ICC World Cup 2019: We Will See India, New Zealand Games As Quarter-Finals – Joe Root
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:18 PM
Who would have expected that the England cricket team would be in a situation to fight for the fourth place in the points table in order to get selected for the semifinals of the tournament? The loss against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia have dented them really bad, which saw them in a bowl of soup. However, Joe Root is confident of making things fall in a place.
England currently has eight points from seven matches and are placed fourth in the points table. Recent defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia have been stumbling blocks for the side that has otherwise registered strong performances.
It should serve you well – Joe Root
Speaking of the same, Joe Root said that Fourth-placed England will be playing two virtual “quarter-finals” at the Cricket World Cup when they face India and New Zealand in their last two round-robin matches as they look to seal a semi-final spot.
“We’ll see these two games as quarter-finals… which in a way when it comes round to the knockout stage should serve you well,” Root told reporters.
England has not beaten India or New Zealand in seven attempts at the World Cup since 1992 but Root is confident they can still reach the knockout stages.
“We believe we’re still more than capable of qualifying for the semi-finals and when that happens, it doesn’t really matter how you got there because that’s when the tournament really starts to kick in. The games themselves might get quite emotional, especially the atmosphere at Edgbaston against India,” Joe Root said.
In order to seal a spot in the semifinals, they need to win at least one to be in the race while two wins will give them a ticket to the next level. They are currently left with a couple of games, which are to be played against India and New Zealand.