**2007 World Cup**

[Scaly piscine]

pool 3 looks to be tough, Kenya can pull off a shock somewhere

Not with the way Kenya have gone downhill lately, I think a team like Scotland would have been dangerous if it wasn't in with the best ODI team and a very efficient weaker team bully. Hopefully Bangladesh will continue to improve, they'd have a decent chance against SL and India in WI conditions.

 

[dinu23]

I wouldn't say decent. more of a slim chance.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I wouldn't say decent. more of a slim chance.

Well I'd say optimistically around 20-30%, although it depends a lot on how things go between now and then. Bangladesh could possibly have the better pace bowling attack of the 3 by then.

 

[dinu23]

Well I'd say optimistically around 20-30%, although it depends a lot on how things go between now and then. Bangladesh could possibly have the better pace bowling attack of the 3 by then.

I highly doubt it. from the current bowlers only Motaza looks decent. they could have more young fast bowlers comming though, but they won't get enough exposure at top level before the world cup.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I highly doubt it. from the current bowlers only Motaza looks decent. they could have more young fast bowlers comming though, but they won't get enough exposure at top level before the world cup.

And who do SL and India have? Vaas (who's already 31) and Pathan respectively... and that's about it really.

Also anyone remotely decent looking *will* get games for Bangladesh.

 

[marc71178]

id say poul 1 and 2 are tough!

I'd say Ireland are better off losing yesterday!

 

[atlanta]

Pakistan will continue to struggle for consistancy. They are a chance at any World cup. It just depends what team turns up

true. Let's hope its the 92 version instead of the 03 version.

 

[Legglancer]

Everyone has a chance and NZ normally lift for World Cups unlike some teams..

Well It has not done much for them so far !

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I'd say Ireland are better off losing yesterday!

Yeah, for sure. Pakistan are a good side but definately more beatable than Australia, West Indies aren't as good as South Africa, and the other team in the group is another minnow! If only Ireland were still going to have Joyce... if they did you'd think they'd be the best chance of all the minnows to qualify.

 

[Blaze]

Well It has not done much for them so far !

But they always punch above their weight. No one ever expects them to do much in world cups yet in 92 they were the best side and should have won the tournament.

In 99 they made the semis again when they wern't expected to do much and in 03 most probably would have made the semis if they had have gone to Kenya.. and if Michael Bevan had decided not to turn up when they played AUS

 

[Scaly piscine]

lmao @ "NZ normally lift for World Cup"

 

[Blaze]

lmao @ "NZ normally lift for World Cup"

Please explain why?

 

[Scaly piscine]

NZ didn't even make the last 6 in 2003 when they were one of the stronger teams, in 1999 they only just scraped through both group stages before getting beaten easily in the semis.


Edit: That should be didn't make it past the last 6 in 2003.

 

[marc71178]

NZ didn't even make the last 6 in 2003 when they were one of the stronger teams, in 1999 they only just scraped through both group stages before getting beaten easily in the semis.

But, like England, they were hindered by being made to play a game.

 

[Blaze]

But, like England, they were hindered by being made to play a game.

Exactly right . I am not claiming that they play out of their skins but they always put up a good fight when they always get written off before world cup time.

 

[meatspx]

If NZ get their act together, and Bracewell hasn't totally screwed over the selection process, then NZ is in with a shot as always. We just need another consistently performing batsman and good opening bowlers.

The super-sub situation will severly hurt NZ though as it minimises the benefit of having all-rounders, and will help the likes of India and WI who struggle with all rounders and have long tails.

Whatever happens I think this will be a great tournament, with the best 4 teams qualifying for the semis.

2003 was an absolute shambles, worst WC ever. No reserve day for rain? What a bloody joke. Having Kenya and Zimbabwe in the Super 6 was dissapointing to, as they qualified by points they didn't earn.

 

[atlanta]

Whatever happens I think this will be a great tournament, with the best 4 teams qualifying for the semis.

.

 

[Deja moo]

The super-sub situation will severly hurt NZ though as it minimises the benefit of having all-rounders, and will help the likes of India and WI who struggle with all rounders and have long tails.

Not in its present form. The lottery that it currently is, its not going to consistently benefit any side.

 

[shaka]

If NZ lose the toss and have a capable all rounder who can do both bowling and batting well, as their number 12 it would not hurt them.

 

[Deja moo]

That would present more problems than it would solve. Teams with either a batsman or bowler as sub could lengthen their batting/bowling lineups by replacing a bowler/batsman. However if you replace an all rounder with another, you arent providing more strength to either your batting or bowling line up, only shuffling your players around.