T20 World Cup: Cricket

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The final two matches in group 1 today:

10:00 Australia vs West Indies

14:00 England vs South Africa


If Australia win they go through... maybe not mathematically certain but SA would have to have a BIG win over England to get a better runrate than Australia. Indeed if England beat SA, Australia may well go through even if they also lose to WI.

And as I write the WIs have just finished their innings at 157-7, it seems an ok toal, but 2 sixes off the last two balls could make all the difference. Having said that Australia should be able to get there, but I'm sure they would have preferred a lower target!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It was quite comfortable for Australia in the end reaching the total with almost 4 overs remaining. They stand in 2nd place at the moment but to lose that position SA will need that Big win over England.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

So SA beat England but it was only by 10 runs, they needed to win by a far larger margin to get a place in the next stage. So at the end of the Group 1 games England and Australia progress to the Semi-Finals.

Group 2 will wrap up over the next 2 days to see who will join Pakistan in the Semi-finals.

[Zzzptm]

Well done, UK and Oz!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The early game today is New Zealand vs Afghanistan, if New Zealand win then they join Pakistan in the Semi-finals regrdless of tomorrows game between India and Namibia. I think NZ should win today although the Afghans have a chance of progressing themselves with the right set of results.

The late game today is Pakistan vs Scotland. Pretty much a dead game as Pakistan are already through and Scotland are only playing for pride! I suspect Pakistan will have a big win.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

NZ had a comfortable win today, so join Pakistan in the semi-finals. Pakistan are currently playing Scotland and if they win they go through as group winners.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Scotland duly lost to Pakistan and the semi-final line up is now complete. I can't help thinking the organisers thought tomorrows India vs Namibia match might have had something riding on it... but it's a dead duck!

Semi Final 1 on Wednesday is England vs New Zealand

Semi Final 2 on Thursday is Pakistan vs Australia

A KDC vs JtS final is on the cards!

[Jack the Stripper]

I’m tipping an England v Pakistan final but funnier things have happened.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

India won their last game against Namibia. Too little too late, they'll not be getting a heroes welcome back home.


Today we have the first semi-final starting at 14:00 GMT

England vs New Zealand

Both teams are playing well and this could go either way. Obviously I'm rooting for England.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

England batted first and scored 166 runs. It's a solid total but I'm not convinced it's going to be enough.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Yep, not enough, NZ won with an over to spare!

[Jack the Stripper]

Revenge must’ve been sweet for NZ after being ripped off in the ODI World Cup final in 2019 lmao

Seriously though. What a cricketing nation NZ is. Made the ODI WC final in 2019(got dudded) Won the World test championship last year, and now are in the T20 WC final.

Did England choke?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Nah! They didn't choke, they didn't put enough runs on the board!

But England probably recognised this as the least important format of the game and decided to let NZ win!

So an Australia-NZ final could happen!


Todays secod semi-final starting at 14:00 GMT

Pakistan vs Australia

Pakistan are unbeaten, but the Aussies always raise their game when it matters. Could go either way.
 

[Jack the Stripper]

England seemingly had NZ on the ropes. Their 2 best batsman were out early, Guptill 3rd ball and Williamson 3rd over. At the half way mark they had NZ 2/58 chasing 166. Got down to NZ needing 57 off 23 balls and they got there with an over to spare. Call it what you will, a choke or not enough runs, either way, England blew it.

I actually think T20 has gone past ODI, that’s where the money and the crowds are these days, a lot of players and fans prefer it over Test cricket now.

Australia has already exceeded expectations given their form in T20 cricket in the last 18 months so whatever happens from here is a bonus. I won’t lie though, I’d love to win tonight and then beat our other arch rivals in the final.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Yes, ok, they choked !! 


Pakistan batted first and gave just posted 176 from their 20 overs. That's a tricky total, but one which I would expect the Aussies to get if they have a good game.