Cricket World Cup 2011

[cdbearsfan]

Deserves it's own thread.

Who do you reckon?

Obviously not England. India and Sri Lanka must be fancied on homesoil while South Africa will bottle it as always.

I have a horrible feeling the bloody Aussies will win it again for the 97th successive time.

[timeoutbigbar]

Deserves it's own thread.

Does it?

Edit:  Apologies, one too many this evening and this appealed to my own humour if no-one elses!

[cdbearsfan]

Yes, it's the World Cup.

That's the Cup... for the whole World! Except Scotland, unfortunately.

We can use the Cricket 2011 thread for other series/tournaments and county cricket.

[KevinGage]

Still fuming at the amount of ODI's/ 20/20's at the back-end of the Ashes campaign.

I'm sure the players won't admit it publicly, but that's effectively done for England's chances in this one. No Morgan, Swann carrying an injury and a fair few players fatigued too. Really shit, counterproductive planning, whoever came up with that schedule.

Think Bangladesh may cause a surprise or two along the way, Pakistan may be darkhorses too.  But can't look past India for this one.

[Karl Bridges]

I think SA will finally step up and win it.

[taylorsworkrate]

Pakistan could be very dangerous in this form of the game and in these type of conditions. 

They have a lot of raw talent in batsmen like Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi.

Bowling looks pretty good too, with Gul and Akhtar.

Agree totally with KG about Englands chances.  Royally fucked up scheduling when we have players more than good enough to challenge.

[peter w]

As just said pakistan will have a great chance. Umar Gul is a very underrated performer. Ontheir day they will beat anyone.

West indies also may surprise a few but will not get past an Australia or South Africa. I don't fancy India. So, I'll go with South Africa to win in a semi-finals comprising of them, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka.

[Villan For Life]

World Cups are generally scheduled to take place at this time of year, unless we are the host nation when they happen in our spring. As a result they often tend to happen right at the end of an Ashes campaign.

When we've been hammered down under we arrive at the tournament battered, bruised and mentally shot. After a victorious Ashes campaign we arrive at the tournament battered, bruised and mentally shot. C'mon guys you can't have it both ways!

The tournament itself is far too long and seems to be designed to keep the sponsors happy with India in the competition to the death.

I think that India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan will contest the semis and by that stage we will have all become bored and gone home.

[Chris Smith]

I think the betting scandal will have taken its toll on Pakistan so will be surprised if they stay the course. South Africa should win it but I don't think they will. Home advanatge will help India and Australia will be dangerous. England have the players to give it a go and if Flower gets them focussed again who know although I wouldn't put money in it.

Which is all a long winded way of saying I haven't a clue who will win.

[Dave Cooper please]

Eoin Morgan is a big loss for England, potentially one which has cost them any slim chance they had, and if Swanny's back isn't fully fixed we've got no chance.
India for me I reckon, just the home soil thing I suppose.

[PaulWinch again]

It will be interesting to see how KP does opening. I agree Morgan is a massive loss, but I'd be very tempted to play Bopara, he's a potential game changer.

[peter w]

Morgan wuld be a massive loss had he shown any foirm in Australia. As it is I'm not so sure.

[KevinGage]

World Cups are generally scheduled to take place at this time of year, unless we are the host nation when they happen in our spring. As a result they often tend to happen right at the end of an Ashes campaign.

When we've been hammered down under we arrive at the tournament battered, bruised and mentally shot. After a victorious Ashes campaign we arrive at the tournament battered, bruised and mentally shot. C'mon guys you can't have it both ways!

The tournament itself is far too long and seems to be designed to keep the sponsors happy with India in the competition to the death.

I think that India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan will contest the semis and by that stage we will have all become bored and gone home.

Nine Limited Overs (seven ODI's and two shits and giggles 20/20 knockabouts) tacked on at the end of an Ashes campaign is a bit much, don't you think?

England might have won the real thing convincingly, but fatigue (both physically and mentally) will inevitably set in with that workload. The players have been away from home since the end of October, surely a few weeks back to recharge and go again would have been more beneficial. As it is, they had four/five days home and then back on a plane again. OK it might be doing something they love, (and something most of us would do given half a chance) but that doesn't mean such a schedule won't impair performance and playing standards. Which is ultimately what it all comes down to.

England versus Australia should also be a bit special, and part of that comes from the rarity of playing each other, leaving sufficient gaps in between the series and avoiding overkill when it comes to ODIs. By the end of it I was bored/ tired with it all, nevermind the players.  Five ODI's and one 20/20 knockabout max should have been enough.

[peter w]

Or if its workload, 3 20/20s and 3 or 5 one-dayers.

[peter w]

It will be an interesting barometer about both teams - England and Pakistan - ahead of the World Cup today. Currently 140-4 with Piterson and Bell out poorly. We haven't played spin at all well in Australia and here. Its not as if its sharp turn either. Great chance for Collingwood to get a bit of form back and for Bopara to dust down the cobwebs.