With just a handful of games left in the first stage, some of the finals position have been guaranteed to the sides going well with 100% records at this stage like India and New Zealand. Other minnows like Zimbabwe, Scotland and England have already been ruled out of any knockout action. The others sides including Australia are almost assured of finals action but are jostling for a better seeding in the knockout stage.
Here’s the current standings.
| POOL A | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR |
| New Zealand | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3.09 |
| Australia | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1.597 |
| Bangladesh | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0.211 |
| Sri Lanka | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.151 |
| England | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.001 |
| Afghanistan | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.881 |
| Scotland | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.423 |
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR |
| India | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2.157 |
| South Africa | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.462 |
| Pakistan | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.194 |
| Ireland | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -1.014 |
| West Indies | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.511 |
| Zimbabwe | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.595 |
| United Arab Emirates | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.691 |
Here’s our brief rundown of what has happened lately for our many reader.
INDIA 2/260 (36.5) def IRELAND 259 (49)
STAR MAN: DHAWAN 100 (85) – A fine century made light work of the Irish total of 259 and continue the 100% record of the Indians.
Despite an opening stand of 89, the Irishmen could only muster 259 against the Indians which never looked quite enough against their batting line up. Far from disgraceful though for one of the so called minnows of this World Cup. Another reason to allow the expanded format next time around.
India cruised on the back of Shikhar Dhawan’s 100, and the result was never in doubt, just like the top of the group that India have earned from their solid pool form thus far. A far cry from the tired looking team that were hanging around Australia just over a month ago.
BANGLADESH 7/275 (50) def ENGLAND 260 (48.3)
STAR MAN: MOHAMMED MAHMUDDULLAH 103 (138) – Entered the fray at 2/8 and left with Bangladesh in good shape at 5/240.
What is it with England and World Cup disappointment. Like the Football version just under a year ago, expectation weren’t that high, like the Football version the manner of this missed finals opportunity even surprised fans and experts alike.
Not that losing to Bangladesh is the worst crime in the world, the up and coming cricket nation have played well at this World Cup, it is the meek surrendering that has happened to the side which has got their critics in a spin. Pardon the pun.
Despite moving an Ashes series to concentrate for 6 months on the World Cup, England have never looked likely to make the finals since losses to Australia and New Zealand condemned them to scraps for the first stage.
Anyone who thought it was a good idea to leave an Irishman in charge of anything English, or leaving out Kevin Pietersen and Ben Stokes (who both proved their worth on Aussie soil in the Big Bash, should be and probably will be moved on to greener pastures. if they were a second division manager they would have been on gardening leave 2 matches ago.
Credit to Bangladesh though who battled hard, even when England looked like getting home with Jos Butler still at the crease. For England a must win pride match against Scotland awaits, where they will be looking for an alternative airport if they come home without the win.
AUSTRALIA 9/376 (50) def SRI LANKA 312 (46.2)
STAR MAN: GLENN MAXWELL – Was surprised when the 102 he scored in this match was his first century, and off only 53 balls it was impressive. The reverse sweeps are unbeatable. Will he now kick on like his kindred spirit from the past Andrew Symonds did after his breakthrough World Cup century. Australian fans will be hoping so.
A great win against a quality side at this stage of the tournament on the back of Maxwell magic. Watson too threatened to achieve and nab a rare 100, but fell short again, with a score good enough to keep his place in the side, but not enough for people to stop whining about him being in the side. Smith and Clarke looked comfortable at the crease, and less so in each other’s company, kind of like in laws at a family function.
Special mention to Kumar Sangakarra for a third consecutive century, and another fine example of why he is one of the best one day batsmen of all time for any nation.
Mitchell Johnson looked like cannon fodder again, meaning that his best work is still ahead, and Mitchell Starc continued his fine bowling form.
NEW ZEALAND 4/188 (36.1) def AFGHANISTAN 186 (47.4)
STAR MAN: DAN VETTORI 4/18 (10) – Another fine example from one of the best One Day bowlers of all time.
FACT – Afghanistan have scored more runs against New Zealand in this World Cup than Australia and England. A sad indictment on the big boys, but a hearty non-condescending pat on the back to a nation who are at their first World Cup.
It was never enough though, especially when someone as in as good a form as Brendon McCallum opens the batting, and does it in his cavalier style. His 42 off 19 ensured NZ had the start they needed to cruise home.
IRELAND 8/331 (50) def ZIMBABWE 326 (49.3)
STAR MAN: ED JOYCE 112 (103) – A great century was the lynchpin to a big Irish total, and it proved just enough.
The Aust-NZ game aside, this was the game of the World Cup so far. With both teams needed to win to stay alive the Irishmen held their nerve to win by 5 runs.
The 331 looked enough, but such is Zimbabwe’s progress it looked achievable throughout the innings, and some late over big hitting almost got them over the line. Last man out Mupawira looked like he could do it all himself, and tried as he skied the ball to long on as he looked for that 6 that would win them the game.
Some controversy around Brendan Taylor’s dismissal after a catch on the boundary. However with the catch cleanly taken and the fuzziest of TV footage showing a possible glance of the sponsored padding it was a point of contention after the game. Justice prevailed though as Ireland held on.
EVEN MORE BRIEFLY:
PAKISTAN 222 (46.4) def SOUTH AFRICA 202 (33.3) D/L
Pakistan have some rain and Duckworth and Lewis to thank for an unlikely victory against South Africa who have now lost against two of the big teams in their pool. One wonders what odds Pakistan got on themselves to paly well and win.
INDIA 6/185 (39.1) def WEST INDIES 182 (44.2)
What could have been a more embarrassing loss for the Windies was saved by their best player this tournament Jason Holder who took his team from 7/85 to a total that could be defended. Not that India did it that comfortably, but the best finisher in one day cricket MS Dhoni was a reassuring comfort for the Indians in victory.
BANGLADESH 4/322 (48.1) def SCOTLAND 8/318 (50)
A great effort from Scotland to score 300+ wasn’t enough as the Bangladesh team showed their maturity to chase home the big score. A fine tournament from Scotland, who like most of the teams have yet to be disgraced.
AUSTRALIA 6/417 (50) def AFGHANISTAN (37.3)
David Warner (178 from 133) just failed in his quest to score Australia’s first 200 in ODI, and some help from Steve Smith 95 (98) and the usual fireworks from Glenn Maxwell (88 from just 39 balls) gave Australia a total that Afghanistan would have needed two innings to overcome. Mitchell Johnson showed his usual prowess against the weaker sides to get a 4 pack of wickets.
