Cricket World Cup 2015: Day 1 Results, Points Tables and Upcoming Schedule

Co-hosts New Zealand and Australia both get their respective campaigns underway on Day 1 of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, kickstarting what will inevitably be eight weeks of pulsating action from Down Under.

New Zealand have the honour of playing the very first match of the tournament. The Black Caps face Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Day 1 as Brendon McCullum and his team look to make good on the expectation that has engulfed this talented group of players ahead of the start of this competition.

Australia will be desperate to get their tournament off to a perfect start when they go up against old enemy England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Baggy Greens are worthy favourites ahead of the World Cup getting underway, and it’ll be intriguing to see how their array of stellar batting talent gets on against the unsettled visitors.

Be sure to check back here for all the updates from Day 1 of the Cricket World Cup, as well as latest pool standings and full competition schedule.

Points Table

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Pool A

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Run Rate	Points
Australia	1	1	0	0	0	2.22	2
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	0	1.96	2
Sri Lanka	1	0	1	0	0	-1.96	0
England	1	0	1	0	0	-2.22	0
Scotland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bangladesh	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Afghanistan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Pool B

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Run Rate	Points
West Indies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
South Africa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ireland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Pakistan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
India	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
United Arab Emirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zimbabwe	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Upcoming Schedule

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Group Stage

Feb. 14 Pool A: Sri Lanka v New Zealand, Christchurch (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 13)

Feb. 14 Pool A: England v Australia, Melbourne (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 15 Pool B: South Africa v Zimbabwe, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 15 Pool B: India v Pakistan, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 16 Pool B: West Indies v Ireland, Nelson (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 15)

Feb. 17 Pool A: New Zealand v Scotland, Dunedin (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 16)

Feb. 18 Pool A: Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Canberra (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 19 Pool B: Zimbabwe v UAE, Nelson (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 18)

Feb. 20 Pool A: England v New Zealand, Wellington (Westpac Stadium) (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 21 Pool B: Pakistan v West Indies, Christchurch (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 20)

Feb. 21 Pool A: Australia v Bangladesh, Brisbane (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 22 Pool A: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Dunedin (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 21)

Feb. 22 Pool B: South Africa v India, Melbourne (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 23 Pool A: England v Scotland, Christchurch (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 22)

Feb. 24 Pool B: West Indies v Zimbabwe, Canberra (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 25 Pool B: Ireland v UAE, Brisbane (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 26 Pool A: Afghanistan v Scotland, Dunedin (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 25)

Feb. 26 Pool A: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Melbourne (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 27 Pool B: South Africa v West Indies, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 28 Pool B: India v UAE, Perth (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Feb. 28 Pool A: Australia v New Zealand, Auckland (d/n) (6:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 1 Pool A: England v Sri Lanka, Wellington (Westpac Stadium) (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 28)

Mar. 1 Pool B: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Brisbane (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 3 Pool B: South Africa v Ireland, Canberra (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 4 Pool B: Pakistan v UAE, Napier (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 4 Pool A: Australia v Afghanistan, Perth (d/n) (6:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 5 Pool A: Bangladesh v Scotland, Nelson (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 4)

Mar. 6 Pool B: India v West Indies, Perth (d/n) (6:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 7 Pool B: South Africa v Pakistan, Auckland (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 7 Pool B: Zimbabwe v Ireland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 8 Pool A: New Zealand v Afghanistan, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 7)

Mar. 8 Pool A: Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 9 Pool A: England v Bangladesh, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 10 Pool B: India v Ireland, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 11 Pool A: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 12 Pool B: South Africa v UAE, Wellington (Westpac Stadium) (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 13 Pool A: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 13 Pool A: England v Afghanistan, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 14 Pool B: India v Zimbabwe, Auckland (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 14 Pool A: Australia v Scotland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 15 Pool B: West Indies v UAE, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 14)

Mar. 15 Pool B: Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Mar. 18 Quarter-final 1, A1 v B4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 19 Quarter-final 2, A2 v B3, Melbourne (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 20 Quarter-final 3, A3 v B2, Adelaide (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 21 Quarter-final 4, A4 v B1, Wellington (1 a.m. GMT)

Semi-Finals

Mar. 24 Semi-final 1, Winner QF1 v Winner QF3, Auckland (1:00 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 26 Semi-final 2, Winner QF2 v Winner QF4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Final

Mar. 29 Final, Melbourne (5:30 a.m. BST)

Schedule courtesy of BBC Sport

Feb. 14: Australia Crush England

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Australia (342/9) beat England (231) by 111 runs.

England were on the end of a masterclass from Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, losing by a sizeable 111 runs in their tournament opener.

A century from Aaron Finch—the first of the tournament—was the bedrock for the co-hosts’ innings, as they surged towards a magnificent total of 342-9 from their 50 overs.

England’s response never really got going, as astute Aussie bowling sapped early momentum from their innings. James Taylor offered some late fight with a dynamic 98 not out, but he was a glimmer of positivity in what was a poor day for Eoin Morgan's men.

From the off, it was apparent that Australia were intent on making an aggressive start to their innings, and Finch set a ferocious tempo at the top of the order. As noted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, the Aussie opener is a wonderful player to watch in this kind of mood:

"

Lucky early on but a typically stroke filled hundred from Aaron Finch. He's the kind of player who can cut loose any time!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 14, 2015"

His superb 135 from just 128 balls got the Melbourne crowd on their feet, and although he was run out before the end of innings, Australia’s big hitters had a perfect platform to come in and carry out some explosive late scoring. For Glenn Maxwell, this kind of scenario couldn't be more ideal.

He pushed Australia way beyond the coveted mark of 300 with his blistering shot-making, helping himself to 66 from 40 balls in the latter stages of the innings. As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports Cricket, Maxwell brought up a valuable half-century in style:

"

WATCH: Glenn Maxwell reaches his fifty in style #fireitup - http://t.co/akNUZNTkOV

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 14, 2015"

England did receive some late encouragement, as Steven Finn helped himself to a hat-trick from the last three balls of the innings, but by that point the damage had been done by the hosts. The way Australia constructed their batting effort was perfect, and with 342 on the board, the visitors were always going to find it difficult.

That became wholly apparent early on as England haemorrhaged wickets in the infancy of their innings. Mitchell Starc snaffled the first as Moeen Ali squirmed one up in the air on the leg side, but from that point on, it was young Mitchell Marsh who took over.

The 23-year-old was far too good for the English batting line-up, taking the wickets of Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root and skipper Morgan. Lawrence Booth of the Daily Mail gave us an indication of the kind of impact Marsh had in obliterating the English effort:

"

You go for a shower, and when you come back Mitchell Marsh has 3 for 9...

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 14, 2015"

From an English perspective, the poor form of the captain is becoming a huge concern. As noted by Peter Lalor of The Australian, his scoring has been close to non-existant in recent outings:

"

Morgan makes another duck, now has 2 runs in 5 innings. Just thinking, could Australia spare the Mother Country a captain? Marsh 4-13 btw

— Peter Lalor (@plalor) February 14, 2015"

Marsh had his five-for soon after, as Steve Smith pulled off a stunning catch in the covers to dismiss Jos Buttler, and England were staring defeat in the face. 

Taylor offered some late fortitude for England and helped them to a respectable final total, but by that point, the match was all but over as a contest and Australia cruised to victory.

There was some controversy surrounding the final wicket of the day, though. The umpires declared James Anderson run-out despite Taylor's decision to appeal an LBW decision. Once the review is signalled by the batsman, the ball should be dead and subsequently, the run-out rendered void; the ICC have acknowledged that an error was made, per the Guardian.

Australia were irresistible in every single facet of their play in this contest. The batting was explosive, the bowling tight and the fielding was bordering on sensational. They’re a team who are worthy of their favourites tag in this tournament, and for England, this harrowing defeat was an indicator of how much they have to improve if they’re to be in the hunt for glory.

Feb. 14: New Zealand Dominate Sri Lanka

Phil Walter/Getty Images

New Zealand (331/6) bt. Sri Lanka (233 all out)

Co-hosts New Zealand got their tournament off to the best possible start with an emphatic victory over Sri Lanka in Christchurch.

Half-centuries from Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson helped the Black Caps tot up a massive first-innings score of 331-6 after being put into bat.

Lahiru Thirimanne gave Sri Lanka some hope at the top of the order with 65 from 60 balls, but his side always looked well short as they chased down the hosts' formidable total.

There's a sense coming into this tournament that this is a New Zealand team that are not only capable of abating their longstanding suffering at the semi-final stage of the competition, but can also go on to win this tournament. Indeed, their mettle was on show throughout this display, as they took control of the clash early.

That was primarily due to the efforts of McCullum, whose 65 from just 49 balls injected some early impetus into the New Zealand effort. Piers Morgan thinks that with the skipper in this kind of form, the Black Caps are genuine contenders for the title:

"

Anyone who doubts New Zealand are genuine contenders to win the World Cup should watch McCullum teeing off in this first game.... #NZvSL

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 13, 2015"

The likes of Martin Guptill and Williamson helped New Zealand settle in during the middle overs, and after the platform afforded to them by McCullum, a score in excess of 300 always looked on.

But when Corey Anderson strode to the crease and started swinging, it was clear the co-hosts were going to push well past the run-a-ball landmark.

As noted by the ICC Twitter account, his brisk 75 from 46 balls earned Anderson the man-of-the-match award:

"

Player of the Match is Corey Anderson for his crushing 75 off 46 balls & 2 wickets, Here's his #TwitterMirror shot! pic.twitter.com/FD0Ks2G7X5

— ICC (@ICC) February 14, 2015"

Anderson's late flourish ensured New Zealand kept the momentum intact as they went in search of early wickets with the ball. Admittedly, they didn't strike that early, but the Black Caps built up pressure well by strangling the Sri Lankan scoring opportunities, and subsequently, wickets eventually tumbled in the middle stages of the innings.

Dangerous players such as Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene all failed to settle in and accrue a big score. As the Black Caps got stuck into the bottom half of the Sri Lanka batting lineup, there was only going to be one winner.

For Sangakkara, it was a bittersweet day, though. He passed yet another landmark in his distinguished career during his knock of 39, per BBC TMS:

"

Heavy defeat for Sri Lanka here in Christchurch, but some consolation for @KumarSanga2 #bbccricket #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/ngZHymh6Jw

— BBC TMS (@bbctms) February 14, 2015"

Eventually, they were bowled out for 233 thanks to a fine collective bowling effort from the Black Caps. New Zealand's tournament couldn't have gotten off to a better start, while Sri Lanka will be left to reflect on a very poor opening-day effort.