The World Cup has now finished the group stages and we can look forward to the knockout stage. In the knockouts, every game becomes bigger for the combatants until the final on March 28.
But, we have to talk about the group stage. It has always been difficult for the ICC to get it right, and I am not here to criticise them, but it is worth looking at how the teams performed.
Given that the affiliate teams are affectionately known as ‘The Minnows’ I think it is well in order to rate the teams on a fishy scale.
The scale is very technical. Starting from the bottom, we have:
1. Minnows
2. Salmon
3. Tuna
4. Sharks
Before the world cup started the teams would rate as follows:
Sharks
Australia
South Africa
New Zealand
India
Tuna
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
England
West Indies
Salmon
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Ireland
Minnows
U.A.E
Afghanistan
Scotland
So how do the teams rate now? Let’s look at the ones that have missed out.
United Arab Emirates
These guys did as well as could be expected. They are basically expatriates from the sub-continent. Most of them are professionals who have taken time off to play cricket.
While they didn’t win a game, they competed every time. Shaiman Anwar led with the bat, and scored his team’s only century. Manjula Guruge was willing with the ball, and bowled with good economy.
Mohammed Naveed took wickets steadily, but not penetrating. Anwar and Guruge were bestowed the honour of making The Lazy Phoenix team of the week.
Scotland
Went okay, but probably disappointed not to have a win. They would be kicking themselves for not defending 318 against Bangladesh. They can take heart from Josh Davey’s bowling.
It has been hardly menacing but he still picked up 14 wickets and was always up among the leaders. Majid Haq bowled his ultra slowies with good economy. Kyle Coertzer scored a brilliant 156 against Bangladesh. Matthew Cross also picked up nine wickets behind the stumps. These three also made The Lazy Phoenix team of the week.
Afghanistan
The feel-good story of the tournament, and a testimony as to why minnows should be part of the World Cup. These guys can develop and become a serious part of World Cricket.
They are a relatively young squad and all reports are that Andy Moles has coached them perfectly, aiding their natural skills with advice and encouragement.
Hamid Hassan has been close to my favourite player with his war paint, headband and raw bowling ability. The Zadran brothers have worked willingly and in fact all of the main bowlers kept their strike rate below six per over, which is a huge wrap.
Samiulah Shemwari was the standout batsman, whose 96 steered them to their famous victory against Scotland. I was also impressed by their willingness to learn, even when they were getting savaged by the sharks. Three players of the week here, Hassan Shapoor and Samiulah.
The I.C.C. must help this side grow.
England
I’ll try to be serious here. No, bugger it, what a joke they are. The definition of insanity is to try the same thing again and again, hoping for a different result.
England were insipid, their body language was down and there was not one character that could drag them out of the mire. That’s their problem, all the strong characters were left out.
I guess it was easy to herd this lot onto the bus, but even easier to send them back to the dressing room when batting, and to the boundary when bowling. No batsman scored more than one decent innings each, the bowlers barely took a wicket and the one that did, Finn went for nearly eight runs an over.
Hint for you England, Yorkers were invented in Yorkshire. The rest of the world have picked up on that delivery. Only Joe Root made the team of the week, although captain Eoin Morgan made it for his second duck.
Zimbabwe
The Zimmers probably did what everyone expected from them. They competed hard, they batted well but they could not beat any of the big fish. Unfortunately, I can’t see them ever getting out of their pond.
They had two outstanding batsmen, Keeper Brendan Taylor who scored two dashing hundreds, and Sean Williams who managed to get past fifty four times, plus nab a couple of handy wickets. Young Tendai Chatara grabbed ten wickets, but most of the bowlers were going at over six an over which means the team is always chasing 300.
They would ultimately be disappointed that they finished well behind Ireland. Brendan Taylor made the team of the week once.
Ireland
The best minnows by far. These guys have a great attitude to the game. They bat long and smart, although their bowling lets them down a little. Porterfield and Joyce led the way, but most of the batting side scored runs at some stage.
They are another team that needs to score 300 plus to win as the bowlers just lacked the venom needed to put a team away. Andy Cusack was the best of the bowlers, with a good economy, but they really fall into the medium pace style, and need some actual quicks.
I heard somebody comment that with Ireland’s batting and Afghanistan’s bowling, this would be a super competitive side.Their victory against the Windies was their big moment. Unfortunately, in their last match against Pakistan, good bowling brought them undone, and their own bowling could not compete.
Ed Joyce was the only Irishman to receive team of the week honours, mainly because the team has been so consistent.
This has changed by exclusive ratings somewhat.
Minnows
U.A.E.
Scotland
Salmon
Ireland
England
Afghanistan
Zimbabwe
I think that says everything, particularly about England who have gone from Shark to Tuna and now to Salmon in less than two years. Afghanistan deservedly earn their Salmon rating, and Ireland are a dorsal fin away from becoming Tuna.
The I.C.C. must help these lesser nations develop. Ireland, for example are an ageing squad and need competitive cricket to grow.
To be honest the Shark nations need to stand up for their little mates. Australia should invite Ireland to tour next year. All Aussie fans love an underdog, and would support the Irish. If not, the team’s players should be encouraged into the T20 franchises much more than they are.
Let’s hope somebody with influence in World Cricket understands this. Maybe a bucket of burley needs to be thrown in the I.C.C. boardroom.
Conor
Guest
Excellent article. Couldnt agree more with the ideas. Cricket seems averse to development but obsessed with money. Why on earth would a sport declaring itself to be the 2nd biggest in the world first of all reject the application for olympic status and then trim its premier event to 10 teams? The answer; money. The ECB rejected the olympic idea on the grounds that revenue would be lost. The WC format is debated and changed pretty much every edition, why doesnt it follow every other sport and have groups of 4 or 5 (16 or 32 total), then knockouts? The answer; India may only play 3 games. Why is this bad? Money How much money is enough? The game generates plenty. The WC needs to be attractive and relevant.... for NON Test playing nations. It needs to be SIMPLE. WHy? Because it should be there to attract new fans and player from new nations; not satisfy the already converted Indians. The Indians will watch no matter what, why does the rest of the world bend over backwards for them? Money The way the ICC treats improving teams is a complete and utter disgrace. Ireland, better on the field and off (doubled their registered players to 50 000 in 4 yrs) are being slapped in the face by a 10 team WC. Afganistan are probably the best story in world sport at the moment; but the ICC says get stuffed. Nepal consistently sell out games in the world cricket league; the ICC says youre not welcome. Why in the world would people in these countries start to or continue to watch cricket if there is no chance of playing in the WC? To maybe have the chance of meaningless bilateral ODI series Vs India? Please I would gladly accept less money for the next BCCI/ICC TV deal if it means Ireland continue to attract more people to play the game. This is real success, NOT TV deal money. Make it a simple WC - 16 teams; 4 pools of 4 then QF. Everyone can understand it and you can play it in a month. The ICC is a complete disgrace when it comes to spreading the game. If we have a 10 team WC even fewer countries will care about our great sport. You can kiss away the hard fought newly won fans in Ireland, Afganistan, Nepal and others. Then in 20yrs India can play India A for all the money in the world but no one else will be watching.
Higgik
Guest
Changes could easily happen in Asia and Europe, where teams could have a regular home and away match every year, and incoming tourists play the minnow team. E.g. When touring to Pakistan, (in UAE) the UAE could also play ODI v touring team. England, Scotland, Ireland and Holland should play a mini series every year, with Ireland, Scotland and Holland also providing a team in the one day event.
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
I said exactly the opposite - I want to see the minnows compete with salmon, tuna and sharks on a regular basis. Every world cup the minnows learn what they need to do to improve, then nobody plays them. As for crowds, its a bit like the Sheffield Shield. Only family members watch it, yet it is the most important development competition for Australian Cricket.
spruce moose
Guest
indeed but kicking them out solves nothing and is a regressive move.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You seem to think popping them into the World Cup every 4 years solves everything.
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
It's just that a minnow can't grow if it is stuck in it's own little pond. Once upon a time India were a minnow, how quickly people forget, once they become sharks...I can even remember when New Zealand played in the Australian Domestic one day series.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
The thing is about these "minnows". I don't know whether they've so much improved as some of the main cricketing nations dropped off. Bangladesh didn't make the quarters because they'd improved as much as because England were terrible. Ireland didn't make the quarters, but were threatening to at one point, and that was just as much because West Indies and Pakistan at points looked good and others looked little better than associates themselves.
cantab
Guest
Nice article, I agree with the ratings, sediments and especially the use of fish; and absolutely the Idea that we need to do more for these smaller teams. A tour of NZ and Aust by the likes of Ireland where they play state and provincial teams and maybe...but not necessarily ending in a game against the national teams would go a long way. They used to play in the English domestic league? It would be nice if this could continue. My thoughts on where the ICC should throw their cash and time - I think Ireland has the political stability and economy to actually sustainably grow the game and is where the ICC should primarily focus their attention. Scotland should also be at the forefront on this development list, yes they currently don't have the players, but they do have access to county cricket and the economic conditions which would allow growth. Afghanistan is a real cool story, damn cool actually, but it' money down a hole, similar to the Kenya experiment which saw every cent and effort whittled away to nothing. Doesn’t mean it should be ignored because everyone likes a cool story, but if the vision is to get self sustaining teams up, then forget it. UAE - If Pakistan continue to play their cricket here then that is a massive leg up for this 'minnow' that no other developing team has ever received. It would be crazy for the ICC not to get behind them whilst they have been handed this opportunity. Finally a ten team cricket world cup is crazy IMO, It should be at least 11 (if we're all in one pool, so what if it’s an odd number), the idea that one of either Ireland, Zim, Bangers or England :) missing out is crazy.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Or brown trout
Matt
Roar Rookie
No-one is interested because we play so many meaningless games against England rather than helping lower tier nations develop themselves. You expect Sri Lanka to come over here and do well in entirely foreign conditions considering they only see them every 5 years? If cricket wants to survive, maybe the big nations like Australia and India should do more to develop their opponents - a bit of a stretch to ask that of India, their fans only want to see India win.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Australia will be playing Ireland when they tour England this year I believe. The Irish camp has said that Australia are one of their biggest supporters within the ICC, which makes me a bit chuffed despite all the other buffoonery in Aus cricket administration.
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
Maybe mud sharks...
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
I reckon more people would like to watch Afghanistan than Sri Lanka, not a put down of SL but just the underdog story. WE, like all the Sharks should ask them over for three games, even if we don't pick our elite squad. It's not as if we don't have enough meaningless one day matches anyway.
spruce moose
Guest
Spot on Adam. And a bloody good point Bobbo7. Get the A sides to tour these places, or play them here...even if there are crowds, the experience is excellent.
spruce moose
Guest
You once had England in as a shark? Even when they fluked the rankings and made it to number one you couldn't call them Sharks. They have never had that killer dominating instinct in ODI cricket. Tuna at best to be honest.
spruce moose
Guest
You mean inept teams like England? Frankly,it doesn't matter who comes to this country to play cricket. If the opposition is not England or India, the Australian public doesn't care one jot. Even then, crowds are only big for Indian matches due to the enormous support from the diaspora + a growing and very powerful middle class in India being able to afford to come.
Lazza
Guest
Every time a team like Sri Lanka (i.e. Tuna) tours here, we have stories about whether Cricket is dying in Australia and no-one is interested. So what do you think will happen when even more inept teams start touring?
Bobbo7
Guest
You are right Adam. The A squads of all teams should be playing the associates regularly - means they get the games they need and the national teams don't have too much time taken up
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
Absolutely
Adam Smith
Guest
Time to start inviting teams like Ireland and Afghanistan to Australia to play. Could even have an Australia A side play against them to make it more fair.