Tiers before bedtime

A CWC special newsletter for $ subscribers, including the BYC and the moment of the summer

Rachin Ravindra times his runs nicely. Getty Images

We’re exactly halfway through the other World Cup.

Looking at the big picture, the tournament deserves mixed reviews. Both anecdotal reports from those on the ground and pictures of vast swathes of empty seats point to a ticketing balls-up of epic proportions.

While there have been heartwarming stories of upsets and shock results, we’re still waiting for a thriller.

Still, in some cases the cricket has been stupendously good, if a bit one-sided.

By now we have a fair idea who is contending and who is pretending, but due to the imbalanced nature of the round-robin format, the table is still capable of telling the odd fib here and there.

To assist those who might be waiting a few more days before switching focus from one World Cup to another, here’s The Bounce’s World Cup by Tiers.

SEMI-CERTAIN

INDIA

In a sentence

The hometown juggernaut with no obvious weaknesses has played like, well, a juggernaut with no weaknesses.

Biggest strength

This is a team with outstanding balance. They have power hitters, innings builders, outstanding pace bowlers and both attacking and defensive spinners. Oh, and they’re a quality fielding team. The worst thing you can say is that the keeper, KL Rahul, is adequate - but then again, he’s there for his batting.

Biggest worry

One-off pressure. India were always going to make the semis. They have the strongest side and although the BCCI has created something of a rod by requiring the team to play all nine pool matches in nine different venues, they’re the most familiar with the variety of conditions found on the subcontinent. As we’ve said on The BYC, and as India learned at Manchester in 2019, you don’t have to beat India twice to knock them out of the tournament - just once.

Further reading/ listening: “Getting close to India? You've been hustled.”

If you are an opposition team, even one that has won four in a row as New Zealand has, how do you possibly combat this? You are playing a cricket team every bit as forbidding as the colossal peaks that surround a stadium that is packed with supporters whose clamouring for India's success is voracious and relentless.

Run in: England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands.

Projected points: 18

SHOULD MAKE IT

AUSTRALIA

In a sentence

The most successful team in World Cup history is starting to flex its muscles after a slow start.

Biggest strength

Being Australia. Chest-puffing and reputation won’t win you a tournament, but it does enable you to rock up against some teams and beat them before the coin is tossed.

Biggest worry

Most of their form kinks are being ironed out, but for the balance of the attack, captain Pat Cummins will not want any more Adam Zampa off days.

Further reading/ listening: “Australia get a Heads up, but opener’s return in World Cup may not be immediate.”

Australia’s World Cup campaign is back on track and received a further fillip on Saturday when Travis Head rejoined the squad in Delhi, but chief selector George Bailey said he was not certain to play in the next match against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Head’s cavalier top order batting and competent off-spin were integral to Australia’s plans until he disrupted them by breaking his hand in the prelude. He has satisfied doctors that he is fit again, but now has to assure the selectors.

Run in: NZ, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh

Projected points: 14