Saturday promises a couple of crucial games from the perspective of the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup.
India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrates with teammates after taking the final wicket for victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Bangladesh and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England, on July 2, 2019. (Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP)
Three semi-finalists of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 are certain – Australia, India and England. The fourth team, New Zealand, is almost bound to reach the semi-finals unless Pakistan pulls off a miracle against Bangladesh which is highly unlikely.
Considering New Zealand as the fourth team to have qualified for the semis, here is the mathematics behind which teams will face off against each other in the semis.
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Australia
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As per the updated ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 points tally, Australia with 14 points are at the top of the points tally. However, the Kangaroos have to play another match in the ongoing tournament. 6th of July will witness Australia and South Africa face off against each other for their last league match.
If the Proteas win this match and India manage to defeat Sri Lanka, India will overtake Australia on the points tally. However, if Australia win this match, irrespective of the result of the India-Sri Lanka clash, they will stay at the top of the table.
Here is the equation for Australia then – If Australia win against South Africa, they play New Zealand* in the semi-finals.
If they lose to South Africa and India wins against Sri Lanka, then they face England in the semi-finals.
If both India and Australia lose their respective matches, Australia play New Zealand*
India
Virat Kohli-led Indian side has also done fairly well in this tournament. Presently, India is number two on points tally with 13 points.
India have one more match against Sri Lanka and if India win this match and meanwhile South Africa beat Australia in their last league match, then India play New Zealand* in the semis since they will overtake Australia in the points tally.
However, if Australia manage to beat South Africa, irrespective of the result of India-Sri Lanka clash, India will face England.
If both India and Australia lose their respective matches, Australia play New Zealand*
England
England have already played their last league match and will have to wait and see the outcomes of India-Sri Lanka and Australia-South Africa match to find out who they face in the semis.
New Zealand*
New Zealand also have finished their league games and will wait for the results of the matches on Saturday to find out who they meet in the semi-finals.
Saturday, then, promises a couple of crucial games from the perspective of the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup.
| Date | Team | Venue |
| 9 July, Tuesday | India/Australia versus New Zealand* | Manchester (First semi-final) |
| 11 July, Thursday | India/Australia versus England | Birmingham (Second semi-final) |
| 14 July, Sunday | To be Declared versus To be Declared | London (Final) |
*New Zealand’s place in semi-final is not yet confirmed. Pakistan will need to beat Bangladesh by 311 runs to overtake New Zealand and seal the fourth spot.
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