Each team is scheduled to play 9 matches in group matches so it's a long tournament.
New Zealand started well but they can't be complacent from here, it applies to everyone because 3-4 losses in the group can dent their chances as i believe knockout entries will come down heavily on NRR.
Yes.. the last 1-2 entries for the semi-final stage will be decided solely on the basis of NRR. That said, I am still disturbed by the fact that we are yet to get a close match in this world cup so far. Look at the results till now:
1. New Zealand vs England - NZ by 9 wickets (13.4 overs)
----
5. IND vs AUS - IND by 6 wickets (8.4 overs)
----
10. RSA vs AUS - RSA by 134 runs
Out of these 11 matches, only the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan can be considered as even remotely close.
The worrisome part is even BIG-3 matches turning into one sided affairs and the way Australia played its 2 matches, it feels like they are just surrendering. Their planning is in shambles, the middle order is not clicking, the player getting dropped after just 1 match and there is virtually no strategy as far as the spin department goes.
On the other hand teams like NZ and SA upping their game. Kiwis in particular were in bad shape before the WC.