Stuart's 20/20 World Cup Series: 17 - Group Match Report 11

Game One Sri Lanka v Nepal - Match Abandoned
Sri Lanka had slim hopes of progressing to the Super Eights, the washout of their game with Nepal reduced all hopes to zero. Persistent heavy rain left the outfield too wet to be ready even after rain had stopped.

The abandonment means Sri Lanka are the first previous tournament winners and test team to exit this World Cup.

Game Two Namibia 72 all out v 74/1 Australia - Australia WIN
When Associate teams play full test nations there is always the risk of an imbalance. There have been few examples of such obvious disparities so far in this tournament. In this match we saw one.

Namibia's Captain again top scored for his team, making half of the total they made over seventeen overs. Adam Zampa took four wickets for only twelve runs in his four over spell.

There have been low scoring games in this tournament. Against a strong Australia team this was one. There have been fewer high scoring games, or games where the run chase is over early. From a strong Australia team this was one.

Three batters scored forty-four in 4's and twenty-four in 6's. There were two extras and four singles run. The innings was over in under six overs, just thirty-four balls.

Namibia were unlikely to progress, and are now definitely out after their final game. The victory guarantees Australia's progression to the Super Eight stage and puts them in a position to give Scotland a helping hand in the final game. Assuming rain, or victories by Namibia or Oman, haven't already ruled out England progressing, they will likely have the same points as Scotland and net run rate will decide who goes through. A close game between Australia and Scotland could just tilt things Scotland's way.

Game Three USA 110/8 v 111/3 India - India WIN
Losing a wicket to the first ball of the match was not the way USA wanted to get their key game against India under way. This, after all, was the chance to use home advantage and qualify for the next stage via the quickest possible route.

While USA rallied they suffered what all teams have on this Nassau COunty pitch. It's difficult to score runs with a Kentucky Bluegrass outfield with lots of sand in it.

Facing the likes of Arshdeep Singh, who took four wickets for only nine runs, and Hardik Pandya, two for fourteen, makes things difficult.

Then, in response, India lost Virat Kohli to the second ball of the match, a golden duck which Indian-born software engineer Saurabh Netravalkar will cherish long after his playing days have passed. Too burnish the memories, he took care of the captain Rohit Sharma two overs later. Family back in India will have been torn between pride and despair.

But they needn't have worried. Only one more wicket fell as India stayed in control of themselves, and the run chase. When USA exerted some control between the 12th and 15th overs there could have been a temptation to chase the runs, take some risky shots. Instead they bided their time and wrested things back in their favour with a few lusty blows in the 16th, polishing things off two balls into the eighteenth over and qualifying for the next round.

In my time zone tomorrow West Indies play New Zealand, in a must win for the Silver Ferns; Bangladesh play Netherlands in a game which could decide who joins Sri Lanka in the Super Eights; finaly England take on Oman, and will hope to significantly improve their run rate.

Check back tomorrow for reviews & updated boundary totals.

text by stuartcturnbull. graphic by Mir Rammez Raja & edited by stuartcturnbull via postermywall