ICC World Cup 2019 Match 41 Played at Chester Lee Street on 3 July 

England Vs New Zealand 

Brief Scorecard: England 305/8 (JM Bairstow 106, JJ Roy 60, EIG Morgan 42, JDs Neesham 2/42, MJ Henry 2 /54, TA Boult 2/56) beat New Zealand 186 all out in 45 overs (TWM Latham 57, LPRL Taylor 28, KS Williamson 27, MA Wood 3/34) by 119 runs

DHAKA: It took 41 matches of the ultimate 45 to clinically implement the geo politics of three musketeers dominated international cricket to settle the four semi finalists of ICC world cup 2019. We believe from the manners in which at least half a dozen matches were played analysts and observers could feel that these were staged drama. Adoring fans of cricket felt cheated. Former Champion Australia, 2015 runners up New Zealand, ICC number one and number two teams India and England are in the semifinals. If there is an authentic investigation rats may come out from the following matches: 

England Vs India 
Pakistan Vs Afghanistan 
India Vs Afghanistan
England Vs New Zealand

Till yesterday the fate of host England qualifying for the semi finals was hanging in a balance. New Zealand defeating England could lead them to elimination if Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the last match. The fate of New Zealand could still be hanging if they lost to England by a larger margin and Pakistan winning big against Bangladesh by a huge margin. But the manipulations were done in such a clinical way that those windows were shut. In the staged drama England beat New Zealand by 119 runs. England scored 305 /8 batting first. New Zealand scored enough 186 all out ensuring that even a huge win by Pakistan against Bangladesh can not knock them out. Three countries which have English queen as their queen and India are now in the semi finals. In all probabilities Australia, India, England and New Zealand will be order of qualification. Australia will play against New Zealand and England would play India in the semi finals. We can expect an Australia India final. If international cricket is played with its aristocratic flavor and tradition compromised that would shock its ardent followers. Cricket would be reduced to gambling in the casino.

Points table as it appears at 8 am Melbourne morning on 4 July 2019 

Teams                Matches      Won      Lost      Shared        Points          NNR
Australia               8                  7           1             0              14              1.000
India                      8                 6           1             1               13             0.811
England                 9                6           3              0               12            1.152
New Zealand         9                5           3              1                11            0.175
Pakistan                8                 4           3              1                 9            -0.792
Sri Lanka               8                3           3               2                8            -0.934
Bangladesh           8                3           4               1                 7            -0.195
South Africa          8                 2           5               1                5            -0.080
West Indies           8                1            6               1                3            -0.335
Afghanistan           8                0            8               0                0            -1.418

What one can write about the match? England had to win as the doctor ordered and win in a way that also does not hurt New Zealand. England won and plan was clinically executed.  Right from the toss, England electing to bat, opening pair blasted the friendly fires of Kiwis from down south, the out come was crystal clear. It is not that England can not win like this playing the game played in 24/7. But everything appeared artificial. The body language of New Zealand was not there for a win. English top order batsmen made merry. But at the same time the plan was there that England does not score sky high that makes New Zealand difficult reach a score such that they are protected by Net Run Rate as Pakistan still had a theoretical chance for piping them to the post winning big against Bangladesh. This writer feels disgraced and disheartened after keeping eyes glued to every match every minute in live commentary. Felt cheated. Hope such dirty politics with such a great game would not continue. 

English innings witnessed swash buckling aggressive opening partnership of 123 between Bairstow and Roy in only 18.4 overs. Bairstow scored 106 and Roy scored 60. England playing in their business usual mode could score 400. But then equation for keeping stakeholders happy could be difficult. England returned compliment of New Zealand not letting their innings sky rocket. Their big guns Buttler and Stokes did not fire. England finished at 305/8. The plot was planned in such a manner that the most successful Kiwi bowler Fergusson did not play on the day. Any way chasing the target of 306 on the easy paced wicket was not beyond New Zealand capacity if only Williamson and Taylor played their usual game. They got set and as per plan got themselves run out. New Zealand was all out 186. England won and entered the semi final through the back door. The windows of Pakistan making a last minute dash were effectively shut.  

The players of England and New Zealand acted better than Hollywood and Bollywood star performers being true to the script. 

Of the four in the semi final Australia will possibly go all out to have their HEXA dream coming true. England may return the compliment of India as they graced them with deliberately losing the match against them. Lords may witness and India Australia final. Hope gamblers have had enough. Hope at least the last three matches would be played up holding the spirit of the great game cricket.

BDST: 0938 HRS, JUL 4, 2019
SI