2015 World Cup

First topic message reminder :

March

Semi-finals

24 Semi-final 1, South Africa v New Zealand, Auckland (01:00 GMT)

26 Semi-final 2, India v Australia, Sydney (03:30 GMT)

Final

29 Final, Melbourne (05:30 BST)

I hope Ireland make it - they've made the tournament a heck of a lot more interesting in these early stages than it was meant to be. #backinggreen

The UAE have a cricketer called Karate. This is the best day of my life.

Olly wrote:I hope Ireland make it - they've made the tournament a heck of a lot more interesting in these early stages than it was meant to be. #backinggreen

Olly - Agreed. And Gary Wilson from your newly adopted county team is a top bloke.

PS Olly - more Surrey news as requested by LD on the ''KP Returns?'' thread.

All going well for the Windies - UAE 26/5.

JDizzle wrote:The UAE have a cricketer called Karate. This is the best day of my life.

guildfordbat wrote:PS Olly - more Surrey news as requested by LD on the ''KP Returns?'' thread.

Thanks for your excellent inside knowledge reply on the "KP Returns" thread, mate.
So the terms & conditions of any yet to be signed agreement will be the crucially important factor if any deal is to go ahead.
He was on the pre-game show panel here yesterday along with McGrath, Fleming and a comedian/sports presenter named Tony Squires.

I would say that he seemed very perky and confident about his new plan. He also made some pertinent remarks about the current WC generally, certain players, what goes on in the dressing room... and even a little bit about his experience about playing in a team (Melb Stars) who were also under some sort of (media) pressure going into the BB final.

He believes some of the doubt (they had got close in previous years but failed at the final hurdle) got to him during the flight over to Perth.
He claimed he is usually not the type of person to fear opposition or harbour negative thoughts... but this time it got to him. Thought it was brave of him to talk about his mindset in such an honest way, however, he still oozes confidence and I've no doubt he still has what it takes to perform at the highest levels... in all forms of the game.

ShahenshahG wrote:

JDizzle wrote:The UAE have a cricketer called Karate. This is the best day of my life.

I noticed that too!
Now if only they had a Batfink.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:PS Olly - more Surrey news as requested by LD on the ''KP Returns?'' thread.

Thanks for your excellent inside knowledge reply on the "KP Returns" thread, mate.
So the terms & conditions of any yet to be signed agreement will be the crucially important factor if any deal is to go ahead.
He was on the pre-game show panel here yesterday along with McGrath, Fleming and a comedian/sports presenter named Tony Squires.

I would say that he seemed very perky and confident about his new plan. He also made some pertinent remarks about the current WC generally, certain players, what goes on in the dressing room... and even a little bit about his experience about playing in a team (Melb Stars) who were also under some sort of (media) pressure going into the BB final.

He believes some of the doubt (they had got close in previous years but failed at the final hurdle) got to him during the flight over to Perth.
He claimed he is usually not the type of person to fear opposition or harbour negative thoughts... but this time it got to him. Thought it was brave of him to talk about his mindset in such an honest way, however, he still oozes confidence and I've no doubt he still has what it takes to perform at the highest levels... in all forms of the game.

Cheers, LD. I'm not sure that I have any excellent or inside knowledge but it's my take on things and how they might come into play. The lid is off this bottle now so more is sure to come out next week. Interesting comments from you too about Pietersen's panel appearance.

One thing I didn't mention in my earlier post is that Pietersen has had a very good relationship for several years with Graham Ford, Surrey's head coach since early 2014. That gives the Oval club a good lead over any other English counties who might want to secure his services.

Heck of a gallant recovery by Javed and Aziz who have put on over a hundred run partnership.

Probably too late to salvage anything, but something for the UAE bowlers to defend with a slither of a chance.

175 all out.

With the interval, and the necessity of getting twenty overs in to complete a game (unless of course the West Indies chase this down in less than twenty overs), that means there is around two hours left until a possible conclusion.

And there is a huge band of rain on its way - ready to put Ireland, deservedly, through to the quarter-finals, one hopes.

England won in Adelaide, in 2010, with about one hour to spare before the rain came lashing down. I think similar circumstances will apply for the West Indies today.

Oh f**k it Ireland, you'll just have to beat Pakistan.

Hmmm...Ireland batting first after winning the toss. Didn't expect that.

Right the side batting first in Adelaide during this World Cup have won on both occasions - Bangladesh defended 275; India defended 300.

Pakistan have never chased a score successfully at this World Cup - India scored 300; West Indies 310.

That's the good, the bad is Ireland are 15/1 after an early dismissal.

Mark Nicholas and Wasim Akram confused over the most obvious not-out decision.

Ireland 134-4 after 29.4 overs.

Delicately poised, a lot rests on Porterfield. Commentators seem to be of the opinion that 280 could be enough for the Irish.

Finally the World Cup gets down to some proper games after weeks of meaningless ones. Talk about stringing something out for the sake of it.

Any chance Ireland and Pakistan play out the draw?

This is no Germany-Austria in '82!

Ireland are crawling - they need to stamp on the accelerator!

William Porterfield gets his hundred. Captain's knock from him.
He was dropped on 99, a return catch that was messed up by Rahat Ali, and that took him to his hundred.......

Porterfield goes now. Major blow that for Ireland. He was holding the innings together.
Kevin O'Brian will have to really step up now.......

Desperately poor from Ireland at the death.

No real intent, letting Pakistan dictate, and just stumbled their way through to the conclusion. Porterfield, though brilliant, had little support.

It is not ludicrous to suggest Ireland can still win, particularly with the pressure element associated, but it would require one or both of: a capitulation by the Pakistani batting order; a bowling performance far exceeding what we have seen Ireland do thus far.

So Pakistan need 238........

Pretty poor from Ireland in the death overs. 55-6 in the last 11 is just not on.
Pakistan can still mess this up, as we all know they can do anything. But there is not too much that Ireland can do about it, they just don't have the bowling to make a fist of this one.......

Right early wickets vital, then let the pressure do the rest!

Challenging enough total, you'd think, given the weight of what's at stake.

Pakistan totally in control. 65/0 off 10.

General view seems to be that the par score should be around 280. Not only did Ireland underscore that total by more than 40 but, due to the weakness of their seamers, they really need to get 20 or 30 more than par.

As if to prove that point, Thompson comes on as first change and goes for 14. Dockrell then comes on too early in place of him for the 10th and gets carted for 17.

Ireland lacking venom, rather as expected.

A shame that, barring a monumental comeback, they will miss out on a quarter-final place to a team they defeated.

And now Kevin O'Brien replaces Dockrell ...

Duty281 wrote:Ireland lacking venom, rather as expected.

A shame that, barring a monumental comeback, they will miss out on a quarter-final place to a team they defeated.

Bang on.

Ireland go out of the World Cup but they depart with great credit having won 3 matches and defeated 2 Test nations.

Can we have test status now please?

I'm not asking for tests against India, South Africa and Australia, but some against Bangladesh, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Believe we have more victories over Test sides than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe before they got Test status.

And the potential First Class competition is in place. More ODIs as well please!

guildfordbat wrote:Ireland go out of the World Cup but they depart with great credit having won 3 matches and defeated 2 Test nations.

Yes unfortunately the injuries in the seam department just held them back - but an excellent showing

--Well in the end all the expected teams made it to knockouts with the exception of Eng....not left out through some political walk overs or rain rules but rather a true reflection on Eng's standings in limited over cricket.,

--There was a lot of emotional reasons people would have liked to see Ire...and I also applaud their lion hearted effort...but in the end they just didn't have the bowling to make it to the next level.
By cricketing logic I'd much rather see Pak take on Aus and knock them out.

Pak is peaking and should they get to bat first and put on even 225ish runs...they are 60-40 favorites with their bowling..the best pace attack in the tournament.... to defend  this total....however if they second  Aus is 70-30 favorite to win.

--I believe WI will knock out NZ.....and quite thoroughly...a strong hunch....making a mockery of the format

-- Lanka is the converse of Pakistan....best top 6 batters and should they chase even 325...they are 50-50 to knock out SA.
So SA needs to get all their batting engines firing on all cylinder...and put a 350+ to feel safe ...
ideally they should get Lanka to bat first....the problem is chasing SA are also subject to the dreaded C factor when chasing.

--Ind should overhaul BD inspite of all our weaknesses......they got a lucky break and should be thankful to Eng.

s.f line-up
Ind-Pak
WI-SL

Mods...maybetime for a new thread for the knock-outs

Dave. wrote:Can we have test status now please?

I'm not asking for tests against India, South Africa and Australia, but some against Bangladesh, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Believe we have more victories over Test sides than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe before they got Test status.

And the potential First Class competition is in place. More ODIs as well please!

I would certainly look forward to a Test series between Ireland and West Indies. I would also enjoy hosting Afghanistan in Tests as well....

But of course, the ICC only look after the interests of the Big Three.

As for the quarterfinals, the WI play NZ on Saturday, which is as far as we expected to go.

KP_fan wrote:

By cricketing logic I'd much rather see Pak take on Aus and knock them out.
Pak is peaking and should they get to bat first and put on even 225ish runs...they are 60-40 favorites with their bowling..the best pace attack in the tournament.... to defend  this total....however if they second  Aus is 70-30 favorite to win.

--I believe WI will knock out NZ.....and quite thoroughly...a strong hunch....making a mockery of the format

-- Lanka is the converse of Pakistan....best top 6 batters and should they chase even 325...they are 50-50 to knock out SA.

--Ind should overhaul BD inspite of all our weaknesses......they got a lucky break and should be thankful to Eng.

s.f line-up
Ind-Pak
WI-SL

Mods...maybetime for a new thread for the knock-outs

I'll get a new thread for the knock-outs up shortly, KP_f... there's still a few pages left in this one.

Really enjoyed watching Ireland play in this WC but it was a much improved Pakistan this time around.

I agree Pakistan may be peaking but so too are Australia, whom I believe have an even better pace attack.
The fact Pakistan are a bowler or 2 short and Australia are still waiting for one or two batsmen to really fire says to me that Pakistan will find them more of a challenge than say Ireland or Zim.

Although NZ have been the form side in Pool A; there has been a hint of a few wobbles against Scotland and Bangladesh. Think they will be too strong for the West Indies though - who for a while yesterday couldn't seem to close out the match after having UAE on the ropes at 46/6.

India should account for their neighbours Bangladesh with relative ease you'd think. They have regrouped well since the tri-series.

SL-SA is the most intriguing QF contest for me.
If SA can emulate what Aus did and put on a big score they should also be able to contain SL.
However, if SL bat first and manage to achieve a respectable score... the pressure could be on SA in the chase, although you'd think this time they should get there. A Sri Lanka win wouldn't surprise me though.

So my SF predictions...

NZ-SA
Aus-Ind

http://www.scoopwhoop.com/sports/iconic-photos-cricket/

some beautiful images frozen in time from this beautiful game.

Perhaps not the most appropriate thread, but one where these are most likely to be viewed

Loved the one taken in 1983, with the maid and players drinking tea. No cucumber sandwiches?

Mohd Irfan is out of the world cup for Pakistan...that's a blow on surface but such is the depth of their resources that the replacements are as good or better than the originals
Ehsan adil is a promising pacer as his replacement...and will play vs. Aus

If SA bat first, they have a 70 percent chance of winning, if SA bats 2nd, SL has a 90 percnt of reaching the semis........ The remaining 10 percent is all down to that genius freak.......

CI has an anti SA agenda....splashing "will SA Choke" in big and bold building pressure on them
dunno why

Have these players choked? The 99 and 03 teams did, well they made errors, not sure that means they choked.
SA to win!

Dave. wrote:Can we have test status now please?

I'm not asking for tests against India, South Africa and Australia, but some against Bangladesh, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Believe we have more victories over Test sides than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe before they got Test status.

And the potential First Class competition is in place. More ODIs as well please!

ok but who will fund it? - who will watch the games to bring in money?

your players play at english county sides- they will need compensation when they are playing internationally.

think about the economies and logistics.

BUt good luck to you.. I really do hope you become a proper cricketing nation not just one with the test 'tag'.

I think sadly the major problem with Ireland isnt your players or performance level or possibly even structure(which may or may not be on a par with bang or zim- i dont know) at the time they were given full status.

I think the problem is the ICC realised its mistake by given them test status and now you are caught up in the aftermath and they dont want to compound the problem

The Loaded Dog wrote:

... Really enjoyed watching Ireland play in this WC but it was a much improved Pakistan this time around.

I agree Pakistan may be peaking but so too are Australia, whom I believe have an even better pace attack.
The fact Pakistan are a bowler or 2 short and Australia are still waiting for one or two batsmen to really fire says to me that Pakistan will find them more of a challenge than say Ireland or Zim.

Although NZ have been the form side in Pool A; there has been a hint of a few wobbles against Scotland and Bangladesh. Think they will be too strong for the West Indies though - who for a while yesterday couldn't seem to close out the match after having UAE on the ropes at 46/6.

India should account for their neighbours Bangladesh with relative ease you'd think. They have regrouped well since the tri-series.

SL-SA is the most intriguing QF contest for me.
If SA can emulate what Aus did and put on a big score they should also be able to contain SL.
However, if SL bat first and manage to achieve a respectable score... the pressure could be on SA in the chase, although you'd think this time they should get there. A Sri Lanka win wouldn't surprise me though.

So my SF predictions...

NZ-SA
Aus-Ind

Hi LD - meant to say the other day that I thought this was a very good post. Or at least that I very much agree with it (which isn't necessarily the same thing! ).

Particular comment about New Zealand. They look so good at times, with some stand-out performers with bat and ball, but lack for me ruthless consistency. They've overcome wobbles so far as you say but now we're down to the last 8 and the knock-outs they'll need to maintain focus for longer and better.

The South Africa v Sri Lanka game is certainly an intriguing one. I go for South Africa there but a lot may depend upon how comfortable their 4 front line bowlers make the job for (combo) bowler 5. Looking forward to watching some of that in our morning.

I agree with your SF predictions leaving my original prediction of an Australia v South Africa final still on ... well, at least for now!

Sl batting first. So that in itself adds 50 percent additional pressure on South Africa!.
However, its been SA who have beening the initial rounds. Sri Lanka went in with a different opening combination as Kusal Perera was back to partner Dilshan. But Abbot got Perera and then Steyn got Dilshan. Both wickets also helped by some terrific catching, an absolute beauty from wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that got Perera, and then Faf pulled off another fine catch to get Dilshan.

Besides the returning Kusal Perera, there are more changes for Sri Lanka, with Tharintu Kaushal coming in to handle spin duties as Rangana Herath is not yet fit, and the Slinger and Kulasekhara has seam bowling company in the inexperienced but reportedly rapid Dushmantha Chameera who has played only 2 ODIs so far.

An almighty struggle for the run machine of this world cup, Kumar Sangakkara is 6 of 40.......

Sri Lanka struggling at 93-4.

Well it is a reverse choke, Lanka 115-6 and in about 34 overs.
They need 225 on the board to find some ways of competing.
Looks hard getting there for now

Sri Lanka being blown away here, 116-7 in the 35th over.
The South African bowlers leaving nothing to chance here, folding Lanka for a score where even the SA batting lineup can't choke even if they try.

Tahir and Duminy doing lots of damage here. Duminy also taking a split over hat trick in the course. Sri Lanka tottering at 116-8.
What will Sangakkara do now?

Sri Lanka have hit the wall now. They have been completely bullied by SA. I think there will be more to come later as well!
Now a hat-trick for Duminy... says it all really... good on him to share some of the spoils.

A few spits of rain outside, nothing much. It might be over the SCG in the next half hour or so but it shouldn't be enough to cause delays or stop the SA machine today.