Cricket World Cup

[sasquatch]

THAT'S MY TEAM! Go Black Caps! (thanks Wikipedia).

I couldn't find the game on but did see a good chunk of the highlights. It sure seemed like New Zealand was dominating, watching their batsman wind up and smash it was awesome. I'm all aboard the Kiwi team bandwagon now!

Another Lawman question: When a batsman hits a 6 into the crowd do they have to throw the ball back? I was reading a bit about how the ball gets worn and if it's lost the umpires go to reasonable lengths to replace it with a ball worn in a similar amount.

The crowd throw it back yes. On rare occasions it gets lost or "lost" so they will replace it. In test match cricket (5 day game) they use the ball for 80 overs, before replacing it with a new one, sometimes the ball may lose its shape or get too worn so a suitable replacement can be used.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Huge match today. HUGE! It all starts in less than two hours! I should have bought tickets. I cannot figure out why I didn't. I cannot think of a single reason why I didn't get tickets for this match. Eden Park is just across town.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Anyone else watching this?!?!?!!!! Tell me someone else is watching NZ dismantle the Australian batting lineup.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Seriously... It's 109-9 now. I cannot believe the collapse.

[Atomic Wedgy]

That was a crazy cricket match. CRAZY!!!! No one can doubt that NZ can win it all now. They have the ability to beat any team in a ODI.

[Maaaasquito]

damn it was crazy... I was hoping for that hattrick from Starc... nailbiting...

[sasquatch]

Sure was nail biting stuff!! brilliant and very weird game... Boult deserved Man of the match honours, not for his 5 wickets but for playing those 2 balls at the end!

Williamson is the man, he will be the best New Zealand cricketer ever (well, batter anyway) by the time he hangs up his gloves. Kid already has 15 international 100s to his name... 15!!

Was an intense game.

[suvojitde]

Sorry, did not see this sooner. Huge cricket enthusiast here.

[suvojitde]

Who is the favourite this year? Is Sachin (spelling?) still playing for India?

Sachin retired. Favorites are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. India has outside chance.

[suvojitde]

Glad I found this thread! I`ve been fascinated and confused by cricket since I took my first trip to Scotland about 10 years ago. I`ve watched a few of the World Cup matches, or part thereof, and I have a couple questions perhaps some kind folks on here can answer for me.

1. As I understand it in World Cup Cricket matches are limited to 50 overs (50 x 6 =300 deliveries) compared to Test Cricket where a batsman bats until he is put out. Does this tend to cause batsmen to be more aggressive knowing their team only have 300 deliveries with which to score relative to Test Cricket where they have an unlimited number? Likewise, doesn't this make a put out worth relatively less, if you can't get 10 outs you end up delivering 300 times regardless right?

2. Does the limit in the number of overs cause any large strategy changes in either bowler use or batting order? I’m guessing a team will want to use its top batsman first to ensure they get as many deliveries as possible.



3. What percentage of the time can you expect to see a team have its entire team put out before the 50 overs are completed?

4. Who should I cheer for; make your case!

Thanks in Advance.

1. Correct. 300 legit deliveries means the teams need to make more runs in those stipulated deliveries. Consequently, the bowlers (the folks who bowl) have a more defensive midset to ensure that their deliveries go for less runs.

2. Lots of strategy. New ball bowlers (the bowlers who get to bowl with the fresh, new ball) try to get wickets (the batsmen outs) early so that they can put pressure on the batting team. In the end of teh 50 overs, the batters go hard to get as many runs as they can, to notch as high a score as they possibly can.

3. Very low, unless it's a one sided game (not evenly matched teams). It is a game (especially the ODIs) heavily tilted towards the batters.

4. Australia, New Zealand are aggressive and being the host countries, also the favorites. Indians, South Africans and the Pakistanis are fun to watch. There are numerous good individual players to watch as well.

[suvojitde]

Now that the group games are done, on to serious business. Here is how I see these.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa should be a dandy - whoever does better between Sangakkara and AB De Villiers wins that game.
India vs Bangladesh - I am hoping does not end up being 1 sided. India is looking good.
Australia vs Pakistan - Australia bowling is too strong for the weak Pak batting line-up
New Zealand vs West Indies - New Zealand has too many in form players for West Indies to stand a chance

Onto the semis:
South Africa/Sri Lanka vs New Zealand - again, NZ at home, too many guns.
Australia vs India - could be the match of the tournament, but Australia is probably too strong

Australia vs New Zealand FINAL.

[sasquatch]

Currently crapping myself, as I type this taylor and Guptill are in NZ 120/2 chasing 298...

I don't trust Elliot at 5... These two need a big partnership

Tense match!

[Maaaasquito]

Currently crapping myself, as I type this taylor and Guptill are in NZ 120/2 chasing 298...

I don't trust Elliot at 5... These two need a big partnership

Tense match!

Going well so far... might be a matchup against the Aussies at the MCG for the finals...

[Atomic Wedgy]

Grant Elliott you freaking legend. That was an incredible cricket match. I wont be able to sleep. NZ is in the world cup final! hahahaha That is ****ing awesome.

[sasquatch]

Just had kittens watching that, far too stressful, amazing game, Saffas bowled so well for the most part. Some poor fielding under pressure and they lost because of it..

Bring on the indians in the final