6 Things We’ve Learned From the Cricket World Cup

Angelo Matthews of Sri Lanka is bowled by Mohammed Shami of India during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India on Nov. 2, 2023. (Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

India, the hosts, along with South Africa are a sure bet to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2023 One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup.

Like every game of cricket, there are controversies to be had, so here are six of the hot topics to date.

1. It’s All Over Now Baby Blue. England Smashed by India

England is in free fall and don’t the Aussies love it? Even Australian Captain Pat Cummins struggled to hold back a laugh when asked if he was sad to see England’s poor form this World Cup.

Skittled by Sri Lanka by eight wickets and then India by 100 runs and losing to Afghanistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, they’ll be heading home with plenty of thinking to do.

Things like, should Joss Buttler be holding down three jobs (captain, wicketkeeper, and batsman)? Sure he’s a multi-tasker but he’s not a woman.

Perhaps Matthew Mott, the coach needs to swap to sailing with the amount of chopping and changing he’s done and bring in Mr. Bazball.

2. David Warner to Go Out With a Bang

David Warner has said he will exit one day cricket after the World Cup and he is going out with a bang.

After scoring 81 runs against New Zealand he celebrated the milestone of passing Virat Kohli in the list of leading run scorers in the history of ODI World Cups.

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He currently has the second-highest number of runs in the World Cup with 413 and the second-highest score with 163.

Warner previously told Fox Sports in June 2023, “I just can’t wait to finish and then they'll have to find someone else’s name to use as clickbait.”

Perhaps that person might be Cummins who has caused a few controversies of late.

3. They Don’t Make Cricket Captains Like They Used To.

Could you imagine Allan Border who batted through an innings of 123 with a chipped bat and broken finger asking for counselling for his players if The Voice referendum didn’t go the way of the government?

Captain Pat Cummins didn’t ask, but was offered. I can only guess what Border might have said ...

Pat Cummins of Australia speaks to the media during an Australian press conference at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India on Nov. 3, 2023. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

4. The Spirit of Cricket

“It’s just not cricket,” is a saying often referring to the spirit of cricket.

But what is this regularly reappearing ghoul that commentators summon?

In the preamble to cricketing laws, it’s described as respect.

“Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Respect your captain, teammates, opponents, and the authority of the umpires. Play hard and play fair. Accept the umpire’s decision. Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise.”

The English have lit the spirit of cricket debate again after England’s Adil Rashid was out of his crease when Sri Lankan, Mendis took an optimistic pelt at the stumps and removed the bails.

Somewhat reminiscent of Bairstow’s Ashes stumping by Alex Carey which was another hotly debated dismissal.

5. Harbhajan Singh is Not a Fan of Umpire’s Calls

When Pakistan bowler, Haris Rauf smashed a ball into the pads of South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi, the umpire’s finger stayed firmly out of the air.

The ball looked plumb but after Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azaum decided to go upstairs, the DRS showed the ball to be clipping leg stump but not enough of the ball to give it out.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh posted on X: “Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game. @ICC should change this rule … if the ball is hitting the stump that’s out whether umpire gave out or not out doesn’t matter … otherwise what is the use of technology.”

6. The 2025 Champions Trophy Sans England

On Saturday, Nov. 4, Australia might be putting the final nail in England’s coffin.

A win to the Aussies will virtually clinch them a semi-final berth and could mean old rivals, England may miss qualifying for the second biggest one-day international prize, the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The trophy rather than being based on the rolling ICC ODI rankings will be based on the final standings from this World Cup. The current world champions (and inventors of the game) may finish this World Cup at the bottom of the table.

The semi-finals are set for Nov. 15 and 16 2023.