Today's practice matches gave us the glimpse of what the associate teams might experience in the upcoming world cup. It seems the associates will be the one in the receiving end, and can hardly disturbed the strongest counterparts. There is clearly very little or no chance for the associate to qualify
for the next round as the ICC cleverly designed a league structure so as to avoid any disappointment caused by the disqualification of top rated teams, as we saw in the last world cup. Just a single lose against Ireland showed the team like Pakistan an early exit. Bangladesh, though not an associate, had amazed the millions of Indian spectators by getting thumping win against the Indians. India and Pakistan both have the huge fan following and early exit had declined the TRP of television.
So, this time all the teams are staged into two groups of 7 teams each. Out of 7 teams, only 4 teams will be qualify for the quarterfinal round. To qualify, each team should at least win 3 of the matches convincingly. For the associates, to upset big teams thrice would be like creating a miracle. Let's see how the associates performed in today's practice matches.
1) Sri Lanka Vs Netherlands
Sri Lanka 351/5 (50 0vers)
Netherlands 195/10 (47.3 Overs)
Netherlands is one of the two associates, along with Kenya, which has been playing in every world cup since the debut. World cup is not a new stage for the Dutch team, however; there is not much achieved by them. In the practice match with Sri Lanka, they failed to chase the huge scores of 351. The only batsman who impressed was TN De Grooth with the score of 76. The team has some very exciting players like Ten Doeschate and skipper Zuiderent. But in front of destructive bowling spell of Dilhara Fernando, the Dutch team seems to be helpless.
2) Bangladesh Vs Canada
Canada 112/10 (37.3 overs)
Bangladesh 113/1 (19.2 overs)
Bangladesh have won this match easily with the performances from their two best players: Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Shakib picked 3 wickets to limit Canada in 112 runs and Tamim Iqbal led the chase by scoring 69 runs in 50 balls. Bangladesh hope to win the world cup and they start the carnival with positive note.
3) Zimbabwe Vs South Africa
Zimbabwe 152/10 (41.5 overs)
South Africa 153/2 (23.3 overs)
Quite an easy match for South Africa, thanks to their secret weapon Imran Tahir, who took 3 wickets including the top scorer Brandon Taylor (40). The chase was quite easy for the Proteas, Kallis being unbeaten at 49 at the end.
4) West Indies Vs Kenya
West Indies 253/8 (50 overs)
Kenya 192/10 (45.3 overs)
Ramnaresh Sharwan scored 123 runs off 125 balls to help West Indies team make respectful total of 253, but the total seems to be too much for Kenya as they deliberately failed to create big partnership. Colin Obuya top scored with 68 runs and the opener Waters being the second top run getter for Kenya with 43 runs.
5) Ireland Vs New Zealand
New Zealand 311/6 (50 overs)
Ireland 279/10 (48.2 overs)
Last world cup sensation Ireland had shown better resistance than their associate counterpart as they almost gave heart attack to New Zealand team. Irish team played bravely to chase the huge 311, but fell shortly by 32 runs to achieve another memorable victory. The opener batsman Porterfield and ex-English batsman Ed Joyce batted really well with 72 and 41 respectively. At one point, Ireland were at 192 with the loss of 3 wickets. That was like an danger alarm for Kiwis for another defeat in the subcontinent. But thanks to skipper Daniel Vettori's 4 wickets that stopped Irish team shortly before the target.
It would be quite early to declare, but it seems the full members have done good homework and will give no chance for associates to create upset. Ireland though, if keep playing like today, may become dark horse again. Zimbabwe can make some difference as well. I am eagerly waiting for the world cup to start. Let the party begin.
1) Sri Lanka Vs Netherlands
Sri Lanka 351/5 (50 0vers)
Netherlands 195/10 (47.3 Overs)
Netherlands is one of the two associates, along with Kenya, which has been playing in every world cup since the debut. World cup is not a new stage for the Dutch team, however; there is not much achieved by them. In the practice match with Sri Lanka, they failed to chase the huge scores of 351. The only batsman who impressed was TN De Grooth with the score of 76. The team has some very exciting players like Ten Doeschate and skipper Zuiderent. But in front of destructive bowling spell of Dilhara Fernando, the Dutch team seems to be helpless.
2) Bangladesh Vs Canada
Canada 112/10 (37.3 overs)
Bangladesh 113/1 (19.2 overs)
Bangladesh have won this match easily with the performances from their two best players: Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Shakib picked 3 wickets to limit Canada in 112 runs and Tamim Iqbal led the chase by scoring 69 runs in 50 balls. Bangladesh hope to win the world cup and they start the carnival with positive note.
3) Zimbabwe Vs South Africa
Zimbabwe 152/10 (41.5 overs)
South Africa 153/2 (23.3 overs)
Quite an easy match for South Africa, thanks to their secret weapon Imran Tahir, who took 3 wickets including the top scorer Brandon Taylor (40). The chase was quite easy for the Proteas, Kallis being unbeaten at 49 at the end.
4) West Indies Vs Kenya
West Indies 253/8 (50 overs)
Kenya 192/10 (45.3 overs)
Ramnaresh Sharwan scored 123 runs off 125 balls to help West Indies team make respectful total of 253, but the total seems to be too much for Kenya as they deliberately failed to create big partnership. Colin Obuya top scored with 68 runs and the opener Waters being the second top run getter for Kenya with 43 runs.
5) Ireland Vs New Zealand
New Zealand 311/6 (50 overs)
Ireland 279/10 (48.2 overs)
Last world cup sensation Ireland had shown better resistance than their associate counterpart as they almost gave heart attack to New Zealand team. Irish team played bravely to chase the huge 311, but fell shortly by 32 runs to achieve another memorable victory. The opener batsman Porterfield and ex-English batsman Ed Joyce batted really well with 72 and 41 respectively. At one point, Ireland were at 192 with the loss of 3 wickets. That was like an danger alarm for Kiwis for another defeat in the subcontinent. But thanks to skipper Daniel Vettori's 4 wickets that stopped Irish team shortly before the target.
It would be quite early to declare, but it seems the full members have done good homework and will give no chance for associates to create upset. Ireland though, if keep playing like today, may become dark horse again. Zimbabwe can make some difference as well. I am eagerly waiting for the world cup to start. Let the party begin.
