2015 Cricket World Cup Discussion Thread

[Mailman the 2nd]

They're batting only grinds down to how well McCullum and Williamson can do each match. Knock either/both for under 40 runs and NZ are pretty weak

Same can be said for many batting line-ups, get the two best batsmen out cheaply and you're half way there.

Yeah so they're not really on the same level as the main 2-3 teams.

With the pseudo-home ground advantage I'd have them as 3rd favourite, could give it a real shake if things go right! Can't see anyone beating South Africa though.

Do New Zealand actually perform better in Australia than in other countries?

But there are games being played in NZ, which is probably what Alex was referring to.

Its not pseudo home ground then is it  :P

[Nige]

They're batting only grinds down to how well McCullum and Williamson can do each match. Knock either/both for under 40 runs and NZ are pretty weak

Same can be said for many batting line-ups, get the two best batsmen out cheaply and you're half way there.

Yeah so they're not really on the same level as the main 2-3 teams.

With the pseudo-home ground advantage I'd have them as 3rd favourite, could give it a real shake if things go right! Can't see anyone beating South Africa though.

Do New Zealand actually perform better in Australia than in other countries?

But there are games being played in NZ, which is probably what Alex was referring to.

Its not pseudo home ground then is it  :P

Oh, I think I misread what you said. shower... mb.

[_wato]

Now that Maxwell and Marsh both dominated are they shoe ins for the first game against England? And Faulkner's down with an injury, can't believe it :(

And George Bailey is a massive concern, can't build an innings to save himself, gets out at the wrong times and just looks so awkward at the crease! Yes he has his days but they are so few and far between, drives me insane watching him.

His last 20 innings - 2, 5, 10, 4, 16, 12, 25, 70, 0, 28, 18, 32, 1, 66, 14, 56, 11, 24, 17*, 4

^^ dates back to November 2013 - Average of 21.84 in that time

Not good enough to warrant a spot! If Clarke is fit, Bailey has to be the one that goes for him.

Finch, Warner, Smith, Clarke, Maxwell, Marsh, Haddin, Faulkner, Starc, Johnson, Hazlewood should be our best team

[Jay]

Open Watto (if fit), drop Finch.

[Mailman the 2nd]

Don't think the selectors will be keen to drop Finch.

Bailey would have to go off poor form. Don't really want Maxwell in the starting 11 but the selectors love him so he'll be there.

Not sure where they'll slip Watson in though, maybe Marsh gets the unlucky drop idk

[Rusty00]

If Faulkner is gone and Clarke is fit, then it should be simply Watson in for Faulkner and Clarke in for Bailey.

If Faulkner and Clarke both come up it gets more complicated and Mitch Marsh is probably the unlucky one who misses out. Although if Finch doesn't turn his form around then his spot could be in danger later on in the tournament.

[PowerBug]

Watson has to be in Australia's best XI right?

[AFEV]

They're batting only grinds down to how well McCullum and Williamson can do each match. Knock either/both for under 40 runs and NZ are pretty weak

Same can be said for many batting line-ups, get the two best batsmen out cheaply and you're half way there.

Yeah so they're not really on the same level as the main 2-3 teams.

With the pseudo-home ground advantage I'd have them as 3rd favourite, could give it a real shake if things go right! Can't see anyone beating South Africa though.

Do New Zealand actually perform better in Australia than in other countries?

But there are games being played in NZ, which is probably what Alex was referring to.

Its not pseudo home ground then is it  :P

I do recall a statistic circling around cricinfo that New Zealand typically performed better in Australia than would be expected given their form/talent. That was primarily in tests though, but yes I do think that there is a pseudo home-ground advantage over here for NZ, there will be a lot more people rooting for NZ in the non-Australia games than other nations, plus they will be much more used to the time zone, climate and pitches than most any other country I think.
Plus as Nige said there are matches played in NZ, although I think only one knockout match? I would have to assume NZ is in the side of the draw where they'd play that match if they make it though.

[PowerBug]

NZ have a Quarter and a Semi.

They will go well, they're in form.

[shaker]

Watson has to be in Australia's best XI right?

Watson is a concern he struggled against India's average bowlers slotting him and Clarke back in could create a big weak spot in our batting Clarke needs to play as much cricket as possible before it starts to test his body and find form and Watson I have no confidence in him against what will be much more potent bowling attacks

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Watson has always been more of an ODI player and an international average of 40 is nothing to be scoffed at, we could do worse than putting him in the starting XI.

[PowerBug]

I'm looking through some stuff on the minnow nations, pretty impressive stats I've got here.

Khurram Khan and Mohammad Tauqir. They are vice captain and captain of the UAE. They will both be 43 years of age during the World Cup.

Sheldon Cottrell (WI), Kamran Shahzad (UAE), Peter Chase (Ire) are the three players in squads yet to have played an ODI.

Mahela Jayawardene (SL, 437), Kumar Sangakkara (SL, 393), Shahid Afridi (Pak, 389) have played the most ODIs.

Australia has 3 players with over 100 ODIs. Michael Clarke (238), Shane Watson (180), Mitchell Johnson (144).

UAE have only had full ODI status for 10 matches.

[Mailman the 2nd]

Watson has to be in Australia's best XI right?

Watson is a concern he struggled against India's average bowlers slotting him and Clarke back in could create a big weak spot in our batting Clarke needs to play as much cricket as possible before it starts to test his body and find form and Watson I have no confidence in him against what will be much more potent bowling attacks

Watson has always been a strong ODI player, even when his Test form was down. During the Ashes tours he's always down well on the ODI part

[shaker]

Watson has to be in Australia's best XI right?

Watson is a concern he struggled against India's average bowlers slotting him and Clarke back in could create a big weak spot in our batting Clarke needs to play as much cricket as possible before it starts to test his body and find form and Watson I have no confidence in him against what will be much more potent bowling attacks

Watson has always been a strong ODI player, even when his Test form was down. During the Ashes tours he's always down well on the ODI part

Not long to go now and we will see how he goes he is such a big strong looking bloke but underneath he is just a big soft marshmellow  :P

[PowerBug]

Khurram Khan is better than Shane Watson. I don't think Watto will still be in the team in 10 years.