World Cup Group B - Pool Matches Discussion Thread

[Aalay]

I don't see Binny playing in Australia. When we go to New Zealand however, there is a chance that Binny might come in for Jadeja because there won't be be much spin from the surface and grounds are much smaller compared to Australia.

 

[namin96]

Jadeja bowled really well this game (figures don't really show it, just like how it happened for Ashwin last game) and as Aman said, he saves you lot of runs on the field. To be fair to Jadeja and Dhoni this game, they had to contend with possibly the world's best bowlers in Steyn and Morkel at the death overs. And Jadeja took on the brutal fielder AB De Villiers and got run out in the process of turning the strike back to Dhoni today. And it worked, where Dhoni plundered 3 consecutive fours off Parnell in that over.

I am not a great fan of Jadeja, but he should stay.



If India top Group B, we will play the 4th team from Group A. Which could be either England or Bangladesh (or Sri Lanka if they play really bad to end up 4th). Not sure if we can avoid Australia till the final. But an India vs Australia QF looks unlikely as of now. And I believe NZ will most likely top Group A.

If Australia tops group A and India tops group B would it not be set up as India could meet Australia in the final (Top group winners), also had South Africa topped group B, I had heard that it would have been possible for a South Africa Australia final so then why does it not work if India tops group B instead of South Africa?

 

[MattW]

The teams finishing at the top of the table avoid each other until the final.

The fixture is:
Semi-final 1 Winner QF1 (A1 v B4) v Winner QF3 (A3 v B2)
Semi-final 2 Winner QF2 (A2 v B3) v Winner QF4 (A4 v B1)

It also means the final can be the much more likely NZ v Australia, because the top two teams from each group don't play each other either.

 

[abhi_jacko]

West Indies vs Zimbabwe today. Can we expect the second upset of the World Cup today ?

 

[SaiSrini]

I believe that India could be facing Australia in the QF or SF. Currently NZ look most likely to top Group A, and India look most likely to top Group B. We need to warm up the possibility of facing Australia before the finals and if we do, we just have to be ready for it. If we retain the form that saw us win these two WC games smashingly, I am very confident that we can give Australia more than a run for their money. The form that we displayed against them in the tri-series was much different than our current form. And remember, we did score 260+ against Australia in that first tri-series game in MCG and had we scored 20 more runs, the result could have been different. And the 2nd game against them was a washout.

Australia are hard to beat in their conditions, but they are not invincible. No team is invincible in this tournament, not even NZ. The Aussies of 2003 and 2007 were a lot closer to looking invincible.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

West Indies vs Zimbabwe today. Can we expect the second upset of the World Cup today ?

I certainly hope so!

...But I can't see it happening. West Indies powerful batting line up will be too much for Zimbabwe's bowling attack.

Even if West Indies lose early wickets they have Simmons (man in form) to stabilise the innings and then both Sammy and Russell to activate 'beast mode' and take the game away from Zimbabwe.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Terrible bowling once again from Zimbabwe

 

[abhi_jacko]

Well, well. West Indies scoring a couple of massive wins after that debacle against Ireland. They are definitely back in the mix for QFs. Zimbabwe just don't seem to have the ammunition to push it through for a QF berth. I think this defeat will deflate them going into the game against a wounded Pakistan

 

[Yuvi.]

Zimbawe weren't that bad to get deflated. Their middle order fought well even after losing the top order. Williams & Ervine are proving to be the key performers for them and their match against Pak can well be another 2 points for them.
On the other note , thangs which Pak team have undergone off the field previous some days can be the make or break for them. Hope they come good in the next match.

 

[stefan]

Zim's bowling especially death bowling is terrible but pakistan's batting is also terrible. Wouldn't count them out from upsetting pakistan. I have liked the fight they have shown.

 

[Satan666]

Australia are hard to beat in their conditions, but they are not invincible. No team is invincible in this tournament, not even NZ. The Aussies of 2003 and 2007 were a lot closer to looking invincible.

They were invincible in those cups. Australia went through the 2003 and 2007 cups without losing a match, West Indies also went through the 1975 and 1979 cups without losing a match also. So histroy shows that there have been invincible teams in the world cup before.

I will be so bold to say that New Zealand are a lot closer to looking invincible in this tournament so far, something about this McCullum led team is reminiscent of the great Aus ODI side of 99/00, the first time they had a streak of 16 wins, cant remember the exact year pr how long the streak was but it was certainly a destructive and invincible ODI side.

 

[dancingmongoose]

That lbw dismissal of Khurram Khan by Dockrell I agree should be umpires call, I gave it out live but the commentators didn't, and it was quite close. But how it currently is is just stupid, like in the Ashes in England when Steve Smith was given not out even though if he had missed the ball off stump would have gone cartwheeling. It should be umpires call if less then 20% (maybe even less) of the ball is hitting any part of the stump, not less 50% of both hitting.

 

[Greninja]

That Century from Shaiman Anwar taken UAE to a huge total. Fearing if UAE can make it by restricting their total

 

[Ohm]

Sweet! What a day of cricket. Absolutely nail biting match!

I was sure Kevin would play the important part and I'm all glad he played the knock up to his standards coming at the right time.

 

[icyman]

I am surprised that there weren't any posts regarding today's match.

Breathtaking batting by ABD. 90 runs in the last 4 overs is the work of a maniac. It wasn't as though the Windies were a school 2nd XI; its was sheer good batting from a master stroke player.

Today's win margin does change the equations in this group. Most of the teams are looking strong. India and SAF are virtually assured of a QF berth, although the position can be still debated upon. What these big wins do,is put a serious question mark over Pakistan. Imran's team was capable of bouncing back, Misbah's tends to lack the old flair.

I am quite looking forth toward the month end wherein there will be some exciting contests among Pak, WIN, Ireland and Zim for the 2 QF spots.