Dominic: 0:12

Guess what folks? The men's 2023 ODI World Cup is heating up and it's getting wilder than a kangaroo on a trampoline. We've got the semi-finalists locked in and ready to battle it out for cricket supremacy. But before we dive into the juicy details, let me remind you of something even more important. My greeting and introduction have gone on a vacation, so let's jump straight into the action, shall we?

Dominic: 0:40

In a stunning display of power, mitchell Marsh went on an absolute rampage, smashing a whopping one 77 runs not out. He singlehandedly led Australia to their seventh consecutive victory, leaving Bangladesh scratching their heads in disbelief. It was like watching an action movie, where Marsh was the hero and the Bangladesh bowlers with the poor villains, begging for mercy. Boom, smack, pow. Marsh unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, making it rain. Fours and sixes all over the field. Seventeen, fours and nine sixes, to be exact. Talk about a smashing performance. And guess what? This was Marsh's highest ODI score and his first century at the prestigious number three spot. Way to make an entrance, marsh but let's not forget the other stars of the show. Stephen Smith, the cool and collected mastermind, made an unbeaten sixty-three runs, effortlessly guiding Australia to victory. He and Marsh formed an unbeatable partnership, a match made in cricket heaven. With a glorious 175 runs stand, they showed the world that Australia's batting lineup is not one to be messed with. It was like watching a synchronized dance where every step was perfectly executed. Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.

Dominic: 2:06

Now let's shift our focus to our friends from England. Despite their impending dethronement as world champions, they didn't want to leave the tournament quietly. No sir, they went out with a bang, or should I say a Ben Stokes kind of bang? Stokes unleashed his explosive batting skills, scoring eighty-four runs, and most of those came from you guessed it boundaries. Hit after hit, he showed Pakistan what they were missing out on. But the show didn't stop there. David Willey, in his final appearance on the international stage, gave us an all-round performance to remember. He not only took his one hundredth ODI wicket, but also contributed with the bat. Talk about leaving on a high note. As for Pakistan, well, their World Cup campaign didn't quite go as planned. After this defeat, they are officially out of the semi-final contention. Mickey Arthur, pakistan's director of cricket, came out with a statement of support for Captain Baba Azam. He believes that Baba is still learning and deserves backing, while he is hoping that Pakistan bounces back stronger and wiser in the future.

Dominic: 3:26

Now let's take a sneak peek at the upcoming clash between India and the Netherlands. India, oh India. What a sensational run they've had in this World Cup. It's been nothing short of magical. They've been dominant, they've been ruthless and now they want to celebrate Diwali in style by adding another victory to their already impressive tally.

Dominic: 3:49

Facing the Netherlands, the underdogs of the tournament, india is expected to continue their winning streak. The hosts have been on fire with an eight-zero run and, trust me, an upset here would be rarer than a unicorn's sighting. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. In sports, anything can happen. The Netherlands may surprise us all and give India a run for their money. After all, this is cricket and it loves its twists and turns.

Dominic: 4:20

As we gear up for the semi-finals, let's not forget the thrills and spills we've witnessed throughout this unforgettable World Cup. From breathtaking catches to unexpected injuries, this tournament has had it all. It's been a rollercoaster ride, folks, and I'm not ready for it to end just yet. So buckle up, grab your popcorn and get ready for more cricket madness coming your way. Will Australia continue their winning streak and crush South Africa in the semi-finals? What about India? Can they maintain their unbeatable form and dominate the semi-finals? All these questions will be answered soon, my friends. So stay tuned and remember in cricket, the only thing more unpredictable than the weather is the outcome of a match.

Dominic: 5:11

Oh boy, the Indian cricket team is on fire. Shubman Gill has claimed the top spot in the ODI batting rankings, leaving Babarazam in the dust. And it gets even better, my friends. The Indian domination continues in the bowling department. Mohamed Siraj has clawed his way up two spots to become the top ODI bowler, pushing Shahin Shah Afridi to the back seat. But wait, there's more. The top of the bowling table is just brimming with Indian talent. Kuldeep Yadav has proudly cracked the top five, while Jaspre Bhumra and Mohamed Sharmi have secured their spots in the top ten. Can you believe it? It's like an Indian takeover, but in a totally cricket-loving, non-malicious way. And let's not forget about Virat Kohli. Under a display of unbeatable talent at the World Cup, he has climbed three spots to sit comfortably at number four among the batters. He's just one rating point away from Quinton de Coq, who's leading the run's scoring race at the moment.

Dominic: 6:17

But the real star of the show is Shubman Gill. This guy is having a stellar year in ODI cricket, racking up an impressive 14-49 runs. From 26 matches. He's hit not one, not two, but four centuries, including a double century. Talk about a power player. His average for the year is an unbelievable 63, which is even higher than his career average of 61. Slow start at the World Cup due to a pesky bout of dengue, but he's bounced back with flying colors, scoring 219 runs in six innings.

Dominic: 6:54

Overall, india's dominance at the World Cup is undeniable. They've won all eight league stage matches with remarkable ease. Their batting duo of Kohli and Rohit Sharma has been unstoppable, and their bowling unit is like a well-oiled machine. Even though none of their bowlers are in the top three wicket takers list, they've collectively brought down giants like England, sri Lanka and South Africa. So let's give a round of applause to India for their spectacular performances on the pitch, and let's not forget the other stars, like Glenn Maxwell, ibrahim Zadrin and Fakhar Zaman, who are making their mark on the World Cup stage. It's all shaping up to be an epic battle of talent and skill. So get this, folks.

Dominic: 7:46

Henry Nichols, the cricket player, has been cleared of ball-tampering after being reported during a match. Yeah, apparently there was some footage of him brushing the ball against a helmet during a change of ends. But guess what the disciplinary hearing said? Nah, we ain't buying it. They brought out all the fancy cricket rules like Rule 3, 1, article 1, 15 of the New Zealand Cricket Code of Conduct and Law 41, 3 of the Laws of Cricket, but in the end they couldn't find any evidence that Nichols actually tampered with the ball. They even said his actions were unlikely to alter the condition of the ball or the shape of the ball. So case dismissed. Can you imagine being in that hearing? They had everyone in their cricket-loving grandma testify Nichols himself, the match umpires, some coaches and even a representative from the New Zealand Cricket Players Association. It was like a cricket courtroom drama. And guess what else? Nichols didn't let this whole ordeal affect his game. He scored 120 and 30 not out in the same match, helping his team Canterbury secure an eight-wicket win. Talk about proving your innocence on the cricket pitch. So good news for Nichols he's off the hook and ready to join New Zealand's squad for a two-test series in Bangladesh. I hope he brings his game face and maybe a helmet, just in case another brushing incident happens. Happy cricketing everyone. So imagine this David Willey, the cricket pro, decided to sign off from his international career with a bang, and boy did he do it in style.

Dominic: 9:35

Not only did he take his 100th ODI wicket in England's win over Pakistan, but he also spilled the beans about almost pulling out of the World Cup. Talk about last-minute decisions. You see, willey had already announced that he was quitting international cricket. After the tournament, apparently, he was told that he hadn't been offered a central contract for 2023-24, which didn't sit well with him. And to top it off, he found out that he was the only one in the World Cup squad without an offer. Ouch, that's got a sting, but hey.

Dominic: 10:11

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, willey decided to take control of his destiny. He was tired of being treated like a third wheel and dealing with the uncertainty of his schedule. I mean, who can blame him? Constantly wondering where you stand can really mess with your head. In the end, willey proved his worth in the World Cup, finishing with 11 wickets and some impressive performances. But even though he believes he could have contributed to the T20 World Cup next year, he's confident in his decision to retire. He's done with running drinks and feeling like that odd one out. So let's raise a glass to David Willey, the man who took charge of his own destiny and bid farewell to international cricket on his own terms. Cheers, mate. May your future endeavors be just as exciting and fulfilling. And so, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived the matches that will determine the fate of cricket teams around the world are finally here.

Dominic: 11:19

But let's take a moment to appreciate South Africa. You know the team that everyone doubted. Even their coach, rob Walter, said no one gave them a chance. Ouch, but don't worry, it's not because they're a bunch of losers or anything. No, it's just that South Africa had a rough time leading up to this World Cup. They had administrative chaos, missed out on the T20 World Cup semis twice and barely made it to the 2023 ODI World Cup. So, yeah, their odds weren't great. But as their campaign progressed guess what? They started to look like champions. Suddenly, people were talking about them as if they were the real deal. Sure, they had their fair share of struggles, like not being able to chase against the Dutch or India, and let's not forget how they almost made a mess of it against Afghanistan. But hey, they made it to the semifinals, baby.

Dominic: 12:17

And now they're facing their greatest rivals, australia. Talk about pressure. Will they choke again? Can they pull off a chase? Will the Springbok victory at the Rugby World Cup inspire them? These are the questions that are haunting everyone's minds, but Walter, in his usual calm demeanor, has a simple message Enjoy the moment, embrace the challenge and play damn good cricket.

Dominic: 12:43

And, honestly, south Africa has some serious firepower. Just take a look at their batting lineup. These guys have been smashing it left, right and centre, and they've got a pretty good record against Australia too. In fact, they've beaten them in 16 out of their last 20 match-ups. Talk about dominance, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Australia is no pushover. They've turned their game around in this tournament and they're hungry for revenge. It won't be an easy battle, but South Africa is ready to take it on. They've proved themselves before, and now they have a chance to prove themselves again. So buckle up, folks. Get ready for a clash of the Titans as South Africa takes on Australia. It's going to be one hell of a ride, filled with twists, turns and, hopefully, a lot of laughs. Let's see what South Africa can make of this golden opportunity. Go get them.

Dominic: 13:42

Hey there, folks, have you heard the latest news from the cricket world? Sri Lanka Cricket SLC has been suspended by the ICC. Yeah, you heard that right. Apparently there was some extensive government interference in the board's administration and the ICC wasn't having any of it. They put their foot down and said no more meddling folks, now don't panic just yet. This suspension is more like a warning. The ICC wants to prevent further government interference in SLC's affairs. And hey, lucky for Sri Lanka, this suspension won't have any immediate serious impact on their cricket. Their World Cup campaign ended and there's no cricket happening in the country until December anyway. So no need to cancel those cricket watching parties just yet. But wait, there's more. The ICC board met online to discuss this whole debacle and figure out the next steps. They even recognized SLC's president Shammi Silva as the elected representative. Looks like they want him in the observer seat at the ICC meetings in Ahmedabad. Talk about drama. So folks, stay tuned for updates on this spicy cricket controversy. We'll find out what exactly this suspension means for Sri Lanka cricket in due course. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the cricket news circus.

Dominic: 15:13

So guess who's retiring from international cricket? None other than the talented Meg Lanning. Cricket Australia recently posted a video of her highlights and let me tell you it's like watching footage from the Stone Age Grainy single camera shots from the stands. Come on, it's practically prehistoric. And what's even funnier is that her first international hundred no where to be found, but hey, at least we have a video of her fifth ODI century, right? Except it's from a camera stationed in deep cover. The only difference between that and watching Bradman's highlights is that Lannings are in colour.

Dominic: 15:53

But let's fast forward to 2020, where Lanning is standing in front of a record crowd holding the T20 World Cup trophy. Talk about a major glow up. And you know what's even more impressive Lanning's ability to bring her best performances to the big stage, from a stunning innings with a damaged shoulder to her unmatched record of ten centuries in successful ODI chases. She's proven time and time again that she's a force to be reckoned with. But it's not just her performance on the field that's legendary.

Dominic: 16:25

Lanning's captaincy tenure is a thing of greatness. She's shaped one of the greatest female teams of all time, inspiring her players with her actions and leading them to four successive World Cup titles. And let's not forget her nickname, sirius Sally, which just goes to show how seriously she took her role. So, as Meg Lanning bids farewell to international cricket at the young age of 31, there's a mix of sadness and gratefulness in the cricket community. Sadness because we won't get to witness her amazing talent anymore, but gratefulness because she's brought the women's game into the spotlight and inspired future generations. Meg Lanning, you've left one heck of a legacy.

Alex: 17:14

In today's episode we covered Australia's dominant performance, securing a semi-final spot. We have the India's domination in the rankings, with Shubman Gill and Mohamed Suraj leading the way, henry Nichols being cleared of ball tampering and rejoining New Zealand squad, david Willey's retirement from international cricket, south Africa defying expectations to reach the semifinals, the suspension of Sri Lanka cricket by the ICC and Meg Lanning's impactful career in women's cricket. Thank you for joining us today on Talk Before Wicked, the podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest cricket news. We appreciate your time and look forward to continuing our engaging discussions in our next episode. Don't forget to subscribe and be part of our passionate cricket loving community.