The Cricket World Cup rolls past the halfway point as Week 4 gets underway, and the battle for spots in the top four is about to heat up with a number of critical matches. Here to take you through them are The Roar’s expert tipping panel.
We have plenty of washouts in the last week, making high tipping scores something of an impossibility, but even worse, it meant there was no result recorded in the games where the tipping panel was split.
That means we have all recorded scores of four before India took on Pakistan last night, with that also including The Crowd.
It means David still leads the way overall on 15, with our editor Daniel on 14 alongside The Crowd.
This week gets underway with an intriguing clash between the unpredictable West Indies and Bangladesh, and has another couple on Wednesday and Thursday with New Zealand playing a struggling South Africa and Australia up to the test against the Tigers.
On either side of that, England get their easiest stretch of the tournament against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, before India play Afghanistan.
The West Indies then take on New Zealand in another match which is lining up to be a belter, before the most unpredictable match of the week closes out with South Africa to play Pakistan.
The deadline to have your tips as part of The Crowd’s figures (by using the form below) is at 6pm (AEST) on Monday evening ahead of the first game of the week.
Ronan O’Connell
Tips: Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa
While the West Indies have a ton of batting talent they’ve been undisciplined with the blade so far in this World Cup. They’re more vulnerable against spin than pace and Bangladesh a pair of handy tweakers in Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, so I’m tipping the Tigers.
Afghanistan and England will be an extremely one-sided affair. Afghanistan have made huge strides in recent years but are still a long way from being able to compete with elite ODI sides like pre-tournament favourites England.
The Kiwis are ticking along nicely thanks to their sturdy batting lineup and an in-form pace attack. Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have had fantastic World Cups thus far, while the Proteas batting unit has been vulnerable. It’s New Zealand for me.
Bangladesh have only won one of their 20 ODIs against Australia. But they’re now a consistently competitive side who have earned a reputation as giant killers. Do I think they will beat Australia? No. But it wouldn’t surprise me either, as the Tigers now have enough talent and experience to upset any team on their day.
Sri Lanka are at a low ebb in their ODI history and, in particular, lack penetration with the ball – they may just have the weakest attack in this tournament. England’s commanding batting lineup will batter them.
India remain my favourites to win this World Cup, they’ll be far too good for Afghanistan who have a decent bowling attack but an awful batting lineup.
Right now you feel the Windies can beat any team in this tournament but their hyper-attacking batting style also leaves them open to major misfires. NZ’s attack is in great shape and I think they’ll be able to keep the Windies batting in check.
The Proteas have had a remarkably awful tournament so far for a team I expected to make the semi-finals. Pakistan have blown hot and cold as ever. Do I have any idea who will win this match? Not really. I’m just going to pick SA.
David Schout
Tips: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan
I’m going with the Windies against Bangladesh, but with no real confidence. Jason Holder’s side were thoroughly unconvincing against England but should bounce back. Bangladesh haven’t played for over a week, which doesn’t help their cause.
England vs Afghanistan is one of the easier tips this World Cup. I’m really hoping the Afghanis can take it to the hosts but I’m sensing carnage.
England remain one of the favourites for the tournament. (Photo by Gareth Copley-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
It was a big shame the New Zealand vs India game was washed out last week, as it would’ve given us a great indicator of where the Black Caps really are. I’m tipping them to be too good for the Proteas, whose lack of batting depth will be exposed by the Kiwi bowlers.
Australia vs Bangladesh is by no means a gimme. It’ll be interesting to see the bowling combinations they opt for in this one, and whether they pick Zampa again at Trent Bridge. If they’re anywhere near their best, they should win.
The Lankans held a good account of themselves against Australia but won’t have anywhere near what’s required to topple the hosts, who should do this one in a canter.
As against England, this clash (vs India) could turn ugly for Afghanistan. I really hope it doesn’t and they can hold their head up, but there’s only one team winning this one.
The Windies good is very good (vs Pakistan) while their bad is, well, quite bad (vs England). By contrast, you know what you’re going to get from the Black Caps. As such, I’m opting for Kane Williamson’s men in what should be a fun clash at Old Trafford.
Pakistan vs South Africa is the toughest one to pick this week. At their best Pakistan are far too strong for the Proteas but as we know, that’s never a given. I’m tipping them to have one of their good days and for Wahab/Amir to seam it around corners at Lord’s (hopefully…)
Dan Liebke
Tips: Bangladesh, England, South Africa, Bangladsh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa
West Indies vs Bangladesh is perhaps the toughest game of the entire week to predict. But the West Indies have been getting progressively worse as the tournament goes on, so give me the Bangladesh side.
England vs Afghanistan is, by contrast, not a tough game at all. Even if half their team succumb to hamstring strains and back spasms, England should still effortlessly swat Afghanistan aside.
South Africa can’t be hopeless for the entire tournament, surely. Let’s imagine a world where they topple New Zealand. I’m not even sure I believe it, but I’m going to tip it. Just because I want to see Faf smile again.
I’ll take Bangladesh in back-to-back matches. Australia have mastered the art of decelerating in the back half of their batting innings and I now fully expect them to be the first team in ODI history where halving the score at the thirtieth over tells you what they’ll finish with.
England vs Sri Lanka? See England vs Afghanistan.
Hmm? Oh, India are playing a match this week? Frightfully good of them to pop in. They’ll beat Afghanistan before disappearing for another fortnight.
New Zealand will bounce back. The West Indies won’t. New Zealand to stroll away with this one.
My ‘will Pakistan win this match?’ coin came down no. Congratulations South Africa. I’m very much enjoying your ultimately heartbreaking late charge for the semi-finals.
JP Duminy of South Africa (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Daniel Jeffrey
Tips: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan
Washouts and a few losses means it’s must-win time for the West Indies. They should do just that against Bangladesh, although Andre Russell’s injury is a major concern.
England will beat Afghanistan, and we need waste no more words on that match.
New Zealand still haven’t been tested against top-tier opposition thanks to the rain, but it’s hard to argue this South African team are that. The Black Caps should handle the Proteas.
Australia’s batting order remains a mess – those pre-tournament concerns about a lack of explosiveness have been vindicated by their inability to properly finish an innings. One team will make them pay for that before it’s all said and done, but I don’t think it’ll be Bangladesh.
England get yet another throw-down of a fixture this week, this one against Sri Lanka. It’ll be another win for the hosts, while there’s a similar absence of doubt about India’s chances against Afghanistan.
The last two games of the week are far more enticing. The men from the Caribbean will be New Zealand’s first real test of the tournament. It’s a match the Windies must win, but I’m not convinced they’ve got the class to handle the Black Caps.
As for Pakistan versus South Africa, who knows what these two will dish up. Sarfaraz Ahmed doesn’t have a wealth of bowling riches at his disposal, but both the Proteas’ batting and bowling is below where Faf du Plessis would’ve wanted. Pakistan in a close one.
Scott Pryde
Tips: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa
There are a couple of games this week which could really go either way, so looking forward to an entertaining patch of cricket ahead as the finals start to work themselves out.
The first match could be the most unpredictable of the lot. Any match the Windies play in is unpredictable, to be fair. They could score 100, or they could score 400. The men from the Caribbean have struggled a little bit against quality attacks, and might do so against the spin of Bangladesh, but I can’t see them losing.
(Oli Scarff/AFP)
England will be back in action on Tuesday against Afghanistan, then again on Friday against Sri Lanka. Let’s be honest, there is almost no chance they lose either of those matches.
New Zealand also have a pair of matches this week as they play South Africa and the West Indies. They could really go either way, but I’ve enjoyed what the Black Caps have dished up so far.
The only real worry about Kane Williamson’s side is that they haven’t played a big gun yet. They will have some good tests this week, but with the Proteas struggling and West Indies inconsistent, I can’t take either of them.
We then move on to Australia and Bangladesh. As much as the Aussies should win, it’s a danger game. The Tigers have already beaten the Proteas and are playing some good cricket. They probably need a turning pitch though and are unlikely to get one in Nottingham, so Australia.
India’s game with Afghanistan should be one-sided in favour of India, before I’ll take South Africa to get the better of Pakistan in a game which I frankly have no idea about.
| Week 3 | Ronan | David | Dan | Daniel | Scott | The Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI v BAN | BAN | WI | BAN | WI | WI | WI |
| ENG v AFG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG |
| NZL v RSA | NZL | NZL | RSA | NZL | NZL | NZL |
| AUS v BAN | AUS | AUS | BAN | AUS | AUS | AUS |
| ENG v SL | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG |
| IND v AFG | IND | IND | IND | IND | IND | IND |
| WI v NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL |
| PAK v RSA | RSA | PAK | RSA | PAK | RSA | |
| Last week | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 |
Go in the draw to win $2K by joining The Roar‘s 2019 Cricket World Cup tipping comp by submitting your tips below!
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AREH
Roar Guru
Huge danger game for Aus, but you'd still back them. A surprise loss would mean they need two out of matches against NZ, RSA & Eng to solidify their place. So much on the line for both teams in that match!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
NZ is yet to be tested against any of the big teams however, so it's hard to know how they are going. Effectively, the "big" teams going into this WC would probably come down to 5 teams, fighting for four semi spots, with teams like WI, Pakistan, Bangladesh hoping for some major upsets where they could sneak in over one of the more fancied teams. So far South Africa and England have both had slip-ups against teams outside those top 5 teams. England seem in a much better place to make sure that's the only blip, while South Africa, you feel, have to win all four of their remaining matches against NZ, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia in order to make the semi's. More washouts could still become critical in determining who's in and out by the end too.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Interesting seeing Bangladesh not just chase down 322, but completely smash it in the 42nd over. Quite incredible really. Yet again 25 wides for the West Indies. They really donate plenty of extra runs to the opposition. I still think Australia should beat Bangladesh, but that's definitely another danger game for them.
dat
Roar Rookie
They could beat New Zealand, but i don't think it will really happen though. Both Nz and Sa are dependent on a few individuals to get them the win against tougher opponents.But despite Rabada's presence i think Boult edges him as the better odi quick, while Ross taylor is comfortably the best batsman from both teams in the last 2 years( Stands in between Virat and Rohit, when it comes to ridiculous avg in that time period, while scoring over 2000 runs). Outside the spin department,on paper New Zealand looks the better unit. I do think south africa will have a better showing in the 2nd half of the tournament,though not against the current top 4 (well, unless Australia does something silly) ,i see them more so in the role of ending the dreams of pakistan and other lower ranked teams to still make the semis,and so ensuring they finish 5th in the points table.
Brian
Guest
I hope someone from the bottom 6 steps up. If the West Indies can win tonight and get themselves to 5th place, they then have NZ, India, SL and Afghanistan in the run home so no reason they can't win 3 of those and get in the semis. Otherwise hope the Saffers can beat New Zealand to get some tension into the long round-robin phase.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't disagree Bobbo, but I wouldn't put any hard earned on New Zealand with any confidence, not against a team that has Rabada, Faf and de Kock. It's entirely possible they could come out and give the Kiwis a real scare.
Bobbo7
Guest
Can't see SA beating NZ - Sa batting is just too thin. Unless deKock or DuPlessis go big they really are not that good.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Bangladesh over Australia Dan?? If that comes off I'll watch your ratings with interest..
Paul
Roar Guru
There s some clear separation between the top 4 and the rest, certainly in the wins column. I expect South Africa to be hard to beat for the rest of the tournament. Fafs boys will be playing for pride and they are a very proud nation.