My 2019 World Cup previews thread

[barah_admi]

The ICC Cricket World Cup is now less than two months away, where the world's finest teams and players will gather in England, the spiritual home of the game, for a marathon show. This is why I think the time is right for a thread like this, because if you are a cricket fan, you can dread it, you can run from it, but the world cup will find you all the same.

I will be posting a series of write ups, some based on particular teams, others on players and whatever else crosses my mind. Please feel free to comment, discuss, debate, post your own stuff but whatever you do, keep it civil.

My first write up is on England and their tag as favourites. Enjoy -

England - Lions for Glory​

As the 2015 edition of the Cricket World cup came to an end, England crashed out of the tournament with a whimper. Their only wins came against lowly Scotland and Afghanistan. The team looked at odds with where the game was headed. It would be unfair to say there were no bright spots, because there were, none better than Jos Buttler's explosive half century against Bangladesh but the overall quality was not good enough.

In the years that have followed, there has been a concerted, determined, even maniacal effort to re-brand team England as a modern, freakishly powerful ODI side. Jos Buttler is more explosive than ever before, with the added oomph of Ben Stokes, Jason Roy, a rejuvenated Johnny Bairstow and Captain Marvel himself, Eoin Morgan. Joe Root, England's finest batsman in a generation showed against India that he not only contributes but can be a match winner and a game changer. There is explosive power and brute force in this batting line up, merged with sublime class and concentration.

Current England, the 2019 England, is a different animal to the side we saw four years earlier. They hit scores of 300 like it is child's play, they cross 350 more than any other side in the sport. No total seems too big too chase and all grounds are too small. None of this is an accident; batting drills have been designed to enhance six hitting ability, bodies sculpted for maximum effect, areas recognised with regards to risk and reward. The test side may have suffered as a result of this but if the end is accomplished, then the means were worth it.

The bowling is buoyed by Adil Rashid, a world class wicket taker in the format, supported ably by Moeen Ali, Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes. However, there is a problem, a chink in England's otherwise impenetrable armour - they give away too many runs. Yet, nine times out of ten, they can chase any target on the board but when they can not? What happens then? The West Indies showed us as recently as last month. England can punch but what happens when they have to take one? Does the bully falter?

Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and the much hyped Joffrey Archer could all had something to the mix, but how many of them will be in the squad? How good are they really? Can they match the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, Ali, Bumrah and co? What happens when the pitch is dry and offers turn, as it did in the Champion's Trophy semi-final against Pakistan? Will Morgan whinge once again that the pitch was not fair? I ask again, does the bully falter?

The coming series against Pakistan will answer a lot. It will help define the squad and the players who hope to bring the cup home. This is, without a doubt, the most monstrous batting line up ever constructed but it lacks the bowling quality of the great Australian, West Indian and Pakistani sides of the past. There is little in terms of pace, even less in terms of reverse swing and mystery. To top it off, none of these players has ever won a major tournament, nor do they have a national icon who has, so how do they handle the deep end? As good as they are, they will have to face fire and they either let the fear of it burn them down, or they control it.

This is English crickets piece de resistance, or their greatest blunder. The coming months will let us decide.

 

[barah_admi]

India and the weight of History

India and the weight of History​

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni...these are names that roll off every cricket fans tongue and some of the finest ODI batsman of the decade. They are also unquestionable stars, products of a mass media mad for the sport of cricket and even more hungry for the love of celebrity. Never before has cricket been so commercialised and never before has a nation churned out stars, deserving or not. The cricketing industry in India can now rival Bollywood, its stars just as popular if not more so (the IPL was once valued as over $5 billion, whereas Bollywood ticket sales fall just below $2 billion). If one thought Sachin Tendulkar's fiefdom was all conquering, they would not believe Kohli's rise.

​

However, with this circus of commercialism comes expectation. Fans expect this team of galacticos to win, no opponent should be too much, no destination too far. The World Cup? It has to belong to team blue because where else could it go? Jasprit Bumrah enlivens hopes of a great fast bowler, ably support by a string decent practitioners. There are some spinners too, and a couple of solid, hard hitting all rounders. All bases are covered, the galacticos are ready for take off and nothing less than success is apparent. Or is it?

As good as India are, their batting is dwarfed by England and their bowling relies far too heavily on the young shoulders of Bumrah. A home series loss to a depleted, unsure Australia showcases underlying problems. Bumrah did not perform adequately enough with the ball, Yadav (a more than decent slow left armer) had to pick up the pieces but he was countered by Khawaja at times. No other Indian bowler contributed enough to help set up a win or to even look threatening. The experience of Shami, Kumar and Jadeja was relied upon, each of them failed.

This is not a new story, as a series loss to England, via to emphatic thumpings, proved. The bowlers were largely ineffective, in fact, who can even remember if they were present? So lacklustre was their performance. The batting too looked at odds to the image of an unstoppable titan, the likes of Root and Morgan outshining the Bollywood Boys of Kohli, Dhawan, Dhoni and co.

​

Is the problem consistency and lack of preparation? As Ravi Shastri once mentioned. Or is it that the players are often too caught up in their own hype? Lost in a world of mirages and media stardom. There is no denying this is a team that can win and India have, this decade at least, been a very good tournament side. They have shown mental fortitude and the grit to win but what happens when things do not go their way? Much like England, the bully can be out bullied. The side will need nuance and intelligence, not just force and will. Dhoni is a keen cricketing mind but often too defensive as captain, and captain he certainly remains, regardless of Kohli and his own magnetism.

Speaking of which, Virat Kohli, the master batsman and aggressive celebrator lacks the ability to set attacking fields. Either that, or he is not allowed to. "Go in for the kill" they say but he does not. It is too lax, too defensive, too reactive. A lot of this is symptomatic of the Dhoni years and at times that worked, at other times, when the game is afoot, it does not.

The billion dollar team has to now win the biggest prize of them all.

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan - Cornered Tigers Once More

Imran Khan once wore a t-shirt, plain white with a badly drawn tiger on the front. He told his players, in his usual solemn manner "play like cornered tigers". He was interview on the morning of the final and the phrase was reiterated, there was a small smile that played across his lips as Chappelle interviewed him. the MCG was gradually filling up for Pakistan v England, what happened after has gone down in legend and may be the biggest burden future generations have had to carry. They are tigers forever, cornered forever, unpredictable and mercurial, bright sparks who play on momentum.

​

"...always have something up their sleeves," David Lloyd recently said. He has seen enough of Pakistan to know this is not true yet the rhetoric stands. Pakistan were not unpredictable going into the 1992 word cup; in fact they were one of the most consistent sides in the previous five years, winners of countless tournaments and bi-lateral series. In Wasim Akram they had the greatest fast bowler in ODI history, in Miandad, Malik, Ahmed and Raja they had an experienced group of batsmen.

Yes there were variables and questions: Just how good was the young Inzamam? What would the team do without Waqar Younis? Could a young leggy like Mushtaq Ahmed do it against the very best? Howevert his was all gelled by a remarkable captain who could still produce spells of magic and innings of solidity.

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The side we see now is filled with talented youngsters and a clutch of good players, remarkably batsmen (Babar, Fakhar and Imam) and not so much the bowlers. Yet the experience is maybe undeserved, some of the selections are groan worthy and the captain is low on confidence in every aspect of his game. He is a lost boy, playing at leader, for a team that needs a steady hand. They have lost series after series and apart from the lone hand of the Champion's Trophy, have a looked like a side unsure of themselves. The talent is there but these are not cornered tigers, these are lame ducks.

We should not be wondering if they can pull a surprise but rather can they be consistent? It is consistency that wins tournaments, not mercurial talent or calypso cricket or whatever nonsense that the media will spout. If Pakistan are to do this, they need their top three to continuously score, they need to select Asif Ali, they need good middle over bowling by their spinners and they need to keep Wahab Riaz away from the side.

Maybe it can be done, and if it is, it will not be through unpredictability but through hard work, training and consistency.

Play like consistent tigers may be more apt.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's cornered tigers are no more - they simply dont have the strength in them to perform.

 

[Ahmed216]

Pakistan's cornered tigers are no more - they simply dont have the strength in them to perform.

Absolutely yes, the batting is OK but our bowling has never been so poor

 

[Captain caveman]

Pakistan's cornered tigers are no more - they simply dont have the strength in them to perform.

Oh dear, the wc hasnt even started and you have given up on pak team. Come man back the team and watch, insha Allah we will be world champions!

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan's cornered tigers are no more - they simply dont have the strength in them to perform.

It is the point I make in my piece but there is always hope in sport, especially with how well they have batted recently. The bowling must back them up.

Oh dear, the wc hasnt even started and you have given up on pak team. Come man back the team and watch, insha Allah we will be world champions!

I think Pakistan can have a coupe of good performances but we have to be realistic with this meddled thinking by coach and captain and selectors.

 

[Captain caveman]

It is the point I make in my piece but there is always hope in sport, especially with how well they have batted recently. The bowling must back them up.



I think Pakistan can have a coupe of good performances but we have to be realistic with this meddled thinking by coach and captain and selectors.

I cant obviously guarantee that pak will win the world cup, as there are quite a few contenders. But the reason i believe that if they get the right combination and start performing to their best abilities , then pak can win the wc is because pak team has never had a consistent good batting line up, but they have now. Our batting was always a problem, it wont be now. Yes our bowling is not as strong as it has been, but the addition of amir, wahab and shadab , alongside hasan ali, imad and hafeez, will be a strong bowling line up. So i genuine believe pak can win this wc but they will have to perform at their best in every game!

 

[barah_admi]

I cant obviously guarantee that pak will win the world cup, as there are quite a few contenders. But the reason i believe that if they get the right combination and start performing to their best abilities , then pak can win the wc is because pak team has never had a consistent good batting line up, but they have now. Our batting was always a problem, it wont be now. Yes our bowling is not as strong as it has been, but the addition of amir, wahab and shadab , alongside hasan ali, imad and hafeez, will be a strong bowling line up. So i genuine believe pak can win this wc but they will have to perform at their best in every game!

I agree completely, if the combination works well and clicks Pakistan can win but it is asking a lot to do that over the course of 11 matches.

 

[Captain caveman]

I agree completely, if the combination works well and clicks Pakistan can win but it is asking a lot to do that over the course of 11 matches.

Just need to scrape into the semis, 6 wins probably required out of 9 games(could be less if games are washed out). Just get that 4th place in the league stage. If they do that and get into the semis, then anything is possible.

 

[Mueez]

Pakistan vs New Zealand final.

Pakistan to win it.

Glory of ‘19.

IA!

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan vs New Zealand final.

Pakistan to win it.

Glory of ‘19.

IA!

It would be great to see a final like this as it would make the world Cup special. We haven't had a truly special tournament in a long long time.

 

[Mueez]

It would be great to see a final like this as it would make the world Cup special. We haven't had a truly special tournament in a long long time.

Yeah the two underdogs of this tournament...

Just like the Liverpool vs Tottenham final.

 

[shaaik]

If it wasn't for the champions trophy result I wouldn't have given this team a chance even in the wildest of my dreams..

 

[barah_admi]

Yeah the two underdogs of this tournament...

Just like the Liverpool vs Tottenham final.

I disagree with the comparison, Liverpool and definitely not underdogs this season haha

If it wasn't for the champions trophy result I wouldn't have given this team a chance even in the wildest of my dreams..

Really? You need to dream wilder.

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan v India

The world waits. Is that too much hyperbole? There are projections that a billion people may tune in. That too sounds hyperbolic, or optimistic at the very least, considering the poverty of the two nations involved. On a global scale, most do not even realise there is a world cup, many of those in the host nation. However, there is one thing for sure, with all the weight of politics and military grand standing, Pakistan v India is no small deal for the players, no matter how stoic Virat Kohli's answers may be at the pre-match conference. This is a game for the ages, one that can annihilate reputations, just see the aftermath of the Champion's Trophy for an example of it.

All of this hinges on the weather, an element even the marketers, executives, money men, big spenders, big wigs and the big three of the ICC can not control. If it rains and rains and rain, if the clouds unleash a deluge of immense proportions, the match will be abandoned; if not, well then, the ICC will do everything in their power to ensure a game, however short, occurs. Some say a shorter game will help Pakistan. That would be true, they are the number one side in the shortest format, having said that, due to India's refusal to ever play Pakistan anywhere other than a world cup, we have not seen the two sides square off in a series for far too long.

What of India's own T20 history? World champions and finalists, they have some excellent short form players and a bowling unit which is achieving the hype they were supposed to two years ago. It is a strong side, understanding how to play their best game and settled in their best line up. The opposite of Pakistan, a unit that bats well but does not yet understand why, so confused in their thinking that they chase when they should build.

There are positives for Pakistan in Amir who has once again, found his mojo (thank you grey skies of England). Their batting depth is also superior to India's but an under performing pace bowler in Hasan Ali is surrounded by teen youth in Hasnain and Shaheen. What is Pakistan's best combination? Even the captain and coach do not seem to know. Why does Shadab Khan, the most talented young cricketer on the planet play one match winning game, and then not the other?

Thus we arrive at the beating heart of the two sides, the captains. On the one hand we have MS...I mean Virat Kohli and on the other, Sarfraz Ahmed. The latter has produced a couple of solid ODI innings but his keeping leaves a lot to be desired, as do his tactical, or rather, non-sensical choices. Slips when wickets are required and a couple have just fallen? Who needs them. Someone saving one on the leg side as the ball dips in? No no, give it away. Coherent communication with the bowlers, allowing them to set fields to how they are bowling? Who cares.

Then there is Captain Kohli, or is he even captain? Kohli will field away from the action, Dhoni will place the fields, Kohli will answer the press questions, Dhoni's nonchalance will be heard. The great batsman, a truly exceptional sporting talent is a boy inside a man's body. A loud, brash on field leader who, when spanked once or twice, fades into the background. All Australian bravado but little of its grit, yet his players can rally around him when he strikes a succulent fifty or gets yet another century.

A great leader does not have to be a tactician, or even the true head of state, but he must be able to set an example. India have Pakistan trumps on this one.

Yet, as is always the case in the biggest sporting rivalries, what came before rarely matters, because it is whoever does their best, plays their hardest and wants to win the most on the day that. To be entirely honest, this time round it may be the weather that wins and maybe, just maybe, that is the slap the big spenders of the ICC deserve.