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

[The Speaker]

Great preview. I'm going with Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. I like the look of the Zimbabwe's team and Afghanistan should be a lock. I really think it's for the good of Cricket that the Windies don't qualify and can't see them doing much at the actual tournament hopefully things will change if they don't make it. I can't see Ireland making it and i'm a bit worried about their future outside a few players. I can see the Netherlands finishing above them. My prediction is:

1.Afghanistan
2.Zimbabwe
3.Windies
4.Netherlands
5.Ireland
6.Scotland
7.Hong Kong
8.PNG
9.UAE
10.Nepal

I reckon that's close to the correct order of the quality of the teams, but the one thing that changed my mind about the finalists was the group stages. Group results carry over in the super sixes, and I reckon the Netherlands has a better shot at topping their group than Zimbabwe does in theirs.

 

[The Speaker]

I can’t wait to see the egg all over the ICCs face when none of Afghan, Ireland, or Windows qualify...

I agree with you that the Windows are no certainty to make it.

please let this be their name for the rest of the thread

 

[Marklar_33]

please let this be their name for the rest of the thread

They’d be shattered if they missed out, and if their batting doesn’t improve, I can see the curtain closing on their World Cup bid...

#windowpuns

 

[corbies]

I reckon that's close to the correct order of the quality of the teams, but the one thing that changed my mind about the finalists was the group stages. Group results carry over in the super sixes, and I reckon the Netherlands has a better shot at topping their group than Zimbabwe does in theirs.

Great write-up mate, always enjoy your work. I dont get this though. Won't they end up versing the same teams over the super 6s anyway? Its only the results against teams that qualify that carries forward.

 

[TassieEagle]

They’d be shattered if they missed out, and if their batting doesn’t improve, I can see the curtain closing on their World Cup bid...

#windowpuns

I can see right through these jokes. Stop being a pane.

 

[The Speaker]

Great write-up mate, always enjoy your work. I dont get this though. Won't they end up versing the same teams over the super 6s anyway? Its only the results against teams that qualify that carries forward.

Basically I think Group A is tougher than B, even though I think B is more up-in-the-air than A. So if the Dutch top group A, they've already beaten two teams that I think Zimbabwe would not be going in as favourites against.

 

[Cochblocked]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22622651/zimbabwe-cricket-financial-crossroads
This article basically sums up why i want Zimbabwe to qualify. They are in massive debt and if they don't make the World Cup they'll lose players and get into further debt.

 

[The Speaker]

Bit of info from Liam Brickhill in his preview: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22622408/test-nation-gravitas-spices-world-cup-qualifiers

With the domestic season having been postponed to allow Zimbabwe Cricket to focus entirely on this tournament, the pitches should be fresh, with possibly a little more pace and bounce than has been on show on Zimbabwean surfaces in recent times. But rain has also been around, and tracks that traditionally play slow and low could be very difficult to score on, at least until the sun comes out. The weather should dry out after the first round of games, but, at this time of the year, afternoon rain is so common that "scattered afternoon thunderstorms" is the cliched cover-all weather forecast for every day until April.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22622651/zimbabwe-cricket-financial-crossroads
This article basically sums up why i want Zimbabwe to qualify. They are in massive debt and if they don't make the World Cup they'll lose players and get into further debt.

BCCI can you spare a dollar?

 

[corbies]

Basically I think Group A is tougher than B, even though I think B is more up-in-the-air than A. So if the Dutch top group A, they've already beaten two teams that I think Zimbabwe would not be going in as favourites against.

Right I get you. Makes sense.

 

[The Speaker]

Information appears about why Davey is missing, along with the others that have already been mentioned. If the Dutch make it through despite missing three players that would be in the squad otherwise, it will be very impressive.

http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1138005/who-s-missing-at-the-world-cup-qualifiers

 

[Blue1980]

The Windies not qualifying would almost be seen as a death knell and you would hope that may lead to the drastic changes they so desperately need

 

[Harlequin Dream]

My thoughts on Ireland (All stats are from 2017/18):

Positives:
- Strong top 4 who can score big
- 2 all-rounders mean they bat deep
- Good pace attack

Negatives:
- relatively weak lower-middle order
K O'brien- 27.54 average, 116 S/R (Good)
N O'brien- 26.00 average, 70 S/R (Below average)
Wilson- 22.00 average 69 S/R (Poor)

- some of the weakest spin options in the tournament
Dockrell- 39 average 4.94 E/R
Stirling- 41.57 average 5.49 E/R

With a few of the top teams struggling against spin Ireland are missing a big weapon. They should make good scores consistently with their top order and depth, however, I worry that they won't be able to accelerate to scores that will put top teams under pressure. Their pace attack will probably be too good for the associates and with good conditions will also be dangerous against the top teams. Their fortunes probably rest on the conditions; pace friendly and they are dangerous, spin friendly and they are vulnerable to the likes of Nepal and UAE. 4th or 5th is likely.

 

[Marklar_33]

It’s disappointing that Dockrell has never come on, he was touted as the next big thing in Irish cricket. That said, an economy rate under 5 isn’t terrible

 

[The Speaker]

A Cricinfo apologia for the ICC: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22628866/why-icc-not-streaming-world-cup-qualifier

Might as well just be saying "the ICC told us it wasn't worth it, ok?"

It’s disappointing that Dockrell has never come on, he was touted as the next big thing in Irish cricket. That said, an economy rate under 5 isn’t terrible

He seems to be developing himself into an all-rounder.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

He seems to be developing himself into an all-rounder.

In 2017/2018 he averaged 22 with the bat. He averaged 13 before then. He is certainly improving with the bat, will be interesting to see how much further he can improve.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

A Cricinfo apologia for the ICC: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22628866/why-icc-not-streaming-world-cup-qualifier

Might as well just be saying "the ICC told us it wasn't worth it, ok?"



He seems to be developing himself into an all-rounder.

ICC seems to be the opposite of the AFL.

AFL goes out of its way to grow the game. ICC goes out of its way to avoid growing the game.

 

[Marklar_33]

ICC seems to be the opposite of the AFL.

AFL goes out of its way to grow the game. ICC goes out of its way to avoid growing the game.

Not sure if my location is still showing but I disagree vehemently about the AFL!

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Not sure if my location is still showing but I disagree vehemently about the AFL!

It has its blind spots that's for sure.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Anyway, my tips for tonight:
The Netherlands vs Ireland
Scotland vs Afganistan
Zimbabwe vs Nepal
PNG vs UAE

 

[Cochblocked]

Anyway, my tips for tonight:
The Netherlands vs Ireland
Scotland vs Afganistan
Zimbabwe vs Nepal
PNG vs UAE

I reckon pretty much the same maybe PNG to beat UAE.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

I reckon pretty much the same maybe PNG to beat UAE.

I hope you are right on that one.

 

[Cochblocked]

I hope you are right on that one.

Reading how the UAE's captain reacted to not being man of the tournament at WCLdiv2 i really hope they don't get ODI status over Nepal, PNG ect

 

[ioppolo]

Supporting PNG for this, would be awesome to see our northern neighbours make a WC

 

[corbies]

Zimbabwe are off to a flyer. 3/120 after 16 overs. Clearly had a plan to go after Nepals opening bowlers.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Zimbabwe are off to a flyer. 3/120 after 16 overs. Clearly had a plan to go after Nepals opening bowlers.

Probably, it is also how Zhuwao plays. A month ago he hit 131 off 52 balls against Kenya. He loves to go after pace bowling.