ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi Final Line Ups and Final Predictions

So all the 4 Quarter Final matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 have been played and the Semi Finalists have been short-listed. The Predictions that I had made regarding who will make the Semi Finals has proven to be almost correct! I had predicted – 

Semi Final 1: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on 24th March 2015

Semi Final 2: India vs Australia at SCG, Sydney on 26th March 2015

It is just Sri Lanka that has missed out and South Africa has taken their place.

Here is a small post looking ahead to the Semi Finals and my predictions for the Finals.

Semi Final Predictions:

Semi Final 1: South Africa vs New Zealand at Eden park, Auckland on 24th March 2015

South Africa broke their knockout hoodoo in their last match against Sri Lanka. New Zealand are a team that has never been in the Finals either, they have bowed out at the Semi Final stage on a number of occasions! Their epic Quarter Final clash in Bangladesh during the 2011 World Cup is still fresh in my mind and I look forward to another blockbuster!

Semi Final 2: India vs Australia at SCG, Sydney on 26th March 2015

India has gathered steam in this World Cup and their machinery is chugging along quite nicely. Their bowling has stood up and the fielding has improved. Batting was never a problem and that has blossomed too. Australia is a special team with a pretty daunting line up and they will have the home support at SCG. It will be the clash of the titans as India go head to head with the Australians.

Final Predictions:

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Final: India vs New Zealand at MCG, Melbourne on 29th March 2015

I so want to see India in the Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 but I do not think that India has the fire power or the artillery to win against the Australians. I will want India to win the World Cup in Melbourne but if they do not make it, then my second favorite team is New Zealand!!

This post is just a teaser. I will do the full Previews/ Reviews of both the Semi Finals/ Finals so stay tuned!!

What are your predictions on the big matches coming up?

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter Final Line Ups and Semi Final Predictions

So all the group matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 are done and dusted and the Points Table's of Pool A and Pool B are finalised. Here is a small post looking ahead to the Quarter Finals and my predictions for the Semi Finals.

Quarter Final 1: Sri Lanka vs South Africa at SCG, Sydney on 18th March 2015

Two evenly matched teams but Sri Lanka with a slight advantage since South Africa are prone to crumble under pressure. If Sri Lanka bat first then 70-30 in Sri Lanka's favor. If Sri Lanka bat second they have the ability to chase around 320.

Quarter Final 2: Bangladesh vs India at MCG, Melbourne on 19th March 2015

India are clear favorites but must not be over confident or complacent. Bangladesh can win if they put India under pressure early otherwise India should be too good for them.

Quarter Final 3: Australia vs Pakistan at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on 20th March 2015

Australia favorites but Pakistan pacers can put all the conjecture to rest with a brilliant display. Pakistan will have to bat and field out of their skins to win this.

Quarter Final 4: New Zealand vs West Indies at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on 21st March 2015

The short boundaries at the ground can be inviting to the West Indian big hitters. If they bat first first and negotiate the first few overs, they can go berserk at the end, score around 300-350 and put New Zealand under scoreboard pressure. New Zealand clear favorites though.

Semi Final Predictions:

Semi Final 1: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand at Eden park, Auckland on 24th March 2015

These two teams must be fed up of playing each other by now but I guess the most important match is yet to happen. New Zealand have had the wood over the Lankans but will Sri Lanka have the last laugh?

Semi Final 2: India vs Australia at SCG, Sydney on 26th March 2015

This should be the second Semi Final line up. Though I would love to witness another India vs Pakistan match, I guess this would be too dreamy to materialize. India vs Australia would not be too bad either and would make for a high voltage clash.

Off course this is just a teaser. I will do the full review of all these games. Stay tuned!!

What are your predictions on the big matches coming up?

Predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – V

Some big names we may never see playing a World Cup again…

Many cricketers often choose to retire after the World Cup, while for others age becomes a factor and they never play WC’s again. Some players are deserted by form at the wrong time while some injure themselves and never get a chance to represent their country at a WC again…

Some of the most famous and most recognizable faces in international cricket for whom this may be or certainly is the last hurrah are –

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

2. Muttiah Murlidaran (Sri Lanka)

3. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

5. Brett Lee (Australia)

6. Scott Styris (New Zealand)

7. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)

9. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)

10. Paul Collingwood (England)

Which one of these players will have the glittering trophy in their hands on April 2nd and will walk into the sunset with a huge smile on his face??? It’s anyone’s guess at the moment…

Predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – IV

My predictions for the 5 players who I think will leave the 2011 World Cup mid way due to injuries…
I think that the following 5 players will walk out of the tournament after injuring themselves, thus also hurting their team, in this World Cup…

Shaun Tait (Australia)

Jesse Ryder (New Zealand)

Zaheer Khan (India)

Umar Gul (Pakistan)

Keven Pietersen (Australia)

The Darkhorse – Virender Sehwag (India)

I have a strong feeling that at least some of these players will leave the players will leave the world cup due to injuries. They all have a history of being injured at wrong times and are very fragile, known to breakdown often!

Do you have any other player in mind??

Predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – III

My predictions for the top 5 upcoming players of the World Cup 2011…
I think that the following 5 players, though playing in their first ever World Cup will play a very important role for their team.

1. Imran Tahir (South Africa)

2. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka)

3. Yousuf Pathan (India)

4. Adrian Barath (West Indies)

5. Jonathon Trott (England)

The Darkhorse – Cameron White (Australia)

These players – all playing their first world cup are rated highly, and can become big names post this edition of the tournament. They have the talent and the mentality to remain calm under tough situations.

So do you agree with my list or are there any other names that crop up in your mind???

Predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – II

I believe that the following 5 bowlers will create the maximum number of problems for the opposition batsmen and will always trouble them. They will also keep the scoring rate in check whenever required.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Greame Swann (England)

Morne Morkel (South Africa)

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Muttiah Murlidaran (Sri Lanka)

The Darkhorse – Shaun Tait (Australia)

All the bowlers are experts in their respective styles and have enough in their armoury to adapt to even flat wickets. I expect one of them to lead the wicket taking charts this year.

Do you agree with my list??
Do tell me your favorites…

Predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – I

My prediction for the top 5 batsmen of the 2011 World Cup…

I think that the following 5 batsmen will have the maximum effect and will emerge as the leading run scorers in this world cup…

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Shane Watson (Australia)

The Darkhorse – Tamin Iqbal (Bangladesh)

All these batsmen are very attacking and are probably in the best form of their lives. They are all known to score at over a run a ball or close and can easily adapt to different stages of the game.

Do you agree with my list??
Do tell me your favorites…

MY PICKS FOR THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY PART 2

So The ICC Champions Trophy 2009 Is All Set To Roll In A Couple Of Days.

My Picks For The Champions Trophy Semi Finalists And Finalists Are...

Semi Final 1 -- India Vs South Africa.
Winner SA
Semi Final 2 -- Australia Vs Sri Lanka.
Winner SL
FINALS -- SA Vs SL

Both The Teams Are Well Matched In All Departments....

Explosive Top Order Batsmen -- Gibbs,Kallis,D'Villiars Vs Dilshan,Sanath,Sangakkara

Middle Order In Good Form -- Duminy,Boucher,Morkel Vs Kapugedera,Kandambi,Matthews

All Round Bowling Attacks -- Steyn,Botha,Parnell Vs Kulesekara,Murlidaran,Mendis

Both Great Fielding Sides

Both Led By Extremely Competent Captains

What Do You People Think???Have Your Say Here.....