The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
Compared to the last two Cricket World Cups, the 2019 edition has the best tournament format - one that gives favourites such as India…
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Compared to the last two Cricket World Cups, the 2019 edition has the best tournament format - one that gives favourites such as India…
Finch’s issue with incoming deliveries was again on display against SL yesterday. In such a situation, you need a calm presence like Khawaja at the top of the order.
Khawaja at risk of being axed for World Cup opener
I think India will struggle in games where at least 2 of top 3 dismissed early. I am still not convinced about their middle order in pressure situations. With all the hype around Bumrah, i have a hunch that he might flop in the world cup due to the weight of expectations.
The Roar's Cricket World Cup preview series: India
I hope Kawhi doesnt leave. They need him for some time now. Lowry is inconsistent these days. I hope they manage to beat Bucks somehow (even though it is very unlikely at this stage). Even at home, they struggled to beat Bucks and needed 2 OTs.
Don't touch my Kawhi
Not all pitches are that flat – for example, Old Trafford (6 matches in this WC) , Edgabston (5 matches) and Lords (5 matches) (if you see the recent scores not many 300 + scores). Pitches like Trent Bridge (5 matches), Southampton (5 matches) and Oval (5 matches) are flat pancake decks. and also they have the small grounds like Bristol (3 matches), Taunton (3 matches) etc.
Uber-flat English pitches would mar World Cup
Good Analysis Paul. yes this could be a very open tournament compared to the last few editions, even though it is not doing to justice to associate nations like Ireland. I think there could be one or 2 teams who will win at least 7 or 8 league matches like New Zealand in 1992. If it goes like an IPL tournament (ie the last 4 are still not decided when we reach the last 3-4 matches point), it will be an exciting tournament for the fans.
Is there a genuine form line for the World Cup?
I dont know why there were so many Watson haters in social media. May be it was frustrated Aussie fans who were fed up with Watson. I remember seeing “Shane Watson Depreciation Society” (as a group) in Facebook once 😉
The joyous autumn of Shane Watson
May be that 1992 Semi final @ Eden Park, Inz’s amazing 37 ball 60. they missed Crowe’s captaincy in the 2nd half. Not sure if this match can be termed as a choke. You have to give credit to Pakistan for their brilliant chase. In all other semi finals, it was mostly one sided affairs (99 against Pakistan, 2007 against SL etc) , Yes New Zealand is one team who always pull above their weight in World Cup Cricket.
The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
Yea South Africa’s tendency to choke in ICC tournaments is well documented, starting with their 1999 World Cup semi final loss @ Edgbaston. But this time around, they have to play only 2 knockout matches (provided they get there) after the league matches. and they beat Sri Lanka in last World Cup in Q/F’s to end their knockout hoodoo. and they were well placed to beat NZ in 2015 semi finals – only for quota system (Philander over Abbott) rain, missed catches / run out chances and Grant Elliott’s freak innings to play spoilsport in the end.
The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
I think it wont be a good move to push Warner down the order, he is an opener in one day cricket (only once in his entire ODI career he batted in middle order, at no.5 against Scotland in 2015 WC) and World Cup is not a place for experiments as far as i am concerned . They tried this in 2016 World T20 and it didnt work. But this is a different format altogether. and Finch already gave a hint that he is not going to bat in the middle order.
The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
I will be happy to see the Kiwis proving me wrong. But they surely miss some one like McCullum this time. Guptill was in terrible form against India at home even though he recovered against Bangladesh. Ross Taylor is in the form of his life, i hope he get rid off his run out habit. The problem i have with Munro , Nicholls, Latham and Neesham is their inexperience. How many one day hundreds these guys have against top team like India, England, Australia, South Africa etc (just one for Latham against India in 2017) ? In 2015 , they had Elliott and Corey Anderson. Neesham is almost like Anderson. If NZ’s bowling click, they could pip South Africa or Australia to reach Semi Finals. But if you ask to place a bet for this , i wont include them in my top 4 list.
and when it comes to Pakistan, they are kinda of unknown to me, especially the bowling attack. I am not sure if they will spring a surprise or two in this world cup. If you look at their record against top teams in the last 4 years, they have less 300+ scores when compared to teams like England and India.
The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
Yes I agree this prediction is like a betting gamble :). I dont know what Pakistan team is coming up. They won the 2017 Champions Trophy, but for a round-robin league based tournament like this, i am not expecting them to make semi final cut.
The four teams that will reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
Aussie selectors did that to Brad Hodge in the past – dumped him after scoring a double 100 against South Africa. I wont be surprised if Joe Burns is dropped from the Ashes squad.
Joe Burns on the outer for Ashes
But Shaun Marsh is not a match winner like Maxwell or Warner. He can only play a supporting role i feel, and thats why all his recent hundreds ended up on losing causes. Finch was criticized for not making big hundreds in the past (in the 2017 away series against India and 2018 home series against England). The problem with Marsh some times is he takes too much time to get going, same case with Stoinis. and this is the main reason why i would have picked Handscomb or Turner ahead of Shaun Marsh.
Selectors can’t rid themselves of the Marsh habit
5 WA players in the World Cup squad 😉 none from Tasmania this time when they had 3 in 2015.
Selectors can’t rid themselves of the Marsh habit
Like other comments clearly pointed out, 5th bowler is a genuine cause for concern i reckon, especially when playing against stronger teams. I dont trust Stoinis as a 5th bowler. He clicks only in bowler friendly pitches (like the Adeliade ODI against SA last year). In flat pitches, his bowling is a liability. In last world cup, they had Watson, Mitch Marsh and Faulkner – but no such luxury this time.
Analysis of Australia's ODI performances and World Cup history
the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy tournaments were after the IPL tournaments in those years, India won the 2013 version and reached the final in 2017. You cant say for sure that it will impact the performance of Indian players in the World Cup. Like Paul mentioned only time will tell whether Indian players are exhausted while playing in the WC.
The marathon IPL will hurt India's World Cup chances
Stoinis is no Symonds. He plays lot of dot balls and doesnt rotate strike much. Compared to him, Handscomb is way better in that front. and his bowling is just average. And On flat wickets, it is not going to help much to the team cause i feel.
Is Stoinis still in Australia’s best one day XI?
Yes offcourse it is 1 bowler too many, in the 2015 WC squad, they had 5 quicks, 1 spinner, 3 all rounders, 5 batsmen and 1 wk. this time, it is 5 pacers, 2 spinners, 2 all rounders, 5 batsmen and 1 wk. I am not sure what is different in England this time.
Australia's 2019 Cricket World Cup squad: Expert reaction
Looks Ashton Turner might miss out of the squad, otherwise they would have played him more against Pakistan.
My XI + squad.
Finch
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
Stoinis
Maxwell
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Zampa
Lyon
Squad players:-
Handscomb
J Richardson
Coulter Nile
Ashton Turner / extra bowler
Based on the pitch play 2 pacers + 2 spinners or 3 pacers + 1 spinner
VOTE: Pick your Australian squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup
Pattinson ahead of J Richardson provided he stays injury free.
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
Warner and Finch has to open. Khawaja at 3, they should not force Warner to bat in middle order i feel. Shaun Marsh should make way for Smith. hopefully they dont drop Handscomb from the squad.
Warner 2.0 is a new man
It is unfair to compare Turner to Stoinis i feel, Turner just played 2 ODIs. Stoinis is a choker from what i have seen so far, plays a lot of dot balls, then build pressure and get out at a crucial stage. Even if he is playing well, gets out at a wrong stage. First match @ Perth stadium – got out at crucial stage, same thing in Sydney in that series. Same vs South Africa last year @ Hobart. And choked again against India in this series – at Nagpur.
Is Ashton Turner another Marcus Stoinis?
But all those tons were on losing causes , i am not saying it is his fault though. He is 35 now and not getting any younger. The problem i have with S Marsh is his inconsistency. His scores in other matches (apart from those 4 tons) are 24,8,22,54,39,16,7 and 6.
Ashton Turner stuns India
Drop Shaun Marsh & Carey and make Handscomb keep wickets so that you can accomodate both Turner and Stoinis in the XI. But making Handscomb keep wicket is a risky option , what if he drop a crucial catch or misses a stumping in a knockout match.
I think the WC XI should be
1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Steve Smith
4. Peter Handscomb (w/k)
5. Maxwell (c)
6. Marcus Stoinis
7. Ashton Turner
8. Mitchel Starc
9. Pat Cummins
10.Jhye Richardson
11. Adam Zampa
squad players – Shaun Marsh, Lyon, Coulter-Nile, Finch / Carey
Ashton Turner stuns India
Usually NZ punch above their weight in World Cups, but i am not expecting them to do it again. NZ batting is inexperienced in my opinion, except Taylor, KW and Guptill. and see how the bowlers suffered at the hands of West Indies yesterday. Southee is inconsistent, only Boult they can rely upon. Henry gave over 100 against Windies and i am not sure if he play first game. Santner is a defensive bowler at best. And Collin Munro is just another T20 hitter as far as i am concerned. Doesnt have a good record against the top 4 teams – just 2 Fifties against England, India, Australia and South Africa. NZ’s batting definitely is over dependent on Taylor and Kane, if those 2 guys are dismissed cheaply, then it will be very tough for NZ. My prediction – 5th or 6th.
The Roar's Cricket World Cup preview series: New Zealand