The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league stage concluded with India’s commanding 160-run victory over the Netherlands. One of many noteworthy features of the World Cup to date has been the Indian cricket workforce’s dominance. Right here, we discover 5 key observations from the league stage.
1. Virat Kohli’s masterclass
Virat Kohli, on the age of 35, is perhaps enjoying in his closing ODI World Cup and the Indian batter appears decided to go away an enduring impression. The previous India captain concluded the group stage because the main run-scorer with 594 runs in 9 matches, boasting a formidable common of 99. He scored seven 50-plus scores in 9 matches.
Kohli started the marketing campaign by steering India to victories towards Australia and Afghanistan, solidifying his status because the ‘Chase-Grasp’ with scores of 85 and an unbeaten 55. Demonstrating his batting prowess, he exhibited his class towards Bangladesh and New Zealand, hitting a 103-not out and 95, respectively.
The batting stalwart has constantly shouldered the accountability of setting imposing totals for India when batting first. Furthermore, he additionally performed pivotal roles as an anchor batter on a number of events.
Kohli conjured a composed innings on a sluggish, two-paced Eden Gardens pitch towards South Africa. Underneath stress, Kohli showcased his temperament and expertise, in the end unleashing a flurry of pictures on the finish for an unbeaten century.
Past his batting prowess, Kohli displayed his all-round abilities by contributing with the ball, claiming a wicket towards the Dutch workforce and entertaining the followers on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
2. Australia’s resilience
The Australian cricket workforce received off to a poor begin with uncommon back-to-back defeats within the World Cup. Not many anticipated the Aussies to make it to the knockout stage after heavy defeats towards hosts India and South Africa. Nonetheless, the five-time ODI world champions showcased resilience and stitched a seven-match successful streak to seal a berth within the high 4.
En path to the semi-finals, the Australians created historical past by defeating the Dutch workforce by 309 runs, recording the highest-ever win by runs within the Cricket World Cup. Overcoming the early setbacks, the facet led by Pat Cummins has gained appreciable momentum heading into the semi-finals towards South Africa on the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
As they put together for the upcoming match, the Australian workforce has emerged as sturdy contenders to carry the trophy for the sixth time.
3. Afghanistan and Netherlands, the shock packages
Afghanistan and the Netherlands exceeded expectations by punching over their weight within the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Afghanistan cricket workforce’s surprising success within the event, securing a sixth-place end with 4 victories in 9 matches, took many without warning.
They earned the status of ‘giant-killers’ by beautiful the 2019 champions England, in addition to securing victories towards formidable opponents like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Regardless of a slim loss to Australia, attributable to Glenn Maxwell’s excellent efficiency, Afghanistan has demonstrated that their ascent within the cricketing world is the results of devoted arduous work and dedication.
Equally, the Dutch cricket workforce, working with restricted assets and infrastructure, made a major affect on the grand stage. Their 38-run victory over South Africa shocked the cricket world and compelled the higher-ranked groups to be aware of their aggressive spirit. Later within the event, they received the higher of Bangladesh by 87 runs. Although the Dutch completed on the backside of the factors desk with 4 factors. The workforce shocked everybody with their skills within the event.
4. England, the worst defending champions
In recent times, English cricket has loved a interval of appreciable success. Since Eoin Morgan led the England workforce to victory over New Zealand within the 2019 ODI World Cup closing, they’ve continued their upward trajectory by clinching the 2022 T20 World Cup and asserting dominance in Check cricket with the ‘Bazball’ strategy.
Nonetheless, the present workforce, which entered the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as defending champions, skilled a tumultuous marketing campaign. Successful solely three out of 9 matches, the Jos Buttler-led facet concluded the event with a seventh-place end. At one stage, England discovered themselves on the backside of the desk after a string of 5 consecutive losses. Nonetheless, victories over the Netherlands and Pakistan of their closing group video games ensured they completed within the high eight and secured a spot within the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The efficiency displayed by the England workforce on this competitors stands out as one of many poorest by defending champions within the quadrennial spectacle.
5. The Spirit of Cricket, the talk
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 showcased distinctive performances. Nonetheless, the event confronted a shadow of controversy stemming from a ‘timed out’ dismissal within the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match.
In a historic incident, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews turned the primary batsman to be dismissed ‘timed out’ after an attraction by Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan. Mathews had reached the crease 5 seconds earlier than the two-minute deadline however could not take guard attributable to a damaged strap on his helmet.
Bangladesh workforce appealed towards the delay and the umpires declared Mathews out, triggering a debate over the Spirit of Cricket.
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