NationStates Jolt Archive

What over?

Make that 0/19 from 3.6 overs (4)

Make that 0/19 from 3.6 overs (4)

Meh, not bad going.

quite right you are - same ground as the Bang-SA game. Hence the decision to play Patel.
Bit surprised to see Bond in there. Thought they might rest him. Can't risk him getting injured at this time - and he is a fairly delicate sod.

Yeah he is, and apparently Gillespie is fit too and could have played. I guess they've decided that they were going to play their full strength team right through the super 8s, which isn't a bad policy really.

So Far Fulton is looking very good, Rankin not so much.


As I type that, Fleming hits rankin straight to backward point. 35-1.

Fleming is gone ...

5.4 Rankin to Fleming, OUT, Suddenly, against the run of play, Fleming falls. Full and wide, it was there to be hit but Fleming sliced it straight to point.
SP Fleming c Porterfield b Rankin 10 (11b 1x4 0x6) SR: 90.90

Lucky for Fleming he's a great captain. Because good WC notwithstanding, his batting doesn't really impress me. He averages about 39 in tests, and either makes nothing or scores a 250!

Not much running singles so far, it's either 2 or 4, and maybe a single here or there.

Hamish Marshall is out, 2/59 off 11 overs.

could have quite a game shaping up here.

But then, NZ does bat way down.

could have quite a game shaping up here.

But then, NZ does bat way down.

I suppose, but so far, Ireland aren't doing too badly.

Styris is out, 83/3 (16.3 ov)

Ireland are fighting hard here!

16.3 Langford-Smith to Styris, OUT, Styris falls. Done in by the change of pace. Scrambled seam and it floated outside off stump. Styris is bit early into his drive and nicks it behind. Smith does his jig again. Rolls his fist over each other and takes them behind and does a chicken act. At least, that's what it appears to me. Got to ask him in the PC.

Styris is out, 83/3 (16.3 ov)

Ireland are fighting hard here!

16.3 Langford-Smith to Styris, OUT, Styris falls. Done in by the change of pace. Scrambled seam and it floated outside off stump. Styris is bit early into his drive and nicks it behind. Smith does his jig again. Rolls his fist over each other and takes them behind and does a chicken act. At least, that's what it appears to me. Got to ask him in the PC.

You know, this is where my small part Irish suddenly becomes my full nationality.

"I'm not English, honest..."

You know, this is where my small part Irish suddenly becomes my full nationality.

"I'm not English, honest..."

You can chicken dance? :p

You can chicken dance? :p

Hell yes! :p

Fulton's out for 83. Shame. Would have been good to see him get a ton.
Now rain.
Think Ireland might have the slimmest of chances here.

NZ won by 129 runs, with Fulton getting 83 runs, and Vettori picking up 4-23 in bowling Ireland out. NZ scored 263-8 in 50 overs.
Highlight of the Irish bowling was McCallan with 2-35.

O'Brien hit 49, Ireland's best score. They were all bowled out for 134. Gotta feel sorry for them.

NZ won by 129 runs, with Fulton getting 83 runs, and Vettori picking up 4-23 in bowling Ireland out. NZ scored 263-8 in 50 overs.
Highlight of the Irish bowling was McCallan with 2-35.

O'Brien hit 49, Ireland's best score. They were all bowled out for 134. Gotta feel sorry for them.

That was one mighty tail collapse by the Irish but you can't expect the bowlers to score all your runs.

Once again, another comprehensive victory for New Zealand. Although things would have been much closer without that 80-odd by Fulton and the final partnership of McCullum and Franklin, or the Irish batting collapse towards the end. Things are going to be tough for New Zealand now, but i'm picking them to beat Sri Lanka. Now, Australia and South Africa, i'm not so sure...

I can see NZ beating SL, and quite possibly SA. They're not playing that good at the moment.
Oz will be a different kettle of fish altogether.
Of course they did beat them comfortably last time the two met.

SA vs the Windies on now.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first
South Africa 100/1 (19.2 ov)

Smith made just 8 ... doing well

Kallis and de Villiers have now got 50s.
1/125 off 23.4

so much for my, "SA aren't playing well at the moment"
Almost 100 scored off the last 15 overs. At this rate, they'll easily be over 300 (unless WI bowlers do something special).

Lara was in the paper today saying that his preference would be to bat first, look to score 280-300 odd and then put the Proteas under pressure. He said the Proteas haven't looked comfortable chasing (and based on their performance against Bangladesh and Australia, twould seem an astute comment)
Yet he wins the toss and opts to bowl.
rather odd.

so much for my, "SA aren't playing well at the moment"
Almost 100 scored off the last 15 overs. At this rate, they'll easily be over 300 (unless WI bowlers do something special).

Lara was in the paper today saying that his preference would be to bat first, look to score 280-300 odd and then put the Proteas under pressure. He said the Proteas haven't looked comfortable chasing (and based on their performance against Bangladesh and Australia, twould seem an astute comment)
Yet he wins the toss and opts to bowl.
rather odd.

I don't think the Windies can chase down 250, let alone 300.

I don't think the Windies can chase down 250, let alone 300.

Well in the end they chased down 250 with ease. The target was 100 more than that though.

Well in the end they chased down 250 with ease. The target was 100 more than that though.

356 ... another one for the big records.

England v Bangladesh today. Crunch match. If England lose, they're out. Similarly if Bangladesh lose, they're out.

England really ought to win, but it's by no means a certainty. Thoughts?

England v Bangladesh today. Crunch match. If England lose, they're out. Similarly if Bangladesh lose, they're out.

England really ought to win, but it's by no means a certainty. Thoughts?
I think England should take it.
Bangladesh had their moment in the sun last week against SA. They'll be back to their usual 'not-quite-there-yet' performance tonight.
I suspect their bowlers will take a hammering from Bell, Collingwood and - of course - Pieterson.

Why doesn't KP bat higher up the order? I would have thought 3 would be better for England at present, considering their current woes with the bat.

I think England should take it.
Bangladesh had their moment in the sun last week against SA. They'll be back to their usual 'not-quite-there-yet' performance tonight.
I suspect their bowlers will take a hammering from Bell, Collingwood and - of course - Pieterson.

Why doesn't KP bat higher up the order? I would have thought 3 would be better for England at present, considering their current woes with the bat.
I've wondered if it might be worth England opening with Vaughan (if he has to play) and Bell, with KP coming in at 3 and Collingwood at 4. If Flintoff could find some form, plus a wicket-keeper who could bat, then with Bopara in the side we'd bat all the way down to 7. Might actually be able to consistently put together a good total, plus it might prevent some of the total collapses we have far too often. Just an idea.

And England really should win today, but the Tigers will have a fair bit of confidence from beating SA. I'm a little worried, to be honest.

England should win, but if they only put in a half-hearted performance (as they often do), then Bangladesh have a real chance.

England should win, but if they only put in a half-hearted performance (as they often do), then Bangladesh have a real chance.

Even so, it would be pretty inexcusable for England to lose to Bangladesh. Heads would roll.

Well I don't think I am premature in writing off England.

Of course now they will go on to win the entire bloody thing....mainly coz the universe hates me today....

I really really really knew it was a bad idea to get up today!

Well I don't think I am premature in writing off England.

Of course now they will go on to win the entire bloody thing....mainly coz the universe hates me today....

I really really really knew it was a bad idea to get up today!

Oh come on, if England won the cup that would be BRILLIANT.

Oh come on, if England won the cup that would be BRILLIANT.

Oh totally and I would really rather enjoy the gloating here ;)

Oh totally and I would really rather enjoy the gloating here ;)

:D Gloating FTW.

Has England - Bangladesh started yet?

Has England - Bangladesh started yet?

No, not yet. Anyone got an idea of the start time?

No, not yet. Anyone got an idea of the start time?
2.30pm BST. Like all the Super 8 matches. ;)

2.30pm BST. Like all the Super 8 matches. ;)

Quiet you!

England *should* do 'em easy enough. Definitely the far better team on paper. But which England will turn up today?

England *should* do 'em easy enough. Definitely the far better team on paper. But which England will turn up today?

Better not be the "drunk Flinoff in a boat" England. :)

Better not be the "drunk Flinoff in a boat" England. :)

They'll be hoping its the 'carried by Pietersen and Collingwood' England. :p

On slightly cricket related news (well, sports related anyway), I have found a little poem people might appreciate;

"We had joy
We had fun
We beat roma 7 -1
Won the league
won the cup
Told the rest to get to fuck":D

On slightly cricket related news (well, sports related anyway), I have found a little poem people might appreciate;

"We had joy
We had fun
We beat roma 7 -1
Won the league
won the cup
Told the rest to get to fuck":D
Wasn't it around the end of April last year that Chelsea humiliated you 3-0?

Wasn't it around the end of April last year that Chelsea humiliated you 3-0?

possibly, but thats not the point.....:p

We're winning again, and we're damn well going to gloat about it. We haven't been able to do so since mid-2003.:D

Wasn't it around the end of April last year that Chelsea humiliated you 3-0?

He's getting a bit ahead of himself. The league is looking shaky. Considering Chelsea haven't lost at SB in the league for almost, what, 3 seasons?

England won the toss and put Bangladesh in.

Anderson goes for 8 off the first over, then a miracle occurs. Mahmood takes a wicket! Bangladesh 18-1 from four overs.

Wow. Mahmood's now got 2 wickets (and really should have 3, if Cricinfo is to be believed). Bangladesh 35-3 from ten overs.

Really can't see England losing this now. Surely. Bangladesh 47-5 from 13.1 overs. Ashraful out for just 1.

112-7 from 29 overs now. Monty getting his first wicket. First wicket to fall since the 16th over. Still need to get Hasan out, then it should be plain sailing. Or pedalo-ing.

I think we can safely say England's got this one in the bag. They're 8 down now.
If England can rack the winning runs up quickly, it'll boost their NRR, which would make things interesting...

don't count your chickens England can loose from any where especially a low total. two quick wickets and its brown trousers time

I think we can safely say England's got this one in the bag. They're 8 down now.
If England can rack the winning runs up quickly, it'll boost their NRR, which would make things interesting...
137-9 now. Well, if England are to get the runs quickly, we need to get KP and Collingwood in as quickly as possible...

don't count your chickens England can loose from any where especially a low total. two quick wickets and its brown trousers time
Hah. Two quick wickets, so long as it's Vaughan and Strauss who go, would be fine.

137-9 now. Well, if England are to get the runs quickly, we need to get KP and Collingwood in as quickly as possible...
well, I think we can safely say that'll happen. ;)

England need 144 to win.

I don't think there's ever been a better time for Vaughan to show that he can actually bat.

well, England certainly like making it hard for themselves don't they?
7/1 off 4.

Still no doubt they'll win this comfortably, but they'll hardly be worrying the other teams with their batting display.

What an outstanding batting display from England. With the possibility of, as DH said, boosting their net run rate, they take 45 overs to reach a target of 144, for the loss of six wickets.

Come on. I mean, sure, there's taking it easy, but that's ridiculous. Not exactly filling me full of confidence for the games against the West Indies and South Africa. If we don't make the semi-finals, no one can justifiably say that we didn't deserve to go out at this stage.

What an outstanding batting display from England. With the possibility of, as DH said, boosting their net run rate, they take 45 overs to reach a target of 144, for the loss of six wickets.

Come on. I mean, sure, there's taking it easy, but that's ridiculous. Not exactly filling me full of confidence for the games against the West Indies and South Africa. If we don't make the semi-finals, no one can justifiably say that we didn't deserve to go out at this stage.

We should have really trashed them. I think it's been obvious for a while that we have very little hope, I can see SA really thrashing us.

We should have really trashed them. I think it's been obvious for a while that we have very little hope, I can see SA really thrashing us.

Oh yes. Having seen how that pitch will play, I do fear for England facing Ntini either in the morning, or the afternoon.

That was hard work for England, good thing the Tigers didn't bat properly today.

For some reason England always seem to play at the level of their opponents. Canada, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. Apart from Australia England always seem to match their opponents for some reason.

Boy, the way the English batted today...you would think that it was Garner and Marshall themselves bowling (those were the bowling ends of the stadium).

3 maiden overs with 8 runs to win. That must be a record of sorts. Unless some miracle happens, I don't see England making the crucial wins against the better opponents that it is going to face from now on.

BD clearly defended 144 with spirit and looked the better team for the most part. If they had not lost the quick wickets at the top, they would have made a match of it.

NZ vs Sri Lanka is next game, now that's a going to be good! :)

10 maidens in 45 overs.
That's simply appalling batting from England.
They were lucky Bangladesh collapsed the way they did. Another 60-70 runs and it could easily have been Bangladesh's game.

Can't see them beating SA. Hope they do (and NZ does as well), simply because then it'd open up the table and make the last couple of games interesting.

NZ vs Sri Lanka is next game, now that's a going to be good! :)

No Malinga!

Well that was bloody awful as usual.

I really cannot see us beating the Saffa's....

No Malinga!

Good for NZ then! Still, I expect a real game.

Well that was bloody awful as usual.

I really cannot see us beating the Saffa's....

Not unless we get Kallis out early, and somehow find a way to play Ntini, Pollock and Nel. Incidentally, how on earth could they leave Andre Nel out?

Not unless we get Kallis out early, and somehow find a way to play Ntini, Pollock and Nel. Incidentally, how on earth could they leave Andre Nel out?

Oh thats easy! We have the worlds best fast bowler in Mahmood!

*ugh*

Oh thats easy! We have the worlds best fast bowler in Mahmood!

*ugh*

What about getting Goughie back into the team? :D

What about getting Goughie back into the team? :D

Doubt he could be worse than Mahmood....

Of course now having said that he'll bloody well go and get a 10 wicket haul! LOL

What the hell? I go upstairs to have a pee and come back to find fleming already out. Ross Taylor is in..

Oh dear, Fleming is out already when NZ went in to bat against Sri Lanka. Apparently an unlucky caught behind decision that wasn't.

Taylor is out now

2/4 in 2.2 overs (that's two wickets, not 4)

Oh dear, Fleming is out already when NZ went in to bat against Sri Lanka. Apparently an unlucky caught behind decision that wasn't.


It was an unlucky LBW decision the hit him just outside the line.


Woah, a run just happened. Exciting.

I love the BBC's Test Match Special.
1st over: WICKET Fleming lbw Vaas 0, NZ 1-1
Wicket falls

Knock me bandy - what a start! Skipper Fleming is almost lbw first ball to Chaminda V, shuffles across to the next left-arm over in-dipper and is trapped bango in front.:D

2/6 from 6.3? England would be proud!

Maharoof to Fulton, FOUR, Good reply. Shortish and Fulton swivelled off the front foot to pull it over midwicket. Now we have a contest.

Yes, first four of the game!

That's better, 3 fours in four balls!

33/2 in 11.3. :)

Comfortable win for Sri Lanka (just looking at the scorecard...only just got in (and yes, I'm straight on NSG :p)). More importantly, their NRR is now better than NZ's. Though that will probably be academic by the end, as SL have to play Aus and Ireland, while NZ are playing Aus and SA.

Go Lanka !!!

They look like the only team capable of beating Aussies, so I am supporting them from now on :D

Go Lanka !!!

They look like the only team capable of beating Aussies, so I am supporting them from now on :D

Don't write off NZ yet, I think losing 2 wickets so early stuffed them up. That slow start basically killed their chances of making a big score.

Go Lanka !!!

They look like the only team capable of beating Aussies, so I am supporting them from now on :D

Don't write off NZ yet, I think losing 2 wickets so early stuffed them up. That slow start basically killed their chances of making a big score.

I think the Kiwis are more likely. They were all over us at the end of the tri-series in Aus, then spanked us good & proper in the Chappell-Hadlee series.

We had to lose a game badly sooner or later, now we can bounce back and win our last for games.

Ireland 2 runs for 3 wickets, Tait on a hat-trick.


Carnage, although the last one was a pretty tentative shot. I guess the 150km ball did it.

Now 4/15 - that's with 4 wides. That old man McGrath has 2/3 from 3.

AR White just got clunked on the head by a McGrath bouncer, ouch!
He did duck into it though.

Err, now 5 down! That's 5/33 from 11.1 ...

Now 6/42 from 13.2! Ireland are starting to play like the last English Ashes team here.

Ireland are 6/47. They're totally buggered.

Tait is back, so that should be a few more runs for Ireland.

credit to Ireland: They beat England's worse OD batting performance of 86 all out against Oz in 2001.
Made 2 less than England's worse OD WC batting performance though.

Tough call as to who'll win this one, but my gut feeling says Australia.

Tough call as to who'll win this one, but my gut feeling says Australia.

Haha, I think that was a fairly safe bet.

I think tomorrow will be a good indication of whether or not Australia can be beaten. One of either SA or NZ really needs to put on a good display to prove that they still have a good shot, and given that I am very unbiased, (;)) I am hoping it's NZ.

NZ v South Africa tonight should be an absolute cracker. My tip is NZ in a close game.

Not the World Cup, but something a little closer to home for me.

Kent will not be taking any action against captain Rob Key after he admitted tampering with the ball during a pre-season friendly against Notts.

He was photographed at Canterbury using sandpaper on the ball in an attempt to obtain reverse swing.

A case of blatant cheating? Not according to Key.

Maybe I've been a bit naive but it didn't really occur to me that this might develop into a scandal.

And the award for most stupid cricketer of the season goes to...

:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/kent/6551241.stm

Not the World Cup, but something a little closer to home for me.



A case of blatant cheating? Not according to Key.



And the award for most stupid cricketer of the season goes to...

:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/kent/6551241.stm


Thats just dumb.:D

Incidentally, is anybody else keeping half an eye on the MCC match? If memory serves, Adil Rashid is only 17 or 18, and is battting bloody well at 8.

And the award for most stupid cricketer of the season goes to...

:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/kent/6551241.stm

Maybe a portable grinder would do a faster job? :)

SA vs the Kiwis is on!

SA are batting like Ireland did!
Smith and de Villiers are out already. 2/4 from 3.4 overs. Extras is highest scorer with 2.

Yeah go kiwis. Good toss to win lol, even if SA mighta batted if they had won.

It's going to be a virtual quarter final now when SA meets England.

The loser gets nothing.

The winner gets to lose in the next round.

Looking forward to it. :)

SA loses. Pathetic batting. Smith is having a wretched tournament.

Gibbs scoring 60 in 100 balls....that's very uncharacteristic...

They should be really cursing that loss to BD. :p

So, does this mean SA is out?

SA loses. Pathetic batting. Smith is having a wretched tournament.

Gibbs scoring 60 in 100 balls....that's very uncharacteristic...

They should be really cursing that loss to BD. :p

So, does this mean SA is out?

Nah SA can still get into the semis if they beat england.

So Australia, Sri Lanka and NZ are assured of a spot - leaving only England and SA. BD, Ireland and Windies are out. I think SA will make it still despite Smith not being able to score more than 10 recently.

Nah SA can still get into the semis if they beat england.

They could still get through if England did beat them, but England would have to get thrashed by West Indies, so much so that their net run rate fell below South Africa's, although that does seem very unlikely.

They could still get through if England did beat them, but England would have to get thrashed by West Indies, so much so that their net run rate fell below South Africa's, although that does seem very unlikely.

Ok so SA _realistically_ can win if they win their game against England. Anyway you don't want to put your fate in other peoples hands.

Ok so SA _realistically_ can win if they win their game against England. Anyway you don't want to put your fate in other peoples hands.

West Indies thrashing England is still a possibility though, even if it is unlikely.

Ok so SA _realistically_ can win if they win their game against England. Anyway you don't want to put your fate in other peoples hands.

And another thing. While putting your fate in the hands of others is usually a bad idea, in this case I think South Africa could almost be safe in trusting England to screw up their chances. They have more chance in doing that than trusting themselves to do well, as that hasn't gone so well for them lately...

So Australia, Sri Lanka and NZ are assured of a spot - leaving only England and SA. BD, Ireland and Windies are out.
Windies could still conceivably squeak in. If England beat SA, but then WI thrash Bangladesh and then England, we'd end up with SA, England and WI all on 6 points, and it'd go down to NRR.

hope this happens, as it stops the last couple of games being dead rubbers.

Windies could still conceivably squeak in. If England beat SA, but then WI thrash Bangladesh and then England, we'd end up with SA, England and WI all on 6 points, and it'd go down to NRR.

hope this happens, as it stops the last couple of games being dead rubbers.

I think England are in with a good shot against SA, mainly because of Pietersen. He seems to have ten times the motivation when playing against them, presumably because of his annoyance at their refusal to let him play and a desire to prove a point.

I think they need to alter the order though. Bell at one, possibly Collingwood at two? Either way, they need to have Pietersen come in at three and Vaughan and Strauss move down the order a little.

Windies could still conceivably squeak in. If England beat SA, but then WI thrash Bangladesh and then England, we'd end up with SA, England and WI all on 6 points, and it'd go down to NRR.

hope this happens, as it stops the last couple of games being dead rubbers.

I guess the SA vs England game is going to decide the fate of these three teams. WI have a chance but really need to play well, and Bangladesh aren't exactly bunnies.

So Australia, Sri Lanka and NZ are assured of a spot - leaving only England and SA. BD, Ireland and Windies are out. I think SA will make it still despite Smith not being able to score more than 10 recently.
Everyone but Ireland is still in with a chance apparently.

Everyone but Ireland is still in with a chance apparently.

Which means run rates will determine final result should SA or England mess it up. The run rates for Bangladesh and the Windies aren't the best as they haven't gone nuts and scored over 300 yet.

Everyone but Ireland is still in with a chance apparently.
Yep, though it looks like it's going to be Australia vs SA/Eng and NZ vs SL in the semis.

What odds on an Australia - Sri Lanka final, do you reckon?

Everyone but Ireland is still in with a chance apparently.
you're right. I didn't look at Bangladesh. They're got Ireland and WI to face.
So we could possibly end up with either SA, England and Bangladesh on 6 points or SA, England and WI on 6 points.

as I said, hope this happens. Otherwise the last 4 games are pointless.

Yep, though it looks like it's going to be Australia vs SA/Eng and NZ vs SL in the semis.

What odds on an Australia - Sri Lanka final, do you reckon?

Odds of NZ winning depends heavily on the nature of the pitch. If they get a seamy one and have the Lankans in first, Bond can get early wickets and help tie down SL to a low total that they can get.

If the pitch is flat or has even slight assistance for spin, then NZ will have a tough time with the array of spinners that SL has. They have arguably the best one-day spinners. It is said that extracting water out of stone is easier than getting runs out of SL spinners. Plus Malinga should be back in the attack.

SA looks jaded and clueless. Their loss to BD does not look like "one bad day". They have deeper problems.

Huge game is now playing, the mighty Bangladesh tigers vs the drunk Irish!

...

:p

Ireland 17/0 (3.5 ov)

A better start than against Australia, but no Shaun Tait slinging 150 kmph balls at the batsman.

Hossain's in the side today because Syed Rasel twisted an ankle in the warm-up...and now he's gone for 17 from the two overs he's bowled so far. Maybe he's beginning to wish that Rasel hadn't twisted his ankle...

The toxicology report is out. Says Woolmer was poisoned and strangled. Somebody wanted to be very sure that he dies.:(

http://www.rediff.com/wc2007/2007/apr/15wool.htm
Woolmer was poisoned, then strangled: reports

PTI | April 15, 2007 | 13:05 IST

The long-awaited toxicology report in Bob Woolmer's murder case has indicated that the Pakistan cricket coach was poisoned before being strangled in his hotel room.

According to a source close to the Jamaican police, the investigators probing in Woolmer's mysterious death believe the South African was poisoned to incapacitate him before murdering him in his Jamaica Pegasus hotel room around one month ago, London daily The Sunday Times reported.

- The Bob Woolmer murder story

But Mark Shields, the Deputy Police Commissioner leading the inquiry, refused to confirm poison was found and said the toxicology samples and postmortem report would be sent to Britain for further analysis.

"If he was manually strangled and asphyxiated, why didn't he put up a fight? I've always said there was a possibility he was incapacitated by something else. If I tell you they (the results) have come back and we are conducting further tests, I suggest you draw your own conclusions," he said at a press conference in Kingston on Saturday.

Shields described the toxicology results as "encouraging" but said the probe could take a "long haul".

"There are three possibilities. One is that someone could give themselves up. :confused: Two, there could be a massive breakthrough or, three, we are here for the long haul.

"At the moment we are certainly in category three. We would love to move to one but I think that is unlikely at this stage," Shield said.

He quashed the speculation that it was the drug aconite, which causes asphyxia.

I have a feeling that this will never be solved and it will become the basis of many a conspiracy theories.

Hossain's in the side today because Syed Rasel twisted an ankle in the warm-up...and now he's gone for 17 from the two overs he's bowled so far. Maybe he's beginning to wish that Rasel hadn't twisted his ankle...

He's improved ... 0/22 from 4.1 overs. Ireland have slowed down now.
0/31 from 9.1

I'm betting the Irish can win this. Or at least I'd like them to.

This'll probably put the kiss of death on them, but Ireland are going along very nicely at the moment. Assuming they can start to lift the run rate towards the end of their innings, I can see them reaching 250.

Ireland are 91/0 at the halfway stage. If they can manage a run rate of somewhere between 5 and 6 for the remaining 25 overs they'll have an excellent chance of winning the match.

Edit: And as soon as I post that, they lose a wicket. Bray gets run out going for a single. 92/1.

128-3

35. overs gone.

Morgan run out
O'Brian chipped a reverse sweep to backward point.

Bangladesh's spinners are their strongest department so it's not surprising Ireland haven't continued well from their good start.

They're more or less on target to get to around 200, but I think Bangladesh have a good chance. Match in the balance etc.

193-4 off 45 overs.

With some more good hitting from Kevin O'Brien Ireland could still be in with a shot of getting up towards 250. Bangladesh should still back themselves getting that much, but Ireland will also back themselves into defending that.

Ireland: 243-7 off their 50 overs.

Very good effort at the end there from Ireland. They could have actually gotten a bit more hadn't it been for a couple of sloppy wickets. Should be a tough chase for Bangladesh and Ireland will feel very much in this.

Not looking good for Bangladesh - 48 for 3 off 13 overs. Going to really struggle now, what with the top order just about gone. Required run rate is now 5.29, but I can't see them maintaining that for 37 overs, especially if they lose another few wickets.

Sri Lanka so totally just kicked Austrailian ass!

Sri Lanka so totally just kicked Austrailian ass!

:eek:

A Jolt timewarp from tomorrow?!

:eek:

A Jolt timewarp from tomorrow?!
No. From April 28th - the day of the final!

Ireland have just about won it now. Bangladesh are 139-8 from 34 overs. They need 105 from the remaining 16 - over 6.5 runs per over.

Ireland 243-7 bt Bangladesh 169 by 74 runs
Well thats that. Well done Ireland.

And that's a very much deserved win for Ireland. Bangladesh all out for 169 from 41.2 overs. Ireland now have an official ICC ODI ranking, having beaten two full members (Pakistan and Bangladesh).

All in all it's been a very successful tournament for Ireland - 2 wins and a tie from 8 matches so far is probably far more than they could ever have expected (although I doubt many Irish thought they'd be playing that many games).

Good for Ireland. The boys done well.

The big question now will be whether their qualification improved or ruined the World Cup.

Wow! Yeah....well done Ireland! Very impressive indeed!

Bangladesh are just a bit young and inexperienced. Most of them seem to go in play some good shots and get out by doing something a bit silly.

By the next WC when they've all matured and gained some experience I think they'll be tough opponent. Not winning material but about where the WI or England are now.

Ireland should stand proud for what they've done (if they are not wobbly around drunk :p ), I think they will just get better - and even beat their neighbours one day.

Ireland should stand proud for what they've done (if they are not wobbly around drunk :p ), I think they will just get better - and even beat their neighbours one day.

I don't think Ireland played particularly well to be honest. A couple of edges that didn't carry and other chances didn't go to hand. And the pitch favoured Ireland really, given Bangladesh's reliance on spinners (and one of their pace bowlers being injured) and the pitch being better for pace bowlers.

Besides, Ireland will always have the same problem Wales and Scotland also suffer from, namely the best players defecting to England (which really should be renamed given that it's technically the England and Wales team but the flag is England's the team is called England etc etc).

I don't think Ireland played particularly well to be honest. A couple of edges that didn't carry and other chances didn't go to hand. And the pitch favoured Ireland really, given Bangladesh's reliance on spinners (and one of their pace bowlers being injured) and the pitch being better for pace bowlers.

Besides, Ireland will always have the same problem Wales and Scotland also suffer from, namely the best players defecting to England (which really should be renamed given that it's technically the England and Wales team but the flag is England's the team is called England etc etc).

Ireland proved they can win but they need more experience. Yes, the best of UK will eventually play for the England team as money becomes an issue as the English counties steal the best of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I guess Ireland don't handle spin as they don't face much of it - Bangladesh are a little hit and miss as well.

Ireland proved they can win but they need more experience. Yes, the best of UK will eventually play for the England team as money becomes an issue as the English counties steal the best of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I guess Ireland don't handle spin as they don't face much of it - Bangladesh are a little hit and miss as well.

Has this happened? (the poaching of Scottish or Irish players)

Money? Money in cricket? Surely some mistake! ;)

If they have English connections then they are eligible. If they are Scottish or Irish exclusively then they won't play for England.

And quite right.

Wales is a different matter. There is only one county that plays 1st class cricket - Glamorgan. Also the governing body is called the England & Wales Cricket Board.

you're right. I didn't look at Bangladesh. They're got Ireland and WI to face.
So we could possibly end up with either SA, England and Bangladesh on 6 points or SA, England and WI on 6 points.

as I said, hope this happens. Otherwise the last 4 games are pointless.
Lulz, Ireland.:p

Has this happened? (the poaching of Scottish or Irish players)

Money? Money in cricket? Surely some mistake! ;)

If they have English connections then they are eligible. If they are Scottish or Irish exclusively then they won't play for England.

And quite right.

Wales is a different matter. There is only one county that plays 1st class cricket - Glamorgan. Also the governing body is called the England & Wales Cricket Board.
Joyce is O'Irish i believe.

Which means run rates will determine final result should SA or England mess it up. The run rates for Bangladesh and the Windies aren't the best as they haven't gone nuts and scored over 300 yet.
Bye bye Bangas.:(
Yep, though it looks like it's going to be Australia vs SA/Eng and NZ vs SL in the semis.

What odds on an Australia - Sri Lanka final, do you reckon?
Very slim, New Zealand will make the final.*Nods sagely*
My dad doesn't reckon we can beat Oz 2 times in a row in a crunch game, with the injuries we have suffered i would agree, basically that means we lose to them in the Super 8 match but we'll have to beat Sri Lanka in a Semi, then we pummel the Ockers.:cool:

Australia vs Sri Lanka, the boxing kangaroo vs the Lions!

Should be a good game with both teams playing good cricket so far.

Sri Lanka are batting with vaas and murali being rested. Australia are back to full strength.

If Sri Lanka win this, without Vaas and Murali, I will laugh heartily at my housemates. And neighbours. And friends. And the girl I like.

[Is a bit sick of staying up all night just to see Australia win, again.]

Aw, nuts.


Imma just be quiet.

It doesn't affect Sri Lanka's batting power though so if they put on a big score, they could still do it. But then Sangakkara and Jayasuria are now already gone so probably not. Kumar was a bit unlucky with the height, although when you square up your pads like that it just looks out. Kind of like when you don't play a shot, you're more likely to get a harsh decision.

Shaun Tait doing what he does best! Bowling wides ...

It doesn't affect Sri Lanka's batting power though so if they put on a big score, they could still do it. But then Sangakkara and Jayasuria are now already gone so probably not. Kumar was a bit unlucky with the height, although when you square up your pads like that it just looks out. Kind of like when you don't play a shot, you're more likely to get a harsh decision.

You should try to play a shot, padding up does nothing and you can't really score from it unless it's a bye or byes.

"Wow, that was spanked."

[/Windian accent]

Now that's commentary.

Has this happened? (the poaching of Scottish or Irish players)

Money? Money in cricket? Surely some mistake! ;)

If they have English connections then they are eligible. If they are Scottish or Irish exclusively then they won't play for England.

And quite right.

Wales is a different matter. There is only one county that plays 1st class cricket - Glamorgan. Also the governing body is called the England & Wales Cricket Board.


True, but Glamorgan are a much higher level than anything Ireland or Scotland have to offer. The thing with Wales is that they do on occasion play one day int'l (a few years back they beat England) but their players are qualified to play for England, it's a sort of complicated mix up.

I think the EWCB (As it should be called) are planning to change the badge sometime soon to reflect the Welsh invovlement, but not changing the name or something.

As a completely biased Welshman I'd say our team (as it would be) is superior to Ireland's.

Aye, I'm pretty sure that Wales would batter Ireland nine times out of ten. Do Ireland (and Scotland) still play in one cup or other, with the likes of the Minor Counties? Er, and the Netherlands, for that matter! I've been a bit out of touch with cricket since they started changing all the leagues and having promotions and relegations and Lancashire stopped being awesome. Time was that Ireland were a joke team to be smashed around by English county sides (and Glamorgan), let alone other countries.

Ah, talking of Glamorgan just reminds me of my greatest computerised sporting success. ICC-somethingorother, my brother's game, really, but he couldn't finish above 2nd-bottom in any competion. So I gave it a go, with Glamorgan, and won 11 trophies in 3 years.

Did not have a clue what I was doing =)

(Bit like Sri Lanka, tonight.)

I get the feeling Sri Lanka never expected to win this. Malinga injured, and Vaas and Murali not playing? Australia will probably batter their way to 227 in about 35 overs.

I get the feeling Sri Lanka never expected to win this. Malinga injured, and Vaas and Murali not playing? Australia will probably batter their way to 227 in about 35 overs.

Hmm well if they did win it then if NZ beat aus NZ would be top of the table and Sri Lanka would prob have to play them in the semi final.... So perhaps they didnt really want to win.

Sorry, I V, but it looks like even Sri Lanka don't have a hope in hells chance against the Aussies.

They're on a pretty unstoppable march to the Trophy.

Sorry, I V, but it looks like even Sri Lanka don't have a hope in hells chance against the Aussies.

They're on a pretty unstoppable march to the Trophy.

In Vaas they have one of the greatest World Cup Bowlers ever.
In Muralitharan they have arguably the greatest spin bowler ever (if not the best then definitely so close it makes near to no difference).
In Malinga they have an exciting new talent who looks very impressive.

None of whom the Aussies have faced in this tournament, whereas SL have now at least seen what the Aussies have to offer. Plus with leaving their two best bowlers out it's a clear message to the rest of the team that "we don't really care about winning this match" so mentally they're not going to be as up for the game as they might be.

Not to mention once again Hodge and Hussey etc get no time at the wicket. I don't care what the Aussies say about the fine form they are in in the nets, nothing compares to match situation.

In Vaas they have one of the greatest World Cup Bowlers ever.
In Muralitharan they have arguably the greatest spin bowler ever (if not the best then definitely so close it makes near to no difference).
In Malinga they have an exciting new talent who looks very impressive.
But all these players did face South Africa, and were unable to pull off a win there. I'm not one for the "A beat B, and B beat C, therefore A beats C" approach, but the general form of the teams through the tournament has to be taken into consideration. The Aussies look unstoppable. The Sri Lankians barely beat England.

I don't care what the Aussies say about the fine form they are in in the nets, nothing compares to match situation.
Well exactly, so why rest Vaas and Murali?

Ireland has a cricket team now?

*feels dirty*

SL's team lineup can mean

1. They did not want to put in a full strength side and lose and get a psychological pressure

2. They genuinely wanted to rest their frontline bowlers.

3. They wanted to not expose their main bowlers.

4. They wanted to lose so they don't have to face Aus in semis.

If it was reason 4, then that is the dumbest thing. NZ tried this sort of manipulations in the 91 cup and got thrashed by Pak is the semi-finals and lost in the semis itself. :p

But all these players did face South Africa, and were unable to pull off a win there. I'm not one for the "A beat B, and B beat C, therefore A beats C" approach, but the general form of the teams through the tournament has to be taken into consideration. The Aussies look unstoppable. The Sri Lankians barely beat England.


Well exactly, so why rest Vaas and Murali?

You can miss a match or two, but I don't think Hogg's had an innings in the whole tournament, and Hussey's only had one.

Does anyone know what the pitches are like for the semis and final, I have a feeling they might play a part.

England are an up and down team, coming into this tournament they notched up a few wins against Australia.

I just think if an early wicket goes down, and especially if they try to hit off against Murali then things could get very sticky for Australia.

:D from an email.

HEADLINES FROM THE 2019 WORLD CUP.
------------------------------------------------

Gengis Khan, the XVIIIth steers Mongolia to a thumping win over India

Coach Sehwag to be sacked after India's defeat over Mongolia

"Tendulkar should consider quitting" : Rahul Dravid

Pathan touches 65 mph !

India out of Super 30 contention

VVS Laxman : "I still hope for a spot in the team in 2023"

NORTH KOREA don't want to take minnows Pakistan lightly

Former Pak captain Inzamam : "Boys is not plays with heart"

Flintoff publishes 7th autobiography : "How I got drunk, shot and woke up in the Pacific"

Afridi retires from 20-20 cricket

Former Australian bowler and legendary Bollywood actor Mr. Brett Lee to be awarded with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

Sorry, I V, but it looks like even Sri Lanka don't have a hope in hells chance against the Aussies.

They're on a pretty unstoppable march to the Trophy.
Says the guy who voted for England on the poll. :p

With their full bowling attack playing well, Sri Lanka could easily rip through Australia's batting. And, let's be fair about this, I don't think they're going to need much more motivation to play well than winning the World Cup...

Says the guy who voted for England on the poll. :p

Ohhhhh burn.

With their full bowling attack playing well, Sri Lanka could easily rip through Australia's batting. And, let's be fair about this, I don't think they're going to need much more motivation to play well than winning the World Cup...

Thats true. I wouldn't entirely write off NZ either. If Bond has a good day they could be in trouble.

Says the guy who voted for England on the poll. :p

You just wait. We're going to win in a thrilling final, with Mahmood taking a 10 wicket haul and Vaughan hitting 350.

Sorry, what was that? Porky's been cleared for take off?

Besides, they're going to win today, because the South African's are all pissed.

South Africa's board chief executive Gerald Majola has ordered an inquiry into reports of a drinking binge among several players last weekend.

A South African fan called a Johannesburg radio station to complain a group of players were out until 4.00am, claiming they were "highly intoxicated".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/south_africa/6562647.stm

You just wait. We're going to win in a thrilling final, with Mahmood taking a 10 wicket haul and Vaughan hitting 350.

Sorry, what was that? Porky's been cleared for take off?
:p

Besides, they're going to win today, because the South African's are all pissed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/south_africa/6562647.stm
If only that had happened last night rather than a couple of days ago...

I'm backing Pietersen to score a century today. Plus Flintoff to shine as well, while England are on their way to 300. Then Monty can get a five-for, and we'll bowl them out for 150.

And Porky's taken to the skies!

I'm backing Pietersen to score a century today.
I think he'll either get 100, or he'll feel he has something to prove and will go in a stupid way for about 5.

Plus Flintoff to shine as well, while England are on their way to 300.
I think Flintoff has hit the low point with his batting, and so the only way is up, but I wouldn't go so far as to say he'll do brilliantly. I think 20-30 from him would make a pleasant change.

Then Monty can get a five-for, and we'll bowl them out for 150.
Apparently Monty is under some pressure for his place, because he's not taking enough wickets. I think that's absurd; he's easily one of the most consistent and economical bowlers - the fact that his 1-2 wickets a game are not enough is because the rest of the bowlers are so crap. England seem to be swinging from being too inflexible with the line up to cutting and changing too much.

And Porky's taken to the skies!

http://www.communicatewithimpact.com/images/flying_pig.gif

England have won the toss and decided to bat.

I wonder how many wickets down they'll be by 15:00.

*Leaves to go and watch the game*

*Leaves to go and watch the game*
*doesn't have Sky and can't afford to sit in a pub all day*

For some reason they don't like it when you spend the entire day there and don't buy any drinks...

Come on England!

Considering SA are playing rubbish and England aren't exactly inspiring any confidence, it's hard to pick a game like this.

Considering SA are playing rubbish and England aren't exactly inspiring any confidence, it's hard to pick a game like this.
Indeed. The BBC text commentator just hit the nail on the head:

You've got to love the format of this World Cup - only in cricket could you be as insanely inconsistent as South Africa or as relentlessly mediocre as England and still be in with a sniff of making the semis. I'm not downplaying the thrills

Although at last year's football World Cup, England were relentlessly mediocre and were a penalty shoot-out away from the semis...

Apparently Monty is under some pressure for his place, because he's not taking enough wickets. I think that's absurd; he's easily one of the most consistent and economical bowlers - the fact that his 1-2 wickets a game are not enough is because the rest of the bowlers are so crap. England seem to be swinging from being too inflexible with the line up to cutting and changing too much.
ok, if that's indeed true then England cricket is totally absurd.
England WC averages (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/averages/default.stm)
Monty's averaging just over 4 /over and taken 7 wickets. Only person who's done significantly better has been Flintoff - 11 wickets and 3.8 /over.

Role of spinners has changed over the last few years. Now, to go for less than 5 /over and get 1, maybe 2, wickets in a ODI is viewed as a pretty good effort.

Can't be bothered checking, but it seemed to me they usually called on Monty when the opening bowlers weren't performing - and Monty usually put the brakes on the scoring and grab an important wicket. Sometimes it's not number of wickets that they get, but whose wicket.
Bit farcical to blame him for other's non-performance. Wouldn't surprise me if a few others are finger-pointing to avoid being blamed themselves - and are jealous of Monty's popularity amongst the punters. No doubt a 'warts-and-all' book will be released in a couple of months detailing the bickering, infighting and problems that catergorised the English camp and explained their failure.

Game has started! 0/0 from 0.5

I notice SA are without Ntini.
interesting...I thought he was one of their better bowlers.

Great start for England. 0-0 from two overs.

At least we've not lost a wicket.

Great start for England. 0-0 from two overs.

At least we've not lost a wicket.

1 single, that's it so far - the same as the number of runs Monty has scored this cup.

1 single, that's it so far - the same as the number of runs Monty has scored this cup.
Be fair to the guy, he's only faced two balls - and they were both against Australia! One not out against Australia is quite an achievement for an England player. :p

Be fair to the guy, he's only faced two balls - and they were both against Australia! One not out against Australia is quite an achievement for an England player. :p

Lucky guy! :D

0/5 from 4.3 overs (1 single and 1 four)

*yawn* how many overs until stumps? I think England should get the draw at this rate..

Slowwwwwwwwwwww

Vaughan, still on zero from 19 balls.
He's off the mark now! From about the 20th ball he's faced. England 9-0 from 7 overs. Maybe we'll reach 100 from our 50 overs...

Slowwwwwwwwwwww

Vaughan, still on zero from 19 balls.

7th over: Eng 9-0
Kaboom! Vaughan gets off the mark after a mere 20 deliveries, getting a thick edge through gully for one. You can't defend against those sort of fireworks. Bell does the same, and England are rampant.
:p

Oh wonderful! Bell has gone for 7 off 23(?).

Slowest start ever.

*sighs despondently*

Has no-one told England that this is a limited overs match?

7.3 Langeveldt to Bell, OUT, and he's gone! Bell goes for the pull, doesn't get over it at all, and skies it to Prince at midwicket who combats the sun in taking a good catch, low, on the crouch

IR Bell c Prince b Langeveldt 7 (30m 23b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.43

Stauss is next, err good or bad?

7.5 Langeveldt to Vaughan, FOUR, gest away with that one, top-edged pull right over the slips - not at all where he intended it to go

That was lucky!

7.5 Langeveldt to Vaughan, FOUR, gest away with that one, top-edged pull right over the slips - not at all where he intended it to go

That was lucky!
Wow. Finally reached a run rate of 2 per over. :eek:

Wow. Finally reached a run rate of 2 per over. :eek:

:eek: Keep on like this and we might reach >100.
Also - anyone else listening to TMS on the BBC site? It keeps cutting out whenever someone is possibly out or a big hit. Damn annoying.

That's more like it. Nine off the tenth over. 28-1. Looks like Vaughan might actually be on form. Two fours for him off that over.

Vaughan's just smacked two fours in an over!

England 28/1 (9.5 ov)

Ooh! A six! And the run rate is >3...

11.2 Langeveldt to Strauss, SIX

England is looking better now. :D

SA's best spinner Pietersen is yet to bat, so they might post a decent score!

EDIT

12.2 Nel to Vaughan, OUT, angling into Vaughan who falls away a touch to the off side. It raps him on the pads and Nel roars a typically lively appeal, performing a mini starjump-appeal for Steve Bucknor who, after a long pause, raises his finger
MP Vaughan lbw b Nel 17 (53m 38b 3x4 0x6) SR: 44.73

Yes, Pietersen is batting now.

England is looking better now. :D
Spoke to soon, methinks.

Nel to Vaughan, OUT, angling into Vaughan who falls away a touch to the off side. It raps him on the pads and Nel roars a typically lively appeal, performing a mini starjump-appeal for Steve Bucknor who, after a long pause, raises his finger.

37-2. Though it is only Vaughan out. If Strauss goes next we'll have KP and Colly in the middle. If anyone's going to put together a big partnership, it'll be those two.

Spoke to soon, methinks.

Nel to Vaughan, OUT, angling into Vaughan who falls away a touch to the off side. It raps him on the pads and Nel roars a typically lively appeal, performing a mini starjump-appeal for Steve Bucknor who, after a long pause, raises his finger.

37-2. Though it is only Vaughan out. If Strauss goes next we'll have KP and Colly in the middle. If anyone's going to put together a big partnership, it'll be those two.

You'll need a KP or Colly hundred, but if Strauss hangs around, he might get a hundred (slowly). Let's hope Flintoff has a bit of dash too.

You'll need a KP or Colly hundred, but if Strauss hangs around, he might get a hundred (slowly). Let's hope Flintoff has a bit of dash too.
Not sure it'll take Strauss that long to hit 100. His strike rate is over 90 so far.

There's 13 South Africans on the field - 11 from SA team and SA born Pietersen and Strauss :p

Not sure it'll take Strauss that long to hit 100. His strike rate is over 90 so far.

Over 100 now! 24/23

Over 100 now! 24/23
Seems like, as the Cricinfo commentators have noted, Strauss is back to somewhere near his best.

We are now stuffed.

We are now stuffed.
:p Yup, KP's out. For 3. Excellent work by the South African mole in our team. ;)

Mind you, Collingwood's on form, as is Strauss as of today, so I predict us reaching 200 without dropping another wicket. At which point I'll die laughing.

Well we seem to have stabilised a little bit. Strauss and Collingwood have just reached the 50 partnership, though it took them 78 balls. 104-3 from 30 overs. I reckon we can still make about 225-250. Only requires...uh...6.5 an over from here on in.

104/3 in the 30th.
Let's look at the positives here:
England still have 20 overs and 7 wickets in hand.
6/over from here-on would give them a total of ~230.

Last few games at Barbados:
Ireland 243/7 (50 ov); Bangladesh 169 (41.2 ov)
Ireland 91 (30 ov); Australia 92/1 (12.2 ov)
Bangladesh 143 (37.2 ov); England 147/6 (44.5 ov)

average rr: 4.1 /over.
take Oz out and it's 3.9 /over.

Which means a score of 230 wouldn't be that bad and would be quite defendable.



this bit of positiviness bought to your by Demented Hamsters in the vain hope of warding off the impending gloom of an imminent England defeat.

whoops. positivinessed too soon.
now England are 115/5.

No better time for Flintoff to rediscover his batting form than now.

whoops. positivinessed too soon.
now England are 115/5.

No better time for Flintoff to rediscover his batting form than now.

*raises eyebrow*

132 for 8 off 40 overs. This is the reason the Welsh enjoy watching cricket.:p

Oh bugger. Can we just go home now?

One-day cricket isn't real cricket, this doesn't mean anything.

Honestly.

We just weren't trying when we lost the ashes 5-0. Or something.

:(

At one stage I considered putting my entire student loan down for a trip to watch this competition. Now I am so glad I chose not to.

End of over 17 (14 runs) - South Africa 135/1 (20 runs required from 33 overs, RR: 7.94, RRR: 0.60)

I'm happy. :)

*Leaves to go and watch the game*
I hope you enjoyed it. :p

I hope you enjoyed it. :p

That...was...diabolical.

I really don't think there's much more to say about it.

That...was...diabolical.

I really don't think there's much more to say about it.
Never mind, now you can start supporting the team I've been saying was going to win all along. ;)

Wins against Ireland and New Zealand, then Malinga, Vaas and Muralitharan will dismantle Australia's batsmen and the Cup will be Sri Lanka's. :)

Edit: And the Tamil's will probably celebrate by bombing Colombo...:rolleyes:

Never mind, now you can start supporting the team I've been saying was going to win all along. ;)

Wins against Ireland and New Zealand, then Malinga, Vaas and Muralitharan will dismantle Australia's batsmen and the Cup will be Sri Lanka's. :)

Before the cup I thought it would be South Africa's, and perhaps they're going to fire up at the right time, but I still think the Aussies are going to do it. However, your predictions seem to have been more accurate to date than mine, so I shall certainly keep an eye on Sri Lanka. :p

God sometimes it makes you wonder why you support england:headbang:

God sometimes it makes you wonder why you support england:headbang:

Yeah it does confuse the rest of the world really. England are still the favorites to win according to the poll...

Yeah it does confuse the rest of the world really. England are still the favorites to win according to the poll...

I dont possibly know how.

They came into the world cup having played pants, the played all the group stage matches pants and now everyone can see, they are pants. It just takes a drubbing to realise for some people.

w00t!!!!

Oh wait...

Bugger.

Well, that was a fiasco! SA trashed England without real effort and no Ntini!
I guess the other games are dead rubbers now.

God sometimes it makes you wonder why you support england:headbang:

Hey, atleast your guys made it to the second round. Our guys :mad:

http://im.rediff.com/wc2007/2007/apr/17banner.jpg

Lulz at england.

So.. We will be facing the one team that has beaten us in the semis, assuming a glorious victory on saturday morning NZST.

Here's a tip: look for the team with the biggest egos, the worst manners and the most infuriating arrogance. That's the team that's going to win.

Kind of goes for politics, too :(

Ha ha ha.
19 people thought England would win and 22 bad mouthed cricket, who's the fools now, who's the fools now?

Hi Harles, Monkey.
I think we can win and so does Scotty Styris! (http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/291059.html)

Here's a tip: look for the team with the biggest egos, the worst manners and the most infuriating arrogance. That's the team that's going to win.

Kind of goes for politics, too :(

America didn't qualify ... :p

America didn't qualify ... :p
And Chelsea aren't in it either...

Ha ha ha.
19 people thought England would win and 22 bad mouthed cricket, who's the fools now, who's the fools now?

England could still win. All they need to do is beat the West Indies, and come in fifth place, then come up with a cunning plan to get the semi-finalists disqualified.

Anyone fancy a trip out to the Caribbean to pop some performance enhancing drugs into the Aussie drinks?

England could still win. All they need to do is beat the West Indies, and come in fifth place, then come up with a cunning plan to get the semi-finalists disqualified.

Anyone fancy a trip out to the Caribbean to pop some performance enhancing drugs into the Aussie drinks?

I for one, would love to. Means we would easily win the Cup :p

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/04/jonathan_agnew_column_1.shtml

In the aftermath of England's amusing exit from the World Cup, Aggers has proposed that Collingwood be made England's ODI captain. Thoughts?

I for one, would love to. Means we would easily win the Cup :p
Ha! Sri Lanka will kick your asses again in the semis. You've got no chance. :p

England could still win. All they need to do is beat the West Indies, and come in fifth place, then come up with a cunning plan to get the semi-finalists disqualified.

Anyone fancy a trip out to the Caribbean to pop some performance enhancing drugs into the Aussie drinks?

I don't about those drugs, but the drugs England used to beat Australia in Australia wore off during the World Cup.

Ha! Sri Lanka will kick your asses again in the semis. You've got no chance. :p

Liar. We're gonna lose to Aussie this Saturday then rise back up against Sri Lanka with Fleming scoring around 140 odd to chase down perhaps 310. I've had a vision.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/04/jonathan_agnew_column_1.shtml

In the aftermath of England's amusing exit from the World Cup, Aggers has proposed that Collingwood be made England's ODI captain. Thoughts?

I read that yesterday. I do think that Vaughan should probably leave the one day team, but I'm not convinced Collingwood would be the best player to replace him.

I think they should give it to Nixon; he's fitted into the team really well, and, because he's unlikely to be around for more than a year or two, he can fill the role as a stop gap until someone better comes along.

Liar. We're gonna lose to Aussie this Saturday then rise back up against Sri Lanka with Fleming scoring around 140 odd to chase down perhaps 310. I've had a vision.
Pfft. :p

It'll probably be like my vision of England's game against SA:
I'm backing Pietersen to score a century today. Plus Flintoff to shine as well, while England are on their way to 300. Then Monty can get a five-for, and we'll bowl them out for 150.

I read that yesterday. I do think that Vaughan should probably leave the one day team, but I'm not convinced Collingwood would be the best player to replace him.

I think they should give it to Nixon; he's fitted into the team really well, and, because he's unlikely to be around for more than a year or two, he can fill the role as a stop gap until someone better comes along.
Collingwood's probably the best one day player we have at the moment. Bear in mind that he'll still have experienced players around him to help him if he's captain. He'd be better than Nixon, and, if he turns out to be a bad captain, we can replace him with someone else. Whether we would or not is another matter.

Why I'm still up at this hour I have no idea, but Ireland are 53-8. I was about to say that Maharoof was having a great day, but he's just grassed a catch. Still, great runout.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/04/jonathan_agnew_column_1.shtml

In the aftermath of England's amusing exit from the World Cup, Aggers has proposed that Collingwood be made England's ODI captain. Thoughts?

Well, he'd be the second choice. Or vice-captain. Pietersen: wants to win, does something about it, a little bit crazy.
Oh, and he's arrogant too. Definitely Pietersen.

Well that was...crushing. Sri Lanka taking exactly ten overs to reach their target. Not really the way Ireland will have wanted to leave the World Cup, I imagine.

Yowser! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6572149.stm)

Fletcher's resigned. :)

Admittedly he's done a lot of good for English cricket - there's no way we would have won the 2005 Ashes without him - but so long as his replacement brings in fresh ideas (like picking on form not reputation) England should improve.

I think he had to go really, there was no way he could survive the winter disasters and now this. I'm sure that in time people will remember him as one of England's best ever coaches, taking them from last to second in the test rankings, but, for now, blood was wanted.

I hope Moody gets it.

Yowser! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6572149.stm)

Fletcher's resigned. :)

Admittedly he's done a lot of good for English cricket - there's no way we would have won the 2005 Ashes without him - but so long as his replacement brings in fresh ideas (like picking on form not reputation) England should improve.

The problem is just what you mention...the Ashes...bugger the rest of it...he hates ODI's...

I for one am getting pizzeled in celebration.

Of course my hangover will correspond to the replacement...

What candidates are available?

Please not the disaster that the Rugby team has been going through...

Lara is retiring.

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/291504.html

Funny how no one cares about the WI game...

Fletcher's resigned. :)

Admittedly he's done a lot of good for English cricket - there's no way we would have won the 2005 Ashes without him
I think a rugby ball had more to do with you lot winning the '05 Ashes than anything Fletcher did.

I think a rugby ball had more to do with you lot winning the '05 Ashes than anything Fletcher did.
:p

True. Though we wouldn't have been able to capitalise on McGrath's absence without Fletcher.

Lara is retiring.

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/291504.html

Funny how no one cares about the WI game...

I care. In fact, I'm pissed off with him. A friend bought me tickets to Lord's for my birthday, because I'd mentioned that "I've love to see Lara before he retires."

Bastard. :mad:

I care. In fact, I'm pissed off with him. A friend bought me tickets to Lord's for my birthday, because I'd mentioned that "I've love to see Lara before he retires."

Bastard. :mad:

Hmm bugger. I meant that no one had said anything at all in the thread about the WI game so didnt really inspire much interest.

Australia vs NZ coming up. Short of absolute destruction the game doesn't really matter position wise but hopefully it will still be quite a good match. And we will be able to see where they are both at.

Australia won the toss, elected to bat.

They're off to a flyer, 57 from 7.4 overs.

New Zealand finally get the Aussies run rate down to under 7 an over. :p

Even though Australia have only hit 6 from the last three overs, they've still got 38 from the last five...ouch!

well, they got 8 off the last over. :p

got them on the ropes now: 144/2 in the 24th over.
They'll be lucky to score 400 at this rate!

Moores appointed as England coach (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6573813.stm)

Moody would have been better, I'm quite skeptical of Moores' ability tbh. Though I think he'll start with a relatively easy series win against WI and there'll be a big false dawn thing about how good he is. Time will tell.