This World Cup

[Timbo]

Is it just me, or is there way less buzz around this world cup than there has been in past years? It feels a bit more like a Champions Trophy in that people know that it's on but don't really seem to be paying attention.

Mates of mine in England are saying that there is very little hype around it there too, despite the strong ticket sales and English pre-tournament favoritism.

 

[JJ]

Is it just me, or is there way less buzz around this world cup than there has been in past years? It feels a bit more like a Champions Trophy in that people know that it's on but don't really seem to be paying attention.

Mates of mine in England are saying that there is very little hype around it there too, despite the strong ticket sales and English pre-tournament favoritism.

Not feeling the hype in NZ much either, but a let down after being here and Straya last time

Like the format though, and have enjoyed the games so far - great that the Bangers are competitive, great that the Windies look a real threat, and real bonus that the Jaapies aren't lol

 

[undertaker]

Is it just me, or is there way less buzz around this world cup than there has been in past years? It feels a bit more like a Champions Trophy in that people know that it's on but don't really seem to be paying attention.

Mates of mine in England are saying that there is very little hype around it there too, despite the strong ticket sales and English pre-tournament favoritism.

I agree with you. Very little hype compared to the last time England hosted it in 1999.

This round-robin format - the brainchild of the BCCI and Star Sports, who both wanted a 10 team World Cup so India get a guaranteed 9 matches - feels like just a longer version of the Champions Trophy, with West Indies and Afghanistan as the additional teams. Mind you, the Windies are lucky to be there thanks to a dodgy LBW decision they got in their favour against Scotland in the Qualifiers.

Would've much preferred the previous 2 groups of 7 teams format and seen teams like Ireland and Scotland there, but not to be and we'll have to put up with the same crap again in 2023 as both 2019/2023 WCs were negotiated to be 10 team tournaments.

 

[Timbo]

I agree with you. Very little hype compared to the last time England hosted it in 1999.

This round-robin format - the brainchild of the BCCI and Star Sports, who both wanted a 10 team World Cup so India get a guaranteed 9 matches - feels like just a longer version of the Champions Trophy, with West Indies and Afghanistan as the additional teams. Mind you, the Windies are lucky to be there thanks to a dodgy LBW decision they got in their favour against Scotland in the Qualifiers.

Would've much preferred the previous 2 groups of 7 teams format and seen teams like Ireland and Scotland there, but not to be and we'll have to put up with the same crap again in 2023 as both 2019/2023 WCs were negotiated to be 10 team tournaments.

I do think there's a fair bit of cynicism that the tournament has been changed to basically mitigate against India slipping on a banana peel to the detriment of Scotland and Ireland. I know I'm definitely feeling that way and I've seen others online expressing the same sentiment.

As for the 'make sure all the games are competitive' - well, it'd be like if FIFA excluded all non-European and South American countries from the World Cup bar one, who they gave made come through a convoluted qualification tournament. It's just not great for the game. But Star Sports gets their pound of flesh so who cares I guess.

 

[Meth]

Yeah, I think that the games happening overnight has that affect. Not sure why there might be a little less hype in England. Maybe they've learned not to get their hopes up.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Yeah was just thinking this the other day,honestly doesn't feel like a World Cup at all

 

[Timbo]

Yeah, I think that the games happening overnight has that affect. Not sure why there might be a little less hype in England. Maybe they've learned not to get their hopes up.

It not being on free-to-air tv at all in England isn't helping.

 

[typicalfan]

The whole management of the sport has been below par for quite some time. It feels like it is going down the path of Rugby in Australia which is concerning.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Not sure why Scotland or Ireland are being touted as next in line. Zimbabwe would have been next by virtue of them finishing higher than both at the qualifiying tournament and being a full test member.

The problem with this tournament is that until teams have to start winning to keep in the hunt for a semi spot then there isn't a great deal at stake. Atm winning is important but not critical. And when we are in a position that this occurs there will be games which will feature teams with nothing to play for but pride or teams that have already made it.

Then you have the problem that to make the final you only have to win one knockout game (The semi).

A 12 team tournament with two groups of 6, quarters and semis would have been the way to go.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Cricket is rapidly dying tbh,South Africa just killed cricket in there country with this World Cup performance and as mentioned above cricket in England isn't even on free to air tv

15 years cricket will be dead,enjoy Matt Wade whilst you can

 

[Timbo]

The problem is with 90c of every $1 in cricket coming out of Indian TV deals, I don't see how this gets any better, ever.

We've already agreed to reduce our home summer from 6 to either 4 or 5 test matches next summer because that's what the ICC and Star Sports want.

The honest reality I can see is that in 25 years the IPL will be the pinnacle of the sport, and all other countries will play T20 leagues which will be in effect minor leagues that feed into it.

 

[axl rose]

Yes. Flicked channel over the other night and did not even know it was world cup match until commentators mentioned it. Always going to be a bit of a let down compared to when Australia hosts I guess.

 

[simmo1]

I must be the only on enjoying it, despite really only watching the 1st innings of most games - which is where the best cricket has been played anyway.

Too many games left to play to write off the format. With 9 games each, I reckon there'll be enough twists in form to come.

12 teams seems like the best balance. I don't think teams 13/14 have ever won a game. The qualifying tournament should run into the start of the tournament proper to give the lesser nations exposure and get them into a bit of form.

 

[typicalfan]

Games against WI, India, NZ and England are key. Win more of those than we lose and we will get one of those spots you'd think.

 

[TheParraboy]

So close to the IPL finishing and Ashes starting afterwards soon after may have dulled the gloss a bit. Lot of us were talking ashes just before this WC

Having said that, im enjoying the matches and does feel like a WC to me, crowds seem to be huge at most of the matches

 

[Pommy]

So close to the IPL finishing and Ashes starting afterwards soon after may have dulled the gloss a bit. Lot of us were talking ashes just before this WC

Having said that, im enjoying the matches and does feel like a WC to me, crowds seem to be huge at most of the matches

If there’s somewhere that should get good crowds at a Cricket World Cup it’s England.
For obvious historical reasons we have large and even huge in some cases migrant populations from every competing nation.
Even Afghanistan now has a relatively young decent sized diaspora due to us being involved in that nation for nearly 20 years.

 

[JJ]

"Power rankings" - ironically a NZ journalist seems pretty accurate https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...kings--whos-hot-and-whos-not-in-top-four-race

For those not keen on reading:
1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4 NZ
5. Windies
6. Pakistan
7. Bangladesh
8 RSA
9 Sri Lanka
10 Afghanistan

Think I'd have Poms at 2... but close

 

[AlwaysGreen]

"Power rankings" - ironically a NZ journalist seems pretty accurate https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...kings--whos-hot-and-whos-not-in-top-four-race

For those not keen on reading:
1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4 NZ
5. Windies
6. Pakistan
7. Bangladesh
8 RSA
9 Sri Lanka
10 Afghanistan

Think I'd have Poms at 2... but close

India
England
New Zealand
Australia
Pakistan
West Indies
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
South Africa
Afghanistan

 

[Iafeta]

Straight up, can we fix the damn stumps? Will cost someone big later in the tournament. Utter farce.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Granted the Black Caps haven't played anyone of substance, but I'm very glad we have those 3 games out of the way now. That Sri Lanka/Pakistan type wash out is a mine waiting to go off if one of the teams fighting for fourth are playing Bangladesh/Afghanistan/Sri lanka (as Pakistan may later find out).