Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

[nmrfox]

Group 1: Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England, Afghanistan
Group 2: India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh

So the sock, thwack, kapow tournament begins tomorrow. Difficult to see beyond the host nation winning it, but in such a short format, I suppose anything can happen. Looking forward to India v Pakistan, hopefully the rains which ruined the weekends play will have moved away from Dharamsala by Saturday.

[Southport Zeb]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

India v Pakistan has been moved to Kolkota as there were problems with security in Dharamsala.

[nmrfox]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Of course it has. Trying to concentrate at work and starting a thread obviously beyond my capabilities. Thanks for the correction SZ.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

It's not cricket, but it is a lot of fun. It's cricket's version of rugby sevens. I hope too that either Afghanistan or Bangladesh cause an upset, as has happened in previous versions, so as to make sure the ICC don't try and close the door again to all the associate members (for this, and future World Cups).

[Etienne]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

It may be the opposite, it's been Ireland and Kenya knocking out rich countries before the knock-out stages in the past that has led to the ICC trying to close the door.

India are nothing special, their batting is good at home, but their pace bowling is very inexperienced. They could win, and I wouldn't argue against them being favourites, but any of seven teams could win it if things click for them. (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka don't have the batting)

[moo cowe]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Given Bangladesh made the final of the Asia cup a few weeks ago, I'm not sure any victory of theirs could truly be described as an upset. They were the hosts of that tournament though.

[longeared]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

I see there's a couple of players in the parallel women's tournament who were born in the 21st century.

Nadia Akter (Bangladesh) - March 2000
Gaby Lewis (Ireland) - March 2001

[Satchmo Distel]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Lewis is the third generation of her family to play for Ireland, and the 2nd youngest international cricketer of all-time:

https://in.news.yahoo.com/13-old-gaby-lewis-becomes-064119831.html

http://www.foxsports.com.au/news/teenager-gaby-lewis-becomes-first-international-cricketer-to-be-born-in-21st-century/news-story/be884649721b5de0d04888bf5baf81a6?from=public_rss&u tm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed&nk=4aaddb 7ddeb2ec97837509d81337e343-1458047588

[E10 Rifle]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Ashish Nehra's still playing. Blimey. And picked up a wicket. New Zealand hitting sixes and getting out and doing not much inbetween so far.

[Satchmo Distel]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

And now a stumping.

I wonder if the two finalists might be in this group (India, Aus), with everyone else playing for losing semi status. England's opener v WI looks like a "must win".

Nehra 37 next month, back in the side after 5 years purely on IPL form.

[E10 Rifle]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

That was pretty hapless from New Zealand. You expect more from them. India to win by the 14th over.

[San Bernardhinault]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Hmm. This looks interesting now. If only I had a way to watch this... *cough*

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

India 39/5. Pressure now on.

[E10 Rifle]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Yeah don't take betting tips off me

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

All over: India 79 all out.

[ursus arctos]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

India have lost all five T20I they have played against New Zealand.

[San Bernardhinault]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Let's hope this augurs well for a fun, unpredictable tournament.

[Etienne]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Ahahahaha.

[Lucy Waterman]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Great game today. Excellent entertainment. And the cojones on New Zealand, to leave out Boult and Southee and have the decision pay off in spades.

Tomorrow will be interesting. England's problem across all formats is that they have a few matchwinners and a number of very ordinary players. T20 is the format where that should matter least - if the matchwinners fire.

As a Hampshire supporter, I am as baffled by the lack of James Vince in the predicted first XI as I am by the inclusion of Liam Dawson in the squad. I've seen Dawson many more times than Trevor Bayliss has, and while I love him dearly, an international all-rounder he is not.

[Lucy Waterman]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Spotters badge tomorrow to anyone who hears a commentator bemoaning the absence of James Taylor, as if nurdling singles at a strike rate of around 80 would help in this format.

[ad hoc]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Pakistan laying waste to Bangladesh's bowling it seems. Set fair for a total well in excess of 200

[ad hoc]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Not well in excess in the end thanks to a couple of late wickets, but 201, all the same. Will be very hard for Bangladesh to get close to that

[ad hoc]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Bangladesh need 68 off the last over. We need some serious overstepping here

[ad hoc]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Pakistan win by 55. So much for their weak batting. Sounds like they both batted and bowled superbly in this game.

[ursus arctos]

Distorted Vision: 20/20 World Cup

Notwithstanding my primary allegiance to the Windies, I must admit to harbouring a hope that Pakistan respond to the Hindu nationalist nonsense surrounding this tournament by winning the whole thing.