2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (50 over version)

(09-10-2023 18:23 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  A workmanlike performance saw the Kiwis beat the Netherlands by 99 runs.

The Netherlands - and the other associate nations often make a decent start to a chase like the one they faced today, to the point that you start to think maybe.....just maybe (I did think Ackerman should have been better - he regularly plays at a much higher standard as we know, with Leicestershire in the CC)!! Ultimately though, they fall away through lack of game management, and the ability to clearly see the options in shot selection etc. Experience (how much longer must we keep repeating the same mantra, before the Power brokers act) is lacking in these areas, and it matters little for me whether - and this is the discussion they had on comms - a team like the Netherlands bats first or second as, without these fundamentals, the rest is largely irrelevant.

It is the same argument in the Rugby World Cup at the moment with Portugal etc. How can these nations improve in either sport??, if the structure doesn't facilitate them doing so?? It frustrates the hell out of me, as I am a Rugby/Cricket fan first, and a nation follower after that, and I want what is best for the sport(s) at large. Too many want a structure and or format that suits them at the time, the sports welfare be damned. Sadly the IRB and the ICC seem hell bent on following the same path. Kudos where it is earned to football (can't abide it) that is inclusive at all times - much to the objection of some!

^^ Would you prefer 10 Test nations in one group and 10 associate nations in another, the top of each group play in a final, but the Test nation has to play blindfolded.

(09-10-2023 19:07 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ Would you prefer 10 Test nations in one group and 10 associate nations in another, the top of each group play in a final, but the Test nation has to play blindfolded.

No, perfectly happy with 16 teams (4x4 groups) I am not sold either in so many of the test nations getting in as of right! At least there is a cut off though. Some are 'mournful' that the Windies are not there this time - Ireland missed out too having had the chance to be there - tough! Haven't been missed, and unless they - or any other nation that finds themselves in the same position - sort their own 'house' they should not get an 'invite' they haven't earned, solely on sentiment or some misplaced sense of 'nostalgia' (same thing really)

You might actually be on to something Booms! 4 groups 5 teams per group?? Decent shout!

A different era, but it makes you wonder how the Windies ever dominated cricket. All those nations acting as one, like Europe in the Ryder Cup. Now all they do is fall out, mainly about money, or the lack of. Who wins should be about talent alone. Windies are no different from Ireland plenty of talent, no cash and direction. India should win every time the largest talent pool and all the money to be a success. I don't care who wins so long as it's not India. Domination in sport is boring.

(09-10-2023 19:33 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  A different era, but it makes you wonder how the Windies ever dominated cricket. All those nations acting as one, like Europe in the Ryder Cup. Now all they do is fall out, mainly about money, or the lack of. Who wins should be about talent alone. Windies are no different from Ireland plenty of talent, no cash and direction. India should win every time the largest talent pool and all the money to be a success. I don't care who wins so long as it's not India. Domination in sport is boring.

Not a problem if the opposition is continually strong, and brings optimum performance to the table. If then, the same team/nation proves to be better, then ok - otherwise I tend to agree that one winner all the time can get tedious! Not up to the best to fall back, always up to the oppo to meet the challenge

^^ It was once closer to a level playing field, not any more.

A bit more like it from England today, beating Bangladesh by 137 runs.
Weaker opposition, but the top order clicked Bairstow, Malan and Root all played their roles, middle and lower order fell away. Topley provided a much-needed cutting edge. Wood looked better with more overs under his belt. Woakes got better after a poor start.

Pakistan Sri Lanka is shaping up to a tight finish, which the tournament needs.

Not sure I agree with Doully about the quality of the pitch?? He suggests - as do others - that a batting pitch is a quality surface?? sorry, don't buy in to that theory!

On the matches themselves, both saw similar scenarios play out, with more - or - less the same targets to chase. However, differing and telling outcomes, with Bangladesh being in a similar position to Pakistan in the chase, but a stark lesson in how to manage such a chase. Bangladesh fell away, not knowing how to rotate and use their scoring options, while Pakistan the polar opposite. A text book example of managing a chase!

NB England will have to better manage the closing overs in setting a target. Fell away dramatically - credit though to the Tigers for sticking at it!

Bangladesh where never in the chase, 49-4 after 8.3 overs, scoring under 6 when they required 7+ their skipper said that they were out of it at the post-match interview. Das was on his own as the only batting contribution that gave his team a chance of scoring at the required rate. They don't have the depth of batting to recover from such a bad start and have no real power hitters in the middle order, England are stacked in that regard, despite having a batmen light in this match. Stokes will add all his experience to the mix when he returns. Although as a non-bowler they don't have the luxury of 6 front-line options. Livingstone proved he is a more than handy option yesterday and looked more dangerous than Rashid.
Pakistan themselves lost 2 early wickets, but still had the firepower in their batting to allow the run-rate to climb. Neither side shone in the bowling department, but modern batmen will target 350+ scores on decent pitches. The white-ball will generally swing for 2 or 3 overs and the sides who utilize this best will profit. It's a very small window which England wasted to an extent. Topley was on the money at one end, but Woakes was poor again, Curran was the only bowler to come out of the New Zealand match with any credit and should've bowled ahead of Woakes.
As the tournament progresses, spin will play a bigger role, but the pitches will vary across the different venues dependent on soil types. Generally, sides are batting first as dew can be a factor.