World Cup Observations and Takeaways – Part Two

THE 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup is currently underway, and it is being jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States.

Here is a look at some of my observations, and takeaways, from the second week of the tournament.

June 8 – NETHERLANDS vs SOUTH AFRICA

Observations: As has become the norm, a low-scoring contest on a below-satisfactory pitch in New York.

Netherlands struggled to 103/9 despite Sybrand Engelbrecht’s 40 and Logan van Beek’s 23. For South Africa, Ottneil Baartman took 4/11, Anrich Nortje 2/19 and Marco Jansen 2/20.

At one stage, South Africa were reeling at 12/4 in the fifth over, but were reliant on David Miller’s unbeaten 59 (51 balls, three fours and four sixes) and Tristan Stubbs’ 33. Vivian Kingma got 2/12 and van Beek 2/21 for the Dutch.

Takeaways: Miller had to use all his experience to ensure victory for his team, their second win in a row.

June 8 – AUSTRALIA vs ENGLAND

Observations: The first game where the batsmen came to the fore.

Australia posted the first over-200 score (201/7) with useful scores from David Warner (39), Mitchell Marsh (35), Travis Head (34), Marcus Stoinis (30) and Glenn Maxwell (28). Chris Jordan was the main bowler for England with 2/44.

England made 165/6 in reply as Jos Buttler contributed 42 and Phil Salt 37. Pat Cummins got 2/23 and Adam Zampa 2/28 for Australia.

Takeaways: Australia showed that they will be one of the tournament’s favourites with a convincing triumph at Barbados, while England, the defending champions, will have some soul-searching to do as they are at risk at not advancing to the Super Eights.

June 8 – WEST INDIES vs UGANDA

Observations: The West Indies improved on their showing against Papua New Guinea with a 134-run hammering of Uganda at Guyana.

Johnson Charles struck 44 and Andre Russell 30 not out as the West Indies compiled 173/5. Brian Masaba took 2/31 for Uganda.

Akeal Hosein (5/11) and Alzarri Joseph (2/6) ran through the Uganda’s batting, as the visitors were skittled out for 39 in 12 overs. Juma Miyagi offered lone resistance with an unbeaten 13.

Takeaways: Hosein’s use of spin-friendly conditions were too much to handle for Uganda. The West Indies will require one more win, against either New Zealand or Afghanistan, to be secure of a spot in the next stage.

June 9 – INDIA vs PAKISTAN

Observations: Enough has been said of the pitch, with less than 240 scored in 39 overs at New York.

India were bowled out for 119 with an over remaining, despite Rishabh Pant’s 42 and Axar Patel’s 20. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf had identical figures of 3/21.

Pakistan were restricted to 113/7 in their response, with Mohammad Rizwan hitting 31. Jasprit Bumrah claimed 3/14 and Hardik Pandya 2/24.

Takeaways: Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the last eight took a serious dent with this result, while India have all but sealed a spot in the next round.

June 9 – OMAN vs SCOTLAND

Observations: Scotland handed another defeat to Oman, by seven wickets, at North Sound in Antigua.

Oman posted 150/7 and their innings revolved around 54 from Pratik Athavale and an unbeaten 41 from Ayaan Khan. Safyaan Sharif took 2/40 for Scotland.

In response, Brandon McMullen struck an undefeated 61 while George Munsey made 41 as Scotland cruised to 153/3 off 13.1 overs.

Takeaways: Scotland may have a say in the final standings in Group B, while Oman could start to pack their bags to head back home.

June 10 – SOUTH AFRICA vs BANGLADESH

Observations: In New York, what else to expect besides a match where runs were a premium?

South Africa laboured to 113/6, after taking first strike, courtesy of Heinrich Klaasen’s 46 and David Miller’s 29. Tanzim Sakib had 3/18 and Taskin Ahmed 2/19 for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh fell four runs short – 109/7 – and that total was based around Towhid Hridoy’s 37 and Mahmudullah’s 20. Keshav Maharaj got 3/27, Anrich Nortje 2/17 and Kagiso Rabada 2/19 for South Africa.

Takeaways: South Africa’s experience was a deciding factor in this match, and they moved within touching distance of booking a place in the Super Eights.

June 11 – CANADA vs PAKISTAN

Observations: As per usual at New York, another low-scoring affair on a substandard pitch. Canada were restricted to 106/7 with opener Aaron Johnson leading the way with 52 (44 balls, four fours and four sixes). Mohammad Amir got 2/13 and Haris Rauf 2/26 for Pakistan.

Another Mohammad, Rizwan, had an unbeaten run-a-ball 53 (two fours and a six) while his captain Babar Azam notched a run-a-ball 33 as Pakistan responded with 107/3 off 17.3 overs. Dilon Heyliger took 2/18 for Canada.

Takeaways: Pakistan registered their first win of the competition and their approach was clear – get the job done, however it takes. However, for the second straight match, leg-spinner Shadab Khan was not called upon to bowl. Is he carrying an injury or is his bowling not deemed as sufficient in the US surfaces?

June 11 – NEPAL vs SRI LANKA

Observations and Takeaways: None. This match was abandoned without even the toss being taken at Lauderhill, Florida.

June 11 – AUSTRALIA vs NAMIBIA

Observations: Australia effectively secured a spot in the Super Eights and, in the process, squashed all hopes Namibia had of advancing past the group stage.

Namibia were skittled out for 72 at North Sound, Antigua, with Adam Zampa passing 100 T20 International wickets as he captured 4/12, while Marcus Stoinis had 2/9 and Josh Hazlewood 2/18. Gerard Erasmus (36) and Michael van Lingen (10) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for Namibia.

Australia cruised to 74/1 off 5.4 overs with Travis Head (34) and Mitchell Marsh (18) the unbeaten batsmen. David Warner was dismissed for 20.

Takeaways: Without Mitchell Starc, who was on the mend after suffering a muscle injury to his left leg against England, Australia showed no mercy on Namibia and can be easily considered as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on June 29.

June 12 – UNITED STATES vs INDIA

Observations: The final match at New York for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, and the final match on these not-fit-for-purpose pitches.

The United States laboured to 110/8 with Nitish Kumar scoring 27 and Steven Taylor 24. Arshdeep Singh collected 4/9 and Hardik Pandya 2/14 for India.

At their turn at the crease, Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 49 balls with two fours and two sixes) and Shivam Dube (31 off 35 balls) featured in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 67 to guide India to a seven-wicket win, with 1.4 overs to spare.

Takeaways: India also secured a place in the Super Eights, and the United States, who became the first team to suffer a five-run penalty after three breaches of the new 60-second-between-overs rule, will have to wait a few days to see if they will book a ticket to the next round.

June 12 – WEST INDIES vs NEW ZEALAND

Observations: The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad held its first match of the competition, and it was a tense but exciting affair.

The West Indies’ total of 149/9 revolved around Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 68 (39 balls, two fours and seven sixes), as he singlehandedly guided his team from 112/9 in the 18th over. Trent Boult took 3/16 for New Zealand while Tim Southee had 2/21 and Lockie Ferguson 2/27.

Glenn Phillips made 40 but New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, as they reached 136/9. Alzarri Joseph claimed 4/19 and Gudakesh Motie 3/25 for the West Indies.

Takeaways: The West Indies sealed a spot in the Super Eights while New Zealand, who decided not to have any warm-up match before the tournament and have looked undercooked, could be eliminated if Afghanistan defeat Papua New Guinea on Thursday.

June 13 – BANGLADESH vs NETHERLANDS

Observations: In the first game at St Vincent, Bangladesh got the better of the Netherlands by 25 runs and, in the process, officially ended Sri Lanka’s chances of progressing to the next round.

Bangladesh posted 159/5, with Shakib Al Hasan leading the way with 64 (46 balls, nine fours). Tanzid Hasan chipped in with 35 and Mahmudullah 25. Paul Van Meekeren had 2/15 and Aryan Dutt 2/17 for the Dutch.

Sybrand Engelbrecht struck 33, Vikramjit Singh 26 and Scott Edwards 25 but the Netherlands were only to muster 134/8 in their turn at the crease. Rishad Hossain got 3/33 and Taskin Ahmed 2/30 for Bangladesh.

Takeaways: Hossain was again impressive with his leg-breaks, and his wickets were crucial as the Dutch slid from 111/3 to 117/6 in the space of nine balls. Netherlands are still in the hunt for a spot in the Super Eights, but will have to depend on other results in Group D.

June 13 – ENGLAND vs OMAN

Observations: The most one-sided contest in this World Cup thus far, with a combined total of 16.3 overs.

Oman was sent in to bat first and were routed for 47 off 13.2 overs, with Shoaib Khan being the only batsman to reach double figures, with 11. Adil Rashid captured 4/11, while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood each got 3/12.

England responded with 50/2 off only 3.1 overs, with Jos Buttler unbeaten on 24.

Takeaways: Oman showed that they have a long way to go in order to compete with the full-member ICC teams. They did not disgrace, but their limitations were exposed in every match.

June 13 – AFGHANISTAN vs PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Observations: Afghanistan sealed a place in the Super Eights with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea and, in the process, ended New Zealand’s dreams of progressing to the next round.

Papua New Guinea were bundled out for 95 courtesy of Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 3/16 and Naveen-ul-Haq’s 2/4. Kiplin Doriga top-scored for Papua New Guinea with 27 while extras totalled 25.

Gulbadin Naib paced himself to an unbeaten 49 to lead Afghanistan to 101/3 off 15.1 overs in response.

Takeaways: Farooqi’s left-arm swing and each-way movement could prove handy on the tricky surfaces in the Caribbean. With an array of steady pacers and spinners, Afghanistan can prove to be a dark-horse in this competition.

June 14 – UNITED STATES vs IRELAND

Observations and Takeaways: None. Not even the toss was taken in Florida. However, the point earned by the United States was enough to guarantee them passage into the Super Eights.

June 14 – NEPAL vs SOUTH AFRICA

Observations: A pulsating affair on a slow pitch in St Vincent, which resulted in a one-run win for South Africa, the closest margin of victory thus far in the World Cup.

South Africa’s total of 115/7 revolved around Reeza Hendricks’ 43 and Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 27. Kushal Bhurtel took 4/19 and Dipendra Singh Airee had 3/21.

Despite Aasif Sheikh’s 42 and Anil Sah’s 27, Nepal were only able to post 114/7 in their run chase. Tabraiz Shamsi, in his first game of the competition, got 4/19 for South Africa.

Takeaways: South Africa ended Group D with a 100-percent record, even though their bowling has shown better potential than their batting. Maybe South Africa may opt to play both Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj in the Super Eights, even if it’s at the expense of a batsman.

June 14 – NEW ZEALAND vs UGANDA

Observations: Uganda completed their stint at the World Cup with a nine-wicket hammering at the hands of New Zealand.

Kenneth Waiswa (11) was the only batsman to reach double figures as Uganda were bundled out for 40 in 18.4 overs. For New Zealand, Tim Southee had 3/ 4, Trent Boult 2/7, Mitchell Santner 2/8 and Rachin Ravindra 2/9.

Opener Devon Conway struck an unbeaten 22 as New Zealand strolled to 41/1 off 5.2 overs.

Takeaways: None really. This was a dead-rubber, with both teams eliminated from contention for the Super Eights.

June 15 – CANADA vs INDIA

Observations and Takeaways: None. Another complete washout in Florida, which makes one wonder why was the World Cup organised for June, a month where it’s, more than likely, expected to have lots of rain, especially in the Atlantic region. Perhaps this tournament could have taken place in April and/or May, but then again, there is a franchise competition which takes precedence.

June 15 – ENGLAND vs NAMIBIA

Observations: This game in Antigua was reduced to a 11-over-per-side match because of a wet outfield, and a sharp shower during England’s innings forced another reduction, to a 10-over-per-side contest. England kept alive their Super Eights chances with a 41-run win, under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

England totalled 122/5 with Harry Brook scoring 47 not out and Jonny Bairstow 31. Ruben Trumpelmann took 2/31 for Namibia.

In their turn at the crease, Namibia made 84/3 with Michael van Lingen hitting 33 and David Wiese (in what may be his last international fixture) 27.

Takeaways: Namibia’s opener Nakolaas Davin was the first batsman in this World Cup to retire out, which allowed Wiese to chance to push the scoring rate for his team, albeit in vain. England may be pleased to see Bairstow among the runs, in his new spot at #4.

June 15 – AUSTRALIA vs SCOTLAND

Observations: Australia continued their winning ways, with a five-wicket triumph over Scotland in St Lucia.

Scotland amassed 180/5 with Brandon McMullen (60), captain Richie Berrington (42 not out) and George Munsey (35) among the runs. For Australia, Glenn Maxwell got 2/44.

In reply, Australia reached 186/5, with two deliveries to spare, courtesy of Travis Head’s 68 (49 balls, five fours and four sixes) and Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 59 (29 balls, nine fours and two sixes). Mark Watt had 2/34 and Safyaan Sharif 2/42 for Scotland.

Takeaways: This result meant that England, and not Scotland, will join Australia as the Group B teams to progress into the Super Eights. Scotland did not disgrace, but their inexperience showed at times, especially in the bowling department.

June 16 – IRELAND vs PAKISTAN

Observations: Finally, a match at Florida, even though it was a dead-rubber.

Ireland meandered to 106/9, with Gareth Delany making 31 and Josh Little 22 not out. Imad Wasim had 3/8 and Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/22 for Pakistan.

Captain Babar Azam made an unbeaten 32 as Pakistan responded with 111/7 off 18.5 overs. Barry McCarthy got 3/15 and Curtis Campher 2/24 for Ireland.

Takeaways: This was the only match which got off the ground in Florida, but there was little of note to remember from this encounter.

June 16 – BANGLADESH vs NEPAL

Observations: Bangladesh secured the final available Super Eights spot by virtue of a 21-run win over Nepal at St Vincent, in a match in which the various bowlers held sway.

Bangladesh were skittled out for 106 off 19.3 overs with a top-score of 17 from Shakib Al Hasan. The wickets were shared among Sompal Kami (2/10), Sandeep Lamichhane (2/17), Rohit Paudel (2/20) and Dipendra Singh Airee (2/22).

Nepal struggled to keep up with the run chase, and were bundled out for 85, with four legitimate deliveries to spare. Kushal Malla (27), Singh Airee (25) and Aasif Sheikh (17) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. The main destroyers for Bangladesh were Tanzim Hasan Sakib (4/7), Mustafizur Rahman (3/7) and Al Hasan (2/9)

Takeaways: Bangladesh won their last two games in St Vincent to guarantee at least an extra week in the Caribbean, while Nepal never made much of an impact, and were booted out in the first round.

June 16 – NETHERLANDS vs SRI LANKA

Observations: Bangladesh’s victory, which was secured while this match was being staged, ended the Netherlands’ prospects of progressing beyond this stage. And Sri Lanka took full advantage, as they romped to an 83-run win at St Lucia.

Sri Lanka’s total of 201/6 revolved around Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka (46 apiece), Dhananjaya de Silva (34) and Angelo Mathews (30 not out). Logan van Beek claimed 2/45 for the Netherlands.

In their reply, the Dutch were bowled out for 118 off 16.4 overs, despite 31 apiece from Michael Levitt and Scott Edwards. Nuwan Thushara had 3/24 for Sri Lanka, while Matheesha Pathirana got 2/12 and Wanindu Hasaranga 2/25.

Takeaways: Sri Lanka played their best match when it was too late, and the Netherlands showed glimmers of their potential, but will need more experience, against the full-member ICC teams, to show that they can compete consistently at this level.

June 17 – NEW ZEALAND vs PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Observations: A dead-rubber at Trinidad, but Trent Boult announced before the game that he will be retiring, at least, from T20 Internationals. And he did so, on a winning note.

Papua New Guinea were only able to muster a meagre 78 off 19.4 overs with Charles Amini (17), Norman Vanua (14) and Sese Bau (12) reaching double figures. New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson became the first bowler in a T20 World Cup match to bowl four maiden overs (4-4-0-3), and he got support from Tim Southee (2/11), Trent Boult (2/14) and Ish Sodhi (2/29).

Devon Conway hit 35 as New Zealand responded with 79/3 off 12.2 overs. Kabua Morea got 2/4 for Papua New Guinea.

Takeaways: This was a disappointing campaign for New Zealand, and one wonders if this may mean a changing of the guard, in terms of player personnel. For Papua New Guinea, they have a lot of growing up to do to feature at this level.

June 17 – WEST INDIES vs AFGHANISTAN

Observations: West Indies produced their most efficient display of the tournament, as they trounced Afghanistan by 104 runs at St Lucia.

Nicholas Pooran led the way with a T20 International career-best of 98 (53 balls, six fours and eight sixes) while Johnson Charles struck 43, Rovman Powell 26 and Shai Hope 25 as the West Indies compiled 218/5 – their highest T20 World Cup total. For Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib had 2/14.

Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 off 16.2 overs, due to Obed McCoy (3/14), Akeal Hosein (2/21) and Gudakesh Motie (2/28). Ibrahim Zadran struck 38 and Azmatullah Omarzai 23 for Afghanistan.

Takeaways: The West Indies seems to be peaking at the right time, but Afghanistan have a glaring issue – the lack of productivity from their middle order.

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