World T20 champs, first round, March 8-13

[mikesiva]

First round (group winners to progress to second round)

Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman
Group B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan

Tue, 8 Mar – Zimbabwe v Hong Kong (PM), Nagpur; Scotland v Afghanistan (Eve.), Nagpur

Wed, 9 Mar – Bangladesh v Netherlands (PM), Dharamsala; Ireland v Oman (Eve.), Dharamsala

Thu, 10 Mar – Scotland v Zimbabwe (PM), Nagpur; Hong Kong v Afghanistan (Eve.)

Fri, 11 Mar – Netherlands v Oman (PM), Dharamsala; Bangladesh v Ireland (Eve.), Dharamsala

Sat, 12 Mar – Zimbabwe v Afghanistan (PM), Nagpur; Scotland v Hong Kong (Eve.), Nagpur

Sun, 13 Mar – Netherlands v Ireland (PM), Dharamsala; Bangladesh v Oman (Eve.), Dharamsala

[dan08]

Shame that Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands are all in the same group. Bangladesh will probably go through.

As for the other group, i reckon Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and HK all have a good chance. Afghanistan probably slight favourites.

[Dr Cricket]

Ireland have themselves to blame for losing to Holland in the semis last year.

[mikesiva]

My picks are Bangladesh and Zimbabwe....

[mikesiva]

Starts tomorrow....

[ianp1970]

Shame that Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands are all in the same group. Bangladesh will probably go through.

Bangladesh have the added advantage of playing in the final group match as well. If qualification comes down to NRR, they will know exactly what is required in the second innings.

[Dr Cricket]

yep a massive advantage now, Netherlands pretty much qualified because of that last time around.
seen Mumbai pull of freak wins as well in the ipl because of the NRR advantage.
wasn't a big deal before but now with bigger bats teams can chase in 10-15 overs and make up 2 or 3 net run rate difference.

[Dr Cricket]

hopefully no one complains about the format here.
The Associates guys that complain about the bloody format comes on my nerves considering they bloody moan about everything.
Either the comp is too long, either the comps doesn't have many teams or the the comps doesn't allow the big team playing the associates.

This format not that great but it is probably the best possible format generated and still make the T20 format look simple.

Yes there is essentially a qualifier before the main comp but looks at the positives better tv Coverage, people actually watching the games and the spotlight is on the associates without any full member taking precedence.

Also this year Star/ICC TV won't be televising the warm up games.

TBH the group even look great on Paper.
Ban, Ireland, Netherland and then Zim, Afg and Scotland all with a chance of going through.

People are R**tards if they prefer the format to change considering any change will see associates losing out.
4 groups of 4 doesn't actually work either because the number of marquee games comes down.
unless they do an under 19 world cup format and have placement games which should see more marquee games but the downside is that the placement games are low intensity.

In terms of time, Business and quality of games the current formats is the best, Even the associates get a good deal out of it, 3 guaranteed games and if they progress 4 more games.

Saying that the ironic part is that ICC probably scraped the best icc world cup format.
2 groups of 7 will actually work now since the associates can match the lower full member teams including Pak/WI and the group stage isn't an one sided contest and they could even make the group stage tighter by making the top team qualify for the semis and 2nd and 3rd team playing games to determine the other 2 teams.

[Dr Cricket]

Anyway the team to follow is scotland got 2 great draws.
got a chances in the first round and then got a chance to upset Sri lanka/West indies in the 2nd round.
Only issue being spin conditions and the team being made for English conditions.

Scotland have got some great players coming through recently but just need an Ireland moment for them to move to the next stage.

[Dr Cricket]

good quote from ireland coach, although it could be taken out of context.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-t ... 79177.html
"It doesn't matter what people call it [qualifiers or the first stage of the main event]. We're looking at it as a great opportunity to qualify for the main tournament. And if we qualify, we'll be ready to compete because we're match fit in these conditions."

[shankycricket]

hopefully no one complains about the format here.
The Associates guys that complain about the bloody format comes on my nerves considering they bloody moan about everything.
Either the comp is too long, either the comps doesn't have many teams or the the comps doesn't allow the big team playing the associates.

This format not that great but it is probably the best possible format generated and still make the T20 format look simple.

Yes there is essentially a qualifier before the main comp but looks at the positives better tv Coverage, people actually watching the games and the spotlight is on the associates without any full member taking precedence.

Also this year Star/ICC TV won't be televising the warm up games.

TBH the group even look great on Paper.
Ban, Ireland, Netherland and then Zim, Afg and Scotland all with a chance of going through.

People are R**tards if they prefer the format to change considering any change will see associates losing out.
4 groups of 4 doesn't actually work either because the number of marquee games comes down.
unless they do an under 19 world cup format and have placement games which should see more marquee games but the downside is that the placement games are low intensity.

In terms of time, Business and quality of games the current formats is the best, Even the associates get a good deal out of it, 3 guaranteed games and if they progress 4 more games.

Saying that the ironic part is that ICC probably scraped the best icc world cup format.
2 groups of 7 will actually work now since the associates can match the lower full member teams including Pak/WI and the group stage isn't an one sided contest and they could even make the group stage tighter by making the top team qualify for the semis and 2nd and 3rd team playing games to determine the other 2 teams.

WTF?

[Dr Cricket]

If the Warms up games were going to be shown it would have been announced by now.

[mikesiva]

Hmmm...the Hong Kong team doesn't have a single player with a Chinese-sounding name. Can't see cricket making many inroads in Hong Kong if that's the case....

Masakadza out for 20....

[Dr Cricket]

Mark Chapman, Jamie Atkinson.

[dan08]

Mark Chapman, Jamie Atkinson.

Only Chapman is Chinese I think. But quite a few were born in HK anyway.