Things have moved on at the men’s T20 world cup since the USA’s great victory over Pakistan. There have been several more upsets since then, and more than one of the big name teams is in danger of falling at the first hurdle. In this post I look at some of the more significant developments.
IRELAND v CANADA
The day after the USA downed Pakistan in a match that went to a super over full member nation Ireland took on associate member nation Canada. Canada not only won the match, they did so without the need for a super over, and indeed without any result other than a win for Canada ever looking very likely.
ENGLAND IN JEOPARDY
England started their world cup with a match against neighbours Scotland. This match was ruined by rain, but England cannot claim to have been robbed of the points since in the ten overs that were possible Scotland amassed 90-0, and this in a tournament in which big scores have been very much the exception rather than the rule. In England’s second match of the tournament they faced Australia, and at no stage of that match did any result other than a comfortable Australian victory look likely. That result duly eventuated. Scotland, having had a potential big day out ruined by rain now faced Oman, and although Oman fared respectably with the bat, scoring 150 in their 20 overs, Scotland left no doubt as to their intentions in the run chase. George Munsey gave them a flying start with 41 off 21 balls, Brandon McMullen continued the good work with 61 not out in 31 balls and Matthew Cross weighed win 15 not out off 8 balls to see Scotland to an eight wicket victory with 6.5 overs to spare, which gave them a massive net run rate boost. England cannot now do more than equal Scotland’s points tally, which since the two countries would in that event have identical win/ loss records would mean that it comes down to net run rate. My own opinion based on what England have done in the tournament so far is that they do not deserve to qualify for the next stage of the competition. If cricketing justice is done and England do indeed fall at the first hurdle that should see the end of Matthew Mott as white ball coach and of Jos Buttler as white ball captain.
PAKISTAN IN TROUBLE
In many ways it would have been typical of Pakistan to come off the back of a loss to the USA and beat India a few days later, and when India could do no better than 119 from their 20 overs it looked on. However Pakistan messed up the run chase appallingly, and India won by 12 runs, meaning that Pakistan are looking at an early exit.
NEW ZEALAND THRASHED
I cannot say much about this match as I missed it due to the fact that it happened between 1:30AM and 4:30AM my time. However, Afghanistan won it comfortably, and New Zealand at least for the present must be a trifle worried.
SOUTH AFRICA TOP ORDER WOES
South Africa are not in danger of failing to qualify, but they have not been entirely convincing either – they took 17 overs to chase 77 in their first match, almost the full 20 to chase 103 in their second – at one stage of that pursuit they were 12-4 before David Miller rescued them. They are currently in action against Bangladesh, batting first this time, and they are 23-4 in the fifth over, having just lost the fourth wicket as I was typing this – a third successive top order collapse.
PHOTOGRAPHS
My usual sign off…
aspiblog 