Tag: Quarterfinal Preview

Cricket World Cup: Australia v India – SF 2 Preview

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The current Australian stranglehold over the Indians is nothing new, especially in home conditions.  Plenty of touring teams have come to Australia full of expectation only to be humbled by the pace and bounce of the likes of the WACA and the GABBA.  India’s 2014/15 tour has been no different.  They have failed to beat Australia in any format.

However, if there’s one leveller, it’s a Cricket World Cup semifinal.  If there’s another, it’s the Sydney Cricket Ground; traditionally slower than other venues and often taking turn.  Such a pitch would suit India’s game immeasurably more than anywhere else in Australia.  India’s Ravi Ashwin and Jadeja could thrive in the Sydney conditions and help balance a game that is otherwise largely in Australia’s favour.

Australia do not possess a quality spin bowler and have given Xavier Doherty just a solitary game.  Therein lies the only shortcoming for Australia and the only opportunity for India.

The Last Time These Two Met

Australia have got the better of India all summer.  The Aussies enjoyed dominance in a 2-0 test match series win, before lifting the Carlton Mid Tri Series trophy without dropping a game.  India failed to win in the ODI series, and it took a match against Afghanistan to finally win a game on the tour.

In total the teams have player 117 times.  Australia winning 67 of them, and India 40.

The Teams

Australia (likely): 1 Aaron Finch, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Shane Watson, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Josh Hazlewood

No changes expected to the Australian side.  Josh Hazlewood should player after his four wickets against Pakistan.

India (likely): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ajinkya Rahane, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Umesh Yadav

India won’t change their winning formula either.

The Key Players

Mitchell Starc – Starc is one of a handful of dangerous left arm quicks still lurking in the competition.  However, Starc is undeniably the most accurate of them; making him the biggest threat in today’s semi.  His ability to mix between toe-crushingly accurate yorkers and bumpers has seen him consistently among the tournaments leading wicket-takers (currently 2nd behind Trent Boult), and he’ll be more than a handful against opponents that traditionally dislike searing speed.

MS Dhoni – The Indian captain has had a quiet time of it in New Zealand and Australia of late.  Rarely being asked to win matches with the bat, Dhoni has made just one significant contribution in the entire event – an unbeaten 85 against Zimbabwe.  Nevertheless, he has led his side with distinction, enterprise and calmness.  Traits that have helped his side win 11 World Cup games in a row, and traits that will be crucial here today.  He’s also a known finisher having led India to their 2011 World Cup win with 91 not out.  He’ll play a part and could end up doing something similar against Australia.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.40

India – $3.00

*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Prediction

Australia have the best side in the competition, hands down.  They are understandably the favourites after bouncing back powerfully after a slight Pool game hiccup at Eden Park.  They also have a significant mental advantage over the Indians, and there is no better team in the World to leverage off the mind games.  Australia to win, by 60 runs or 6 wickets.

The Best Bets

Michael Clarke is without runs in the tournament, but Sydney is well suited to his game.  He’s a big chance to Top Score and if he does and Australia win you’ll get @ $7.50

Ravi Ashwin has been one of the few spin bowlers to take wickets at the tournament.  He’ll enjoy Sydney too and is @ $4.25

Cricket World Cup: NZ v South Africa – SF 1 Preview

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[Tweet “Cricket World Cup Madness!”]As predicted, the four best teams in the Cricket World Cup have made it through to the semi-finals, and for the two of them competing in the tournament’s first semi-final, it could mean a first ever World Cup final.

New Zealand and South Africa head to a wet Eden Park in a bid to book a place in Melbourne’s World Cup showpiece against either Australia or India.  They’ll have a bleak day of unpredictable weather to contend with, as well as the significant expectation of success that both countries have placed on their players.  For New Zealand, that pressure has come about through a wealth of good form and an attractive brand of cricket.  The Black Caps have lost once in their last 13 matches and are riding a public wave of admiration only ever seen before at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

South Africa on the other hand have always had that expectation.  They have simply never delivered.  So much so, that their World Cups are more synonymous with choking than they are with success.  They may have turned around their knockout fortune with an imperious win over Sri Lanka, but doubts will remain about their mettle if this one gets close.

Questions will also be asked of New Zealand’s fifth bowling option.  Corey Anderson and Grant Elliot are expected to perform the role with little tournament experience, while some might point to Ross Taylor’s strike rate and running between the wickets as trouble zones too.

Either way, the cauldron of Eden Park will get that much hotter in the final quarter of the game as pressure and expectation weigh heavily on the players minds.

The Last Time These Two Met

In a full series in early October (the earliest cricket has ever been played in a New Zealand summer), South Africa comfortably got the better of an experimental New Zealand side (Jimmy Neesham was opening).  They won the series 2-0 and were tracking well in the washed out Hamilton finale.  The teams have met once since then in a World Cup warm up match in Christchurch.  The Black Caps were at their devastating best in that match piling on 331 and bowling their opponents

The Teams

New Zealand (likely): 1 Brendon McCullum (capt), 2 Martin Gupill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Matt Henry

Adam Milne has been withdrawn from the World Cup because of a heel injury.  The ICC have okayed Matt Henry as a replacement and he is expected to make a shock first appearance in a straight replacement.

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 Rilee Rossouw, 6 David Miller, 7 JP Duminy, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Vernon Philander/Kyle Abbott, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

AB de Villiers has confirmed his entire squad is fit and available.  That means the selectors must only ponder over the third seam option.  Vernon Philander adds more with the bat (he was the second highest South African scorer in the World Cup warm up match between the two sides), whereas Kyle Abbot’s aggressiveness helped create the early pressure that Sri Lanka found it impossible to come back from.

The Key Players

Daniel Vettori – Eden Park is not an easy place for spin bowlers.  The two tiny straight boundaries are only an enticing strike away for most World Class batsman.  But as he proved against Australia earlier in the tournament, Vettori has the guile to do well at Kingsland’s concrete jungle.  In that game he successfully stalled the charge of David Warner and Shane Watson and essentially turned the game in New Zealand’s favour.  The challenge will be to do it again against AB de Villiers and co.

Hashim Amla – Just as Vettori likes Eden Park, Amla likes playing New Zealand in New Zealand.  In six games against the Black Caps on their own turf the elegant right-hander has managed 345 runs at 57.50.  He’s also had a relative quiet World Cup, save for his 159 versus Ireland, so he’s well and truly due to bag big runs.  His technique is arguably the best in his team’s lineup to counteract swing too; he plays the ball so late and can manoeuvre it anywhere with his freakishly supple wrists.  His role will be to ensure South Africa don’t lose early wickets and retain them for a late onslaught.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $2.00

South Africa – $1.82

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

Before the tournament, we would have given this match to South Africa comfortably.  However, so good is New Zealand’s form it makes it awfully hard to bet against them.  When one player fails, another will stand up, and to man, the team believes.  That said, the 11 South African players are marginally better than the 11 Black Caps, and that will be decisive.  South Africa to get home by 2 wickets or 25 runs.

The Best Bets

Guptill answered his critics, why can’t Taylor do so as well.  Ross Taylor to Top Score @ $6.00

Guptil likes an over or so to get going.  Back South Africa to Have Highest Score After Over 1 @ $2.25

AB de Villers Top Batsman / Dale Steyn Top Bowler Comb0 @ $16.00

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand v West Indies – QF 4 Preview

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A semifinal spot against South Africa in Auckland awaits the winner of the final World Cup quarterfinal.  It would be cruel to not see New Zealand there, at Eden Park, in front of a huge home crowd.  But that’s exactly what the West Indies will be looking to achieve when they bring their enigmatic game to Wellington for the first time in the tournament.

Betcirca brings you all the key information for the New Zealand v West Indies quarterfinal.

The Last Time These Two Met

In late 2013, early 2014 New Zealand and the West Indies faced off in a series that became famous for one person rather than one match.  It was Corey Anderson, and his record breaking hundred in Queenstown.  That was the last time the sides have met in one day internationals.  The series was split 2-2, with the final game decided in West Indies favour by a whopping 203 runs.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely): 1 Brendon McCullum (capt), 2 Martin Gupill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Adam Milne.

Adam Milne is fit and will replace big Mitchell McClenaghan in the only change for the Black Caps from the team that beat Bangladesh.

West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle , 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Jonathan Carter, 5 Lendl Simmons, 6 Denesh Ramdin 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Andre Russell, 9 Jason Holder, 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Sulieman Benn

Chris Gayle will play even if he’s 15% fit, he’s that important to their chances.  He’s been in and out of training all week but we believe he’ll be available to open with Johnson Charles.  Sulieman Benn will probably be included instead of Kemar Roach as a slow bowling option alongside all the seam bowlers.

The Key Players

Kane Williamson – Last time at bat, Kane Williamson scored a solitary run. It was his first single figure score in 24 innings.  It was the first time since Boxing Day 2013 (ironically it was against the West Indies).  We predict it won’t happen again at this World Cup.  This incredibly humble, intelligent and unflappable batting talent will bounce back with big runs today.  It’s in his nature, it’s in his mind.

Jason Holder – Twenty-three year olds are generally only found in the crowds of Cricket World Cup quarterfinals.  Not leading their side amongst selection wrangles, pay wrangles and Twenty20 franchise distractions.  However, Holder has excelled in his role and is one of the genuine finds of the 2015 World Cup.  He’s has wickets to his name, runs beside it and has garnered the respect of the cricket world.  He’s the key for the West Indies today.  How will his game and captaincy compare to Brendon McCullum.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $1.28

West Indies – $3.70

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

New Zealand should be able to continue their tournament momentum with a win in Wellington.  While the conditions won’t suit their bowlers as well as they did when they played England at the Cake Tin, they’ll still have the class to take top order wickets and restrict the West Indies batsman.  New Zealand by 60 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Williamson doesn’t fail twice in a row.  Get on him to Top Score @ $4.25.

Jerome Taylor loves playing New Zealand (would you believe he has a Test match century to his name against them?).  He can bowl too.  He’s paying $3.75 to be the leading wicket-taker for the West Indies.

 

Cricket World Cup: Australia v Pakistan – QF 3 Preview

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Australia v Pakistan duels are generally separated by home form and away form.  Very rarely does the touring team perform well in the home countries’ conditions.  This was true in the most recent test series the teams played where Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made a mockery of Mitchell Johnson and co.  However, the one day game is the ultimate leveller, and results in the ODI format have not been as intertwined with the conditions.

That said, we’re not giving Pakistan much of a chance against the most complete team of the World Cup.  Australia have every facet covered, including a bona fide spin option in Glenn Maxwell.  Even with that prediction we would prefer a close match that rewards the fans with the type of cricket that each is capable off.

The Last Time These Two Met

After blowing the Australian test team out of the water in October last year, the Pakistan ODI side suffered a reversal when they were completely outplayed to lose the one day series 3-0.  The Sharjah and Dubai hosted series became famous for the final one-dater when Glenn Maxwell bowled a double wicket maiden in the final over to see Australia home by 1 run.  Hopefully, today’s match is equally as exciting.

The Teams

Australia (likely): 1 Aaron Finch, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Shane Watson, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins/Josh Hazlewood

Australia are relatively well-settled now that Shane Watson performed in his new number 6 role.  His runs against Sri Lanka and wickets against Scotland have all but assured him of the nod ahead of Mitchell Marsh.  The decision between Cummins and Hazlewood might be the only one for the selectors.

Pakistan (likely):  1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 3 Haris Sohail, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Sohaib Maqsood, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Sohail Khan, 10 Rahat Ali, 11 Ehsan Adil/Yasir Shah

The loss of Mohammad Irfan is a big one for Pakistan.  His awkwardness might have posed a challenge for the Australian top order.  Ehsan Adil will play an important role in replacing him.

The Key Players

Steven Smith – The Australians have the most powerful batting line-up in the tournament.  Warner, Finch, Faulkner, Maxwell and Watson are all power hitters.  But the work of the more subtle Steven Smith is crucially important.  The glue of the middle order has flourished at number three and looks to be back to his pre Christmas form.  Amongst all the fanfare of the in your face Australians, we think it will be the quiet achieving Steven Smith that steals the show today.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.16

Pakistan – $5.50

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

We sense that all quarterfinals are going to follow the for guide and end up being awfully one-sided.  We see this one no differently to the two qaurter-finals thus far and are predicting a big Australian win.  By 7 wickets or 80 runs.

The Best Bets

As above, Steven Smith to Top Score @ $5.00

Mitchell Starc as Man of the Match @ $7.00

Cricket World Cup: India v Bangladesh – QF 2 Preview

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India have sailed through their six games at the Cricket World Cup thus far largely untested.  It’s a position of varying important depending on which way you look at it.  It’s either a sign of quality cricket, or its a sign that they haven’t been challenged enough, lack tough game practice and could slip up when the tournament gets interesting.

The opposite is true for Bangladesh.  Almost every game they have played has had the intensity of a knockout game.  In particular, their last two matches against England and New Zealand will have them well prepared for a tough Melbourne encounter against the tournament’s defending champions.

India look better in every department, however, Bangladesh will take solace from the fake they have already felled a giant in the 2015 World Cup, are relatively familiar with their Indian opponents and appeared comfortable outside of their home conditions for the first time in their short international playing career.

A semi-final in Sydney against the winner of the Pakistan / Australia quarter beckons for today’s winner.

The Last Time These Two Met

The BCCI rarely supports a series featuring their national team against Bangladesh, therefore, the teams haven’t met in an ODI for some time.  When they did, in June 2014, India ran out series winners by 2-0.

Tournament form may give a better indication of where the teams are at.  India are undefeated in six World Cup games; their biggest challenge coming from their final pool game against Zimbabwe.  Bangladesh won three of their Pool games with one match washed out.

The Teams

India (likely): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ajinkya Rahane, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Umesh Yadav

India are unlikely to disturb a well-settled and well-performed team unless absolutely necessity defines.

Bangladesh (likely): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Arafat Sunny/Nasir Hossain, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin Ahmed

Mashrafe Mortaza was rested / injured against New Zealand, but he should return to lead the side.  The only other question mark is over the number 8 spot between Arafat Sunny and Nasir Hossain.  Nasir grabbed two late wickets against New Zealand and would strengthen the batting.  He would be our pick.

The Key Players

Mohammed Shami – In a team full of world class batsman it seems strange picking a seamer as the key player.  Shami, though, has been a key component of India’s success in the tournament, taking 15 wickets.  Against Bangladeshi batsman that push hard at the ball early in their innings and get unsettled by steep bounce, Shami’s one-two, short ball / full ball combo might be too much.  The Bangladesh top order looked susceptible against the New Zealand quicks and we thing Shami will enjoy boring to them too.

Mahmudullah – His two back to back World Cup centuries were equally as impressive in their proximity to each other, as they were to the manner in which they were scored.  After waiting 16 years for a World Cup century from one of their batsman, Bangladesh suddenly had two in four days, and both courtesy of the Mahmudullah.  While the consecutive centuries were a novelty, the way they were composed was anything but.  Mahmudullah scored his runs maturely, responsibly and attractively.  His approach to holding an innings together is something the Tigers have missed for years, but a trait that could serve them well today.

The Match Odds*

India – $1.14

Sri Lanka – $5.75

The Prediction

India’s ability to bully Bangladesh in the past is well known.  The passive bowling attack is exactly the type of fodder the destructive Indian batsman love to feast on.  There’s no fear.  We think that’s the reason they’ll get the better of the Tigers.  India by 70 runs or 5 wickets.

The Best Bets*

Mushfiqur has been in decent form in the tournament but has been overshadowed by Mahmadullah.  He’s at $6.50 to Top Score and a big chance.

Suresh Raina is coming off a hundred against Zimbabwe.  How about hime to top score and India to win t $8.50.

Thinking left field, what if India win toss, send Bangladesh in and bowl them out (they have taken 60 wickets in 6 games).  In fact either team to be bowled out in the first innings is paying $5.40.  Could be down to pure luck, but great money.

*Taken from Sportsbet.

Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka v South Africa – QF 1 Preview

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The first quarterfinal of the Cricket World Cup is also likely to be the most competitive.  After four gruelling weeks (said with a hint of sarcasm in the direction of the teams that had eight days between games) eight quarterfinalists have been found to vie for the most coveted trophy in international cricket.

The first of those quarterfinals is played today in Sydney, featuring the runners up of the past two tournaments against a team that has never won a knockout match at a Cricket World Cup.

South Africa’s stumbling record is so underwhelming that its nigh on impossible to consider they won’t remedy it this time around.  They have posted 400 twice in the tournament, they have the best batsman in the world and a fearsome new ball bowling attack.

Sri Lanka on the other hand, thrive in knockout matches (barring finals perhaps), and have over 1100 ODI matches between just three of their players (Mahela, Kumar and Dilshan).  That is a strength, but it’s also a weakness as they often rely too heavily on those three names.  To book a semifinal date with New Zealand / West Indies they’ll need to extract performances out of Malinga, Matthews and Thirimanne, all who have at times played significant roles in this World Cup.

It should be an absolute cracker.

The Last Time These Two Met

Of the last six matches the two team have played (dating back to July 2013) the teams have won three games apiece.  Interestingly, none of the most recent matches have been close.  Each win has been by over 56 runs (with an average winning margin of 85.6 runs) or by more 8 wickets or more.  The most recent ODI – in July 2014 – resulted in South Africa winning by 82 runs in Hambantota.

Both teams lost twice during the Pool stage of this year’s tournament.

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Rilee Russouw/ Farhaan Behardien, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran Tahir

South Africa only have one selection decision to ponder.  It could have been two given Quinton de Kock’s horrific form, but AB de Villiers looks reluctant to keep and has thrown his weight behind the youngster.  That leaves a number seven decision between Rilee Rossouw, who has contributed nicely in the tournament thus far, and Farhaan Behardien.  Behardien’s ability to send down some overs might be enough to get him in (he also smoked it against the UAE in their last Pool game).

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Kusal Perera, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna/ Rangana Herath, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka has arguably had the most injury issues to contend with of the major tournament contenders.  Injury concerns remain over Herath in the only possible change to a settled side from the team that beat Scotland.  If Herath’s finger is no good, Seekkuge Prasanna will play (and face a heap of pressure).

The Key Players

Kumar Sangakkara – The tournament’s leading runscorer is in the type of batting nirvana that batsman very rarely visit.  Least of all at the age of 37.  Sanga has already set the record for the most consecutive ODI hundreds during the tournament, peeling off four in a row after failing against Afghanistan.  He’s scored them gracefully too, demonstrating textbook cricket shots still belong in the era of reverse paddles and scoops.  He’s obviously the vital cog in the batting order along with Tilakaratne Dilshan, and South Africa will be on their way to the semis if they can remove him early.

AB de Villiers – The third top run scorer of the tournament is also his side’s key player.  Throughout the tournament de Villiers has shouldered the hopes of a nation, and responded positively, confidently when probed about their form or ability to win the tournament.  It’s the type of belief that makes hime such a dangerous batsman.  His ability to score runs quickly is a frightening prospect for the Sri Lankan bowlers who have wilted in the face of such attacks from Maxwell and McCullum recently.  AB just needs a little help from his mates.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.45

Sri Lanka – $2.75

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

The biggest question mark hanging over this game is the dreaded c-word.  Not choke, but chase.  South Africa have not won a game at this World Cup when they have been asked to chase a target.  That of course leads to allegations of choking but the chasing is the bigger mental block at the moment.

Nonetheless, we’re backing the South Africans to display some better c-words today.  Class, composure, confidence to name but a few, and to win the game by 40 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Quinton de Kock is an obvious roughie to Top Score at $5.50, but his 53 tournament runs at 8.83 may put you off.

The Hashim Amla (Top Runs) / Morne Morkel (Top Wickets) double looks like great money at $16.00

Finally, a quick double up is on offer if a Sri Lankan batsman top scores in the game.  That is at $2.20.