More than just a feel-good story
May 29, 2019 12:58 PM Subscribe
Still trying to choose your team for the Cricket World Cup, which begins tomorrow in England? Consider Afghanistan.
Last I saw, England was odds on favorite to win, but the smart money should be on India. Dark horse is Australia
posted by NoMich at 3:35 PM on May 29, 2019
posted by NoMich at 3:35 PM on May 29, 2019
I always root for Sri Lanka, as i was an exchange student there and learned the game. They need a boost after the tragedy of Easter Sunday.
Interesting there are only 10 teams, and the opening round is a round-robin. that doesn't happen all that often in major sports.
posted by OHenryPacey at 3:56 PM on May 29, 2019
Interesting there are only 10 teams, and the opening round is a round-robin. that doesn't happen all that often in major sports.
posted by OHenryPacey at 3:56 PM on May 29, 2019
Other than my New Zealand, I will be supporting South Africa (having taken a vow to do so after they so narrowly lost to us in our epic semi-final last time). Obviously everyone will be cheering for Afghanistan to cause a few upsets, as well. Would expect them to target Bangladesh and maybe a Sri Lankan team that's far from their peak for wins. They've gone from being a team that you cheer for because of the shitty time their country has had, to a team that can actually cause some upsets. And they do have one of the emerging stars of world cricket, in Rashid Khan.
There's a fair bit of controversy about the number of teams entered. There were 14 teams last time, which let some of the weaker nations in - and it's obviously critical that they are allowed to play against the best, in order to improve. (Notably Ireland beat the West Indies last time out and nearly made the quarter-finals, but won't be in the tournament at all this time. Though that aside, other than a few goodish performances from Scotland, the minnows were only really competitive against each other).
Last I saw, England was odds on favorite to win, but the smart money should be on India. Dark horse is Australia
Last odds I saw had England as narrow favourites from India. Australia were 3rd favourites and as champions can't really be dismissed. England's batting lineup is incredible, India's very good and they have Bumrah with his bowling at the end of the innings.
Dark horses? NZ won't win it (we have a very good team but half of them are test or T20 specialists who don't play so well in 50-over games). That we've slipped from 4th to 5th favourites confirms that. We might make the semi-finals. South Africa probably have a chance, and now the West Indies are picking a full strength team they could go well. Maybe Pakistan. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are making up the numbers.
posted by Pink Frost at 5:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
There's a fair bit of controversy about the number of teams entered. There were 14 teams last time, which let some of the weaker nations in - and it's obviously critical that they are allowed to play against the best, in order to improve. (Notably Ireland beat the West Indies last time out and nearly made the quarter-finals, but won't be in the tournament at all this time. Though that aside, other than a few goodish performances from Scotland, the minnows were only really competitive against each other).
Last I saw, England was odds on favorite to win, but the smart money should be on India. Dark horse is Australia
Last odds I saw had England as narrow favourites from India. Australia were 3rd favourites and as champions can't really be dismissed. England's batting lineup is incredible, India's very good and they have Bumrah with his bowling at the end of the innings.
Dark horses? NZ won't win it (we have a very good team but half of them are test or T20 specialists who don't play so well in 50-over games). That we've slipped from 4th to 5th favourites confirms that. We might make the semi-finals. South Africa probably have a chance, and now the West Indies are picking a full strength team they could go well. Maybe Pakistan. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are making up the numbers.
posted by Pink Frost at 5:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Oh as an aside, Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act on Netflix had a good show on cricket just recently, covering the Afghanistan team, corruption and the rise of India as the dominant force in the governance of the game (I forgot to mention, one reason for playing a round robin format is, and I am not joking, to ensure India play as many games as possible. In 2007 they played a group stage, India got knocked out meaning they only played 3 games, and it ruined the TV income because most of the audience/money is in India).
posted by Pink Frost at 6:16 PM on May 29, 2019
posted by Pink Frost at 6:16 PM on May 29, 2019
I was in Australia for the last World Cup and the people really did get behind the Afghan team. Fortunately I am in England this time around and I expect the people here to do likewise.
It is a shame that they are the only minor cricketing national competing this time - I'd prefer to see a format that allowed more countries to take part. But the prospect of seeing all the top teams in the world play a round-robin against each other is a pretty mouth-watering prospect. It certainly worked back in 1992.
The lack of terrestrial TV coverage here in the UK is unbelievable. 4 years ago the Rugby World Cup was on ITV every day and it became part of the daily fabric. I'm sure it will get lots of attention if England start doing well, but it won't reach the heights of the 2005 Ashes. One good bit of news though is that the BBC's online commentary will be posting clips of wickets, catches, sixes etc. throughout their live feed. With so much of the competition taking place while people are at work I'm sure it will prove a real winner.
As for who's going to win? England have to be favourites. But I feel the pressure could get to them at the pointy-end of the tournament. It's an extremely open competition this time around, which will hopefully make for a compelling tournament.
Bring on the cricket!
posted by decent rooms and a bath at 6:55 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
It is a shame that they are the only minor cricketing national competing this time - I'd prefer to see a format that allowed more countries to take part. But the prospect of seeing all the top teams in the world play a round-robin against each other is a pretty mouth-watering prospect. It certainly worked back in 1992.
The lack of terrestrial TV coverage here in the UK is unbelievable. 4 years ago the Rugby World Cup was on ITV every day and it became part of the daily fabric. I'm sure it will get lots of attention if England start doing well, but it won't reach the heights of the 2005 Ashes. One good bit of news though is that the BBC's online commentary will be posting clips of wickets, catches, sixes etc. throughout their live feed. With so much of the competition taking place while people are at work I'm sure it will prove a real winner.
As for who's going to win? England have to be favourites. But I feel the pressure could get to them at the pointy-end of the tournament. It's an extremely open competition this time around, which will hopefully make for a compelling tournament.
Bring on the cricket!
posted by decent rooms and a bath at 6:55 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I forgot to mention, one reason for playing a round robin format is, and I am not joking, to ensure India play as many games as possible. In 2007 they played a group stage, India got knocked out meaning they only played 3 games, and it ruined the TV income because most of the audience/money is in India
I mean this clearly played some role in the formatting, but from a pure competition perspective, it is a better way on ensuring that the best 4 teams advance to a playoff.
decent rooms' critique that this format leaves out less prominent nations is interesting, if there were appetite for making the tournament even longer you could expand to two additional countries by having a play-in round for the round robin slots.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:21 AM on May 30, 2019
I mean this clearly played some role in the formatting, but from a pure competition perspective, it is a better way on ensuring that the best 4 teams advance to a playoff.
decent rooms' critique that this format leaves out less prominent nations is interesting, if there were appetite for making the tournament even longer you could expand to two additional countries by having a play-in round for the round robin slots.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:21 AM on May 30, 2019
I fear that I am entering the minute by minute online commentary part of the summer far too early. The football seasons not even over year. I usually get to the start of the TDF before this happens, I have already followed the Eng-SA game yesterday but, perhaps more worryingly, now have Pak-WI open on the guardian feed. At least its not looking likely to go on all day...
posted by biffa at 5:22 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 5:22 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
I am prepared to bet that Gayle fancies beating 105 as single handedly as possible.
posted by biffa at 5:24 AM on May 31, 2019
posted by biffa at 5:24 AM on May 31, 2019
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posted by Iris Gambol at 1:55 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]