In the current format all the teams have to play one another and so whoever lifts the trophy on July 14 will truly be the World champion.
That the cricket World Cup fever is spreading was seen when the immigration officer at London’s Heathrow airport asked who was likely to win the World Cup this time. With England playing some incredible cricket, it was easy to say that the home team has its best ever chance in years. The regularity with which the team has been successfully chasing 350-plus scores is astonishing especially when it does it with wickets in hand and deliveries to spare. The bowlers have also not done badly when under the pump and so England certainly looks a strong favourite to lift the cup.
However, we all know that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip as was seen in the Champions Trophy held in England two years back when the host lost its nerve against Pakistan and folded in the semifinals. India didn’t do much better either in the final, being beaten by a big margin by Pakistan.
What sets England apart from other teams at the moment is that its squad is full of all-rounders. This is a huge plus for the captain and the team management as they have the flexibility and options depending on how the match is unfolding. The two World Cups that India won was mainly due to the number of all-rounders that were there in the team. There were batsmen who could bowl and bowlers who could bat. So, if a bowler was having a bad day, a batsman who could bowl could roll his arm over and help finish the bowler’s quota of overs. If the batsmen were struggling, a bowler could swing his bat and get useful runs.
This story is from the June 15, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 15, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
