Post
Topic
Board Gambling discussion
Re: ODI cricket and general cricketing discussion [self - mod]
by
Sithara007
on 16/02/2025, 03:13:01 UTC
Final squads are out for every team and few things to note

- Big names are missing out (mainly seamers)
- The batting core is intact for almost every team except Australia because it's going into a transition phase.

* Afghanistan is Afghanistan. They will upset everyone on their day and are incredibly capable of bottling up from winning positions.
* Australia looks depleted but these folks are an ICC tourney juggernaut.  
* No hopes for Bangladesh
* England has talent and many match winners in the squad but looks ridiculously out of form unit and spin is their major nemesis.
* India are gambling heavily on spin because they are playing in Dubai, batting is stacked and probably the strongest on the list but the inexperienced seam department is a big worry.
* Kiwis looks more balanced squad in the list but not a favorite.
* Pakistan is an upgraded and expensive version of Afghanistan and they have almost all the fronts covered, except spin.
* Proteas is good but c'mon it's an ICC tournament and we have seen this movie countless times.
✂✂✂✂

It has to be either India or Australia. And given the history in ICC tournaments so far, I would rather favor Australia. Steve Smith as the captain has his task cut out. But they are missing most of their strike bowlers. Pace bowling department will be lead by Spencer Johnson, with Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis to support him. Nathan Ellis maybe included in the XI as well. For spin, they have the young and raw Tanveer Sangha to provide backup for Adam Zampa. And in spin-friendly conditions in Pakistan, Travis Head may also be handy.