ICC World Cup 2019: Warm-up matches round-up, form guide for all teams

Now that the World Cup 2019 warm-up matches are over, let us analyse how the ten teams have performed in these matches, and how they have shaped up for the main tournament.

Afghanistan: Beat Pakistan, lost to England

The Afghans made two things evident in the Pakistan match: first, they are here to stay; and secondly, there is more to them than Rashid Khan. While Mohammad Nabi put up an excellent all-round show, the chase was driven by Hazratullah Zazai and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who announced themselves to the world. They were blown away by England, though that had a lot to do with their over-the-top approach of going after everything.

Verdict: May beat a couple of big guns, but that is about it.

Australia: Beat both England and Sri Lanka

Australia came into the World Cup with eight consecutive ODI wins, and won both practice matches upon arrival. In fact, they were the only team to win both matches. Steven Smith, David Warner, and Usman Khawaja got runs, and the bowlers have performed as a unit.

Verdict: All set to go. A spot in the final cannot be ruled out.

Bangladesh: Pakistan match washed out, lost to India

Bangladesh had won the Tri-Series in Ireland, but things have not been rosy for them here. Rain stripped them of the opportunity of match practice against Pakistan, and they were given a sound thrashing by India.

Verdict: They have done well in recent past, and will have ample time to turn around.

England: Lost to Australia, beat Afghanistan

At some point the English batsmen were expected to fail. They did against Australia – thankfully, in a warm-up match. Despite their failure, however, the batsmen did get decent outings. And while Afghanistan fell prey to their own tactic, that should not take the sheen away from England’s thoroughly professional performance.

Verdict: On track. Title favourites.

India: Lost to New Zealand, beat Bangladesh

India were caught wrong-footed on a lively pitch, first against Trent Boult, then against Jimmy Neesham, and lost a one-sided match. However, these conditions are unlikely to be a common occurrence in an ICC tournament. India thrashed Bangladesh subsequently. Their batsmen and bowlers have looked more or less in touch.

Verdict: The middle and lower orders finally came good. India are contenders for a spot in the final.

New Zealand: Beat India, lost to West Indies

Bowled out India for 179 on a helpful track; conceded 421 to West Indies on a shirtfront. Unfortunately, the latter will be more frequent in the World Cup. However, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have shown form, and Tom Blundell’s hundred came at the best possible time.

Verdict: A top four candidate.

Pakistan: Lost to Afghanistan, Bangladesh match washed out

Pakistan’s horror run continued. They had lost 9 matches in a row before the World Cup, and now they lost to Afghanistan. And the Bangladesh match was washed out. True, Babar Azam got a hundred and Wahab Riaz bowled an excellent last spell, they need to do better.

Verdict: No verdict. You cannot predict when it comes to Pakistan.

South Africa: Beat Sri Lanka, West Indies match washed out

Not only have the South African batsmen spent time in the middle, they have also got quick runs. And their fast bowlers were excellent in the only opportunity they got. Unfortunately, Dale Steyn’s injury came at a most inopportune moment.

Verdict: Assuming the fast bowlers stay fit, a spot in the top half of the table.

Sri Lanka: Lost to both South Africa and Australia

Sri Lanka’s woes continued as they were the only side to lose both warm-up matches. They leaked runs against South Africa and failed to challenge Australia. They also collapsed from 170/3 to 251 in the first match and were restricted to 239/8 in the second. Things look bleak.

Verdict: Will have to fight to avoid the last spot.

West Indies: South Africa match washed out, beat New Zealand

The West Indian bowlers looked near-clueless in their brief outing against South Africa, but their batsmen massacred the Kiwis by putting up 421. Too many of their batsmen are in form. The other teams have a reason to be wary.

Verdict: Dark horses. A top four spot cannot be ruled out if the bowling comes off.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 262 in 47.5 overs (Babar Azam 112, Shoaib Malik 44; Mohammad Nabi 3/46, Rashid Khan 2/27) lost to Afghanistan 263/7 in 49.4 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 74*, Hazratullah Zazai 49; Wahab Riaz 3/46, Imad Wasim 2/29) by 3 wickets.

South Africa 338/7 in 50 overs (Faf du Plessis 88, Hashim Amla 65; Suranga Lakmal 2/63, Nuwan Pradeep 2/77) beat Sri Lanka 251 in 42.3 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 87, Angelo Mathews 64; Andile Phehlukwayo 4/36, Lungi Ngidi 2/12) by 87 runs.

Australia 297/9 in 50 overs (Steven Smith 116, David Warner 43; Liam Plunkett 4/69) beat England 285 in 49.3 overs (James Vince 64, Jos Buttler 52; Jason Behrendorff 2/43, Kane Richardson 2/51) by 12 runs.

India 179 in 39.2 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 54, Hardik Pandya 30; Trent Boult 4/33, Jimmy Neesham 3/26) lost to New Zealand 180/4 in 37.1 overs (Ross Taylor 71, Kane Williamson 67) by 6 wickets.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh. No result.

South Africa 95 for no loss in 12.4 overs (Hashim Amla 51, Quinton de Kock 37) vs West Indies. No result.

Sri Lanka 239/8 in 50 overs (Lahiru Thirimanne 56, Dhananjaya de Silva 43; Adam Zampa 2/39) lost to Australia 241/5 in 50 overs (Usman Khawaja 89, Glenn Maxwell 36; Jeffrey Vandersay 2/51) by 5 wickets.

Afghanistan 160 in 38.4 overs (Mohammad Nabi 44, Noor Ali Zadran 30; Joe Root 3/22, Jofra Archer 3/32) lost to England 161/1 in 17.3 overs (Jason Roy 89*, Jonny Bairstow 39) by 9 wickets.

India 359/7 in 50 overs (MS Dhoni 113, KL Rahul 108; Shakib Al Hasan 2/58, Rubel Hossain 2/62) beat Bangladesh 264 in 49.3 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 90, Liton Das 73; Kuldeep Yadav 3/47, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/55) by 95 runs.

West Indies 421 in 49.2 overs (Shai Hope 101, Andre Russell 54; Trent Boult 4/50, Matt Henry 2/107) beat New Zealand 330 in 47.2 overs (Tom Blundell 106, Kane Williamson 85; Carlos Brathwaite 3/75, Fabian Allen 2/47) by 91 runs.