**Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I know a lot of Europeans here so I figured I'd start this thread. Australia is showing a piss poor performance right now, losing to ENGLAND (!!!) horribly and to NZ today. But I'm sure they'll get back at it in the world cup.

I really like South Africa this year as they have sooooo much talent and their batting order is ridiculously good. India is also good, but their bowling lineup might eventually lead to their demise. NZ looks strong as well, especially behind Bond's bowling.

Discuss.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Could someone give me the "for dummies" version of how this game works? I see it on Sky Sports through FSC every once in a while, but I really have no clue what this game is about. Anyone care to share?

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Is the cricket world cup one day cricket?

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is the cricket world cup one day cricket?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, obv. Otherwise it would extend for a long time. It's a really fun sport. As for the short version, I'll give it later, gotta run.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I still pick Oz if they get their top players back. I'm also hoping they give Tait a run - that guy is faster than anyone else at the moment and can be devastating.

Loads of teams have a decent chance, even the WI. SA may be no 1 in the ratings but have plenty of bad experiences against the Aussies. I hope India do well, their batting line-up can be awesome.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

i'm not gonna lie. i have no idea what the hell is going on in cricket. i've tried to see clips of it on youtube and the like, i've tried reading the guardian's over by over coverage, i've even tried reading the rules on wiki. i have no f idea what is going on. none.

all i know is that england is apparently pretty bad.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Quick Dummy Version - One Day international.

The playing field in an oval. There are two wickets (The three poles with bales on top) in the middle of the oval spread out by some distance (let's say 20 m - I really don't know this). There is a boundry (rope) around the perimeter of the field that a ball can roll over.

Each team consists of 11 players. One team bats, while the other team fields. An innings in ODI matches consists of 50 overs (300 legitimate bowls/pitches - 6/over) or 10 wickets/outs. Whichever happens first. There are a few ways to get out - hit ball caught in the air by a fielder, your wicket gets knocked down by the pitch (also it you block a ball with your pads that would have hit the wicket - leg before wicket), or your wicket gets knocked down while your are trying to score a run or out of the crease - run out.

East End Wicket --------- West End Wicket.

The first over will be bowled by one player from the East End. Then by a different player from West End, then from the East, etc. The maximum overs a single player can bowl in a ODI is 10 overs.

For the batting team, two players start. This is the opening partnership. Every combination of two batters is called a partnership. When one batter gets out a new partnership is formed until 50 overs or the 10th wicket is taken - no more batters left on batting team. There is no pinch hitting, etc. After one team bats their 50 overs/10 wickets, it's the other team's turn to try and beat their score.

Runs are scored by hitting the ball and the batters exchanging ends. So if the batter is at the east end and hits the ball, he and his partner can choose to exchange ends if they think they can make it. Each exchange of ends is worth a run. If a player hits the ball over the boundry on the ground, it is worth 4 runs. If it goes over on the fly, it's worth 6 runs.

There are some fielding restrictions at the start of a ODI, but I'm not really well versed in those. There are also no balls and wides, I forget exactly what these mean to scoring. They don't count towards the six pitches/over.

Anyway, that's probably all confusing, but I tried.

Edited thanks to sixfour and my disregard for details.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
i'm not gonna lie. i have no idea what the hell is going on in cricket. i've tried to see clips of it on youtube and the like, i've tried reading the guardian's over by over coverage, i've even tried reading the rules on wiki. i have no f idea what is going on. none.

all i know is that england is apparently pretty bad.

[/ QUOTE ]

It takes some getting used to. One thing I can say is that if a 7 hour day is recorded then you can watch it in 1-2 hours without missing anything by using fast forward between balls. Doesn't make it sound very intersting I know but it can be!

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

The thing that I liked about cricket when I lived in South Africa was that if I could sit and watch a day's worth of play in real time, my stress levels were generally at an all time low.

The chase batting is generally more interesting than the opening batting since there is a target that must be achieved to win.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
If a player hits the ball over the boundry on the ground, it is worth 4 runs. If it goes over on the fly, it's worth 6 runs.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
I still pick Oz if they get their top players back. I'm also hoping they give Tait a run - that guy is faster than anyone else at the moment and can be devastating.

Loads of teams have a decent chance, even the WI. SA may be no 1 in the ratings but have plenty of bad experiences against the Aussies. I hope India do well, their batting line-up can be awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]
If Lee and Symmonds don't play its wide open, can't see Oz as favorites without them as their bowling will be much too weak. They should try and persuade Warne to have a last hurrah.

England are about 7th favorites and even they will have a chance. Should be fun but 7 weeks is a bit much.

(BTW Just watched Hayden hit a record 181)

chez

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Anyone know if it will be available in HD anywhere? This and march madness, this is gonna be a great few months.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I still pick Oz if they get their top players back. I'm also hoping they give Tait a run - that guy is faster than anyone else at the moment and can be devastating.

Loads of teams have a decent chance, even the WI. SA may be no 1 in the ratings but have plenty of bad experiences against the Aussies. I hope India do well, their batting line-up can be awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]
If Lee and Symmonds don't play its wide open, can't see Oz as favorites without them as their bowling will be much too weak. They should try and persuade Warne to have a last hurrah.

England are about 7th favorites and even they will have a chance. Should be fun but 7 weeks is a bit much.

(BTW Just watched Hayden hit a record 181)

chez

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn, I recorded some of the cricket overnight to watch when I get home (using fast forward on Sky +). Now I read that Hayden hit 181!

You are probably right about the Aussie bowling attack, but they have hopes that Lee and Symmonds will be back for most of the games. Whether they will be 100% is another matter. If not, pick this boy Tait I say!

India have bowling issues too, but they could have hitters from 1-8 (well, except Dravid I guess) in the batting line up so should be worth watching.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I looked on the Sky site before - they just said that every game is covered but didn't mention HD. It would be a shame if not, it looks so much better in HD.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]

If Lee and Symmonds don't play its wide open, can't see Oz as favorites without them as their bowling will be much too weak. They should try and persuade Warne to have a last hurrah.

England are about 7th favorites and even they will have a chance. Should be fun but 7 weeks is a bit much.

(BTW Just watched Hayden hit a record 181)

chez

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotta agreee with that, NZ just chased down 346, without Lee the Australian attack has looked very very average here. Can't say I'm complaining though, we've been beaten so regularly by Australia that getting a few wins in has been extremely sweet. I think NZ can cause problems, but I don't think we have the bowlers to win the cup, particularly if Bond doesn't fire. I think South Africa have to go in as favourites now.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

If Lee and Symmonds don't play its wide open, can't see Oz as favorites without them as their bowling will be much too weak. They should try and persuade Warne to have a last hurrah.

England are about 7th favorites and even they will have a chance. Should be fun but 7 weeks is a bit much.

(BTW Just watched Hayden hit a record 181)

chez

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotta agreee with that, NZ just chased down 346, without Lee the Australian attack has looked very very average here. Can't say I'm complaining though, we've been beaten so regularly by Australia that getting a few wins in has been extremely sweet. I think NZ can cause problems, but I don't think we have the bowlers to win the cup, particularly if Bond doesn't fire. I think South Africa have to go in as favourites now.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was an amazingly sick match. Australia can't do [censored] without their bowling lineup. I understand that Lee is very important, but McGrath was one of the most phenomenal bowlers of his time and he dominated (Did he retire from ODI's?) and he truly will be missed. MG Johnson is one of the worst bowlers I have ever seen and I sincerely hope he will be in the squad in ever match (don't like Aus.) Wasn't he the one who gave up a record of 114 runs against the Saffies.

Who are the current favorites right now? I'd say SA is one of the big favorites, but their uncanny ability to choke with a very good team in the world cup may prevent them from winning.

If Aus gets their act together, they should be strong, but with no good bowlers (is Lee coming back), it will be extremely difficult. BTW, what happenned to Pointing, Gillie, and Symonds, Martin and all those other peeps.

Anyone wanna start some SSNL betting?

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Good job, MPA.

For the record, the stumps (wickets) are exactly 22 yards apart.

Just to keep things confusing, the term "wicket" can at various times refer to:

1. The stumps (3 wooden poles referred to by MPA that must be protected by the batsman).

2. The specially prepared rectangle of turf between the two sets of stumps, where the bowler bowls the ball at the batsman.

3. An out, as in "England has lost 3 wickets" means that they have had three batsmen out.

As is supposed to be the case for Washington DC's street layout, I suspect that cricket is designed to be as bewildering as possible to fox invaders.

Edit: No. 2 above is also referred to as the "pitch".

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

From the best-price UK market:

Australia 5/2
South Africa 9/2
Sri Lanka 8
West Indies 8
India 8
England 9
Pakistan 10
New Zealand 10

I'd still make Australia favourites, but partly because of the psychological hold they have on SA. I quite like India at those odds but it's pretty much like saying: Oz and SA are ahead and the rest are about level.

Michell Johnson has a big reputation and is very good when he gets it right. On other days he's all over the place, but it was Lewis I think who gave up the record number of runs (now he did look useless).

If there is enough interest I'd be up for some betting.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I'm a huge cricket fan but I think Jacob Oram is taking things a bit far - being prepared to cut your finger off to play in the World Cup? Yikes.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc200...ry/281841.html

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a huge cricket fan but I think Jacob Oram is taking things a bit far - being prepared to cut your finger off to play in the World Cup? Yikes.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc200...ry/281841.html

[/ QUOTE ]

He'd probably have to cut it off himself. I don't know how they'd convince a doctor to do it.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

http://www.knutsonlivebait.com/images/crickets.jpg

My money's on the big one in the middle.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
I understand that Lee is very important, but McGrath was one of the most phenomenal bowlers of his time and he dominated (Did he retire from ODI's?) and he truly will be missed.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was my understanding that Warne was done with everything but county cricket (he's going to honor the last 2 years of his contract with Hampshire before he retires completely), so he's technically only semi-retired, but he's definitely done with Test and ODI Cricket. I thought McGrath played his last -Test- in Sydney, but that he was going to wait until after the World Cup to retire completely. Unless I'm misinformed, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the West Indies. It would not surprise me, though, if he's taking the triangular Eng-NZ-Aus series off in preparation for his last hurrah for the World Cup. I really hope he plays, though. Australia isn't going to threepeat without him, and may not even with him. Lee is fast but erratic, and everyone else (bowling-wise)is either unproven or demonstrably -not- world-class. They actually have a very serviceable, almost world-class leg-spinner in Stuart MacGill, but they rarely if ever use him in ODIs...he's a Test specialist and the notoriously flat West Indian pitches wouldn't help him much anyway, and he's a bowler who needs help from the pitch to be at his best (note how his stats are much better in spin-friendly Sydney than anywhere else in Australia).

--Scott

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

There was a little talk of prop bets here, so I'll post this to stir things up a little.

Cameronw01 and I have $50 on NZ vs Australia over the 3 major world cups for our countries this year, namely Cricket, Rugby and Netball. Lowest total finish for their country over the 3 wins.

I'm sure I'm giving something up in the cricket, but I think I get it back in the rugby. I'll take the same bet with a south african if they're interested too...

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I think Australia will still be tough to beat even after their past losses. Their main concern will be their bowling & I believe they should start by opening the bowling with McGrath. IMHO I would of like to of seen Ben Hilfenhaus bowling from the other end.

Jacob Oram is one of the most exciting 1 day cricketers to watch, for a spectator's point of view I'm hoping he will be fit to play, does anyone know if he'll play?

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
India have bowling issues too, but they could have hitters from 1-8 (well, except Dravid I guess) in the batting line up so should be worth watching.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dravid is quite underrated when it comes to his ability to up the ante. When needed, he is quite capable of scoring at a very quick clip. He has one of the fastest 50s ever in ODIs (in about 23 balls or something againt the Kiwis a couple of years ago). But he usually comes out into the middle when India is looking to preserve wickets while scoring say 5 runs an over. There is hardly anyone in the world better than him at that particular task.

Obviously, I am a huge Dravid fan so you can take all of that with a grain of salt.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
I really like South Africa this year as they have sooooo much talent and their batting order is ridiculously good.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that RSA will not do as well as expected even though they are ranked No. 1 at this time. The West Indian pitches are going to assist spinners. RSA is one of the few teams that lacks a top notch spinner. Guys like Ntini are going to bleed runs on these pitches. Pollock should however be very effective given his ability to bowl in the corridor time in and time out.

I love India's chances. Their batting has alaways been good but on spin-friendly pitches, their bowling is going to look pretty good too. They have two top notch spinners in Kumble and Singh and can get some useful spin overs from Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Yuvraj.

For Sri Lanka, Murali and Bandara are going to be a handful with the ball.

I pick India, Sri Lanka, Oz and RSA to make the final 4. For the final, it depends on how the semis match up:

I like India over RSA and Sri Lanka but not over Oz (OZ have the wood on India).

I like OZ over RSA and India but not Sri Lanka.

I like Sri Lanka over RSA and OZ, but not over India.

Now that those predictions are out of the way, I sure hope that the Pakistan vs. England final turns out to be better than the last two finals [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Those are good Cliff's notes.

[ QUOTE ]
There are some fielding restrictions at the start of a ODI, but I'm not really well versed in those. There are also no balls and wides, I forget exactly what these mean to scoring. They don't count towards the six pitches/over

[/ QUOTE ]

Wides and no-balls add 1 run to the batting side's score.

Fielding restrictions:

The first Ten overs are called powerplay 1. At that time, only 2 fielders are allowed outside a 30 yard circle radius from where the batsmen are standing. The other 7 fielders including obviously the bowler and wicketkeeper are inside the circle. Further, of the other 5 fielders, 2 of them must be within 15 yards of the batsmen in what are known as catching positions. All of this is designed to encourage an explosive start to the innings where guys can get 4's and 6' more easily.

Powerplay 1 is mandatory in the first 10 overs.

Then, at some point in the match at the fieding team's choice, the fielding side must use Powerplay 2 (a 5 over block) and powerplay 3 (another 5 over block). During these powerplays, there still can only be two guys outside the 30 yard circle but there is no need to station 2 guys in catching positions.

The fielding side almost always opts to take powerplays 2 and 3 between overs 10 and 20. They do this to avoid having to take the powerplays later on when the real push for big hits begins.

Once the Powerplays are over, the fielding side is allowed a maximum of 5 players oustide the 30 yard circle.

Generally, you will see the fastest scoring in the first 10 overs and the last 10 overs of a one day innings. The middle period of 30 overs will usually see batting teams poke the ball around into gaps in the field and take single runs. There are a lot more 4's in the first 10 overs and a lot of 4's and 6's in the last 10 overs assuming that the batting side has not lost too many wickets by then.

The bowling side is expected to deliver about 15 overs in an hour (called the "over rate"). So, a 50 over innings generally lasts 3.5 hours. They then have a 30 to 40 minute break followed by the other team batting for 3.5 hours.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Come on Shaun Tait - I have a little more hope that Australia can do it after beating England today.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Bump because it's almost go time!

Pakistan and West Indies all set to kick it off in the morning - with this, the NCAA tournament, and baseball starting up soon, it is very likely that I will fail some classes.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

I'm looking to place a few bets; any ideas on a value bet for wicket-taker/run-scorer.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
Bump because it's almost go time!

Pakistan and West Indies all set to kick it off in the morning - with this, the NCAA tournament, and baseball starting up soon, it is very likely that I will fail some classes.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just forked over the $200 to get all the games. on cable. Good thing I don't have any courses this term. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Even rearranged my apartment so that poker and cricket/cball can coexist.

Predications: Besides the Aussies, I really like Sri Lanka and England this time. Maybe India if Sehwag gets his [censored] together and Tendulkar plays like Tendulkar.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Value bet.

Most runs-
Ricky Ponting is a motza here, but no value. Try Brad Hodge, whose been in good form, and if he gets runs early, someone else will have to make space for Andy Symonds.

Also maybe Ross Taylor from NZ. Hes hitting it well, and bats up the list, so should get a chance.

As for most wickets. I reckon England's Liam Plunkett could be a chance. He shook up the aussies with his pace and movement, and I think he might emerge as a big star.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
Value bet.

Most runs-
Ricky Ponting is a motza here, but no value. Try Brad Hodge, whose been in good form, and if he gets runs early, someone else will have to make space for Andy Symonds.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Hodge is too likely to be dropped once Symonds comes back in to make him a good bet. With long breaks in between matches I think Gilchrist would be a good bet for most runs, he seems to do well at the beginning but fades when given only 1-2 day breaks

[ QUOTE ]

Also maybe Ross Taylor from NZ. Hes hitting it well, and bats up the list, so should get a chance.


[/ QUOTE ]

I like Ross Taylor as well, I think he is a good chance for most runs as is Mohammed Yousef, always guaranteed for runs.

[ QUOTE ]

As for most wickets. I reckon England's Liam Plunkett could be a chance. He shook up the aussies with his pace and movement, and I think he might emerge as a big star.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not a huge Plunkett fan, if Shane Bond is firing he will be a good chance for most wickets if NZ make it to final 4 (good chance depending on who they get in 8's)

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Just found this in the Guardian, comments appreciated.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

come on Scotland

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just found this in the Guardian, comments appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tend to agree about England - just not enough fire power (Pieterson and Flintoff apart) to win enough games against big teams unless they bowl really well. The individual performances are so hard to bet in though as players get rested etc and some big games for stats come against the minnows.

I like India as a value bet for the winning team and reckon Tait will take a lot of wickets if he is given enough games.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

GO CANADA! I know we won a game in the last world cup

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

Gibbs made 36 in one over vs. the Netherlands.

South Africa off to a good start.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]
GO CANADA! I know we won a game in the last world cup

[/ QUOTE ]

We did? [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Gibbs, 6 sixes in an over today, so sick.

Re: **Official Cricket World Cup Thread**
 

[ QUOTE ]

South Africa off to a good start.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely, they looked very solid. My early picks for the semifinals are SA, AUS, SL, and NZ.