Just when the World Cup was starting to follow script England go ahead and put in their worst performance of the tournament to gift the writer ammunition for today’s important World Cup questions. We’ll also review today’s game featuring Ireland and India.
The Three Big Questions
Why were England so bad?
Where do we start. We didn’t agree with their team selection for much of the Cricket World Cup, we don’t like their mindset, and their best two bowlers had bad tournaments. Then there’s the focus on ‘data’ and the domestic competition featuring 18 counties which is simply too big. Looking at the points individually, the team selection and game plan were the glaring errors. England’s cautious approach is in stark contrast to the way the tournament frontrunners are playing. Watch McCullum, de Villiers or Maxwell bat. No one goes close to playing with that sort of freedom in the English set up (Ali and Buttler are the two closest), therefore they are always going to be behind the 8-ball in modern cricket. You saw the ease their 309 was chased down by Sri Lanka. Those scores don’t win games anymore. They needed to give Hales more cricket, get him at the top and get Buttler up the order too. It also would have helped if Stuart Broad didn’t go 35 overs without a wicket in the middle of the Cricket World Cup.
Where do they go now?
Moores and Morgan both have to go. Moore showed just how dreadfully out of touch he is when he claimed he would “analyse the data” to determine where they went wrong. And Morgan just can’t hold his place in the team as a batsman, so has to go. Downton should probably join them on the heap; possibly James Whitaker (chairman of selectors) too.
They could turn to players like James Vince, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes are good enough to build a squad around. Not KP though.
Any more upsets?
Still could be plenty, including today’s match previewed below. The quarterfinals are also the perfect chance for Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka or Ireland (depending on who gets there) to provide a shock. If you love a cheeky outsider punt this could be your tournament.
Today’s Matchup
India v Ireland, Seddon Park (Hamilton – fine), starts 2:00pm local time.
India – $1.20
Ireland – $4.00
The stunning Seddon Park hosts unbeaten India against surprise packages Ireland in today’s only game.
Both sides are arguably stronger with the willow than with the leather, so today’s match could be a high scorer. Having said that, India have surprised some with the improvement in their bowling since their time in Australia, and no teams have got away on them.
Ireland have had just one bad performance form their lot so far. They should still be feeling pretty good about themselves and will take comfort from the fact that England’s exit makes them European Champions.
We’re sniffing an upset…
Today’s Bet
The upsets continue bet. Ireland haven’t beaten India in a one-day international before but back them to do it today on a head to head bet at $4.00.
Odds taken from Unibet Australia.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
