Is This The Most Interesting Or Useless World Cup?

[Rana]

Intersting because of the Minnows in the super 8s and some clasic performances.

Boring because of no india v pakistan clash, no india or pakistan anymore, no packed house crowds!

To be honest, the authorities should stop this world cup and restart it next year just so the bob woolmer case can get sorted out. Pakistan and India can get another chance this way aswell.

[Hash]

I really don't like this long drawn out world cup. There are too many games and it takes far too long.

I like Ian Chappel's idea for the world cup format. I hope they use that in 2011.

[iafzal]

Not to mention half the games are 20-30 overs a side games.

I guess good practice for the 20-20 WC

[Saj]

I really cant get into it.

If it wasnt for the PP Fantasy cricket competition, I dont think I'd be watching much of it.

Just give the Aussies the trophy now and get it over and done with.

[pak4life]

everyone knows march and april is the rainy season in the windies. we still aint even at the half way stage yet!

[the true passionist]

Bangla and Ireland are essentially out.
England and West Indies are far behind the rest, hence the semi-finalists are confirmed. The super-8 has become usless with Pakistan and India missing out.

The format can't be blamed as much as Pakistan and India should be.

[SHER-E-PUNJAB]

Originally Posted by Saj I really cant get into it. If it wasnt for the PP Fantasy cricket competition, I dont think I'd be watching much of it. Just give the Aussies the trophy now and get it over and done with.

But SAJ this time its SA taking home the trophy

[Phuzz]

They should have kept the super sixes format, super eights is way too long. Super sixes was a success in 1999, I think it only failed in 2003 because of the games forfeited due to politics etc.

[Geordie Ahmed]

I watched the highlights for the Pak matches and have seen the odd clip here and there - obviously this World Cup for me has been usless. il watch the final BUT doubt il watch any of the matches between now and then

[KB]

I get the feeling that in years to come the 20:20 WC will supplant the 50 over WC as the main LOI prize.

There are likely to be better attendances for the short form of the game, closer finishes and it won't take as long to complete.

The 50 over World Cup just drags on for too long.

[infamous9383]

you can only blame India and Pakistan for this. Not only have they let down one billion and 150 million respectively, they have taken away 14 good matches in super 8s.

[PlanetPakistan]

The world cup might be a seed for success because first of all it will make the game more popular in Ireland and Bangladesh. Secondly it will force the BCCI and the PCB to make some really important changes which would help develop PROFESSIONAL cricket in India and Pakistan.

[SHER-E-PUNJAB]

This is the most interestingly and uselessly boring cricket wc that one cud imagine to see. No Ind No Pak. ARe you kidding?

[Easa]

Obviously my interest has been dulled by Pakistan/India getting knocked out so early and Bob's untimely passing.

However, some good matches are still to come, notably the semis and final.

[Phuzz]

It doesn't even feel like a world cup is going on anymore. I'm sure there are other ways for cricket to become more popular in countries like Bangladesh and Ireland. I also don't think it will do much good if these sides are convincingly beaten in the super eights as Bangladesh were today.

[Sean]

Too much rain. Rain has caused me to miss 2 matches that I have gotten up to watch.
I had school one day and I thought it was going to be washed out this morning.

[Rana]

Quite a Crap wc tbh!

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan The world cup might be a seed for success because first of all it will make the game more popular in Ireland and Bangladesh. Secondly it will force the BCCI and the PCB to make some really important changes which would help develop PROFESSIONAL cricket in India and Pakistan.

agreed...tho in many ways i would say bangladeshis are the most zealous cricket fans in any country...

think about it this way...after nearly a decade of losing match after match by huge margins...the fans have still turned up - despite constant criticisms too. i highly doubt indian or pak fans would be able to survive that.

although the situation for an emerging nation are different from an established one...but still speaks volumes about the game's popularity in BD

[Amjid Javed]

Usual sour grapes from most pakistan fans, because our team was so pathetic in touney and have gone out its boring or it should be re-started or format is poor.

Pakistan dont have a given right to play i elite all time you have to earn it on merit!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Usual sour grapes from most pakistan fans, because our team was so pathetic in touney and have gone out its boring or it should be re-started or format is poor. Pakistan dont have a given right to play i elite all time you have to earn it on merit!

Fully agreed - anyone suggesting the tournament needs restarting needs their head testing.

I do think the format could do with a change (mainly cos i feel the tournament is too long)

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Fully agreed - anyone suggesting the tournament needs restarting needs their head testing. I do think the format could do with a change (mainly cos i feel the tournament is too long)

I don't think anyone could sensibly suggest that the tournament should start again but overall this world cup has been a big big dissapointment.

Two of the most exciting teams in the world have gone out which leaves no hopers like Ireland and Bangladesh in the super 8s, half the matches have been affected by rain and the crowds have been ridiculously low. At the same time, we have not really seen any real exciting cricket yet. The only heart pounding match has been SL vs SA.

I also do not like this world cup format. It is far too long and there are too many teams. The world cup should not be a drag.....it's not something we want to go on and on and on for weeks and weeks. This one lasts almost two months!

[Oxy]

Had India/Pak made it to the Super 8s - it still would have been a pretty poor tournament.

[Geordie Ahmed]

I agree with you Hash - it has been a MASSIVE let down, waited 4 years for this - this is CRICKET WORLD CUP and all you see is empty seats every, its just shocking

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Hash Two of the most exciting teams in the world have gone out which leaves no hopers like Ireland and Bangladesh in the super 8s,

Well if ireland/bangladesh are no hopers it shows how bad india/pakistan are. Face facts pakistan were in a group with ireland and zimabwe and if u can qualify from that then it really does say much for the exciting cricket of pakistan.

The format was fine. Minnows got exposure in 1st round and if the Big boys were up to task they made super 8s.

Pakistan/india werent up to task...

am actually appauled at loser mentallity alot of pakistan fans have shown in this tourney...

[arhamkarim]

I agree with u Amjid, but u have to realise that the pitch was extremely sub standard, also, these guys, may be idiots, but are humans and and had off days. I seriously believe that , even tho both pak and india do not deserve to be in the super 8. ,they would have caused more problems then bangladesh and ireland. On the flip side, both bangladesh and ireland are showing that they are pretty good and more power to them. I think bangladesh could be a force in 2011.

[12thMan]

it is okay. timings are very bad for some in USA as the matches are during working hours

[PakVsAus]

RAIN filled world cup....wer not even having proper 50 overs match ....

The windies crowd dont even like their own team.

lousy WC

Aussie wins it again

[isr]

The thinking behind the format in this WC was flawed. Not so much the Super 8's (which was an attempt to recreate the 92 WC, in look and feel), but the prelim round preceeding that. 2 Test teams in each prelim group. One of them would lose. So, that losing Test team gets to play 2 essentially knockout matches with minnows.

Should be ok, but when you throw a substandard pitch into the equation, it becomes the equivalent of an old-style FA Cup 3rd round match between say Liverpool, and Runcorn Corinithians 3rd XI, on a mudpatch. It becomes a bit of a lottery.

Too much rides on a WC. To have 4 years of planning and hard work rest on a single ODI, in substandard conditions, against a team no-one would suggest (even after losing) is anywhere near as good as you - thats brinkmanship gone wild.

And now, this joke of a World Cup is what we have as a result. Anyone who can't see that is just burying their head in the sand. A World Cup is supposed to glorify the game, NOT BURY IT.

The only format which makes sense is to have the Test teams all play each other once, before anyone gets eliminated. By the end of that sequence, you can then make a judgement as to which teams deserve to progress. We can all see that the WI are not good enough to make it (probably ditto for Eng, as we'll see in the next week). But, that determination is being made AFTER they lose to everybody. Not just a single game, in weird conditions.

For a World Cup, you need to give teams time to get into form, or to play themselves out of form. Let everything into the equation. Then, rank them at the end.

How you incoporate minnows into that - we can discuss.

But, sacrificing the games greatest showpiece event, for the sake of minnows, is putting the cart before the horse. Ireland, Kenya, etc would much prefer MORE ATTENTION from the ICC in between World Cups, rather than 5 minutes in the spotlight.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by isr The thinking behind the format in this WC was flawed. Not so much the Super 8's (which was an attempt to recreate the 92 WC, in look and feel), but the prelim round preceeding that. 2 Test teams in each prelim group. One of them would lose. So, that losing Test team gets to play 2 essentially knockout matches with minnows. Should be ok, but when you throw a substandard pitch into the equation, it becomes the equivalent of an old-style FA Cup 3rd round match between say Liverpool, and Runcorn Corinithians 3rd XI, on a mudpatch. It becomes a bit of a lottery. Too much rides on a WC. To have 4 years of planning and hard work rest on a single ODI, in substandard conditions, against a team no-one would suggest (even after losing) is anywhere near as good as you - thats brinkmanship gone wild. And now, this joke of a World Cup is what we have as a result. Anyone who can't see that is just burying their head in the sand. A World Cup is supposed to glorify the game, NOT BURY IT. The only format which makes sense is to have the Test teams all play each other once, before anyone gets eliminated. By the end of that sequence, you can then make a judgement as to which teams deserve to progress. How you incoporate minnows into that - we can discuss. But, sacrificing the games greatest showpiece event, for the sake of minnows, is putting the cart before the horse. Ireland, Kenya, etc would much prefer MORE ATTENTION from the ICC in between World Cups, rather than 5 minutes in the spotlight.

Thats why you have 900 posts and I have a Tendulkar-esque amount.... Classy response.

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by isr The thinking behind the format in this WC was flawed. Not so much the Super 8's (which was an attempt to recreate the 92 WC, in look and feel), but the prelim round preceeding that. 2 Test teams in each prelim group. One of them would lose. So, that losing Test team gets to play 2 essentially knockout matches with minnows. Should be ok, but when you throw a substandard pitch into the equation, it becomes the equivalent of an old-style FA Cup 3rd round match between say Liverpool, and Runcorn Corinithians 3rd XI, on a mudpatch. It becomes a bit of a lottery. Too much rides on a WC. To have 4 years of planning and hard work rest on a single ODI, in substandard conditions, against a team no-one would suggest (even after losing) is anywhere near as good as you - thats brinkmanship gone wild. And now, this joke of a World Cup is what we have as a result. Anyone who can't see that is just burying their head in the sand. A World Cup is supposed to glorify the game, NOT BURY IT. The only format which makes sense is to have the Test teams all play each other once, before anyone gets eliminated. By the end of that sequence, you can then make a judgement as to which teams deserve to progress. We can all see that the WI are not good enough to make it (probably ditto for Eng, as we'll see in the next week). But, that determination is being made AFTER they lose to everybody. Not just a single game, in weird conditions. For a World Cup, you need to give teams time to get into form, or to play themselves out of form. Let everything into the equation. Then, rank them at the end. How you incoporate minnows into that - we can discuss. But, sacrificing the games greatest showpiece event, for the sake of minnows, is putting the cart before the horse. Ireland, Kenya, etc would much prefer MORE ATTENTION from the ICC in between World Cups, rather than 5 minutes in the spotlight.

the top 8 teams just had to win 1 game to proceed to the super 8s...just 1 game. if anyone thinks the system is biased...then why not just have a top 8 team WC...where all the teams automatically progress beyond a group stage which doesn't exist.

it came down to, win this game or else...and everyone knew it from before hand. no one is saying that BD or Ireland are better than India or Pakistan, but if you can't win one game at crunch time, how can you justify a 2nd round berth? think NCAA tournament...

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Bangla Tiger the top 8 teams just had to win 1 game to proceed to the super 8s...just 1 game. if anyone thinks the system is biased...then why not just have a top 8 team WC...where all the teams automatically progress beyond a group stage which doesn't exist. it came down to, win this game or else...and everyone knew it from before hand. no one is saying that BD or Ireland are better than India or Pakistan, but if you can't win one game at crunch time, how can you justify a 2nd round berth? think NCAA tournament...

Not necessarily, Pakistan and India both won 1 game and they didnt make it through. Netherlands won 1 game and they didnt make it through. You needed to win 2 matches.

[isr]

Originally Posted by Bangla Tiger it came down to, win this game or else...and everyone knew it from before hand. no one is saying that BD or Ireland are better than India or Pakistan, but if you can't win one game at crunch time, how can you justify a 2nd round berth? think NCAA tournament...

At some point in a World Cup, there has to be a crunch time - where you either win, or you go home (or else we'd be there forever!).

My point is, this crunch time should not come at the VERY BEGINING, before the tournament has even warmed up. World Cup should be a stage where all the best teams get a chance to show their wares - and once thats done, the best 4 get picked to fight it out, and the rest go home.

The Super 8's is not that, right now. However you might want to (and justifiably) criticise Pak and Ind for losing - you still couldn't construct an argument showing that they are not amongst the top 8 teams in the world.

Remember, they got that ranking by winning matches all over the world, against everybody, over 4 years. They already EARNED the right to be considered worthy of contesting the WC. And a minnow gets to jump over them into the World Cup proper by just winning one game?

I'd much rather if Bang, Zim, Ire etc all had to play an elimination round amongst themselves, and then the best 2 get to join the top 8, in an everyone plays everyone round.

Whoever won such a tournament, would not encounter many complaints. Luck evens out in such a format. The best teams will progress, and the best team will win.

In the end, cricket is the loser. We do not have a spectacle highlighting the game. The minnows will go back to being forgotten 5 mins after their stay is concluded (which itself is wrong - they would benefit FAR more by more sustained ICC interest, and A tours, in between each WC). And we'll be left with a damp squib of a tournament - which most people are already trying hard to forget.

[mamoo gogo]

Originally Posted by Hash I really don't like this long drawn out world cup. There are too many games and it takes far too long. I like Ian Chappel's idea for the world cup format. I hope they use that in 2011.

And what is that format?

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by Sean Not necessarily, Pakistan and India both won 1 game and they didnt make it through. Netherlands won 1 game and they didnt make it through. You needed to win 2 matches.

netherlands is not a top 8 team...neither is BD...they would have to have won 2 matches to go through...

but Pak had to beat ireland and they would have gone through...ditto that for india (the BD game)...they didnt do it.

so ur saying 2 games are needed to proceed...then how is this a knock out format as some are complaining?

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by isr At some point in a World Cup, there has to be a crunch time - where you either win, or you go home (or else we'd be there forever!). My point is, this crunch time should not come at the VERY BEGINING, before the tournament has even warmed up. World Cup should be a stage where all the best teams get a chance to show their wares - and once thats done, the best 4 get picked to fight it out, and the rest go home. The Super 8's is not that, right now. However you might want to (and justifiably) criticise Pak and Ind for losing - you still couldn't construct an argument showing that they are not amongst the top 8 teams in the world. Remember, they got that ranking by winning matches all over the world, against everybody, over 4 years. They already EARNED the right to be considered worthy of contesting the WC. And a minnow gets to jump over them into the World Cup proper by just winning one game? I'd much rather if Bang, Zim, Ire etc all had to play an elimination round amongst themselves, and then the best 2 get to join the top 8, in an everyone plays everyone round. Whoever won such a tournament, would not encounter many complaints. Luck evens out in such a format. The best teams will progress, and the best team will win. In the end, cricket is the loser. We do not have a spectacle highlighting the game. The minnows will go back to being forgotten 5 mins after their stay is concluded (which itself is wrong - they would benefit FAR more by more sustained ICC interest, and A tours, in between each WC). And we'll be left with a damp squib of a tournament - which most people are already trying hard to forget.

i understand what you are saying...but suppose India had beaten BD and Pak had defeated Ireland...

would it be an unfair system that BD and Ireland were "robbed" of an opportunity at the super 8 cuz they had "one bad day"???

of course not.

now you might say that the teams are not of equal strength and thus the argument is not valid...not so...

australia are stronger than everyone else, indeed no 2 two teams are EXACTLY equal...so why not have a perfect system where each team is rewarded according to its merit? in that case, australia would win every single game and zimbabwe none, because of their ranks on paper.

the whole point of sports is to compete...there is alwasy an element of upsets being caused. winning and losing are both parts of the game...you can't have a winner, if everyone refuses to lose.

[jackal786]

The format was designed with an assumption that all top 8 teams will not falter. But it is not their fault. It is the fault of India not to beat this ridiculously weak team like Bangladesh in their freakish encounter. That's okay. They don't deserve to go forward. But i predict this format is going to change. Defenitely there will be talks about this. One banana skin game can toss a potential title contender out of the world cup. Next game will become a pressure game then. I expect them to come out with a different format in the world cup. There must have been discussions about this.

For us it is just a game. For ICC it is much more than that. There is huge amount of money involved. So they will come out with a system where they will make sure one fluke win is not enough to take you to the next round. In this case Both Ireland and Bangladesh had one freaky win they are through to the next round. World cup is expected to be full of tight matches and interesting matches. Now Ireland and Bangladesh gets to play 9 matches each in total which would have never happened in any other format. Think about it Bangla is a team that has played 96 matches against top 8 ICC ranked teams. They have lost 91 out of them. Naturally there will be few eye brows raised about the format.

[mos123]

i think this is the worst worldcup

[khilari]

not a fair question to us cuz our teams had a disaster.... ask the aussies, saffers may be english fans...

[Asim2Good]

I think empty stadiums make it very very boring. not much fun,noise, cheering in matches.
yesterday match (WI & SL) had some crowd and that also coz they gave away free tickets.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by arhamkarim I agree with u Amjid, but u have to realise that the pitch was extremely sub standard, also, these guys, may be idiots, but are humans and and had off days. I seriously believe that , even tho both pak and india do not deserve to be in the super 8. ,they would have caused more problems then bangladesh and ireland. On the flip side, both bangladesh and ireland are showing that they are pretty good and more power to them. I think bangladesh could be a force in 2011.

I agree the pitch was sub-standard. Even so pakistan played poor cricket against a minnow like ireland. There should be no excuse for such a defeat!

[Farhad]

The pitch was sub-standards but was so for BOTH the teams. The skipper's dubious move to drop Kaneria at the last minute harmed us like anything.

[Asim2Good]

Originally Posted by Farhad The pitch was sub-standards but was so for BOTH the teams. The skipper's dubious move to drop Kaneria at the last minute harmed us like anything.

how u know it was last minute decision ?
and IF Dani had played and haven't got wicket, I think you would b saying "what a dumb decision by our captain by playing 3 spinners on green wicket"

[Farhad]

Originally Posted by Asim2Good how u know it was last minute decision ?

All over the press.

and IF Dani had played and haven't got wicket, I think you would b saying "what a dumb decision by our captain by playing 3 spinners on green wicket

The chances of such a different bowler rocking the Irish batting line-up are quite high always. They get to face 75-82 mph seamers all the time but class leg-spinners they don't!

[Asim2Good]

Originally Posted by Farhad All over the press. The chances of such a different bowler rocking the Irish batting line-up are quite high always. They get to face 75-82 mph seamers all the time but class leg-spinners they don't!

through "close sources to PCB" ?
u took reply in another way, I asked "wouldn't u question captain's dacision of playing 3 spinners on green top" ?

[Farhad]

Originally Posted by Asim2Good I asked "wouldn't u question captain's dacision of playing 3 spinners on green top" ?

Asim

Kaneria is a specialist leg-spinner and that's where he is in a different league when playing against minnows especially, in contrast to Hafeez and Afridi etc.

[Asim2Good]

Originally Posted by Farhad Asim Kaneria is a specialist leg-spinner and that's where he is in a different league when playing against minnows especially, in contrast to Hafeez and Afridi etc.

Agree, but you are not replying my question " wouldn't u question Inzi's decision of playing 3 spinners on green top IF dani also had failed" ?

[tradecars]

both

[Farhad]

Originally Posted by Asim2Good Agree, but you are not replying my question " wouldn't u question Inzi's decision of playing 3 spinners on green top IF dani also had failed" ?

Now that is the crux. What is the likelihood of a specialist excellent leg-spinner like Danish failing against Ireland?

[Asim2Good]

Originally Posted by Farhad Now that is the crux. What is the likelihood of a specialist excellent leg-spinner like Danish failing against Ireland?

what was likelihood of world class excellent batsmen like Inzi,YK and MoYo failing against Ireland ?

[Rana]

Originally Posted by Farhad The chances of such a different bowler rocking the Irish batting line-up are quite high always. They get to face 75-82 mph seamers all the time but class leg-spinners they don't!

[Believe2Succeed]

most useless. Bad pitches, bad planning, bad venue (rain al the time), bad crowds, dull dull dull.

[Rana]

Originally Posted by Believe2Succeed most useless. Bad pitches, bad planning, bad venue (rain al the time), bad crowds, dull dull dull.

agreed, although good opening ceremony!

[ringo16]

You can't bash the World Cup format in hindsight just because your team got knocked out. Pakistan lost to Ireland! Ireland! None of the other teams are struggling to beat any of the true minnows. India were a little bit unlucky since Bangladesh is a decent team, but they had another chance against Sri Lanka (as did Pakistan against the woeful Windies) and blew that too.

IMO this format for the WC is the best yet - I like the top 8 teams all playing each other. Would've been much better to watch with India and Pakistan in there, sure, but you can't blame the format. And hey, we've had 6 sixes in one over, 4 wickets in 4 balls, and we have four teams that could win this competition.

[Jayed]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan The world cup might be a seed for success because first of all it will make the game more popular in Ireland and Bangladesh. Secondly it will force the BCCI and the PCB to make some really important changes which would help develop PROFESSIONAL cricket in India and Pakistan.

Cricket in BD is more popular than Cricket in India. Fact. Proof: 17 year olds smacking senior bowlers.

[Truthteller]

I thought the Irish played spin rather well. They used their feet and their run scorers were left handed against whom leg spinners are less effective anyway. With 130 odd to play with, tossing the ball up in the air with short boundaries all around may have been an interesting move. It is not certain it would have succeeded. Kaneria had he been selected may have finished the match off in favour of the Irish much sooner. On the other hand he could possibly have won it. The case for playing him is not an 'open and shut' case by any means.

[OZGOD]

Personally, I think it's pretty interesting. I like the concept of Cinderella teams - and in this WC we have two, Bangladesh and Ireland. Sure, they may get caned in the S8, but they might also put up a good fight. It's good to see the underdogs hitting back.

[blackcap]

If they do restart the World Cup, it should of continued from the Super 8's stage. India PAKISTAN don't deserve a second chance. Ireland and Bangladesh deserve there place.

I think the world cup is dam interesting. I guess it would be the opposite for the Pakistan and Indian fans obviously. Packed crowds for sure if they were there...so many indians and pakistan over there, tho i rather watch the best teams play not teams who can get crowds in because india have 1 billion ppl. (p.s I am an Indian as well before any one gets angry)

I wasn't that suprised when India lost to Bangladesh, as when i herd they beat NZ i knew they had every chance to beat India. India didn't learn from NZ's hic up and just thought they were too classy (NOT!) and got punished. NZ on the other hand saw it and picked there game up in the super 8's

[blackcap]

Pitches were fine, seaming slightly but not for the whole game, batters just have to adapt. Sub continent countries have faced these challenges for decades and still have not learnt and worked out the tricks exempting a few players.

If the pitches were flat and batters paradise it doesn't give an even contest, this world cup is a very even one.

Pakistan got a green wicket against Ireland, but they could of should batted better than what they did ..in the end they didn't. Could of SHould of..didn't