Four weeks of the Cricket World Cup are in the books, and just when you thought the top four was all but locked in and we were going to have boring cricket, an upset and three crackers to end the week have kept things lively. The Roar’s expert tipping panel are here to take you through the next set of games.
The last 48 hours have been great for cricket, and great for this tournament.
From Sri Lanka’s win over England, to Afghanistan pushing India all the way and the West Indies falling about two metres short of beating New Zealand, we have had three thrillers in a row, with scores all under 300.
Whoever said anything about needing a mountain of runs to make these games entertaining?
Anyway, the only differences between tipsters last week (with the exception of South Africa and Pakistan overnight of course, which was played after the time of writing), were Bangladesh and the West Indies, and Australia and Bangladesh.
By that, I mean Dan took Bangladesh in both of those games, so settles for five along with everyone else, and Ronan took the Tigers to beat the West Indies, so he takes six tips out of Week 4 and now sits just one tip behind David at the top of the leaderboard.
Equal with Ronan on 20 is our editor Daniel and The Crowd, while the man with the funniest cricket ratings on the internet and yours truly round out the field.
The new week gets underway with Afghanistan taking on Bangladesh, before Australia take on England.
It’s a big week for both the Aussies and the hosts, as they play New Zealand and India in the final two games of the week. In between, New Zealand play Pakistan, the West Indies look to upset India, Sri Lanka try to prove their upset was no fluke when they play South Africa, and Pakistan take on Afghanistan.
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.
Tips: Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, India
England’s shock loss to Sri Lanka has given Bangladesh hope of qualifying for the semi-finals. Not only are they a much better-balanced side than Bangladesh but that extra motivation should make sure they’re switched on in this match. Bangladesh to win comfortably.
This is a very tough match to tip. Although England have a commanding recent record against Australia in ODIs, right now there is little between these sides.
The key difference, in this match, is that England are under immense pressure after their very poor effort in the loss to Sri Lanka, whereas Australia have basically nothing to lose in this match. In a 50-50 contest that factor has swayed me to tip Australia.
The Kiwis are cruising along at the moment thanks, in a large part, to the very healthy state of their bowling attack.
Whereas batting shaped as their strength in this tournament, thanks to the presence of elite ODI batsmen Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill, their bowlers have really stepped up.
The major impact of express quick Lockie Ferguson, and the consistency of spinner Mitchell Santner, has eased the pressure on superstar swing bowler Trent Boult. The Kiwis will be too good.
India remain my favourites for the World Cup. The West Indies are one dimensional, relying on all-out attack with the bat to win them matches. But their weakness with the blade is against spin and Indian have the best spin combination in the world. India will win.
South Africa and Sri Lanka is a real toss-up. Sri Lanka were hugely impressive in upsetting England in their last match. But they’ve also got a real weakness against express pace bowling so I think Kagiso Rabada will chop them up in this match. South Africa for me.
Afghanistan’s batting lineup is by far the weakest in this tournament and for that reason I can’t see them winning a single match. Pakistan comfortably.
The Kiwis seem to grow an extra limb when they play Australia in ODIs. Whereas for Australia it is India and England who are their biggest rivals, for New Zealand, this is as big as it gets.
These two teams are very closely matched. Australia’s batting is in slightly better shape at present, but New Zealand’s bowling is clearly deeper right now. For that reason, and the motivation the Kiwis gain from playing Australia, I’m tipping New Zealand.
England and India have been the equal-best ODI teams since the last World Cup. It is odd that they have played each other so sparingly in those four years, with just a measly six ODIs between these heavyweights.
The ledger sits at 3-3 over those matches, with India winning 2-1 at home and England winning 2-1 at home. They are two quality ODI teams who are very difficult to separate. But, when in doubt, I always tip the team with the better attack and that clearly is India.
Tips: Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, England
Bangladesh have been one of the real surprise packets this World Cup, boasting a top-five that can rival most sides. They should be too strong for Afghanistan on the south coast.
England have a habit of bouncing back hard after shock losses, and I expect it to be no different against the Aussies. Both sides are playing at Lord’s for the first time this World Cup, and I, picking the hosts to continue their good recent record against the arch enemy.
Ferguson, Henry and Boult have caused issues for most top orders this World Cup, and I think they’ll do so again against Pakistan.
The Windies performance against Bangladesh had a ‘wheels falling off’ feel about it, and I expect Virat Kohli’s boys to do a number on them in Manchester.
Sri Lanka’s incredible win over England has made me think this one over… but I think the Proteas – who have been hugely disappointing – will still be too strong.
If Afghanistan are going to win a game, it has to be against Pakistan doesn’t it? Unfortunately, I don’t think they will. Pakistan for me.
The trans-Tasman clash should be a beauty. The fact it’s the second game at Lord’s for the Aussies (a venue they’ve had huge success at) makes me think they might get up. But only just.
England and India is a genuine toss of the coin, and somewhat difficult to pick a week out. I’m going to go with England at what’ll be a rowdy Edgbaston.
Tips: Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, New Zealand, India
Afghanistan threw everything at India and almost won. But they didn’t win, and in losing, became the first team to officially be eliminated from the World Cup. Bangladesh, in contrast, haven’t been eliminated from the World Cup. This is because they’re a better side than Afghanistan, and therefore should win.
England’s strength, despite their stumble against Sri Lanka, is their batting. Australia’s strength, despite bumbling in an incorrect manner to 380-odd against Bangladesh, is their bowling. That means this should be a great contest. But England have more batsmen than Australia have bowlers, so I’m tipping the hosts to bounce back.
My Pakistan coin has come up heads which means they’ll be upsetting New Zealand. Excellent stuff from the men in green.
Theory: Any side that has Jasprit Bumrah bowling for them will never lose a match again. Luckily for India, they are one such side.
Come on, South Africa. If you’re not going to make the semi-finals and comically crash out, then why are you even at the World Cup? Nope, I’m on the Sri Lanka bandwagon now. Let’s roll it all the way to the finals, lads.
A dodgy tail on the coin toss means that Pakistan will give Afghanistan their first win here. Will it come because of a dodgy tail for Pakistan’s batting lineup? Sure, why not.
As far as I understand from the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand wins the first time around against Australia, before Australia triumph over them in the final. History to begin repeating here.
Possibly the game of the tournament, this one. The two best ODI teams in the world facing off against one another, searching for the psychological advantage in what it is entirely reasonable to assume will be a preview of the World Cup final. Crowd support from the fans to get India home here, and provide further evidence for The Bumrah Hypothesis.
Tips: Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, India
A few upsets last week have done their best to keep this set of matches interesting. It matters little to Afghanistan, who’ll continue their winless ways against Bangladesh, but the hosts suddenly find themselves in need of a win. With more to play for and Australia’s bowling offering a few vulnerabilities to exploit, England should get the job done.
New Zealand survived their Caribbean test on Saturday night and will be better for it. Pakistan have been inconsistent and it’d be an upset if they beat the Black Caps.
India will look to make a statement after their nervy win over Afghanistan (which was oddly described by the BCCI Twitter account as a thumping, a bit of social media activity which makes Michael Vaughan look positively impartial). They’ll handle the Windies, who are dreadfully unfortunate to still be sitting on one win.
South Africa should all but end Sri Lanka’s finals hopes, and it’s hard to see Afghanistan getting up against Pakistan.
The last two matches on the agenda look belters – and possibly semi-final previews. Australia’s extra batting depth will stand them in good stead against the Kiwis, while it’s India’s better bowlers which gives them favouritism against England. Both will be well worth staying up for though.
Tips: Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, India
With a couple of tight games in the last few days and one big upset, there are some really good games coming up this week at the World Cup.
And it all starts with Bangladesh needing to win. This would have been one of the games Afghanistan circled as a chance to win, but I just can’t see it happening. As good as they were against India, Shakib Al Hasan and the Tigers are going to be desperate, and it’s his brilliance that should get them over the line.
However, I will take the Afghanis later in the week when they take on Sri Lanka. The Lankans beat England, but that might have just about been their grand final. Hard to see them stringing any victories together with the squad they have on paper.
Tuesday brings the Ashes come early in coloured clothes as Australia take on England. It’s actually quite a big game for England, given they have already lost two and still have to play plenty of the big guns.
In saying that, Australia have improved each time out and should win.
Australia’s other game, to be played late night Saturday (AEST) could well be the match of the week as they take on New Zealand. I tend to think the Aussies will win on the back of their bowling attack, but some of the Kiwi batsmen are due a score, so this could go either way. Kane Williamson holds the key.
Staying on the theme of the Black Caps, and their Wednesday night game against Pakistan should see them lock up a semi-final spot by picking up another two competition points.
South Africa should get the better of Sri Lanka, and I’ll take India to beat England in the final game of the week, which could really put the hosts into some strife.
The one game I haven’t addressed is the Windies and India… More because I need to take a risk, but the West Indies are due to cause an upset, so why not against the favourites, who will slip up at some point.
| Week 5 | Ronan | David | Dan | Daniel | Scott | The Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAN v AFG | BAN | BAN | BAN | BAN | BAN | BAN |
| ENG v AUS | AUS | ENG | ENG | ENG | AUS | ENG |
| NZL v PAK | NZL | NZL | PAK | NZL | NZL | NZL |
| WI v IND | IND | IND | IND | IND | WI | IND |
| SL v RSA | RSA | RSA | SL | RSA | RSA | RSA |
| PAK v AFG | PAK | PAK | AFG | PAK | AFG | PAK |
| NZL v AUS | NZL | AUS | NZL | AUS | AUS | AUS |
| ENG v IND | IND | ENG | IND | IND | IND | IND |
| Last week | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 20 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 20 |
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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Ronan O'Connell
Expert
And what happened Ross?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hi Bobbo. Yes, if and when, then they can. But they haven't thus far. Has to be a concern this deep into the tournament that the majority of the NZ line-up isn't contributing at anywhere near a consistent basis. I agree they have the talent and the record, but it isn't coming to the fore so far in WC19. I think NZ is a lock for a SF berth, but they need to start pulling together some team efforts on the batting front v PAK, AUS and ENG in the lead-up to the SF if they are going to make the Final.
Bobbo7
Guest
Guptill is due a score and I think Taylor, Latham, de Granhomme and Neeshsm can hold it together if Williamson gets out. This is not a one a batsman team. They can build a score around Guptill, Williamson, Taylor or Latham. And if (Big if) Munro gets going, they can go very big. If NZ fire with the bat when it matters, they stand a very good chance.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
yep. At some point he's going to get knocked over cheaply.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Spot on Jeff you can't rely on 1 player to score more than half your runs every time you bat.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be backing AUS on strength of our bowling, certainly not ahead of the strength of NZ's bowling. But for me, NZ's batting depth looks exceptionally weak/out-of-form in the this WC and it has really been Williamson (373 runs, 186.5 ave, 4 inns) and to a lesser extent Taylor (200 runs, 50.0 ave, 4 inns) that has allowed them to get anywhere near posting winning totals. It's a huge risk for NZ if Williamson gets out early. Excluding Williamson and Taylor, the rest of the top 7 (Guptill, Munro, Latham, Neesham and deGrandhomme) have been poor – 440 runs from 21 innings (3 not outs) at an average of 24.4 So AUS over NZ for me.
AREH
Roar Guru
Truly not a single match in that set without some difficulty in choosing. You'd imagine there will be more of the 250-260 type contests as opposed to the batting fests, of which we have seen very few so far - and thankfully, most might say. This round might be the differentiator in the tipping!
George
Guest
Ronan in "Australia to win" shocker.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
“Australia have basically nothing to lose in this match”? Not quite. If Australia lose to England, NZ and South Africa, they would miss the semis if Pakistan or Sri Lanka win their last three matches. While nobody would put a lot of money on that happening, if Pakistan beat NZ you wouldn’t rule them out, as they then would face Bangladesh and Afghanistan. And Australia losing to NZ and SA is hardly far-fetched. SA have surely got the talent to take down one of the better teams.
Trevor
Guest
I was thinking exactly the same thing. We have 2 bowlers of any quality and 3 liabilities. Can't see us winning either game this week.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Getting to the juicey bit of the tournament now. For me the West Indies are the what could of been story! Couple of close losses...…. But interesting to see how it all plays out? Can NZ continues it's consistency, will England Choke again this tournament? Can Australia go all the way? Excited for the next for weeks
Brasstax
Guest
A couple of people have tipped Australia to beat the Poms and the Kiwis based on "the strength of the bowling attack." What strength? With squad currently in the UK, we are a two bowler team out of which one is rocks and diamonds and 3, 4 and 5 are club level.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
With Australia coming into their England and NZ matches with a Semi-Final place basically already sewn up, it will be interesting to see how that will affect their play, if at all. It may give them the freedom to go a bit harder in attack with the feeling they have less to lose, but I do also feel that one thing about the Australian's in a World Cup scenario is they will just go out there to produce their best cricket and try to win every match regardless of the scenario, so it may not make a lot of difference. England on the other had still need to be careful of their arrogance and not taking opposition fully seriously. I heard Morgan say after the Sri Lanka loss that in the last few years at home they've never lost two matches in a row. They need to be careful they don't go into another match with the feeling that they just know they are going to win it because of things like that, and therefore don't give their absolute 100% intensity.