An interesting curtain-raiser awaits England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
The World Cup 2023 juggernaut is set to commence in the Western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5). The opening-day order is between two familiar foes, as England lock horns against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Now when it comes to the biggest stage of cricket, England and New Zealand are not strangers. They met in the 2019 World Cup Final, which saw an enthralling finish as England managed to lift their first-ever World Cup title.
10 WORLD CUP TEAMS ANALYSIS
Here is India's World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis 👇
♦️ Average Age: 32.7
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 97
(1449 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 1 left-handed batting option (Ishan Kishan)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 7 Batters (0 part-timers)
- 4 All-Rounders
- 4 Bowlers
🚨 In total, India have 8 bowling options:
1 off spin, 1 left arm orthodox spin, 1 left arm wrist spin, and 5 right arm pace.
❌ No leg spinner or left arm pace
⌚ Watch Out for: Shreyas Iyer & KL Rahul. The '4 Question' has haunted for ages. It was 🇮🇳's downfall last time around, but this time the 4-5 is their strength. Iyer & Rahul provide India the buffer which helps Rohit-Shubman-Kohli play freely.
💡 Speaking of Shubman, oh my word, he has been in some form, hasn't he? And if this is not enough, the bowling attack looks potent. Siraj is on 🔥, Shami has made a comeback, Kuldeep is back on top, and Bumrah is...well Bumrah 😊 The all-rounders & finishers round up the squad. No major issues for TeamIndia. What is stopping 🇮🇳 from lifting the trophy at home again? 🤔
🤕 Axar Patel is unfortunately out due to quadriceps strains as Ravichandran Ashwin replaces him in the squad. Iyer, KL Rahul, and Bumrah are just returning from injuries.
🟦 Possible XI:
1. Rohit (C), 2. Shubman, 3. Virat, 4. Shreyas, 5. Rahul (WK) 6. Jadeja, 7. Pandya (VC), 8. Ashwin/Thakur (based on conditions), 9. Kuldeep, 10. Siraj, 11. Bumrah.
Australia World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis
♦️ Average Age: 31.2
(11 of the 15 players over 30)
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 76
(1126 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 3 left-handed batting options (Warner, Carey, Head)
♦️ 3 Wicketkeeping options
- 6 Batters (Smith, Labuschagne, Head part-timers)
- 6 All-Rounders
- 3 Bowlers
🚨 In total, Australia have 12 bowling options:
3 leg spin, 2 off spin, 1 left arm pace, and 6 right arm pace
💡Is this the best 🇦🇺 side? No, but is good enough? ABSOLUTELY. Experience, youth, in-form players, flexible squad, and World Cup star, Mitchell Starc back in form with a hat-trick when it matters the most.
⌚ Watch Out for: Australia's arsenal of all-rounders: Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Stoinis, Cam Green, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins 🔥🔥 In Indian conditions, Zampa-Maxwell-Smith-Marnus may be a handful. Well-balanced side.
🤕 Agar out due to a calf injury. Travis Head in squad but has a fractured hand. Might not play the first few games. Cummins and Steve Smith are returning from injury.
England 🏴 World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis
♦️ Average Age: 33.1
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 76
(1133 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 4 left-handed batting option (Dawid Malan, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 6 Proper Batters (+2 part-timers)
- 5 All-Rounders
- 4 Proper Bowlers
🚨 In total, England have 11 bowling options:
2 off-spin, 2 leg spin, 3 left arm pace, 4 right arm pace
💡 8 members from the 2019 WC winning squad & 11 players from the 2022 T20 WC squad, England are largely taking the same core, which has become older. Can they keep going with the same intensity? The conditions will be a challenge, but expect the IPL experience to help most players out. Jos Buttler may have an epic tournament.
🤕 Saqib Mahmood & Jofra Archer suffered injuries. Archer is still on track to travel as a reserve. Ben Stokes came back from retirement. Alex Hales went into retirement. Jason Roy was axed for Harry Brook. The likes of Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, James Vince, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Tom Curran, etc. were unlucky to miss out due to England's immense depth.
⌚ Watch Out for: Jonny Bairstow. Coming back from injury, he will have a point to prove. Also look out for Gus Atkinson. He has especially been picked for his express pace along with Mark Wood.
✨Potential XI:
1. Jonny Bairstow, 2. Dawid Malan, 3. Joe Root, 4. Harry Brook, 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (WK/C), 7. Liam Livingstone, 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Sam Curran, 10. Mark Wood, 11. Adil Rashid
Squad: Gus Atkinson, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes
Reserve: Jofra Archer
🇵🇰 Pakistan World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis 👇
♦️ Average Age: 26.9
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 41
(607 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 4 left-handed batting option (Imam, Fakhar, Saud, Nawaz)
♦️ 1 Wicketkeeping option
- 6 Batters (0 part-timers)
- 4 All-Rounders
- 5 Bowlers
🚨 In total, Pakistan have 9 bowling options:
2 off spin, 1 left arm orthodox spin, 2 leg spin, 1 left arm pace, and 3 right arm pace
⌚ Watch Out for: The Top 3. Imam, Fakhar, and Babar are the seniormost members of this young Pakistan side. They are consistent and have mountains of runs behind them. Along with Rizwan and Iftikhar, they are all match-winners.
💡Lower middle order and middle overs-wicket taking ability are some concerns. Shaheen has to take wickets every game early on and Shadab needs more bowling form behind him. In all, this is 🇵🇰's best chance to go to the semis since 2011 & best chance to win a World Cup since 1992.
🤕 Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the World Cup with Hasan Ali back in the squad. Haris Rauf also picked up a niggle in the Asia Cup, but has been back in action during the warm-up games.
🟩 Possible XI:
1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam (C), 4. Mohammad Rizwan (WK), 5. Iftikhar Ahmed, 6. Agha Salman, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Haris Rauf
Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim
Reserve: Mohammad Harris
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis
♦️ Average Age: 27.3
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 43
(637 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 4 left-handed batting option (Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Asalanka, Wellalage)
♦️ 3 Wicketkeeping options
- 5 Proper Batters
- 4 All-Rounders
- 6 Proper Bowlers
🚨 In total, Sri Lanka have 10 bowling options:
2 off-spin, 1 mystery spin, 1 left arm spin, 1 leg break, 1 left arm pace, 5 right arm pace
💡 It feels that Sri Lanka's transition phase which began in 2014-16, is finally over. They have put together a squad which have been playing together more or less since the 2021 T20 WC. They have the balance in the squad to conquer the conditions, but their players are not in the best forms & some are injured. Good bowling attack nevertheless.
🤕 Unfortunately, Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga are out due to injuries. Madushanka, Theekshana, and Lahiru Kumara are returning from injuries.
⌚ Watch Out for: Charith Asalanka, he can change the momentum of the game in a matter of a few overs. And in spin-friendly conditions, he can roll his arm over as well. Together, Wellalage-Theekshana-de Silva look like a potent unit. Also watch out for the senior duos, Shanaka & Karunaratne - lots of outside noise & not much form.
✨Potential XI:
1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Perera, 3. Kusal Mendis (WK), 4. Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Dasun Shanaka (C), 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Mahesh Theekshana, 10. Matheesha Pathirana, 11. Dilshan Madushanka
Netherlands 🇳🇱 World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis
♦️ Average Age: 28.4
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 21
(313 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 1 left-handed batting option (Vikramjit Singh)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 4 Proper Batters (Max O'Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Barresi can bowl part-time)
- 7 All-Rounders
- 4 Proper Bowlers
🚨 In total, Netherlands have 11 bowling options:
4 off-spin, 1 left arm spin, 2 leg break, 4 right arm pace
💡The Dutch have done an amazing now qualifying for the World Cup, gaining some experience through crucial ODI Super League games. Now they are boosted by the returns of Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, and Colin Ackerman. If their batters can give them enough runs on the board, 🇳🇱 definitely have the bowling attack to defend it. They are disciplined in the field as well.
🤕 Unfortunately, Tim Pringle & Fred Klaasen are out due to injuries.
⌚ Watch Out for: Logan van Beek & Bas de Leede. They have plenty of all-rounders, which can work in their favor.
New Zealand World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis
♦️ Average Age: 30.67
(12 of the 15 players over 30)
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 69
(1022 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 6 left-handed batting options (Latham, Conway, Chapman, Santner, Neesham, Ravindra)
♦️ 3 Wicketkeeping options
- 5 Proper Batters (Glenn Phillips, Williamson part time spin)
- 5 All-Rounders
- 5 Proper Bowlers
🚨 In total, New Zealand have 12 bowling options:
2 off-spin, 3 left arm spin, 1 leg break, 1 left arm pace, 5 right arm pace
💡Overall, New Zealand have the right balance due to multiple all-rounders and part-timers. Their abundance of left hand batters give them flexibility, and they have spinners to tackle Indian conditions with equally potent fast bowlers. Slightly aged squad, but can #NewZealand go one step better in the #CricketWorldCup2023?
⌚ Watch Out for: In-form players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Ish Sodhi. Also always keep your eye open for Glenn Phillips superhuman diving catches ☺️🔥
🇿🇦 South Africa World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis 👇
♦️ Average Age: 29.9
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 55
(823 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 2 left-handed batting option (Quinton de Kock, David Miller)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 7 Batters (1 part-timer)
- 2 All-Rounders
- 6 Bowlers
🚨 In total, South Africa have 9 bowling options:
1 off spin, 1 left arm orthodox spin, 1 left arm wrist spin, 1 left arm pace, and 5 right arm pace
⌚ Watch Out for: The best middle order of the #WorldCup - Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller. They can float according to the situation, they all can absorb pressure, and they can hit it out of the park at will! What's more - Most of them are in top form 🔥
💡 Quinton de Kock's last ODI assignment - Will it inspire the rest of the team to win it for QDK and South Africa? And can Quinton light the World Cup up with runs and centuries?
🤕 Anrich Nortje, Sisanda Magala, and Wayne Parnell have unfortunately been ruled out. South Africa's bowling definitely has less experience now, but in Coetzee, Rabada, & Ngidi, they still have some spice in their pace bowling. Maharaj is returning from an injury. Other names NOT in the squad - Youngsters Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Janneman Malan, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, and George Linde.
🟩 Possible XI:
1. Quinton de Kock, 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Lungi Ngidi/Keshav Maharaj/Gerald Coetzee, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams
🇧🇩 Bangladesh World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis 👇
♦️ Average Age: 27.3
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 77
(1150 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 3 left-handed batting options (Tanzid, Shanto, Shakib)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 5 Batters
- 4 All-Rounders
- 6 Bowlers
🚨 In total, Bangladesh have 10 bowling options:
- 3 off spin, 2 left arm spin, 2 left arm pace, 3 right arm pace
❌ No wrist spin of any kind
⌚ Watch Out for: Litton Das. He has been in rich form over the past couple of years and ensured that 🇧🇩 have more than just Tamim, Rahim, and Shakib to depend on. Without Tamim, Liton has to pull his weight.
💡The balance of the squad is quite nice. This is the final chance for the 3 seniors - Shakib (36), Mushfiqur (36), and Mahmudullah (37). Bangladesh also has the younger generation in Tanzim (20), Tanzid & Hridoy (22), Hasan (23), Liton & Mehidy (25). Finally, a shout-out to the Bangladesh pace attack - With the reinvention of Taskin, maturity of Fizz, and the new finds in Shoriful & Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh have an adequate attack for the conditions. My only concern is if the scores are 325+, Bangladesh will struggle due to lack of power hitters & finishers, apart from seasoned pro, Mahmudullah.
🤕 Ebadot Hossain, one of the young shining lights of Bangladesh cricket, was ruled out due to injury much earlier. Tamim Iqbal's long-term back injury resulted in the public controversy that led to his withdrawal from the WC squad.
🟩 Possible XI:
1. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, 2. Litton Das (WK), 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mehidy Hasan Miraj, 8. Mahedi Hasan, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Shoriful Islam/Hasan Mahmud/Nasum Ahmed
Squad: Towhid Hridoy, Tanzin Hasan Sakib
*can also bat Mehidy as an opener and replace Tanzid with Hridoy in the middle order.
🇦🇫
Afghanistan World Cup 2023 Squad Analysis 👇
♦️ Average Age: 24.5
♦️ Average ODI Experience: 45
(669 ODIs among 15 players)
♦️ 3 left-handed batting options (Shahidi, Najibullah, Alikhil)
♦️ 2 Wicketkeeping options
- 6 Batters
- 4 All-Rounders
- 5 Bowlers
🚨 In total, Afghanistan have 11 bowling options:
- 2 leg spin, 2 off spin, 1 left arm wrist spin, 1 left arm pace, 5 right arm pace
⌚ Watch Out for: The bowling attack. Imagine a line up of Farooqi, Naveen, Rashid, Nabi, Noor, and Mujeeb. In spin pitches, if they can get 200-250 on the board, 🇦🇫 will be favorites to defend those scores.
💡Speaking of batting, the Gurbaz-Zadran pair are both a strength and weakness for Afghanistan. When they fire, they can form 200+ run partnership. When they don't, 🇦🇫 can be bundled out in a low score that can hurt their NRR.
🤕 Omarzai is returning from injury. Karim Janat has been left out of the squad. Gulbadin Naib has gone from being captain in 2019 to out of favor to making a comeback in Asia Cup squad and now to the reserves.
🟩 Possible XI:
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Azmatullah Omarzai, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 10. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11. Naveen-ul-Haq/Noor Ahmad (depending on conditions)
Squad: Riaz Hassan, Ikram Alikhil, Abdul Rahman
Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad
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🚨 5 Things looking forward from the Cricket WorldCup 2023
1. Healthy competition between bat and bowl, close finishes
2. New strategies, non-striker run outs, & interesting field placements.
3. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Stokes, Quinton de Kock, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, David Warner, Steve Smith, Mohammad Nabi, Roelof van der Merwe, Dimuth Karunaratne and many more who may be playing their last World Cup ♥️💔
4. Afghanistan & Netherlands winning matches & opening up the World Cup Points Table
5. The fans, enjoyment, party of a tournament, pre-match analysis, post-match analysis, in-match commentary, highlights, basically EVERYTHING.
Thanks for reading 📚.......
