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ICC World Cup /one week on

It’s been a good first week in the World Cup. There was some criticism of it not being a genuine World Cup with eight competitors but I don’t get that.

The best in the world play each other and would Ireland, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Holland be any more than cannon fodder?

Bangladesh have been the David to the bigger powers Goliath and England’s match against them this Saturday will be no pushover.

India have played just the once so we cannot assess them but of the others New Zealand an efficient side that understand the grammar of the 50 over game with no obvious weakness lead the table, South Africa – without AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn – have struggled and its no surprise that Australia with Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are doing well.

One thing I do enjoy is the international commentators on TMS: Chris Leman the Australian and Nathalie Germanus (South Africa) in particular are very well informed globally whilst providing a insight into their own country.

There is an articulate young Bangladeshi whose name I did not catch who is especially illuminating on the cricket and cricketers of his country.

SKY SPORT tend to go for ex-players like Michael Clarke and Nasser Hussein who are not so fluent.

The Australia and Windies yesterday was a ding-dong affaire.

At 91 for 5 the Aussies looked in trouble but posted 288.

When it became clear that the Windies would not achieve this total with 7 wickets down they opted for defeat and a positive run rate by avoiding being all out.

It was mildly disappointing as it looked like an exciting finish which never materialised.

In the evening I watched England play Holland.

There is no doubt that England under Gareth Southgate are more loved but it’s a side without a creative midfielder and when the game is palpably running away from them, as happened against Croatia and Holland, Southgate will not gamble to get England back into the game.

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About Tom Hollingworth

Tom Hollingsworth is a former deputy sports editor of the Daily Express. For many years he worked in a sports agency, representing mainly football players and motor racing drivers. Tom holds a private pilot’s licence and flying is his principal recreation. More Posts