WC2007: Super 8

[Leicester Fox]

some really useful late runs for the Sri Lankans there. Can't see them winning without Murali,Malinga and Vaas though. There still in it though and those runs will have given them a boost but it will be tough

[Kev]

One of the Irish bowlers bowled 8 overs, conceeded 5 runs and took 2 wkts in the Pakistan match I think.Yep, it was Botha

[aussie1st]

Well Bracken's figures got wrecked in the end but at least he got 4 wickets. He sure can produce some good figures who can forget his 7/4 (7/2 at one stage).

226 just below par score, all will depend on how the opening bowlers go and then Bandara.

[aussie_ben91]

If Sri Lanka can get Hayden & Ponting out very early on, I can see Sri Lanka really challenging us. It'd be good to see if Gilchrist could find some form & how Clarke responds to the situation. It could also test out Symonds & Hussey.

[Adarsh]

It's a decent score but the Aussies should knock it off pretty easily, considering their batting and Sri Lanka's weakened bowling. Anything can happen though.

[Damo01]

Good luck with the Sri Lanka's Bowlers....especially with Hayden who is in excellent form with his batting...

Managed to 227 and only 23 runs behind from getting 250+ after losing those early 3 wickets at the start!

[Leicester Fox]

Australia have pretty much won after that 1st over,really bad way to set the tone for the innings

[Will_NA]

Sri Lanka's bowling attack won't bother Australia. England would have a very good chance if there was no Murali, Vaas or Malinga :rolleyes:

[PhilD123]

That straight drive four from Gilly has really released the pressure. Before that it looked like Sri Lanka's clever bowling and field setting were going to frustrate Gilchrist and he was going to give away his wicket.

Sri Lanka are going to have to bowl fantastically well with a lowish score to defend, their best 3 bowlers missing and such a strong Aussie batting line up.

[Damo01]

Sri Lanka are stupid enough to realize that resting Murali and Vaas was a dumb move considering they are playing against Australia.

It's Sri Lanka lost!!! Good night - I'm off the bed!

[MUFC1987]

Good ball that from Arnold. I always thought his bowling was under-used. One more wicket for Sri Lanka and they're got a real chance.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Hussey should come now and spent some time in the crease ;)

[aussie1st]

Openers got us away to the start we needed. Arnold getting the wickets interesting.
Clarke just didn't get to the pitch of that last ball he faced, was looking good before that.

Ponting still in which will make this an easy chase still.

[charith]

I wouldn't put too much into this game tbh.

I think since they were already into the semi's and thought why expose the quality bowlers for practise. It just seemed that the whole performence was a low intensity one.

I also think that SL want to play NZ in the semis. They haven't really been troubled by NZ.

Dissapointing though. Pretty much the whole SL bowling attack absent, Mali, Murali and Vaas.

[aussie1st]

We got what we wanted out of it, a dominant victory and more batting practice for Symonds. Too bad Hussey couldn't bat again, when he gets a decent go I don't see him getting out as he will be hungry for runs.

[irottev]

I also think that SL want to play NZ in the semis. They haven't really been troubled by NZ.


After losing today, Sri Lanka have upped the risk of playing against Australia though. It may come down to run-rates. It makes the Ireland game important for them and I wouldn't be taking it lightly. They're playing better then a few of the test nations at the moment.

I think it was a bad decision myself to rest the 2 bowlers. Why not rest them against Ireland? Maybe they will? And risk losing? Sri Lanka arn't certaintys of making the semi's yet. If they lose, and England win a game they could be out on run-rate.

I hope we are play Sri Lanka and beat them. That would give me great pleasure.

Tonights match is huge. It will determine who goes through probably. SA have a poor run-rate so even if they beat England, England could still make it ahead of SA if they beat the West Indies. Personally I don't care who makes it. Both are easy beats for Australia most of the time. And if they knock em out, thats a bonus.

[aussie1st]

SA will be a tough opposition especially if they click. English just love getting up and beating us so it's going to be hard either way. I want to see the English gone so cmon SA :)

[charith]

After losing today, Sri Lanka have upped the risk of playing against Australia though. It may come down to run-rates. It makes the Ireland game important for them and I wouldn't be taking it lightly. They're playing better then a few of the test nations at the moment.

I think it was a bad decision myself to rest the 2 bowlers. Why not rest them against Ireland? Maybe they will? And risk losing? Sri Lanka arn't certaintys of making the semi's yet. If they lose, and England win a game they could be out on run-rate.

I hope we are play Sri Lanka and beat them. That would give me great pleasure.

Tonights match is huge. It will determine who goes through probably. SA have a poor run-rate so even if they beat England, England could still make it ahead of SA if they beat the West Indies. Personally I don't care who makes it. Both are easy beats for Australia most of the time. And if they knock em out, thats a bonus.

Umm actually SL are definitely in the semis. They already have 8 points. Eng or SA can only end on 8 points maximum. So obviously SL are through. Otherwise they'd never rest key players. So its just a fight for the last place. Most prb SL vs nz and AUS vs SAF/ENG ENG run rate is 0.079 and SAF is in the negatives. Don't think they can beat the +0.997 even if the highly improbable scenario of ireland beating SL comes up and SL and SAF/ENG tie on 8 points.

[siddharth2002]

Umm actually SL are definitely in the semis. They already have 8 points. Eng or SA can only end on 8 points maximum. So obviously SL are through. Otherwise they'd never rest key players. So its just a fight for the last place. Most prb SL vs nz and AUS vs SAF/ENG ENG run rate is 0.079 and SAF is in the negatives. Don't think they can beat the +0.997 even if the highly improbable scenario of ireland beating SL comes up and SL and SAF/ENG tie on 8 points.
Its possible. Although I trust SL to beat Irish easily.

[MUFC1987]

I can see us winning tomorrow. It seems the pitch is good for Seamers which means that South Africa won't play Peterson, which probably suits England more to be honest. I'd be much more comfortable with us chasing though, as South Africa have the ability to be unpredictable with the bat, whereas they have limited options with the ball.

[charith]

The more i think about it i reckon it was quite a good idea not playin murali or vaas today. Obviously before the game the aussies would've had plans on how to play them and it was a perfect game for them to test them out. But that wasn't the case. Now they'd have to play them in a crunch game under more pressure not having had a look at them before. The batting didn;t click today but they got good exposure to tait and he wasn't much of a problem.

Well all will be revealed soon

I can see us winning tomorrow. It seems the pitch is good for Seamers which means that South Africa won't play Peterson, which probably suits England more to be honest. I'd be much more comfortable with us chasing though, as South Africa have the ability to be unpredictable with the bat, whereas they have limited options with the ball.

Yeah with the pitch seaming and more bouncier maybe they should play langeveldt instead of Nel? Will Vaughn finally make some runs?

[Justcrazy]

And good luck to Afghanistan though, hope they make the 2011 wc. Is cricket doing any good there? I would like to know because cricket would benefit from having nations like Afghanistan play. Wouldn't you like it if you guys beat those massive teams? Or would you still say they let you win?
Yep cricket is going very well here in Afghanistan. Boys are shaping up very nicely to face the big boys at int. level. The squad of 20 men has already been picked and Inzi might coach the side with all that experience he has. But sadly one problem though, instead of wooden bats boys are going to use metal sticks whom speak awhile you trigger them and also have ability to make even a mute person talk. And another problem going on here....boys are fighting over whether Osama to play in best 11 or not. He’s pretty handy with the particular bat that they're going to use so I hope he gets pick because under his captaincy even Australia will experience his attacking cricket that USA have already. And promising you after every six he hit the earth will shack for a little awhile.

Back to top: Well played Aussie Hope you win the WC 07. Truely wonderful team and love every second watching them play.

[irottev]

You are right. SL are defiantly through. They still could face Australia. in the semis though you are right, it's most likly to be Aussies vs SA/ENG and NZ vs SL. The good thing is, if we happened to thrash the Aussies we could finish top and face 4th. Though thats not going to be easy.

[angryangy]

The Kensington surface is hard with plenty of extra bounce, but not really a seaming pitch. Bowlers who hit the seam with the new ball will have a bit of success, but there are many runs to be made at that ground. Wouldn't it be common sense to play Nel? Don't discount spin, either; though South African mentality means they won't play Peterson, Panesar could be a key man for England.

[Drewska]

I can see us winning tomorrow. It seems the pitch is good for Seamers which means that South Africa won't play Peterson, which probably suits England more to be honest. I'd be much more comfortable with us chasing though, as South Africa have the ability to be unpredictable with the bat, whereas they have limited options with the ball.

IMO the last thing we want is a bouncy seaming pitch - for one their batsmen seem to be capable of making huge scores on those sort of pitches (434 v Aus, 396 v Pak) and they're the pitches that help Pollock and Ntini the most.

They have struggled on slower pitches, which is probably why they lost to Bangladesh.

[RoboRocks]

Slow low pitches don't suit us either though.

[Sureshot]

After losing today, Sri Lanka have upped the risk of playing against Australia though. It may come down to run-rates. It makes the Ireland game important for them and I wouldn't be taking it lightly. They're playing better then a few of the test nations at the moment.

I think it was a bad decision myself to rest the 2 bowlers. Why not rest them against Ireland? Maybe they will? And risk losing? Sri Lanka arn't certaintys of making the semi's yet. If they lose, and England win a game they could be out on run-rate.

I hope we are play Sri Lanka and beat them. That would give me great pleasure.

Tonights match is huge. It will determine who goes through probably. SA have a poor run-rate so even if they beat England, England could still make it ahead of SA if they beat the West Indies. Personally I don't care who makes it. Both are easy beats for Australia most of the time. And if they knock em out, thats a bonus.


That last bit is wrong, if South Africa win they have 8 points we have 4, but with only one game left.

[irottev]

Yeah I was wrong, as I said above. lol. This game is almost a quarter final, but of course, England still have to beat the West Indies.

[Leicester Fox]

lets forget all the negativity and get behind England,I predict a Vaughan 100 and KP 100. Wishful thinking :p C'arn England!

[Sureshot]

Yeah I was wrong, as I said above. lol. This game is almost a quarter final, but of course, England still have to beat the West Indies.

I think we have to lose by a big margin against the WIndies should we win today, to fail to go through.

Vaughan doesn't do too bad against RSA in ODIs...

[angryangy]

Vaughan doesn't do too bad against RSA in ODIs...As we type, I'm sure he's preparing something to change that.

[aussie_ben91]

Maybe he should grow some sideburns Angy? Reckon that'd help his ODI cause?

England to win tonight. Bat Pietersen at 3.

[Will_NA]

lets forget all the negativity and get behind England,I predict a Vaughan 100 and KP 100. Wishful thinking :p C'arn England!

That's the sort of attitude we need. Although, it will be a little optimistic to think that Vaughan won't get a duck. Thank goodness Bob Willis isn't on these forums. :p

[arkmarkell]

its do or die tonight, if south africa win then they are through no questions, but if they lose then the last place is still open for all three teams. West Indies, england and south africa. Going to be a good match.

[MUFC1987]

No Ntini, thanks South Africa.

[Leicester Fox]

no Ntini! YAY :) :D batting first lets hope Vaughan fires and we're all expecting a little something from KP ;)

[The_gas]

I predict a 50 from Saj Mahmood today.

[Sureshot]

We should do this, all their bowlers are 80-85MPH RMF. Pollock, Hall, Nel, Langeveldt, Kallis. They are all quite similar, I wouldn't like the thought of Ntini bowling at us on this pitch.

I reckon KP will do something really outrageous today.

[aussie_ben91]

Ntini out, no real threatening bowler in the side. Could be Vaughan's day. :)

[Will_NA]

The absence of Ntini will help us but will we take advantage?

[Leicester Fox]

oh my god wtf are we doing? 2 maidens,talk about taking the attack to them in the powerplays,the bats there to hit the ball with :rolleyes:

[John Adams]

Oh I hope so much that Vaughan gets alot of runs. I'm a real fan of him, ah I almost had a tear in my eye watching him that last over. He didn't score at all, but at least he didn't go out. :)

oh and see the pitch, the ball marks? I've never seen that before!

[Adarsh]

Awesome start by Vaughan :rolleyes:.

[Will_NA]

Crap, i thought Bell was bowled!!!!!

Beaut of a delivery

[Adarsh]

OMG. What the hell is Vaughan doing? He's forgotten how to play cricket!

[Will_NA]

Vaughan really is struggling.

SA are getting movement so it isn't easy

[Eddie]

i hope vaughan gets out..he's just wasting overs..

any normal team wuld be 20+ runs now

[Will_NA]

Well, we're using the powerplays well :rolleyes:

I don't care if they dance down the wicket and slog. DO SOMETHING!!!

[Sureshot]

No, this is Fletcher's master tactic.

I think.....

[Will_NA]

Vaughan's off the mark!!!!! :happy

[Eddie]

for me he's just prooving to everyone that he shouldn't be there..

we're going to be 10-0 after 10 over instead 30-2..

I'd rather had 30-2 with KP at the crease..

[Adarsh]

At least Vaughan's still there. The captain, the main man.

[Will_NA]

FOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! !

We're on a roll

[aussie_ben91]

Well atleast his hit a boundary now.

Stupid move. Should've brought Pietersen in. He thrives on a situation like this.

[Adarsh]

Vaughan's on form here, edged for 4. At least he's hitting the ball now.

[Will_NA]

Strauss will either get out bowled or LBW swiping across the line

Vaughan isn't getting onto the front foot to good length deliveries which is why he isn't putting them away

[Eddie]

if i was SAF i would n't even try to get vaughan out..

just leave him there blocking wasting balls.

[Leicester Fox]

what a shot by Vaughan,come on Vaughany it's time for a special knock,well this many runs is special for you :p

[Will_NA]

Vaughan is actually playing some nice shots now. He better not get out for 30! :mad:

[Eddie]

OMG vaughan hit a 6?

[Will_NA]

It was Strauss on the pull

vaughan gone :rolleyes:

[Eddie]

and there we go..

back to normal england both opener gone before 25 overs gone..

[Leicester Fox]

thats the end of vaughans ODI career and i say good riddance,they best not play him if we do win this game in hte next round

[Adarsh]

Vaughan somehow manages to make his average even lower. Gee. It's almost not funny any more. Get him out of the side! If you want just a captain, I'll play for England :p .

[Eddie]

KP V's Nel could be entertaining...

[Will_NA]

Vaughan is seriously piss-poor :mad:

[Eddie]

he's not that good..

[evertonfan]

Bloody hell you lot are fickle. Get behind the team for a change. Vaughan's not getting out on purpose, he is trying you know.

Regardless of what anyone says, South Africa are chokers so anything above 210 is decent enough for us.

[Leicester Fox]

Vaughan is crap though,I still think we'll win but he's crap in ODI's and always has been

[evertonfan]

And your going to do any better are you? The only replacement for him is Joyce and he's done marvellous hasn't he?

[Adarsh]

Bloody hell you lot are fickle. Get behind the team for a change. Vaughan's not getting out on purpose, he is trying you know.

Regardless of what anyone says, South Africa are chokers so anything above 210 is decent enough for us.
Sorry. You don't get points for trying at international level. You actually have to be good, hard to believe I know. It's nowhere near finished for England, they can actually muster a decent score from here. Strauss is looking good.

Don't even try to defend Vaughan. He's crap personified in ODI.

[Eddie]

may as well open with saj mahmood..

i mean really who could score less at a slower rate?

[Leicester Fox]

And your going to do any better are you? The only replacement for him is Joyce and he's done marvellous hasn't he?
I never said i would do any better than him,i don't know where that came from! Loye should hav been in the squad and Joyce should have been playing,at least Joyce has an ODI 100. He did better against Kenya than Vaughan did. If he was given the same amount of games I'm sure Joyce would get more runs.

[Will_NA]

regardless of whether he's trying or not, he is a batting liability to the team

i was about to say pietersen will get out trying to be over-ambitious

[Eddie]

game over..we can all go home

[PhilD123]

I would just like to point back to posts before the match when people were saying forget the negative things and support the team. Well the same people are now having a go at England, lets give them a chance hey.

As I speak KP out! We look in trouble, but I think a score of 200 would be competitive, look how hard it got to bat 2nd last week against Bangladesh at the same ground.

Anyway, at least Strauss looks in pretty good nick, we need him to get a big one.

EDIT: I agree that Loye should be in the squad, but dont have a go at Vaughan for it.

[Will_NA]

game over..we can all go home

we are home

[evertonfan]

I never said i would do any better than him,i don't know where that came from! Loye should hav been in the squad and Joyce should have been playing,at least Joyce has an ODI 100. He did better against Kenya than Vaughan did. If he was given the same amount of games I'm sure Joyce would get more runs.

Loye's not in the squad is he? We can only play with what we've got.

[Eddie]

probly won't top 170 now

[Adarsh]

Loye's not in the squad is he? We can only play with what we've got.
That's no excuse for Vaughan playing like a duck!

[evertonfan]

game over..we can all go home

Oh really? There's at least 80 overs left yet...

[PhilD123]

game over..we can all go home
probly won't top 170 now
Can you stop with all these negative one-line comments? It is quite annoying, give the lads a chance to shine instead of just having ago after just 18 overs of the match. If we lose the match heavily, then you have the right to criticise, however, lets wait and see first.

Remember, 8 an over from here gets us to 312... :p

[Will_NA]

Remember, 8 an over from here gets us to 312... :p

Well, when you put it like that......... ;)

[Eddie]

can u hear the supporters in the crowd?

they are chanting "what a load of rubbish"

[wolf]

If we get above 200 we will have a chance but I won't hold my breath.

[Eddie]

thankfully the south africans are the biggest bottlers in world cricket...so yes 220 "might" be enuff

[stevie]

can u hear the supporters in the crowd?

they are chanting "what a load of rubbish"

I don't blame them. They follow this team through thick and thin, spend thousands of pounds to watch them all round the world and they keep seeing the same dreadful ODI performances. It's pathetic.

[aussie_ben91]

Kallis is due for a single-figured score. South Africa seem to crumble without him.

[formula1man]

vaughan isn't doing well i'm ozzy so haven't seen much of him let alone doing well but i couldn't do any better but you would think the selectors would realise he's struggling and drop him or even move him down the order. kp getting out is going to be costly but i can't believe strauss isn't out yet. he is a great player he just has the worst luck he always get given out when he's not.

[masterkhan]

Man When will Australia lose a match in the world cup
They haven't lost a match snice 99 world cup.

[formula1man]

Man When will Australia lose a match in the world cup
They haven't lost a match snice 99 world cup.
NEVER !!!!

[arkmarkell]

so much for all the hype of KP havin a big impact in this game, South africa have the last laugh. with south africas top order startin to fire i dont see a smallish total being that challenging.

[angryangy]

On current form, Kallis is due for a 50 every second match.

[formula1man]

they are really lookin in some bother

[Eddie]

well i did say we would be lucky to get 170..

might not get 150..

basically playing with 7-8 mens..carrying too many out of form players

England are getting exactly what they deserve ..NOTHING !

[Oddball]

SA bowling not looking so "1-Dimensional anymore"....

[Eddie]

yes it is...

its just England batting is 1-dimentional..defensive, unimaginativeand GUTLESS

[arkmarkell]

sa bowling has been amazing to say the least...backed up by some excellent captaincy.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

England is now gone for sure . 121/7 :eek: they need some miracle :(

[masterkhan]

Flintoff Didn't play good in this world cup.

[Eddie]

5 wickets for 10 runs off 3-4 overs

[formula1man]

mahmood fabulous 50 lol ;)

[skater]

These players aren't fit to wear the shirt. The way they talk a game up, they should be 500-0 after 50 overs and bowl South Africa out for 10.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Andrew hall is finishing the job fast :p , now if Bopara can now add more 50 runs :upray

[Eddie]

may as well have a swing.. cos we ain't gonna defend this total..may as well at least "TRY" to get 150+

[themuel1]

SA bowling not looking so "1-Dimensional anymore"....

I think its more England. England could be playing my dad's team (off over 40 somthings) and would probably be as badly off!

I can't believe England haven't even tried to change the order of batting. They have done nothing to try and reverse the slump. WE miss Tresco (no matter what anyone says about him not deserving to play for England). Saj Mahmood I don't have any words that could describe him that wouldn't get me banned. I'll use waste of space as an understatement. Hopefully, when Jones is back, Saj will be out.

Aparantly, the England batsmen look dogy even in the nets.....

The only good thing to come out of this tournament is Ravi.

Let's see if the Saffies live up to their Choking reputation!

:p

[masterkhan]

Man What Wrong with England in this Match?

[stevie]

Man What Wrong with England in this Match?

This match? Outside of England (we have on occasions been quite good in England) we have been an awful ODI side for a few years now. Quite frankly we don't deserve to go through and the fact we've got this close to going through proves the super 8 stage is crap. Should've been quarter finals with the top sides in each group playing second place side.

[ZexyZahid]

I don't understand why Smith took Hall of the bowling attack. He was bowling good and taking wickets. Does he actually want England to score runs?

[Oddball]

You guys say England are so bad, but these guys beat Australia in Australia for crying out loud! Now how do you explain that?

[stevie]

You guys say England are so bad, but these guys beat Australia in Australia for crying out loud! Now how do you explain that?

Just one of those runs where everything went for them. Australia certainly didn't play as well as they have through the WC so far.

[themuel1]

You guys say England are so bad, but these guys beat Australia in Australia for crying out loud! Now how do you explain that?

They got lucky. A couple of players excelled (i.e. Collingwood........erm...).

England need people to attack at the start of the innings, look at the Aussies for christ sake. Have to do it a different way though don't we....

[masterkhan]

ravi bopara is still batting I think he is Englands future.

[Eddie]

well i said 150...i was d@mn close..

probly loose by 7 wkts and 20 overs

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Hall got the last wicket with his final ball . his first 5wiclket haul :) great preformance by Proteas :clap

[Leicester Fox]

we were gay but we can win this,Jimmy and Monty and Freddie and saj! C'arn lads! Well if we do lose its not all bad,hopefully this will mean Broad gets a game against the Windies and we can see the future of English cricket in action!

[masterkhan]

154 is a easy score for South Africa
look like England are Out Of it.

[Drewska]

If I could show my full opinion on that batting performance...well there would be a lot of these **** involved.

South Africa did bowl well yes, but we should be able to get 200 at least, minnows are the teams who scraped up 150, not test nations.

[Turbanation]

this is just embrasing now tbh

[Will_NA]

that innings was depressing. Bopara should bat up the order, maybe even open.

[RoboRocks]

minnows are the teams who scraped up 150, not test nations.

Were minnows in with mask on in ODI's.

[themuel1]

Good god. Mahmood went for 15 off of his first over. Now they are both attacking him. Hopefully this will be good for him. His confidence will be so low he will quit cricket completely and make the decision the selectors don't seem capable of making!

Just because he can bowl at 90mph doesn't mean he'll ever be a good bowler.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Saffers are playing like they are in the slog overs or the run rate require is too high :p

[skater]

Fletcher out. Vaughan out in ODIs. Sijo > Mahmood.

[RoboRocks]

Lets forget the West Indies next game and just go home.
I don't want to see another drubbing.

[Leicester Fox]

Lets not! Broad might play!

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Villiers out after his quickfire knock :clap let see if any miracle can happen now :(

[Drewska]

We got a wicket! The match-fixing stuff must be true!

[themuel1]

Lets not! Broad might play!

I very much doubt that. If it does happen Mahmood will be dropped to "Rest him." Prior and Yardy should be there!!!! :p


Oh, Mahmood's fielding has just excelled.... :rolleyes:

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

What a silly mis-field by Mahmood :p

[angryangy]

If I could show my full opinion on that batting performance...well there would be a lot of these **** involved.

South Africa did bowl well yes, but we should be able to get 200 at least, minnows are the teams who scraped up 150, not test nations.What's most disappointing is that it was in 48 overs. A quick collapse would've been more dignified than finishing with the number of runs they should've had by the 30th over.

[evertonfan]

Well all you can do is laugh when you look at the comparison in run-rates really; i.e us being 7-0 after 5 and South Africa being 50+ for no wicket at the same stage. We are simply miles behind the rest of the pack and even the minnows can use powerplays better than us.

I'm not going to be a moaner and start blaming players for being crap and call for them to be dropped because believe it or not, they aren't playing badly on purpose. The one thing that we can learn from this World Cup (well not learn, more of a confirmation) is that Fletcher's time is up.

[jonah]

I'm almost glad we're going out of the World Cup. After years of watching England I should know better than to build up my hopes before each match only to watch the same old tripe game after game.
Well played the Saffers. It's like watching men against boys. The comparisons they keep showing between the run rates sums it up.
Embarrassing.

[ZexyZahid]

What a beating South Africa is giving to England. And Smith just hit 3 fours in a row just to show the difference.

[masterkhan]

man This Match was really One-Sided

South Africa are playing as if they are chasing 434

[ZexyZahid]

Smith is caught by the wicketkeeper, but it was off a no ball. :laugh Next ball four hit by Smith. Great cricket.

[angryangy]

Smith is caught by the wicketkeeper, but it was off a no ball. :laugh Next ball hit by Smith. Great cricket.And then, as if they haven't paid enough, they pay some more.

[ZexyZahid]

And then, as if they haven't paid enough, they pay some more.

Even funnier. Nixon could have run out Smith on that ball, if he wasn't celebrating/appealing.

[jonah]

Even funnier. Nixon could have run out Smith on that ball, if he wasn't celebrating/appealing.

Still, we may be crap, but at least we got through the group stage. What's that saying about people in glass houses?

Thank god that's all over. Best thing about it was watching the babes in the crowd.

[ZexyZahid]

South Africa wins by 9 wickets!! And they reach the semi finals. Great cricket of them. Both with the bat and ball.

Still, we may be crap, but at least we got through the group stage. What's that saying about people in glass houses?

Thank god that's all over. Best thing about it was watching the babes in the crowd.

I guess you've got no other way to show your frustation. ;)

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

9000 runs for Kallis , Proteas won by 9 wickets and reach the semi finals :clap .excellent cricket by them

[masterkhan]

That was a quick finish by South Africa

[angryangy]

You'd think England would have an idea of what to do in an innings after watching stuff like this close up.

[wolf]

If we play players that can get us off to a good start when batting it might help. Mal Loye. Darren Maddy. Anyone. We just watch the same old tripe again and again.

Get rid of Fletcher. He can't pick a team, or pick the right batting line up.

[bulletproof nun]

lets hope this sends the rocket up the back sides of those in power, good knows we need it.

Anyone know if Boyd Rankin has an english grannie, god knows he would be than mahmood.

From my perspective it looks like we dont treat one-dayers seriously, we treat them as a shorter version of test matches, not the seperate displince they are. Players like Mal Loye and Dimi Mascheranous have never been given a proper chance. Vaughn, whilst he is undersputibly a quality test player, he just doesnt have the necessary skills for ODI's, an average of 26 says it all. Flintoff is a shadow of his former-self. Bopara and Pieitersen are the only batsmen i have seen play with any authority. I dont know where to start with the bowling, i really dont And as far as fielding is concerened we are simply not on the same level as the top sides.

On a more general level there seems to be an ever increasing level of underperformance within English sport, Cricket team we all know about, Football team completely uninspiring and the Rugby team are hardly world-beaters. At least Lewis Hamilton is doing well :rolleyes:

[themuel1]

lets hope this sends the rocket up the back sides of those in power, good knows we need it.

Anyone know if Boyd Rankin has an english grannie, god knows he would be than mahmood.

From my perspective it looks like we dont treat one-dayers seriously, we treat them as a shorter version of test matches, not the seperate displince they are. Players like Mal Loye and Dimi Mascheranous have never been given a proper chance. Vaughn, whilst he is undersputibly a quality test player, he just doesnt have the necessary skills for ODI's, an average of 26 says it all. Flintoff is a shadow of his former-self. Bopara and Pieitersen are the only batsmen i have seen play with any authority. I dont know where to start with the bowling, i really dont And as far as fielding is concerened we are simply not on the same level as the top sides.

On a more general level there seems to be an ever increasing level of underperformance within English sport, Cricket team we all know about, Football team completely uninspiring and the Rugby team are hardly world-beaters. At least Lewis Hamilton is doing well :rolleyes:


Agree with all of that. Freddie still feeling the effects of the 5-0 in Australia?

[bulletproof nun]

Anyway its student night at the local club, so time for me to go drown my sorrows :cheers :rolleyes:

[Adarsh]

Can you stop with all these negative one-line comments? It is quite annoying, give the lads a chance to shine instead of just having ago after just 18 overs of the match. If we lose the match heavily, then you have the right to criticise, however, lets wait and see first.

The lads shone alright. Is it time to start the criticism? Where shall I start. Well, the really annoying thing is England didn't look like they cared. I'm sure they did, but the way they played was appalling. Sometimes you take defeat on the chin, and give credit to the opposition, but England were awful. Remember, this is their job and they are getting paid for this. Based on this perhaps they shouldn't be.

To quote a friend,"England's tactics - see off the "new ball" for the first 30 overs and dart to 150 ao". They should retire from one day cricket.

[Sureshot]

Anyone still want this set-up to coach our future ODI teams?

We're 20 years behind the norm.

I can't sum up what I feel without repeating what anyone has said, or what people think.

I'd like to see Broad given a go on Saturday, for some important WC experience.

Players who can hold their head high: Strauss and Bopara, the latter is 21 coming on 22 yet shows more calm and experience than most of the top 6. Strauss looked quite good, clever captaincy was his downfall, cracking catch too.

Credit to South Africa they did play well, but we sure helped them. That start set up the momentum (lack of) for the rest of the innings, from those first 5 overs we were set to lose.

[Cricketman]

I thought nixon had a good cup...

[Sureshot]

Me too, still looks fallible at times (like tonight) but overall he's done well. Though he's not going to be in Asia in four years time is he?

[John Adams]

Ok so after my last post here, I turned off my pc, and went to enjoy the cricket. I saw Vaughan hit some nice shots, and was happy he was seeming to find some touch, then he went out. Of course I saw Bell get out in a skier as well. But then KP came in and I was real excited, and with Nel bowlin, I thought it was gonna be a ripper. Then KP get's out cheaply. It was around 1245am my time at that time, and I was lying on the couch half asleep watching Strauss (who played some fine shots earlier), and Collingwood play, and I could't hack it anymore, due to tiredness, and went to bed. Now I see England have lost. I'm sorry England are out. I mean i'm sorry for the fans of the English cricket team, you guys deserve better....

[Dare]

am i so wrong to think that if you are good in tests but suck in odis that you shouldn't play ODIs. why cant england do what australia did with Clark and just not play him because he is not made for ODIs. Vaughan obviously isn't cut out to play ODI cricket so he shouldn't be playing. but also full blame doesn't fall on him because like a few other teams in the VC he didn't have the best side with him.

[masterkhan]

am i so wrong to think that if you are good in tests but suck in odis that you shouldn't play ODIs. why cant england do what australia did with Clark and just not play him because he is not made for ODIs. Vaughan obviously isn't cut out to play ODI cricket so he shouldn't be playing. but also full blame doesn't fall on him because like a few other teams in the VC he didn't have the best side with him.
Yeah But Vaughan is a good Captain thats wht he plays.

[aussie1st]

Looks like that SA bowling attack was having it's on day and boy did Hall come to the party.
150 is never enough when you have Smith going crazy scoring 80s in 50 balls.

This is probably the end of Vaughan in the ODI arena, being a great captain but average opener just isn't good enough for this day and age.

[irottev]

What a hammering. England should have beaten South Africa.

I say never bat first on these surfaces if you can help it. Mind you, I doubt it would have changed much. Maybe SA would have posted a 300 score.

[Dare]

This is probably the end of Vaughan in the ODI arena, being a great captain but average opener just isn't good enough for this day and age.

yea thats what i mean, just being a great captain shouldn't guarantee you a spot in the team. if he is a great captain than maybe england can have 2 captains, Vaughan in tests and someone else in ODIs. I know its not greatly practised in cricket but it might work.

[aussie1st]

The way SA were going looked like they could have posted 400 with Smith making a double 100.

yea thats what i mean, just being a great captain shouldn't guarantee you a spot in the team. if he is a great captain than maybe england can have 2 captains, Vaughan in tests and someone else in ODIs. I know its not greatly practised in cricket but it might work.

The Aussies did this twice in their transition stage first with Mark Taylor/Steve Waugh then Waugh/Ponting. For England they have to do it as Vaughan's ODI record just isn't good enough. Strauss looks like a good captain so I would the captaincy to him.

[Justcrazy]

Ohh boy, Hall joins the party as well...come on SA!!!! Lets take revenge in Semi for 1999 and knock Aussie out of the WC Final. SA should bat first against AUssie and set target around 300 and ask pollock to do the early damage...come on boys.

[stevie]

Strauss looks like a good captain so I would the captaincy to him.

Agreed.

A lot of pundits seem to be of the opinion that he is the same type of player as Vaughan, Joyce and Bell. To a certain extent they are, but in my opinion he is far more positive than those three, he is always looking for the opportunity to cut, pull and drive. I'll never forget a couple of his innings during the NatWest series against Pakistan, especially his 50 at the Rose Bowl, where he used he feet and smashed Asif through the covers and mid-wicket.

[irottev]

I don't know why England dropped Joyce when he actually has an ODI hundred. He's better then Vaughan.

Strauss for captain. Drop Vaughan.

[MUFC1987]

Meh, we got as far as our ranking and generally our players suggested, the good news is that most of the team is young, so they should all be around to have a crack in a few years time.

Anyways, at least I can get to enjoying the cricket now. A Sri Lanka V South Africa final would be great, just because it means that Australia and New Zealand won't be able to win it.

[aussie_ben91]

Give Pietersen ago at the captaincy. Maybe then he'll stop playing stupid selfish shots when it isn't required.

[irottev]

To be fair, it was required really. He was 3 off 15 and his side was going very slowly.

[Drewska]

Vaughan: "I'm not quitting ODI's" What a pleb, I hope they drop him.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Vaughan: "I'm not quitting ODI's" What a pleb, I hope they drop him.


I think he will be drop now , after his performance at world Cup :(

[RoboRocks]

I hope so, I would like actully see Collingwood as captian.
He is the only England player that knows his game at the moment.

[angryangy]

attn: England
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21578446-23212,00.html

[Eddie]

Undermines the team if vaughan stays..

how can he justify dropping anyone when you are only averaging 15 with the bat ?

For me we need 2 more "hitters" people capable of hitting sixes. If you lok at other teams, they have 4-5 people capable of hiting over the ropes.. It puts too much pressure on KP with all these people hititng singles and expecting him to hit the runs/.

[John Adams]

Ok I gotta ask this question. Sure I like KP alot, but I like Ponting more lol. So now KP has made little runs lately, hows his and Ponting's one day best batsmen ranking comparison going? Is KP still number 1?

Just curious....

[Sureshot]

I hope so, I would like actully see Collingwood as captian.
He is the only England player that knows his game at the moment.


Strauss did a decent job as captain imo, plus if we can get him and Tres back together :lickslips: (We need an emoticon for that).

Ok I gotta ask this question. Sure I like KP alot, but I like Ponting more lol. So now KP has made little runs lately, hows his and Ponting's one day best batsmen ranking comparison going? Is KP still number 1?

Just curious....


http://www.lgiccrankings.com/odi/batting/rankings.php

I'd rather have Ponting btw, but KP is good enough and should muller the WIndies attack this summer.

Ok so after my last post here, I turned off my pc, and went to enjoy the cricket. I saw Vaughan hit some nice shots, and was happy he was seeming to find some touch, then he went out. Of course I saw Bell get out in a skier as well. But then KP came in and I was real excited, and with Nel bowlin, I thought it was gonna be a ripper. Then KP get's out cheaply. It was around 1245am my time at that time, and I was lying on the couch half asleep watching Strauss (who played some fine shots earlier), and Collingwood play, and I could't hack it anymore, due to tiredness, and went to bed. Now I see England have lost. I'm sorry England are out. I mean i'm sorry for the fans of the English cricket team, you guys deserve better....


Could you just check your passport for me again please :D

Good post.

In Australia do you have just the one one-day tournament? If so does it replicate an ODI, in terms of rules?

[John Adams]

Thanks for the link, and the post compliment sureshot. And my passport? I sound like an English supporter? Well I do feel for you guys. When England are playing any team other than Australia, I always want them to win. And in our summers we have test and one day series over the course of the summer. And yea rules seem same as usual. Power plays n all lol and yes just the one...

:)

[Leicester Fox]

5 ball overs against Sri Lanka,umpire fielding for the oppo,soccer Am's got it right,we were screwed :p

[The_gas]

Well that was terrible, i stopped watching atfer we lost freddy as i knew it was all over.
Fletcher out, vaughan out, move freddie up the order so we can take advantage of the early power plays. I see no point in freddie comming in at 6 or 7, making 5 runs and getting out. Drop Saj Mahmood for Evertonfan. Bring plunket back in.

Gas's one day team

Trescothick (if he's up to it)
Strauss
Flintoff
Bopara
Pieterson
Bell
Collingwood
Prior
Plunket*
Anderson
Broad
Panesar

*12th man, or possible swap with broad or anderson.

[John Adams]

How would it be if KP and Freddie opened in one dayers? Anyone see them do Gilchrist-Hayden type roles?

[Eddie]

Well that was terrible, i stopped watching atfer we lost freddy as i knew it was all over.
Fletcher out, vaughan out, move freddie up the order so we can take advantage of the early power plays. I see no point in freddie comming in at 6 or 7, making 5 runs and getting out. Drop Saj Mahmood for Evertonfan. Bring plunket back in.

Gas's one day team

Trescothick (if he's up to it)
Strauss
Flintoff
Bopara
Pieterson
Bell
Collingwood
Prior
Plunket*
Anderson
Broad
Panesar

*12th man, or possible swap with broad or anderson.

bit of a waste having KP at 5..

Bell + colly at 6/7..don't have the power to accelerate the innings

I wouldn't pick Bell..too easily bogged-down..to authodox and to easy to stop him scoring..

My ideal line-up would be: (assuming all available + fit)

Trescothick
Strauss
Pieterson
Collingwood
Flintoff
Bopara
Prior
Plunket/ jones if fit
Broad
Panesar
Anderson

[aussie1st]

attn: England
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21578446-23212,00.html

Lol a 38 year old they would be getting desperate.

[IloveGilly]

How would it be if KP and Freddie opened in one dayers? Anyone see them do Gilchrist-Hayden type roles?

Wouldn't work out to well if they both got out early would it? Although it would be a gamebreaking partnership.

[John Adams]

Wouldn't work out to well if they both got out early would it? Although it would be a gamebreaking partnership.

Well aint that the same for Gi oh i get ya, coz we have such a great long batting line up we have back ups they dont. Well least I tried lol :)

[aussie1st]

If you got Trescothick in the side not much need for Flintoff to open, KP definitely should be the 3.

[Sagacious]

This is a great game, the first half of the match was test match (154 in 48 overs) and now its Twenty20.

From cricinfo (Eng Vs SAF) :laugh

[angryangy]

Lol a 38 year old they would be getting desperate.Old guy who scores runs > entire team who doesn't.

[evertonfan]

Stuart Law is absolute quality. I wouldn't be ashamed to see him in the England squad. If he'd been English all his life then he'd have more than 1 Test cap.

[Sureshot]

My ideal one day team...

Trescothick
Prior
Strauss
KP
Collingwood
Bopara
Flintoff
Plunkett
Panesar
Anderson
Broad/Kirtley (I know he's old but he's got nous)

[evertonfan]

Who's your skipper Sureshot?

And Kirtley should be in the team. He is grossly underrated.

[aussie_ben91]

Why do all the England batsman bar Pietersen have such bad First-Class records? I'd expect atleast Strauss, Collingwood or Trescothick to average atleast over 45 & county cricket isn't the strongest domestic competition going round either.

Interesting article on England's OD captains. None of them are any good supposedly.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/290732.html

You English have got to bat Pietersen at 3 regardless of whose in the side. His by far way superior then anyone in the country at batting and he could very well go down as England's best ever batsman when his career finishes. You can't afford to waste him.

Can Stuart Law even play for England?

[evertonfan]

Yes he can.

[MUFC1987]

Why do all the England batsman bar Pietersen have such bad First-Class records? I'd expect atleast Strauss, Collingwood or Trescothick to average atleast over 45 & county cricket isn't the strongest domestic competition going round either.

Pah, this shows the strength of county cricket. Take Trescothick, he mostly plays on a small ground and one of the best batting wickets in the country, and he averages 35. He plays in Tests against the best players in the world and averages 44. Coincidence? I think not.

[aussie_ben91]

Well Hussey's FC average of 54 is based on him averaging 80 in county cricket and 40 in Aus domestic cricket along side International cricket.

Why do you think we have so many players averaging in mid to high 40's who play county cricket but can't make it into the International side?

[Sureshot]

Who's your skipper Sureshot?

And Kirtley should be in the team. He is grossly underrated.


Strauss.

Kirtleys death bowling is better than any England bowler bar Flintoff.

[ZexyZahid]

Ireland went out cheaply against Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka seems to want to quickly end the match, although they already lost two quick wickets for 31 runs.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Tharanga and Sangakara again failed today :p

[angryangy]

Why do all the England batsman bar Pietersen have such bad First-Class records? I'd expect atleast Strauss, Collingwood or Trescothick to average atleast over 45 & county cricket isn't the strongest domestic competition going round either.Pah, this shows the strength of county cricket. Take Trescothick, he mostly plays on a small ground and one of the best batting wickets in the country, and he averages 35. He plays in Tests against the best players in the world and averages 44. Coincidence? I think not.These guys must have superpowers, then.

David Hussey
3791 runs @ 59.23 for Nottinghamshire
2801 runs @ 42.43 for Victoria

Michael Di Venuto
7256 runs @ 49.02 for Derbyshire
1067 runs @ 41.03 for Sussex
9170 runs @ 40.04 for Tasmania

Martin Love
1739 runs @ 69.56 for Northamptonshire
2718 runs @ 57.82 for Durham
10287 runs @ 46.13 for Queensland

Murray Goodwin
8418 runs @ 53.27 for Sussex
4308 runs @ 41.02 for Western Australia

Cameron White
1190 runs @ 59.50 for Somerset
2405 runs @ 30.83 for Victoria

Phil Jaques
1148 runs @ 88.30 for Worcestershire
2477 runs @ 61.92 for Yorkshire
1409 runs @ 58.70 for Northamptonshire
3656 runs @ 46.27 for New South Wales

Stuart Law
8538 runs @ 58.88 for Essex
5864 runs @ 57.49 for Lancashire
9920 runs @ 43.13 for Queensland

Darren Lehmann
8871 runs @ 68.76 for Yorkshire
12070 runs @ 56.93 for South Australia
2098 runs @ 41.96 for Victoria

Brad Hodge
3043 runs @ 62.10 for Leicestershire
9509 runs @ 45.93 for Victoria

Mike Hussey
1074 runs @ 76.71 for Durham
5194 runs @ 78.69 for Northamptonshire
8006 runs @ 42.13 for Western Australia

Justin Langer
3968 runs @ 61.04 for Middlesex
9181 runs @ 51.57 for Western Australia

[masterkhan]

Man thats was a Quick match between Ireland and Sri Lanka
Man I can't Believe We Lost To Them.

[icyman]

I can;t believe that we lost to Bangladesh who lost to Ireland :p

[andrew_nixon]

You can blame me for the quick match.

I was doing the commentary on CricketEurope, and after Bray scored two fours in a row, I wrote this:

Bray looking in good form here.
And the collapse started on the next ball. Talk about the commentator's curse!

[LA ICE-E]

Man thats was a Quick match between Ireland and Sri Lanka
Man I can't Believe We Lost To Them.
I can;t believe that we lost to Bangladesh who lost to Ireland :p
Ireland played competitively through out the wc bar this match and the aussie match. So i don't know what you're whinging about. And to get this in prospective for you, the teams they weren't competitive against were australia who is one class above the rest and sri lanka who beat india pretty comfortably too.

[Sureshot]

These guys must have superpowers, then.

David Hussey
3791 runs @ 59.23 for Nottinghamshire
2801 runs @ 42.43 for Victoria

Michael Di Venuto
7256 runs @ 49.02 for Derbyshire
1067 runs @ 41.03 for Sussex
9170 runs @ 40.04 for Tasmania

Martin Love
1739 runs @ 69.56 for Northamptonshire
2718 runs @ 57.82 for Durham
10287 runs @ 46.13 for Queensland

Murray Goodwin
8418 runs @ 53.27 for Sussex
4308 runs @ 41.02 for Western Australia

Cameron White
1190 runs @ 59.50 for Somerset
2405 runs @ 30.83 for Victoria

Phil Jaques
1148 runs @ 88.30 for Worcestershire
2477 runs @ 61.92 for Yorkshire
1409 runs @ 58.70 for Northamptonshire
3656 runs @ 46.27 for New South Wales

Stuart Law
8538 runs @ 58.88 for Essex
5864 runs @ 57.49 for Lancashire
9920 runs @ 43.13 for Queensland

Darren Lehmann
8871 runs @ 68.76 for Yorkshire
12070 runs @ 56.93 for South Australia
2098 runs @ 41.96 for Victoria

Brad Hodge
3043 runs @ 62.10 for Leicestershire
9509 runs @ 45.93 for Victoria

Mike Hussey
1074 runs @ 76.71 for Durham
5194 runs @ 78.69 for Northamptonshire
8006 runs @ 42.13 for Western Australia

Justin Langer
3968 runs @ 61.04 for Middlesex
9181 runs @ 51.57 for Western Australia

There's no denying that Australian Grade Cricket (or whatever you call your first class) is stronger but then it's not surprising. You have a third of the teams, a stronger set up in general as you have people with brains in the positions to decide, how many of the team are home qualified players? 10/11 most games? Normally 8/9 in England.

It is weird though, you mention those players who all average 10-30 more in England than they do Aus. Yet some of our Test players (Bell, Cook, KP all have good FC records imo) like Tres and Colly average more in Tests. So it's quite confusing from that POV. Australia is stronger(est) in general.

Australian FC bowlers>England FC bowlers
Australians in England do better than Englands in England (On a whole)
yet some of our players don't have good FC records (Tres for instance) yet you'd say he's our 2nd best batsman. (Though his FC average would be going up, I'd imagine).

It's weird.

[angryangy]

Well, Warnie has a weak record bowling for Victoria, but that's mostly because he was playing for Australia in his 8th match. Trescothick played a lot of cricket before he was selected. He wasn't very old, though, still only 24. Perhaps it was a brilliant gamble that he would hit his peak, perhaps cushy Taunton just was never interesting enough.

Whatever differentiates all these players, it is locked within their minds. Trescothick blossomed in international cricket, while Ramprakash and Hick wilted.

[MUFC1987]

I don't see how you can use those averages to prove anything though. Overseas players come to England because they're good players, normally playing well and showing how good they are. Whereas in Australian Domestic cricket they can start badly for example at a young age, hence lowering the average. It's like if Trescothick played in Australia for the last 5 years, his average would be higher as he's developed into a better player than he was when he started his career in England.

[irottev]

Well thats a thrashing. Poor Ireland.

Their batting was never going to cope with the bowling friendly conditions.

[masterkhan]

I can't wait Till the Semi-Finals

[aussie1st]

Poor Ireland another thrashing :( Always going to struggle against that SL attack. Positive is they managed 2 wickets when defending only 81.

[LA ICE-E]

and they were batting well before the collapse began. Overall though you have to give it to ireland. They gave a lot to this wc, and only got thrashed twice. And beat/tie with 3 test nations that's 1 more than england did so far.

[irottev]

Definatly, Ireland achieved a lot this World Cup. Which is great for cricket.

[siddharth2002]

Definatly, Ireland achieved a lot this World Cup. Which is great for cricket.
Only problem is where do they go from here. Will we see more of these so called good performing minnow teams.

[John Adams]

I hope so! For it is called the world cup, not the part of the world cup, so we need all teams performing so that cricket can thrive world wide :)

[aussie_ben91]

I don't see how you can use those averages to prove anything though. Overseas players come to England because they're good players, normally playing well and showing how good they are. Whereas in Australian Domestic cricket they can start badly for example at a young age, hence lowering the average. It's like if Trescothick played in Australia for the last 5 years, his average would be higher as he's developed into a better player than he was when he started his career in England.
That's why they can't get into the national side. I bet the strike-rates of the players listed would've been a bit higher aswell.

Here's a list of the highest FC averages in Australia.

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/AUS/DOMESTIC/SS/SS_BAT_HIGHEST_AVS.html

The list of the highest List-A averages in Australia.

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/AUS/DOMESTIC/DOD/DOD_BAT_HIGHEST_AVS.html

Bit deceptive, I think. Most of the older guys are up there probably due to the fact that didn't have a real heavy International schedule as the players today. That's not saying they didn't have class, but they had the sort of time Bevan's had (due to not being in the International side) to build heavy FC records.
It's also interesting that Steve Waugh had a better List-A record then FC record in Australia.

[LA ICE-E]

Only problem is where do they go from here. Will we see more of these so called good performing minnow teams.
Well, if you paid attention to the non-test nations then you would have got a hint that ireland and some of the other associates could have done this. Ireland won the intercontinental cup last year and are in the final of this years too. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/291015.html

Ireland have things lined up for them and have signs of a good future. Just look at the home support all of a sudden after their performance.

[siddharth2002]

Well, if you paid attention to the non-test nations then you would have got a hint that ireland and some of the other associates could have done this. Ireland won the intercontinental cup last year and are in the final of this years too. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/291015.html

Ireland have things lined up for them and have signs of a good future. Just look at the home support all of a sudden after their performance.
I meant playing with the test nations.

[icyman]

Well,the semi-finalists, are fixed I hope.
Aus v Saf
Nz v Srl
Or do the equations change if Nz beat Australia ?
That is unless the Kiwis rattle out Australia for 150 odd,and chase it down quickly.

[andrew_nixon]

Well,the semi-finalists, are fixed I hope.
Aus v Saf
Nz v Srl
Or do the equations change if Nz beat Australia ?
That is unless the Kiwis rattle out Australia for 150 odd,and chase it down quickly.The only thing confirmed is that South Africa will finish fourth and play in the second semi-final. If New Zealand beat Australia comprehensively enough, they will climb to first place and play South Africa.

[icyman]

Yeah,i hope that happens,not cause I want the Aussies to lose,but I really wanna see them wreck the Lankans again.
Btw, of these four mentioned who do you think will win ?

[aussie_ben91]

Australia are far by easily playing the best cricket at the moment.
NZ tend to lift when they play us though.

[Sureshot]

The only thing confirmed is that South Africa will finish fourth and play in the second semi-final. If New Zealand beat Australia comprehensively enough, they will climb to first place and play South Africa.


They have to overturn a 2.028 (Aus) to New Zealands 1.068. Won't they have to win by about 100 runs?

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/site/wc/points.html

[John Adams]

Wow we got a great net run rate! Thanks Ireland! :)

[Sagacious]

^
And thanks again to Ireland, BD is in 7th place now :D

btw, today 'mighty' BD is playing against WI.

[aus5892]

Still looks like an Aus v NZ final at this stage for me, Sri Lanka and South Africa I feel will not get to that level, SA will get some confidence from beating lowly England in a pressure game but still, England are poor most of the time. I feel that SL have a good side and consistently post good totals but NZ seem to match up so well to all the teams, their bowling attack is excellent and their batting lineup is not bad at all either, Aus v NZ for me at this stage, but then again who knows the South Africans might just come out of their shells at the right time and shock everyone!! :o

[charith]

Yeah,i hope that happens,not cause I want the Aussies to lose,but I really wanna see them wreck the Lankans again.
Btw, of these four mentioned who do you think will win ?

Doubt if there will be a wrecking again though. If they play SL again def be a better game

[Jaztheman]

Aus v Sri Lanka final for me Aus5892. It owuld make a great final for Sri Lanka away from their home.

[aussie1st]

The final could go either way really. SL have the players to beat NZ as they showed in the Super 8, SA pushed us and can probably chase a big total if needed. For SA all depends on which lineup turns up, they have the batters and bowlers to cause real problems.

[Sagacious]

I really want to see SAF winning this time, 1999 WC was painful :(

[angryangy]

I'm not sure what's more miserable about this game, the West Indies' pathetic score or that their pathetic score might actually be enough to win.

[Recluse]

Does anyone else feel Lara has devolved into an almost Afridi like player? In the worst sense that is... He tries to smack every ball for six, even the good ones and invariably fails. You can't help but feel he's playing to the crowd rather than the team's situation every time he comes out and bats which results in some ridiculous shots. It's sad to watch him now really, I'm just glad he's finishing with ODI cricket soon. He was one of the greatest batsmen of all time at his peak - now he is anything but.

[angryangy]

You can't use today's performance as an example, he came in at a time when smacking around was the right thing to do.

[aussie1st]

I reckon Lara has become a finisher in the latter part of his career. Today again showed that, hes probably letting some new guys settle into the number 3 and 4 role.

No upset today I see, Bangladesh batting had it's off day today. Windies top order is still to fire which is surprising although don't know why Smith got moved to open as Chanderpaul usually does a very good job opening.

[angryangy]

Windies top order is still to fire which is surprising although don't know why Smith got moved to open as Chanderpaul usually does a very good job opening.It's because it was Devon Smith, rather than Dwayne Smith.

It was another performance where you simply can not say their problem is no talent and no enough money and etc. Shiv Chanderpaul is one of the best batsmen in the world and today he stuttered out a Test innings on a magnificent pitch against one of the weaker sides. Chris Gayle is one of the most rated ODI dangermen and yet it's been three months since his last fifty. It doesn't matter how many would-be Bradmans you've got in the pipeline if your veterans can't even get bat on ball in the present.

It's often been said of Lara and Inzamam that they should have been more like Tendulkar and Ponting in their control over a match, come in and take over before there's a reason to panic, rather than waiting for a situation to need saving. In fact both players made excellent ODI openers, yet they chose to slink down the order. Now they're both gone and alas, even Tendulkar slinks down the order.

Is the 'finisher' role the rebirth of old men in ODI cricket? Moody's Sri Lanka have reaped the dividends of having an accomplished batsman at no. 7, though he's there to shepherd rather than to capitalise. Tendulkar could certainly do either and it would be a respectable new role as India look to build new openers and top order batsmen.

Certainly in the death, you want a guy who can spank the ball about. It's something that becomes a predicament for teams with bowling all-rounders; if they are not attacking stroke makers, they actually hurt the team by batting at six or seven.

[aussie1st]

Oram out of our match which is a shame but looks like Bond will be playing.
We have Watson back and he'll be bowling his full 10 and Hodge again the unlucky one to miss out.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Oram out of our match which is a shame but looks like Bond will be playing.
We have Watson back and he'll be bowling his full 10 and Hodge again the unlucky one to miss out.


Its reallly shame that Oram will miss todays match , hey Syl where u read that our Watson is coming back, can u please give me that link. Wow Watson is back :)

[aussie1st]

Right here - http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21586784-5012554,00.html

[LA ICE-E]

I meant playing with the test nations.
they're going to get matches against them too, ireland is set to get matches from west indies, india and south africa.

[surendar]

Mortaza seems to become as a genuine allrounder in future. The way Bangladesh started was impressive especially Mortaza moving the ball with 85Mph.. Windies struggled well. I thought Bangladesh will make it but it was Windies bowling which saved them! But still i feel, " Well done Bangladesh! ". :)

[irottev]

Sucks about Oram. I really got a scare this morning when I read it, but thankfully it seems as he still will be able to play the Semi and Final. Lets hope he does. 3 more injury free games please!

Aussies will be favourites tonight. So long as our 11 players put in a solid performance i'll be happy (no injuries either). Good to see they're moving Franklin up to 6. He's a bit like Oram and has the skills needed. Lets hope the top order can give him an easy job.

[aussie1st]

Mortaza seems to become as a genuine allrounder in future. The way Bangladesh started was impressive especially Mortaza moving the ball with 85Mph.. Windies struggled well. I thought Bangladesh will make it but it was Windies bowling which saved them! But still i feel, " Well done Bangladesh! ". :)

Yea looks like he could develop into a very good all rounder. He's been making 30 odd this WC regularly and we already know about his bowling. A few more years and his batting should be coming along very nicely.

[aussie_ben91]

I hope Hayden & Gilchrist decide to attack Bond's bowling tonight, it'd be interesting because I believe they can send him for a few. I want to see Bond get demolarized & just watch the rest of the team crumble behind him.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

I hope Hayden & Gilchrist decide to attack Bond's bowling tonight, it'd be interesting because I believe they can send him for a few. I want to see Bond get demolarized & just watch the rest of the team crumble behind him.


Well if Hayden and Gilly start attack Bond from the beginging then Bond might loose his line and length , which will be amazing :)

[aussie1st]

Depends on the pitch type, Bond has been lethal so far on most of these pitches and looks very hard to get away. Hayden usually doesn't advance down to him either which is his intimidation shot.

[irottev]

Ponting already said that they're going to be respecting Bond. So it's unlikly they will.

I've never seen Bond lose his line and length. I think he is incredibly strong mentally and a few attacking shots really won't affect him. It's defiantly the showdown of the tournament. Bond vs Hayden, both the best on show at the tournament.

If we bowl first and Bond swings it, I also hope Hayden and Gilchrist go after him. 2 early wickets suits me fine. If he's not swinging it, i'm sure he'll still get some kind of movement or will use his slower balls to defeat them.

I can understand you want to see your batsmen get revenge. Bond has dominated them that many times in the past.

Aussies vs Vettori may be more interesting. They may look to go after him.

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Ponting already said that they're going to be respecting Bond. So it's unlikly they will.

I've never seen Bond lose his line and length. I think he is incredibly strong mentally and a few attacking shots really won't affect him. It's defiantly the showdown of the tournament. Bond vs Hayden, both the best on show at the tournament.

If we bowl first and Bond swings it, I also hope Hayden and Gilchrist go after him. 2 early wickets suits me fine. If he's not swinging it, i'm sure he'll still get some kind of movement or will use his slower balls to defeat them.

I can understand you want to see your batsmen get revenge. Bond has dominated them that many times in the past.

Aussies vs Vettori may be more interesting. They may look to go after him.


Revenge is there on our mind , no doubt about that , but that doesnt mean we will play useless shots and give early wicket :noway

[aussie1st]

Aussies vs Vettori may be more interesting. They may look to go after him.

That would be a change of tact, usually we try to prevent him from causing too much damage. Will depend how Bond goes, wouldn't want 2 economical bowlers.

[aussie_ben91]

Hayden doesn't need the charge against Bond. If Bond pitches it up Hayden we'll just hit him over his head for 6 like his been doing all tournament. He done the same thing to Shoaib Akhtar a few years ago.

I think Cameron White got some sort of revenge on Bond by hitting him out of the stadium in Hobart but shortly after Bond got a hattrick.

[aussie1st]

If Bond pitches it up it's usually the inswinging yorker smashing into the stumps or the ball swinging both ways aka the Champions trophy.

[aus5892]

Bond is very dangerous, he has looked excellent all series, I have a feeling he could very well trouble Australia here. I think it's time for Gilchrist to get us off to a good start, has looked a little below par so far in this series.

Meanwhile, who is sleeping with Shane Watson's sister/daughter/mother or something? He can't bowl, can't bat in international cricket, and yet he is an automatic selection. Has shown nothing, once again the man who has a century more than several in the squad is dropped. Selectors should hang their heads in shame.

PS 2,000 Posts!!! Go me!

[charith]

I doubt they'll attack bond. Maybe if he's a bit short. Tends to be a bit short at times if there isn't any movement.

They'll target franklin and co for sure. I don't think they'd let revenge or pay back get into their head too much they'll just try to be clinical as possible.

Someone else needs to get runs for the kiwis though. Styris and Flemming have been doing the scoring on a consistent basis.

[Jaztheman]

Bond is the best seam bowler in the world, in my opinion, but is it brian charles lara's 299th ODI on saturday?

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Bond is the best seam bowler in the world, in my opinion, but is it brian charles lara's 299th ODI on saturday?


Yes it will be Lara's 299 ODI :) he should have played another game to reach the 300 barrier :D

[angryangy]

That would be a change of tact, usually we try to prevent him from causing too much damage.Not really sure why they'd do that, he's only taken more than 2 wickets on two occasions (incidentally, both at the Telstra Dome) against Australia. The greater part of the damage is him bowling ten overs for less than 40. I find he's usually in a good position because his lines to right handers are more cramping than those to left handers, of which the middle order is not full of.

[aussie_ben91]

Australia better bat first tonight. NZ overall are probably the team who I'd least want to see bat first against Australia. They don't have any real noticiable batsman who I like to watch either. Also I wanna see Australia bat before I head off to bed.

[Adarsh]

As an Aussie I'd have thought it would have been better for New Zealand to bat first. If Fleming chooses to bowl, then Bond and Franklin will have first use of this wicket and they can be quite dangerous.

[Leicester Fox]

bonds not playing according to sky sports :eek: