The 2019 ICC World Cup was the the 12th instalment of this event, and was held over the period May 30th – July 14th and was hosted by England and Wales. The previous World Cup was shared by Australia and New Zealand as joint hosts.
The format for the tournament was represented by a single group of 10 teams, with each team playing the other nine once, while the top four at the end of the group phase progressed to the semi-finals. The 10 teams, is a decrease from previous World Cups in 2011 and 2015 which featured 14 teams. The 10-team tournament did gain criticism due to the lack of Associate teams in the tournament. Given the increase of the Test-playing nations from 10 to 12, with the admission of Ireland and Afghanistan in June 2017, it was the the first World Cup to be contested without all of the Test playing nations being present [with Zimbabwe and Ireland eliminated in the qualifying tournament], and after the elimination of all the Associate teams in that tournament, it was also the first World Cup to feature no Associate members.
The group stage format was a round-robin, where all ten teams played each other once, in a single group. This meant a total of 45 matches were played, with each team playing a total of nine matches. The top four teams from the group progressed to the knockout stage. A similar format was previously used in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, though that tournament featured nine teams instead of ten.
Australia have won the World Cup on five occasions – in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. The full results of the previous 11 competitions were as follows.
1975: West Indies 8/291 [60 overs] defeated Australia 274 [58.4 overs] by 17 runs, at Lord’s, London [Host: England];
1979: West Indies 9/286 [60 overs] defeated England 194 [51 overs] by 92 runs, at Lord’s, London [Host: England];
1983: India 183 [54.4 overs] defeated West Indies 140 [52 overs], by 92 runs, at Lord’s, London [Host: England];
1987: Australia: 5/253 [50 overs] defeated England 8/246 [49.2 overs] by 7 runs, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India [Hosts: India & Pakistan];
1992: Pakistan 6/249 [50 overs] defeated England 227 [49.2 overs] by 22 runs, at M.C.G., Melbourne, Australia [Hosts: Australia & New Zealand];
1996: Sri Lanka 3/245 [46.2 overs] defeated Australia 7/241 [50 overs] by 7 wickets, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan [Hosts: India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka];
1999: Australia 2/133 [20.1 overs] defeated Pakistan 132 [39 overs] by 8 wickets], at Lord’s, London [Hosts: England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands]
2003: Australia 2/359 [50 overs] defeated India 234 [39.2 overs] by 125 runs at Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [Hosts: Kenya, South Africa & Zimbabwe]
2007: Australia: 4/284 [38 overs] defeated Sri Lanka 8/215 [36 overs] by 53 runs, at Kensington Over, Bridgetown [Host: West Indies];
2011: India 4/277 [48.2 overs] defeated Sri Lanka 6/274 [50 overs] by 6 wickets, at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai, India [Hosts: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka]
2015: Australia 3/186 [33.1 overs] defeated New Zealand 183 [45 overs] by 7 wickets, at the M.C.G., Melbourne, Australia [Hosts:: Australia & New Zealand]
Australia’s Cup squad for 2019 of fifteen players was chosen in early May, and will be:- Aaron Finch [Captain]; Jason Behrendorff; Alex Carey; Nathan Coulter-Nile; Pat Cummins; Usman Khawaja; Nathan Lyon; Shaun Marsh; Glenn Maxwell; Kane Richardson; Steve Smith; Mitchell Starc; Marcus Stoinis; David Warner; Adam Zampa.
The predictions prior to the tournament regarding each team’s likely performance [as briefly noted by columnist, Jon Pierik] were
Afghanistan: Could claim a major scalp but bottom-four finish is likely.; Australia: No reason Australia can’t make the final; Bangladesh: Won’t make the finals. England: Primed to make the final. India: Top Four. New Zealand: Will miss semi-finals. Pakistan: In a tussle for a semi-final berth. South Africa: Semi-finals. Sri Lanka: Bottom three. West Indies: Capable of something special but likely to miss the finals.
On that basis, Jon predicted the final four would be Australia, England, India and South Africa or Pakistan. Let’s see how he fared!! In his preview in the ‘Sunday Age’ [Melbourne] on the 26th May, Jon wrote “The World Cup should be a joyous time for players and supporters, a time to celebrate the bonds that link the ten nations competing in the 12th edition of the showpiece tournament….Let the games begin”.
And begin they did – the results of the 45 preliminary matches to decide the final four teams follow.
ODI 1: England 8 for 311 [50 overs] defeated South Africa 207 [39.5 overs] by 104 runs;
After South Africa won the toss and elected to field, it ended up a comfortable win for the joint host nation. In particular, a fantastic performance by England in the field, in particular Jason Roy at backward point who must have stopped four or five boundaries with dives.
ODI 2: West Indies 3 for 108 [13.4 overs] defeated Pakistan 105 [21.4 overs] by 7 wkts
West Indies won the Toss and elected to field – and quickly bounced Pakistan for the low score of 105, which the Caribbean team had little trouble in reaching.
ODI 3: New Zealand 0 for 137 [16.1 overs] defeated Sri Lanka 136 [29.2 overs] by 10 wkts
Another convincing win, this time for the Kiwis. New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says it’s a great start for them. Mentions that winning the toss and picking early wickets was important on that wicket.
ODI 4: Australia vs Afghanistan
Australia’s first game against Afghanistan [ODI 4] – suggested the latter is the best placed team in the world to exploit Australia’s weakness against spin, where our batsmen rank in the bottom half at the World Cup at facing spin. From the batting viewpoint, it was felt that if Australia could score300 runs at the same ground the West Indies made 421 recently, it’s hard to see Afghanistan winning.
Meanwhile, Aussie coach Justin Langer has called for an easing of the booing against returning players, Dave Warner and Steve Smith who in last week’s warm up game were booed by English fans, and faced chants of ‘cheat, cheat, cheat’ – Smith and Warner were banned for 12 month following the ball-tampering incident in South Africa early last year. ‘We have talked about earning respect. I think it is really important that people show some respect as well”.
As former player Andrew Symonds wrote – “Obviously the crowds are going to really give it to them and they have got to be ready for that” – in his view ‘the Aussies are primed’ for the tournament. We shall see. And the result:
ODI 4: Australia 3 for 209 [34.5 overs] defeated Afghanistan 207 [38.2 overs] by 7 wkts
And from New.com after the game. On a warm day in Bristol where the picturesque ground playing host to Australia’s World Cup match against Afghanistan was, for the most part, bathed in sunshine, the men in green and gold felt the chill of an icy reception.
Plenty of locals and Afghanistan fans filled out the venue as the cheers of Aussie supporters in the stands barely made a ripple.
Steve Smith and David Warner are expecting to be booed wherever they go in England this summer but it’s doubtful their teammates would have been expecting similar treatment.
Support for the underdog ran deep in the southwest of England as neutral fans jeered Justin Langer’s troops and Afghanis with faces painted and flags in tow made their presence felt.
It was obvious from the opening over Australia has a long way to go to win back the love of the cricket world.
ODI 5: Bangladesh 6 for 330 [50 overs] defeated South Africa 8 for 309 [50 overs], by 21 runs.
Bangladesh looked inspired as they broke a host of records, posting their highest ODI total (6/330), their best ever World Cup partnership of 142 runs shared by Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, and Shakib becoming the first Bangladesh player and the fastest cricketer ever to reach 250 wickets and 5,000 runs in ODIs.
South Africa, by the most glaring of contrasts, were outplayed in every department. As South African news site sport24 claimed, “It will go down as one of the Proteas’ darkest days at a World Cup, and it was a performance fitting of that title.”
ODI 6: Pakistan 8 for 348 [50 overs] defeated England 9 for 334 [50 overs] by 14 runs
England have suffered a shock loss at the hands of Pakistan and it was a case of the match quite literally slipping through their fingers. After being bundled out for just 105 on Friday, Pakistan bounced back to score a whopping 8 for 348, a figure which England couldn’t chase at Trent Bridge. And it was a littany of misfields and dropped catches, that came back to bite the host country and tournament favourite.
ODI 7: Sri Lanka 201 [36.5 overs/41 overs] defeated Afghanistan 152 [32.4 overs/41 overs] by 34 runs under the DLS Method [rain delays].
Nuwan Pradeep and Lasith Malinga starred as Sri Lanka fought back to crush Afghanistan’s hopes of a World Cup victory on Tuesday night. Afghanistan, bidding for just their second win in a World Cup match and their first against a Test nation, were in command halfway through a gloomy day in Cardiff after dismissing Sri Lanka for 201.
But faced with a rain-revised target of 187 in 41 overs, their batting let them down again as they were bowled out for 152.
But Sri Lanka’s batting remains a concern. They were set for a huge total against Afghanistan at 144 for one but lost their last nine wickets for 57 runs, with spinner Mohammad Nabi taking three in five balls. Nabi accounted for opener Lahiru Thirimanne (25), Kusal Mendis (2) and Angelo Mathews (0) one after the other to take 3-2 off the over. “This is one of the most sensational overs in World Cup history,” one of the commentators said. “It has changed completely this match in the space of six deliveries.”
ODI 8: India 4 for 230 [47.3 overs] defeated South Africa 9 for 227 [50] by 6 wickets
Opener Rohit Sharma scored a composed unbeaten century as India got their Cricket World Cup campaign off to a solid start with a six-wicket victory over a sloppy South African side at Southampton.
ODI 9: New Zealand 8 for 248 [47.1 overs] defeated Bangladesh 244 [49.2 overs] by 2 wickets.
New Zealand nerves jangled as they beat Bangladesh in thriller … A match that looked pretty humdrum for a long while, and turned into a tension-packed dramafest in the final hou
ODI 10: AUSTRALIA vs West Indies
Australia’s batsmen have spent time copping bouncers from their own bowlers in practice as they await a bumper barrage from the West Indies. Fixed on spin for the past six months after their last 25 competitive matches were against sub-continental teams, the Aussies’ focus has shifted back to facing pace at Trent Bridge. But the adjustment will have to come fast against a West Indies side threatening to throw things back to Calypso days of the 1980s
ODI 10: AUSTRALIA 288 [49 overs] defeated West Indies 9 for 273 [50 overs] by 15 runs
Australia recovered from an awful start to beat West Indies by 15 runs in a wonderful World Cup encounter at Trent Bridge. A day where fortunes fluctuated throughout could have been over quickly when the ferocious West Indies pace attack reduced the defending champions to 38-4 and 79-5.
Australia were held together by the unflappable Steve Smith, who made 73 and was only dismissed by the most incredible boundary catch by Sheldon Cottrell, one that perhaps bettered the grab of England’s Ben Stokes in the opening game against South Africa. By the time Smith was out, Nathan Coulter-Nile, batting at number eight, had already begun his power hitting in a 60-ball 92 that lifted Australia to 288 all out.
After Chris Gayle threatened to thrill in his 21, West Indies were anchored by Shai Hope’s 68. The chase was ultimately left to captain Jason Holder, but both he and Carlos Brathwaite fell in the same over from Mitchell Starc, whose 5-46 helped restrict the Windies to 273-9. Australia join New Zealand on two wins from two matches and move on to play India on Sunday. West Indies, with one win and one defeat, take on South Africa on Monday.
ODI 11: Pakistan drew Sri Lanka
This match was completely washed out, and the game abandoned.
ODI 12: England 6 for 386 [50 overs] defeated Bangladesh 280 [48.5 overs] by 106 runs
After their loss to Pakistan, they needed to come out today and give Bangladesh a hiding and that’s what they have done. The visitors did commendably, Shakib’s wonderful 121 in 119 the backbone of their resistance. But chasing 387, they were out of the contest by the end of Archer’s first spell. Meanwhile, Jason Roy top-scored with 153 as England gained revenge for their 2015 World Cup defeat to Bangladesh.
ODI 13: New Zealand 3 for 173 [32.1 overs] defeated Afghanistan 172 [41.1 overs] by 7 wkts
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson led from the front in the 173-run chase against Afghanistan. The batsman scored a half century and ensured his side do not make a mess of the chase despite a poor start that saw Martin Guptill getting dismissed on the first ball. Kane remained unbeaten on 79 as the Kiwis won by 7 wickets with almost 18 overs to spare.
ODI 14: India 5 for 352 [50 overs] defeated Australia 316 [50 overs] by 36 runs
Preview: From Fox Sport: We are only two matches into the World Cup but Australia’s selectors already have a big call to make on the future involvement of Usman Khawaja. The left-hander is the only member of Australia’s top four to not make a half-century at the tournament after being dispatched for scores of 15 and 13 against Afghanistan and the West Indies respectively. And while two low scores isn’t usually enough to hit the panic button – especially for someone who has averaged 53.13 in ODIs this year – it’s the nature of his latest dismissal causing concern. After being struck by a bouncer in a warm-up match against the West Indies, the short-ball was perceived to be his weakness and the Caribbean outfit went after it relentlessly on Thursday.
And they were successful, striking Khawaja multiple times which was enough to visibly disturb the batsman who was guilty of a piece of premeditation that led to his downfall.
He backed away from his stumps anticipating another bouncer before Andre Russell delivered a full ball. Khawaja was out of position and flashed his hands at it which led to him edging to the keeper.
Meanwhile, from the Cricket World Cup site – Australia’s famed never-say-die spirit once again came to the fore, when they staged a remarkable comeback against West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Now, Australia once again meet the opposition against whom they began their remarkable ODI turnaround earlier this year – India.. Their opponents, are riding their own wave of confidence, having announced themselves with a convincing victory against South Africa on Wednesday. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who wiped out half the South African line-up between them, might once again be a decisive factor. While Rohit Sharma seemed back in touch with his gritty century, KL Rahul’s resistance during a tough period of play must be heartening for team management.
Australia have suffered just their fourth World Cup loss in 20 years and been handed a reality check by India in the form of a 36-run defeat at The Oval.
Asked to complete a record chase after a century from Shikhar Dhawan exposed their lack of bowling depth in India’s 5-352 on Sunday, Australia were all out for 316 in reply.
Aiming to continue their undefeated start to the tournament, the world champions let the asking rate get to above 11 with 15 overs to go before upping the ante. But when Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis soon fell within seven balls of each other, any hopes of an Australian victory went with them.
ODI 15: South Africa 2-92 [7.3 overs] drew versus West Indies [dnb]
South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals were dented when their match against West Indies was rained off.
The Proteas, who lost their first three games, reached 29-2 in the 7.3 overs possible in Southampton.
They collected their first World Cup point but face a struggle to finish in the top four in the group stage.
“We are in a bad position but it’s our own fault,” said South Africa captain Faf du Plessis.
“We haven’t played our best cricket so far and we need a solid performance to get the team’s confidence up.”
ODI 16: Bangladesh drew Sri Lanka
Match delayed due to rain. Match subsequently abandoned no result, points shared between the two teams.
ODI 17: Australia 307 [49 overs] defeated Pakistan 266 [45.4 overs] by 41 runs
David Warner hit his first ODI century since being banned for a year, and Australia’s bowlers held their nerve to win a memorable, seesawing match at Taunton. Australia has survived an almighty scare from Pakistan to put its World Cup campaign back on track.. Australia took the major gamble of not picking a specialist spinner in Taunton and almost paid the ultimate price as the majority of its bowlers were put to the sword by Pakistan’s batsmen.
Only Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Coulter-Nile were hit for less than a run-a-ball as Australia’s part-time bowlers, plus Kane Richardson, struggled to defend 307.
Pakistan needed just 44 runs off 34 balls with three wickets remaining until yet another clutch, late over from Mitchell Starc sealed the win in the 45th over. He took 2-3 in the over and Pakistan was bowled out four balls later, falling 41 runs short.
ODI 18: India vs New Zealand
Match abandoned no result due to weather. This was the 4th match of the tournament to be abandoned because of poor weather – in each instance, the two teams are awarded 1 point, which in some cases, can be a definite advantage.
ODI 19: England: 2 for 213 [ 33.1 overs] defeated West Indies: 212 [44.4 overs] by 8 wkts
The sun appeared after a week of gloom and shined on England, giving the World Cup hosts perfect batting conditions to chase down a meagre West Indies target and clinch an eight-wicket win with almost 17 overs to spare on Friday.
Joe Root was able to get on the front foot to nullify any threat of an expected barrage from the West Indies pace attack and scored an unbeaten century to guide England to 213-2 in reply to 212.
ODI 20: South Africa: 1 for 131 [28.4 of 48 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 125 [34.1 of 48 overs] by 9 wkts [DLS method]
South Africa kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals, crushing Afghanistan by nine wickets on Saturday to record their first victory at the tournament. Faf du Plessis’s side endured a torrid start to their campaign, losing their first three matches before a no result against the West Indies. But the outcome never looked in doubt in Cardiff, with man-of-the-match Imran Tahir taking four wickets as South Africa bundled out their opponents for a meagre 125 after two rain delays cut the match to 48 overs per side
ODI 21: Australia: 7 for 334 [50 overs] defeated Sri Lanka: 247 [45.5 overs] by 87 runs.
A glorious innings by Aaron Finch and a rampaging Mitchell Starc have taken Australia to the top of the World Cup table and already within touching distance of the semi-finals. Australia suffered scares against the West Indies and Pakistan and were beaten by India, but against Sri Lanka at the Oval, it was back to business for the men in green and gold.
After being sent in to bat, Finch plundered the third highest score in Australia’s World Cup history – 153 runs off 132 balls – leading his men to their highest score of the tournament so far, 7-334. The formidable total was comfortably defended by 87 runs, courtesy of Mitchell Starc’s 4-55 that made him Australia’s joint second-highest World Cup wicket-taker.
Australia is the first team at this year’s tournament to four wins, and will no doubt fancy its chances of a fifth against Bangladesh on Thursday night.
ODI 22: India: 5 for 336 [50 overs] defeated Pakistan: 6 for 212 [40 overs – target 302] by 89 runs [DLS Method]
The English weather has been a most unwelcome guest at this Cricket World Cup. But try as it might – and there were downpours and drizzle, as well as mist and mizzle at Old Trafford – it was unable to stop India emphatically proving their superiority over Pakistan in a match loudly billed as the most watched cricket game in history.
As India finally confirmed their victory by 89 runs by the Byzantine Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the early evening gloom, one fan was beaming more than most. “I’ve paid the equivalent of £4,000 to come to England for a week for this one match, so I am so thankful the rain didn’t ruin it,” said Tarum Babhala, a furniture seller from Delhi. “This is more important than winning the World Cup final, because India versus Pakistan is such an epic rivalry.
ODI 23: Bangladesh: 3 for 322 [41.3 overs] defeated West Indies: 8 for 321 [50 overs] by 7 wickets.
Both Aussie openers, an Indian star, the English captain… a Bangladeshi all-rounder?!
There’s an odd man out in the top five run-scorers at the World Cup, and he leads all comers at the halfway point of the tournament. Shakib Al Hasan hit the top of the leader board in blistering fashion overnight, plundering 124* off just 99 deliveries to lead Bangladesh to the second-highest successful run chase in World Cup history – knocking off 321 with a ridiculous 51 balls to spare. He’s now amassed 384 runs in just four innings at cricket’s biggest tournament, 41 runs clear of Aussie skipper Aaron Finch at the top of the charts – despite Finch having played one extra innings. The Bangladeshi phenom also has 5 wickets – sitting equal 16th overall.
ODI 24: England: 6 for 397 [50 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 8 for 247 [50 overs] by 150 runs.
Rashid Khan arrived at the World Cup as one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world. He will now leave with an ugly stain on his record. Rashid Khan arrived at the World Cup near the top of the list of most dangerous bowlers in limited-overs cricket. He’ll leave with a mark near the top of the list for most runs ever conceded in one ODI innings.
The 20-year-old spinner had a concussion in a loss to 2015 finalist New Zealand and wasn’t allowed to bowl in the next innings. He had a headache of a different kind against England on Tuesday when he was plundered for a World Cup-record 110 runs from his nine-over spell.
The return ranks him second on the list of worst figures ever in a one-day international game, behind only Mick Lewis’ 0-113from 10 overs when South Africa chased down 435 to beat his Australian team at Johannesburg in 2006.
Rashid went for 22 in one over at Old Trafford as England captain Eoin Morgan repeatedly launched his deliveries out of the ground.
ODI 25: New Zealand: 6 for 245 [48.3/49 overs] defeated South Africa: 6 for 241 [49/49 overs]
Kane Williamson hit a six in the last over to reach his century and followed it up with a boundary to give New Zealand a four-wicket victory over South Africa with three balls to spare Wednesday, in the closest finish of the Cricket World Cup so far. New Zealand went into the last over at 234-6 and chasing 242 for victory. Andile Phehlukwayo’s first ball was sent for a single by Mitchell Santner, sensibly giving Williamson the strike, and the New Zealand captain immediately took his chance with a powerful six. Williamson finished 106 not out off 138 balls as New Zealand reached 245-6 in a match reduced to 49 overs each innings. In doing so the Black Caps’ captain to all intents knocked out South Africa and dented Bangladesh’s chances of breaking the top four. With England second and fourth-placed India having a game in hand, Mashrafe Mortaza’s side must beat third-placed Australia in Nottingham on Thursday and hope further upsets can truly re-open the race for the chasing pack
ODI 26: Australia: 5 for 381 [in 50 overs] defeated Bangladesh: 8 for 333 [in 50 overs] by 48 runs.
Australia has all but qualified for the World Cup semi-finals off the back of another century from David Warner [166], and an improved showing from under-fire Usman Khawaja. A 48-run win against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge was important in relieving any pressure on the Australians, who have the toughest end to the group stage with matches against England, South Africa and New Zealand. A loss against Bangladesh would have given the Tigers a chance of upsetting the top four and left Australia sweating over the result of its next three matches. Now Australia can breathe easy — it has a two-game buffer from fifth and can realistically lose all three of its remaining games and still go through.
That’s largely thanks to Warner who shot to the top of the World Cup’s run charts on Thursday night with his second century of the tournament.
The opener blasted in the first innings 166 runs off 147 balls — the highest of the tournament — taking Australia to 5-381 from 50 overs. In the process, Warner became the first player to score 150 multiple times at a World Cup.
Bangladesh was impressive in reply, scoring at a similar rate to the Australians for much of the second innings and finishing strong with a fifth-wicket partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah of 127 runs.
Consistent wicket-taking through the middle-overs and a late collapse, however, proved to be the downfall of the Tigers, who ended their 50 overs on 8-333. Mushfiqur also struck an unbeaten 102 for the Tigers, as a World Cup match featured 700 runs between two teams for the first time.
Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis all took two wickets for Australia, while Adam Zampa got one.
ODI 27: Sri Lanka: 9 for 232 [50 overs] defeated England: 212 [47 overs] by 20 runs
Angelo Mathews posted a defiant 85 and Lasith Malinga took four wickets in vintage fashion as the veterans combined to guide Sri Lanka to an upset 20-run victory over England that could change the momentum of the Cricket World Cup.
England had been aiming to retake the lead in the standings with a win at Headingley on Friday and was on track after Jofra Archer and Mark Wood took three wickets apiece to restrict Sri Lanka to 232-9.
But when Malinga removed Jonny Bairstow on the second ball and dismissed opener James Vince (14) in the seventh over, England was suddenly wobbling at 26-2. The massive win over Afghanistan earlier in the week suddenly seemed like an age ago.
ODI 28: India: 8 for 224 [50 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 213 [49.5 overs] by 11 runs.
India survived a mighty scare from winless Afghanistan to win a thrilling Cricket World Cup contest by 11 runs on Saturday.
Unbeaten India was made to sweat the entire distance by the winless Afghans, who produced their best effort yet and almost prevailed in a compelling match in the Rose Bowl.
Just four days after conceding 397 runs to England, Afghanistan restricted India to 224-8 and made a good fist of the chase but ran out of steam. Afghanistan needed 16 to win off the last over with three wickets in hand. Mohammad Nabi hit a boundary off the first delivery by fast bowler Mohammed Shami, Nabi was caught in the deep on the third delivery to end a 55-ball 52-run knock, and Shami became the second India bowler to take a World Cup hat trick, and the 10th overall.
ODI 29: New Zealand: 8 for 291 [50 overs] defeated West Indies: 286 [49 overs] by 5 runs.
Cricket fans were left in stunned silence as New Zealand and the West Indies played out one of the all-time great World Cup matches. New Zealand’s unbeaten Cricket World Cup run went within one shot and metres from being ended in the most improbable way as Carlos Brathwaite blazed away for West Indies.
Brathwaite hit 101 from 82 balls and combined with the last three batsmen to add 122 runs, getting the West Indies within six runs of a spectacular comeback victory with six balls remaining.
However, the Kiwis held on to win by five runs to regain top spot in the standings, one point above defending champions Australia. It very nearly went the other way. Brathwaite went for broke, trying to hit the last ball of the 49th over from Jimmy Neesham for six, and was caught on the long-on boundary by Trent Boult.
ODI 30: Pakistan: 7 for 308 [50 overs] defeated South Africa: 9 for 259, by 49 runs
[From news.com] South Africa will have to wait four more years to shed the tag of World Cup chokers after the Proteas officially hit rock bottom in the UK. A sheepish Faf du Plessis has admitted to feeling embarrassed as South Africa officially hit rock bottom at the Cricket World Cup after a 49-run loss to Pakistan.
The Proteas skipper was crushed after his side suffered its fifth loss in seven games — a record that confirms it will miss the semi-finals and live for four more years with the tag of being World Cup chokers.
“Yes, definitely (it is the lowest point). I’m a very proud player and captain, and playing for South Africa means a lot for me, and the fact that the results we’re dishing out at the moment … it’s really, really tough,” du Plessis said.
“Today, it’s a little bit embarrassing. We’re trying but it’s just not good enough. Obviously I’m human as well, so it will keep chipping at me. “It’s important that the coach, myself, the senior players, are the guys that needs to front up to this challenge. That’s when your players need you the most. So right now, I need to be there for the other players as well.”
ODI 31: Bangladesh: 7 for 267 [50 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 200 [47 overs] by 62 Runs
Bangladesh talisman Shakib Al Hasan reclaimed his position as the World Cup’s leading scorer after producing a stellar all-round display to secure his team’s 62-run victory against Afghanistan. Put into bat on Monday, Bangladesh posted a strong 7-262 on a slow track after Shakib, who made 51, forged half-century partnerships with Tamim Iqbal (36) and Mushfiqur Rahim (83). The left-arm spinner went on to return the tournament’s best bowling figures of 5-29 as Afghanistan, all out for 200 in 47 overs, succumbed to their seventh defeat in a row in the tournament.
Bangladesh has seven points from as many games, with three wins, three losses and a washout. The Tigers are just one point short of fourth-placed England, but have played an extra game.
After 31 games
From nine.com.news
In the spiteful spirit of cricket’s greatest rivalry, England’s most sanctimonious sports lovers have salivated at the prospect of making Australian lives miserable this winter — as Australians have so often done when hosting the Old Enemy.
With a further World Cup meeting in the knockout stages possible and an Ashes series in which the home team will still start favourites to come, well-sharpened English knives could well be twisted. But against the grain (sandpaper joke not intended!) comes a chance for the Australians to defy their self-inflicted behavioural wounds and the doubts surrounding form and selection that preceded this long campaign, and inflict the first painful blow.
Tuesday night’s World Cup group game at Lord’s was supposed to be a pressure test for a still patchy Australian line-up, while Steve Smith and David Warner were subjected to the most venomous of the ritual jeering that has abated somewhat against other opponents. But England’s defeats by Pakistan and, most abjectly, Sri Lanka have diminished the pre-tournament favourites’ aura and, at a stretch, even their prospects of making the semi-finals of a tournament that is supposed to be the scene of their coronation.
From the ‘Guardian’,
Even two-thirds of the way through the Cricket World Cup group stage we are still waiting for teams to peel off their false moustaches and reveal who they really are. Pakistan have been traditionally variable. Sri Lanka put in some feeble performances before swarming the tournament host. West Indies flattered, then were flattened.
And when England play Australia at Lord’s on Tuesday, there is a sense that it will answer questions about both teams. For England’s part, whether they will flourish or falter when the pressure really starts to build. For Australia’s, whether this current team can really mount a credible challenge for the trophy.
For Australia, there is at least no intimidation at untrodden ground. Winning the thing is almost humdrum. “The fact that we’ve got six guys in our squad who were part of the 2015 World Cup win is really valuable,” said the captain, Aaron Finch, in understated fashion. “We’ve also got Ricky Ponting with us, Brad Haddin with us, as coaching staff who have won World Cups, and multiple World Cups as well.”
Last year Finch’s team looked like a rabble and even through this tournament there has been a sense of disjointedness to how the batting order is composed and what roles batsmen are there to play. Yet the team have found a way past most opponents. “I think over World Cup history Australia have had that record of peaking at the right time of the tournament,” said Finch.
The Table after 31 games.
- New Zealand [11]
- Australia [10]
- India [9]
- England [8]
- Bangladesh [7]
- Sri Lanka [6]
- Pakistan [5]
- West Indies [3]
- South Africa [3]
- Afghanistan [0]
ODI 32: Australia: 7 for 285 [50 overs] defeated England: 221 [44.4 overs] by 64 runs
Report from ICC-cricket.com: – Aaron Finch’s century, supplemented by nine wickets between Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff, helped Australia to a 64-run win over England at Lord’s on Tuesday, 25 June. With this win, Australia became the first team to cement their semi-final spot in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes had the ball nipping around in the morning after Eoin Morgan elected to field, but David Warner and Aaron Finch battled through to their third 100-plus partnership in the tournament to give Australia a strong base. Warner perished to Moeen Ali after reaching another half-century in the tournament. Finch remained ticking, going on to bring up his 15th ODI century from 115 balls in the 36th over.
The Australia skipper departed the very next ball after reaching the landmark, top-edging a hook shot off Archer to the safe hands of Woakes. From there England’s bowlers fought back with regular breakthroughs, and some key errors from the Australians – the run-out of Marcus Stoinis a strong exemplar – saw aims of reaching a 300-plus score diminish. A cameo of 38 from 27 balls from Alex Carey offered a bit of respite as Australia finished on 285/7. England’s chase was rocked early on as Behrendorff bowled James Vince for a second-ball duck. Things went from bad to worse for the English, with the in-form Joe Root pinned on his pads by Mitchell Starc, before Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow followed to leave England 53/4. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes rebuilt with a 71-run stand before an excellent running catch on the boundary by Usman Khawaja ended the stay of the England wicketkeeper.
Stokes and Woakes lifted the mood of the Lord’s crowd with another productive partnership but Starc then interrupted the English charge with a searing yorker to remove England’s No.5 batsman, and from there Australia took complete control over the match, Behrendorff leading the way with figures of 5/44.
ODI 33: Pakistan: 4 for 241 [49.4 overs] defeated New Zealand: 6 for 237 [50 overs] by 6 wickets.
From ‘Fox Cricket: Pakistan kept alive their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, cruising to a six-wicket win against previously unbeaten New Zealand at Edgbaston. New Zealand scored 6-237 in their 50 overs but that total proved inadequate as Babar Azam scored an impressive unbeaten 101 and Haris Sohail (68) offered valuable support.
Pakistan reached their target off the first ball of their final over, finishing on 241-4. “The wicket was difficult but my aim was to bat for 50 overs and if I did I knew Pakistan would win the match,” said man-of-the-match Babar. “We know we’d need to score runs off the pace bowlers. Once (Mitchell) Santner came on it was doing stuff off the pitch so (Mohammad) Hafeez told me to stick at it and score three or four runs an over.” Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side, who beat South Africa on Sunday to revive their flagging World Cup campaign, now have seven points, level with fifth-placed Bangladesh and just one point behind hosts England.
ODI 34: India: 7 for 268 [50 overs] defeated West Indies: 143 [34.2 overs] by 125 runs
From news.com: Indian stars set records tumbling in massive World Cup win
Indian replacement Mohammed Shami has come from nowhere to be the quickest bowler to 25 wickets in the history of the World Cup.. Virat Kohli became the fastest cricketer to 20,000 runs across all formats as he helped fire India to a thrashing of the West Indies at the Cricket World Cup. Kohli fired with the blade and then re-called quick Mohammed Shami tore through the Windies with the ball to book India’s spot in the semi-finals of the tournament. Still undefeated, India’s win moved them up to second on the Cricket World Cup standings, breathing down Australia’s neck.
Shami only got a start at the World Cup because his India teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar was injured. He is now the quickest bowler to record 25 wickets at the World Cup in the history of the tournament. After finishing off contrasting victories over Afghanistan and West Indies within a week, Shami may just have secured his spot. He certainly finished off the West Indies, taking 4-16 at Old Trafford to seal a 125-run win for India and end any hope the Caribbean team had of reaching the semifinals. It game Shami back-to-back four-wicket hauls this World Cup after he also took 4-40 against Afghanistan last week. It gives him eight wickets in this tournament in less than 17 overs bowled. It also took him to 25 career wickets at the World Cup in just nine games played — the fewest number of games taken to reach the 25-wicket mark.
It was a fifth loss in six games for the West Indians since a commanding opening win over Pakistan, and it makes them the third team to drop out of playoffs contention along with Afghanistan and South Africa.
They’ve still got games against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to go.
ODI 35: South Africa: 1 for 206 [37.2 overs] defeated Sri Lanka: 203 [49.3 overs] by 9 wkts
From ‘Firstpost’ – The South Africans have only made it all the more difficult for Sri Lanka as far as their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are concerned. The Proteas were clinical in their display today, winning every phase of the match barring the first powerplay of the Sri Lanka innings, and deserved the nine-wicket victory in the end. Captain Faf du Plessis though, will be ruing the fact that they’ve rediscovered their golden touch at a time when they’re already out of contention for the knockouts.
Meantime, there was an extraordinary halt in play brought a buzz to South Africa’s game against Sri Lanka, as players from both team dove for cover. There was a bit of a buzz for a while in the first of the tournament games at Durham, but it didn’t last long. A swarm of bees halted the game in the 48th over. All of the South African fielders, the Sri Lankan batsmen and both umpires went to ground, face down, to avoid any stings.
ODI 36: Pakistan: 7 for 230 [49.4 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 227 [50 overs] by 3 wkts
All-rounder Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 49 has guided Pakistan to a thrilling three- wicket victory over minnows Afghanistan in Leeds, moving ahead of England on the ladder and maintaining their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Chasing a target of 228, Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman for a duck on the second ball of the innings when he was trapped lbw by off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Babar Azam, who scored his maiden World Cup century in Pakistan’s win over New Zealand earlier this week, combined with Imam-ul-Haq to stabilise the innings on Saturday with a steady 72-run partnership.
Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi removed the pair to expose the middle order, before Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail fell cheaply to leave Pakistan reeling at 5-142. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (18) and Shadab Khan (11) were run-out to set up an intense finale but Wasim and Wahab Riaz (15) ensured there were no further hiccups as they chased down the target with two balls to spare.
Pakistan now sit in the top four, ahead of England, but may still need to win their final match against Bangladesh on Friday and hope other results go their way to advance to the semi-finals. England plays World Cup favourites India on Sunday night.
ODI 37: Australia: 9 for 243 [50 overs] defeated New Zealand: 157 [43.4 overs] by 86 runs
From Fox sports: Australia has thumped New Zealand by 86 runs at the Cricket World Cup, with Mitchell Starc taking 5-26. Australia has thumped New Zealand by 86 runs at the Cricket World Cup, with Mitchell Starc taking 5-26.
A batting promotion and a shot at the Ashes could be in store for Australia’s unsung hero Alex Carey, who has sent a message to his doubters at the World Cup. That is the view of former Australia opener Michael Slater who was impressed by Carey’s man of the match performance against New Zealand at Lord’s on Saturday night.
“He’s a talent. He really is a talent,” Slater said in commentary. “He’s my No.5 in this Australian outfit if they’re willing to do it.” The South Australian came to the crease against New Zealand with his side at 5-92, before resurrecting Australia’s innings alongside Usman Khawaja in a 107-run sixth-wicket stand. Carey scored 71 off 72 balls as the pair took Australia to a total of 243, which the Black Caps fell 86 runs short of. Carey is now Australia’s third-highest scorer for the tournament with 244 runs at 61.00, which includes two half-centuries and three unbeaten knocks.
Meanwhile, Trent Boult has made history against Australia, becoming the first player from New Zealand to ever take a hat-trick in the men’s World Cup and the 11th player in tournament history. Boult put on a death-bowling masterclass in the final over of Australia’s innings, firing three consecutive yorkers to take the first one-day international hat-trick Lord’s cricket ground has ever seen. The left-arm fast kicked things off by bowling Usman Khawaja for 88 with a full ball that reversed in late to clatter into middle stump. He backed that up by using Mitchell Starc’s greatest weapon against him, bowling him for a golden duck with a delivery that had shades of Starc’s own to remove Ben Stokes
ODI 38: England: 7 for 337 [50 overs] defeated India: 5 for 306 [50] by 31 runs
From news.com.au – England lives to fight another day, ensuring cricket fans around the country still have hope this year might finally see a maiden World Cup win. England’s World Cup dream is still alive after a crucial 31-run victory over India in Birmingham. The home team made the most of favourable conditions after winning the toss and batting, bouncing back from recent lacklustre efforts to post 7/337. With the ball England was sensational, tying the explosive Indian batsmen down and not even Virat Kohli could see his side home as it finished at 5/306 after 50 overs.
The hosts headed into today’s match needing a win to keep their fate in their own hands after sliding out of the top four when Pakistan beat Afghanistan yesterday. The Poms are now back into fourth spot and can guarantee their place in the semi-finals with a win over New Zealand in their final group game.
A loss would have been catastrophic for England, leaving it needing other results to go its way to avoid the embarrassment of being knocked out of a tournament it was tipped to win. But thanks to a brilliant effort from its top order and some miserly work from the quicks, Eoin Morgan’s men remain in the hunt to claim the country’s first ever World Cup.
After recent humbling losses to Australia and Sri Lanka — following an earlier defeat to Pakistan — it was essentially do or die for England against India and it delivered when it mattered most.
ODI 39: Sri Lanka: 6 for 338 [50 overs] defeated West Indies: 9 for 315 [50 overs] by 23 runs
From India Today: Sri Lanka (SL) vs West Indies (WI) Live Score, ICC World Cup 2019: Nicholas Pooran hit a hundred to bring West Indies close to Sri Lanka’s total of 338 but the lack of support from other batsmen except Fabian Allen meant that Sri Lanka still won the game by 23 runs. Earlier Lasith Malinga consigned West Indies to a poor start by removing Sunil Ambris and Shai Hope in their team’s chase of 339 in Chester-le-Street. Chris Gayle flattered to deceive once again as he fell while going for too many shots. But Nicholas Pooran brought the West Indies really close to pulling off the highest ever chase in World Cup history.
ODI 40: India: 9 for 314 [50 overs] defeated Bangladesh: 286 [48 overs] by 28 runs.
From Fox Cricket: India captain Virat Kohli hailed Rohit Sharma as the “best one-day player around” after the opener’s fourth century of the tournament saw the side book their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup with an at times nervy 28-run win over Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
Sharma’s attacking 104 laid the foundation of India’s 9-314 after Kohli elected to bat first in India’s penultimate match of the league phase. Yet for the second match in a row Sharma — as happened during India’s 31-run defeat by England at Edgbaston on Sunday — was dropped in single figures before making a hundred.
India’s bowlers then combined to dismiss Bangladesh for 286 with two overs to spare after star batsman Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with a valiant 66 and a rapid 51 not out from Mohammad Saifuddin gave Kohli’s outfit a small scare.
Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets and fellow paceman Hardik Pandya three, including the prize scalp of Shakib.
Kohli may be widely regarded as the best current batsman in all forms of the game but the skipper was unstinting in his praise of Sharma. “In my opinion he is the best one-day player around, he is having the tournament of his life and when he plays well everyone has so much confidence,” said Kohli.
“When he plays well we know we are heading for a big score. He gives everyone confidence to go out and bat.” Kohli added: “Bangladesh played some really good cricket and deserve credit for the fight they put up. We had to work hard for the win and we are happy to see a ‘Q’ (qualified) in front of our name now.”
ODI 41: England: 8 for 305 [50 overs] defeated New Zealand: 186 [45 overs] by 119 runs.
From ABC News: It was nerve-wracking at times but England is through to its first Cricket World Cup semi-final since 1992.
Save for a miracle for Pakistan, New Zealand is into the last four, too.
Propelled by another century by Jonny Bairstow and a freakish run-out that removed dangerman Kane Williamson, England coasted to a 119-run win over New Zealand on Thursday (AEST) to climb back into the playoff spots after its final group-stage match. The English, who are guaranteed to finish third on the ladder, will play in the second semi-final — at Edgbaston on July 11 — against the team that finishes in second place. That is currently India.
Back-to-back defeats, to Australia and Sri Lanka, meant the knockout stage started early for England and the tournament hosts responded to being in a perilous situation by winning pressure-filled matches against India and now New Zealand.
“Maybe at the end of the World Cup, if everything goes to plan, we’ll look back on the Australia and Sri Lanka games and say that they built our competition and the character of the team. That was a huge test and we got through it,” England fast bowler Mark Wood said.
ODI 42: West Indies: 6 for 311 [50 overs] defeated Afghanistan: 288 [50 overs] by 23 runs.
From ‘The Guardian’ – Afghanistan and Ikram give West Indies fright but still end up winless
This was the first dead match of the tournament and it was really quite lively. In front of a healthy crowd the two sides at the basement of the league table battled away vigorously. In the end West Indies prevailed by 23 runs to make it two wins from nine World Cup matches. Thus one could conclude that the old order was re-established but for the fact that Afghanistan had won three of the last four encounters between these two sides.
By virtue of smashing 111 from their last 10 overs West Indies hit 311 for six, with Shai Hope, Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran the main contributors. As ever, Afghanistan squandered a few chances in the field even though their commitment never wavered
Ikram Alikhil, an 18-year-old wicketkeeper and gifted left-handed batsman, who was not in Afghanistan’s original squad, led the chase along with Rahmat Shah. After 25 overs his team were up with the rate with nine wickets remaining and Jason Holder was suddenly dependent upon his old soldier, Chris Gayle, to stem the flow of runs with his creaking off-breaks. When Ikram reached 86 he posted the highest score by an 18-year-old in World Cup history, surpassing the record of Sachin Tendulkar. Here was a young man highlighting in one innings how Afghan cricketers have learnt to compete at the highest level with astonishing rapidity.
Now Gayle, in his final World Cup match, intervened decisively. After five relatively miserly overs he had Ikram lbw, sweeping; two balls later there was the chaotic run out of Najibullah Zadran, during which Gayle inadvertently revealed that he can still run fast if necessary. From there the run-chase faltered and West Indies’ out-cricket improved. The catches found the hands of outfielders and Afghanistan were denied a first victory in the tournament despite a spirited knock from Asghar Afghan.
Thus two talented, entertaining yet obviously flawed teams ended campaigns in which we bid farewell to Gayle, who is unlikely to play any more further serious cricket in this country – though he may appear in the Hundred – and hello to Ikram, another special talent, who will become ever more familiar.
Meanwhile, on the Australian front – Shaun Marsh has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup and Glenn Maxwell remains in doubt for Australia’s upcoming clash with South Africa after a brutal net session left them with injured arms.
Maxwell and Marsh were both sent for scans on their arms following a training session at Old Trafford, just two days out from the game. Maxwell was first collected by a Mitchell Starc short ball, resulting in a blow to his right forearm. Marsh replaced him in the net, only to be struck down by a Pat Cummins ball that hit him on the right wrist less than 10 minutes later. The news could not have been worse for Marsh. “Shaun Marsh has had scans on his right forearm after being struck while practising in the nets at training today,” Aussie coach Justin Langer said.
“Unfortunately the scans have revealed Shaun has suffered a fracture to his forearm which will require surgery. This is obviously shattering news for Shaun and the squad. Throughout this tournament his spirit, professionalism and the way he has competed has been typically outstanding. We are right behind Shaun in his recovery and rehabilitation.”
ODI 43: Pakistan: 9 for 315 [50 overs] defeated Bangladesh: 221 [44.1 overs] by 94 runs
From news.com, and Fox cricket: Win, win, win, win … out. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 94 runs at Lord’s for a fourth straight win and still missed out on the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.
Going to the last four instead was New Zealand, a team Pakistan beat by six wickets in the final over last week.
Pakistan secured fifth place and finished on the same points as fourth-placed New Zealand. Both teams had five wins but the Black Caps advanced with a superior net run-rate.
To reach the semis, Pakistan had to win by an unprecedented 316 runs. It didn’t take on the challenge and finished on 315-9 with Imam-ul-Haq scoring a 100-ball 100 and Babar Azam 96 in 98. The updated maths meant, to advance to the semis, Pakistan had to bowl out Bangladesh for seven runs or less, and that equation died in the second over of the chase.
Pakistani batsman Shoaib Malik has retired from one-day international cricket after Pakistan’s World Cup campaign came to close on Friday. Malik’s announcement came after Pakistan’s 94-run win over Bangladesh, their fourth-consecutive victory of the tournament. Malik retires as Pakistan’s fifth-highest ODI run-scorer, behind Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi. After making his ODI debut in 1999, Malik played 287 ODI matches for Pakistan, scoring 7,534 runs at an average of 34.55. Malik also claimed 158 ODI wickets with his part-time offbreaks – the fifth most for any Pakistani spinner.
ODI 44: India: 3 for 265 [43.3 overs] defeated Sri Lanka: 7 for 264 [50 overs] by 7 wkts
From Fox Cricket: Cricket World Cup 2019, India vs Sri Lanka at Headingley — A record-breaking century from Rohit Sharma and a maiden World Cup ton from KL Rahul have powered India to a convincing win over Sri Lanka and the top of the World Cup ladder. How long India stay in pole position will depend on whether Australia manages to chase down a target of 326 against South Africa in the day’s second game. Whatever happens, the Indians will not fear facing anyone in the semi-finals after crushing Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Headingley.
Sri Lanka looked to have set India a tricky target when it finished its 50 overs at 7-264, only for a 189-run stand between Sharma and Rahul to make easy work of it. Having equalled Kumar Sangakkara’s record-setting century haul of four in a single World Cup campaign in India’s prior outing against Bangladesh, Sharma bettered it against Sri Lanka by notching his third consecutive ton and fifth of the tournament. It took him just 92 balls to reach the century-mark and though he fell two balls later for 103, he looks a better than even chance of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in a World Cup tournament. Tendulkar scored 673 at 61.18 and Sharma has made 647 at 92.42 with at least one game to go.
ODI 45: South Africa: 6 for 325 [50 overs] defeated Australia: 315 [49.5 overs] by 10 runs.
From news.com: Australia’s World Cup has been plunged into a nightmare situation after South Africa pulled off an almighty upset in the final group stage match of the tournament.
South Africa flipped the script on their miserable tournament, defending a huge 6/325 which sets up a blockbuster semi-final between Australia and England on Thursday.
Australia fell just 10 runs short in their chase and still had hope of a stunning win mid-way through the final over.
Australia will play England in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday after a thrilling 10 run loss to South Africa.
Facing a daunting chase, Australia gave it their all but fell just 10 runs short. David Warner hit an incredible 122 off 117 balls as wickets fell around him, while Alex Carey almost stole the win 85 off 69 balls. It was a tremendous finish with Australia falling just short.
The loss sees India finish on top of the World Cup ladder and will play New Zealand in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while Australia will face India on Thursday.
FINAL STANDINGS
- India: 15 pts
- Australia: 14 pts
- England: 12 pts
- New Zealand: 11 pts [+0.175]
- Pakistan: 11 pts [-0.430]
- Sri Lanka: 8 pts
- South Africa: 7 pts
- Bangladesh: 7 pts
- West Indies: 5 pts
- Afghanistan: 0 pts
SEMI- Final 1 [July 9th]:
New Zealand: 8 for 239 [50 overs] defeated India: 221 [49.3 overs] by 18 runs
From the ABC: This was the biggest semi-final mismatch since Kenya stunned the world to qualify in 2003. New Zealand had two top-line bowlers and one star batsman in Williamson, with the rest of a batting order struggling either with inexperience or form. But those ingredients proved to be enough, with New Zealand scrapping their way to 239 on a very slow and stodgy pitch, then rain forcing India’s run chase onto the reserve day set aside for that purpose.
Williamson and Ross Taylor each made 67 on the first day, with Taylor struggling more with the conditions but battling through to remain not out by the time rain intervened. In the bizarre situation of having a night’s sleep before returning the next morning with 23 balls left to face, Taylor made 74 to help New Zealand to 239.
India’s bowlers had done their jobs, and that total shouldn’t have been enough. But as we’ve seen time and again in this World Cup, setting any total can create pressure, and the nature of knockout games means that one good performance can make all the difference.
Before this match, Kiwi fast bowler Matt Henry had taken three wickets in the tournament. Ten overs in, he had 3 for 13. Rohit, KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik had given up catches, while his opening partner Trent Boult swung one into Kohli’s pads to trap him in front.
From a score of 4 for 24, any side will be up against it. The naturally attacking pair of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were caught in two minds, defending against Lockie Ferguson’s serious pace and Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin when normally they would have been looking to score off both. Eventually both were out trying big shots to force the pace, but had soaked up 118 balls between them for 64. The ask was already looking too much.
Then to turn an upset into an epic, in walked Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder with three triple hundreds in first-class cricket but who has never fully translated his ability onto the international stage. The substitute who had fielded in eight matches in this World Cup before being allowed to play one. The player who had fired up at commentator Sanjay Manjrekar last week after being described as a “bits and pieces” cricketer.
He timed the ball like nobody else on the pitch had been able to do, skipping down to his sixth ball to launch Jimmy Neesham over long on. He ran like a demon, played the pull shot with exquisite violence, and hit sixes from spin, mediums, and Ferguson all the same. Even as MS Dhoni at the other end put together an idiosyncratic innings typical of the late stage of his career, complete with leaving balls and patting them away as the overs ticked down, Jadeja made sure the required rate didn’t soar completely out of reach.
In the end though, with 32 needed from 14 balls, Jadeja had too much to do. Taking on Boult is fraught with risk, and the mistimed loft settled in Williamson’s hands. With him gone the chase fell away.
Henry was named the player of the match, but Jadeja was robbed. Exceptional bowling of 1 for 34 from 10 overs, a freakish direct hit to run out the main man Taylor, an equally brilliant catch next ball to get Tom Latham, and a catch the previous day off Williamson. Then his 77 from 59 balls — almost enough for what would have been one of India’s most famous victories.
Kohli may have been demonstrative when he was given out on the field, but he was calm and measured after the loss.
“They put up a great display how to bowl with the new ball. They had perfect line and lengths and forced us to make errors,” he said. “That’s why they call this the knockouts. We have to accept that. We’re sad but we’re not devastated, because the kind of cricket we played in this tournament we know where we stood as a team.
SEMI- FINAL 2 [July 11th]:
England; 2 for 226 [32.1 overs] defeated Australia: 223 [49 overs] by 8 wickets
From ABC News: Australia’s promising Cricket World Cup campaign has ended in disappointment, as England progressed to the final with a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the second semi-final in Birmingham. England was never on the back foot at Edgbaston, tearing through most of Australia’s batting line-up before making light work of the run chase to reach the final for the fourth time, and the first since 1992.
The tournament hosts will be looking for their maiden world title in the July 14 decider, as will their opponents, New Zealand, who would have been interested onlookers as England easily chased down 224 to hammer its oldest rival.
England never looked in trouble at all at the crease. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow started at a rapid pace and with Australia’s openers failing to swing the ball dangerously, dominated from the outset.
Roy in particular was setting the pace, using his unique style to whip and work the bowling to all corners of the ground. When the ball was thrown optimistically to Steve Smith, Roy counter-attacked brilliantly, hitting three consecutive sixes and ending the streak by putting one in the fourth tier.
Bairstow was more circumspect but just as impressive, even despite seemingly injuring his ankle while turning for a run.
The pair would take the game away from Australia in the fist 15 overs and pass 100 with ease. It came as a surprise when Bairstow fell LBW to Starc, simply missing a straight one and — crucially — opting to waste a review on a stone dead LBW decision.
Roy looked certain to reach his ton before controversy struck. Cummins sent a wild short ball down the leg side that Alex Carey scrambled after and caught, prompting appeals from the Australians.
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena took his time before eventually and gradually raising the finger, despite replays showing the glove was nowhere near the ball. Roy was bemused, and actioned to review the decision, but was quickly told he couldn’t as Bairstow had used his team’s only challenge.
Roy did not take the decision well. He refused to leave the crease initially, and argued with Dharmasena before the other umpire Marais Erasmus had to usher him off. He continued voicing his displeasure all the way off the field, and the stump microphone heard him saying “f***ing embarrassing”.
After Roy’s explosive display with bat and mouth, England’s most experienced batsmen, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root, calmly and quickly knocked off the remaining 77 runs to send England through to face New Zealand.
From news.com.au: At the start of the 48th over in Australia’s batting innings against England in the World Cup semi-final, Steve Smith missed a leg glance and the ball clipped his left thigh.
Mitchell Starc called his partner through for a quick single and the former skipper responded straight away, putting his head down and charging to the nonstriker’s end.
But the ball — fielded then launched by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler — beat him there, crashing into the stumps as Smith stretched out to make his ground.
He was running full pelt and he just kept going after the zing bails lit up, continuing towards the dressing room and not bothering to wait for the third umpire’s verdict.
Smith was only just short of his ground but he didn’t need a replay to tell him that and his hopes of scoring his first century in Australian colours since returning from his ball tampering ban were dashed, out for 85.
The 30-year-old played his best innings of the tournament to defy a hostile English attack and give his team something to bowl at in the crucial clash, even if it turned out to not be enough. While top order teammates tumbled around him, Smith held the innings together and showed once again he is a cut above both in skill and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Without him, Australia could have started planning its World Cup Mad Monday before midday but Smith’s brilliant batsmanship meant England would still have to earn its way into the final.
But the ball — fielded then launched by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler — beat him there, crashing into the stumps as Smith stretched out to make his ground.
He was running full pelt and he just kept going after the zing bails lit up, continuing towards the dressing room and not bothering to wait for the third umpire’s verdict.
Smith was only just short of his ground but he didn’t need a replay to tell him that and his hopes of scoring his first century in Australian colours since returning from his ball tampering ban were dashed, out for 85.
The 30-year-old played his best innings of the tournament to defy a hostile English attack and give his team something to bowl at in the crucial clash, even if it turned out to not be enough. While top order teammates tumbled around him, Smith held the innings together and showed once again he is a cut above both in skill and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Without him, Australia could have started planning its World Cup Mad Monday before midday but Smith’s brilliant batsmanship meant England would still have to earn its way into the final.
WORLD CUP FINAL: 14 JULY 2019
ENGLAND 241 [50 overs] and 0 for 15 [1 over] defeated New Zealand 8 for 241 [50 overs] and 1 for 15 [1 over] after the Super Over
The England cricket team has ended a 44-year curse and sent a nation into rapture after holding aloft the World Cup in a one of the most dramatic clashes in cricket history at Lord’s, with a Super Over and then boundary countback needed to determine the winner.
From ABC Sport – a summary
You couldn’t have written a better script.
ABC Grandstand commentator Jim Maxwell described it as, “one of the most amazing finales to a game of international cricket that we have ever seen, probably the greatest finish in international cricket history”.
England has claimed its maiden World Cup title in an extraordinary finale against New Zealand at Lord’s, a final that has already been described as the greatest of all time and thrilled the sporting world with a finish for the ages.
As is befitting of a game that had everything, the real drama came in those final moments as England and New Zealand battled through 102 overs of cricket, only to end up level on scores not once, but twice, before England was awarded the title.
We’ll unpack the main talking points from a frantic 15 minutes that decided the destination of this year’s World Cup.
With wickets tumbling around him and England still needing 22 runs off nine balls, New Zealand-born Ben Stokes is, ironically, England’s last hope and appears hell-bent on hitting out in an attempt at glory.
Stokes, England’s last recognised batsman and the man upon whose shoulders rested the hopes of a nation, gives himself room to swing at James Neesham’s delivery with a shot that flies to the midwicket boundary, straight down the throat of Trent Boult.
Game over?
Not quite.
If Stokes had departed that would have been near enough it but, as Boult effects the catch, he steps backwards onto the padding surrounding the boundary.
Had Boult been half a metre further away from the boundary, he would have taken a giant step towards celebrating a famous win for the Black Caps, but instead, that step was backwards and New Zealand still had it all to do.
Instead of England being nine down with just Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid at the crease, it now needs 16 to win from eight.
Three balls left in the final over. England has just two wickets remaining after Archer is comprehensively bowled for a duck by Neesham’s last ball.
Stokes turns down two singles to avoid exposing Rashid’s somewhat-questionable tail-end batsmanship to Boult’s exquisite death bowling.
After slamming the third ball of the over into the stands for six, Stokes needs nine to write himself into history.
Boult thunders down a full toss that Stokes tickles away off his pads to deep mid-wicket to where Guptill —run-out hero of MS Dhoni in the semi-final— is ready to pounce.
The throw arrows in towards the stumps … and deflects off the outstretched bat of Stokes and away to the boundary for four.
So why is that six runs?
England has already run two, so is credited the four additional runs as overthrows.
Contests can be decided on fine margins and this is as fine as they get. Had the ball hit the bat at any other angle, it would have been unlikely that it would have then flown down the hill for four runs.
Equally, there is little Stokes could do to avoid this. He was fully committed and had no idea that the ball was on its way to hit his bat, so could not even come close to being accused of obstructing the field, as he was in a 2015 ODI between England and Australia, also at Lord’s.
Stokes, born and raised in Christchurch, told reporters after the game: “Playing against New Zealand is always a great event, they are a seriously good team and really good lads.
“I said to [New Zealand captain] Kane Williamson, I’ll be apologising for that for the rest of my life.”
The first tie
England is running for everything.
Rashid is run out off the penultimate ball after chasing an unlikely second in an attempt to level the scores with a ball to go.
With two required to win, Boult delivers a yorker that Stokes prods away to long on.
Stokes and Mark Wood hare between the wickets to chase the elusive winning run, but Wood is easily run out and the scores are tied.
So what happens now?
England lost more wickets (all ten of them) compared to New Zealand’s eight, but the number of wickets lost does not come into consideration, as stipulated in Law 16.3.1.
The two teams instead faced a winner-takes-all “super over” — an innovation incidentally introduced by Allen Stanford of West Indies-based Stanford 20:20 fame.
So, to the super over.
Teams can pick any three batsmen and one bowler to take part, with the team batting second in the match batting first in the super over.
England has first crack as per tournament rules, with Stokes joined at the crease by Jos Buttler.
The pair make a hugely credible 15 from their six deliveries off the bowling of Boult.
New Zealand’s reply starts well as Archer opens with a marginal wide, before Jimmy Neesham plunders 13 off the next five, legal deliveries.
Guptill on strike. Two required for victory.
He clips Archer’s last ball to the leg side and frantically sets off for an unlikely two.
The throw is a good one to the strikers end and Guptill is run out! Scores level again!
Countback controversy?
So, all square again but it is the English celebrating wildly.
Why?
According to the rules set out in paragraph 13 in Appendix F of the ICC Laws concerning super overs, the winner of the game in the event of a tie is the team that scored more boundaries over the course of the match.
New Zealand managed 14 fours and three sixes.
England plundered 24 fours and two sixes, the high-octane approach favoured by Eoin Morgan’s men over the past four years since being humiliated by New Zealand in Wellington at the last World Cup.
Is that fair? Perhaps not.
On ABC’s Grandstand at Stumps, Ed Cowan said: “To me, it feels like there is no integrity in the result almost.”
“It’s like the World Cup soccer final, 5-all in the penalty shoot-out, ‘oh actually, whoever had the most shots in the game actually wins this so we’re all going home now’.
“Imagine playing another super over? Surely there has to be a winner on the day.
Should another super over have taken place? That probably would have been fairer.
But both teams knew the rules before a bowl was bowled, or least should have done, and England should not be denied its moment based on a technicality.
Incidentally, if the number of boundaries was equal, the result would have come down to how many runs were scored on the final ball of each super over.
England scored four. New Zealand scored one.
Interestingly, in the semi-finals, had rain made play totally impossible, the team that finished higher in the final table would have progressed to the final.
Apply the same logic here, then England — who thrashed New Zealand to the tune of 119 runs in the group stages — would have been crowned winners anyway.
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