The ODI World Cup is at the business end of the tournament. More than a month of league games are finally done and dusted and the 4 semi-finalists were decided during the last week of the tournament. Two of them, India and Australia have reached the final-4 stage as predicted by every expert, whereas New Zealand, who have always been a dark horse, has also made it to the final 4 though the manner of how they reached their will not satisfy them. After a fabulous start, they lost their way and found themselves jostling with Pakistan and Afghanistan for the final spot. Nevertheless, they have reached the target.
The 4th semifinalist proved to be someone who was expected to reach there. South Africa. They played a brand of cricket that was not seen from them. Temba Bavuma continues to be a problem at the top of the order and so is their fallibility while chasing. Quinton, Van der Dussen and Klaasen are doing most of the damage with the bat with Jansen chipping in often. Nonetheless, they have proved that they deserve to be in the semi-finals by virtue of their display against top nations.
Let me analyse the group stage
I will start with my country, India. We Indians could not believe the top 4. It is not that India is in the top 4 but the manner of how the team reached there is unbelievable. We are not used to India reaching the knockouts of any tournament at the first opportunity. There will always be hiccups and in most of the tournaments, we depend on the performance of other teams to lose badly for us to proceed. Social media is awash with India losing atleast one league game so that the jinx will be removed before the final rounds. We do not consider the fact that Australia for two and a half World Cups, remained undefeated because this is India and we have to lose some game. We have been tuned into that mindset.
However, this time, things changed drastically. Not only did India reach the knockout at the first given opportunity but we have done so without losing a single game. The fact that the tournament is being held in India is an advantage but even so, to win 9 games on the trot is a feat no many teams can boast about.
Australia and South Africa
Things fell in place for Australia the moment David Warner started to score runs. He not only gave the team a flying start but he ensured that he stayed at the wicket for a longtime. On the otherhand, Smith’s and Labuschagne’s continued lack of success, though Smith has scored a couple of 50s, may haunt them in the knockouts. Australia will bank on the fact that South Africa traditionally have been if not scared, atleast indecisive against them.
After being defeated by India and South Africa, they won 7 games on the trot including a breathtaking Maxwell assault against Afghanistan. It means that they have come back to their winning ways which will surely improve their confidence. A confident Australia is a dangerous opponent.
As for South Africa, as I have written above, they have played a brand of cricket not seen from them. Under Bavuma, they have reached their first goal but to proceed from here will take a lot of doing. This is Quinton’s final tournament and he will be itching to make a big contribution. Bavuma is a weak link from which South Africa will not be able to extricate themselves unless he is injured. They did have some nervy moments including that famous boundary by Keshav Maharaj against Pakistan. It all depends on how they are able to handle their nerve against Australia. Yes, they did defeat them in the league phase but they know that Australia in the semis is a different beast.
Afghanistan, Pakistan and England
Easily the most disappointing side and the most exciting side finished in the middle. Afghanistan will rue the loss, of all teams, against Bangladesh. If they had won that, knowing that a win would allow them to the next round, could have won against Australia too. It was a performance that was nothing short of impressive. Afghanistan has the talent and the potential despite the meagre opportunities that they get. With a lot more exposure, they can easily become the 2nd best side in the sub-continent, easily defeating the likes of Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and giving a close fight to Pakistan. What they need is more games and a proper first-class structure. Knowing the situation in their country, it would be miracle but if India could arrange for the Afghans to play in the Indian first-class system or organise Afghanistan’s first-class structure, that would help them immensely.
England was the most disappointing side. Not only did they failed to make it to the semi-finals but until the last game, they were in danger of being disqualified from next year’s Champions Trophy. Their batting failed, bowling failed and the entire team ran like headless chickens. Root and Bairstow did not perform in a single game that mattered. They actually went back to the England of 2014 and before.
It was strange that Pakistan despite their 4 losses, remained in contention almost till the end. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi were treated with disdain by every opponent.
The bottom teams
Bangladesh, Netherlands and Sri Lanka provided the occasional thrill but nothing beyond that. Bangladesh, despite being awarded Test status almost 30 years ago, has not done anything of note. Their game has actually gone backwards. It is time to send them back to associate nation status. The same opportunities if given to Afghanistan, by now, they would have been among the 4 semi-finalists.
Wrapping up tournament is at the business end
Let’s see what the semi-finals throw up.
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