longer - might be shorter - have 4 groups , they play each then top two go into quarters then semis then final. Surely that’s quicker
Agree with that, with the bottom 2 going into a plate competition perhaps to keep up interest and to keep up revenues.
 
Agree with that, with the bottom 2 going into a plate competition perhaps to keep up interest and to keep up revenues.

fails the hurdle of there being enough India games on TV sadly, only way round it would be to put an Indian team in each group (I really shouldnt give them ideas haha)
 
Sri Lanka are doing pretty well in their first innings today. They obviously hope to bowl England out on the fifth day with their spinners. Well that seems to have been their tactic today.
 
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