Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[from_the_stands]

Afghanistan are moving to India. Their home matches will be played in Greater Noidia, near Delhi.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Shame the WCT20 has only two places (maximum) for associates, and potentially no places. Yet manages to stretch the competition over a month. The ICC claim that this competition is friendly to smaller nations...

I think the qualifying competition within the WC is a good thing, but it only delivers two teams into the competition, and BD, Ireland are in one group. If four went through, that would feel absolutely ruthless, so two is...

[dan08]

Shame the WCT20 has only two places (maximum) for associates, and potentially no places. Yet manages to stretch the competition over a month. The ICC claim that this competition is friendly to smaller nations...

I think the qualifying competition within the WC is a good thing, but it only delivers two teams into the competition, and BD, Ireland are in one group. If four went through, that would feel absolutely ruthless, so two is...

The ICC always like to mention that this tournament gives more opportunities to associates but really they just have another qualifier before the main event. Everyone knows that 4 groups of 4 is the correct way to go. Even the ICC know that deep down but obviously the associate matches don't bring in enough money which is all that matters for them.

[Alviro Patterson]

Although the associates have to climb a mountain just to reach the Super 10s, I feel it's better than being in a Group of 3 against the test nations where they are barely more than cannon fodder. Should an associate reach the Super 10 stage (like the Netherlands did last year), at least they will have some momentum under their belt and be able to challenge the test nations.

The downfall of 4 groups of 4 is some groups will have 2 test nations and others with 3, giving a disadvantage for middle seeded test nations in reaching the knockout stages.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I wonder of people have reasonable expectation of what smaller nations should be be able to reasonably achieve. If we split 16 nations into four tiers:

Australia/South Africa/India/Sri Lanka
New Zealand/England/Pakistan/West Indies
Bangladesh/Ireland/Zimbabwe/Afghanistan
Scotland/Holland/Hong Kong/UAE

FOr example, you wouldn't expect the fourth rank to beat the first, but each level can beat the one above it, and probably dream of beating at least one of the teams that are two above. Just conceiving of HKvSA prejudices the project before it starts. Those unequal fixtures can be tolerated in the name of a more inclusive WC, and they can be hidden if necessary.

While progress has been slow, giving opportunity has tended to be rewarded over time. BD are breaking through. Zimbabwe would be decent if all other things were equal (and they kept their best players). Ireland have made great strides, hampered by losing players to England.

[dan08]

I wonder of people have reasonable expectation of what smaller nations should be be able to reasonably achieve. If we split 16 nations into four tiers:

Australia/South Africa/India/Sri Lanka
New Zealand/England/Pakistan/West Indies
Bangladesh/Ireland/Zimbabwe/Afghanistan
Scotland/Holland/Hong Kong/UAE

FOr example, you wouldn't expect the fourth rank to beat the first, but each level can beat the one above it, and probably dream of beating at least one of the teams that are two above. Just conceiving of HKvSA prejudices the project before it starts. Those unequal fixtures can be tolerated in the name of a more inclusive WC, and they can be hidden if necessary.

While progress has been slow, giving opportunity has tended to be rewarded over time. BD are breaking through. Zimbabwe would be decent if all other things were equal (and they kept their best players). Ireland have made great strides, hampered by losing players to England.

Hong Kong beat Bangladesh last year. Netherlands have beaten England twice. Last time was a huge thrashing. Netherlands also came up a few runs short v SA as well. 12 teams has to be the minimum. 16 is probably more sensible.

[Alviro Patterson]

The World Twenty20 can easily accomodate 12 teams without diluting quality, just add a semi-final qualifier for 2nd v 3rd to reduce the number of dead rubber matches.

Now that the World Twenty20 is becoming a 4 year event, i'd like to see the 2020 edition replicate the 2011/2015 CWC format (14 teams, 2 groups of 7). Granted the tournament might take longer to complete, but it gives Associate Nations good exposure levels whilst fulfiling TV and Sponsorship needs.

[The Professor]

Seems the India/Pakistan series is dead again. Pakistan are "not pursuing" it any longer.

[andy]

whole thing's gettting pretty boring now to be honest...move on

[GarlicJam]

Amusing 2015 Aus cricket quiz.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/12/21/20 ... cket-quiz/

I got 20 out of 10.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good work. I laughed at this!

[dan08]

Boyd Rankin is back with Ireland.

Big boost for them ahead of the World T20. They shouldn't miss John Mooney too much now.

[westoelad]

Brendan McCullum has announced his retirement from International cricket wef end of test series v Aussies in Feb. I.e. not available for World T20,

[sussexpob]

Brendan McCullum has announced his retirement from International cricket wef end of current NZ test series.

Suprising, but he can still make big dollar in IPL for many years.

[westoelad]

Brendan McCullum has announced his retirement from International cricket wef end of NZ v Aussie in Feb.

Suprising, but he can still make big dollar in IPL for many years.

Plus Bigbash,CPL and T20 blast. Love Brendan after his quote pre England v NZ series " We'll play aggressive cricket without the other silly stuff" i.e. sledging. And he was true to his word.