Cricket’s mega event is upon us – The Cricket World Cup comes around every four years and winning it is all about pride, honour and glory. Ten teams – Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies – will battle it out. The round-robin system means that every team will play every other team, making this a total of 45 matches which will decide which teams will proceed to the knockout stage. Tomorrow, England takes on South Africa in the first match of the tournament at the Oval. Here is what went on during the practice matches.
The first practice match saw a major upset when minnows Afghanistan stunned Pakistan by overhauling the 263 run target to win the first practice match of #CWC19. Obviously, the losing team was mercilessly trolled for the loss, which was their tenth ODI loss in a row.
South Africa made 338/7 but the Sri Lankans fell way short; getting just 251 runs and losing all their wickets by the 43rd over.
England fell short by 12 runs in reply to Australia’s 297. Aussie fans were delighted by Steve Smith's century and his evidently great form at the right time.
It was a shock defeat for the much vaunted Indians who made just 179 (all out); Ravindra Jadeja being the only batsman to make a decent score (54 off 50 balls). New Zealand easily romped home in the 38th over losing just 4 wickets.
This one was a washout; without a single ball being bowled.
This was another washout, though the South Africans did get to 95 for no loss at a good clip (in the 13th over). The already rain-curtailed match was finally abandoned and this handy tweet tells us what will happen if this happens during the official matches as well.
The Lankan total of 239 fell short and Australia won by 5 wickets, overtaking the target set in the 45th over. Many experts feel that the Aussies will be the team to beat in this World Cup.
Afghanistan were all out getting up to the modest score of 160. The England team decimated them, by overtaking the target in just the 18th over; losing only one wicket.
The Indian team dominated from the get-go and piled on 359 runs losing 7 wickets. Bangladesh could only get up to 264 while losing all their wickets. Fans were particularly delighted with the centuries scored by M S Dhoni (113 off 78) and K L Rahul (108 off 99).
The West Indies team put up a mammoth total of 421. New Zealand fell way short, managing just 330 and losing all their wickets by the 48th over.
The first ODI of World Cup 2019 will be England taking on South Africa on Thursday, 30th May and on Friday West Indies take on Pakistan. India takes on South Africa on Wednesday 5 June.
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