An unbeaten man-of-the-match century by Pakistan’s opening batsman Sarfraz Ahmed at Adelaide ended Ireland’s glory run at the World Cup by seven wickets to set up a quarter final clash with Australia.
And with the West Indies giving United Arab Emirates a six-wicket lesson at Napier, the calypso kings finished fourth in Pool B and a quarter final meeting with New Zealand.
So the sudden death quarters are set.
We have Sri Lanka-South Africa at the SCG on March 18, Bangladesh-India at the MCG on March 19, followed by Australia-Pakistan in Adelaide on March 20 and finally New Zealand-West Indies in Wellington on March 21.
I see the semis as New Zealand-South Africa at Eden Park on March 24, and Australia-India at the SCG on March 26. And a New Zealand-Australia final at the MCG on March 29.
Why? Because the two long-standing across-the-ditch rivals have the best attacks.
The Black Caps have Trent Boult’s 15 wickets at 15.60, Daniel Vettori’s 13 at 13.69, and Tim Southee’s 13 at 20.76 – all from six games.
While Australia have the tournament’s top wicket-taker in Mitchell Starc with 16, at a mere 8.50 apiece, plus Mitchell Johnson’s nine at 22.56 – both from just five games – and Pat Cummins’ five at 16 in only two games.
But the supporting batsmen in both sides haven’t consistently been among the runs, and from here on in is the time for that to surface. Especially for the Australians.
David Warner is the leading scorer with 264, but his tournament top score of 178 makes a huge hole in that. Glenn Maxwell’s 257 includes his maiden ODI ton with 102 and Aaron Finch’s 197 includes his 135 against England first up.
Steve Smith’s 176 has a top score of 95, while Michael Clarke and Shane Watson are both due for a big scores in a hurry, with just one half-century apiece.
The Kiwis have a potentially devastating batting order, with skipper Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson all capable of very big scores, but Guptill is the only centurion in six games.
Some side is going to pay for that, starting with the West Indies.
Outside of New Zealand and Australia, there are obviously some brilliant batsmen who can change the course of any game.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene, for starters, South African skipper AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, India’s Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and let’s not forget MS Dhoni, nor the West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels.
But attacking batsmen can be controlled by consistent line and length bowlers, and that’s where the Kiwis and the Australians have the call.
So at last the World Cup has reached the business end where there’s no room for any mistakes. Bring it on.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Mohammad Irfan is out of the tournament - a massive blow for Pakistan. He's been bowling really well, and very quickly, and at 216cm tall he'd have been frightening on what is expected to be a quick, bouncy Adelaide pitch.
taylorman
Roar Guru
After the Sri Lankan tour here I'd have given them no chance against South Africa but it seems when the heat is on the cream is rising...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Even 92 was fortunate to get past the black caps, Inzaman Ul Haq required to pull them out of a blazing fire.
JustAnotherOne
Guest
Keep dreaming mate :)
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Ditto. Pakistan are tough underdogs...bowling the real worry. Aussie batsmen can capitulate quick but bowlers less likely to do so...depends how both perform.
Andrew
Guest
Agree Chris, SA v SL is going to be a cracker of a game and the way Sangakkara has been playing, I'd be backing SL to get up. Just can't see Pakistan getting through.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
But even getting past Smith and Clarke early Australia can still hurt you. They've shown over this summer how even if they lose a few early wickets, Maxwell, Watson, Faulkner, Haddin, and the bowlers, can actually dig them out of a hole pretty well, and not just score a mediocre, hopefully defendable score, but still post a really good score.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Group A was the stronger group in that there were 3 teams that would have to be considered genuine contenders, while there was only ever 2 real contenders in group B. Since out of the top 8 test nations, England, WI and Pakistan have never really been considered contenders in this tournament. One is already out and the other two should really have their campaigns come to an abrupt halt in this week. The result of that is that the team finishing second in group B has the toughest matchup of the quarter finals. SA v SL is definitely that matchup. It's the one match between two teams who could legitimately consider themselves a chance of winning the tournament. SA is looking vulnerable. Sri Lanka would have to consider themselves a chance there. It would be hard to consider either result an upset in that match. It's a match of two closely matches teams and with SA desperate to win their first even knock-out match in a World Cup, this could well be the matchup that leaves them waiting another 4 years for that chance. It's hard to see upsets in the other matches. Bangladesh will likely get hammered rather convincingly by India. WI and Pakistan both have the sorts of players who could come out of nowhere and do something extraordinary, but both are against teams that on both the batting and bowling sides just keep coming at you, with long batting lineups of guys who can send the ball out of the park, and a depth of quality in the bowling lineups. An upset might be possible in one of those matches, but in either it would be a massive upset and is highly unlikely to happen.
Renegade
Guest
Every pitch this world cup has been a road apart from Eden Park...
Andrew
Guest
I think anything under 325 to chase, Australia can get. Smith and Clarke in 3 and 4 just make the batting line up look solid. And if Australia need 100 off the last 10 with only 3 or 4 down, id back them any day of the week at Adelaide. The only way to beat Australia is get past Smith and Clarke early.
raz
Guest
Shami cant be in the same sentence ??? Sure . Go check his record ,not much worse than starc and he bowls on Indian highways ,day in and out.Starc would forget how to bowl if he bowls there for a month.
raz
Guest
You forgot bangladesh's kryptonite,the kraken stuart binny. 6wickets for 4 runs,,ring any bells???
raz
Guest
I doubt most aussies get to watch any other games other than thier own teams',since the world cup is not free on air.Shami has been the highest wicket taker in odi cricket ever since his debut bowling on indian highways with very good economy and strike rate.He just lost it a little since the english test series but he seems to be back in rhythm and is bowling pretty quick again ,world cup on the line might have added to the hunger and motivation.
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Australia will almost certainly defeat Pakistan. I feel the comparision between Pak now and Pak of 92 is far fetched. The team of 92 was classyand had a combination of young talent and experience. Australi team is settled and likely to win if they bad first or chase. Yes, if Pak bat first and put up 270 plus then Australia are likely to be under pressure. But they are unlikely to do so as they dont have the batting strrength. Also, starc, mitch and cummins are too good and will prevent them from crossing maximum 240. Which will be an easy chase. If Australia bat they are likely to run away with a big score
ash
Guest
we just won on adelaide against ireland squad which is decent . we have a good chance against australia only if we bat first because we cannot chase . anything above 275 we can easily defend specially if irfan is back .
ahmedriaz
Guest
Pak vs aus No match Pakistan will win easily Umer akmal and sohaib maqsood are very confident and thy will make the difference b/w the two sides
taylorman
Roar Guru
Is Gayle now available?
Clark
Guest
A run rate of 4.75 is not bad at a so called "batsman dominated" World Cup.
Clark
Guest
People just like to use the same old regurgitated rubbish really mate. For example, the old "anyone who bowls fast is automatically so incredibly better than everyone else"
Renegade
Guest
India will be praying for that.... the last thing they want is to be embarrassed by Australia again. Also, did you seriously put Shami in the same sentence as Starc??? get real!