China meet England in potential Group B summit clash at Hagley Oval
Two of the three teams likely to win the group collide in Christchurch on Saturday
Hagley Oval during the warm-up match between Bermuda and Denmark © Associated Press, November 6, 2003
ROUND 2 PREVIEW
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Match 5,
Guernsey vs Vanuatu, Hamilton
Two extremely well-settled squads who have had mixed fortunes in ODI cricket take each other on in the first match of the second round as Guernsey face Vanuatu in Hamilton. While the ODI records of the reigning Euro Cup co-winners have been a mixed bag, the team consists of some of ODI cricket's greatest ever cricketers. Harry Wroetoshaw and Tom Nightingale, two of the most prolific run-getters in ODI cricket, form the backbone of this Guernsey side, with the up-and-coming starboys Kylian Michiels, Richard Morgan and Henry White only adding to their strength. For them to go deep in the tournament, their bowlers need to step up big time. Harrison Willis, as ever, holds the keys to Guernsey's fortunes with the ball, being their greatest bowler ever. However, a great deal is also expected of Ryan Edwards and supposed wonderkid Xavier Thomas. Guernsey have the tools, but do they have the mechanic who knows how to use them?
Vanuatu have had a middling year thus far, with their highest high coming against Nations League runners-up England, who they beat 2-0 in a Test series away from home in April. And their lowest low coming against China, who they lost to in all three formats, including T20Is where they were dethroned as the No. 1 Team in the world. Vanuatu need to seriously punch above their weight if they are to make it out of a group consisting of Guernsey, Denmark, Niue and Qatar. And they can very well do so if all pieces fall into place, starting with their openers regaining lost form, their middle-order being a little less reliant on Apolinaire Saksak (despite him being so consistent), and their bowling gelling together to form a disciplined attack with Mark Mansale as its spearhead.
Players to watch out for: Tom Nightingale, Harry Wroetoshaw, Kylian Michiels, Harrison Willis, Mark Mansale
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Match 6,
China vs England, Christchurch
Arguably the biggest match of the group pits China against England in Christchurch, as two of the three teams most-likely to win the group collide in a much-anticipated contest. China have been the fastest rising nation in the world of cricket, having won Club World Cup and Asia Cup honours within their first three years as members of the World Cricket Conference. England on the other hand, have been slightly less fortunate with their trophy cabinet, but have tried to burst through a higher ceiling, with an appearance in the Nations League Final being the highlight of their journey thus far.
This match is expected to be high-octane, as some of the best cricketers in the world will be seen live and in living colour, representing England and China. William George Charles, one of cricket's biggest egos
and its biggest stars, returned to don national colours very recently following controversies with his home board. Having left the national side to play for his adopted home in Wales (a club co-owned by him), WG Charles saw his decision prove fruitful, as he led the Aberystwyth Avengers to Club World Cup glory in Denmark only a few months back. However, since being brought back into the side with a lot of controversy surrounding him, he has failed to truly deliver the way he had done before his alleged falling out with some members of the English side. Many even believe that captain Richard Head had usurped him as England's be-all and end-all during Charles' absence, having inarguably been their best player this year.
For the Chinese, Shi Gen has been nothing short of magic. He has enviable numbers, well on track to overtake Rudi Struwig as ODI cricket's greatest ever bowler. In a mere 28 matches, Shi Gen has claimed 76 wickets at an astonishing bowling average of 17.50. While the wrist-spinner boasts four 5-wicket hauls in ODI cricket, his most outrageous performance came not in ODIs, but in List As during the Club World Cup, where he bagged 8 wickets for 31 runs in Roskilde only a couple of months ago. Simply too good for the opposition, Shi Gen has a big role to play in China's biggest ODI match yet. Quite possibly more so than Du Wei and Zhu Yusheng, their highest run-getters in ODI cricket. All in all, this contest is sure to be a feast for cricket fans of both these nations, and the neutral ones as well.
Players to watch out for: William George Charles, Richard Head, Shi Gen, Du Wei
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Match 7,
Bermuda vs Saudi Arabia, Hikutavake
All eyes on Wendell Corden-Cox to conjure up the very greatness which led Aberystwyth Avengers to Club World Cup glory, as Bermuda take on a batting-oriented Saudi Arabia on a Hikutavake flat-track. The Arab Cup champions take on the runners-up of the Americas Championship, as two teams generally seen on the lower end of the pecking order lock horns in a crucial Group C match. With an undoubtedly tough road ahead for both these teams, a win in this match could set the tone for either of these sides to go very deep in the tournament, maybe more so than what is expected from either of these sides.
Saudi Arabia, a team that has relied almost exclusively on their batting, will have to come up with something inspired to negate the damage that Wendell Corden-Cox can inflict on them. With Hikutavake's typical batting friendly conditions in play, expect this match to be high-scoring, and most likely one-sided contest.
Players to watch out for: Wendell Corden-Cox, Khuzaimah Rasheed, Mohsin Tunio
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Match 8,
Israel vs South Africa, Napier
African juggernauts and favorites to win the World Cup, South Africa, begin their campaign against Israel in Napier. With their settled core of players looking as good as it ever has, South Africa are the likeliest contenders to win this group almost unchallenged. But if there are any chinks in the armour, expect Asher Golan's Israel to find and exploit them, even with all the odds stacked against them the way they are in this contest. It'll be tough, but if the Arab Cup is anything to go by, Israel can do it.
Asher Golan, highest run-scorer at the Arab Cup has to burden the majority of responsibility, both as captain and player. Luckily for him, he seems to have found a dependable partner in Amah Eliot, with both men having been involved in crucial partnerships together, who will no doubt challenge Proteas' world class bowling.
A bowling attack led by Rudi Struwig, one of two players to have 100 ODI wickets, and the first to get there. Rudi Struwig is the heartbeat of this South African side. His heroics with the ball led them to their Knockout Trophy win in 2002, and now leading a much-improved Proteas side, he appears destined to win the World Cup.
Players to watch out for: Petrus Struwig, Jacques Coetzee, Dale Smit, Rudi Struwig, Asher Golan
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