World Cup Thoughts - March 18th Goodbye Ireland

Farewell Ireland & Netherlands. If the ICC sticks to its crazy idea of a 10 team cup in 2015, we might not see you in the next World Cup. But you certainly entertained.

• Ireland for the second consecutive World Cup put up a spirited show. Beat England and Netherlands, were in command at various stages against Bangladesh and West Indies, and certainly had India and South Africa in a bit of bother. Ireland became my second favorite team through the course of the cup.
• Farewell to Trent Johnston and his chicken dance. Don't think there have been more innovative ways to celebrate a wicket in cricket.
• Hoping to see a couple of Irish players in the IPL. The O'Brien brothers (Niall & Kevin), Paul Stirling, George Dockrell have serious talent. It would be sad though if they turn up in the next World Cup playing for England.
• Netherlands scared England but could not really fight it out with the other big boys. They did resemble a One-man army at most times. Ryan ten Doeschate (tendo in short, provided me quite a few points in the cricinfo fantasy league) came in with the highest batting average amongst all players. And certainly did not do those numbers any harm even playing against the big boys. Will certainly follow his performances in the IPL with interest.
• The other game of the day between Sri Lanka & New Zealand continued the trend of one sided matches in Group A with New Zealand beaten easily. 
• The tables are still a mess though with no idea of who is going to face who in the quarters.
• For tomorrow, Bangladesh have a chance to script their own destiny. They have beaten South Africa in the last World Cup and might as well do so again tomorrow.

World Cup Thoughts - Feb 28th

After the fantastic tied match between India and England, the World Cup went back to sleep on Monday with 2 low profile one-sided matches taking place. The only good thing was that in the hangover of the India-England game these two went almost unnoticed. Here are the thoughts for the day.

• Zimbabwe indulged in some minnow bashing. Played a whole army of spinners and thrashed Canada. Tatenda Taibu (who yours truly had selected as the Trump player in his cricinfo league) picked up the Man of the Match while Ray Price (another slection :D) destroyed the Canadian top order.
• Netherlands just could not sustain the momentum from the previous game against England and were destroyed by the West Indies. My players (RTD & Bravo) did not have that good a game. 
• A world cup hattrick does deserv special mention for Kemar Roach.
• I have said it before, spin will rule the Cup. And that is why I have a feeling that Zimbabwe might sneak into the Quarters ahead of the Kiwis. Even West Indies are opening the bowling with Benn.
• The Associates are better off batting first, given most of the games are day-nighters. Score big and then funny things can happen while chasing under the lights.
•  Today's prediction - Sri Lanka (the biggest of the minnow bashers) will roll over Kenya.

World Cup Thoughts - Feb 22nd

After 4 boring matches finally a close one. Netherlands certainly embarrassed England though they just did not have the bowling attack to beat them. While Australia certainly proved too good for Zimbabwe. Here are some random thoughts

• Ryan ten Doeschate (RTD) was awesome with the bat and the ball. But if he had not misjudged that Ravi Bopara six shot, who knows what could have happened next.
• The ICC qualification rules for players do need an overhaul. Or else playing for country will soon become similar to playing for a club.
• If Dirk Nannes had still been playing for Netherlands, things certainly could have been different.
• Shane Watson is now the Aussie for all season.
• Australia cant play spin.
• Ricky Ponting's behaviour is certainly tarnishing his legacy. Breaking a TV now ???
• After a pathetic start my cricinfo fantasy team finally has taken off in style (Thanks to Watson & RTD)
• RTD has to be a good batsman. He has "ten" in his name. (After all we do know what a certain batsman whose surname starts with "TEN" is capable off)

World Cup boring so far. Where are the big matches? ICC has to be blamed for some atrocious scheduling.

And finally, thoughts are with people in New Zealand who have been impacted by the earthquake there.