Match 18: Fourth Washout Leaves Challengers in Limbo

It probably hasn’t become a farce yet, but the 2019 World Cup is quickly sliding into infamy as yet another match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. It was the third complete washout of the tournament, and the third no result match in the last four days. Only three teams have now not had a ‘no result’ fixture – England, Australia and Afghanistan.

What does this mean for the two teams today, New Zealand and India? Maybe not a lot. It robbed us of what should have been an excellent match and what would also have given us an eye into the future of the tournament. Unless something goes spectacularly wrong you would expect both teams to reach the semi-final stage, and given both are still undefeated at this stage perhaps that’s an easy summation to make. For India, it leaves them short on match time for their big clash with Pakistan on Sunday, while New Zealand will have a gap of eleven days between matches when they play South Africa next Wednesday. Their tournament gets tougher from here on in, and their true ability to chase a maiden World Cup will be clearer over the next two weeks.

Match 17: Warner, Cummins and Fielding Save Australia from Disaster

Australia has somehow managed to bumble its way to a necessary but hardly dominating victory over Pakistan in their World Cup clash overnight, and though there were elements that shone through that could be taken as positives one wonders just how much the other teams in the tournament have gleaned from their inability to finish off at different stages of the match.

• Batting first was never going to be easy but once again Finch and Warner made the best of a difficult situation. On a pitch that didn’t offer as much as it looked as though it would at the toss, the opening partnership put their team in a great position, putting on 146 runs in the first 22 overs to set the innings up for a massive score. Neither had it their own way, and they both had their share of luck when it came to play and misses and some old school Pakistan fielding and catching, but they made the most of what they were offered and did the job they were required to do.
• On the other side, Mohammed Amir gave a masterclass of fast seam bowling. Bowling on the right length and in the right corridor he consistently beat the bat to the point of perpetual frustration for the Pakistan team. He beat the outside edge, he beat the inside edge, he shaved the stumps, he did everything but get that initial breakthrough. His first spell was superb but the lack of support at the other end hurt him dialling up the pressure. He then came back, and in his next two spells picked up a wicket with his first ball, and eventually finished with 5/30 from his ten overs. Not only did he stifle the Australians with few chances to score and by taking wickets, he almost solely drew back what should have been a massive score to a chasable one. All aspiring fast bowlers should take the vision of that spell and bottle it.
• Australia’s batsmen caused much of their own misery, with their shot selection at crucial times costing the team the momentum they craved. Finch got carried away when he was on top, and instead of seeing off the returning Amir as the threat he was tried to put him to the boundary and lost. Smith and Warner had moved along smoothly and there was no need to do anything rash when he lost his wicket to the inoffensive part time spin of Hafeez. Maxwell started brilliantly against spin and was then undone by pace without giving himself time to have a look. Marsh and Khawaja both also failed to identify the Amir threat and lost their wickets instead of just pushing him around for singles when he had so few overs left to bowl. At 2/220 in the 34th over Australia should have been looking at 350 as a minimum, and probably closer to 380. To be bowled out for 307 in 49 overs once again showed that they cannot be a real threat for this tournament without a change in the batting philosophy in the middle order.
• David Warner capped his comeback with the century he craved, though he had help from the Pakistan fielding which gave up numerous misfields and several dropped chances. Added to the poor discipline of the bowlers outside of Amir and it is remarkable that they only had to chase 307. Indeed at the halfway mark they had to be favourites to take the game which was an impossibility with an hour left of the innings.
• Australia’s bowlers once again showed that they can be penetrative but that the discipline is still not what they would like. The early difference was Australia’s catching was terrific, as three of the first four batsmen were caught right on the small Taunton boundaries. Alex Carey put his poor game with the gloves against India behind him by snaring four catches here, with one off the inside edge from the bowling of Cummins a beauty. And the final wicket to fall to a singular piece of brilliance from Maxwell to run out the Pakistan captain really told the tale of the difference between the two teams – not the batting, not the bowling, but the fielding. Another great lesson for all kids out there.
• At 6/160 off 30 overs though this game should have been wrapped up, but again Australia’s bowling tactics hurt them, bowling too short to the tail and allowing Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Sarfaraz Ahmed to get themselves within an outside chance of victory. The 7th and 8th wickets added 104 from 14 overs and with 44 runs needed from 6 overs Pakistan looked to do the impossible again. There was clean striking sure, but once again the watcher was left wondering if Australia will ever learn how to close out an innings without bowling short at the tail end, and concentrate on bowling at the stumps. 

Australia may have won, but the questions over their batsmen finishing off an innings, and their bowlers doing the same, remain. They couldn’t beat India because of this, and they will struggle to defeat England and New Zealand for the same reasons. The third and fourth bowling options are still shaky, and the middle order combination still needs to be settled. For Pakistan the loss just complements their usual story – when they fire they are unbeatable, when they field like a bush 4th grade team they cannot overcome those odds.

Match 16: Rain Rules Again as World Cup Stalls

The World Cup of Rain has treated us to another spectacle, this time with the abandonment of the match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh without the toss even occurring. It is the second match that has been a complete washout, and along with yesterday’s match lasting less than eight overs, and the threat that tomorrow’s match between Australia and Pakistan also could have no result, there is a real chance that finals spots could now be affected by these drawn fixtures. 

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes lamented the lack of spare days following this washout, though to be fair with both games over the past two days, a spare day would not have helped unless the games were being moved to Dubai as the rain has well and truly set in over those two venues. It is a difficult thing to do a schedule and also stitch in reserve days for inevitable weather delays, but if there is anywhere it should be done it has to be England. 

Have the washouts been costly yet? Perhaps not. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are unlikely to be pushing for finals places, and after their disastrous start neither is South Africa. The West Indies may be ruing only picking up a point against South Africa but perhaps may also be quietly happy about it. 

The 2017 Champions Trophy, won by Pakistan, had the same problems. Australia was washed out in two of their three games before losing to England, and missed the semi-final as a result. The longer the rain goes the greater the probability that a team or teams will have their qualifications for the end of the tournament decided by rain rather than performance on the field. 

No matter what, the weather doesn’t look good for the rest of this second week of the tournament, and while no games may be completely abandoned, there is a real chance that shortened matches decided by Duckworth-Lewis will occur, and this may be where the whole tournament is turned on its head.

Match 15: Rain May Have Saved South Africa and Yet Condemned Them

The rain that came and washed out the match between South Africa and the West Indies last night, condemning the result to an unsatisfactory draw when it looked as though a terrific contest was at hand, possibly benefitted South Africa more than their opponents despite it now looking as though their chances of making the finals stage are all but over.

Rain was always a chance of having a big say in this World Cup given the country it is being played in, and it will be a curse to some and a benefit to others. South Africa has had a difficult start to their campaign, while the West Indies has found plenty of positives in their first two matches. Given that the former was 2/29 off 7.3 overs to the latter when the rain came and persisted for the rest of the day, there is every chance South Africa will be pleased to have finished the day with one point and not zero.
Having changed their team to accommodate more batting with Aiden Markram and an extra paceman in Hendricks, and knowing a loss would mean the end for them, losing those two early wickets was a worrying sign. The Windies looked on top and despite the absence of Andre Russell would have been confident in closing out their good early start. The rain means both take a point from the game.

For South Africa it probably won't help them. They will still logically need to win all of their remaining five matches to even be a chance of making the semi finals and with matches still to come against New Zealand and Australia that will prove a difficult proposition. For the Windies, a point doesn't do them too much harm at this stage, and with their next engagement against England likely to be just as exciting. They still have their semi final fate in their hands, while South Africa must now not only win every game but hope other results fall their way. Given their luck at previous World Cups this appears like a very unlikely proposition.

Match 10: Sublime Smith Guides Australia to Victory

It may not have been all about one man, but there is little doubt that if Australia did not have Steve Smith back in its one day team last night, they would have fallen to a heavy defeat against a resurgent West Indies XI. There were various peripheral performances that drove the victory for Australia last night, but without Smith’s calm guiding hand with the bat at number four it would all have come to nought. It emphasised just how much Australia has missed his batting and leadership in the game, and will also have rung alarm bells for England for the upcoming Ashes series as well.

• The West Indies executed their battle plans perfectly in the first half of this match. They had made no secret that they would be targeting Australia with the short ball, and while only one actually took a wicket, they all contributed to the early dismissals. Thomas’ peach to get Finch caught behind was a beauty. Warner’s prod to gully as his desire to get bat to every ball defeated him. The barrage that rattled Khawaja so much that he ended up in such a muddled mindset that he threw his wicket away (albeit to a great catch by Hope). Maxwell’s brain explosion second ball in trying to hook. Stoinis seeing a paddock of space but pulling straight to the only man at mid-wicket. All of it was planned strategy, and despite the wides that came along with this plan it was more than worth it with Australia at 4/38 and then 5/79. They should not have made more than 150.
• Alex Carey and Nathan Coulter-Nile were both exceptional. Carey was criticised by the commentators for being just 3 off 25 deliveries, but like Smith he took the time to get his eye in and have a look at the bowlers and the wicket. He then proceeded to put every loose ball away, and was only defeated by the drinks break, immediately after which he was dismissed. His 45 from 55 balls was exceptional. Coulter-Nile has had a good time with the bat in recent games, and with 16 overs to bat he used it all to his advantage. With the fire having receded from the bowling attack and the pitch, he blasted away at precisely the right time, making his highest score of 92 from just 60 balls on the same ground that Ashton Agar had made 98 in his debut Test six years earlier. 
• What to do about the no ball rule? Chris Gayle fell LBW to Mitch Starc which hurt the Windies chase. However, after the event the ball before the dismissal was shown to be a no ball – by a lengthy margin. Indeed you can only wonder how Chris Gaffney missed it. If it had been called, then the delivery that dismissed Gayle would in fact have been a free hit. More to this, if that previous delivery had taken a wicket, it would have gotten the usual look at by the third umpire and would have been overturned because it WAS a no ball. Yet because it didn’t take a wicket, it wasn’t looked at. You can understand how the Windies would have been aggrieved at this, and there’s no doubt that the current rule in regards to reviewing no balls has to be looked at. It can’t be good enough to only look at possible no balls when a possible wicket is at stake. In short form cricket where the ‘free hit’ rule applies, every no ball has to be actioned or a batting team is then disadvantaged. 
• The Windies fought hard with the bat, and were probably in the position to win it at 4/190 needing just over a run a ball. The dismissal of Hope by Cummins stalled the chase, and the return of Starc at the end was a key. Firstly he picked up Andre Russell to remove that danger, and the dismissal of Brathwaite and Holder both in the 46th over was the crucial final play. In the 2015 World Cup Starc was the talisman. He is not as feared this time around but for Australia he is just as important if they are to challenge later in the tournament. He took the last four wickets to fall and finished with 5/46 from his ten overs. It was a statement. 
• But it all comes back to Steve Smith. Coming to the crease at 2/26, he calmly took dot balls and singles to build into his innings, even as wickets fell at the other end. He didn’t bother with his strike rate, he just play the ball on its merits and moved along at his own pace, almost oblivious as to what else was happening. When Carey and Coulter-Nile got into their swing, he calmly gave them the strike and stayed in his headspace. As the innings reached its conclusion he began to break out, and it was only a freaking catch by Cottrall on the boundary – one of the best you’ll see – that halted him just as he was about the take over. He left at 7/249 having scored 73 from 107 deliveries, and through his calm and commanding batting he was able to guide his team to a defendable total. Carey, Coulter-Nile, Starc and Cummins were all tremendous. But without Steve Smith, Australia would stand today at one win and one loss in this World Cup, and not two wins. 

What has Australia learned from this match as they prepare to take on India in two days’ time? Hopefully that it is okay to build an innings at the start and increase the pace after that. Smith and Carey showed what could be done in the middle order, and if our top order showed that patience perhaps it will work just as well. The Windies lost their way with their bowling in the last 20 overs, whereas Australia seemed to improve. It was an important difference. Everyone will need to contribute if Australia is to beat India on Sunday.

Match 7: Afghanistan Blows Chance to Take Down Sri Lanka

Afghanistan won’t get a better chance to win a match at this year’s World Cup than they did last night, and the method of their collapse in chasing a mid-range target has more than likely confined them to spectators for the remainder of the tournament. Though no one expected them to challenge for the title, there was great hope that they would push for not just one victory but multiple victories during the six week tournament. After falling to Sri Lanka last night, that now seems like fairy take stuff. Mind you, this could well be the only victory Sri Lanka tastes as well. It should also be noted that once again a team that was invited to bat first after their opponents won the toss and gave up that advantage has once again won. Runs on the board… and all that…

• Sri Lanka’s opening duo of Karunaratne and Kusal Perera made a great start, taking 92 from the first 13 overs. That they then lost ten wickets for 109 runs from the following 24 overs, even given that rain changed their batting equation, is what has proven costly for this team for some time. One suspects against most other teams it would have cost them the match, But… runs on the board… and all that…
• Hamid Hassan was taken for 30 runs from his first two overs of which no delivery managed to reach the 140kph range. But his second spell was a beauty, combining with Nabi and Rashid to squeeze the life out of the Sri Lankan innings. His speeds reached the heights of 145kph as he had in the first match, and his next four overs produced 1/16 and multiple deliveries flying past the edge to pound into the keepers gloves. He still has a lot to offer this World Cup in regards to excitement.
• Two periods defined the match, and both saw five wickets fall in next to no time. Sri Lanka had been cruising at 1/144 off 21 overs when Mohammed Nabi took three wickets in one over, but which required the nous of putting in a slip during a period where the batting team was on top. It was great to see attacking cricket being rewarded, with Thirimanne bowled by alazy shot, and then both Mendis and Matthews fooled by clever bowling that resulted in catches at first slip. This then led to the onset of the run out of Thisara Perera through the pressure being exerted by Nabi, Hassan and Rashid, all of which topped off an excellent period of play by the least experienced team of this World Cup.
• Similarly, after Afghanistan had gotten away to exactly the kind of start they needed if they were to win this game, it was the excellence of Malinga and Pradeep in particular that turned the game around, with five wicket falling for just 23 runs over nine overs that destroyed any hope of the underdogs getting up and winning the match. There was good bowling by all the Lankan seamers, but the four wickets from the recalled Pradeep who did not play in the first game was the clincher. He hit the pitch and moved the ball such that the batsmen were consistently under pressure, and his two spells both contained two wickets.
• Afghanistan’s batting is not up to a standard at this stage where it can win these contests. They are more likely to get runs from their lower order than the top order, and there doesn’t seem to be a stable presence at this stage in the batting order. In the short contests they will continue to be felt, but they need to develop a strategy for the 50 over game that includes scoring runs without throwing the bat at the ball as hard as they can.

While the match itself was made up of moments that created an exciting contest, it also proved that neither of these teams are likely to provide any upsets for the remainder of the World Cup. That may prove to be yet another early call in a tournament where those kinds of calls have already proven to be far from accurate, but on face value here neither team looks to have the balance required to make a big splash at this year’s tournament.

Match 6: England Drop the Ball as Pakistan Redefine Unpredictable

If any team was going to go through this World Cup undefeated, it was England. Their recent ODI record was superb, and coming into their match with Pakistan, whom they had just defeated 4-0 in their recent bilateral series, and whom themselves had been savaged by the West Indies just days before, no one could really see anything but a strong English victory. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

• On Pakistan’s side was the fact that they score over 300 three times in that just-completed series, something that wold have given them some hope. Doing it again would have seemed unlikely after being routed by the Windies, but the batsmen did their job. Not only did they get the start they needed from the top order, they finished off in style. 30 runs came from the final three overs of Pakistan’s innings to get them to 348, and having been sent in by Eoin Morgan they couldn’t have asked for anything better.
• England would have decried the number of balls edged over or through the keeper and slips when they batted, and they would have been right. There were plenty of edged shots flying wide of the field set. However, that was more than evened up when England batted, as both Root and Buttler had a similar amount of luck in edges circumspectly dividing the available fielders to the boundary.
• The match changed on Jason Roy shelling a sitter at mid off from the bat of Mohammed Hafeez. Whether or not the sun hindered his efforts he immediately started looking for excuses when really there were none. Hafeez was on three at the time, and Pakistan was 2/134 off 24 overs. If that catch was taken, England win the game, simple as that. As it turned out, Hafeez went on to make 84 runs off 62 balls and added 145 runs in 18 overs while he was at the crease. It was a game changer. Adil Rashid, the bowler, ended up going for 43 from five overs, though he bowled far better than the figures say. If Hafeez goes early he may well have run through the rest of the batting line up.
• Jason Roy had a dog’s day out. Several misfields added to his dropped catch meant he was already in a foul mood. He was then fired LBW by Shadab Khan which looked as plumb as you like, yet he and Bairstow chose to burn their only review to have that confirmed. He’s a moody cricketer and is all smiles when the world runs for him. When it starts to move against him, he tends to drop his bundle pretty quickly.
• It looked to be a similar story when Joe Root was dropped on 9 at 1/33, though perhaps not immediately. Pakistan was on top at 4/118 in the 22nd over, but Root along with Buttler then carried their team to 248 off 39 overs before his eventual dismissal. It left 101 still needed with 11 overs to bowl, but at this stage Pakistan would have been ruing not getting Root early. Certainly there was at least twenty strokes from both batsmen that were edged behind the wicket for major runs.
• Buttler was phenomenal once again. He may have been quiet in the first match but he was superb here, playing all of his strokes and consistently going at a high strike rate. He likes to come in with 15 overs left and play this kind of knock. The fact that had to come in so early and was still able to dominate is a testament to his form and growing reputation. His dismissal at 288 with 5.3 overs remaining to score the unlikely 61 runs to win made sure it was well out of reach for the Englishmen.
• Mohammed Amir had another fantastic day with the ball, though 2/67 from ten doesn’t look like it. He was unfortunate again most of the day, as he has been since his return to international cricket. Along with Wahab Riaz he has made a difference to this team, and both have proven selector Inzamam-ul-Haq correct in his decision to bring the ‘veterans’ back into the squad.

England may have stumbled here, but their main components showed that even when they didn’t all click they were still close enough to almost snatch a match they probably shouldn’t have gotten so close to. There is no need for panic within their camp at this stage. Pakistan has again shown their complete unpredictability, though one suspects that this is what will stop them from progressing to the finals stage. Time will tell if that statement is as obsolete as the one made about England going through unbeaten.

Can Cricket Survive England Winning the World Cup?

With the World Cup finally upon us after a long and enjoyable build up, it is becoming morosely likely that we will see England finally come through and become champions of the one day format. The question that needs to be asked about this possibility is this - can cricket survive such an occurrence? 

For decades we have laughed along as England has consistently failed to not only win the World Cup, but in recent years not even come close to qualifying for the finals stage. Don’t pretend you haven’t enjoyed it as much as I have. 

Okay sure, they have made three finals since the World Cup format was introduced back in 1975, but they didn’t win any of them; destroyed by Viv Richards and Joel Garner in 1979, eliminated by Mike Gatting’s reverse paddle in 1987, heartbroken by Inzamam Ul-Haq and Wasim Akram in 1992. 

Since then it has been boundless joy in watching England capitulate at each tournament. In 1999 on home soil they failed to make the Super Six stage on net run rate after Zimbabwe smashed South Africa to get in front of them. In 2003 their decision to not play in Zimbabwe eventually meant they qualified for the Super Six in front of them. Again. In 2007 they reached the Super Eights by defeating Kenya and Canada (yip yip!) but failed to make the semi-finals from this position. In 2011 they reached the quarter final despite losing to Ireland, and were then thrashed by Sri Lanka by 10 wickets. And in 2015 by losing to Bangladesh they again failed to make the quarter final stage.

All of this has been wonderful to watch, more enjoyable even than South Africa’s constant choking at the vital stage of each tournament. But that all looks as though it is about to end. 

On form it is impossible to go past England to win this World Cup. They have been the outstanding ODI team in the world for the past two years, with their belligerent line up battering bowling attacks all over the world. Jason Roy can often be dismissed early, but if he gets to double figures he is almost unstoppable. Jonny Bairstow has become a great foil for him at the top of the order. Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes are the perfect middle order mainstay, while Jos Buttler has proven to be 'The Finisher’, with his hitting ability breathtaking to watch. For two years we have watched and waited for this line-ups decree of ‘keep going hard no matter what’ to fall over and fail. To this point, it has barely had a stumble.

While the batting line up is electrifying, the bowling attack is almost underrated, and while the job it has done over this period has been somewhat surprising, it has been just as effective. Mark Wood bowling 150kph off about five steps has been a revelation for England, while Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes have both turned themselves into key bowlers with run conservation and sneaky wicket taking ability. Combined with the all-round batting and spin options of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, England has managed to acquire a team that can adapt to any conditions and any game situation without having to change their playing personnel, something that only the best teams can boast. In reserve they still have Tom Curran and Jofra Archer, which gives this team a terrific advantage. 

Can anyone beat England? Of course. India are still hovering. South Africa, despite their own problems in previous World Cups, have the batting and bowling to challenge. New Zealand do as well, and... Australia... maybe... 

But it doesn’t look good. Since the start of 2018 England has won 24 ODI’s and lost 7. This shows that they are not infallible, and perhaps someone out there has worked out a method to beat England’s current winning formula. I would like to think the world will have the last laugh in seven weeks' time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem likely, and we have to start preparing ourselves for the fact that cricket may never be the same again if England does finally get to call itself Champions of the World.

Creaks Aside, Australia's Cup Defense on Track

With Australia’s final hit out consigned to the history books, can the country’s fans be confident of retaining the trophy that they won at home four years ago, or is it a bridge too far considering what has happened over the past twelve months. Such has been the upheaval within the squad it could perhaps be considered an achievement just to be in the position they are in, which is that Australia are a very good chance of making the semi-final stage without looking like a realistic chance of winning the World Cup itself.

There are creaks within the squad that bely the fact that it is still significantly stronger than any Australian team that has taken the field for an ODI in recent times. The simple act of reintegrating Steve Smith and Dave Warner into the XI does this. Warner is yet to showcase the form he had during the IPL, but Smith has been sublime and looks ready to be the rock at number four throughout the tournament. 

In the absence of Smith and Warner, Glenn Maxwell has rediscovered himself and has been the main thrust within the team, and this is perhaps not an unconnected occurrence. Under Smith as captain and Lehmann as coach, Maxwell’s bowling went from underused to non-existent, and it was very noticeable in the way he was ignored in this fact. He also appeared to be getting mixed messages from the leadership and the selectors in regards to what was expected from him, and it did appear as though he was being forced out for reasons that did not include his performance on the field. Since their departure from those roles, Maxwell has fought his way back, not only exacting a lift in the order from seven to more likely role at number five, but also bowling significant overs and with success, being both economical and as a wicket taker. This change has been plain to see for all, and in some way must come down to the encouragement of both captain Aaron Finch and coach Justin Langer. It is an interesting comparison as to how a talented player can either thrive or wilt under differing leaders. How Maxwell performs his role will be crucial to Australia’s chances over the next month or so.

How the selectors go about choosing Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh will be interesting. Both have been excellent in ODI’s over the past twelve months, and both look in good touch right now. However, unless it is decided to abandon Marcus Stoinis as the allrounder at number six, only one of these two left handers can fit into the starting XI. Whoever misses out if this is the case will feel unlucky, but it does appear likely that both will have their chance at some stage through the tournament to be in the team and play their part. 

Alex Carey has shown good signs with the bat, but it will be his glovework that needs to be at its absolute best. Missed chances behind the stumps will be costly in this tournament and he will know he needs to be at 100% throughout when in the field.

The creaks are still within the team, and they will be hoping to iron them out as quickly as possible. Captain Finch is still being dismissed on the back foot in front of the stumps, and though he found form in the UAE against Pakistan that troublesome mode of dismissal is still his Achilles heel. Stoinis has barely scored a run or taken a wicket in months and despite Shane Warne’s backing he needs to deliver if he is to keep his spot in the XI. The third fast bowling spot behind Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins is problematic, with both Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson attacking but expensive. NCN is likely to get the chance due to his lower order batting potential but he needs to find some potency to back up his opening partners. Adam Zampa will be the specialist spinner, and needs to be the equal of the other spinners in this competition. Spin will be a major weapon for most teams during this World Cup and if Zampa can be their equal it will propel Australia’s chances of qualifying for the finals to greater heights. With both Maxwell and Smith being used in the warm up games, the chances of Nathan Lyon playing a role here looks to only come down to if the fast bowling second stringers can’t do their job and it is decided he may well fill that void. 

Can Australia win? They can, but it feels unlikely. England look like they hold the fate of the tournament in their hands. India are struggling but perhaps are just biding their time. New Zealand will be strong again, and South Africa just have to find a way of not choking to be a threat. Pakistan look dreadful but are so unpredictable they could cause a surprise. The Windies young kids now have Gayle, Russell and Brathwaite back which can only help them. Bangladesh will cause some damage with their spinners, while Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be looking to cause some upsets. If Australia hold their nerve and win the games they should they will make the semi-finals. From there, as they have shown before, anything is possible.

* This post was also published on The Roar website here.

Smith Rides the Wave as Favourites Hit a Speedhump

On a day that both of the World Cup favourites were defeated in their warm up matches by two of the three teams that are expected to challenge them, there needs to be a touch of sanity resumed in the conversation. While supporters on both sides are working themselves into a frenzy, the simple fact is that the tournament proper does not start for another four days and these results mean next to nothing.

For Australian fans the sight of Steve Smith batting with ease and controlling the innings throughout is a welcome one. Both he and David Warner were booed to the crease – as they will be all England summer – and one wonders how effective that will be. It may affect the concentration of Warner, who seems the kind of person who wats to shove such criticism down your throat with big shots, but to me if they keep booing Smith, he will score a thousand runs just to prove it won’t affect him. Everything was in place last night – the concerted building of the innings, the concentration through the middle, and then the big shots to accelerate at the end. It looked effortless, and his build up through all of the warm up matches Australia has played has been exceptional. He looks ready.

Australia’s victory means little, with both Morgan and Root not playing for England, and Maxwell, Cummins and Starc sitting out for Australia. Alex Carey’s batting cameo was a welcome sight, though doubt still remains over Stoinis. Oh if only Ashton Turner was in the squad. Jos Buttler confirmed his ability once again. He is my tip as Player of the Tournament. Note that down. What should also be noted is the affect that the two spinners for Australia played. In the modern age of ODI cricket, pace on the ball seems to benefit the batsmen who use it to strike it all over the field. It is spin – good spin, not just part time stuff – that could still be the key to this tournament.

When these two teams meet in the tournament proper, both sides will field vastly different lineups, and this result will count for nothing.

So too the match between India and New Zealand, where the Kiwi seamer put the Indian batting to the sword. India has so far shown a reluctance to have a high profile, hoping to come into the tournament under the radar. The overnight result will bring that to a screaming halt. India lost its last three ODI’s to Australia pre-IPL, and due to the nature of the draw (something I’m sure they manipulated to gain the best lead in) they do not play their first match under the seventh day of the tournament, after which some teams will have already played twice. That match, against perennial chokers South Africa, will be a real test, and if they play like they did last night they are in for a world of hurt. They may feign indifference to last night’s match, but their supporters at home will already be up in arms.

For the Kiwi’s, they still have the Colin Munro problem to assess at the top of the order (and for my two cents worth, he should be batting at five and allowing Tom Latham to open like he does in Test cricket – problem solved), but the sight of their trump cards from the 2015 World Cup in Trent Boult and Tim Southee doing what they do best would have been a pleasing one. They will be right in the mix again, and they look like they are peaking perfectly just like four years ago.

The weekend has offered a little taste of what is to come. There will be upsets – there always are – but one suspects that if everything mostly goes according to plan, then these four teams will be seeing each other again at the back end of the tournament, and those games will be far more intense that what we witnessed into the small hours of this morning.