ICC World Cup 2015: 5 things we learnt from first week

Nine days of cricket, plenty of lessons, quite a few surprises, couple of big games - thanks to some big teams playing like minnows and some minnows playing like big teams, this World Cup hasn’t been boring even on a single day. For the cricket connoisseurs, there has been plenty of action – upsets, thrilling minnows’ games, big shots, big scores, even a hat-trick. We look at 5 things the last nine days of cricket have taught us about the World Cup.

#5 New Zealand stronger than on paper, SA more vulnerable

We have seen two matches from each of them and couple of warm-up games. One of them, in fact, was New Zealand against South Africa, a match where strong title contenders South Africa were absolutely smashed by New Zealand. From then on, the Kiwis grew up in stature, going from strength to strength.

They intimidate now, bullying Sri Lanka into a defeat in the tournament opener and then knocking the daylights out of England. They have all the ingredients to go the distance at this World Cup. Most importantly, they have a very bold and attacking captain in Brendon McCullum who makes cricket really exciting.

South Africa, on the other hand, although firm favorites on paper, aren’t really getting their playing XI right. Their top order didn’t do well against Zimbabwe, while against India, they failed as a batting unit completely. It is not an aberration either, as it has been repeated thrice, including the failure in the warm-up game against New Zealand.

South African fans will hope for Michael Hussey, their batting consultant, to bring some positive changes.

#4 Drop-in pitches are belters

A lot of venues have been using drop-in pitches at this World Cup. What has been seen is a massive tilt in the balance of the game, towards batsmen. Lateral movement has hardly been seen on most pitches. Some of the pitches have a little something for the bowlers, apart from just bounce and pace.

But, overall, this World Cup has been a happy hunting ground for batsmen, especially those who are stroke-makers and love the pace on the ball without sideward movement. Couple of pitches have surprisingly been sluggish, thereby bringing the spinners to play.

#3 Minnows arent pushovers

Ireland, in their win against West Indies, became the only team to score 300+ scores thrice in World Cups. Afghanistan put Sri Lanka under real pressure and so did Scotland against New Zealand. It goes to show that with a little more assistance and encouragement, the minnows can quickly bridge the gap between them and the lower-ranked Test playing nations, at the minimum.

That augurs well for cricket, in general. Most minnows aren’t happy about the 2019 World Cup format, as the size is being trimmed to 10 from 14. However, they have a chance to prove here that they are no pushovers now; they are utilising that opportunity really well.

#2 300 is the new 250

The new fielding rules and the use of two new balls mean that 300 is the new 250. While the 1992 World Cup introduced the world to 250 as the par score, the 2015 World Cup has made sure that it is upgraded to 300 as we see a majority of teams batting first crossing the 300 mark.

More importantly, it is not even a safe tally anymore, although only Ireland have chased a 300+ score in this World Cup so far.

#1 Passionate! Indian cricket fans are passionate

India against Pakistan at Adelaide was a sea of blue. At MCG, it went a notch higheras Indian cricketers were made to feel as if they were playing at Wankhede. The growing community of NRIs and students abroad, especially in Australia, South Africa and England, means that Indian cricket will have support anywhere a game is played.

While Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the World Cup, it would be interesting to see which crowds fill the stadiums in matches that pit them against India. There could be a surprise for everyone.