2022 T20 World Cup thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

We're now just over a fortnight out from the qualifying round, and team news is ever changing around the teams in the tournament.

Unfortunately today Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament (and a while after) with a back injury. Big blow to India that one, and a World Cup with no Archer/Bumrah (arguably the two best t20 fast bowlers in the world) is a huge shame

[alfie]

You are probably right about the XI , Olly , now that Topley is out. (truly rotten luck for him ! Some bowlers seem to be cursed)

Wouldn't be my choice. Reckon Jordan is past his best , and I'd sooner Willey - who has done better in recent outings anyway. But they may shuffle around a bit , depending on opposition etc - may well see all the bats including Brook sometimes and have the spare spinners do some work.

Either way , I am about 5-10% less confident of England's chances overall. But who knows ? Someone who comes in may yet prove a hero...

[Duty281]

It is a loss for England, but I don't think it's a huge loss. There's not a big drop off between Topley and the other options. Losing Wood or Rashid would have been much tougher to weather.

Speaking of loss and weather, the remaining warm-up games were washed out today as Brisbane got soaked. But there was enough time for Shaheen to bowl a full four over spell, so it seems he's fit to lead Pakistan's charge in the competition.

[alfie]

It is a loss for England, but I don't think it's a huge loss. There's not a big drop off between Topley and the other options. Losing Wood or Rashid would have been much tougher to weather.

Speaking of loss and weather, the remaining warm-up games were washed out today as Brisbane got soaked. But there was enough time for Shaheen to bowl a full four over spell, so it seems he's fit to lead Pakistan's charge in the competition.

Hope you are right. But I fear the "other options" simply don't cover Topley's versatility - and will therefore lead to a less effective attack overall. I think recent matches have shown how well his contribution allowed other bowlers to bowl in their most appropriate slots. The now necessary reshuffle is likely to be "best we can manage" so fingers crossed.

Certainly Wood or Rashid are bowlers for whom there is no direct replacement so sincerely hope they stay fit ! Though I imagine Wood will have to rest from some games in any case.

[alfie]

Not just England replacing players...Australia will have to replace Josh Inglis after the spare wicket keeper in the squad wrecked his hand playing...golf.

I always said it was a silly dangerous sport : ask Jonny B ! If they want to do something different on a day off , why not try something safer - like cage-fighting , or extreme rock climbing ...

Might be a chance to add Cam Green - if they want to risk not carrying a reserve keeper.

[alfie]

In the crucial qualifier , Sri Lanka not having it all their own way against the Dutch...

Chose to bat ; and a modest 42/2 after eight overs. Van der Merwe has bowled two overs for just seven runs and the bats not looking too confident.

[alfie]

A flurry of runs off the next two overs ... But they were rather lucky not to lose more wickets there as a couple of mis hits narrowly evaded catchers. One really should have been taken had the fielder moved the right way at first.

After ten , Sri Lanka precarious on 60/2.

[alfie]

This van Meekeren is quite sharp...over 140 and has worried them with his bounce . He has been dangerous today with both the wickets , and just 15 runs conceded so far in three overs. Again induced errors in that third over , but both fell safely as the batsmen ride their luck.

[alfie]

Lost a third wicket ; but Mendis is holding Sri Lanka together and reaches his fifty with a six over square leg.

Useful acceleration so it's 109/3 off fifteen. If they use the remaining overs well I think they'll have too many for the Dutch ; but it's not been too convincing from Olly's Dark Horses...

[alfie]

Back from a walk to see Netherlands 40/2 from six , chasing 162. Very similar start to Sri Lanka's ; but I suspect the Dutch won't have as much later batting so are going to find this a very uphill struggle. If they'd taken the half-chances they might be chasing a few less , but that's the way it goes...

[alfie]

Haven't been able to watch these last few overs but obvious from scores that Netherlands aren't getting near it. They'll be disappointed after winning two games to be the first side eliminated but that's life in t20...

Sri Lanka may end up lucky enough to land in second place in this group and therefore avoid the Group of Death so hope for Olly's Tip yet

[alfie]

Decent old effort from O'Dowd , though...(great Dutch name , that ) in getting it to the last over...

Just needs a Brathwaite 4 sixes now...

[alfie]

So Sri Lanka win by 16 runs. Brave effort from Netherlands ; but unless UAE pull off an improbable result against Namibia , they're out.

[alfie]

And Australia have indeed called up Green. So if Wade trips over a boundary rope before a match they'll be raffling the gloves - but I guess they reckon it's a risk worth taking .

[Pal Joey]

And Australia have indeed called up Green.  So if Wade trips over a boundary rope before a match they'll be raffling the gloves - but I guess they reckon it's a risk worth taking .

Or gets his fingers caught in the roulette wheel at the casino...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Think I read Warner is the reserve keeper if Wade goes down now - not ideal, but can probably get away with it in a T20

[alfie]

UAE looked like putting up a half decent score - but they seem to be running out of steam. Just 2 runs from the 18th over ? With seven wickets in hand

119/3 and they aren't going to get enough to really pressure Namibia now.

[alfie]

Well what do I know ? 21 off the last over ! Some finish.

148 still probably a bit too light : but the Dutch will be keeping their fingers crossed in hopes...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

UAE's batting approach is wayyyyy too conservative - they seem happy to just put up 140-150 everytime and don't even try hit a ceiling of 170-180

[Duty281]

UAE certainly got more than I thought they would and this should be a close chase.

Namibia win and they're in England's group. Otherwise it's Sri Lanka.

[alfie]

Rather dodgy start for Namibia , two down in three overs... lose any more and the nerves might do for them ?

[Pal Joey]

Two more wickets in quick succession. Namibia are digging a deeper hole for themselves now.
I suspect we'll be seeing more shots of the Dutch dressing room... full of smiles no doubt.

[Duty281]

46/5, Namibia have really bungled this chase.

[alfie]

Wheels coming off Namibia ... 49/5. Going to need something big from Wiese...

[alfie]

Two more wickets in quick succession. Namibia are digging a deeper hole for themselves now.
I suspect we'll be seeing more shots of the Dutch dressing room... full of smiles no doubt.

Does having an O'Dowd in their side get them a little of the famed "luck of the Irish" ?

[Pal Joey]

Two more wickets in quick succession. Namibia are digging a deeper hole for themselves now.
I suspect we'll be seeing more shots of the Dutch dressing room... full of smiles no doubt.

[alfie]

Tight finish , eh ? Need 14 from one over ...what's the odds ? Duty ?

[alfie]

Caught on the boundary and the Dutch are airborne with delight !

Still could bowl a no ball and get hit for six but you'd say it's all over...it is now.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Wiese caught on the boundary at long on with 10 needed off 3 balls, so close! UAE look to have done it - and Sri Lanka/Dutch go through!

[alfie]

Namibia will be kicking themselves but I think the right two teams got through.

Not sure any of the Big Teams will be losing a lot of sleep over playing either of them - thoigh maybe that is dangerous talk in t20

[Duty281]

Another thrilling conclusion. The UAE bowling was brilliant from eight balls left and heartbreak for Namibia.

Very credible tournament from the UAE. They were actually in strong positions in all three games and should have beaten the Dutch and gone through with Sri Lanka. Mammoth frustration for Namibia, conversely. Toppled Sri Lanka but bungled two games they should have won with limp batting performances.

Sri Lanka join England's group which looks the weaker of the two. Can't see them getting through but they could pick up a couple more wins. The Dutch join the sub-continent teams and South Africa. I don't see the Dutch doing anything extra as their batting is far too underpowered.

Tomorrow, with the weather looking fine, sees knock-out cricket. Ireland v the West Indies and Scotland v Zimbabwe are both winner goes through. I think both games are pretty near 50/50 and hard to call. Maybe I'm narrowly favouring Zimbabwe and the West Indies.

Fantastic competition so far.

[alfie]

Another thrilling conclusion. The UAE bowling was brilliant from eight balls left and heartbreak for Namibia.

Very credible tournament from the UAE. They were actually in strong positions in all three games and should have beaten the Dutch and gone through with Sri Lanka. Mammoth frustration for Namibia, conversely. Toppled Sri Lanka but bungled two games they should have won with limp batting performances.

Sri Lanka join England's group which looks the weaker of the two. Can't see them getting through but they could pick up a couple more wins. The Dutch join the sub-continent teams and South Africa. I don't see the Dutch doing anything extra as their batting is far too underpowered.

Tomorrow, with the weather looking fine, sees knock-out cricket. Ireland v the West Indies and Scotland v Zimbabwe are both winner goes through. I think both games are pretty near 50/50 and hard to call. Maybe I'm narrowly favouring Zimbabwe and the West Indies.

Fantastic competition so far.

Can't share your views on the strength of the two groups ! Reckon the England/Australia/NZ group is far tougher than the other one. This is being played in Australia , remember , not Asia.

[Duty281]

I'd put the South Africa and India duo ahead of England and Aus. I rate Pakistan higher than New Zealand (Pakistan beat NZ recently in the tri-series by 2-1, and that was without Shaheen) and I'd probably put Bangladesh in front of Afghanistan.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I agree with Duty on the groups - Australia and England should be getting through without too much issue really. The last world cup being in Asia actually suited New Zealand's batting and strategy more than it being in Aus imo

[alfie]

Guess we will find out in time. But I reckon the title holders , playing at home ; the favourites last time around who have come in on a run of good wins ; and NZ who always make finals : constitute a more impressive bunch than : the serial chokers , plus a Pakistan side who never put two games together , and an Indian team likely to again find the pressure of untold millions of fans too much to handle

Of course the semi finals will actually feature West Indies and Sri Lanka so get your money on now...

[alfie]

Not raining yet , anyway...

West Indies choose to bat. But Ireland have struck early with Mayers lofting McCarthy straight to mid off.

11/1 off three not the best of starts.

[alfie]

Charles went nuts and smashed 16 off the next over - but he's gone too now , slashing Singh to cover ; and it's 27/2 in the fifth...

[alfie]

... And nearly a third as Singh can't quite hang on to a sharp return chance from King !

All action. 32/2 from five.

[alfie]

King and Lewis got it up to 67 at the half way mark...but the latter has gone now to a very good outfield catch by Adair ; so at 71/3 after 11 there is a bit of work to do as Pooran arrives...

[alfie]

Pooran looked to be getting going with a thumping six... but he's gone for 13 (a second wicket for Delaney) and 99/4 in the fifteenth could still become a "good" score or a disappointing one...

King has about half the score so they'll hope he keeps going.

[alfie]

Weird third over from Adair ... three ropey wides ; but apart from that three singles and three dots so Ireland will settle for that ! Three overs for just 12 , he's done well.

111/4 , four to go...

[alfie]

... make that 112/5 as Powell becomes Delaney's third victim ! WI going to need some input from the bowlers...

[alfie]

Delaney finishes with 3/16 from his four overs

1/1 in the seventeenth over of a t20 ain't too shabby !

112/5 and just three overs left...

[alfie]

WI looked to be dying with just singles - but Smith muscled one for six so it's 122/5 off 18...

[alfie]

I know WI like to play this way : sixes the first target ; but 45 dots in 19 overs has hurt them. 132/5

Need a big last over...

[alfie]

Couple of good hits from Smith saw them to 146... Will it be enough ? Reckon they would have wanted - and expected - more.

Ireland's bowlers have done a decent job. Up to the bats now.

[Pal Joey]

Ireland have done well and played smartly. Some great fielding to save boundaries and keeping the West Indies to under 150 runs is a very good effort. Interesting call from the umpire to call legal deliveries to wider balls when the batsmen is standing well off off-stump. I guess it was in the channel to be hit!

[alfie]

Ireland out of the blocks like a rabbit with half a dozen greyhounds in pursuit...45 off twenty-one balls !

WI brains trust conferring...

[Pal Joey]

Decent start from Ireland to be sure.  
One might say they're getting into d'swing of tings...

[alfie]

Balburnie and Stirling not taking a backward step...64/0 after the first six. Very handy start - West Indies need wickets , eh ?

[alfie]

Much needed wicket ! Hosein making up somewhat for that first expensive over...But Balburnie has given Ireland a great start.

78/1 off eight.

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