World Cup 2019, Days 14-17: The Semi-Finalists Become Clear

 

World Cup 2019

Days 14-17: The Semi-Finalists Become Clear

June 15^th 2019

We are still not half way through the qualifying matches but, already, the four Semi-Finalists seem to be almost decided. Barring a major meltdown, which is still possible at this stage, they will be, in some order:

·       Australia,

·       England,

·       India

·       New Zealand

It is hard to see any other side coming out of the chasing pack. One uses the word “chasing” in its broadest sense, because it implies some sort of momentum, which none of the other six teams have. At one point it looked as if the West Indies might be powerful contenders, but two defeats – one that should have been a comfortable win and the other by a huge margin, have slowed their progress to a crawl.

In theory, with four teams on 3 points and another on 4, tucked-in behind India on 5 points, mid-table is as tight as it could be, but one cannot help thinking that this is a tournament of two divisions: the big four disputing the Semi-Final crosses and the other six, playing to be best of the rest. It was the danger of this tediously long format in which there will be a lot of meaningless games in the last week before the Semi-Final pairings are decided.

A lot of matches now are becoming the last-chance saloon. Tomorrow, India v Pakistan will have a lot more riding on it than just national pride, as a defeat will all-but-seal Pakistan’s fate. A win for Pakistan would not be fatal for India’s chances, but would at least keep some interest open, putting both on 5 points, although India would have a game in hand and a much-superior Net Run Rate. This is what “last chance saloon” means for Pakistan: they would, most likely, still have to win three of their last four group matches at very least, by big margins and, quite likely, all four to gate-crash the Semi-Final party. However, if Pakistan lose, it is hard to see a way back for them. If they were to win though, failure to qualify for the Semi-Finals would become secondary: they will have won their own Final.

Even if defeat for India would not stop them on their serene path to the Semi-Finals, it would though be a severe blow to national pride. If you are not from the sub-continent, the game is just one more but, even for the neutrals, the hype surrounding this contest becomes infectious: green versus blue, Islam versus Hindu (forgetting, of course, the other substantial minorities in both countries), two nuclear-armed states in a permanent, low-level war. If you are in Indian or a Pakistani, it is more than just a cricket match. If you are a neutral, it is hard not to chuckle at the Pakistani parody of captured pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman, although Indians have found it distinctly un-funny, while Pakistan have been less-than-amused by the war of Dhoni’s gloves. To us, such things are imaginative one-upmanship of the kind that England and Australia revel in, but if you are an Indian or a Pakistani, such things have become almost casus belli. It is not a simple cricket match. It is a war between two great nations, two identities, two ways of life.

Back to the recent action, such as it has been.

India’s match with New Zealand, at Trent Bridge, became the fourth casualty of the weather. A share of the points was a good result for both sides, as long as both continue to defeat lesser opposition in their other matches. New Zealand’s next match is against South Africa and, if they will it, as they should, the Black Caps will have one foot in the Semi-Final.

The good West Indian start to the tournament, though, came to a crashing halt against the buffers at Southampton. Once England broke an 89-run fourth wicket stand, the batting had little more to offer. 202-6 became 212ao and, although both Roy and Morgan were unable to bat, the former with a hamstring problem, the latter with a back spasm, England cruised to their target, despite needing an emergency opener and an emergency first drop.

Truth be told, the win was not quite as good as it looked. Joe Root’s occasional off-spin was required in mid-innings at the West Indies threatened to post a substantial total, more catches went down and, as the target approached, England slowed in the chase, but it was still pretty convincing, with the target reached with almost twenty overs to spare. Joe Root took 2-27 and then added an unbeaten century. Chris Woakes showed that he could bat in the top order, if necessary and added a composed 40 to his 1-16 and Mark Wood and Jofra Archer took 3, cheap wickets apiece and bowled with enormous venom, being far too much for the tail (none of the last three scored a run). As a warning to other sides it was a pretty good shot across the bows. England have not played at more than 90% of their ability since the opening win against South Africa and yet still knock over opponents and now have possibly their two easiest games to come against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Speaking of not playing to potential, but still winning, Australia have done it themselves a fair bit so far but, today, after a slow start, the Australian war machine was brutal.

Australia started circumspectly. Finch and Warner went off at under 5-an-over, little hinting at the mayhem to come and Sri Lanka must have been justifiably proud of their efforts. The opposition were 100-2 after 23 overs and there were real hopes of keeping them to 260-280. David Warner looks a shadow of the destructive batsman that he was – the runs are coming, but at a gentle pace: today, 26 from 48 balls. However, Australia had wickets in hand and Finch and Smith used them. The acceleration was breath-taking. Suddenly, a total of 280 tops, was transformed into a likely 350+. When Finch and Smith were out in quick succession, Glenn Maxwell came in and marmalised the bowling. Australia’s batting though seems still to be characterised by mini-collapses and only a final flourish took them to 334. Still, you thought, far too many for Sri Lanka and so it proved, although Sri Lanka’s openers gave the Australians some anxious moments. A partnership of 115 from 93 balls, set up the chase and put Sri Lanka in pole position and, after 30 overs, Sri Lanka were comfortably ahead, with plenty of wickets in hand and, apparently cruising to victory. By this time though the run rate was flagging fast and the batting imploded spectacularly. From 206-3, Cummins, Starc and Richardson blew away the middle and lower order to the tune of 247ao. As they had done against West Indies, when Australia saw an opening, they poured through it and overwhelmed their opponents. It has become a pattern and is definitely a warning to other sides, although Australia were well-beaten by India: the England v Australia clash on June 25^th takes on a new importance.

The day’s other game was a dire affair. After a slow, but steady start, Afghanistan disintegrated horribly to 125ao, while the South African batsmen inched their way to the target, taking nearly thirty overs over it and treating the chase as an extended net. The only real, good news was that they had not fallen to 20-3 before winning.

South Africa rise to seventh in the table, just two points behind India and have improved considerably their Net Run Rate but, with just four games to play, need to win all four and hope that results fall for them. Their Waterloo may come on Wednesday, at the hands of New Zealand. Australia, in contrast, top the table, although that may be short-lived, as England will expect to replace them when they play the ever-more cowed Afghans, on Tuesday and, on the way, give their own NRR a boost.