I’m channelling my inner Juan Antonio Samaranch here instead of my Jacques Rogge. In the world of cricket, this has been the best World Cup ever.
Why?
11. Outstanding crowds
83,000 for Australia vs England, 84,000 South Africa vs India, a full Adelaide Oval, a full Auckland (twice), surely a full SCG for the second semi, and full regional grounds in New Zealand.
Not only were the grounds full and buzzing (especially in New Zealand), they were happy and harmonious. Stand by for a world record crowd on Sunday.
10. Outstanding batting
We have been privileged to see some phenomenal batting performances, capped off thus far by Martin Guptill’s crazy brilliant 237*.
I say thus far, because in this World Cup, with two games to go, who knows what else will happen!
Yes, the conditions are batsman friendly, but at the end of the day some of the performances transcended the conditions and the game itself – AB de Villier’s 162, Glenn Maxwell’s 51-ball 100. Of course Kumar Sangakkara’s four centuries in four innings will not be forgotten soon either.
9. Outstanding bowling
Yes, it’s been a tournament for the batsmen, but this World Cup will be won by the bowlers. Tim Southee devastated England with a 7-for, Brendon McCullum merely covered the coffin with a shedload of dirt.
Trent Boult demolished the Australian middle order, while Mitch Starc single-handedly turned that fixture from a game into a match. Even England somehow made the honours list, providing the first of two World Cup hattricks. Hats off to Dan Vettori and Imran Tahir as well.
The team who bowls best will win this World Cup.
8. Outstanding associate performances
From Ireland being cruelly denied a spot in the knockouts, to Afghanistan running Sri Lanka all the way, we’ve seen terrific performances by the associates, including the first nail-biter of the tournament between Scotland and Afghanistan.
The UAE had their best ever performance at a World Cup with bat and ball (not bad for a fully amateur team).
The associates have demonstrated the folly of the ICC chasing coin instead of respect in 2019.
7. The rise of Bangladesh
Finally, Bangladesh are starting to deliver matches at World Cups instead of practice runs for their opponents. They are still another World Cup away from being penciled in as bona fide quarter finalists, but they have finally lifted themselves off the mat. Brilliant to see.
6. Good, hard and fair cricket
Notwithstanding the ludicrous decision to fine Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson for their terrific square off, we’ve seen the best cricket played by all sides and in the best spirit.
The aforementioned battle between the two Ws will be recalled for years, but let’s also remember the grace Afghanistan displayed when they won their first ever match against Scotland. Celebrations yes, but also remembering their sportsmanship.
Also, Zimbabwe vs Ireland: a match with a hint of controversy at the end, but Zimbabwe to their credit didn’t spoil the mood by complaining.
Even the Australian’s have been magnanimous when they lost. Who’d have thunk it?
5. Glenn Maxwell
He has been a treat to watch in this World Cup. I was one of the many who questioned his worth to the side before the World Cup, and he has proved me wrong.
He has dazzled the crowds with his insane batting and has also demonstrated that he can be the sportsman on the field. Yes, he pulled the choke action with the New Zealand crowd, but was then the first to congratulate the crowd in Auckland that day.
The all-round entertainer is the man that India and New Zealand will fear most over the next week.
4. The early departure of England
Only one European airline flies to Australia these days. Fortunately for the English cricket team, it is their national carrier. Lucky.
The English cricket team came here with computers, data analysts and a legion of support staff – apparently including a coach. But they forgot to come with any discernible understanding of one day cricket. Bon voyage.
3. The Slumdog Millionaire New Zealand team
They are playing in the same way Jamal won in the movie: as if it is their destiny. As a non-Kiwi, this has been excellent to watch.
2. The weather
Only one game abandoned, and a handful requiring the Duckworth/Lewis method. It’s been fantastic for the crowds, fantastic for TV, and fantastic for the players. I doubt we will be so lucky in England in 2019.
1. The Tui catch a million promotion
How good is this? Seven Kiwis are guaranteed a minimum of $107,000. The full grounds in New Zealand owe so much gratitude for this promotion. It’s been in place for a couple of years now and New Zealand cricket saw a 20 per cent increase in crowds last year as a result.
So why doesn’t an Aussie beer company piggyback this idea?
Well done host nations Australia and New Zealand. You’ve outdone yourselves.
Matth
Guest
Do you know that Australia actually does play Scotland or Ireland every time they tour the UK already?
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
It's amazing what happens when Brayshaw is not in the box.
Nick
Roar Guru
Aside from the call on England doing well, that was quite the prophetic article in many ways.
Je Geniko
Guest
Pretty much spot on Liam! Well done.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
With the tournament being run across Australia and NZ, with the natural time zone differences, some creative scheduling could have allowed for two matches to be played per day and still broadcast live with minimal overlap. This would also allow the pools to be based in either Australia or NZ to negate all the criss-crossing that seems to have gone on for everyone other than NZ. In this way the six pool games could be played over a three week period, with the three knock out games occurring over the next 10 days or so (per the current schedule) and the whole thing is run and won inside 31 days. The ICC seems to have a specialty in making a complete hash of scheduling, being too cute by half and then it all goes south when games are washed out or done inside half a day's play.
Dutski
Guest
Even if it was on one of the secondary channels. Surely there would be more viewers of NZ vs SA than whatever lame reruns they had on...
Nick
Roar Guru
Grateful that Channel 9 did the absolute minimum work required to piggy back another broadcasters coverage on an off-feed channel? I think not.
Kevin
Guest
Yes Channel Nine - home of Cricket. Woeful coverage. Would love to see 2 divisions run concurrently. Enjoyed watching the associates teams playing more than the WI and Pakistan
Bondy
Guest
Perhaps we should be grateful the semi's were on FTA at all .
Liam Rickard
Roar Rookie
Hey guys check out my article I wrote before the world cup on five reasons why it will be the best ever, see if I was right or not
Jimbo
Guest
Based on the channel nein coverage you'd barely know it was on.
Brian
Guest
It was quite sad the 1st semi was only on GEM. Every year the tri-series and all other meaningless ODI are on 9 and then the WC semi is on GEM. Could you imagine the NRL putting pre-season games on Ch 9 and then the Preliminary Finals on GEM.
Torchbearer
Guest
'Have you got somewhere you need to be'... great comment. Sit back and enjoy the show, if your not interested in a particular game tune in to the next one. A Test Series goes on for months- why can't the World Cup go for 6 weeks?
GD66
Guest
Can't fathom why people complain that the WC has been "too long". Have you got somewhere you need to be ? If you don't want to watch the round-robin games, don't watch. But the improved performances by the lesser nations have easily justified their inclusion, and surprised us with their fervour : so much so that the ICC's indication they are likely to cull them from the next WC shows how out of touch they are when it comes to their supposed charter of promoting the game. Channel 9's lame effort of broadcasting only Australian matches right up to the semi-final stage is no longer any surprise, unfortunately, even when their two subsidiary channels had nothing but garbage and repeats on the menu. They are partly to blame for the insular attitude of the Australian public : the greatest Ashes series of all was broadcast by SBS to unanimous applause. As I have mentioned before, it wouldn't hurt for Australia to play a one-day match or two against Ireland and Scotland while they are traipsing around the UK on Ashes duty, if they are fair dinkum about promoting expansion of the sport. Somehow you get the feeling that the Ashes, which used to be a much-heralded clash twice every four years but now seems to be played nearly annually, is very much a cash cow and the reality of fostering the game is a distant second.
Nick
Roar Guru
I agree But the media only produce what the people want to read or watch. Reading "Australia thump England...again" is hardly a paper seller. "Greg Bird arrested...again" is. It's up to the marketers for CA (or ARU, ARL etc) and the public to change first and then the media will follow suit
Nick
Roar Guru
Nice office space...AMP tower?
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I've enjoyed this World Cup enormously. I think it's been absolutely fantastic. And even if Australia goes on to win the trophy, the highlight will STILL be England getting knocked out in the group stages by Bangladesh. That was a truly awesome sporting moment!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Won't be today! I am looking out my office window, over the Harbour to the north and the SCG to the east, and it's an absolutely glorious Sydney day!
Bondy
Guest
Spruce All good points especially for the other countries, time zones and ratings etc but I'm more concerned as to how we're are portraying ourselves through the media to ourselves. I just believe we're taking to much of an internal angle to sports consumption . As I expressed the media has largely been concentrating on drunk and drug affected " professional" sports athletes from domestic professions once again or continuing to disgrace themselves and their sports . There should be a greater sense of national fervour towards or national team/s ....
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, its a good point Bondy I think the world cup has received different levels of interest depending on the expected performance of the national team in each respective country. The expectations of the English were so low, plus the timezones, it was always going to be a challenge to rouse support from them and thus the WC was always an afterthought for the fans. But India, South Africa and Sri Lanka have all recorded strong ratings, and considering South Africa have time zone factors, that's a good effort. But then. they were all expected to do well...so people wanted to follow them. I've been to NZ a few times for work and pleasure since the world cup began and there is a noticeably bigger vibe there than in Australia. I think in Australia there are two factors for the low key levels of discussion in media (away from this forum of course): 1. Australian cricket fans are notoriously apathetic to the game when Australia are not playing to the point of rank ignorance In fact, they are pretty apathetic when Australia is playing anyone but England, which is surprising considering how inept the English have been recently. And I don't think people can disagree with that...channel 9 have obviously thought the same this world cup and were only responding to market demand when they elected not to show other matches this cup. It's also reflected in the appalling lack of knowledge in the channel 9 commentary team when other countries tour here. Apathy begets apathy. 2. It was widely assumed that Australia would qualify for the semi's at the absolute minimum so no one has shown any real interest until now. Arguably, NZ beating Australia was the best thing to happen to the world cup, it at least energised the supporter base a little bit. Victory is not for granted anymore. If Australia win tonight, expect there to be a buzz around the country. Aus v NZ final....wow!