Weekly CRICKET Review - XXXViii | Some interesting turnarounds

So, how is the World Cup 2023 treating you? You already know that I am sharing a weekly wrap-up of the things that are going on within the Cricket community. So, it's the 38th edition now!!

As I said the last week, post The 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is going on with high expectations in India from October 05. Just after the first 03 weeks, excitement is so high, a number of records were broken and we are witnessing what we were hoping for!! So, let's dig in!!

Using Canva & Getty Images

The Key Moments so far!!

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• After the first 30 matches, here's the points table. So, the standings have been a bit different from the last week. India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Aussies are at the top 04 right now.

• Well, India is almost off to the semi-finals with 06 straight wins against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England. Their batting lineup led by Rohit and Kohli is just impressive alongside ballers led by Bumrah, Shami, and Kuldeep. The Indians are desperately looking for the cup and will see how things go on.

• So, what happened to the defending champions? - against New Zealand - loss by 9 wickets, against Bangladesh - won by 137 runs, against Afghanistan - loss by 69 runs, against South Africa - loss by 229 runs, against Sri Lanka - loss by 8 wickets, against India - loss by 100 runs

This is the first time England has lost 4 consecutive WC matches and the joint most by a defending champion. In the last 03 matches they were balled out under 200 for the first time in successive WC matches.

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• QDK is the leading run-scorer who is having a dream season, and Rachin Ravindra of NZ is surely the future showing some pure class.

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• Adam Zampa is still the leading wicket-taker so far, with three consecutive 4-fers.

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It's good to see two Sri Lankans in the top five, on this list.

Major Highlights so far

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• Netherlands are having a great campaign this year first defeating South Africa and then Bangladesh. But they had a dreadful match against the Aussies. Australia created history with the highest-ever win by runs in CWC history. Warner got a quick start with a century, Smith & Marnus followed it with half-centuries, and Maxwell ended it with the fastest-ever World Cup hundred off 40 balls. Aussies put in a total of 399 runs, but Dutch couldn't stand the pace trio and spinners and felt out for just 90 runs.

• Afghanistan is the dark horse of this edition. First they defeated England by 69 runs, ending their 14-match losing streak in ODI World Cups. Then their victim was Pakistan. They defeated them by 08 wickets, by chasing 282 runs. Then they defeated Sri Lanka by 07 wickets with a great all-round performance. So, far they have been the second-best Asian team in the tournament with 06 points.

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• The 26th Match, between Pakistan and South Africa was the first close game. Batting first Pak could only score 270 runs and balled out in the 47 the over. They lost 4 wickets for 45 runs in the last 7 overs. Not in the great touch. Anyway, unlike the batting first, SA also was not comfortable in chasing. They lost regular wickets and no one gets going, except for Markaram. They were 250/6 in one stage then two wickets fell suddenly including Markram and Pak became the favorites. Anyway Mahraj and Shamsi held their nerve and Mahraj hit the winning boundary off Nawaz winning by just one wicket.

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• The 27th match between Australia and New Zealand was just a masterpiece. Australia started the batting with some fireworks from Warner and Head. They put 118/0 in the powerplay. Head smashed a 25-ball fifty, fastest in this WC, and then 57 balls hundred. But then Glen Phillips put some pressure taking 03 wickets. From 1-19 overs they put 175/0. But from 20-39 overs they lost 05 wickets for just 104 runs. But Cummins , Inglish, and Maxwell pulled some cameos in the last 10 overs, scoring 109/5 making the total of 388 runs.

Anyway, NZ were pretty determined from the start with a good start and Rachin scored a brilliant knock of 116 and Daryl with a 50. But when Rachin was trapped in the 40th over, they were 292/6 seeming uncomfortable. Anyway Neesham took the hope to the last over needing 19 runs off Starc. The second ball was 5 wides, making it pretty easy, 13 off 5. But Neesham couldn't deliver it at the end, losing by just 05 runs. It's the Highest WC totals in a losing cause.

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So, that's it for this week. I hope you will find it interesting. The tournament already seems thrilling and waiting for a good season!! Just comment!

Until the next time! Enjoy!

Thank you.
Best Regards!