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

[eirebilly_01]

Bangladesh fly out of the blocks and the run into Anrich Nortje...

[alfie]

Hi there eirebilly ... must be still celebrating that glorious victory over England , eh ? Wonder if Ireland can upset anyone else as we go on ?

SA didn't have much trouble with Bangladesh. Not exactly surprised. They dropped a point in that wet night with Zimbabwe but if they can beat Pakistan they won't have to worry - I think I would back them to do so.

Weather here in Melbourne is still wet wet wet so I do hope we don't get too many more games impacted. Would be nice for own club side to get on the field soon too

[eirebilly_01]

Ah sure alfie, a few scoops may have been taken after beating England

Big one tomorrow for ye guys

[Duty281]

Huge win for South Africa. Rossouw getting the first century of the World Cup and Nortje and Shamsi doing the damage with the ball. Gives them a very healthy net run-rate. Still my favourites for the tournament. Though they should have made more than 205 from the position they were in.

India cruising v the Dutch.

[alfie]

Yes that was a fine result for SA - NRR will be nice ! Still got their two main opponents to play of course ; but they're off to arguably the most convincing start of any of the main contenders , despite being docked a point by the weather the other day.

I reckon they will make the knockouts this time. What happens then I am not game to speculate...

[Duty281]

179 for India. Not a humiliation for the Dutch, but surely way out of reach.

[eirebilly_01]

India cruising this one as to be expected.

[KP_fan]

Notes from the Indian game
-Good workout for Indian spinners but I am not sure that Ind should play 2 spinners in the next game at Perth
-Bhuvi is on his top A game. Arshdeep although getting wickets needs to reduce his variations
On helpful Aussie pitches he does not need IPL like too many variations
-DK muffs stumping and is no where in class of Pant as a batter
Ind should leave finisher's role to Pandya & have pant at 5
-Rahul is a concern, but Kohli is looking set to have a Bumper tournament
-NRR should have improved significantly today

[KP_fan]

arshdeep gave 14 runs in last over to No. 11 and diluted the NRR

[Duty281]

Amazes me the Dutch got so far considering they don't have one single quality batsman in the line-up. They might actually be able to do something if they had someone at the quality of Stirling or Raza in the XI, because their bowling and fielding can be quite tidy.

Anyway, easy day for India. They've got South Africa in a few days.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe next. Pakistan are in a similar position to Australia a couple of days ago - you'd expect them to win this, but the opposition are capable of providing an upset, and if Pakistan do lose they're pretty much out of it. As an added bonus, if Zimbabwe win they have a very real chance of making the semis.

Zimbabwe win the toss and bat first. Good call. Let's see if they can make 150+ and put the pressure on.

[Duty281]

Fantastic battle between the Zimbabwean openers and the blistering-fast Pakistan quicks during the PowerPlay. After a brisk start, Zimbabwe have been pulled back to 43/2.

Not happy with the Madhevere dismissal. Didn't seem that DRS took into account the high bounce of the wicket.

[Duty281]

Not going to be any upsets today. Zimbabwe have crumbled to 95/7 after being 95/3! Babar Azam taking one of the best catches of the competition along the way.

Zimbabwe don't seem to have any way of negotiating dismissals. They just keep attacking and wickets lost be damned. It was the same during their failed chase v the West Indies.

[alfie]

Had forgotten this Perth game was on. Tuned in as it seemed Zimbabwe were putting up a challenge - only to see four wickets fall for zero !

At 104/7 , they are going to struggle to set a decent target now...

[KP_fan]

Zim lost 4 wickets in a heap...but they need to collect themselves and score 30 to 40 runs in last 4 overs to try and get to something to work with

[KP_fan]

130
very Modest
But if there are top teams that can crumble chasing modest total vs Zim... then Pak and WI are the ones

[eirebilly_01]

I think that Pakistan will really go for this. Its not a great total and they will want to win well to up their NRR.

All over before 15 overs is my guess.

[Duty281]

Respectable score, unlikely to be enough. Need at least three in the PowerPlay to have a realistic chance.

Don't expect Pakistan to go hard at the chase, it's not their usual way.

[eirebilly_01]

Looks like my suggestion of Pakistan going for this is miles off

[KP_fan]

Zim have a very handy top 3 seam bowling attack

[eirebilly_01]

Jaysus, is there an upset on?

Ye may just be right KP_fan

[Duty281]

Utterly brainless from Shadab Khan. Pakistan had a solid partnership going, were managing the game perfectly and gliding to the target - then Shadab gifts his wicket and gets Zimbabwe back in it.

And Raza takes 2 in 2! Game back on.

[KP_fan]

Pak choking

[Duty281]

Amazing stumping to account for the main man.

Zimbabwe favourites!

[KP_fan]

Whether Zim  win or not...Sikandar Raza might be the biggest match winner in the world
may not be inaccurate statement

[Duty281]

Down to 22 off 12. Big call as to who bowls the 19th - do they save Ngarava for the 20th, when it may already be gone?

Nope, they're bowling him now...

[alfie]

Boiling up to quite a finish , eh ?

22 from 12 balls...hmm.

[alfie]

Couple of fielding errors and a full toss and Pakistan favourites now...

[Duty281]

Painful full toss after a mostly brilliant 4 overs from Ngarava, but he pulled it back towards the end of the over.

11 off the last. Evans to bowl it. Zimbabwe need a wicket. Pakistan need a maximum.

[alfie]

Wow ! All rests on the Last Ball...

Talk about a timely wicket

[JDizzle]

Why did he bowl two half volleys with mid off up! Gave away 7 off 2 and has been exceptional since then.

[Duty281]

Amazing, Zimbabwe win!

[alfie]

So it's Zimbabwe Day in Perth.

Remarkable last three balls from Evans and goodnight Pakistan for this WC - which is going to disappoint a lot of people. But I suppose they have basically choked twice now - or at least failed to finish under pressure.

You'd think that means SA and India are sitting pretty . But could Zimbabwe yet upset the big boys ? TBH I think that was their final...

[Duty281]

Fantastic game, brilliant tournament, what a sport.

Zimbabwe were cooked at 95/7, but a spirited effort from Burl and Evans hoisted them up to something respectable. Then in the chase Zimbabwe had an early sniff, before Shan and Shadab appeared to have closed the door. Cue Shadab's brainless shot, the door opened and Zimbabwe poured through.

But some amazing twists at the end. 20 off 10 and Zimbabwe looked to have won it. Cue a full toss and the boundary early in the 20th, it was down to 4 off 4, and surely Pakistan had it won. Evans' dot with the third last was exceptional, and the catch under pressure from Ervine was neat (the same Ervine who earlier in the over had turned a certain boundary into 3 runs from a wonderful diving stop).

What a win for Zimbabwe. They're such a beautiful team that has represented a country immaculately. A country that has gone through immense hardship and I hope this brings joy to watching Zimbabweans. A lovely cricketing nation and world cricket is all the better for having them.

Zimbabwe could make the semis. They're on 3 points. They beat Bangladesh and the Netherlands, lose to India, and they're on 7. SA lose to India and Pakistan, and beat the Netherlands, and they're on 5. Could happen. You think any tie between Zim and SA and SA would have superiority owing to NRR. Even if Zimbabwe don't make the semis, this win will be a tremendous boost for them going forward.

As for Pakistan...they're as good as out. A perfect run from here will only get them to 6. They'd have to rely on some slip-ups from those above. On the one hand they have lost two games. On the other they have lost both games by immensely tight margins (the last ball v India, one run v Zimbabwe). The openers haven't contributed, and that is essential to the Pakistani batting gameplan where they like to see the openers accumulate through the PowerPlay. Main man Shaheen has also been off-form, perhaps coming back too soon from injury?

[Duty281]

Prognosis for Melbourne tomorrow not looking good. Seems to be rain around all afternoon and evening, so v. unlikely to see full 20-over games and quite unlikely to get anything other than a no-result. A no-result doesn't really help England - they need wins.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Delighted for Zimbabwe - they've been playing really well recently, and to now do it on the biggest stage too. Great game!

[alfie]

Prognosis for Melbourne tomorrow not looking good. Seems to be rain around all afternoon and evening, so v. unlikely to see full 20-over games and quite unlikely to get anything other than a no-result. A no-result doesn't really help England - they need wins.

Yeah it's still rather wet here I'm afraid. Can hope it pauses sometime tomorrow and they can get a game in but looking distinctly dodgy.
Washout would leave England in a bit of a hole as you'd imagine Australia will be able to boost their NRR against Afghanistan - and Ireland although perhaps we shouldn't assume that ! While England still have Sri Lanka and the Kiwis and that really looks a harder programme.

I'm hoping the rain is all coming through earlier than expected...

Anyway tonight is for a salute to Zimbabwe

[KP_fan]

Fantastic game, brilliant tournament, what a sport.

The single biggest reasons for the exciting finishes in this world cup so far are the pitches.
When pitches have something in them for the bowlers.....games are more exciting & Aus has done well to leave grass on the pitches and make them sporting by T20 standards.
In Hobart & Melbourne par score appears to be 155-160 & 140-150 at Perth, and a 170 odd at Sydney
The two 200+ scores are Outliers in my view, where one team just didn't turn up.

The other reason being the evolution of Minnows...who are no longer minnows over 20 overs.
That Zim, Ned, IRe have good pace attacks makes them competitive over shorter time horizons.

Teams going in with mentality of Patta pitches and IPL hangover...are suffering
There is a little bit of build the inning...respect the new ball and condition element that has to be factored.

[Duty281]

For those to like to throw their money at hopeful causes: Ladbrokes are currently offering 33/1 that Sikandar Raza will be the top wicket-taker at this World Cup.

Raza's on 8 wickets at the moment - level with Theekshana and 1 behind Hasaranga and de Leede - and Zimbabwe's next two games are against the brittle Bangladesh and Dutch batting line-ups, followed by India and a possible semi-final.

Worth a punt!

[alfie]

Delayed start - at best - for Ireland and Afghanistan. Inspection in twenty minutes or so.

On the bright side (relatively speaking) it is more mizzle than torrents today so if we get a clear period some cricket could be possible. And the forecast does suggest less rain in the evening which could give hopes of the second match proceeding OK , even if reduced overs.

But the way things have been lately here I make no predictions. Am even concerned having a reserve day for the final might make no difference given the frequent back-to-back deluges ! But that is for the future...crossing fingers for today.

[alfie]

On the off chance we might see a match : Australia will probably just swap Zampa in for Agar provided he is fully over Covid ; and Wade seems poised to play despite his positive test. Possibility Smith could come in but I think they are committed to their seven big hitters policy so doubt it.
England have as much as said same XI , same order : a mistake , I think but they don't take any notice of me Coming out now to say I'd be leaving out Hales and letting Stokes open - so hopefully that will ensure a Hales fast eighty-odd... Would at least like to think they could adjust the order to avoid having Stokes and Malan batting together if the openers were to get out cheaply again : simplest solution there is for Buttler to make a hundred , eh ? And hope the bowlers pitch it up a bit when it is swinging around !

Back to do my anti-rain dance...

[alfie]

Ireland and Afghanistan have shaken hands on 1 point each. So that's one game washed away and we hope for the rain to p.ss off in the next two and a half hours...

[alfie]

Won't be starting on time. Inspection 7.30 . Still plenty of time to play a match ... but.......

[Duty281]

Got until 11:46 UK time to start a five-over game.

[alfie]

Got until 11:46 UK time to start a five-over game.

Yes. I really don't want a five over game. Would be a nonsense even for this abbreviated format. Better to just call it off if we can't get a vaguely meaningful number of overs in.

Frustrating . Rain here not heavy at all (stopped a while back) but just looks so grey and dismal all over that it's hard to see it being much different on the other side of the river. Ground is not exactly going to dry out quickly even with a complete stop either. Guess we might get a handle on the situation after the inspection.

[KP_fan]

Ireland and Afghanistan have shaken hands on 1 point each. So that's one game washed away and we hope for the rain to p.ss off in the next two and a half hours...

It's a game IRE could have lost and so they won't mind taking a safe point.
They have 2 games left and against big boys Aus & NZ and have to win at least one....or hope rain washes out alteast one.

It looks like Eng-Aus might still be able to squeeze a shortened game...and the shorter it gets more a lottery it becomes
At this point though given the forms and performance so far Eng is the one more likely to prefer a shorter game

[Duty281]

Another inspection in just over 30 minutes, and they have to start within a couple of hours from now to get a game.

The radar is clear so I think there will be a match tonight, but it's unlikely to be any longer than 10 overs each.

[alfie]

So another inspection in half an hour. If (Big If !) no more rain , might be we could see some cricket then.

Would mean at least 1.5 hours late so overs would be lost but still possible to get a half decent contest in.

Possible , anyway...

[Duty281]

Another inspection in 25 minutes. Running out of time and hope.

Looks like it'll be a five-over slog or nothing.

Hasn't rained in at least 90 minutes according to those at the ground.

[Duty281]

And now it is raining so the points will surely be shared.

England and Australia both on 3 points, if so. England's last two games are v NZ and Sri Lanka; Australia v Afg and Ireland. England will have to win the last two games and see what happens. Their NRR is currently better than Australia, but Australia have the easier games left, so that advantage is unlikely to hold if Australia win both. Win the last two and hope NZ or Aus get upset by one of the lower-ranked teams, just as England were, seems to be the best shot of getting through.

If NZ beat both SL and Ire, but lose to England, they'll also be on 7 points...so we could have a three-way tie on 7, but I imagine NZ will be safe as their NRR is huge owing to their hammering of Australia.

Weather does look clear for the rest of the group stages, though it is forecast to tip down at the Gabba on Tuesday morning...and England are due to play NZ there on Tuesday evening. Hopefully the rain doesn't make a late appearance!

NZ v SL tomorrow. Weather looks fine. Lucky them. SL have a very real shot of making the semis if they can defeat the more-fancied Kiwis, while New Zealand's semi-final place will be practically locked-in if they win.

[alfie]

Looks like more rain now so that should be it surely...

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