One sided games

[bigfluffylemon]

Is anyone else a bit disenchanted by how one-sided most of the games so far this WC have been, even between supposedly good teams?

By my reckoning, of 14 completed games 11 were basically over by the halfway mark of the second team innings - 2 of those (Scotland v NZ and ENgland v NZ) were effectively over halfway through the first team innings. We've seen no fewer than 8 games where the team batting first has scored 300+ and the chasing team has never looked like chasing it down. These new fielding restrictions, bigger bats and flat pitches are certainly allowing big scores, but usually only for one team.

Damningly (sp?) for the ICC and their contention that associates are involved in one sided games, the most even and exciting games of the tournament so far have involved associates - Ireland v WI, UAE v Zimbabwe and Afghanistan v Sri Lanka. Those are the only three games where the result was still in doubt at the 40 over mark of the second team innings (and even then, Ireland basically cruised to the WI chase, with late wickets making it look closer than it was).

It's also noteworthy that not a single game has lasted 100 overs - i.e. at least one team has been bowled out in every game.

I guess what we're seeing is high risk, high reward cricket. Teams are getting out by slogging trying to force the pace, either to try and keep up with the asking rate for a huge chase or feeling pressure on themselves to set a big total. The days of fighting your way to 230 on a tricky pitch and defending it with good bowling to win by 10 runs are gone. It's either get 300 or 150.

I'm sure a lot of people are enjoying the glut of boundaries and wickets, but personally I preferred it when things were a bit more even.

[rich1uk]

yeah I said something similar in last night's match thread

been lots of good cricket and enjoyable individual performances but not sure that makes up for how many of the games have been basically over either before the 2nd innings or at least very early into the second innings

sport is about competition and haven't been many competitive matches so far

[GarlicJam]

Ditto




Ditto

[Gingerfinch]

Four groups of three might make the games more competitive? England have lost two games, and can probably afford to lose another and still be in the QF's, which suggests teams don't have to play 100% in all games.
The knock-out stages will hopefully see some better matches.

[Aidan11]

It's all geared so the top 8 test sides go through but that isn't guaranteed these days.

We've had some poor teams in the past in these WCs - Canada & Namibia for example.


Hopefully the days of 38 all out are no more in these tournaments.

[Durhamfootman]

the OP pretty much sums up why I can't be bothered with T20. It seems that the 50 over game is going the same way

I'll bet that the first tense, close run thing in this world cup involves low scores, but that isn't the model the ICC has gone for. They prefer their cricket dumbed down, and I suspect it is a long term strategy to get the Americans interested

[GarlicJam]

the OP pretty much sums up why I can't be bothered with T20. It seems that the 50 over game is going the same way

I'll bet that the first tense, close run thing in this world cup involves low scores, but that isn't the model the ICC has gone for. They prefer their cricket dumbed down, and I suspect it is a long term strategy to get the Americans interested

China, DF, not America.

That's where the Yuan is.

[Durhamfootman]

Nah..... definitely America, If the Chinese got interested they'd quickly have 20 million kids in batting school, 20 million kids in bowling school, and would completely dominate the sport within 20 years, including where the money goes. The ICC wouldn't like that at all.

[Gingerfinch]

The Chinese would be making bats for £3.75. And we'd be buying them.

[Gingerfinch]

Could be a last over jobbie today.

[rich1uk]

Could be a last over jobbie today.

definitely one of the few games that with 7 overs to go the winner is still in doubt

[Gingerfinch]

Could be a last over jobbie today.

definitely one of the few games that with 7 overs to go the winner is still in doubt

Ireland vs the windies was another.

Ireland for test cricket

[bigfluffylemon]

Yes, today's game was a genuine close contest. And yet again, it's involved associates.

The plan to keep them out because they are involved in uncompetitive matches is looking increasingly stupid.

[rich1uk]

being devils advocate , 2 associate teams playing a competitive match against each other probably doesn't increase their chances as its their performances in relation to the top teams that is seen to be the issue

before anyone bites my head off , I know they have been involved in competitive matches against full members, just saying that game didn't really influence that particular debate

[dan08]

Still I'm sure everyone would rather see a close game between two associates than a one sided game between full members. ICC obviously don't care about though as there's no money in those games...