The “death” of 50-over cricket has been greatly exaggerated if the current World Cup 2023 is anything to go by.
A couple of years ago, with the rise and rise of the T20 format, many pundits were predicting the ODIs (One Day Internationals) would fall by the wayside.
However, the current tournament in India is proving those critics wrong.
Yes, there have been a couple of one-sided clashes, primarily Australia versus Netherlands.
But, overall, the event – played every four years – has provided plenty of excitement, too.
What about the upsets?
Defending champions England hammered by New Zealand by nine wickets and then stunned by Afghanistan by 69 runs.
Sri Lanka and South Africa also kicked the “whinging Poms” to the ground in their encounters.
Afghanistan then put Pakistan to the sword by eight wickets.
And, if that wasn’t enough, the Netherlands handed the Proteas a humbling 38-run defeat.
Over the weekend, cricket-lovers were treated to a couple of classics as well.
South Africa, thanks to tail-enders Keshav Maharaj (7 not out) and Tabraiz Shamsi (4 not out), prevailed by one wicket with 16 balls to spare.
However, the fixture everyone is talking about featured Trans-Tasman foes Australia and New Zealand.
The Aussies, with a returning Travis Head blazing a brilliant 109 off 67 balls, should have had enough on the board with 388, courtesy of contributions from Dave Warner (81), Glenn Maxwell (41), Josh Inglis (38) and Pat Cummins (37).
But, as is usually the case, the Kiwis fought until the very end.
Their run chase, driven by superb young batsman Rachin Ravindra (116), Daryl Mitchell (54) and Jimmy Neesham (58), went down to the last ball.
With a six required, it conjured up images of Trevor Chappell bowling underarm, circa 1981.
However, the “green and gold” held its nerve to prevail by a mere five runs.
Sadly, our bowlers looked devoid of ideas again.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins went for a combined total of 225 runs.
Luckily, the latter two collected four scalps between them.
But, the thrilling victory doesn’t hide a few cracks in the national side, which need to be fixed before the semis.
As a spectacle, the World Cup 2023 has had it all.
And, with 17 games remaining, bring it on!
Kiwis continue to punch above their weight
You have to feel sorry (just a little bit) for New Zealand sporting fans, with the past 48 hours they’ve endured.
The Black Caps not only lost a thriller to the Aussies in the World Cup 2023, but the Kiwis suffered a heavy 36-18 defeat to the Kangaroos in the rugby league Pacific Championships.
To rub salt into the wound, things didn’t get much better in France either.
The mighty All Blacks were pipped 12-11 by South Africa in the Rugby World Cup despite scoring the only try in the finale.
Thankfully, the Kiwi Ferns gave the proud nation something to cheer about, beating the Jillaroos 12-6 in another tough battle.
No matter the results, New Zealand always punches about its weight on the global stage.
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