ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

^^^ Then it's just diluting the quality just to have greater numbers of countries involved, better to have a higher quality tournament with all teams playing each other IMHO

(05-06-2019 18:27 )hornball Wrote:  Sorry have to disagree with you there! We have witnessed South Africa lose their third match on the spin today, and still not eliminated! It is complete nonsense, and to add to this, Du Plessis said that now SA have to win 5 - at least - of their remaining 6 matches - so effectively calculates that they could maybe lose 4 of 9, and still squeak through. However unlikely, to have even that slim opportunity to progress with another defeat, brings the tournament into disrepute for me!

4 groups of four 16 teams in all. Worked before, and lasted less time.

But in what way did it work before? South Africa lost 3 matches in that tournament and still qualified for the semi-finals, which seems to be the very thing that you're complaining about.

Australia take on the West Indies from Trent Bridge today

Yesterday New Zealand became the first team to win 2 matches, after they scrambled past Bangladesh by 2 wickets with 17 balls to spare.

(05-06-2019 23:49 )William H Bonney Wrote:  

(05-06-2019 18:27 )hornball Wrote:  Sorry have to disagree with you there! We have witnessed South Africa lose their third match on the spin today, and still not eliminated! It is complete nonsense, and to add to this, Du Plessis said that now SA have to win 5 - at least - of their remaining 6 matches - so effectively calculates that they could maybe lose 4 of 9, and still squeak through. However unlikely, to have even that slim opportunity to progress with another defeat, brings the tournament into disrepute for me!

4 groups of four 16 teams in all. Worked before, and lasted less time.

But in what way did it work before? South Africa lost 3 matches in that tournament and still qualified for the semi-finals, which seems to be the very thing that you're complaining about.

In '07 SA won 2 lost 1 in the group stage containing Australia and yes associates Scotland and the Netherlands. Then came 'Super 6's or 8's - cant remember - that is where the issue was, allowing so many from the initial first stage to 'qualify' Straight semi finals from the group stage should have been the way.

It is a personal opinion - and preference - but I hope it will revert to this format next time around, and thereafter!! Doubt it though!

(05-06-2019 18:38 )AD82 Wrote:  

(05-06-2019 18:18 )Cooper_temple Wrote:  Enjoying the World Cup so far, much prefer this format.

Totally agree, keeps the tournament 'alive' for longer as teams can lose games but still have a realistic chance to progress, fewer dead rubbers

Not sure who is into football here, but would you advocate the same format for that WC? I know there are 32 teams, and obviously football matches take only 90 mins to complete,,,,Surely a principle is a principle though!! I am being a tad sarcastic I admit!

West Indies won the toss and asked Australia to bat.

Latest 26-2 off 4 overs

It is like watching a second champions trophy (with the first not so long ago seemingly being surplus to requirements - until raised from the dead)or a single venue extended version of the bilateral FTP.

Can't see past Aus today v WI

4 down now for38

Australia managed to reach 288 all out in 49 overs.
Nathan Coulter-Nile managed to get 92 in 60 balls. I never rated him as a batter or bowler before To me he was a non-rounder, but what do I know.