We exulted in the result of the big India-Pakistan match; there was also significant schadenfreude in the way we reacted to Pak fans lamenting their loss. Five games were played since then. This is what the world cup table looks like so far: and here are some tweets/memes to update us:
Australia has played the most matches (6) so far and has the most points on the table (10). New Zealand has played five matches and has 9 points, followed by England (eight points from six matches). India has played the fewest matches so far (4) and has seven points from three wins and one washed-out match.
West Indies set what appeared to be a stiff target of 322 runs for Bangladesh. However, the team batting second made short work of the total, winning by 7 wickets in 41.3 overs.
The West Indian side can pull off brilliant individual performances and even vanquish foes in style (such as when they gave Pakistan a drubbing). However, this mercurial, inconsistent and unpredictable side also snatchs defeat from the jaws of victory occasionally.
England piled up a huge score of 397 (remember, run rate can be an important determinant for the semifinal berth if points are tied). Eoin Morgan's blistering 148 off 71 balls earned him a standing ovation.
He may be an IPL star, but it’s a different story at the World Cup. He came in for severe punishment; the English batsmen scoring 110 runs from his nine overs. Afghanistan heroically battled the entire 50 overs but lost by a whopping margin of 150 runs.
South Africa made just 241/6 in 29 overs; another underwhelming performance by the batsmen. New Zealand didn’t have it as easy as they would have liked: they won by 4 wickets with just three balls to spare.
South Africa continue to languish near the bottom of the table; having won just one match; getting an additional point only because of a washed-out game.
The Aussies piled on 381 runs in their 50 overs. David Warner's 166 runs played a big part in getting his team to this huge a total.
Bangladesh put up a fight but could manage on 333/8 by the end of the match. Supporters were not too unhappy with the performance, it was still better than the Pak batting performances.
It seemed a revitalised Sri Lankan team on 21st June. Their total of 232 seemed modest at best. However, it was the way that they defended the total that won them the match.
The wily Lasith Malinga finished off with 4 wickets while conceding just 43 runs and Dhanajaya de Silva scalped 3 while giving away only 32 runs.
India plays their 5th match today; match number 28 of World Cup 2019. Few people seem to favour the Afghan team. Most seem to think that today's game is a foregone conclusion.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
