2019 "World" Cup Shamblefier - Scotland robbed again, no Associates at World Cup for first time ever

[The Speaker]

Updated with the Afghan and Hong Kong squads. No Chapman or Atkinson for HK, and Afghanistan is playing the same squad as in their ongoing tour against Zimbabwe, which means they have a massive advantage to add to their superior playing talent - at least against one of their main opponents.

 

[Hellgood]

Updated with the Afghan and Hong Kong squads. No Chapman or Atkinson for HK, and Afghanistan is playing the same squad as in their ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, which means they have a massive advantage to add to their superior playing talent.

Unlikely they'll see Chapman any time soon with him now being called up to the Kiwi national side.

Has basically been in NZ since turning 14 so difficult to bemoan anything about poaching in these circumstances. Has done exceptionally well in domestic T20 and his class has shone through at international level previously at such a young age so look forward to seeing how he goes in the coming matches.

 

[The Speaker]

Updated with the PNG and Zimbabwe squads. The latter looks weaker than it should, not much depth in the middle order.

 

[cricketnut14]

UAE and Nepal thru.

 

[Sammo360]

Dare I say you won't see much turn on any of the Zimbabwe pitches for this tournament. Zimbos are so poor against decent quality spinners and these associate teams seem to be loaded with them.

 

[The Speaker]

All squads are now announced.

 

[The Speaker]

First late change has happened, experienced Dutch opener Stephan Myburgh has injured his ankle, replaced by the young Bas de Leede. That surname may ring a bell for anyone familiar with the Dutch team, as he is the son of former captain Tim.

 

[Sammo360]

Updated with the PNG and Zimbabwe squads. The latter looks weaker than it should, not much depth in the middle order.

Bit more middle order depth for Zimbabwe with Sean Williams returning from injury. They've also included Cephas Zhawao.

 

[The Speaker]

Bit more middle order depth for Zimbabwe with Sean Williams returning from injury. They've also included Cephas Zhawao.

Zhuwayo is a familiar name to me, if to no-one else, thanks to International Cricket Captain 2006, in which he was basically the only Zimbabwean player worth anything.

Alas, he is not a leg-spinner as he is in that game.

 

[Kyptastic]

Now that the squads are in have you got an opinion on who'll go through The Speaker ? Is it going to be as straightforward as the Windies and Afghanistan being the clear top 2, or can you see Ireland and Zimbabwe - maybe even the Dutch - causing a major upset?

 

[ioppolo]

How old is this Zhuwayu guy?

 

[The Speaker]

How old is this Zhuwayu guy?

33. He's had a long but stunted career.

Kyptastic now that the squads are pretty much finalised - all the unofficial warm-ups are done, I believe - I'll give it a proper look...but I'll wait until the official warm-ups are done before putting up my thoughts. I will say, though, that those two look tough to overcome.

 

[CURVE]

I know they have been on the decline for decades, but the idea of the Windies not being a part of the Cricket World Cup is deplorable.
I hope the idiots in charge realize that reducing the tournament to only 10 teams is a huge mistake and reduces that chance of the game improving in the non-test playing nations.

That said, I expect the Windies and Afghanistan to qualify. It would be a huge embarrassment to Windies cricket if they don't and Afghanistan's cricket seems to be a bit of a streak at the moment and the quality of players improving a faster rate than even Sri Lanka in their early years.

 

[Cochblocked]

I know they have been on the decline for decades, but the idea of the Windies not being a part of the Cricket World Cup is deplorable.
I hope the idiots in charge realize that reducing the tournament to only 10 teams is a huge mistake and reduces that chance of the game improving in the non-test playing nations.

That said, I expect the Windies and Afghanistan to qualify. It would be a huge embarrassment to Windies cricket if they don't and Afghanistan's cricket seems to be a bit of a streak at the moment and the quality of players improving a faster rate than even Sri Lanka in their early years.

Agreed, for me i hope the Windes miss out as it might get some media coverage which could lead to pressure on the ICC to change the format. Also i feel for Zimbabwe, they desperately need to qualify for this world cup for their cricket as a country.

 

[Marklar_33]

I know they have been on the decline for decades, but the idea of the Windies not being a part of the Cricket World Cup is deplorable.
I hope the idiots in charge realize that reducing the tournament to only 10 teams is a huge mistake and reduces that chance of the game improving in the non-test playing nations.

That said, I expect the Windies and Afghanistan to qualify. It would be a huge embarrassment to Windies cricket if they don't and Afghanistan's cricket seems to be a bit of a streak at the moment and the quality of players improving a faster rate than even Sri Lanka in their early years.

When they miss, ICC to expand the teams to 12? Wouldn’t put it past them!

 

[PhatBoy]

Windies A just belted England Lions - a side with Hameed, Roland-Jones, Jennings and Mason Crane - in the first two of their 3 ‘test’ matches. Two of the stars were Jomel Warrican and Rakheem Cornwall, who they won’t give a look-in as far as the odi set up goes. There is more than enough ability in the domestic scene to wipe the floor with the other qualifiers but they will just never get to put that side on the park.

 

[Hellgood]

Not that I want the world cup to be a 10 team affair, but hopefully the scramble for qualification could actually be a cohesive force for the West Indies and raise the profile of the qualification tournament (which generally brings a fair bit of drama).

 

[workhorse]

Agreed, for me i hope the Windes miss out as it might get some media coverage which could lead to pressure on the ICC to change the format. Also i feel for Zimbabwe, they desperately need to qualify for this world cup for their cricket as a country.

Sad about Zimbabwe. I enjoyed their late 90's early 00's team. Even more of a shame that they have lost some good cricketers who are now representing other countries. Throw Hilton Cartwright, Gary Ballance and Colin de Grandhomme in their side and they look a lot stronger. Obviously neither of those 3 are world-beaters but all have very respectable Test/FC records.

 

[Cochblocked]

Sad about Zimbabwe. I enjoyed their late 90's early 00's team. Even more of a shame that they have lost some good cricketers who are now representing other countries. Throw Hilton Cartwright, Gary Ballance and Colin de Grandhomme in their side and they look a lot stronger. Obviously neither of those 3 are world-beaters but all have very respectable Test/FC records.

I actually reckon on field they aren't doing to bad beat Sri Lanka in ODIs and drew 1-1 with the Windies last year. Off field its horrible. They don't have enough money to host Pakistan and Australia this year like they are supposed to and it's likely this tournament will be just about all the Cricket they get at home because the ICC pay for it.

 

[The Speaker]

Rashid Khan will be captaining Afghanistan for the next week or so, as Asghar Stanikzai has had to have his appendix removed. This will probably improve Afghanistan's batting.

 

[ioppolo]

Rashid Khan will be captaining Afghanistan for the next week or so, as Asghar Stanikzai has had to have his appendix removed. This will probably improve Afghanistan's batting.

His captaincy must be something else because he's not best 22 on his batting

 

[Harlequin Dream]

If you want to follow the warm-up matches you need to follow on the ICC site. It appears that cricinfo is not working.

 

[The Speaker]

If you want to follow the warm-up matches you need to follow on the ICC site. It appears that cricinfo is not working.

And even then two of the matches don't appear to have started.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

And even then two of the matches don't appear to have started.

Rain delayed a couple of starts. I might look for the twitter feeds of the remaining teams to see what is happening.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

AFG are 39/5 against the West Indies.

Huge puddle in the outfield for Nepal vs UAE, might take a while to clear.