Group A - Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya.
Group B - India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands.
Not the best drew to be honest would rather be in the group with the West Indies in it but at least we have avodied the strongest associate in Ireland and have prevented Maehara having a difficult decision to make
I am surprised we have gone back to the format of 2 groups with 7 teams in them. I recall the 2003 World Cup had the same format and was criticised for being too long with meaningless group matches. I actually liked the format of the last world cup, as the group matches had more meaning and upsets were possible. Still I guess the subcontinent countries are wanting a format which will guarantee they wont be eliminated early like last time.
I think Zimbabwe will be fortunate to win more than two matches at the next world cup.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
eugene wrote:I am surprised we have gone back to the format of 2 groups with 7 teams in them. I recall the 2003 World Cup had the same format and was criticised for being too long with meaningless group matches. I actually liked the format of the last world cup, as the group matches had more meaning and upsets were possible.
It was the upsets that were the problem - the "top 8" feel they have a God-given right to be in the Super 8, and the 2007 format made it too easy for them to be knocked out. The 2-group format means that top-8 sides can still suffer an upset and go through, while making it much harder for the likes of Ireland to progress.
maehara wrote:
It was the upsets that were the problem - the "top 8" feel they have a God-given right to be in the Super 8, and the 2007 format made it too easy for them to be knocked out. The 2-group format means that top-8 sides can still suffer an upset and go through, while making it much harder for the likes of Ireland to progress.
A gem! This must be printed in huge placards and be mailed to the richest and the most influential cricket board, and the puppet that is ICC.
CrimsonAvenger wrote:A gem! This must be printed in huge placards and be mailed to the richest and the most influential cricket board, and the puppet that is ICC.
You know what's doubly annoying about it? The four-team group format was used for the Champions Trophy, and all and sundry have been singing its praises for creating such a competitive tournament. But they still scrap it for the World Cup.
lets face it if it was up to the players and fans the world cup would just contain the top eight teams, so that they would recive all the money all the sponsership and cut the associates and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe out of it. I feel for teams such as Ireland who have consistantly been the top associate side over the last three years and are not being shown a pathway to test cricket. Shame on the ICC
zimfan1 wrote:I feel for teams such as Ireland who have consistantly been the top associate side over the last three years and are not being shown a pathway to test cricket. Shame on the ICC
To be fair to the ICC (just for once!), word is they've stepped in to help with filling Ireland's fixture list for next season. We're due to play 40-50 international matches next year, including an ODI v Australia. Now, it depends on what all those internationals turn out to be, but there are promising signs.
The ICC is pretty much run by India these days which is hardly ideal. While the ICC is plowing millions into China and the USA the West Indies have been collapsing for 15 years. Perhaps cricket needs to look after its own backyard first.
People complain about predictable formats at tournaments but then when something unpredictable happens (e.g. Ireland making the Super 8s) everyone complains also. What format should we follow?!!
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
I am glad Zim is playing all those big teams cuz its been a span since we played them. This is good for our players and with the current developments i feel we can assemble a much stronger side that will shock one or two teams on a good day. Let me look at our chances.
1. Australia
they are a strong team we have a 20% chance of beating them but since we shocked them our guys will come swinging and hoping we repeat the almost impossible, Aussie will be a little more cautious and that might work against them.
2. Sri Lanka
we almost beat them a couple of times in the recent past and we could still so it, hope Mupariwa would have regained form by the time we play them because he has a good record against them. We have a 30% chance
3. Pakistan
these guys can whoop any team badly but they can lose any game because of their inconsistency. We have a 40% chance.
4. New Zealand
they are the weakest of the top four, its a must win game when we play them. We have a 40% chance.
5. Zimbabwe
6. Kenya we should beat them
7. Canada we should beat them
12.4 Odhiambo to Vermeulen, FOUR, that's an appalling long hop, Vermulen had plenty of time to get into position, drink a cup of tea, and pull the ball towards the long leg boundary- his first boundary today
I guess we should be thankful, after the results of the last couple of weeks, that we won't have to play any matches in Bangladesh until the quarter finals
