Game1 #CWC2019

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I thought of adding an update prior to game 1 of this tournament but couldn’t do so. The Dozenth edition has started on a brighter note for the home team. England started poorly with Bairstow gone for first ball duck. Tahir the wristspinner with his much loved sprint did the trick . Solid contributions from Roy Root Morgan and that man Ben Stokes. I thought England were in sight of 330 at one stage which I do consider was par score. Anything over 300 still is a very good score if you have Archer In your side as it turned out to be. There were many  things that Stokes did on field today. That catch at boundary overtakes everything else. If fielding is an art and catching a cricket ball is your tool to draw something on a canvas. Ben Stokes has already created most beautiful painting of this tournament. England have started confidently. They look hungry. Still early days but it will take some stopping to halt them. South Africa do not feature in my top 4 . Absence of Steyn not helping them either. Faf Du  Plesis did the right thing after winning the toss. Getting Imran Tahir to open the bowling too was a smart move. Not having Miller in playing XI was not. Barring QDK and couple of other contributions it was a lacklustre show with the bat. It is a long tournament constructed with everyone plays everyone format.

Plenty of cricket is yet to be played. Game 2 promises to be a thriller with 2 very  unpredictable sides. WI has got some serious hitting talent in their kitty and Pakistan has got quality bowling unit. DreRuss would be keen to stamp his presence. Shai Hope has shown some consistency in recent past. Pakistan will rely on Babar  Azam Sarfaraz and bowling unit. Jason Holder is underrated as a captain and may surprise many cricket pundits. I expect him to start on a winning note.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 30, 2019 at 10:07 PM

    Nicely summed up.
    I am hopeful that with the round robin format, losing a game or two doesn't put unnecessary pressure on a side and they still have chances to bounce back.
    But, with no doubt England were clinical yesterday, they are very likely to make it to semis (especially given the home advantage).
    As far as WI are concerned, I would think it would be premature to comment, given that batting for full 50 overs remains a challenge for them

    ReplyDelete
  2. EkanttMay 31, 2019 at 8:45 PM

    Thanks. I agree it is a long tournament. One bad game in the earlier stages must not hurt too much. But NRR may play a significant role in narrowing down to final4.

    Once again. Thanks for your feedback.

    ReplyDelete

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