Knock-out: World Cup quarter-final previews
The cricket World Cup has reached the business end, with four knock-out quarter finals scheduled this week.
We run our eyes over the match-ups, key players and the teams’ form going into the crucial matches.
QUARTER FINAL 1: South Africa v Sri Lanka at SCG on Wednesday, March 18
Overall: Played 59; South Africa 28, Sri Lanka 29, tied 1, NR/abandoned 1
World Cup: Played 4; South Africa 2, Sri Lanka 1, tied 1
SCG: First meeting at the venue
SOUTH AFRICA
ODI ranking: 3
Record in this tournament: 4 wins, 2 losses
Form in this tournament: Inconsistent. Belted 400-plus totals against West Indies and Ireland, but found wanting in run-chases against India and Pakistan.
Key batsman: AB de Villiers. They rely heavily on the best batsman in the world, but the fact is he is capable of winning games off his own blade.
Key bowler: Morne Morkel. The beanpole has taken 13 wickets in this tournament and should trouble Sri Lanka with his bounce.
SRI LANKA
ODI ranking: 4
Record in this tournament: 4 wins, 2 losses
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Form in this tournament: Incredible with the bat, incredibly bad with the ball. Look capable of chasing almost any total and made 312 at the SCG against Australia’s star-studded attack.
Key batsman: Kumar Sangakkara. Leading run-scorer of the tournament with 496 runs and will be desperate to continue his ODI swansong for another week.
Key bowler: Lasith Malinga. Been building form and fitness over the past month, having recovered from ankle surgery to take his place in the squad.
QUARTER FINAL 2: India v Bangladesh at MCG on Thursday, March 19
Overall: Played 28; India 24, Bangladesh 3, NR/abandoned 1
World Cup: Played 2; India 1, Bangladesh 1
MCG: First meeting at the venue
INDIA
ODI ranking: 2
Record in this tournament: 6 wins, 0 losses
Form in this tournament: Outstanding. An upset win over South Africa at the MCG was the highlight of the defending champion’s undefeated campaign.
Key batsman: Shikhar Dhawan. Scored an impressive century in the side’s clash with the Proteas at the same venue and capable of scoring in a hurry.
Key bowler: Ravichandran Ashwin. Was belted around the park by Brendan Taylor in Auckland, but has otherwise been MS Dhoni’s go-to man for a wicket.
BANGLADESH
ODI ranking: 9
Record in this tournament: 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 washout
Form in this tournament Commendable. Knocked England out of the tournament with their win at Adelaide Oval, then backed it up by giving New Zealand an almighty fright last Friday.
Key batsman: Mahmudullah. Coming off back-to-back centuries, Bangladesh are likely to need another composed knock from the right-hander.
Key bowler: Rubel Hossain. The slinger claimed four wickets in the 15-run win over England, with his mettle at the end being particularly impressive.
QUARTER FINAL 3: Australia v Pakistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday, March 20
Overall: Played 92; Australia 57, Pakistan 31, tied 1, NR/abandoned 3
World Cup: Played 8; Australia 4, Pakistan 4
Adelaide Oval: Played 6; Australia 5, Pakistan 1
AUSTRALIA
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ODI ranking: 1
Record in this tournament: 4 wins, 1 loss, 1 washout
Form in this tournament: Largely impressive. A collapse of 8-26 in Auckland was embarrassing, but the co-hosts have otherwise excelled as expected.
Key batsman: Glenn Maxwell. Scored his maiden century in style against Sri Lanka, setting a new Australian record for the fastest ODI ton.
Key bowler: Mitchell Starc. The left-armer is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 16 scalps and he has been almost unplayable at times.
PAKISTAN
ODI ranking: 7
Record in this tournament: 4 wins, 2 losses
Form in this tournament: Terrible then terrific. Started with heavy losses to India and West Indies, but have since posted four wins on the trot.
Key batsman: Misbah-ul-Haq. Has made four half-centuries over the past month and put Australia to the sword when he last played them in October.
Key bowler: Wahab Riaz. The paceman has starred in all four of the side’s wins in the tournament and is a proven wicket-taker.
QUARTER FINAL 4: New Zealand v West Indies at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday, March 21
Overall: Played 60; New Zealand 23, West Indies 30, NR/abandoned 7
World Cup: Played 6; New Zealand 3; West Indies 3
Wellington: Played 3; New Zealand 3
NEW ZEALAND
ODI ranking: 5
Record in this tournament: 6 wins, 0 losses
Form in this tournament: Imposing. Yet to be knocked off, although the fact they only snuck home by one wicket while chasing 152 against Australia would be somewhat alarming.
Key batsman: Brendon McCullum. Audacious strokes, incredible power and aggressive intent have netted the captain 257 runs.
Key bowler: Trent Boult. Has claimed 15 scalps during the tournament, while his tally of 11 maidens is comfortably a tournament best.
WEST INDIES
Record in this tournament: 3 wins, 3 losses
ODI ranking: 8
Form in this tournament: Shambolic. Crept into the knockout phase with a big win over the United Arab Emirates that ensured they would finish above Ireland on net run-rate.
Key batsman: Chris Gayle. Missed the side’s last-start win over the UAE with a back injury and will be sorely missed if he’s still sidelined.
Key bowler: Jason Holder. The skipper went for 1-104 in the side’s loss to South Africa, but has otherwise kept it tight.
