World Cup bar raised

England did enough to get in to the Super 8 stage of the World Cup by beating Kenya in the final match of Group C. In a match delayed by heavy rain and subsequently limited to 43 overs, Kenya won the toss and bravely elected to bat first. They lasted until the final over, but their low run rate was only enough to set a target of 178. Kenyas men batted valiantly, but on a wicket suited to bowlers, the regular loss of wickets never enabled Kenya to build any significant partnerships. England’s bowlers were led by Jimmy Anderson, although Flintoff, Mahmood and Collingwood all picked up wickets. It has to be said, however, that England’s attack didn’t have much venom and ought to have done better against a disorganised Kenyan batting lineup.

In response, England knocked the runs off with more than 10 overs to spare, led by Ed Joyce (75) and Kevin Pietersen (56*). Joyce’s innings earned him the man of the match accolade. Despite the ease with which the runs were scored, England’s batting was still scratchy and could have been very different had Kenya’s wicket-keeper not dropped a regulation catch behind with KP on 4. That Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan failed to score against minor county standard bowling is even more worrying. Events happening elsewhere, however, really put England’s performance, or lack thereof, in to perspective.

At Warner Park in St Kitts, South Africa met Australia to decide the winner of Group A. Two points were at stake, but you felt that there was even more to be decided, a little thing called pride, as South Africa recently deposed Australia as number 1 one day team in the World. Australia batted first and scored at a rate of knots, putting up 377 in their 50 overs. Matt Hayden scored the fastest ever World Cup century, in 66 balls. And at least the first 4 balls he left alone. Even Shaun Pollock got a pounding. In reply, South Africa knocked up a hundred off barely 10 overs and with a superior run-rate looked destined to see off the total as Ab De Villiers and Graeme Smith set about the Australia bowling attack. But a mid-innings wobble saw South Africa lose momentum, and ultimately get bowled out 83 runs short.

Despite losing, South Africa looked in imperious form. As did Australia. In fact, my prediction for a final was probably not too far off. Considering Australia and South Africa won’t meet each other again in the Super 8’s, the likelihood of Australia and South Africa place 1 and 2 in the Super 8’s, which will result in them meeting in the final, looks likely. The cricket they have been playing is a cut above that of any of the other teams in this World Cup.

Considering the teams that are also through to the Super 8’s, and the style and quality of their cricket played to date in the contest, here is my predicted finishing positions in the Super 8:

• Australia
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies
• England
• Bangladesh
• Ireland

That would see Australia / Sri Lanka and South Africa / New Zealand semi-finals which I genuinely think could go any way. New Zealand have already demonstrated that they can beat Australia, and the Sri Lankans are really on top form and capable of causing a major upset. However, if Australia and South Africa display the sort of form they did yesterday, then it’s hard to visualise any other final.

From an English perspective, they simply haven’t been playing the type of cricket that is going to challenge the likes of Australia and South Africa, nor even Sri Lanka, New Zealand or the West Indies. On our day, we can pull it off, and I do feel we have the type of team that raises their game against the bigger sides, but there is still a total lack of consistency that is going to be our downfall.