The All New World Cup 2023 Thread.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like SA are stuffed.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe NL will beat England.

[Arthur Crabtree]

helps England out, of course. Stops 4 teams getting away from them, while they languish on one win with the minnows, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Australia and the Netherlands

England aren't going to qualify. They need to start making plans for four years' time.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done Neds!

[Durhamfootman]

well done indeed

is this a bigger shock than Afghanistan beating England?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Marginally.

[bigfluffylemon]

Marginally.

I reckon so. Afghanistan have several strong players in domestic leagues and qualified automatically for this tournament. They're ranked 9 in the world while Netherlands are 14. Meanwhile, England are half-cooked, while South Africa were the form team of the tournament up until now.

Both England and South Africa should be up for it at the weekend. South Africa have less to lose than England, but things are finally starting to get interesting at this tournament.

[Slipstream]

Stokes will be back so Buttler will let him take over. Buttler missing Ali (secret captain) to tell him what to do. England to beat South Africa.

[bigfluffylemon]

England to beat South Africa.

Big call. Wish I shared that confidence!

[alfie]

England to beat South Africa.

Big call. Wish I shared that confidence!

Fifty- fifty I reckon. Both have showed serious weaknesses but have plenty of class players so down to who turns up on the day. (To be fair only India and NZ haven't had at least one poor effort so far : I would suggest making predictions about this WC too far in advance is a fool's errand !)

What most worries me about England is they don't seem mentally settled. Bit undecided about desired team balance ; maybe too willing to keep faith in players who are really out of form ? Hints that they may stick with the same XI : fine if they come good ; but a bit late to change if faith proves fruitless. Especially as it indicates the "reserves" just aren't trusted...

[Arthur Crabtree]

KW missing.

Game looks tougher for NZ than it might have appeared a few days ago.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Slow going for NZ. Presume this is a tricky track.

[Durhamfootman]

NZ are only on for 250 atm, with 6 overs to go. Unless there's late order fireworks, of course

[Durhamfootman]

which, right on cue, is what Phillips is suddenly offering

[Arthur Crabtree]

Old fashioned sort of innings for NZ.