ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

A dead rubber today as Afghanistan face the West Indies at Headingley

I think it is disappointing to have a dead rubber to contend with today but it would be nice to see Afghanistan sign off with a win. Whether this format is repeated in the next World Cup remains to be seen, but I do feel by not allowing ICC Associate members at this competition, It doesn't really help with development & interest outside the Test Nation circle. I know they do have their own competitions at associate level, but I'm sure many associate member teams will feel they would develop far better teams & players if they had a crack at the 'big boys'.

(04-07-2019 08:17 )babelover48 Wrote:  I think it is disappointing to have a dead rubber to contend with today but it would be nice to see Afghanistan sign off with a win. Whether this format is repeated in the next World Cup remains to be seen, but I do feel by not allowing ICC Associate members at this competition, It doesn't really help with development & interest outside the Test Nation circle. I know they do have their own competitions at associate level, but I'm sure many associate member teams will feel they would develop far better teams & players if they had a crack at the 'big boys'.

I second that opinion!! Look how a World cup can be held without the world in it I do not understand or agree with!! On Tv last night B.Willis (I like the sound of my own voice - and my sneering attitude even if no one else does) suggested that because Afghanistan lost all their matches, they are not worthy of a place. Wonder how many teams Mr 'Oracle' Willis would reduce it too??…..maybe two and call it the ashes perhaps!! Today again, Afghanistan are showing what they are about, and they came so close to 3 wins already. More experience and they will learn how to get over the line. Won't be allowed too (along with all the associates) If the arch lover/advocate of and for cricket (joke) has his way (along with - unfortunately - too many others)

For the fourth time....painfully close for Afghanistan!! This is about managing the process, and that comes with lots of experience!! It is clear they are more than capable (and more than worth their place with the rest of the world) I fear that this format will be flagged up as a success with the big shots (or most of then) now in the knock out phase. Sorry, no....look how long it took to eliminate teams. and further more, how many defeats at least two of the knock out teams had and still qualified!! Can't have this again!! but fear we will.

Ireland were worthy of a place in the World Cup given their past record, and Afghanistan have been so painfully close to a first win in this competition and that which will come with time, but I fear at Test level they will take longer to achieve a first win than Bangladesh did!!.(I'd love to know what the criteria is for achieving Test status is these days!) I feel the ICC should look at the format and jiggle around with it and see how they could realistically allow associate members take part in future as I feel they are the teams that lose out experience on playing in a big stage tournament.

It's Pakistan v Bangladesh from Lords today

Pakistan need to win by more than 300 to qualify

^Is it possible given Pakistan's performances?

Today there are two fixtures India take on Sri Lanka at Headingly. Also Australia take on South Africa at the Old Trafford.

Semi finals.

Tuesday: Old Trafford
India v New Zealand

Thursday: Edgbaston
Australia v England

It really hasn't been a chaser's world cup, which is perhaps surprising, as in general more ODIs are won by the side batting second than the side batting first. The 45 group matches in this tournament only saw 14 successful chases and Afghanistan were the losers in 4 of those, which means that the other 9 countries only lost to successful run chases 10 times between them.

The 4 countries which qualified for the semi-finals were especially dominant when batting first, as between them they did this a total of 18 times and 17 of those matches were won (New Zealand losing to Pakistan was the sole loss). When batting second the same 4 countries only managed to win 8 times out of 16 (a success rate if 50% compared to 94% when batting first).

If the matches against Afghanistan are excluded the figures are 15 wins out of 16 when batting first and 6 wins out of 14 when batting second (94% against 43%). England won 5 out of 5 when batting first or 4 out of 4 excluding the Afghanistan match, but only managed 1 win out of 4 when batting second, beating West Indies but losing to Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.