2023 World Cup diary: Meet Mitchell “Shaun” Marsh; Kiwi cricketers pose with the Dalai Lama
The 2023 World Cup is three weeks old now. There has been some amazing action on the cricket field and off it as well. After 23 matches, hosts India are on top of the points table with five wins from five matches and a net run rate of +1.353. They are the only unbeaten side in the tournament as of now.
Apart from the Men in Blue, South Africa and New Zealand have been the most impressive sides in the competition. It is not surprising that they occupy second and third spots, respectively, in the 2023 World Cup points table.
The Proteas have eight points from five games and a net run rate of +2.370. As for the Blackcaps, they too have registered four wins from five matches and have a net run rate of +1.481.
Australia have recovered well after a poor start and are in fifth position with four points and a net run rate of -0.193. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and defending champions England need a lift as they are languishing in the bottom half of the points table.
As the action in the World Cup continues, here are some interesting tales from the tournament that you might like to read about.
“Everyone here calls me Shaun” - Mitchell Marsh’s intriguing cap tale
Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was recently spotted with his brother Shaun’s ODI cap number (165) at the 2023 World Cup. Mitchell is the 190th player to represent Australia in ODIs.
However, he gave a fun spin to not having his ODI cap number and said at a recent press conference:
“I’ve asked a couple of times to get my number on my cap and they keep sending me Shaun’s number. So, everyone here calls me Shaun anyway, so it works out well!”
Shaun (40) announced his retirement from first-class cricket in March this year. He represented Australia in 38 Tests, 73 ODIs, and 15 T20Is.
New Zealand cricket team pays a visit to the Dalai Lama
Members of the New Zealand cricket team recently met the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at his residence in McLeod Ganj. The meeting took place ahead of the Kiwis’ big clash against Australia at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on October 28.
The Dalai Lama’s official X account shared a photo of his meeting with the New Zealand cricket team. The ICC also shared pictures of the Kiwi cricketers seeking blessings from the spiritual leader
New Zealand went down to India by four wickets in their previous 2023 World Cup match, the first loss to the Men in Blue in any ICC event since 2003.
Virat Kohli meets Himachal Pradesh CM, pays a visit to Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram in Dharamsala
Meanwhile, senior Indian batter Virat Kohli met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.
According to reports, the Himachal CM congratulated Kohli on his match-winning knock against New Zealand in their last 2023 World Cup match.
He also extended his best wishes to Team India on behalf of the people of the state. Further, Kohli also paid a visit to Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram in Dharamsala.
Kohli is among the leading run-getters in the 2023 World Cup, having smashed 354 runs from five innings at an average of 118 and a strike rate of 90.54.
Team India enjoy a day off with a trek
Having won five matches out of five, Team India got a much-needed break from the competitive cricketing action and spent their day off in Dharamsala with a tranquil trek.
The BCCI shared a video of the Men in Blue contingent enjoying their "off" time.
Babar Azam on his way out as captain?
Unlike Kohli, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has struggled as both captain and batter. The Men in Green have lost three matches in a row in the 2023 World Cup - against India, Australia, and, shockingly, Afghanistan as well.
Now, according to reports, Babar is likely to be sacked as captain after the ongoing World Cup. A source was quoted as saying by PTI:
“It is over for Babar because he has been given unbridled power and authority as captain and more importantly he has always had players of his choice in the team. There has never been any attempt to reduce his authority and so he is now being held solely responsible for the Asia Cup and World Cup defeats.”
The Pakistan skipper has scored 157 runs in five innings at an average of 31.40, with two half-centuries and a strike rate of under 80.
Logan van Beek serious about stopping jokes around cricket in the Netherlands
Netherlands all-rounder Logan van Beek, in a press conference ahead of the team’s World Cup clash against Australia, opened up on why he wants his nation to take the cricket team seriously.
Sharing about a Dutch sports show that made fun of cricket, he commented:
“I watched a Dutch sports show this morning and they were talking about cricket and laughing about how it's pretty similar to a 9-to-5 job because of how long it takes, and they were making a few other jokes.”
Van Beek, who has been one of the team’s top performers in the 2023 World Cup, is hopeful that his team will change the narrative around the game in his nation with some more impressive performances like the win over South Africa.