[Series Thread] World Cup 2019

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Will the T20 World Cup be more exciting and more watched than the IPL?
I hugely prefer watching 50 over stuff to the T20, I wonder if we’ll see the day where we have an international tournament that is played by franchises?
I think part of the reason why they had this ten team format was so as not to expose the gulf in money given to some teams and not others. We’re a long way behind the world standard now, it’s depressing.

The Champions League T20? It didn't really seem to take off - but I don't think they managed it correctly. Having about 6 IPL teams and then 1 team from a handful of other countries was pointless if you're trying to get other countries interested. Take 2 from each country and then you might get somewhere.

What's the situation in Zim like right now Googly?

[Kriterion_BD]

Now Bangladesh are the bench mark of ODI bowling

Now I’ve heard it all

And before you throw stats at me the world has moved on from producing shitty ODI wickets, it’s all about flat decks for optimum run scoring.

Again I don’t think you’ll find many people who will backmyour comments

They aren't shitty wickets just because some white guys can't bat on them. They are no different than Indian or Sri Lankan or UAE pitches. Even Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams recently scored good runs on Bangladeshi ODI pitches. It is a fact that either Australian pitches are amongst the flattest in the world OR Australia's bowlers have bowled poorly at home. Either way, both discount Babar's performances vs AUS in AUS. And for the record, I rate both Starc and Cummins very highly as bowlers, much higher in ODIs than Rabada or Archer or Ngidi, mind you.

At any rate, Mushfiq today 102 not out. Thats what I think are "good" or "decent" runs. Would have obviously been better had it been 150 off 100 and won us the match.

A final point that I will reiterate: the format of this world cup, ensures that there is no hiding, (except in rare instances eg Mohammad Amir), for teams or individual players. All teams play all other teams. Its not just 3 games and finished like the Champions Trophy. No team can win on a fluke. Just like the Qualifying tournament ensured the overall best two teams progressed to the main tournament (West Indies due to talent, Afghanistan due to fighting mentality after such a poor start), this world cup ensures the same for the top 10 sides.

Given that, here are the things that have been proven:

- Bangladesh are a top 5 or 6 ODI side on recent form (going into the next 3-4 years or until the retirements of Shakib, Tamim, et al).
- Bangladesh's bowling and fielding are mediocre at best (solid bowling unit at home unlike Australia for example). too reliant on Mustafiz and Miraz.
- Afghanistan can't both worth shit and even their best batsman Rahmat is far from world class
- Afghan spinners are over-rated
- Pakistan are unpredictable, and can beat any team anywhere, but overall they are mediocre #6-8 ranked side in ODIs
- Windies have some batting talent, but their bowling and fielding are arguably the worst amongst the top 10 sides
- New Zealand are an extremely well balanced and well oiled unit
- India is almost surely the strongest team despite England being ranked higher
- If Mushfiqur (61 average, 91 SR) finishes the world cup ahead of Babar Azam (41 average, 89 SR) as he is currently, he is certainly the better batsman and a class apart. If I am wrong, I'm wrong, simple as that.

[Andybligzz]

The artichokes don’t like pressure and never have , their squad is fine and capable of making the final 4 . No excuses just not good enough in big moments as usual . Quinton ,Faf needed a huge World Cup and to lead from the front and didn’t . They took in a under the weather Steyn who didn’t pull , immediately placing pressure on Rabada and ngidi who both were below their normally standards . Chris Morris is shit and always has been , Tahir was probaly their best performer consistently . Markram was shown the faith but did not reward , when he had to ! There’s something wrong with South African cricket when it comes to world cups and it happened again. Now they can look forward to life without Steyn , faf , Amla , dumminy and Tahir very soon. Very dark days ahead .

[Andybligzz]

Lasts nights game showed a big difference in class , Bangladesh’s bowling was very very average and they bowled both sides of the wicket , with not much control . I have a lot of respect for mortaza but 120 kmh is a waste of the new ball , yes he keeps the runs down but he is so spankable once the ball slightly softens up . Shakib was targeted with ease and the fiz Leaked plenty , he is also overrated for me don’t see the big hype he showed a year or two ago. Finch and warner are just hitting their straps and warner isn’t even in his final gear yet , aus are peaking at the right time again . Bangladesh showed a lot of heart with the bat and are a very strong batting unit but once again their bowling for me just isn’t world class enough to allow them to beat the big boys unless they are playing on a spinning wicket . Decent game but never looked like Bangladesh would get close .

[Andybligzz]

Now Bangladesh are the bench mark of ODI bowling

Now I’ve heard it all

And before you throw stats at me the world has moved on from producing shitty ODI wickets, it’s all about flat decks for optimum run scoring.

Again I don’t think you’ll find many people who will backmyour comments

They aren't shitty wickets just because some white guys can't bat on them. They are no different than Indian or Sri Lankan or UAE pitches. Even Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams recently scored good runs on Bangladeshi ODI pitches. It is a fact that either Australian pitches are amongst the flattest in the world OR Australia's bowlers have bowled poorly at home. Either way, both discount Babar's performances vs AUS in AUS. And for the record, I rate both Starc and Cummins very highly as bowlers, much higher in ODIs than Rabada or Archer or Ngidi, mind you.

At any rate, Mushfiq today 102 not out. Thats what I think are "good" or "decent" runs. Would have obviously been better had it been 150 off 100 and won us the match.

A final point that I will reiterate: the format of this world cup, ensures that there is no hiding, (except in rare instances eg Mohammad Amir), for teams or individual players. All teams play all other teams. Its not just 3 games and finished like the Champions Trophy. No team can win on a fluke. Just like the Qualifying tournament ensured the overall best two teams progressed to the main tournament (West Indies due to talent, Afghanistan due to fighting mentality after such a poor start), this world cup ensures the same for the top 10 sides.

Given that, here are the things that have been proven:

- Bangladesh are a top 5 or 6 ODI side on recent form (going into the next 3-4 years or until the retirements of Shakib, Tamim, et al).
- Bangladesh's bowling and fielding are mediocre at best (solid bowling unit at home unlike Australia for example). too reliant on Mustafiz and Miraz.
- Afghanistan can't both worth shit and even their best batsman Rahmat is far from world class
- Afghan spinners are over-rated
- Pakistan are unpredictable, and can beat any team anywhere, but overall they are mediocre #6-8 ranked side in ODIs
- Windies have some batting talent, but their bowling and fielding are arguably the worst amongst the top 10 sides
- New Zealand are an extremely well balanced and well oiled unit
- India is almost surely the strongest team despite England being ranked higher
- If Mushfiqur (61 average, 91 SR) finishes the world cup ahead of Babar Azam (41 average, 89 SR) as he is currently, he is certainly the better batsman and a class apart. If I am wrong, I'm wrong, simple as that.

Does Brendan Taylor count as white and not being able to bat ?? Back to back hundreds in Bangladesh ? Losing a test match to Zimbabwe at home , with white people in their team ??

[Kriterion_BD]

Does Brendan Taylor count as white and not being able to bat ?? Back to back hundreds in Bangladesh ? Losing a test match to Zimbabwe at home , with white people in their team ??

Yeah just shows that the pitches are not unplayable. The bottom line is, if you play good cricket, you can compete and win anywhere.

BD lost in NZ and SA and WI not because the pitches were "shitty" but because we played shitty cricket. There is this idea that if Asian teams get a greentop or if the ball swings, they can't bat. But if white countries see even a smidgeon of turn, the pitches are bad. Cricket should be about playing in all conditions everywhere.

[Jemisi]

Does Brendan Taylor count as white and not being able to bat ?? Back to back hundreds in Bangladesh ? Losing a test match to Zimbabwe at home , with white people in their team ??

Yeah just shows that the pitches are not unplayable. The bottom line is, if you play good cricket, you can compete and win anywhere.

BD lost in NZ and SA and WI not because the pitches were "shitty" but because we played shitty cricket. There is this idea that if Asian teams get a greentop or if the ball swings, they can't bat. But if white countries see even a smidgeon of turn, the pitches are bad. Cricket should be about playing in all conditions everywhere.

Aside from the hyperbole, I agree with you Kriterion.

[foreignfield]

The battle for ZCF bragging rights has been decided, for now

I suggest the next BD-Oz series to be played in neutral conditions, maybe on a frozen lake in Estonia next winter, provided Zimdoggy does not bore ice-holes into the playing surface.

[zimbos_05]

I saw that stat on Twitter about black bowlers being more successful, but there are soo many variables not taken in to account. Number of matches played. Opposition. Which wickets were taken (batters/bowlers). Type of games. Win or loss. All of these variables come in to it.

Kyle Abbott came out and spoke about the quota system and said he literally had no choice so he left. This World Cup failure will be blamed on the quota system no doubt, and obviously many will defend it, but at the end of the day, CSA has more to answer for than a quota system. Even without a quota system, some of these players should not have been picked.

Some of the players did not play to their standard. Markrams wicket in the last match is a perfect example. He was just swinging away when no reason for it. Rabada and Ngidi were definitely not bowling to their usual standard. Against Bangladesh they just seemed to be trying to bowl bouncers and when it was not working, they did not adjust, they just lost their cool and kept getting more wayward. CSA are heading down a path where they will not be a challenging side for some time. Once Steyn, Amla, Du Plessis go, they will find themselves with some major shoes to fill. Tahir leaving is already a major blow. They don't really have anyone to replace him. SA get away with having a Ntini or Rabada come through the system every now and again, and that's why they say more blacks should get the positions. It's the same problems that plague all of Africa. It is all about blacks getting the preference, not about putting the best man forward, regardless of race. If South were producing Rabadas en masse, or batsmen of the AB calibre who were black , then you would not argue it, but the fact is that when you have the token selections, you are bound to not have success when it matters.

It was the same problem in 2015, they just had guys at the top of their game who were masking the issue.

The Champions League T20? It didn't really seem to take off - but I don't think they managed it correctly. Having about 6 IPL teams and then 1 team from a handful of other countries was pointless if you're trying to get other countries interested. Take 2 from each country and then you might get somewhere.

This competition was doomed to fail from the start. It was set up to make more money for IPL teams. Everyone else didn't buy in to it. I remember one year where Brisbane qualified, but how can a Brisbane fan be invested in the tournament when their players are required to represent their IPL team? I know they changed it to give players the choice, but they changed it so that if you chose your IPL team, you got more money. If you chose the other, you lost money. Home clubs would also lose money if a player chose them over the IPL team. So fans outside of India just didn't really care and it showed with viewing figures and so on. Broadcasters therefore were not bothered and the same for the teams. They did not want to send players to the tournament and put money forward when their reward was not worth it.

The fact that it was also only ever played in two countries meant it did not have traction outside of India. It was really just the IPL teams invested in it.

[Kriterion_BD]

So much for dead rubbers in this format, eh?

Sri Lanka's win just opened up semifinal chances for themselves, West Indies, South Africa, and Pakistan.

In fact, 9 of the teams (all except Afghanistan) now have mathematical chances to qualify for the semifinals!

England are not through yet, and their final 3 games are against India, Australia, and New Zealand. Meaning they could quite possibly lose all 3 games.