The Night Watchman

he Senior World Cup groups have been announced a few days a go and I thought I would share my thoughts on it. These groups have been copied from the Forums (credit to Sully89).

Group 1

England 1 131.35
Zimbabwe 6 112.18
Sri Lanka 7 110.45
Bermuda 12 88.27
UAE 13 88.14
USA 18 70.79

England, Zimbabwe & Bermuda , so half the group has remained the same from the last World Cup. The three new teams, Sri Lanka has replaced South Africa, UAE - Ireland & USA for Kenya.  You would expect England & Sri Lanka to be favourites to qualify and for Zimbabwe to fight for the 3rd spot qualification. That would be what most would expect, but we all know what happened in the last World Cup - England at once stage were struggling to qualify (thanks to Kenya mostly!). The fight amongst the minor nations will be interesting, but the ones to pull of an upset against the major nation would be most likely to qualify from the group and create havoc amongst the major nations. ITs only 5 matches fellas!

Players: There are some superstars in this Group that on their day can win the game single handedly. Turnham from England was sensational in the last World Cup, but England have superstars left, right & centre.  Nuwan Tasleem easily the best all-rounder in the game, has been in great form for Sri Lanka of recent. Of course from UAE - Hamdan, Khaleel & Musa a trio they will be relying to help them qualify. Then you have the leading wicketaker in ODIs - Charles Sacristani from Zimbabwe. Bermuda has  Chiswicket and USA..well I dont know much about them - sorry.

Group 2

New Zealand 2 128.86
Pakistan 5 112.71
Netherlands 8 110.24
Bangladesh 11 91.19
Ireland 14 85.71
Canada 17 78.98

Just 2 new teams in this group, Ireland & Canada. Last time Pakistan cruised to the quarters and New Zealand were 2nd. I dont think the same thing will happen.  Although there are only 3 major nations compared to the last World Cup (Sri Lanka was in this group), so that it makes supposedly easier. Though the Netherlands are higher ranked than 3 major nations an impressive feat. Bangladesh has been struggling and I know we have to see the best of them, so I believe they the stuff to qualify to the next stage. Ireland & Canada also have an oppurinity, with an underperforming Bangladesh side and another minor nation in Netherlands, just matter of creating an upset against New Zealand or Pakistan.

Players: Well New Zealand, I think we will see the return of Guthrie, but like England they have a team of superstars really. Watch out for Lill, probably the most economical bowler in the game. Pakistan have an allrounder in the making called Paindoo (I think), maybe its him time to shine. Bangladesh have some great spinners and its only their batting that has disappointed them really. Ireland watch for the quick Kidd-Gunn, who will not doubt have an impact in this World Cup. Unfortunately dont know much about the rest.

Group 3

Australia 3 119.98
India 4 118.00
South Africa 9 104.49
West Indies 10 103.25
Scotland 15 85.64
Kenya 16 81.02

The last group is without doubt the Group of Death. 4 Major nations, a vastly improve minor nation in Kenya and Scotland who are capable of creating upsets. The changes from last World Cup Group is that South Africa & Kenya have come in.  Australia will be favourites, India have not been performing well, the West Indies are in form as are the Kenyan and only Scotland is struggling at the moment. So this group is going to be one dirty fight for qualification into the next round. Of course it could also turn out to be the most boring group of all - who knows?

Players: Well Australia is no different from England or New Zealand. Rohit Sharma has hit fair few runs recently for India and I think he will be a threat to the other nations. India have solid lineup to boast and are right up there with Australia! South Africa have sound bowling attack and like Bangladesh its their batting that has let them down. Saying that they have always performed well (the batsmen) in the World Cup.  For the West Indies, question is will Thambi be selected? Not that it will matter match, as they some class finger spinners.  Kenya were quite destructive with their bowling this season and have very well balanced lineup. Ongola is their leading wickettaker, but Menza is hot form at the moment. Finally, unfortunately I dont know much about Scotland.

This World Cup will be different, we have a few veteran NT Managers who are in their 2nd World Cup - including the previous WC winner Cleanprophet managing England again. No doubt that experience will be advantageous, but the other managers, some have experience at the U19 level and for others have been playing FTP since its beginning.  In that way we might see some interesting tactics, something to look out for.

Deltron is of course running the Fantasy Comp again - so start doing your research now (dont bother the NT Managers, they will be busy I can assure you of that!).