Quarter Finals Stage

[shravi]

There is no way in hell that New Zealand will beat South Africa (watch this bite me in the ass ). South Africa is just too strong. One feels that it would require an innings of a lifetime from McCullum or Taylor.

 

[AbhishekS]

Yes, it will be very surprising if South Africa lose to New Zealand, but you cannot deny that the Kiwis have the potential to surprise any team on their day.
I am really expecting Taylor or McCullum to score a century and some fireworks from Oram yet again.

BTW, is Vettori fit to play?

 

[Paki007]

Yeah i had heard in news that he'll be available for the Quarters and so on but not quite sure

 

[crazyrahul]

If I think practically, as per team's form is concerned, I will go for below 4 semi-finalists -

PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SRI LANKA

Out of these, only 1 is unpredictable i.e. India Vs Australia. If Sachin, Zak, Yuvi, Bhajji, Ashwin together will have a best day, then Australia might lose it. But if Indian batting woes continue in death overs, then it would be very easy for Watson & Co. to reach the target easily.

South Africa will choke but not against New Zealand, they will be out of the tournament in Semi-Final.

Other two will be the easiest QF. West Indies can't beat Pakistan if Gayle and Pollard goes early, even if they got the target of just 200. Sri Lanka will exploit England easily with spin power in Colombo.

 

[used2bcool]

I don't understand why people are writing off England so easily and basically calling them no-hopers. They're not. They have enough about them to cause the upset in Colombo. Sri Lanka will be favorites, no doubt, but I have a feeling it will not be a walkover.

 

[Paki007]

it will not be a walkover.

it will definitely be a walkover as their performance so far suggests but cricket is a funny anything can be happen at the end of the day

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

what worries me, as someone who would like sri lanka to be the eventual winners of the tournament, is that while england haven't shown form in any one area they have been adept at staring down the barrell of a gun and still going on.

I have a feeling what it may really come down to is, can someone like Mathews put together a partnership with one of the other lower batsmen to set/chase a competitive total? there is no doubt sri lanka's bowling will keep england to decent score but I wouldn't put it past them to dig in and still post something substantial. similarly I don't think sri lanka will utterly dominate their bowling.

They will have to play well to ensure that their overall superiority shines through because england will definitely not allow them to have it all their own way.

 

[icyman]

An unexpected World Cup can throw up unexpected winners. West Indies, India, New Zealand and England the least fancied teams in their respective QFs can make quite an impact on their day.

As an India, I'd like to see us go through. I also pray that Ricky Ponting does not strike form in the big match

 

[6ry4nj]

My predictions would be something like,

Pakistan v West Indies
Australia v India
New Zealand v South Africa
Sri Lanka v England

India v Pakistan
New Zealand v Sri Lanka

India v Sri Lanka

My fanciful (re England) predictions would be something like,

Pakistan v West Indies
Australia v India
New Zealand v South Africa
Sri Lanka v England

India v Pakistan
South Africa v England

Pakistan v England

For what wishful thinking is worth...

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I don't understand why people are writing off England so easily and basically calling them no-hopers. They're not. They have enough about them to cause the upset in Colombo. Sri Lanka will be favorites, no doubt, but I have a feeling it will not be a walkover.

England certainly won't win it easily, and they certainly might win it! If they don't win, however, a walkover is quite likely.

 

[icyman]

I feel England will trounce the Lankan Lions. Not sure about their chances in the tournament thereafter. My gut feeling says that we are going to have a lot many surprises in the QF stage- New Zealand, England, West Indies and India.

 

[playkid12]

I don't understand why people are writing off England so easily and basically calling them no-hopers. They're not. They have enough about them to cause the upset in Colombo. Sri Lanka will be favorites, no doubt, but I have a feeling it will not be a walkover.

Sri Lanka are too good at home. Chances are very high for them winning.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Pakistan is through and waiting for someone else to.

 

[STLIndian]

The ICC is retarded. The winner of SL/ENG will only get 2 days rest b/w the QFs and SFs, while Pakistan will get a week of rest. Why not make the PAK/AUS/IND semifinal the first one?

 

[icyman]

Cannot do it now. Logistical nightmare. Plus, the ICC has never been known for scheduling fixtures efficiently.

 

[AbhishekS]

My predictions would be something like,

Pakistan v West Indies
Australia v India
New Zealand v South Africa
Sri Lanka v England

India v Pakistan
New Zealand v Sri Lanka

India v Sri Lanka

I have been spot on with the predictions thus far!

There is no way in hell that New Zealand will beat South Africa (watch this bite me in the ass ). South Africa is just too strong. One feels that it would require an innings of a lifetime from McCullum or Taylor.