2019 ICC Cricket World Cup: Starring injuries and incessant rain!
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England hasn’t got off to the best of starts leaving teams, officials and the fans quite frustrated. Almost halfway through the tournament, most teams are still grappling with a) rain gods who suddenly decided to grace the World Cup with their presence and b) injuries to key players that have thrown all the planning, strategy and gameplan down the drain. On what is supposed to be the biggest stage for players, incessant rain and freak injuries have been the top performers so far.
Double blow for India
With Shikhar Dhawan (hairline fracture) now ruled out of the entire tournament and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (hamstring) out for 2-3 matches, Team India has become the latest injury-hit side in the World Cup. Virat Kohli and co. are unbeaten with 3 wins and a washout, but the injuries have now presented newer challenges. In 2 days time, India will be forced to make changes as they take on Afghanistan in their next match. Vijay Shankar’s inclusion added an all-round dimension to the team, and he might just keep his place ahead of Rishabh Pant. As for Bhuvi’s absence, Mohammed Shami may finally get a go as a direct replacement.
Roy leaves England in concern
England’s swashbuckling opener Jason Roy picked up a left hamstring niggle against the West Indies and will miss at least the next 2 games. Given his form at the top and the equation with Jonny Bairstow, England will surely feel the impact of his absence. But they need not panic just yet, as the rest of their batting order is in red-hot form and can easily make up for the loss. James Vince got a decent start against Afghanistan but will have to quickly pull up his socks when England face Australia and India.
Australia’s Stoinis dilemma
Australia called in Mitchell Marsh as cover the moment they learned of Marcus Stoinis’ side strain that he picked up against India. Going by their reaction, one would’ve assumed that Stoinis would miss more than a game. Luckily, he has recovered just in time for Thursday’s encounter against Bangladesh. Of all the teams in the tournament, Australia appears to be the least affected owing to injuries.
South Africa in tatters
Yet again, the fear of the World Cup grips the Proteas and how. Having already dealt a huge blow in the form of Dale Steyn (shoulder injury), South Africa struggled with the absence of Lungi Ngidi (hamstring) and Hashim Amla (blow to the head) on different occasions. That they have a solitary win in 6 matches doesn’t help their case further. With last night’s defeat against New Zealand, South Africa’s World Cup campaign is all but over.
Shahzad’s controversial injury sparks debate
If there was one team that made cricket fans unite, it was Afghanistan. But all has not been well for the team and its players in this World Cup. Mohammad Shahzad, one of their best batsmen was called back under the pretext of a ‘knee injury’ after playing a couple of games. The batsman later revealed that he was fully fit and was controversially excluded from the World Cup. 5 losses in 5 games haven’t made things any easier for the Afghans either.
The Survivors
Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Pradeep (finger dislocation in training) and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (concussion while batting) both suffered injuries but recuperated before their team’s next match. England’s Mark Wood, captain Eoin Morgan and India’s Kedar Jadhav too were doubtful starters but went on to play for their respective sides. However, the biggest concern rests in the West Indies’ camp. Andre Russell was supposed to be playing in the World Cup of his dreams, but his constant niggles have prevented him from being even half as good. Yet, West Indies continue to play him in the hope that he comes good. But as evident in the match against Bangladesh, Russell’s body may have given up already.
Please stop, rain!
Last year, this time, a dry spell in the UK meant there was minimal to no rainfall. This year, there has been enough rain to cover up for that as well. Of the 25 completed matches so far in the World Cup, 7 have been affected by rain in one way or the other, keeping most teams still alive on the points table. Sri Lanka seem to have benefitted the most with a DLS win and two abandonments leading to a point each. On the flip side, teams like Afghanistan (2 DLS-affected losses) and Pakistan (1 DLS-affected loss, 1 abandonment) may have considered themselves to be slightly unlucky.
Ironically, England remains the only team along with Australia not to have been affected by rain in any of their matches.
