The Cricket World Cup finals are (finally) upon us. After weeks of grinding through the pool stages, we finally have our eight participants in the finals series.
The only smaller nation to make it through was Bangladesh, with a dismal England failing to make it through to the top eight after losses to Ireland and the Tigers.
As expected, the other seven participants in the finals series are Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka.
The quarter finals will begin with the third-ranked side from Group A, Sri Lanka, facing the second-ranked side from Group B, South Africa on Wednesday at the SCG. We’ll then move to the top-ranked side from Group B, India, playing Bangladesh at the MCG on Thursday.
Australia travel to Adelaide for their showdown against Pakistan, who placed third in Group B, while the top-ranked side from Group A, New Zealand, will play the West Indies in Wellington for a place in the semis.
2015 Cricket World Cup finals fixtures
Date
Fixture
Time
Venue
City
TV
Wed Mar 18
Sri Lanka vs South Africa – QF 1
2:30pm
SCG
Sydney
Foxtel
Thu Mar 19
India vs Bangladesh – QF 2
2:30pm
MCG
Melbourne
Foxtel
Fri Mar 20
Australia vs Pakistan – QF 3
2:30pm
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide
Nine
Sat Mar 21
New Zealand vs West Indies – QF 3
12:00pm
Westpac Stadium
Wellington
Foxtel
Tue Mar 24
TBC vs TBC, 1st Semi-Final
12:00pm
Eden Park
Auckland
Nine
Thu Mar 26
TBC vs TBC, 2nd Semi-Final
2:30pm
SCG
Sydney
Nine
Sun Mar 29
TBC vs TBC, Final
2:30pm
MCG
Melbourne
Nine
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The bracket will then be the winner of South Africa vs Sri Lanka playing the winner of New Zealand against the West Indies at Eden Park. The winner of Australia vs Pakistan will face either India or Bangladesh at the SCG.
The final will be played at the MCG.
Unlike in previous incarnations of the tournament, there are no more second chances. We are straight into the knockout stages, and at this stage Australia are the favourites with the bookies, in front of New Zealand and South Africa.