World Cup State of Play: Massive loss puts New Zealand under pressure
India are the tournament pacesetters while Afghanistan and Pakistan are the most likely to make a late push for a semi-final spot at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Tournament hosts India are joined by South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia in the critical top-four spots on the current Cricket World Cup standings.
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But a number of teams, led by Afghanistan and now Pakistan, have genuine hopes of snatching a semi-final spot in the remaining weeks of the group stage. Bangladesh became the first side to be out of contention from a knockout spot with the loss to Pakistan on Tuesday.
Now the remaining nine teams are mathematically alive in the hunt to claim a place in the semi-final stages. Pakistan’s chances received a boost with New Zealand losing by a huge margin against the Proteas.
What has gone right – and wrong – for each team at CWC23
Here is the state of play following South Africa’s win over New Zealand on November 1:
Video CWC23 31 Oct 23 05:12 Complete performance gives Pakistan comfortable win | Match Highlights | CWC23 Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for 204 before chasing down the target in the 33rd over. 1. India (six wins, no losses)
Most runs: Rohit Sharma (398 runs)
Most wickets: Jasprit Bumrah (14 wickets)
The hosts are in the driver’s seat to secure a crucial top-four finish after starting their campaign with six comprehensive victories.
The tournament pacesetters won each of their first five matches while batting second with captain Rohit Sharma and chase master Virat Kohli leading the way, and struggled at times when asked to bat first by England in Lucknow.
But the brilliance of India’s bowling attack stood up when needed to make it six wins from six.
Still to play: Sri Lanka (2 November), South Africa (5 November), Netherlands (12 November)
Video CWC23 29 Oct 23 05:33 India thump England for sixth successive win | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as Rohit Sharma’s 87 guided India to a decent total on a slow surface, before their bowlers turned on the screw against England at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. 2. South Africa (six wins, one loss)
Most runs: Quinton de Kock (545 runs)
Most wickets: Marco Jansen (16 wickets)
South Africa have sent a warning shot across the tournament with five totals above 300 – including more than 400 against Sri Lanka.
The Proteas’ one blemish came in a shock 38-run loss to familiar foes Netherlands when they were skittled out for 207 in their first run chase at the Cricket World Cup.
But their second chase of the tournament saw South Africa hold their nerve in a last-wicket thriller against Pakistan, sending a shot of confidence through the squad. This was bolstered further when they eventually pulled off a win over New Zealand in the men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time since 1999.
Video CWC23 27 Oct 23 05:18 South Africa overcome spirited Pakistan by one wicket | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as Pakistan fought back at multiple stages but it was South Africa who eventually prevailed at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
With a batting group led by opener Quinton de Kock and an explosive middle order, South Africa’s shot at an elusive semi-final victory looks assured.
Still to play: India (5 November), Afghanistan (10 November)
3. New Zealand (four wins, three losses)
Most runs: Rachin Ravindra (415 runs)
Most wickets: Mitchell Santner (14 wickets)
The runners-up at the past two Cricket World Cups are well-placed to secure yet another semi-final berth after thumping defending champions England in their opener then clinching resounding victories over less-fancied opponents.
But the loss to Australia and South Africa in successive games have put a dent on New Zealand’s campaign. While they remain one of the frontrunners to still make the semi-finals, they would need to be watchful of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Video cwc19 28 Oct 23 03:02 Every ball of thrilling final over in Australia-New Zealand run-fest | CWC23 Final-over thriller as New Zealand needed 19 runs off six balls to pass Australia’s huge total at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
New Zealand still need two more victories to lock in their spot in the knockout stages or hope for other results to go their way.
Still to play: Pakistan (4 November), Sri Lanka (9 November)
Video CWC23 18 Oct 23 05:07 All-round excellence propels New Zealand to dominant win | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as New Zealand thumped Afghanistan to claim their fourth ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup win in a row 4. Australia (four wins, two losses)
Most runs: David Warner (413 runs)
Most wickets: Adam Zampa (16 wickets)
Fit and firing Australia send World Cup warning shot
The five-time champions have been building momentum as the tournament progresses after starting their campaign with two disappointing losses.
Three convincing wins followed as their batters have found form with at least one strong innings each, while their trio of pacers and spinner Adam Zampa have also made their mark.
Video CWC23 28 Oct 23 05:04 Australia hold on against New Zealand in a thriller | Digital Daily: Episode 27 | CWC23 Digital Daily with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and ICC Digital Insider Crystal Arnold looks at Australia’s tense win over New Zealand at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
Australia’s nail-biting win over New Zealand saw runs flow once again, with Travis Head’s return adding yet more firepower to a team with plenty of it.
That win has put Australia with one foot in the knockout stages, with arch-rivals England up next.
Still to play: England (4 November), Afghanistan (7 November), Bangladesh (11 November)
Maxwell masterclass: The fastest-ever World Cup century Video CWC23 28 Oct 23 05:30 Australia overcome New Zealand challenge in run-fest classic | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as the Australia-New Zealand encounter in Dharamsala produced the highest run aggregate in the history of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. 5. Pakistan (three wins, four losses)
Most runs: Mohammad Rizwan (359 runs)
Most wickets: Shaheen Afridi (16 wickets)
Pakistan impressed as they opened their Cricket World Cup with two comprehensive victories but fell back into the pack to now be on the brink of missing out on the knockout stages.
While a thumping at the hands of heated rivals India always stings, it is the losses to Afghanistan and South Africa that could prove most costly for Pakistan. While they were completely outplayed by Afghanistan, the loss to South Africa was a close one-wicket affair.
Yet, the Men in Green managed to lift their game in Kolkata and surged to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh. Not only must they remain at their very best in the tournament, but also hope that other results go their way.
Still to play: New Zealand (4 November), England (11 November)
Video CWC23 10 Oct 23 05:12 Rizwan, Shafique stand tall in record-breaking Pakistan victory | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan propelled Pakistan to a record-breaking run chase at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 6. Afghanistan (three wins, three losses)
Most runs: Hashmatullah Shahidi (226 runs)
Most wickets: Rashid Khan (seven wickets)
Afghanistan are well and truly still in the mix to earn a semi-final berth but will likely need to win all of their remaining three matches if they are to make it.
The top four have all been in fine form with the bat, while the spin quartet of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad have all caused some concern for opposition batters at different stages of the tournament.
Afghanistan’s seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka gives them a huge boost while also livening up the race for semi-final spots, and they could move temporarily into fourth spot should they beat Netherlands next up.
If they do beat the Dutch then it sets up a huge clash with Australia – one that could potentially decide the make-up of the final four.
Still to play: Netherlands (3 November), Australia (7 November), South Africa (10 November)
7. Sri Lanka (two wins, four losses)
Most runs: Sadeera Samarawickrama (331 runs)
Most wickets: Dilshan Madushanka (13 wickets)
Injuries prior to the tournament and in the first three weeks in India proved costly for the 1996 champions, with the absence of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga putting a huge responsibility on Maheesh Theekshana.
The crushing nature of their win against England has kept their hopes for a semi-final berth intact, with the massive margin of victory correcting much of the early damage done to Sri Lanka’s net run rate.
But defeat to Afghanistan leaves the Lankans with little room for further error, likely requiring to win all three of their remaining games, including the tricky fixture with tournament hosts India next up, to stand any chance of reaching the final four.
Still to play: India (2 November), Bangladesh (6 November), New Zealand (9 November)
Video CWC23 27 Oct 23 05:08 Sri Lanka thump England to keep World Cup hopes alive | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as Sri Lanka pulled off a strong display in Bengaluru and marched to an eight-wicket win against England at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. 8. Netherlands (two wins, four losses)
Most runs: Scott Edwards (204 runs)
Most wickets: Bas de Leede (11 wickets)
The crushing loss to Australia all but put an end to Netherlands’ chances of reaching the semi-finals in India, with the Dutch now needing to finish the campaign with four consecutive wins to keep alive any slim hopes.
But they started that run of matches with another impressive win, bamboozling Bangladesh with the ball to secure another famous World Cup win and move up the table.
Video CWC23 28 Oct 23 03:58 Netherlands dominate Bangladesh for second win | Digital Daily: Episode 28 | CWC23 Digital Daily as Dirk Nannes, Athar Ali Khan and ICC Digital Insider Radhakrishnan look back at Netherlands’ victory over Bangladesh at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
The upset victory over South Africa has been the clear highlight of Netherlands’ campaign thus far and Scott Edwards’ side were far from outclassed in each of their other matches until crossing paths with a rampant Australia.
Still to play: Afghanistan (3 November), England (8 November), India (12 November)
9. Bangladesh (one win, six losses)
Most runs: Mahmudullah Riyad (274 runs)
Most wickets: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (nine wickets)
Even though they are placed above England in the points table, Bangladesh can only garner four points from their remaining games. At best, they can reach six points on the World Cup table
The Asian side made a great start to the 2023 World Cup with a commanding victory against Afghanistan, but subsequent losses to England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, the Netherlands, and now Pakistan have extinguished their semi-final hopes.
Still to play: Sri Lanka (6 November), Australia (11 November)
Video CWC23 07 Oct 23 05:12 Shakib, Mehidy lead Bangladesh to victory over Afghanistan | Match Highlights | CWC23 Match highlights as Bangladesh delivered a powerful performance against Afghanistan to open their account at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 10. England (one win, five losses)
Most runs: Dawid Malan (236 runs)
Most wickets: Reece Topley and Adil Rashid (eight wickets)
Not much has gone right for England in this tournament, with the bowlers misfiring in their opening run of matches and the batters crumbling against Sri Lanka and India.
Why England’s World Cup campaign has unravelled
Their sole victory so far has come against Bangladesh, and title defence is now all but over.
It would take three straight victories and an enormous stroke of luck with other results falling their way for Jos Buttler’s beleaguered outfit to make the semi-finals from this position, and their focus will now switch to finishing high enough in the standings to make sure they qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Still to play: Australia (4 November), Netherlands (8 November), Pakistan (11 November)
