As ICC World Cup group stage ends, this is what the team report card looks like

Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Eoin Morgan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Dimuth Karunaratne, Gulbadin Naib, Aaron Finch, Mashrafe Mortaza and Jason Holder of West Indies pose for a group photo on May 23, 2019 (Photo courtesy: Official Twitter account of the ICC World Cups)
Updated 09 July 2019
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As ICC World Cup group stage ends, this is what the team report card looks like

  • The series marked so far by surprising pitches, incessant rain, last minute net run rate calculations and lots of drama
  • Pakistan was the most entertaining story of the tournament, turning heads whether they were winning or losing

KARACHI: South Africa’s victory over Australia this Saturday brought to a close the group stage of the ICC World Cup 2019, with India finishing at the top of the table and Australia, England and New Zealand joining them in the semifinals. After over a month of surprising pitches, incessant rain, last minute net run rate (NRR) calculations and lots of drama, it is time to reflect on each team’s performance at the sport’s marquee event. (Teams ordered according to their final rank in the points table.)

India: The most consistent team in the tournament, India came in with a very strong and balanced squad, and then showed their adaptability as the rains prevented the batting heaven the tournament had promised to be. It has also helped that Skipper Virat Kohli arguably has the best Indian bowling attack ever at a World Cup, and the team’s major weakness has been its middle order, which the top three have generally covered with their success. A bunch of injuries to key players might have derailed other sides, but India boasts so much depth they could plug in replacements without too much trouble.

Australia: Sports journalist Hassan Cheema recently tweeted that you could take “all the football cliches about Germany [and] multiply that by 10 and you get Australia in cricket.” Since 1987, Australia have won the World Cup trophy six times in eight attempts and repeatedly been the team to beat. Coming into this tournament, though, they seemed to be woefully out of form, and at several times during the earlier matches against Afghanistan, West Indies and Pakistan, they looked certain to lose. In the end, they only lost to India and the final game to South Africa, and during that while went from being outsiders to tournament favorites. Their batting has been resolute and defiant, Mitchell Starc’s bowling looks set to win him a second consecutive player of the tournament award, and the team in yellow look set to win it all again.

England: The hosts came into this World Cup not just as favorites but as an exemplar of how cricket would be played in the future, with a phalanx of power-hitting behemoths setting mathematically improbable scores. But that old nemesis of English cricket, rain, reared its head and suddenly England found themselves losing to Pakistan right after the men in green had been decimated by West Indies, and then even more embarrassed as Lasith Malinga roared the otherwise hapless Sri Lankans to a win. Two nerveless victories in must-win matches against India and New Zealand underlined the team’s quality, but as they face arch-rivals Australia in the semifinals, they are a team that seems to have the softest of underbellies.

New Zealand: Making it to the semifinals is what the Kiwis do. They’ve made it to at least this stage in four of the last six tournaments, and it’s been over 30 years since they failed to go past the group stages. But unlike last edition’s swashbuckling team that made it into the final, this feels like an oddly weak and deflated side. The feeling was exacerbated as they finished with three consecutive losses, adding Pakistan to defeats by all three other semifinalists during the tournament. Captain Kane Williamson’s rocklike batting has been a godsend, but the poor form of the others has meant no team relies on one batter as much as the Kiwis. They do have a proper pace attack, but they need runs on the board to make their presence felt.

Pakistan: The most entertaining story of the World Cup, Pakistan turned heads whether they were winning, losing or recreating spooky coincidences from the 1992 World Cup. Ending their tournament with four wins on the trot led many to suggest that they deserved a place ahead of New Zealand, but the opening match mauling at the hands of West Indies that had ruined Pakistan’s NRR was also emblematic of this team’s capacity to mix the sublime with the pathetic. With sunnier days slowing and flattening the pitches in England, it could be argued that Pakistan’s rain-assisted competitive advantage would have been lost in the knockouts, as the team continued its tradition of letting its bowling make the difference in matches.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s standing in the table is highly flattering and kind of inaccurate. Two washed out matches provided them with two points as well as fewer defeats than the teams ranked below them, which put them at sixth. In reality, Sri Lanka had a woeful tournament, consistently outmatched due to a collapse-prone batting and a subpar bowling attack where veteran Lasith Malinga was still the biggest weapon. The team’s attempts at moving on from the retirement of their greatest ever players continue to sputter along unevenly, and the shock win against England prevented this tournament from being an absolutely horrible one for the team.

South Africa: Usually, South African teams spend the years between World Cups being one of the best sides in the world, and then come the tournament and find themselves failing (or rather, choking) when the pressure comes on. But this time around, they avoided any choking accusations by absolutely blowing up their tournament right from the start, and never really finding any form or class afterwards. To make it worse, once they were eliminated and the pressure was off, the old South Africa seemed to return as it overcame the erstwhile rampaging Australians. South Africa’s rotten luck at World Cups hit its lowest point yet in 2019.

Bangladesh: If you’d missed the entire tournament, a glance at Bangladesh’s final position might elicit a retort about the team continuing its tradition of being one of the weaker sides. But such an insight wouldn’t be fair, especially not to Shakib ul Hasan who turned in one of the all-time greatest performances at any World Cup. Unfortunately for Shakib, his teammates couldn’t match his quality, and Bangladesh fell short as a result. Both the games against New Zealand and India could have gone their ways had the little things gone Bangladesh’s way, and in the end the three wins they chalked up didn’t do justice to their competitive menace throughout the tournament.

West Indies: You would think that after handing Pakistan one of the most comprehensive defeats in World Cup history, the Windies would have built on that performance. Instead, they failed to win any more matches until meeting Afghanistan in their final game. In between, there was a close call against Australia and absolute heartbreak against New Zealand, where Carlos Braithwaite played an unforgettable knock only to end just short. But overall, the Windies displayed consistently poor cricket, throwing away wickets and lacking discipline with the ball, and their final standing was one few would have quibbled with.

Afghanistan: Welcome to adulthood, Afghanistan cricket. After years of being the sport’s favorite feel-good story, Afghanistan were meant to graduate to the next level in this World Cup. Instead, a combination of bizarre moves by the board and the mark of inexperience meant that the team found itself pummelled. They did give India and especially Pakistan almighty scares, but their lack of experience showed as they fell apart at the end. To make matters worse, the board was in the thick of controversies, most notably sending back home their all-time top scorer Mohammad Shehzad despite the player’s protestations that he wasn’t unfit like the board claimed. With the goodwill and the beginner’s luck all used up, Afghanistan will now need to answer some tough questions. 


Spain thrash grieving Portugal 5-0 in Women’s Euro clash

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Spain thrash grieving Portugal 5-0 in Women’s Euro clash

  • Spain’s victory was their biggest in a European Championship, surpassing their 4-1 win over Finland in 2022
  • With Italy having defeated Belgium 1-0 earlier in the evening, Spain top the group with the Italians second

BERN, Switzerland: Spain striker Esther Gonzalez scored twice in the first half as her side powered to a 5-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s Euros that was overshadowed by the deaths of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident earlier on Thursday.

On an emotional night that began with a minute’s silence for the brothers, Portugal went behind almost immediately, Olga Carmona putting the ball over the top for Gonzalez to run on to and score in the second minute.

Mariona Caldentey did superbly to pull the ball across the box for Vicky Lopez to score the second goal five minutes later.

The Portuguese managed to steady the ship but they were rocked again four minutes before the break when Alexia Putellas took down another great pass from Caldentey on her chest before calmly cutting inside and firing home.

“I highlight our mindset, how we came out to play,” Putellas said. “We were really eager to get started but it’s only the first match.”

There was more misery to come for Portugal before halftime as Gonzalez netted her second goal two minutes later, scoring from close range after Claudia Pina’s cross came back off the far post.

The world champions were delighted to be able to bring in Aitana Bonmati from the bench following her recent brush with viral meningitis, and the playmaker wasted no time getting into the thick of things, setting up a chance for Cristina Martin-Prieto.

“Aitana is a very important player for us. We are delighted that she is back and has overcome her illness. It is a joy,” Putellas said.

Portugal showed more composure in the second half but they were no match for Spain’s power, precision and technique and, though they held Spain at bay for most of the second half, Martin-Prieto scored with a superb late header to complete the rout.

“We conceded early goals and the team became anxious and unsettled,” said Portugal forward Diana Silva. “We couldn’t get hold of the ball and then it’s harder to chase the result. We were much better in the second half, more united. We didn’t allow Spain so much space to get in.

“We believe until the end, our goal is to earn points until the end and everything is still up for grabs.”

Silva and her teammates remained on the pitch after the final whistle, posing in front of their fans with a huge black banner in memory of Jota.

Spain’s victory was their biggest in a European Championship, surpassing their 4-1 win over Finland in 2022, and was the ideal start for what the tournament favorites hope will be their first Women’s Euro title.

With Italy having defeated Belgium 1-0 earlier in the evening, Spain top the group with the Italians second. Spain take on the Belgians in their next game, while Portugal face Italy.
 


‘Difficult day’ for Al-Hilal’s Portugal pair — Inzaghi

Updated 04 July 2025
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‘Difficult day’ for Al-Hilal’s Portugal pair — Inzaghi

ORLANDO, US: Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi said the death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota had impacted his team ahead of their Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense on Friday.
The Saudi club’s full-back Joao Cancelo is a Portugal international and midfielder Ruben Neves was a team-mate of Jota with both the Portugal national team and at Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 28-year-old Jota died alongside his younger brother Andre after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain before bursting into flames on Thursday.
“We all know it’s a sad day because of what happened to Diogo and Andre, unfortunately, these are things that shouldn’t happen, which happened,” said the Italian.
“As we are all aware, we have two Portuguese players, Ruben Neves and Cancelo, who were very close to the guys. Clearly today was a difficult day for everyone. We tried to work but clearly, the atmosphere today was not the same as other days. It was a tragedy,” he added.
Al-Hilal left-back Moteb Al-Alharbi said the team had tried to be supportive to the Portuguese pair.
“From the moment we woke up today we were shocked by the news. They are team-mates of his and we all felt the sadness but we were all around them. I also believe they will be ready although they have this shocking news,” he said.
“They were not at their best emotionally but I believe they will be focused for the game,” added Saudi winger Khalid Alghannam.


Sinner thrashes Vukic to roar into Wimbledon third round

Updated 03 July 2025
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Sinner thrashes Vukic to roar into Wimbledon third round

LONDON: World number one Jannik Sinner demolished Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-1 6-1 6-3 in a Center Court masterclass to move ominously into the third round of Wimbledon on Thursday.
The Italian was streets ahead of the 93rd-ranked Vukic who barely laid a glove on the top seed in the opening two sets before saving some face with a bit of third-set resistance.
Sinner, bidding to win the title for the first time, never loosened his grip on a one-sided contest although he did need six match points to finish off Vukic in a prolonged final game, banging down his 12th ace.
The 23-year-old has yet to drop serve and has conceded only 12 games in the six sets he has played so far and will now train his sights on unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez.


Cilic sends fourth seed Draper crashing out of Wimbledon

Updated 03 July 2025
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Cilic sends fourth seed Draper crashing out of Wimbledon

LONDON: Jack Draper admitted he needs to overhaul his grass-court game after the British fourth seed suffered a shock Wimbledon exit as former finalist Marin Cilic rolled back the years to reach the third round.
Cilic, the Croatian world number 83, blasted 53 winners in a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory that stunned the partisan British fans on Court One on Thursday.
Draper is the new figurehead of British tennis after taking on a role filled for a generation by the now-retired former Wimbledon winner Andy Murray.
But the 23-year-old has a poor record at his home Grand Slam.
He is yet to make it past the second round in four appearances at the grass-court tournament.
“It’s probably one of my toughest losses. Pretty frustrated and upset. It hurts badly,” Draper said.
“I’ve been disappointed with my game on grass this year. I felt great on clay and hard courts but as soon as I came on grass I felt a big difference.
“It highlighted a lot of weaknesses in my game, especially against a player as good as him on grass. I can take a lot of lessons from it.”
Draper is the latest highly-ranked star to endure a surprise exit from Wimbledon this year, with German men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and four of the top five women’s seeds all eliminated.
Draper made his breakthrough last season with a run to the US Open semifinals, yet he has failed to make the last eight at any of this year’s three Grand Slams.
“It makes me think that Andy Murray’s achievement of winning here twice is just unbelievable,” Draper said.
“Obviously you guys mention the pressure all the time but the main reason is I wasn’t good enough today.
“Even though I’ve had an amazing progression in the last 12 months, this shows the work I need to do. I thought I was further ahead than I am.”
In contrast to Draper’s woes in south-west London, Cilic has an impressive record at Wimbledon, finishing as runner-up in 2017, when he lost in the final against Roger Federer.
The former world number three has not played at the All England Club since 2021 and has slipped down the rankings after battling a knee injury that required surgery.
“My emotions are just incredible. Where I was two years ago, I can’t even describe. It has been a long journey but I never lost any faith,” Cilic said.
“It was a long and testing period, plus a huge challenge for me in this part of my career to come back and play at this level.
“To play in front of this crowd is incredible. I’m just feeling great and hoping I can continue to play well.”
Cilic has reached three Grand Slam finals, winning his sole major title at the 2014 US Open and losing to Federer at Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018.
Now 36, the big-serving Cilic is firmly in the twilight of his career.
He had lost in the opening round at the Australian and French Opens this year, but his superb display against Draper underlined his enduring quality on grass.
He returned to the top 100 by winning the second-tier Challenger event in Nottingham last month.
Dedicating the win to his children, Cilic added: “They are one of the reasons that I kept such a great passion for this sport.
“Also always running after them keeps me in great shape! I’m so pleased they are here supporting me.”


England in Deep trouble after India captain Gill’s superb double century

Updated 03 July 2025
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England in Deep trouble after India captain Gill’s superb double century

  • Gill: “I worked on a few things before the series as well, that I thought might be important for me going into Test cricket”

BIRMINGHAM, UK: India captain Shubman Gill scored a superb maiden, record-breaking Test double-century before stand-in fast bowler Akash Deep took England in consecutive balls at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Gill’s commanding 269 was the cornerstone of India’s first-innings 587 on the second day of the second Test. England were 77-3 at stumps — a huge deficit of 510 runs.
Deep only played because India rested Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler who is only due to play in three games in this five-match series to minimize the effects of a back injury.
The 28-year-old Deep conceded 12 runs in his first over, but his second was a double-wicket maiden that left England faltering at 13-2.
He had Ben Duckett, fresh from a superb 149 in England’s five-wicket win in the first Test at Headingley, edging to third slip. Gill capped his already brilliant day by holding a fine catch.
Next ball Ollie Pope fell for a golden duck when he nicked Deep to second slip, with KL Rahul clinging on at the second attempt.
Joe Root survived the hat-trick delivery.
India, made to pay for dropping several catches in the cordon at Headingley, then held another when Mohammed Siraj had Crawley edging to Karun Nair at first slip. England were 25-3.
Root  and Yorkshire team-mate Harry Brook  prevented further collapse with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 52.
But the day belonged to India and above all Gill, who in just his second Test as skipper broke records previously held by India batting greats Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar.
Gill’s innings surpassed the recently retired Kohli’s 254 against South Africa at Pune in 2019 as the highest score by an India Test captain, and replaced Tendulkar’s 241 against Australia at Sydney as the highest score by an India batsman in a Test outside Asia.
It also topped Gavaskar’s celebrated 221 at the Oval in 1979 as the largest score by an India batsman in a Test in England.
“I worked on a few things before the series as well, that I thought might be important for me going into Test cricket,” Gill, who made 147 at Headingley, told Sky Sports.
“Looking at the results, they are working for me,” added Gill, who was equally delighted by India’s much improved out-cricket.
“Fielding was definitely one of those things we spoke about as a team, and it’s great to see that come off so far,” said Gill.
England assistant coach Jeetan Patel accepted the hosts had endured a gruelling time.
“One hundred and fifty overs in the dirt in any scenario is pretty tough,” Patel told reporters.
“Credit must be given to Shubman with the way he’s batted over two days. It was a masterclass in how to bat on a good wicket,” the former New Zealand off-spinner added.
Earlier, the 25-year-old Gill received excellent support from spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja  and Washington Sundar  in partnerships of 203 and 144 for the sixth and seventh wickets.
Until he got out, Gill batted in near flawless fashion.
He was especially severe on Shoaib Bashir, cover-driving the off-spinner for four and lofting him for six, with the bowler largely unthreatening against frontline batsmen in a return of 3-167 in 45 overs.
A hooked single off fast bowler Josh Tongue, whose two wickets cost 119 runs, took Gill to 200, with the elated skipper bowing to a capacity crowd in celebration.
Gill’s marathon innings of 387 balls, including 30 fours and three sixes, spanned some eight-and-a-half hours. It finally ended with a rare false shot when a tired pull off Tongue found Pope at square leg.
England players shook Gill’s hand as he walked off with India now 574-8.
India, again sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes, had resumed on 310-5, with Gill 114 not out and Jadeja 41 not out.
But India, batting in ideal sunny conditions on Thursday, wanted even more runs from Gill and Jadeja after collapses of 7-41 and 6-31 at Headingley proved costly — and the increasingly ruthless duo got them.