Should Steve Smith change his technique?
The unorthodox in sport can work. Rafael Nadal’s technique is unique but effective. You wouldn’t show footage of him to a young player and…
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The unorthodox in sport can work. Rafael Nadal’s technique is unique but effective. You wouldn’t show footage of him to a young player and…
All the great captains follow their instincts. Mark Taylor used to follow his instincts in throwing the ball to Ricky Ponting or Michael Bevan,…
When Steve Smith made a century in the first innings at Edgbaston, he had brought up his 24th Test century in 118 innings. It…
We continue our recap of the most memorable moments from this year's World Cup. You can read the first part of my World Cup…
The World Cup 2019 could not have asked for a better finale to cap off a wonderful event. A mostly one-sided match quickly turned…
The World Cup finally came alive after a sombre start, with upsets and thrillers galore that helped spice up the event. After yawning our…
When the 2019 World Cup was about to start there was an air of 'unexpectation' about South Africa. They had lost their best batsman,…
Hosts and favourites England came into this year’s event having seemingly covered all bases in their bid to capture their first 50-over crown. They…
If Australia do go on to win the World Cup, there will be one decision from coach Justin Langer that will go down as…
When it comes to fairness, it’s hard to beat the format of the 2019 World Cup. Each team plays each other once, the top…
On 30 May 2019 the 12th edition of cricket’s showpiece event, the 50-over World Cup, kicked off in England and Wales with much fanfare.…
If there’s one thing predictable about The Pakistani cricket team, it is their unpredictability. There has never been a more talented bunch of cricketers…
A symbol to the nation, heroes to the cricket world, the story of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team is one of hope, desire and…
Why have England never won a World Cup? They’ve been in all 11 tournaments, they had some excellent cricketers over the last 44 years…
Ah, the calypso music, the partying people, the flair, talent and athleticism, there is a pure joy and undeniable entertainment that the West Indians…
At the 2015 World Cup Mitchell Starc was outstanding, and after the final he was announced as the player of the tournament, a fitting…
The South Africans have always made their presence felt at cricket’s premier event – the 50 over World Cup. Right from their inaugural tournament…
New Zealand have made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup seven out of 11 times. For a small nation, like they do…
The physical toll on a fast bowler's body has seen many great bowlers not fulfill their potential. Bruce Reid was a super talent for…
If you grew up in the late 1970s through to the early 90s, you knew only of a dominant West Indies side. With a…
Reading this was like lifting a piece of carpet that cricket swept everything under because they didn’t want anyone to see it. Ive got to say appealing Rabada’s suspension was an absolute farce. And for the ICC to uphold it was an absolute farce as well.
Why South Africa failed at the World Cup
Tend to agree with all of this Rellum!
Justin Langer's brilliant decision that could win the World Cup
yes correct James. Now increased to 13 from 16 since Ponting’s announcement.
Justin Langer's brilliant decision that could win the World Cup
I agree. The time he took on Aleem Dar at the MCG was way out of line. Seams to have matured into a good leader as a coach.
Justin Langer's brilliant decision that could win the World Cup
Will be interesting to see the progression of Khawaja this tournament. I get the impression Ponting is a fan and wants him to own that 3 spot (in tests also). Not all great players make great coaches, but Ponting’s knowledge of the sport is just about top of the tree stuff.
Justin Langer's brilliant decision that could win the World Cup
Absolutely Chris… all spot on. It’s such an obvious thing too, that the 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 system is much fairer and simply better. It was even used 2 months ago in the IPL… so there is no excuse for picking an inferior system imo.
The one major mistake at this Cricket World Cup
1) you’ve assumed the team that finishes top does so because it’s played better than the other sides, when it may have gotten there on points differential only. In other words, the margin between teams is virtually nil.
CB: I think the team that finishes first is simply that. Whether they have played the best can be debated, but the fact is they are first. And the chanaces are the team that finished first deserve to have done so.
2) The top team may also have gotten there by ONLY playing the weaker teams and not played the stronger teams thanks to rain ( look at India & New Zealand).
CB: Perhaps, but again its unlikely rain will be a bigger factor than good cricket.
3) you’re suggesting this finals format is unfair. Unfair to whom? The preliminary rounds is where the “fairness” occurs, with each side (hopefully) playing each other. Once past there it’s a straight knockout event, where 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3.
CB: Its unfair to the team who comes first. The play the 4th team. If you finish 4th, its practically no different to finishing 1st (barring two days of rain or a tie).
4) If England or India don’t play another game through weather, they are still going to make the knockout stage, but in 3rd or 4th spot, while Australia & New Zealand are 1 & 2. In your format, one of India or England get’s knocked out simply because of weather, when they are clearly the two form sides of the tournament and rightly the favourites to win it. In the current format of 1 play 4, 2 plays 3, both sides are still a chance to make the final.
CB: All that is highly unlikely.
The one major mistake at this Cricket World Cup
Yes its a good point. 9 minimum and 11 max games of cricket for TV. Get India and Pakistan on a Sunday and its great for advertising $$$.
The one major mistake at this Cricket World Cup
Yes once you hear the words ‘mathematical chance’, you know you are goneskies!
The one major mistake at this Cricket World Cup
Your argument carries weight if the top 4 do break away. Last time in 1992 5th vs 6th was the final match, and the 5th place Windies team could have still made it if they won it. This format is fair but it doesnt mean that there could be dead rubbers. But there is nothing like rewarding consistency and this format does that in the group stage. Its only boring i think if you dont appreciate the things you should appreciate in sport, and consistency is definitely one of them.
The one major mistake at this Cricket World Cup
The good news for England is it is coming off far more often than it is not, which means they should make the semi finals. They just got to hope that if they do, their bad day doesnt come there and then or in their final match!
The reason England have never won a world cup
Dont get me wrong, they had a pretty good team. But im more pointing out their strategy helped define them. They took what was thought to be a tried and tested approach and went the opposite way. It was completely different to what we had come to expect from one day cricket.
The reason England have never won a world cup
‘Retro-stodge’ really couldn’t be any more accurate! 😉
The reason England have never won a world cup
The problem with just keeping it to the best players win would be overlooking what Sri Lanka did. SL didnt have the best bowlers in the world, but they got their spinner to do a job and found a new method to approach batting. There was a lot of thought that went in to how they were going to win a WC, then they executed it all quite brilliantly.
The reason England have never won a world cup
Yes no doubt great players and great teams win tournaments. Just looking outside the box and looking as to why one of cricket’s stronger nations hasnt had a break through. Where as you could see a clear plan from other nations in their approach, it’s hard to have ever found one with England.
The reason England have never won a world cup
Hard to believe Aus hasn’t won there since 2001, esp given how many wins from 89 to 01. Hopefully can win that series. I’m not sure about Aus this WC. Not without a chance but I think England are a little stronger overall. But Aus at the WC can never really discard.
The reason England have never won a world cup
I’ve had a theory they win world cups every 37 years. Football in 66, rugby 03 so I wasn’t expecting anything til 2040. But they are my top this wc which goes against that theory!
The reason England have never won a world cup
Fair comment. That was more aimed at Woakes and Curran.
The reason England have never won a world cup
Im just a little concerned with the quantity he has played in the last 2 years. Not saying he cant or wont bowl well at the World Cup, just feel 7 matches in one format over two years is down on what would be considered ideal.
What happened to Mitchell Starc?
Thanks for your contribution Paul. No doubt Australia need him back to bowling at or close to his best at the WC.
What happened to Mitchell Starc?
Yes NZ can still get blown away if not careful, like you said happened against India, but like what happened in 1999 against Australia they can beat any team on their day.
Is NZ's World Cup success a myth?
Yes there is a lot of admiration for NZ cricket. Not a huge pool to choose from but always find something. Chris Harris I thought was a good example of this in 1996. Didn’t ever threaten to do anything, esp. against Australia, and then did something almost match winning and quite brilliant. The loss of McCullum is obviously significant, but there is still quality there.
Is NZ's World Cup success a myth?
Thanks Paul for your feedback! Tough shoes to fill coming in after Gilly for Paine and co…
Adam Gilchrist: Australia's cricketing immortal