Who Will Win the Cricket World Cup?

[sussexpob]

I went for Australia, but I think it will be close. If Australia's current side play in the knockouts, you fancy a few quick wickets could trouble a line up with Smith, Maxwell, Haddin and Bailey (who is terribly out of nick)

[KipperJohn]

I've gone for England simply because I am patriotic. Whatever criticism I have of the ECB, management and other stuff over the last year or so in my heart I'm an England supporter, and whether my favourites are in the team or not.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hi KJ. I was joking about Adi picking England, not really meaning to dig out who did.

I'd quite like to see the Kiwis win it.I know it doesn't really work from a Utilitarian point of view, but from a playing in the right spirit perspective, and their home status, and their underdog tradition, in the year of the ICC carve up, I feel it'd be a feelgood win.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But I picked Australia as favourites.

[hopeforthebest]

Hmm, heavy betting on Australia overnight.

Not surprising as they have put daylight between most of the other nations except maybe SA. England's chances look rosier with Morgan at the helm but our middle order with Root and Bopara looks flimsy.

[Alviro Patterson]

Hmm, heavy betting on Australia overnight.

Not surprising as they have put daylight between most of the other nations except maybe SA. England's chances look rosier with Morgan at the helm but our middle order with Root and Bopara looks flimsy.

The same Joe Root who has scored more ODI runs and centuries than any other England player in 2014?

[hopeforthebest]

Hmm, heavy betting on Australia overnight.

Not surprising as they have put daylight between most of the other nations except maybe SA. England's chances look rosier with Morgan at the helm but our middle order with Root and Bopara looks flimsy.

The same Joe Root who has scored more ODI runs and centuries than any other England player?

Most of his runs have been in Asia or against Asian teams, against Australia or in Oz he's not done well. It's not so much just Root or Bopara but the combination of the two playing in the same eleven.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm, heavy betting on Australia overnight.

Not surprising as they have put daylight between most of the other nations except maybe SA. England's chances look rosier with Morgan at the helm but our middle order with Root and Bopara looks flimsy.

The same Joe Root who has scored more ODI runs and centuries than any other England player?

Lots of England players have scored more runs than Root. What am I missing here? Morgs must have more tons.

[Arthur Crabtree]

My feeling has been that none of the England players will rehabilitate their reputations following the Ashes whitewash until the year of cricket about to start.

I was a bit alarmed by the way Root got out in the ODI v Australia. It was like a clip from the previous winter. Stuck on the crease, he poked a defensive bat at a wide fast ball and guided a catch to slip.

[sussexpob]

The same Joe Root who has scored more ODI runs and centuries than any other England player?

Out of current players available to play for England, Eoin Morgan, KP, Trott, Bell, Bopara, Cook and Bell have scored more runs..... and Root has more hundreds then only Bopara.

I don't think any can beat Roots record in Australia though... average 16 at a strike rate of 49

[Alviro Patterson]

Just as well half of England's group games are in New Zealand, where Joe Root averages 163 with a strike rate of 93. Along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh making up two of three England's group games in Australia.

[Alviro Patterson]

Hmm, heavy betting on Australia overnight.

Not surprising as they have put daylight between most of the other nations except maybe SA. England's chances look rosier with Morgan at the helm but our middle order with Root and Bopara looks flimsy.

The same Joe Root who has scored more ODI runs and centuries than any other England player?

Most of his runs have been in Asia or against Asian teams, against Australia or in Oz he's not done well. It's not so much just Root or Bopara but the combination of the two playing in the same eleven.

Difficult to ignore Root when he's earned a World Cup spot after a good performance in the Sri Lanka ODI series.

As for Bopara, he's probably in the squad due to being a more experienced squad member and part-time bowling option.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, Root has certainly justified his selection over the past six months.

[Gingerfinch]

No votes for South Africa? They do have two of the best ODI batsmen in the world, and a very good pace attack. Is that choker tag still hanging around their necks?

[Dr Cricket]

Just as well half of England's group games are in New Zealand, where Joe Root averages 163 with a strike rate of 93. Along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh making up two of three England's group games in Australia.

Yeah but end of the day why care about NZ games when the games in Australia matter more AKA quarter final, maybe Semi final and the Final in Melbourne.
England only has 3 grounds to prepare for Melbourne, Sydney and Eden Park, the games in group stage don't matter apart from qualifying and getting the right opposition in Quarter Finals.

Root biggest problem is probably pace but lucky for him Melbourne, Sydney and Eden Park are not known for their pace but then again Root technique is horrible and looks to have a mental problem than a proper technique failure considering only Australia have made him look terrible against pace look ok against Yadav/Aaron and then they both bowl quick.
Root is becoming too static at the crease and is a walking wicket when he does that this isn't even really a problem with Root but most of the english batting line up had a similar problem to genuine pace.