How This Works!
This post is set to go before each match. I briefly breakdown the batting and bowling attack of each squad and how they relate to each other before selecting who I think is going to win. Because cricket can be won by a number of wickets (if you’re chasing) or runs (if you’re defending), I’m simply going to select who I think is going to win outright, not in the manner, or by how many runs, they’re going to win by. Makes sense? (Quickly moves on before acknowledging any questions) Great! Let’s get started!
Bowling:
Bangladesh Bowlers/All Rounders: Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan
England Bowlers/All Rounders: Tom Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Liam Dawson
ICC Ranking Average: (Measured by taking the top 5 bowlers in ICC’s player ratings. Those 5 rankings are then averaged out. The lower the number, the better. If a player is marked out, Dale Steyn in this case, they are not included in the ranking, as they are not effecting the match.)
Bangladesh
- Mustafizur Rahman: 11th
- Shakib al Hasan: 19th
- Mehidy Hasan: 23rd
- Mashrafe Mortaza: 24th
- Rubel Hossain: 63rd
- Avg: 28th
England
- Chris Woakes: 9th
- Adil Rashid: 15th
- Mark Wood: 31st
- Liam Plunkett: 33rd
- Moen Ali: 41st
- Avg: 25th
Breakdown: Closer rankings than I expected! Bangladesh’s bowling attack has more than held their own in their opening two tournament matches. Nearly bowling out New Zealand after being greatly let down by their batters. England’s bowling attack is playing about as expected. They let up big scores against Pakistan in every practice match leading up to the tournament, so their previous match numbers shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Advantage: England. Look at these numbers! Here’s how many runs England and Bangladesh allowed after their first two matches:
England: 555 (207 v SA & 348 v Pak) Bangladesh: 557 (309 v SA & 248 v NZ).
Get this! Both teams played South Africa at Kennington Oval, so the ground was the same. The pitch condition may have been a bit different, but it wasn’t drastic. I think part of the South African low score against England has to do with it being the opening match of the tournament. That being said, thanks for briefly nerding out with me!
Batters:
Bangladesh Batters/All Rounders:
England Batters/All Rounders:
ICC Ranking Average: (See rules for bowlers above and replace that with batters. You got it!)
Bangladesh
- Mushfiqur Rahim: 20th
- Tamim Iqbal: 23rd
- Soumya Sarkar: 32nd
- Shakid al Hasan: 34th
- Mahmudullah: 49th
- Avg: 31st
England
- Joe Root: 7th
- Jos Buttler: 16th
- Eoin Morgan: 17th
- Jason Roy: 18th
- Jonny Bairstow: 19
- Avg: 15th
Breakdown: England has the advantage. It’s simple. They probably have the best batting attack in the tournament.
Advantage: England
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