After defeating England, Afghanistan caught another big fish by beating Pakistan. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Lewis
We're approaching the halfway point We are on track for the Cricket World Cup and are therefore at an ideal moment to evaluate the results we have seen so far.
For the most part, the big players performed as we expected, with India, New York, Zealand and South Africa looking very strong. Alas, the same cannot be said for England or Pakistan, who faced problems early in the tournament.
There were also a few unexpected packages: The Netherlands and Afghanistan caused big shocks.
Here, Telegraph Sport ranks all the teams based on their performances in the tournament.
10. Sri Lanka
Injuries, most notably to brilliant all-rounder Waninda Hasaranga, have left Sri Lanka much less of a threat than they had promised in the months leading up to the tournament. Despite the efforts of left-back Dilshan Madushanka, no team has conceded more points in this tournament so far. Runs from Sadira Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis have so far yielded only a hard-fought victory over the Netherlands.
9. England
Tenth in the real standings, in this they are ninth. It's a dismal start for the defending champions with three major defeats, including their heaviest defeat in history. Too many senior players underachieved in 2019: Jonny Bairstow averaged 24, Jos Buttler averaged 22 and Ben Stokes played just one game, scoring eight goals. For all the talk about England's batting depth (which seemed particularly easy when David Willey made seven against South Africa), bowling was a big concern; The wickets of Sam Curran and Chris Woakes were worth 70 apiece before they were dropped. Four changes to the first game signal England's renewed efforts to balance their team. But remaining batting talent means a semi-final run is all but still possible.
Chris Woakes is one of many English cutters who are still experiencing difficulties at the World Championships. Photo: Getty Images/Alex Davidson. 8. Netherlands
In July, head coach Ryan Cook asked the Netherlands to provide some ODIs against full members to help them prepare for the World Cup. No country is obliged. But unfazed by their status as unwanted interlopers in the 10-team World Cup, the Netherlands showed their depth of performance to recover from 141-7 to beat South Africa before Scott Edwards' aggressive captaincy helped secure a stunning victory. Indeed, there was a hint of missed opportunity in the Netherlands' start: moments in the second innings of their games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the game was in the balance.
7. Bangladesh
So far the tournament has been interesting: a complete victory over Afghanistan, which began to seem more impressive; the beating from England, which began to seem even worse; and then two decent defeats against the top two of the tournament, scoring just under 250 against New Zealand and just over that against India. Two scintillating half-centuries from Litton Das have given Bangladesh a first-class boost, but Shakib Al Hasan's lack of runs is a cause for concern. Apart from Shakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the bowling seems easy, especially at the seams.
6. Pakistan
With a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals before the tournament, Pakistan have been underwhelming on the field with their players lacking wicket-taking threat; the pace of the injured Naseem Shah is badly missed; and even Shaheen Shah Afridi seems to fall a little short of his best. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafiq, Pakistan's batting is generally better, although they will be hungry for a special innings or two from Babar Azam.
5. Afghanistan
After losing all nine games in 2019, defeats to Bangladesh and India in the first two games raised fears that Afghanistan could suffer the same fate again. Instead, Rahmanullah Gurbaz — 21, already arguably the best batsman the country has ever had — helped Afghanistan into the top 280 against England and Pakistan, batting first once and chasing once, adding both times starting posts with Ibrahim Zadran. Finally, Afghanistan provide better support to their skilled and varied bowling attack.
4. Australia
Two crushing defeats at the start of the World Cup have fueled speculation that Australia could be ignominiously eliminated. They may yet do so, but convincing victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan have given new impetus to their tournament. There remains a feeling that the phalanx of players, including Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, are lacking their best qualities: either a side of Australia's reduced threat or perhaps ominous for opponents in the later stages. After Mitchell Marsh and David Warner added 255 in the first match against Pakistan, the return of Travis Head will provide even more explosiveness.
Blasts The good form of Mitchell Marsh and David Warner has sparked the World Cup in Australia. Photo: AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena. 3. New Zealand
It's been an unrivaled campaign so far for New Zealand, overlooked in most forecasts to reach the final four and then build a calm and effective game thanks to their ability to adapt to different surfaces. Matt Henry, Trent Boult and the much-improved Mitchell Santner, who has varied his pace subtly (he is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament), have all produced outstanding results. Stand-in captain Tom Latham also led the team enterprisingly, with the return of Henry and Boult before the 40th over against England ensuring their opening day victory. Rachin Ravindra was a revelation in the top three; Seven-year specialist fielder Mark Chapman gives New Zealand greater batting depth, even if the distribution of the fifth bowler is a concern. Kane Williamson's return from a horrific thumb injury will give him a boost.
2. South Africa
The horrors of a second World Cup defeat to the Netherlands in 12 months should not overshadow the stunning start from South Africa. Scoring 428 against Sri Lanka, 311 against Australia and 399 against England, South Africa lived up to their pre-tournament figures as one of the world's top six most destructive top performers; Aiden Markram now holds the fastest century in World Cup history with 49 goals, with Heinrich Klaasen not far behind. Marco Jansen's improvement at number seven balances out a team that has simplified selection by selecting the top six batsmen and the top five bowlers; Kagiso Rabada leads at excellent pace.
1. India
There is no reason yet to believe that India will not play in the last three World Cups, all of which were won by the hosts. After Rohit Sharma's start, Virat Kohli carried out the chasing to perfection — India chased and won in all five of their games — and the bowling attack has amazing variety and depth, led by Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya's injury deprives India of a sixth bowler and an all-rounder, which could still leave them exposed if a specialist is attacked, as was the case with Kuldeep Yadav against New Zealand. But India appears well positioned to thrive in both high-scoring games and tougher conditions.
Do you agree with our power rankings? Have your say in the comments section below.
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