Semis scenario Group 1: The semis door is wide open for the top three teams in Group 1 especially after England claimed a victory over the strong New Zealand on Tuesday.
Australia, England and New Zealand, now sitting on 3,2,1 places, respectively. With all carrying 2 wins and a defeat each, while one game of all teams was called off due to rain.
The scenario here is, the trio having 5 points in 4 games, and now everything depends on the net run-rate, if they wins their remaining game.
New Zealand
Let’s start with the Kiwis, the Group 1 now having 2 days break, and right after New Zealand will play first of all three.
On November 4, they will face Ireland, the 12-th ranked team in the world, the game is not that big for the table-toppers and they will start the match as favourite, but you cannot undervalue Ireland, who already tasted success against England in the tournament.
If the Kane Williamson-led side claimed a victory over Ireland, which is much likely to happen, then they will be the first team to qualify as run-rate on their side.
England
A roller-coaster tournament so far the English side, still they managed to hold the second spot after 4 games. They are carrying a good run-rate and a win here will make them the hot contenders for the semis from Group 1.
Australia with the same number of points, having very low run-rate on table, and even if they wins with a big margin still their chances to qualify will be low.
On top of that, England will have the advantage to calculate, as they will play last from their group.
The Jos Buttler-led side will face Shanka’s Sri Lanka on November 5, and the results on November 4 will make the calculation easy for England, whether it will be a must win match for them or if they lose, will they still qualify.
Australia
The hosts started the tournament on a bad note as they faced a shocking 89-run defeat against New Zealand. They, however, then bounced back and defeated Sri Lanka by 7 wickets. Their third match versus England was called off due to rain.
And a 42-run comprehensive win over Ireland, brought them back in the race of semis.
The chances are bit less though, considering the top two teams run-rates far better than Australia.
The Aaron-Finch led side will face Mohammad Nabi’s Afghanistan on November 4, this will be the second match from their group on that day, and they have to pray that Ireland first beat New Zealand and then they beat Afghanistan. If that happened, then Australia will definitely qualify.
But, it will not likely to happen, and considering the current scenario if England won’t lose against Sri Lanka from big margin, and New Zealand wins their game against Ireland, then these two teams will qualify for the semis from group 1.
Sri Lanka may be the surprise package for all to qualify, if they managed to defeat England, and either Australia or New Zealand lost their final game.
