 How things stand in Cricket World Cup Group A and B
This is the last week of the qualifying group games before the business end
of the competition will begin. March 20 is the last day of the league games
after which the quarter-finals will begin. And the reason why this is called
the business end of the tournament is because the line-ups have yet to be decided.
In Group A, the four teams which are going through to the quarter-finals are
already decided. These four are Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
However, it is not known which team will finish at which position and that will
add to the excitement.
The two games that will decide the four standings are the one between Australia
and Pakistan and the second game between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. There are
four possible scenarios here and looking at the four scenarios it looks like
the Aussies have a good chance of topping the group. If they beat Pakistan,
irrespective of the other result, they will be at the top of the table.
On the other hand, if Australia lose to Pakistan, there is a chance for Pakistan
to be at the top, if New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka. If New Zealand beat
Sri Lanka, and Pakistan beat Australia, New Zealand will also be at the top.
On the other hand, in Group B, the situation is even more close. For one, it
is not known which four teams are going through. Or to be more precise, South
Africa is the only team to have qualified for the next round, whereas the other
three spots have yet to be decided between India, West Indies, England and Bangladesh.
Now, if England lose to West Indies, then India, West Indies and Bangladesh
will join South Africa in the quarters. However, what will make it interesting
is if England defeat West Indies. This will mean that England will have seven
points while West Indies will have six with one game against India in hand.
If India beat West Indies then India will end at the second position
in the points table whereas the West Indian side will tie with Bangladesh (on
the assumption that South Africa will beat Bangladesh in their next game).
In that case, West Indies should pip out Bangladesh on a better net run rate.
All in all, an interesting one week to go for the tournament.
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