The Official, one and only, Men's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 thread

[OomStruisbaai]

No way Pakitan can qualify from here.

[OomStruisbaai]

And now there are four left. Can we get a SA vs NZ final again?

[Gumboot]

And now there are four left. Can we get a SA vs NZ final again?

If you guys win this bloody world cup as well, I think I'll go bush for the next four years.

[Biffer]

And now there are four left. Can we get a SA vs NZ final again?

If you guys win this bloody world cup as well, I think I'll go bush for the next four years.

Didn’t know you were a shaver just now. TMI.

[OomStruisbaai]

And now there are four left. Can we get a SA vs NZ final again?

If you guys win this bloody world cup as well, I think I'll go bush for the next four years.

[Insane_Homer]

finaltable.png (60.03 KiB) Viewed 1762 times

[Thor Sedan]

Anyone seeing NZ getting up and pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history (based on current form)?

Or is it just a question of who India will beat in the final?

[ScarfaceClaw]

My order of preference to win this thing are:

NZ
Straya
Sefrica
Daylight
The end of the world
A universe of emptiness and darkness
India

[Sandstorm]

My order of preference to win this thing are:

NZ
Straya
Sefrica
Daylight
The end of the world
A universe of emptiness and darkness
India

India is infinitely more palatable with Hardyk Pandya injured....but I agree with your rating.

[assfly]

The format of this tournament was awful.

A gazzilion matches, and then straight into semi-finals.

I much prefer pool games.

[Sandstorm]

The format of this tournament was awful.

A gazzilion matches, and then straight into semi-finals.

I much prefer pool games.

9 matches in 4 weeks has resulted in a lot of injuries. Another round e.g. 1/4 finals, and I think the players would collapse.

[Enzedder]

The format of this tournament was awful.

A gazzilion matches, and then straight into semi-finals.

I much prefer pool games.

9 matches in 4 weeks has resulted in a lot of injuries. Another round e.g. 1/4 finals, and I think the players would collapse.

A true test of fitness and ability. I love it.

It has gone on too long - perhaps reduce the numbers by 2

[OomStruisbaai]

The format of this tournament was awful.

A gazzilion matches, and then straight into semi-finals.

I much prefer pool games.

9 matches in 4 weeks has resulted in a lot of injuries. Another round e.g. 1/4 finals, and I think the players would collapse.

A true test of fitness and ability. I love it.

It has gone on too long - perhaps reduce the numbers by 2

Then the Proteas would not made it.

[Enzedder]

9 matches in 4 weeks has resulted in a lot of injuries. Another round e.g. 1/4 finals, and I think the players would collapse.

A true test of fitness and ability. I love it.

It has gone on too long - perhaps reduce the numbers by 2

Then the Proteas would not made it.

If part of the process is actually qualifying for it, then so what. The biggest world cup is the FIFA one and loads of good teams don't qualify.

[Thor Sedan]

I see that the Indian side is telling the ICC what kind of pitch they want for the semi against NZ.

[Insane_Homer]

Big day today. Good luck keewees, you can do this!

[Insane_Homer]

Local boy Rohit and Williamson are out for the toss. India win the toss and opt to bat. Both sides are unchanged.

fuck!

[Thor Sedan]

Local boy Rohit and Williamson are out for the toss. India win the toss and opt to bat. Both sides are unchanged.

fuck!

ICC know who they want in the final.

[ScarfaceClaw]

So it would seem that the pitch for the match has been changed in the day. India not even trying to hide it anymore. They will win the WC. The other teams may as well pay for their name to be engraved on the trophy and head off to the airport.

[Sandstorm]

So it would seem that the pitch for the match has been changed in the day. India not even trying to hide it anymore. They will win the WC. The other teams may as well pay for their name to be engraved on the trophy and head off to the airport.

Sigh. These various World Cups are breaking Kiwi minds everywhere.

[Sandstorm]

Rohit not fucking around in the Powerplay.

[Kiwias]

Rohit Sharma is crushing us at the moment

[Ymx]

This is going as predicted

[Ymx]

Boom

[Kiwias]

Kohli saved by a tiiiiiny nick

[Kiwias]

Boom

That was a superb catch by KW

[Thor Sedan]

So it would seem that the pitch for the match has been changed in the day. India not even trying to hide it anymore. They will win the WC. The other teams may as well pay for their name to be engraved on the trophy and head off to the airport.

Sigh. These various World Cups are breaking Kiwi minds everywhere.

Weeeell in this World Cup we are up against it - India are a better. So when a pitch gets changed just before the game - to a pitch that meets the 'wants' for one side in their home World Cup.....you can understand why some Kiwi's would be a bit on the side of an eyebrow raise.

You'd do the same if it was you as the happy opposition.

Not sure why India felt they needed another advantage - they should beat us pretty comfortably.

[Kiwias]

Ferguson seems intent on giving them batting practice on the leg stump

[Thor Sedan]

Ferguson seems intent on giving them batting practice on the leg stump

I've never been that impressed with Ferguson.

He can bowl quick - but he is so expensive. He had 1 or 2 decent goes in the IPL where his slower ball did some damage - but he has been so far off that form for the last 2 or 3 seasons.

I feel like he is a box ticker when selected - 'we need a fast bowler' for something different than our medium fast swing guys.

Losing Henry has been a massive blow as he was bowling well - Jamieson was a 1 season wonder and I have no idea why NZC shipped him in to country.

Oh well.....I guess I will be cheering on either Australia or SA against the uniquely unlikable India team.

[clydecloggie]

Looking like a 400+ target already with Kohli now playing himself in.

[Thor Sedan]

TBF - it would be a travesty if India didn't make it into the final. They are without doubt the best side in the tournament.

[Kiwias]

India are the team I support after NZ. I just don’t get the intense dislike many people have for them. Some superb batsmen in top form, a varied and skilled bowling attack, backed by excellent fielding and a great approach to the game.

[Thor Sedan]

India are the team I support after NZ. I just don’t get the intense dislike many people have for them. Some superb batsmen in top form, a varied and skilled bowling attack, backed by excellent fielding and a great approach to the game.

It's because they are good, having massive financial backing, a huge amount of power in the backrooms of the game and a fanatical fanbase that can sometimes appear slightly entitled. I guess also the fact that they can call on a player base of over 5 million registered players - they are the original bully picking on the weak kids.

[clydecloggie]

I can't fault the Indian players - they are incredibly skilled and a joy to watch.

the BCCI on the other hand makes the collective Tier 1 rugby unions look like the Magnanimous Altruists Society, and is responsible for the slow death of cricket outside of a handful of countries.

[Big D]

Not world cup related but this is good to see:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/67425770

He has always spoken about wanting to get into coaching, or at least has on podcasts I have heard him on.

[-RB-]

Sup fellas?

Shame to see Gill go off like that he was playing brilliantly. Surely can't just be cramp, must be a hammy, calf or knee or something.

Would be a big asterisk if we ended up pulling this one out of the fire somehow.

[Thor Sedan]

Lockie looks like he is struggling with fitness as well.

[Sandstorm]

India are the team I support after NZ. I just don’t get the intense dislike many people have for them. Some superb batsmen in top form, a varied and skilled bowling attack, backed by excellent fielding and a great approach to the game.

It's because they are good, having massive financial backing, a huge amount of power in the backrooms of the game and a fanatical fanbase that can sometimes appear slightly entitled. I guess also the fact that they can call on a player base of over 5 million registered players - they are the original bully picking on the weak kids.

Plus their fans in the crowd can't catch for shit

[-RB-]

India are the team I support after NZ. I just don’t get the intense dislike many people have for them. Some superb batsmen in top form, a varied and skilled bowling attack, backed by excellent fielding and a great approach to the game.

It's because they are good, having massive financial backing, a huge amount of power in the backrooms of the game and a fanatical fanbase that can sometimes appear slightly entitled. I guess also the fact that they can call on a player base of over 5 million registered players - they are the original bully picking on the weak kids.

Plus their fans in the crowd can't catch for shit

Probably scared they'll tumble to their deaths in that deathtrap of a stadium.

[Kiwias]

I can't fault the Indian players - they are incredibly skilled and a joy to watch.

the BCCI on the other hand makes the collective Tier 1 rugby unions look like the Magnanimous Altruists Society, and is responsible for the slow death of cricket outside of a handful of countries.

I share the common disgust for the BCCI and agree with Thor Sedan’s points except the last one. It seems harsh to criticize the team for making the most of the advantages they enjoy.