Good afternoon fellow travellers, hope everyone is well! After taking advice from my wife and new Editor at large Emily, I’ve decided to split the second edition of my World Cup preview into two parts, meaning you get a slice of exciting cricket news even earlier than expected! Sticking with the format, today we’ll have a look at Group C and then finish things off on Friday with Group D. So, as they say, there’s grass on the wicket, let’s talk cricket!
Group C – Under performers, over performers and the future of the game?
Group C consists of New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Papau New Guinea and Uganda.
New Zealand – New Zealand are one of the great stable forces in world cricket. They are always around and about, always playing the game well, always playing the game in the right way and always………always so close! It’s true The Black Caps won the inaugural Test World Cup and they are perennial semifinalists and finalists in the white ball formats, but they have never managed to go all the way in a World Cup tournament (the test World Cup works differently but we’ll worry about that another time). New Zealand have been close to a title many times, in fact they were ODI WC runners up in 2015/2019 and T20 WC runners up in 2021. Despite New Zealand’s undoubted pedigree, the difference between the good sides and the great sides is knowing how to get over the line and whether it be bad luck, a quirk in the laws or just not showing up on the day, the Kiwis have never been able to take that final step to glory. Players to look out for? Trent Boult is a veteran, or master, depending on your point of view of pace bowling and has been a solid performer for NZ for many a years. He has an uncanny knack of picking up wickets in the power play, proving in the recent IPL that he’s just as good as he ever was. At the other end of the scale we have Rachin Ravindra. Making his T20 debut for NZ in 2021 and showing his qualities from the start. A batting allrounder, his figures are already impressive and he could prove a linchpin for the Black Caps in this competition.
West Indies – Rally, rally round the West Indies! The West Indies are a composite team made up of players selected from a chain of fifteen Caribbean nation-states and territories. With each Island producing players that bring different aspects of their culture to the field, the thing they all have in common is they love to win! This winning attitude has done Windies well over the decades, their Test team dominated world cricket in the 80s and 90s and they didn’t mess about when white ball cricket came into fruition. The men in claret and gold have twice been crown ODI World Champions and twice T20 World Champions, having last won a major trophy at the 2016 T20 World Cup. Carlos Brathwaite smashed 19 runs off the final over to secure the title, remember the name? It’s fair to say that the Windies’ star has faded somewhat in recent years however. With World rankings seven or lower in all three formats they didn’t even manage to qualify for the ODI WC last year in India. Due to being a co host with the states this year, they haven’t had to bother with something as pesky as qualification and although their recent past has been lacking the sparkle of the glory days, Windies are a fine old team with home advantage, they will compete I have no doubt about that! Players to look out for? Andre Russell, better known as Dre Russ is your quintessential West Indies cricketer. A big, strong, bombastic allrounder with a slog sweep powerful enough to reignite a dying star he will score you quick runs and get you useful wickets. Shamar Joseph has an incredible story. He grew up in a remote area of Guyana with limited access to internet or even a phone line. He left his village and employment in the logging industry to follow his dream of playing professional cricket and was until very recently working twelve hour shifts as a security guard. Through hard work and sacrifice the pieces fell into place and he is now one of the world’s hottest up and coming fast bowlers. Definitely one to keep an eye on!
Afghanistan – Throughout the long and varied history of Afghanistan one of the few things her various rulers could agree on was cricket. Whether it be the days of The Raj, its short lived Monarchy, attempts at democracy or its less favourable governments, cricket has always been played and watched in Afghanistan. The men from the Northwest Frontier have come into their own during the 21st century, becoming ICC affiliate members in 2001 and then gaining full member test playing status in 2017 Afghanistan’s cricket journey, although still rocky due to their countries history and security status, is ever gaining momentum. The Afghans have long been a team known to cause upsets, in the ODI World Cup last year they scored victories over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and The Netherlands. They would have bettered Australia too if it wasn’t for a sensational double hundred from The Big Show Glenn Maxwell to save the game for the Aussies. I think it’s time to stop looking at Afghanistan as plucky underdogs who can pull off an upset and start viewing them as serious contenders, I could see them getting out of this group. Players to look out for? Afghanistans T20 captain and spin bowling supremo Rashid Khan is always one to keep an eye on. Aggressive and deadly with the ball he doesn’t get quite the wickets he used to but that’s only because batters won’t play him. He’s also useful with the bat, Khan, on his day can drag his team over the line with his infamous helicopter shot. Mohammad Nabi is the former Afghan Captain and an aggressive batting allrounder. He may have relinquished his leadership role in the team but he is still the Afghan’s engine room and capable of plenty of runs.
Papau New Guinea – Papau New Guinea are the strongest associate member of the ICC East Asia-Pacific region………make of that what you will! PNG cemented that stat and booked their place in this World Cup by winning the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier. This will be the Barramundis 2nd appearance at an ICC World Cup having appeared in the 2021 edition of the T20 Competition. As I’ve said before, I like having smaller associate nations in big competitions, you never know what they’re going to do and PNG are in a group of teams not known for their consistency. However, despite PNG being the champions of East Asia-Pacific and holding the world record for the highest ODI score ever, 572/7 against New Caledonia (I think New Caledonia is the crucial bit here). I can’t envisaged great success for the men from the South Seas. Players to look out for? Assad Vala is PNG’s most celebrated campaigner. He first represented his nation way back in 2005 and steered them to the Gold medal for cricket in the Pacific Games. With years of experience, 6 international 50’s and a top score of 93* he has the potential to frustrate the bowling attack of his competitors.
Uganda – Uganda, known as the Cricket Cranes, started competing regularly in 1966 as part of East Africa and then in 1989 as East and Central Africa. In 2001 they began playing in their own right as the Uganda national cricket team and are associate members of the ICC. Finishing second in the Africa Qualifiers, this will be Uganda’s first appearance in a T20 World Cup. At the risk of repeating myself, despite The Cranes earning their spot in this tournament, ahead of the likes of Zimbabwe, I don’t expect them to get out of the group. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t pick up a win. Against the might of NZ, WI, Afghanistan and champions of East Asia-Pacific PNG, I think victories would be a step too far on their first outing on the world stage. I love an upset however and anything, anything can happen in tournament cricket! Players to look out for? Riazat Ali Shah looks quite interesting. Born in Pakistan he played under 19’s cricket for Islamabad. He moved to Uganda at 16 to pursue international cricket and has been leading run-scorer, joint highest wicket taker and player of the tournament in various ICC Africa qualifier events. I can see a future in Franchise cricket for him.
Cricket this week
After 74 matches played in just over 2 months The Kolkata Knight Riders are the 2024 IPL champions! It’s KKR’s third title but their first in 10 years, with not a small part played by England batter Phil Salt, opening the batting and keeping wicket. Hopefully Salt will bring some of that form into the T20 World Cup. The final its self was less of a bang and more of a whimper. After a bumper year with some massive scores and run chases Sunrisers Hyderabad getting bowled out for a stunted 113 and then KKR knocking it off in 10.3 overs…….well it was all a bit village! We were wearing KKR purple at All The Cricket HQ though so a win is a win!
England and arguably the world’s premier T20 tournament, The T20 Blast gets underway on Thursday 30th May. We at All The Cricket will be on the road again to watch The Yorkshire Vikings kick off their campaign against The Worcestershire Rapids at glorious Headingley on Thursday. You’ll find our thoughts on the game and our day out and about around the ground in Fridays blog. The ECB have launched a new YouTube program, Friday Night Blast, with highlights and interviews from the 18 Counties competing for the trophy, might be worth a look!
I hope you enjoyed this bonus edition, we’ll be back on Friday with a last part of the World Cup preview looking at Group D.
Until then, thanks for reading.
All the best,
Nick
All The Cricket 
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