***Official*** ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018

[SeamUp]

What a ripper of a catch from Sikandar !! Game on.

What a find Blessing has been for the Zimbo's too.

 

[SeamUp]

Bishop is seething ! You know , you can actually hear the anger and disbelief in his voice and you cannot blame him one bit !

 

[SeamUp]

Well done West Indies. Looks like a shoot-off next up between Windies and Scotland with winner takes all.

Zimbabwe should beat UAE to seal their top two spot.

 

[weldone]

In hindsight, this tournament is proving to be a much-needed experience boost for West Indies middle-order. Guys like Hope, Hetmyer and Powell needed this experience. They'll go back as better players.

 

[Beamer]

In hindsight, this tournament is proving to be a much-needed experience boost for West Indies middle-order. Guys like Hope, Hetmyer and Powell needed this experience. They'll go back as better players.

Agreed, I was thinking that earlier. Particularly Rovman Powell and Hetmeyer who both have their first centuries at this level now. It has also been good stat padding for the likes of Holder and Roach which is always good for confidence.

In fact, one thing that has come out of this tournament is that a seam attack of Roach, Holder and Paul is pretty good quality and a cut above all of these teams. The problem has come when associates better players survive the opening burst and get to bat against Nurse, Miller, Bishoo, Powell etc. Our spinners have been awful in this tournament. I'm hoping the addition of Rakheem Cornwall will sort that out and give a bit more of a spin threat or at least the ability to keep the run rate down in the middle overs.

I'm still not happy with the rotation of the strike. Samuels and Hope got it done today, but Shai Hope in particular was still only 50 of 70 balls and at one point his strike rate was barely 60. If Samuels had got out this would have put us in a real hole. It was a bit better but still not up there with the better ODI teams.

 

[Beamer]

I forgot to say that to be fair to Marlon, he does tend to turn up when we need him the most. E.g two World Cup Final MVP performances and now a decisive knock when World Cup Qualification is looking a bit dicey.

I mean we have to put up with a whole load of rubbish in between, and that's not much fun. But I thought I better give him some praise.

 

[SeamUp]

Beamer

Your ideal XI ?

Gayle
Lewis
Hope
Samuels
Hetmyer
Holder
Powell or another (maybe take keeping responsibility off Hope ?)
Cornwall
Roach
Paul
Cottrell/Gabriel/Joseph

 

[Beamer]

Beamer

Your ideal XI ?

Gayle
Lewis
Hope
Samuels
Hetmyer
Holder
Powell or another (maybe take keeping responsibility off Hope ?)
Cornwall
Roach
Paul
Cottrell/Gabriel/Joseph

Pretty much spot on! though I would have that undecided slot as either a back up spinner like Ashley Nurse/Devendra Bishoo or a seamer like Joseph or Cottrell. I would also have Sunil Ambris back in the mix when he's fit as he has been superb in the middle overs during List A and A team cricket. So:

Gayle
Lewis
Hope
Samuels
Hetmyer
Ambris (Powell as backup, Ambris can also keep if Shai needs a rest)
Holder
Cornwall
Paul
Nurse/Bishoo or Braithwaite/Joseph/Cottrell
Roach

The addition of Paul and Cornwall make a huge difference to the balance of the side as they are both effective late order hitters as well as excellent bowlers. If we wanted to get an insane amount of hitting depth in the side we could have Carlos in that undecided spot too. It's potentially not a terrible side if they can rotate the strike better in the middle overs.

 

[Camo999]

Yes Marlon. What a legend! I'm slightly conflicted next game as he's up against Scotland. How do we get both Windies & Scotland through? Suppose UAE have to beat Zim.

 

[CricAddict]

Agreed, I was thinking that earlier. Particularly Rovman Powell and Hetmeyer who both have their first centuries at this level now. It has also been good stat padding for the likes of Holder and Roach which is always good for confidence.

In fact, one thing that has come out of this tournament is that a seam attack of Roach, Holder and Paul is pretty good quality and a cut above all of these teams. The problem has come when associates better players survive the opening burst and get to bat against Nurse, Miller, Bishoo, Powell etc. Our spinners have been awful in this tournament. I'm hoping the addition of Rakheem Cornwall will sort that out and give a bit more of a spin threat or at least the ability to keep the run rate down in the middle overs.

I'm still not happy with the rotation of the strike. Samuels and Hope got it done today, but Shai Hope in particular was still only 50 of 70 balls and at one point his strike rate was barely 60. If Samuels had got out this would have put us in a real hole. It was a bit better but still not up there with the better ODI teams.

Will Narine and Badree in tandem over all these spinners not work better?

 

[Daemon]

High chance Narine might be banned again but Badree should definitely play, even if he did ditch them for the WCQ.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Hope Zim make it

 

[Prince EWS]

Hope Zim make it

All they have to do is beat UAE. Can't see them not.

 

[CricAddict]

Yeah, Zimbabwe will almost definitely make it. WI also almost there. Only an upset by UAE can change the game which I don't see happening.

 

[Prince EWS]

WI also almost there.

They still have to beat Scotland. If they lose to Scotland they're effectively out (would then be relying on UAE).

It's basically shaped up as: Zimbabwe is through, and the winner of West Indies v Scotland is through. That game has become a semi-final of sorts.

 

[morgieb]

Hopefully Scotland win. Then the ICC may change their current tack on the size of World Cups.

 

[cnerd123]

Hopefully Scotland win. Then the ICC may change their current tack on the size of World Cups.

They won't. The West Indies isn't financially lucrative enough. More people might actually tune in to watch Scotland play - they're going to have the backing of every supporter of the Associates who couldn't make it. I know for sure I'm watching all their games if they get through.

 

[Beamer]

Will Narine and Badree in tandem over all these spinners not work better?

Yes absolutely but I've given up on that, it's not happening. Particularly after Narine's latest issues.

Rakheem Cornwall averages 40 with the bat and 25 with the ball in List A with an Econ rate of 3.25. That's not just domestic cricket, he has played loads of A team matches also. We should be building our ODI team around him (difficult as he's so large but you get what I'm saying hopefully).

 

[Starfighter]

Yes absolutely but I've given up on that, it's not happening. Particularly after Narine's latest issues.

Rakheem Cornwall averages 40 with the bat and 25 with the ball in List A with an Econ rate of 3.25. That's not just domestic cricket, he has played loads of A team matches also. We should be building our ODI team around him (difficult as he's so large but you get what I'm saying hopefully).

You need sturdy foundations.

 

[MagicPoopShovel]

Good win for AFG after being in the shitter.

Looks like they still have an outside chance but seems like a lot has to go there way. A shame really.

This tournament has been terrific it must be said.