2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (50 over version)

David Willey is to retire from international cricket after the World Cup.

I doubt many expected South Africa to inflict a 190-run defeat over the Kiwis. The injuries are piling up for New Zealand and the Proteas took advantage after Henry went down in this game. A double century stand between de Kock (114) and van der Dussen (133) set the platform for Miller's quick-fire 50. The target of 358 proved too much as the Kiwis lost regular wickets with 60 from Phillips the only innings of substance. They eventually succumbed to 167 all out in the 36 over.

Despite the format being flawed in my opinion, we are now getting the jeopardy that a showpiece event like the world cup should have as a matter of course. We have got there almost by accident rather than than design, but 'beggars can't be choosers'. Is it now conceivable that NZ miss out on the Semis?? seemed impossible, but it just shows that the one true competition International cricket has to offer (must remain) asks a lot of teams /nations that bi - laterals just do not!

I was watching the Wisden cricket podcast team reviewing today's match, and they were going through endless permutations (just took too long to arrive at such scenarios and gave too many chances to teams - Eng 5 defeats and technically still in??), highlighting the 'big' matches to come. One they omitted was the Afghanistan/Netherlands match up! I am really looking forward to that one - in its own right - but in terms of Afghanistan progressing to the knock outs! They need two from three I think?? - results elsewhere dependent??, so maybe wont need the Aussies to be the other one which would aid them considerably!

True boom I was expecting a tight game between new Zealand and South Africa both on paper have been pretty mixed in the last few years the kiwis just seem to be running low on fuel when it comes to bowling whilst got the England batting nightmare

Madusanka finished with 5-80 as he removed Rohit early and then a double strike of Gill (92) and Kohli (88). Shreyas Iyer scored a quick-fire 88 before he became another scalp for Madusanka. Jadeja (35) took India's to 357-8.
Test Match level bowling by India's quicks 55 all out. Shami 5-18 Siraj 3-16. When these teams last played in the Asia Cup Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50 batting first.

Sri Lanka fell in a heap today! yes india always firm favourites with Sri Lanka inconsistent to say the least, but this is one few saw coming I would suggest!

Maxwell will miss the England game due to a concussion he suffered after falling off a golf cart. This comes after 5 months out with a broken leg he sustained at a birthday party. #accident-prone.

Afghanistan one step closer to the last four! Hope they can make it, but they may have to wait until SA in match 9. Australia are hitting there straps at just the wrong time for Afghanistan, and should be able to handle the 'magician' R Khan better than most! SA on the other hand somewhat unreliable when the chips are down, so a chink of light there??

New Zealand v Pakistan today. With New Zealand scoring an impressive 401 in their 50 overs.
Yet they still lost due to a couple of fine innings by Fakhar (126no) & Babar (66no).

They could say that they were unlucky with the weather which made the game end under Duckworth Lewis, but to be honest Pakistan were well on their way to a victory before the rain ended play.

^NZ have fallen off the wagon in a big way! As you rightly point out, somewhat unlucky with the weather, and of course, injuries! Maybe not this campaign either for them, so near yet so far??