ICC Cricket World Cup - May/July 2019

[aditya123]

@Velocity That'd be pretty cool, like a Champions League for cricket each year ending with play-offs...but it'll never happen because maybe there's more £ to be made in bilateral series.

Also just to add, remember guys we're probably not going to see another final like this anytime soon if ever, not in our lifetime anyway. What a time to be a cricket fan...anyone still buzzing from it?

I cannot get it out of my head. I have nobody around here (Boston, US) who understand the sport. I`m excited, sad and tired at the same time but cannot share it with anyone here. Cricket showed why it's one of the greatest sports, and this wasn't even the best format we have ;-).

Are we really sure there is more money being made in bilaterals? One can milk a grand-final in a tri-series for a lot more (by having night games on a weekend etc). England, for sure can do that with all the expats being there and the Asian community will fill the grounds every single time if one of the three sides is from Asia. Same with Australia. The last tri-series we had in India was Ind-NZ-Aus in 2003 and we had full houses for Aus-NZ games which were played in smaller centers. Administrators underestimate their audiences' love for the sport.

 

[Bevab]

There’s a lot more money to be made from triangular tournaments if planned properly, compared to a bilateral series.

But hey, this is one sport where broadcasters and boards actively issue copyright strikes to a lot of Youtube videos featuring cricket and one where the short buck is always chased in preference to long term growth. It is tough to get new fans when you’re actively pissing off the existing ones with bizarre decisions.

 

[SaiSrini]

@Velocity That'd be pretty cool, like a Champions League for cricket each year ending with play-offs...but it'll never happen because maybe there's more £ to be made in bilateral series.

Also just to add, remember guys we're probably not going to see another final like this anytime soon if ever, not in our lifetime anyway. What a time to be a cricket fan...anyone still buzzing from it?

I have not gotten over it yet. I was watching the replay today morning and was savoring every reaction (elation and dejection) and the commentary. Probably the best World Cup match ever in history (at least for me, since I started watching World Cup cricket).

 

[aditya123]

There’s a lot more money to be made from triangular tournaments if planned properly, compared to a bilateral series.

But hey, this is one sport where broadcasters and boards actively issue copyright strikes to a lot of Youtube videos featuring cricket and one where the short buck is always chased in preference to long term growth. It is tough to get new fans when you’re actively pissing off the existing ones with bizarre decisions.

Exactly. The long term health and the money that will come in would be worth a lot more than the short-term milk the cash cow approach. There was no reason for England to move away from the triangulars. One just has to take a look at the crowds that even boring games like India-SL have garnered in places like Bristol or Hobart when they`ve played tri-series games there. Bangladesh will pull crowds in England too. If they are smart enough to have one Asian side as one of the touring sides every year (which is often the case), you can have a triangular with the two touring sides of each summer and even the non-England games then will be full. It was happening as late as 2012 (when CB series made a comeback in Australia) and I see no reason for that to change! Cricket administration has to be the lousiest in the world.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I have not gotten over it yet. I was watching the replay today morning and was savoring every reaction (elation and dejection) and the commentary. Probably the best World Cup match ever in history (at least for me, since I started watching World Cup cricket).

It is the greatest cricket match I have seen. It's not as if we have not seen an equally close game or games with very high level of cricket being played but when you marry that with the damn occasion and the history of the two teams of never having triumphed, it just makes the entire scenario unbelievable.

I have seen a lot of rubbish being written that 'this one deserved it and that one deserved it' because of so and so event and I want to defend England here. They beat some very tough opposition to get where they got to after having cornered themselves but they played amazing to get to where they did. Stokes and Buttler played outstanding knocks and the back story of Stokes with the world T20 and his personal life added to the theatre. Not to mention, his ties with NZ. England deserve every accolade and the win of the World Cup.

On the other hand, I think NZ were lucky to sneak into the semis. They were not as good as the other three but boy did they play well in the knockout games. I think they played the best cricket in the knockout phases and yes, I do feel that they played better on the day of the final. I think, it's fair to say that they didn't deserve to lose yesterday and specially not lose for the reason that was declared. I think that's a load of rubbish that and something no team should have to endure. I can almost imagine what would have happened if any of the SC teams would have had a result like this go against them for this reason.

Well played England, but today after all the adrenaline has settled down, I refuse to acknowledge the Kiwis as runners up. This should have been shared. This is what my heart says and my country wasn't even in it.

One thing I have no doubt about- The ICC has a lot of loopholes to close off and they need to do a god damn better job!

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Cricket administration has to be the lousiest in the world.

This is what constantly stands in the way of the game, going right back to Kerry Packer days. Innovation and progression of the game often comes from outside forces and in spite of the the administrators that run the national and international boards, when they should be the ones leading the charge.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Exactly. The long term health and the money that will come in would be worth a lot more than the short-term milk the cash cow approach. There was no reason for England to move away from the triangulars. One just has to take a look at the crowds that even boring games like India-SL have garnered in places like Bristol or Hobart when they`ve played tri-series games there. Bangladesh will pull crowds in England too. If they are smart enough to have one Asian side as one of the touring sides every year (which is often the case), you can have a triangular with the two touring sides of each summer and even the non-England games then will be full. It was happening as late as 2012 (when CB series made a comeback in Australia) and I see no reason for that to change! Cricket administration has to be the lousiest in the world.

You forgot the Celkon Mobile Tri-nation series as well. People might say that it was West Indies and Sri Lanka but it had some of the best and really close and nail-biting finishes. Especially the Final.

 

[aditya123]

This is what constantly stands in the way of the game, going right back to Kerry Packer days. Innovation and progression of the game often comes from outside forces and in spite of the the administrators that run the national and international boards, when they should be the ones leading the charge.

It is even more frustrating on a day like today because we, the fans, know how much of a joy it is to follow this sport. Every game needs to be given the context, for anything less than that is a disservice to the sport. Play less of it but play a better quality version of it! Every India ODI was an event for us growing up and we`d know the dates of every summer tri-series in advance. I cannot say the same now, with 7 matches on the trot in a mindless smudge that doesn't register itself in any corner of the brain. There is a lot more money that would be made with multi-lateral series. For instance, how many casual Indian /Pak fans would follow an Eng-NZ ODI if it was a part of an ODI series. However, if your side was part of that series, you would definitely follow it. If India-Ban-WI played a triangular, I`d obviously keep track of the Ban-WI game to know what it means for my side. The ICC has to understand how the fan thinks first before it gets the game right. I wish I see more glorious days like yesterday for the sport all over. The next WC is in India and one doesn't have to try hard to sell it to people there. Get in more sides! Give the smaller nations the joy of representing their country in front of fans for whom the sport is second to none. If the ICC sticks to this 10-team format for 2023, they`d have lost their best chance.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

It is even more frustrating on a day like today because we, the fans, know how much of a joy it is to follow this sport. Every game needs to be given the context, for anything less than that is a disservice to the sport. Play less of it but play a better quality version of it! Every India ODI was an event for us growing up and we`d know the dates of every summer tri-series in advance. I cannot say the same now, with 7 matches on the trot in a mindless smudge that doesn't register itself in any corner of the brain. There is a lot more money that would be made with multi-lateral series. For instance, how many casual Indian /Pak fans would follow an Eng-NZ ODI if it was a part of an ODI series. However, if your side was part of that series, you would definitely follow it. If India-Ban-WI played a triangular, I`d obviously keep track of the Ban-WI game to know what it means for my side. The ICC has to understand how the fan thinks first before it gets the game right. I wish I see more glorious days like yesterday for the sport all over. The next WC is in India and one doesn't have to try hard to sell it to people there. Get in more sides! Give the smaller nations the joy of representing their country in front of fans for whom the sport is second to none. If the ICC sticks to this 10-team format for 2023, they`d have lost their best chance.

I agree the tournament should have more teams. The World Cup Qualifier showed that the gap between the lesser test nations and the top associates is very narrow. In terms of competitive teams, world cricket has never been stronger. The World Cup should reflect that not be contracting to have fewer teams. How long will it be until we see Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands in World Cup again? How many potential cricketers will have been missed because they're not given the chance to see a team from their nation compete in a World Cup?

Ireland and Zimbabwe have been playing in front of what looks like a few hundred people (which might be generous), they could have been taking each other on in front of thousands at Taunton in a World Cup match. I think either would've have done as well if not better than Afghanistan given the conditions probably suited them more. And if people want to argue that this format is about the best teams and not completely about money then at the very least the WCQ needs to be held in the same country as the final tournament.

 

[aditya123]

I agree the tournament should have more teams. The World Cup Qualifier showed that the gap between the lesser test nations and the top associates is very narrow. In terms of competitive teams, world cricket has never been stronger. The World Cup should reflect that not be contracting to have fewer teams. How long will it be until we see Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands in World Cup again? How many potential cricketers will have been missed because they're not given the chance to see a team from their nation compete in a World Cup?

Ireland and Zimbabwe have been playing in front of what looks like a few hundred people (which might be generous), they could have been taking each other on in front of thousands at Taunton in a World Cup match. I think either would've have done as well if not better than Afghanistan given the conditions probably suited them more. And if people want to argue that this format is about the best teams and not completely about money then at the very least the WCQ needs to be held in the same country as the final tournament.

Scotland can now claim they beat the World Champions of Cricket a year ago and yet didn't get a spot in the WC (which they missed out on a shambolic LBW call with no DRS)! The Zims were just beginning to get back to winning ways. They beat SL in SL in ODIs (who also beat England here) and almost pulled off a famous test win too! The WCQs were so close, ZC had to construct temporary stands to accommodate the crowds in those games. Any other sensible governing body would`ve seen some logic then and increased the slots to two more since the WC scheduling wasn't yet announced back then. India had a closer game against HKG than Pakistan at the Asia Cup, and they aren't even the top tier associate side. A lot of hardcore cricket fans suffer from this elitist complex too. Why have sides if they cannot compete is their argument? The best way forward is not very complex, give the Associates those extra slots for the WC and also ensure it is mandatory to get ODIs against top nations in the interim. It needs a larger vision wherein the bilaterals are replaced by multi-lateral series in which a slot is reserved for the closest associate in the region. People forget that Bangladesh used to get a lot of ODIs with their neighbors even before they became a seriously good side. Afghanistan is benefitting from a home ground in India. For all the flak, BCCI has at least got that right. The cricketing community must start thinking like a professional sport now. I don`t know where the change will start. I hope Shashank Manohar who sounds sensible takes the lead.

 

[Alexei.]

A team of unpredictability. After starting the tournament getting rolled out for less then 120 runs, Pakistan did give other teams a run for their money. Its tough being a Pakistani fan since you never know what side of the bed you will get up at. Pakistan were so unpredictable and so inconsistent but one thing remained constant is their unpredictability and this is what makes them dangerous. Sarfaraz as a captain was uninspiring and this where Pakistan lost. They need someone who can bring confidence and inspire and lead from front. Imam, Babar and the bowlers did everything they could, their middle order like India and Fakhar were really disappointing.

Yup, Who do you think would be a good captaincy choice? Want your opinion.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Yup, Who do you think would be a good captaincy choice? Want your opinion.

I think Babar can do it. It depends where Pakistan want to go from here. Babar is pretty solid, going no where.. in all three formats.. a good choice for me. Imad Wasim the VC does not inspire the confidence as a player. I could be totally wrong since I do not follow Pakistan domestic cricket at all.

 

[zimrahil]

I did not say England did not win the WC. But in the hindsight England are the losers

Actually even with hindsight England are the winners

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Yup, Who do you think would be a good captaincy choice? Want your opinion.

Pakistan are a very very sorted side if they don't chop and change and just stick to their current lot.

I think, you have two brilliant quicks and a superb spinner. Imad has come leaps and bounds and is the perfect all rounder in today's day and age. I hope you guys are patient with him. I would definitely look for a Wahab replacement, not for lack of performance but just because I don't see him around in 2023. I definitely am keeping him for the 2020 World Cup in Australia. Your top 4 can become as good as the top 3 in world cricket if they keep persisting with them. I would unquestionably give Rizwan a go and all efforts should be concentrated on finding a hard hitting batsman who can bat at 6 and bowl a few overs.

I certainly don't think Sarfaraz is captaincy material. He is also massively visibly unfit, poor with the gloves and just a bad batsman in terms of power hitting. Babar Azam is ready and will be captain of Pakistan soon so might as well get on with it.

 

[Alexei.]

I think Babar can do it. It depends where Pakistan want to go from here. Babar is pretty solid, going no where.. in all three formats.. a good choice for me. Imad Wasim the VC does not inspire the confidence as a player. I could be totally wrong since I do not follow Pakistan domestic cricket at all.

Yup Babar is a good choice.

Pakistan are a very very sorted side if they don't chop and change and just stick to their current lot.

I think, you have two brilliant quicks and a superb spinner. Imad has come leaps and bounds and is the perfect all rounder in today's day and age. I hope you guys are patient with him. I would definitely look for a Wahab replacement, not for lack of performance but just because I don't see him around in 2023. I definitely am keeping him for the 2020 World Cup in Australia. Your top 4 can become as good as the top 3 in world cricket if they keep persisting with them. I would unquestionably give Rizwan a go and all efforts should be concentrated on finding a hard hitting batsman who can bat at 6 and bowl a few overs.

I certainly don't think Sarfaraz is captaincy material. He is also massively visibly unfit, poor with the gloves and just a bad batsman in terms of power hitting. Babar Azam is ready and will be captain of Pakistan soon so might as well get on with it.

Wahab would be replaced by Junaid I hope.