The big Final
6 weeks of almost non stop cricket and we will now have new world champion. More on final a little later in this post. First let us talk about semifinals. Actually let us talk about 2nd half of league stage. I couldn't write after #India Pakistan game. #NZvsWI game for me the pick of this tournament. That hit from Brathwaite is the defining moment of this world cup. Couple of yards higher and on either side of Trent Boult would have changed so many things. That was the knock of this tournament. #IndiavsEngland game carried so much weight not just for England but for India's neighbours too
Questions around India's lack of intent in that game were abuzz all over SM and in all fairness were justifiable. Whatever the reasons or approach, it was not good cricket. England rediscovered their flow with Roy coming back and after that game. Pooran Babar Azam Pant Afridi Mujib Fernando Rassie Carey are all future superstars for their teams and showed glimpses of their capabilities. SA never looked their fluent and fluid best. SL put in couple of very impressive performances. Afghanistan too showed some promising signs after poor start. WI too under delivered and were capable of doing better than what they did. Pakistan remained unpredictable. Made life difficult for themselves against Afghanistan. Lost to WI and overpowered the finalists. Bangladesh are progressing with giant strides.it has been an enjoyable world cup. I think this format of 10 teams with everyone playing everyone is the way forward and a fantastic idea.
Okay now the semifinalists. 90% people got these 4 semifinalists. India and England have played some splendid white ball cricket in past 18 months. People expected them to meet in final. NZ usually are consistent and never short of a talented spectrum of players. Australia were waiting for Warner and Smith and buoy have those 2 made some serious difference. They have. They are bankable and impact players.
Semifinal 1
Rain returned to have its say in knock out stage. The game spread over 2 days. India's much celebrated and efficient top order was tested and did not click. Bowlers did their job. 240 was gettable. Jadeja and Dhoni dragged India back and almost dragged them over the line. Some criticism for Pant's irresponsible shot. Sure enough, he got impatient too soon. But I feel fans have been too harsh. One can say the same about Pandya. Jadeja almost wiped off that spill. I think he played innings of his life. MS Dhoni. Definitely the most talked about batsman in India's middle order over past 20 months. At 5/3 almost a billion people believed in him. It says a lot about him . His mere presence has been very reassuring over the years. Many would have switched off their TV sets when that magic from Guptill hit the stumps. What a game. One of the most enthralling semifinals in this century. Virat Kohli has led well but again so near yet so far. NZ played better cricket held their nerve and deserving finalists. Kane Williamson are backbone of their batting and we know why. Santner is a cool customer. Boult is world class and Ferguson is quick impressive and smart. I will not be surprised if Kane Williamson lifts the trophy tomorrow.
Semifinal 2:
Australia entered this game with injury scares. Warner was having a great tournament up until this point. He did not click this time but Smith did. Australia never looked dominating the contest. Smith was brilliant. Carey was brave but 224 was not enough. Definitely not with Roy in the kind of form he is in. Australia were defending champions but I think they put up a good show overall throughout this tournament. 7 months back they were in shambles. England were too good. They have played pretty solid cricket consistently over last 3years. They look hungry. They look determined. They look confident. They are at the doorstep of creating history at Lord's. They may achieve something really special tomorrow.
Final:
I predicted Australia vs NZ for tomorrow after India were knocked out. My prediction was incorrect like some earlier ones but I did say before this world Cup that Kane Williamson lifting the trophy is not going to surprise me. He never let the situation get to affect his thinking. NZ has won some crunch games in this tournament including the big semi final. England are favourites. NZ are underdogs.Morgan's leadership too has been very influential just like Williamson's. I feel NZ is better in handling pressure winning key moments and more importantly are less burdened with expectations. Key battles: BoultvsRoy. WoakesvsWilliamson. Guptill may get his bat doing all the talking. Ben Stokes.... He is always in the game...Will CDG have a bigger impact and answer to that question will have a say in whatever happens.let us not forget Adil Rashid but again ket us not forget Taylor. There is very assuring Root but then there is ever so assuring Kane Williamson.
I have a feeling NZ are going to have a big party tomorrow and even if they don't, they must be very proud of the way they have played. One way or the other some dreams will come true
Questions around India's lack of intent in that game were abuzz all over SM and in all fairness were justifiable. Whatever the reasons or approach, it was not good cricket. England rediscovered their flow with Roy coming back and after that game. Pooran Babar Azam Pant Afridi Mujib Fernando Rassie Carey are all future superstars for their teams and showed glimpses of their capabilities. SA never looked their fluent and fluid best. SL put in couple of very impressive performances. Afghanistan too showed some promising signs after poor start. WI too under delivered and were capable of doing better than what they did. Pakistan remained unpredictable. Made life difficult for themselves against Afghanistan. Lost to WI and overpowered the finalists. Bangladesh are progressing with giant strides.it has been an enjoyable world cup. I think this format of 10 teams with everyone playing everyone is the way forward and a fantastic idea.
Okay now the semifinalists. 90% people got these 4 semifinalists. India and England have played some splendid white ball cricket in past 18 months. People expected them to meet in final. NZ usually are consistent and never short of a talented spectrum of players. Australia were waiting for Warner and Smith and buoy have those 2 made some serious difference. They have. They are bankable and impact players.
Semifinal 1
Rain returned to have its say in knock out stage. The game spread over 2 days. India's much celebrated and efficient top order was tested and did not click. Bowlers did their job. 240 was gettable. Jadeja and Dhoni dragged India back and almost dragged them over the line. Some criticism for Pant's irresponsible shot. Sure enough, he got impatient too soon. But I feel fans have been too harsh. One can say the same about Pandya. Jadeja almost wiped off that spill. I think he played innings of his life. MS Dhoni. Definitely the most talked about batsman in India's middle order over past 20 months. At 5/3 almost a billion people believed in him. It says a lot about him . His mere presence has been very reassuring over the years. Many would have switched off their TV sets when that magic from Guptill hit the stumps. What a game. One of the most enthralling semifinals in this century. Virat Kohli has led well but again so near yet so far. NZ played better cricket held their nerve and deserving finalists. Kane Williamson are backbone of their batting and we know why. Santner is a cool customer. Boult is world class and Ferguson is quick impressive and smart. I will not be surprised if Kane Williamson lifts the trophy tomorrow.
Semifinal 2:
Australia entered this game with injury scares. Warner was having a great tournament up until this point. He did not click this time but Smith did. Australia never looked dominating the contest. Smith was brilliant. Carey was brave but 224 was not enough. Definitely not with Roy in the kind of form he is in. Australia were defending champions but I think they put up a good show overall throughout this tournament. 7 months back they were in shambles. England were too good. They have played pretty solid cricket consistently over last 3years. They look hungry. They look determined. They look confident. They are at the doorstep of creating history at Lord's. They may achieve something really special tomorrow.
Final:
I predicted Australia vs NZ for tomorrow after India were knocked out. My prediction was incorrect like some earlier ones but I did say before this world Cup that Kane Williamson lifting the trophy is not going to surprise me. He never let the situation get to affect his thinking. NZ has won some crunch games in this tournament including the big semi final. England are favourites. NZ are underdogs.Morgan's leadership too has been very influential just like Williamson's. I feel NZ is better in handling pressure winning key moments and more importantly are less burdened with expectations. Key battles: BoultvsRoy. WoakesvsWilliamson. Guptill may get his bat doing all the talking. Ben Stokes.... He is always in the game...Will CDG have a bigger impact and answer to that question will have a say in whatever happens.let us not forget Adil Rashid but again ket us not forget Taylor. There is very assuring Root but then there is ever so assuring Kane Williamson.
I have a feeling NZ are going to have a big party tomorrow and even if they don't, they must be very proud of the way they have played. One way or the other some dreams will come true
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