Cricket World Cup

[jeremyp]

Going into the Cricket World Cup, England have by far the best one day team in the World (since the summer of 2016 they have played 34 and won 30).

My prediction: we'll cruise into the semi finals along with Australia, West Indies and India and then any of those four teams could win it.

[Nearly Sane]

Going into the Cricket World Cup, England have by far the best one day team in the World (since the summer of 2016 they have played 34 and won 30).

My prediction: we'll cruise into the semi finals along with Australia, West Indies and India and then any of those four teams could win it.

That is the 4 teams for me as well. England have a better team than snyone

[jeremyp]

That is the 4 teams for me as well. England have a better team than snyone

Yep. I think we'll cruise the group stage but then you have to win two one off matches in a row. We should win them, but there can always be an upset

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48490042

[Nearly Sane]

Big win for Pakistan. Not a match that England will have expected to not win.

[jeremyp]

Big win for Pakistan. Not a match that England will have expected to not win.

Even though we have since won against Bangladesh, I have a bad feeling about this. I think they might be going to choke.

[ProfessorDavey]

Even though we have since won against Bangladesh, I have a bad feeling about this. I think they might be going to choke.

I wonder what effect the weather over the next fews days might have on the competition. I can easily see the matches scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday ending up washed out (as today's has been) - that would mean some of the stiffer opposition to England (Australia, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand) may end up sharing points which could be advantageous in the end to England, who don't play again until Friday by which time the weather looks to be improving.

For the tournament, however, it is a huge shame if we end up with a few days of washed out games.

[jeremyp]

I wonder what effect the weather over the next fews days might have on the competition. I can easily see the matches scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday ending up washed out (as today's has been) - that would mean some of the stiffer opposition to England (Australia, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand) may end up sharing points which could be advantageous in the end to England, who don't play again until Friday by which time the weather looks to be improving.

For the tournament, however, it is a huge shame if we end up with a few days of washed out games.

It's looking bad for today's match, certainly, although, as it is between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it is unlikely to have an effect on the final top four. Tomorrow and Thursday's matches are more important to us.

Both involve teams who I think are very likely to be in the top four against teams that have a chance and might displace England.

[ProfessorDavey]

It's looking bad for today's match, certainly, although, as it is between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it is unlikely to have an effect on the final top four. Tomorrow and Thursday's matches are more important to us.

Both involve teams who I think are very likely to be in the top four against teams that have a chance and might displace England.

Another washout yesterday and quite likely same again today. Not looking good for the tournament

[jeremyp]

Another washout yesterday and quite likely same again today. Not looking good for the tournament

As it turns out they are playing. As I write, Australia are 185-1 with 22 overs left.

In respect of games affected by the weather, before this World Cup, CWC's held in England (or partially in England) actually have a good record.

[ProfessorDavey]

As it turns out they are playing. As I write, Australia are 185-1 with 22 overs left.

In respect of games affected by the weather, before this World Cup, CWC's held in England (or partially in England) actually have a good record.

Yes pleasing to see some proper play today and this is an important match in overall context.

[Sriram]

Four matches abandoned due to rain....!!!???  Unbelievable! At this rate, we might as well toss a coin and hand over the World Cup......   

Many people have raised the issue of the grounds not being covered fully during rain.  This makes the outfields wet even after the rain stops. The India-NZ match was abandoned because of that...! Very sad. 

[ProfessorDavey]

Impressive win by England today

[ProfessorDavey]

India looking really strong

[jeremyp]

India looking really strong

Yep.

On the other hand, the West Indies look like they are going to screw over my semi finals prediction.

[ProfessorDavey]

Yep.

On the other hand, the West Indies look like they are going to screw over my semi finals prediction.

Remind me please

[jeremyp]

Remind me please

Going into the Cricket World Cup, England have by far the best one day team in the World (since the summer of 2016 they have played 34 and won 30).

My prediction: we'll cruise into the semi finals along with Australia, West Indies and India and then any of those four teams could win it.

[Nearly Sane]

The first four in the table looking likely to qualify: England, Australia, India, New Zealand.

[jeremyp]

The first four in the table looking likely to qualify: England, Australia, India, New Zealand.

True, but I think New Zealand are vulnerable. The main reason why they are doing as well as they are is that they had all the easy fixtures up front. They still have to play South Africa, Pakistan, Australia and England.

[Nearly Sane]

Huge loss for England

[jeremyp]

Huge loss for England

Quite disastrous actually. We still need to play all of the other teams in the top four and we'll need to win at least one of those matches to go through to the semi finals.

[Nearly Sane]

And compounded by results since. It would be a big shock if England didn't manage to qualify for the semi finals. It does raise the prospect of another India Pakistan match which will be something.

[jeremyp]

And compounded by results since. It would be a big shock if England didn't manage to qualify for the semi finals. It does raise the prospect of another India Pakistan match which will be something.

Any one of three teams can overtake us. Right now, I put our chances of making the semi finals at no more than 25%.

[Nearly Sane]

I would maybe go 33% but, yep, I think the odds at against them getting there, which considering the expectations at the start would be a quite extraordinary shock. I wold have thought the odds on reaching the semi finals at that stage were about 95%.

[jeremyp]

I would maybe go 33% but, yep, I think the odds at against them getting there, which considering the expectations at the start would be a quite extraordinary shock. I wold have thought the odds on reaching the semi finals at that stage were about 95%.

Ha! Since I wrote that post, I've had a look at the remaining fixtures which can be found at the bottom of this article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48796914

Pakistan and Bangladesh have to play each other, so one of those two teams is going to end up on 9 points at least. Pakistan also have to play Afghanistan, so either both Pakistan and Bangladesh are going to end up on nine points or Pakistan are going to end up on eleven points. Sri Lanka have South Africa, the West Indies and India. If it goes according to form in this World Cup they will end up on ten points.

I don't have any confidence in England's ability to beat New Zealand and I think India is a certain loss unless, having already qualified, they take their foot off the gas.

I'm pretty sure the semi finalists are going to be Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan. Even if England get through, at this point, I don't think we have the capability to beat either Australia or India which we will have to do at some point in the knock out stage.

In the 30 matches preceding the World Cup since 2016, England had four defeats. One more defeat and we will have equalled that in little more than a month.

[Nearly Sane]

Yep, agree, Pakistan look likely. I know England have had a couple of enforced changes but their lack of form is very odd.