ICC T20 Mens World Cup 2021

Seriously, how much better is this format, than the two group by seven format adopted at the world cup. Get a grip ICC, this format provides real jeopardy, which is what competing for world trophies is all about. Brings lots of permutations to bare also that, in turn, adds pressure on teams to 'manage' their tactics!!

No teams should ever reach a final with so many defeats on the road to it, as Eng and NZ did!

Scotland top Group B, & will play in Group 2, Bangladesh qualify in 2nd place & will play in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage.

Group A
Namibia v Ireland - 11am

Ireland won toss and bat

Ireland: 125/8 - Stirling 38. Frylinck 3-21 (20 overs)

Namibia: 126/2 - Erasmus 53no. Campher 2-14 (18.3 overs)

Namibia won by 8 wkts and progress to Super 12s.
Ireland are out.


Group A
Sri Lanka v Netherlands - 3pm

Sri Lanka won toss and field

Netherlands: 44 all out . Kumara 3-7, Hasaranga 3-9. (10 overs)

Sri Lanka: 45/2 (7.1 overs)

Sri Lanka won by 8 wkts and progress to Super 12s.
Netherlands are out.

Super 12s.

Group 1: Australia, South Africa, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.

Group 2: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Namibia, Scotland.

(22-10-2021 17:01 )Snooks Wrote:  Super 12s.

Group 1: Australia, South Africa, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.

Group 2: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Namibia, Scotland.

No doubt that many will determine that the tournament starts here, with the great and the good of the top ten in the rankings joining the 'party'. Time for every nation to run the gauntlet of qualification into these comps.

Group 2 looks marginally easier to get out of!!

Whilst Scotland have gone unbeaten, & Namibia have a number of ex-South African players, Group 1 has 6 Test playing nations. Bangladesh & Sri Lanka have the type of bowling attack that England struggle against. There are no easy games ahead.

Group 1

Australia v South Africa

Australia won toss and field

South Africa: 118/9 - Markram 40. Hazlewood 2-19, Zampa 2-21 (20 overs)

Australia: 121/5 - Smith 35. Nortje 2-21 (19.4 overs)

Australia won by 5 wkts

Group 1

England v West Indies - 3pm

England won toss and field

West Indies: 55 all out - Rashid 4-2 (4 wkts for 2 runs) (14.2 overs)

England: 56/4 - Buttler 24no, Hosein 2-24 (8.2 overs)

England won by 6 wkts

Australia got home with 2 balls to spare, which made the game look tighter than it was. With Smith & Maxwell at the crease Australia looked in control, but when both fell in quick succession, Stoinis & Wade both kept cool heads with the run rate approaching 10. South Africa fought hard, with the ball, but never gained any momentum with the bat, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Maybe 20 or 30 runs short, you felt that they needed to take the attack back to Australia, & for a part time slow bowler, Maxwell went for just a run a ball, & should've been targeted.

West Indies batting was brainless, 55 all out in 14.2 overs, with Gayle top scoring with 13. Rashid finished with the remarkable figures of 4 wickets for 2 runs from his 2.2 overs. Great captaincy from Morgan to bowl Ali who set the tone. Good aggressive bowling from Mills, & some outstanding catching.
This should be a good opportunity to win with overs to spare, as a good net run-rate will be important in a difficult group.

England do their best to make the game interesting but get over the line by 6 wickets.