Cricket World Cup 2019!!!!!

[Mibbes Aye]

In amongst all the Brexit and Euro election shenanigans, it’s worth noting that by this time next week England and South Africa will have completed the first match of the CWC 2019 at The Oval.

Great opening game, with two solid teams. Viral Kohli was commenting today that he thinks games might be quite tight as the first round progresses but I fully expect England to go all out for a signature victory to set the tone.

Their challenge will be a very high-performing SAF bowling unit with strength at bat as well. Should be a cracker.

As for the tournament itself, clearly England, South Africa, India and Australia are the favourites for the semifinals. I expect Pakistan to disrupt things by showing up against one of the top four but not necessarily dominating the second-tier teams. New Zealand seem to be the solid outsider bet, good individual players permeating the team and a good team spirit. I’ve grown to really like the Windies over the last couple of years, they have some outstanding young talent. And Afghanistan will pull out a surprise or two, I suspect. They play with a lot of passion and no small amount of skill.

So, overall, I think the winner will be England or Australia. A lot depends for Australia on th form of Smith and Warner and how they integrate into the side. If it works they have th batting and bowling to compete. I noticed England have a tricky conclusion to the group stage - after SAF they play the lower-rated teams and finish off with Australia, India and NZ. Could end up being interesting!

I would love to hear anyone else’s predictions for the winners or semifinalists and look forward to what should be a great tournament and hopefully some great commentary on here.

[JeMeSouviens]

England are a bit like cricket's version of Brazil 82. Tons of flair but vulnerable at the same time. Were this a league format I'd probably back them to win, certainly in home conditions. But a one off Paolo Rossi might show up and that'll be that.

[lord bunberry]

I’ve got a feeling Australia might struggle. They’ve not really performed well in England for a while and they could possibly face some pretty hostile crowds due to Smith and Warner being back in the side. New Zealand or the Windies could make it to the semis.

[lord bunberry]

Pakistan currently getting a real going over by Afghanistan’s top order. Chasing 263 they’re 78 without loss after 10 overs.

[lord bunberry]

Afghanistan got there in the end with a couple of balls to spare, they’ll give a few teams a good game in the World Cup.

[JeMeSouviens]

Off and running! Eng v SA today.

I presume this is just on Sky, will there be cooncil telly highlights?

[JimBHibees]

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England are a bit like cricket's version of Brazil 82. Tons of flair but vulnerable at the same time. Were this a league format I'd probably back them to win, certainly in home conditions. But a one off Paolo Rossi might show up and that'll be that.

Is it right it is league format then a semi final seems to be too few knockout games IMO. No doubt wanting the top teams to get to later stages and rule out chance of one off shocks.

[JeMeSouviens]

Rashid bowls de Kock - no he doesn't as the bails don't come off!

[Mikey]

That was an outrageous catch by Stokes.

[lord bunberry]

All over South Africa all out for 207 with 10 overs to spare. Great start for England.

[JeMeSouviens]

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That was an outrageous catch by Stokes.

Who also top scored with 89 and took 2 wickets in less than 3 overs. So motm selection should be easy.

Archer very impressive as well, justifying his selection, 3/27 in 7 overs.

[hibee62]

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Is it right it is league format then a semi final seems to be too few knockout games IMO. No doubt wanting the top teams to get to later stages and rule out chance of one off shocks.

It’s more about making sure the top teams play lots of games for advertising and tv revenue, rather than getting through. They tried a 4 groups of 4 World Cup in 2007 but Pakistan and India got knocked out first round (playing only 3 games each) so every one since has been smaller with large group stages. 2011 and 2015 were 14 teams with 2 groups of 7.

[Mibbes Aye]

Tasty game for Friday with the Windies playing Pakistan at Trent Bridge.

Its very likely to be a batting surface which to an extent nullifies the threat of the various Windie quickies. However with the likes of Gayle, Hetmyer and Hope et al, they are more than capable of piling on the runs at bat.

Pakistan - when they are good they are often awesome, when they are not so good they are often dire. It is never easy to predict which Pakistani team will turn up and it does feel a little like there is more fluctuation to come in selection, whereas the Windies have or are introducing a fairly-established cohort of new talent, to complete the players in the middle to older bracket.

And of course a swan song at these finals for the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. I’m expecting to see some mammoth hits over the boundary rope and him ignoring the potential threes or twos and maybe only taking a lumbering stroll for the ones. He’s a big laddy but can pick the ball and strike it and doesn’t really want to rotate the strike when he knows that every few balls he can spot the shot and clobber it out the park.

I’m going for a Windies victory though I think Pakistan will show up.

[Mibbes Aye]

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It’s more about making sure the top teams play lots of games for advertising and tv revenue, rather than getting through. They tried a 4 groups of 4 World Cup in 2007 but Pakistan and India got knocked out first round (playing only 3 games each) so every one since has been smaller with large group stages. 2011 and 2015 were 14 teams with 2 groups of 7.

I haven’t looked at how the revenues are getting shared out, but even if it is on a staggered basis based on final placing, every cricket board with a team featuring will know that India getting to the final especially must surely mean the biggest possible payday. India v England must probably be the biggest and there’s is a real potential for England to build on previous feelgood factors such as the Ashes wins in recent years and even Southgate in the World Cup to really boost their support.

[lord bunberry]

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I haven’t looked at how the revenues are getting shared out, but even if it is on a staggered basis based on final placing, every cricket board with a team featuring will know that India getting to the final especially must surely mean the biggest possible payday. India v England must probably be the biggest and there’s is a real potential for England to build on previous feelgood factors such as the Ashes wins in recent years and even Southgate in the World Cup to really boost their support.

Are you saying that an England v India final is somewhat inevitable?

[JeMeSouviens]

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I haven’t looked at how the revenues are getting shared out, but even if it is on a staggered basis based on final placing, every cricket board with a team featuring will know that India getting to the final especially must surely mean the biggest possible payday. India v England must probably be the biggest and there’s is a real potential for England to build on previous feelgood factors such as the Ashes wins in recent years and even Southgate in the World Cup to really boost their support.

I saw a brief snippet on (I think) the Beeb the other day saying the India v Pakistan game could've sold out 8 times over!

Actually, this suggests 16 times ...

ICC World Cup tournament director Steve Elworthy, during a promotional event in London, said that demand for tickets for the Indo-Pak group league clash is way more than Australia vs England game or the final at the Lord’s.

“That particular game (India vs Pakistan), we had over 400,000 applications for tickets, which is an incredible number. The stadium (Old Tarfford) only holds 25,000 people. So there are a number of disappointed people. That’s just locally, but (there is also) the audience globally,” Elworthy was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

In fact, the former South African pacer then provided the numbers which is an indicative that how much the match means for world cricket’s governing body.

“To put that (number) in perspective, England vs Australia was around 230-240,000. And the final was around about 260-270,000 applications for tickets. So that gives you a bit of perspective for the demand for this match (India v Pakistan). It’s a big game. They could end up playing each other in the final (too), you never know.”

[Mibbes Aye]

Fair start by Pakistan going at just over six an over after six overs.

[JeMeSouviens]

England have calmed things down a bit after Moeen got both of the openers. Jason Roy just dropped a bit of a dolly and judging by the size of the cheer there's either a lot visitors from Pakistan or Norman Tebbitt will be horrified.

[lord bunberry]

England will need 349 to win. Pakistan played well there, but England were a bit sloppy in the field.

[Mibbes Aye]

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England will need 349 to win. Pakistan played well there, but England were a bit sloppy in the field.

Yes, England will fancy their chances but Pakistan have some decent bowlers.

[JeMeSouviens]

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Yes, England will fancy their chances but Pakistan have some decent bowlers.

Jason Roy out in the 3rd over. England up against it a little. Pakistan definitely on it today.

[lord bunberry]

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Jason Roy out in the 3rd over. England up against it a little. Pakistan definitely on it today.

They are, bowling beautifully so far.

[JeMeSouviens]

Pakistan on top - 118/4. Here comes Buttler ...

[hfc rd]

Finally my place of origin - India kickstart their WC campaign very soon!

Come on India, let’s win our 3rd World Cup!! 🇮🇳 🏆🏆🏆

Jeete ga bhai jeete ga... Apna/hamara India jeete ga!!!

[JeMeSouviens]

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Finally my place of origin - India kickstart their WC campaign very soon!

Come on India, let’s win our 3rd World Cup!! 🇮🇳 🏆🏆🏆

Jeete ga bhai jeete ga... Apna/hamara India jeete ga!!!

They're looking good - restricted SA to 227/9. All going wrong for the South Africans.

[Mibbes Aye]

Another game that ebbed and flowed, momentum shifting throughout. A much-needed win for SRL but a sense of an opportunity missed for Afghanistan. I hope they get at least one victory but today was probably their best chance.

[Mibbes Aye]

Big double-header for Wednesday.

India make their debut as a team this tournament, a clear favourite, with probably the best pace attack in the world and some stellar batsmen, plus some guy called Kohli who seems to have scraped into the side.

South Africa almost certainly wouldn’t have expected to be facing a third defeat on the bounce and if they were to lose it doesn’t make it impossible for them to reach the semis but it certainly gets the mouths watering amongst NZ, Windies and even Pakistan now, let alone the Bangladeshis.

Hard for me to see past India, though SAF have the advantage of having played a couple of games. Losing Steyn and Ngidi has been a hammer-blow though.

In the other match we have what feels like a perfectly-timed game between Bangladesh and New Zealand at The Oval. Both teams on a high and both maybe scenting the possibility of top four. They met on NZ soil earlier this year and it was fairly comfortable for the Kiwis.

I’m expecting the same again, NZ to win though not as comfortably as in their last outing.

Realised I never got round to posting a prediction for Afghanistan v Sri Lanka. I was backing Afghanistan for a narrow victory, so got that one wrong, though the game swung a few times.

[hibee62]

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Another game that ebbed and flowed, momentum shifting throughout. A much-needed win for SRL but a sense of an opportunity missed for Afghanistan. I hope they get at least one victory but today was probably their best chance.

A missed opportunity for them and a bit of a disappointment for associate cricket too. We really could do with Afghanistan making an impact to bolster the case for an expanded World Cup.

[hfc rd]

Rohit Sharma - natural talent

Good job done India 🇮🇳 👍🏾

6 wicket win with 2.5 overs left


Chak De India, Chak De Mera India! 🇮🇳😊

[hfc rd]

Bangladesh vs New Zealand game has me right on the edge of my seat.

Terrific game!