Many would agree that warmup doesnt give good idea of strenght of the teams. I disagree. I think every team wanted to get their best combination in and get in good form before worldcup starts.
These warmups did gave indications that Pundits(Inculing F&B and Game ) were right to question chances of South Africa and Newzealand in Caribean condition. For me stocks of South Africa,NZL,West Indies and England fell down sharply after Warmups. Stock of India and Pakistan went up where as SL and AUS remained where they were.
So here is my new Ranking for Worldcup…
Aus
India ( Bolwing has shaped up very well… Trio of Zaheer,Munaf and Agarkar has been very consitant for few months now. Batting was always strength of team)
Pakistan ( Bolwing concern. Doubts on how Sami and Rana bowl during power play. )
SL ( Middle Orde is still big concern. On toporder they are too dependent on Jaysurya).
SA
WI ( Heavily relient on their Batting powers and seems like bastmen are out of form. If they are back in form then WI can do wonders)
NZL
England
PS: Number 3 could be bit down but I had to keep it up to avoid beating at this website.
Doesnt matter... If you lose against Bangladesh you dont have any chances to win Worldcup. Even if it is Warmups..Who loses to Bangladesh. Not even kenya and Zimbabwe.. :D
All this analysis amounts to nothing in my opinion.
Remove Australia from the top and remove the minnow teams from the bottom... between the rest of the teams any team can win on any given day (depending upon the position of the planets). That is the fact of ODIs.
About the only thing these warm up games have told me is that minnows really don't have a chance (yes, even after Bangla victory) and that *all Super 8 games will be terrific *(with the possible exception of West Indian games - that team is just unbelievable).
All this analysis amounts to nothing in my opinion.
Remove Australia from the top and remove the minnow teams from the bottom... between the rest of the teams any team can win on any given day (depending upon the position of the planets). That is the fact of ODIs.
Very true, what you mentioned. No argument from this corner.
I was thinking the other day, have teams peaked at the right time? Especially now that we have passed the initial phase, and from the looks of the top teams who have won and comprehensively at that, I was arguing and going back and forth with myself whether or not this is the right time for their peak. Should this evaluation be done after the group matches? When, in your opinion, is the right time for a team (any team) to be on top of their game and look like a group of professionals who can step in and challenge Australia? Has that time come and gone? Or is it yet to come?
All this analysis amounts to nothing in my opinion.
Remove Australia from the top and remove the minnow teams from the bottom... between the rest of the teams any team can win on any given day (depending upon the position of the planets). That is the fact of ODIs.
) were right to question chances of South Africa and Newzealand in Caribean condition. For me stocks of South Africa,NZL,West Indies and England fell down sharply after Warmups. Stock of India and Pakistan went up where as SL and AUS remained where they were.
they should be out of the team