The Cricket Thread

[Pleb]

BOTTLED it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Awful luck for us to come up against these fucks after a shoeing. You just cannot touch them on days like this.

We didn't do much wrong really.

[niko_cee]

We were awful in the field.

[niko_cee]

Also, somewhat perversely, I reckon we'll do better losing tosses and batting first than the chase mentality we've fully bought into. Our bowlers are much better suited to being aggressive, and when bowling first we get a bit passive/complacent about trying to contain the other side (we can chase anything). Probably need to administer a few bonkings in the next 2 or 3 games.

I bet Wood goes under the bus after bowling well as we need more batting depth.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scoreboard pressure in big games. We'd probably have pissed that chase in the warm ups, as we wouldn't have cared and Pakistan wouldn't have been up for it.

I don't think we should be bowling first either really, not now we have Archer as an enforcer up top, and Wood.

In a big game I always want runs on the board.

[Ian]

Extras having a pretty solid knock for Sri Lanka so far.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This game looks bonkers.

[Pleb]

Sri Lanka getting dicked on :|

[Byron]

This is a proper batting collapse, 140-1 to 182-8 is real England territory.

[Ian]

That led me to look up some England batting collapse stuff and this article:
https://www.wisden.com/stories/features/guiltyy-pleasure-england-batting-collapse

"Everyone has a favourite collapse"

G'wan then lads, what's your favourite England batting collapse? I can't remember the specifics of many, I'm sure there was a particularly harrowing one in Australia in the last five years or so where our last 8 wickets went for a combined 40 runs or something though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There was one in Ashes 13/14 when I went to sleep for an hour with us about 3 down, and when I woke up we had Australia 2 down in the next innings.

[Ian]

For me that would have meant at least 30 seconds of confused blinking at the TV trying to work out whether I was thinking of the right match.

[Byron]

Jesus Afghanistan are not messing about.

[niko_cee]

Bit of a kick in the balls that they revised Afghanistan's total down.

[Pleb]

I know it rained earlier but couldn't of they stuck with the 50 overs match?

[Ian]

The Saffers donning it again.

[Max Power]

South Africa 2019 remind me of England 1975-2015 in ODI cricket. Just look old, stale and behind the times. And liable to collapse in a heap to spin.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And strangely shit in the field. I notice they have changed their first class structure from next year to abandon 'franchises' and go back to the old 12 Currie Cup teams. Should help them considerably widen the talent pool.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rabada is on fire here, and here comes Kohli...

[igor_balis]

omg that Bangers runout fuck up

[niko_cee]

The Windies approach to this tournament seems to be that they aren't going to die wondering. Full beans all the way.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Helmets have made people really really bad at playing the short ball.

[Ian]

Fucking hell, they're going through them here. Smith will probably cling on for 150 or something silly.

[Byron]

I don't think me and my old man have laughed more in the space of an hour.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of LADS.

[Queenslander]

Carn the boys!

[Jimmy Floyd]

The lowest score Smith is getting here is 163*.

[Ian]

That bit of fielding to get Smith out was brilliant. For the speed of thought more than what he actually did, I think.

[niko_cee]

Hell of a knock from Coulter-Nile. Can't be getting on board with the way the aussie on co-comms was saying that though, as if it was all one word. Was Chris Gayle wearing several kits or is he just enormous nowadays?

[Ian]

It's probably his outright refusal to walk that does it. I'm surprised they don't have a golf cart to move him from one wicket to the other when they switch ends.

[niko_cee]

Umpire hellbent on seeing the back of Gayle evidently.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The middle one was a diabolical decision (these Cricinfo clips are brilliant for the office workers among us).

[Ian]

So I didn't understand how the free hit rule worked apparently and therefore was confused by all the fuss about the no-ball before the Gayle wicket.

[niko_cee]

Another absolutely disgraceful decision there.

Do the Windies have another game before we play them? If not then I fear we'll be the ones on the end of the Gayle special, s is traditional.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maybe they're being paid in XXXX.

[Byron]

Another absolutely disgraceful decision there.

Do the Windies have another game before we play them? If not then I fear we'll be the ones on the end of the Gayle special, s is traditional.

They play Seth Effica in their next game, which could be hilarious.

[niko_cee]

Nice sensible batting from Russell there.

:cab:

They're going to bottle this.

[niko_cee]

See, we'd have got to this point, and then had the No.11 hit 36 off the final over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The underdogs are all bottling it so far, which is annoying me.

[ItalAussie]

We dodged about 17 bullets in that match. Khawaja looks like he might struggle on these pitches, but that could be unfair. Nice that Carey can get a few runs - he’s mostly been a keeper/non-batsman until now.

[ItalAussie]

I can’t see is beating England or India even on our absolute best day.

Bumrah is an outstanding bowler. Maybe the best going around right now. India are playing with thin margins though - if Dhawan, Kholi and Sharma all go cheaply in a knockout match, they might be cooked. Probably won’t happen though.

[Clunge]

Somerset took eight wickets in a morning to smash Surrey, reigning county champions, within three days and go 15 points clear :drink:.

Honestly, the treble is on and I am already stockpiling cider for the celebrations.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I repeat: you will never win it. Not this year, not any year.

[Clunge]

Many thanks for your input.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've dropped Moeen. May we burn in hell for evermore.

[Disco]

I repeat: you will never win it. Not this year, not any year.

May Andy Caddick come and ruin your lawn.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bangladesh anthem is a ten minute floor filler as well. I can feel my allegiance turning like a Shakib delivery.

[Ian]

9 runs off nearly 4 overs.

Best in the world, lads.

[Max Power]

We've dropped Moeen. May we burn in hell for evermore.
Just to bolster the pace attack against the Bangladeshis and Cardiff has a short straight boundary right? Right?!? Please.

He looks out of nick with the bat but took 3-50 in a very high scoring game last time out so it’s harsh if it really is a straight dropping.

[niko_cee]

They were talking about leaving a spinner out beforehand, although I'd seen Rashid mentioned. I think it is more situational given the conditions and the fact that Cardiff has favoured the seamers in the games there thus far.

[Max Power]

I guess there will be a bit of rotation in the bowling with such a long tournament off the back of a five match ODI series as well.

[Pleb]

Hasn't our bowling so far been a bit suspect so far?

A 350+ target for Bangladesh maybe doable.

[Ian]

Even now they'd need one of the top 20 biggest run chases in ODI history.

We'll be fine.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, they were never interested in getting it. Sensibly just went for net run rate damage limitation.

[Pleb]

Well that will do nicely.

[Max Power]

Warner channelling Gavaskar vs England in ‘75 here. He may “catch up” though admittedly.

[Max Power]

He’s ran Finch out now. He better catch up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hopefully that will trigger an Aussie meltdown.

[niko_cee]

Pakistan have been shambolic so far, but there's a wicket.

The Prof. :cool:

Malik throwing down no balls is beyond inexplicable.

[Max Power]

Bit of a collapso this. Imagine if Pakistan (Amir aside) had actually shown up for the first 30 overs?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Needs a Fakhar special here. Can't wait to see Misbah's delight from that room Cricinfo seem to be holding him in at gunpoint.

[niko_cee]

Jesus, they've made a bit of a mess of this since I tuned in. Chase with ease or collapse in a heap, guess it comes down to how well they go in the first 10 to 15 overs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Pakistan pull this off I'm getting smashed in their honour.

[Dave.]

Pakistan were never going to win that one and never will win a game chasing a target against the better sides in the competition. They are a team that needs to bat first and then defend the target.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As is pretty much every team when it comes to serious cricket. This bowl first obsession is mental.

[Ian]

Where does it come from?

There aren't that many really high successful chases so I don't understand what the thinking is.

[thommo]

Where does it come from?

There aren't that many really high successful chases so I don't understand what the thinking is.

I think it's come from just this year alone. England have chased 340+ successfully 3 times this year already, and Australia chased 359 with 2 overs to spare in India.

What gets missed is they make up 4 of the top 11 ODI chases of all time. Just because England have made a habit of it recently doesn't make it a sure thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And those are all in bilateral shitfests. Add a dose of World Cup pressure and it's a very different story.

Still early days in this tournament but the highest chase so far was New Zealand getting 245 against Bangladesh and that was a close run thing. Batsmen consistently throw their wickets away with scoreboard pressure in play.

[Ian]

Reading some of this Cook and Swann(y) Q&A on TMS.

Talking about the Ashes and Swann says "Please tell me James Vince has an England future?"

It's fine, Graeme, I'm sure we can find somebody to nick off the exact moment he gets to 24 runs every single time.

[thommo]

The seethe from Indian fans over the awful weather this week is truly fantastic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's benefited them if anything.

[thommo]

What the fuck is wrong with the ECB? There's absolutely nothing they can do about rain, but for fucks sake invest in better drainage and ground staff, I mean it rains so damn often every single year, it's not rocket science.


We all knew this was gonna happen , the last two ICC in England sucked.

I was just shocked who condscending some fans were. " WaIT tILl tHe ToUrnMEnt stArTs bEfORe yOu CoMPlain AboUt THe RaIN!! ".

We are here know and it sucks. I just wish ECB didn't have so much power. The same people who were behind Project Snow.


You know ECB chose not to invest in basic tarpaulin and other drying infrastructure. Stadiums in India even have undersoil heating for accelerated evaporation

:D

[Jimmy Floyd]

We have brilliant drainage at all our grounds. They should have seen how it was in the old days.

It has famously never rained in India.

[niko_cee]

I love how there seems to be a random rain cloud lolling around the UK washing out matches whilst it's fine everywhere else.

Hope it doesn't pitch up here on Saturday when the serious business of Norway v Italy gets under way at 10.45. Any other attendees are welcome to pop in for a beer as I live across the road from the ground (although I'll be at the ground, so we may have to work that out).

[Clunge]

So Somerset beat Kent by 10 wickets in a game that went the full four days yet there was only four sessions played and 120.1 overs bowled in the entire match. We are now 26 points clear in the county championship.

We bowled Kent out for 59 in their final innings reducing them from 24/2 at resumption after days of rain to 59 all out in about an hour. Gregory 5/21, Overton 3/7. We are unstoppably good this season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All our batsmen going lame :face:

[Ian]

Just do the batting order in reverse.

Roy coming in at 11, 98-9. :drool:

[Dave.]

Can someone explain to me why Rashid bowled 10 overs while Woakes only bowled five and Wood wouldn't have completed his allocation? Seems a bit odd.:cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

They will have matchup data for the various batsmen which will inform a lot of their bowling decisions. Brathwaite and a few others will show up as pony vs leg spin.

[Max Power]

Root and Stokes took a few from the main bowler’s quota as well. Goldenarm Joe :cool: Love him being listed as off break/leg break on cricinfo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I saw footage of Steve Smith practising off spin in the nets. He's clearly jealous.

[Max Power]

If Roy is crocked I’d leave it like this and have Root open. Bring Moeen back into the top 7. Cba with Vince but you just know he’ll come in and make 75(73) against Afghanistan and be inked in for a litany of 20-30 scores against the decent sides.

[Ian]

24, Max. I'm convinced that it's exactly 24 about 90% of the time.

[Max Power]

And in exactly the same way every time.

[Danny]

Woakes up at three :cool:

[Ian]

And in exactly the same way every time.

Every single time. :moop:

[Jimmy Floyd]

He has a face for failure. Unlike Chris Woakes, who has the face of history's leading all-round cricketer.

[niko_cee]

Who was it on here who was a leading Woakes advocate back in the day?

Rashid was a bit unlucky, should have had Russell (I'm not having this 'Dre Russ' business) and was then deposited for consecutive sixes after he was dropped, and was clearly left on at the end to bamboozle the lower order, which he did (although he was being dead batted for the most part).

[Ian]

He has a face for failure.

I might see if I can donate one of my chins to him seeing as his looks like it stopped developing at birth.

[niko_cee]

Also, Andre Russell somehow managing to bat like more of a dickhead than he did against Australia was some going.

I suppose there's a way to go, but it feels like if the weather continues like it has with these damp conditions then it might be hard for the mighty Mo to get back in the full side (short of Roy or Morgan being fully dead from their ailments). Guess he and Vince come in to deal with Afghanistan.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think we need an upset tomorrow from someone. At the moment it's just a comfortable cruise to the semis for England, India, Australia and New Zealand. The Asian sides can't cope with the moving ball to the point where I see Sri Lanka have put in an official complaint about it.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019/story/world-cup-2019-sri-lanka-make-official-complain-to-icc-about-unfair-pitches-1549235-2019-06-14

We should try that one next time we go to India.

[niko_cee]

It's hard to see past those four teams given how the table looks at the moment, but maybe a Pakistan win on Sunday could put the cat among the pigeons to some extent. No one is going to win enough games unless one of India, Australia or England somehow have all their remaining games against the shite washed out, and even then it'd be a stretch.

[Dave.]

Who was it on here who was a leading Woakes advocate back in the day?

Rashid was a bit unlucky, should have had Russell (I'm not having this 'Dre Russ' business) and was then deposited for consecutive sixes after he was dropped, and was clearly left on at the end to bamboozle the lower order, which he did (although he was being dead batted for the most part).

I thought there would be some logic behind it, was at work all day so only saw the scorecard really.

We're looking good to reach the semi finals but I'm sure we'll find a way to mess it up somewhere along the line.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think Australia/New Zealand are a lot more vulnerable than England and India. I say that although we have already borked a game and the others haven't, but Australia have been pretty jammy so far and that will catch up with them in the end, while New Zealand have hard games remaining. If NZ lose to us, Aus and India then that could be the opening for someone else, though it's hard to say who.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've just plugged all my expected results into a thing and it comes out as 1 India 2 England 3 Australia 4 NZ and then a big gap to Pak/Windies, so it will probably need several upsets to be any different. Here's hoping, although those semi-finals would be class.

[niko_cee]

The India/NZ washout hasn't done the chasing pack any favours.

England are, by far, the best team in terms of available personnel (Morgan and Roy being dead notwithstanding), no one else even comes close to the quality of the batting line-up, and the bowling is catching up with the rest with Archer. Even the game we stuffed up we had a couple of centurions and nearly chased a tournament record score (probably should have) after doing pretty much everything else wrong. I think it'll take England throwing in a genuine stinker to get turned over by anyone other than India. We all know that's well within our capability - but more likely against a mercurial side (Pakistan, the Windies) than against more of a contender nation.

Will probably bin it against the Afghans now, somehow.

[Byron]

Now this could get interesting.

[Max Power]

TV on mute, Sri Lankan national anthem (extended edition) on the speakers.

[niko_cee]

They'll probably get over the line, but Australia have approached this game in a very England circa whenever we were really shit way. No faith in slow bowling and, whilst it's objectively a good score, their entire innings felt as if they were just batting to get to a level they hoped would be enough (set the platform) rather than really pushing it. i don't see how you can have Warner batting the way he does against better teams. It feels like in most of their games they've been relying on the other side to fuck up more than going out and winning it on their own terms.

[niko_cee]

I know I'm probably 100% wrong, but I never like these periods of consolidation where a team lets the rate creep back up after getting well ahead of it. To break the back of the chase you need to get it down to double digits asap, rather than banking on 8 an over for 10 at the end, even if that's par for the course these days.

[Byron]

Yeah, the prevailing thought seems to be that having wickets available in the last 10 overs is what matters, when a cursory glance at the Australia batting performances would tell you that particular logic is flawed.

[niko_cee]

120 off 16 overs becomes 180 off 30 overs becomes 250 off 40 overs and you end up losing.

[Max Power]

Big Angelo has this. Namoo namoo namooooo

[niko_cee]

Yeah, they've managed this chase brilliantly.

Going to need some extremely long shot fireworks from here. 260 all out.

[hfswjyr]

SL batting has been shambolic for years now. Consistent collapses game after game. I don't understand how Mathews average is still so high.

[niko_cee]

Didn't even make 250. Poor.

Good job they let Maxwell steal 10 overs when they were going well, which completely killed the game for them.

[Max Power]

Should have been taking Maxwell for minimum 6 an over. Such a weird chase, they got it right by going hard early and then just went into England 09 mode. Bizarre.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pakistan have been a lazy shambles so far.

[Clunge]

Ludicrous end to the match. India looked very dangerous though.

[Ian]

Gayle out for a duck is always nice to see.

[Jimmy Floyd]

#UniverseDross

West Indies need to win this for the tournament's sake really.

[Max Power]

Tigers cruising this chase

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a real pity they got rained off against SL which may well bollocks their chances, as they look a really good and indeed fun outfit in this tournament.

They probably have to upset Australia, Australia don't get upset in these things. They only lose to better teams.

[Byron]

This is how you chase a high total. Foot on the throttle from the start and don't let up. Shakib is demolishing them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It helps when the oppo are absolutely clueless and refuse to bowl length in conditions that demand it. They're trying to play this match at Perth, and it's at Taunton.

[Max Power]

Team selection was awful as well. Just five bowlers, all pace, one of which has no knees and keeps breaking down.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, the Windies have rather got carried away with that first morning against Pakistan.

The Desh now outsiders for the top 4. It would be all too familiar if we somehow ended up missing out to them, although I can't see it happening. Getting our game against Afghanistan washed out tomorrow (happening) will be a start though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Team selection was awful as well. Just five bowlers, all pace, one of which has no knees and keeps breaking down.

They've been dogshit ever since they dropped the real universe boss, Ashley Nurse.

[Max Power]

Bring back big Sulieman Benn imo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oh to be Athar Ali Khan on a day like this.

[Ian]

The Desh. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

We are batting first against Afghanistan. Vince James, your time is now.

[Ian]

24 before edging to slip here we go.

He'll be trying to play a beautiful shot though.

[Ian]

Am I reading the live text right that he was actually dropped on 24?? :D

[Max Power]

Gone for 26. Truly did not see this coming.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're going to lose this.

[Ian]

He is fucking hopeless.

Does he absolutely boss it in county?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah. He's a poor man's Graeme Hick really.

[thommo]

Agree with Jimmy here, this feels like a loss. Uncharacteristically tame start.

[Max Power]

O ye of little faith.

This is brutal. Rashid Khan has aged 10 years in this innings (lol)

[Jimmy Floyd]

Now starting to think we might shade it.

[Danny]

They protected Khan at the end there. He almost had Mick Lewis chased down

[niko_cee]

The drop when Morgan was on 26 or whatever goes down as one of the greats. Not only for the carnage that followed, but also for just how bad an effort it was.

Really hope Roy isn't out of the whole thing. This batting line-up has the potential to wreck anything it comes into contact with.

[thommo]

Starting to think my comment earlier was a little premature. Just goes to show the insanity in that batting line up. 229 runs scored in the last 19 overs is pretty mindblowing.

[Ian]

A lot of the stuff from Twitter or whatever they put on the live text is total bobbins but I quite like this:


Essex League Cricketer: Rashid Khan vs Eoin Morgan today.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2019/6/18/eaeac45f-4a15-4855-bdc0-d4b00c031013.png

[Max Power]

It is a real struggle to find any kind of old cricket highlights on YouTube these days isn’t it? With South Africa/New Zealand today wanted to watch some of the great semi final last time and the horror choke four years previous but there’s nothing out there. A real shame. What do they gain by keeping this stuff private?

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Protecting rights holders'

Helps pay Tom Harrison's £700,000 salary no doubt.

The Aussie robelinda who has loads of old cricket videos on Youtube has had some epic battles over the years, I wish ECB put as many resources into getting my junior teams some equipment as they do into getting his videos taken down.

[Max Power]

He had some great stuff. Still has a fair bit up now tbf.

It’s baffling though. The rights holders can use their rights by having Mark Nicholas talk me through a 30 second “Magic Moment” during a Powerade hydration break but I can’t show a cricket agnostic friend 10 minute highlights of a great game 8 years ago.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's real price of everything, value of nothing bullshit. Other sports are starting to see sense on this do no doubt cricket will follow in about 40 years.

[niko_cee]

de Grandhomme channeling some peak Mark Ealham here.

How he gets away with bowling this filth is anyone's guess.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bowling at a three years past it Hashim Amla always helps.

Those teams who have stuck with old/injured stars all getting absolutely thrashed in this tournament.

[Ian]

Is Amla this far gone in tests as well? Was just looking at his ODI stats and some recent stuff about him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've got the radio on and Pommie Mbangwa is on as a summariser. My mind is slightly blown by this.

He's begun with a yoga/yoghurt pun.

[Dave.]

This South African team is genuinely terrible. It reminds me very much of how England used to play the 50 over game. Having Amla, Du Plessis and Markram in your top four in a modern era ODI is just laughable.

[igor_balis]

It's real price of everything, value of nothing bullshit. Other sports are starting to see sense on this do no doubt cricket will follow in about 40 years.

And what's particularly frustrating is that I'd accept a paywall if there was any way to legitimately buy it. To use Max Power's example, if I had a burning desire to watch extended highlights of an old game I'd happily pay a fairly extortionate £2 or something to do so .

[niko_cee]

This South African team is genuinely terrible. It reminds me very much of how England used to play the 50 over game. Having Amla, Du Plessis and Markram in your top four in a modern era ODI is just laughable.

I was thinking the same when I saw Markram in their line-up at the start of the tournament. A classic England thing to do.

New Zealand are always going to be dangerous in these sort of conditions, but I just feel that if they end up on a baked track in mid-July against India or England then they're going to get absolutely smoked.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Their approach is so wrong. In comes David Miller with Rassie fairly set, and now DM is 13 off 21. One of you has got to go ffs.

[Max Power]

Letting de Grandhomme dibble and dobble his way through 10 overs for 31 is shocking.

Hearing commentary talking up 230 being a tricky chase further brings up the bad old England days when this would happen and they’d subsequently lose by 9 wickets in about 35 overs.

[Ian]

"Colin de Grandhomme has taken exactly one wicket in each of his last 6 ODIs"

Consistency. :drool:

[Max Power]

We’ve slagged them off and they don’t have enough but really need South Africa to defend these to keep the tournament alive. New Zealand chase these and Australia win tomorrow and the top four is locked with plenty of time to spare.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hoping Surrey's Immy Tahir can blow through them, but this is taylormade for Kane 85*

[Jimmy Floyd]

De Kock is one of the thickest cricketers going. Cost them the game not seeing that nick.

[Max Power]

He appeals for EVERYTHING as well :cab:

[Max Power]

They’ve also missed two good run out chances and have dropped a catch. FFS lads keep the tournament alive for another week I’m off work.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mark Nicholas has come on comms, which could yet save them.

Pets on fire costing them with his wild bowling today.

[Ian]

Is the wicket that rough?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jesus do you really not have a third man in at 12 off 7? Mental. Let him hoy it straight ffs if he has the bottle.

[Max Power]

Brilliant, nerveless knock from Williamson.

[niko_cee]

New Zealand really don't seem to be that good. They've absolute mugged the saffers here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This format is absolute gubbins, it really is. Three weeks of dead rubbers coming up.

[Max Power]

*extremely Athar Ali Khan voice* “If Bangladesh can play to their potential they can cause an upset”

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://youtu.be/7wR9JWIX99Y

Believe. The great man going TAKE THAT AUSTRALIA at the end still his finest moment.

[Max Power]

I am declaring the dream already dead. 360 minimum here for Australia and they ain’t chasing that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You have to take wickets against these and Bangladesh don't have the attack to do it.

Trent Bridge the worst possible venue as well. And they lost the toss.

[Ian]

This is like the higher levels of Stick Cricket. Easy enough to look after your wickets but the required run rate getting out of hand.

[Max Power]

Think they’d have chased 350. But no. Dead rubbers it is from now on.

[Ian]

Jinxed them nicely there. Sorry lads.

Is everything literally a dead rubber now or just all matches with an obvious winner?

[Max Power]

Barring some absolute nonsense the top four is set. Set your alarms for three weeks and the semi finals...

[niko_cee]

Realistically most if not all ODIs are dead rubbers.

The Desh will play every remaining game as if their lives depend on it. It'll just be the saffers plebbing it up in a sulk at having been totally shite.

I don't mind the format, although think maybe they'd be better having an IPL-style set-up for the semis (if they have 1 v 2 and the loser getting a second chance against the winner of 3 v 4, that is) to add actual meaning to the big games at the end of the league bit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The format should be 2x8 with two games a day, then quarter-finals. Nice and elongated to satisfy the TV people, but involves emerging nations and creates a climax of some sort.

If you're going to have this format, you need to do the rugby league style playoffs to make it interesting.

[Ian]

Yeah I really dislike that they've lowered the number of teams involved.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Holland twatted Zimbabwe in an ODI yesterday, which made me wish for what might have been.

[Max Power]

Those damn unfair pitches causing Sri Lankan openers to get caught at deep third man in the third over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I saw Angelo was having another whinge about the weather before play. This tournament has taught me a lot about the subcontinental mind (at least those minds that aren't filled with vicious hard right ethno-nationalism). We don't all have a 'wet season'.

[Max Power]

Where is Russell Arnold btw? Not complaining I don’t have to hear his moaning and weak patter but he used to be nailed on for the Sri Lankan voice. Seems he’s been completely replaced by the brilliant Sangakkara. Bet he’s seething.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sure he still gets all the gigs that Sanga can't be arsed with.

I wonder why they have such a big chip on their shoulder. Probably because they are shit and know they are.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Really hoping they get about 245 here and we chase it down for the loss of 0 wickets in about 23 overs.

[Max Power]

Rashid growing into the tournament now. Nearly everything is looking good. Just need Roy to get fit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure who I want in the semis. Probably Australia. I think we'd beat them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Christ, he's done it again.

[Max Power]

Unconfirmed rumours James Vince played a couple of lovely shots and then nicked off. More as we get it.

[Byron]

If we lose this and assuming we lose to India, does this make Australia a must win?

[niko_cee]

What's the record for golden ducks in a world cup then?

Making a meal of this. Plus ca change and all that.

[niko_cee]

If we lose this and assuming we lose to India, does this make Australia a must win?

Not really. Still got he Kiwis as well, and someone else (presumably Sri Lanka) would probably have to win both their remaining games as well.

[niko_cee]

Still, good effort this.

Mo and Bloakesy to save the day.

[Max Power]

Deliberately making it tricky so we are battle hardened for the semis...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Windies/Desh/Pak can only get to 11 (the first two still need to beat India to do even that) so we should be fine regardless.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Deliberately making it tricky so we are battle hardened for the semis...

Morgan would probably do this tbh.

[niko_cee]

That's so so poor from Moeen.

[niko_cee]

They'll be having deep Plunkett regret again here.

I assume Archer can't bat.

[Max Power]

Archer can hit a long ball but a bit more nous needed here I think.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm the biggest Moeen fan around but these brain fades are so regular and so pathetic.

[niko_cee]

It's odd isn't it, for such an ostensibly erudite person he is so ill-disciplined and easy to set traps for.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You can actually get at this England side easily in pressure game. Not thinking is their strength in the good times but in a tight game leads to certain defeat.

Bilateral series of the recent past are so completely irrelevant.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, sticky wickets are a major problem. If it's foot to the floor conditions no one can live with them, but as soon as you need a bit of nous things can go awry.

Still think they'll be fine, as long as Roy is available. If he isn't stick Mo up top and bring Plunkett in. Vince is fucking hopeless.

[Max Power]

Next time they get on a similar pitch they just go hard from the off and regroup if you lose two or three. They seemed determined to nudge it around from the off and win in a sensible, grown up way. Admittedly they were sort of hamstring in attempting that today with no Roy and Bairstow gone first ball.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Vince was actually a major problem in that game because on slow ones he bats like he has never heard of cricket before, and makes loads of mistakes. Roy/Bairstow might make one big mistake but if not, you're getting 50 from them minimum.

I still thought we would win until Woakes nicked off. Archer's shot will get overlooked but was also absolute brainless dogshit, all he has to do is play out 20 balls for Stokes and we would still win.

It's very frustrating to watch because they are always completely unapologetic about failures.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sri Lanka's next three are South Africa, West Indies and India in that order. If they win the first two and get to 10 points, we're having to win one, and then India could throw the last game...

Other routes to our ignominious elimination include Pakistan (fixtures: SA, NZ, AF, BD) going on a Pakistan run and winning all four, or West Indies getting their act together. For all Bangladesh's charm and fun I think they're probably done as they have to beat India.

[niko_cee]

Archer's shot will get overlooked but was also absolute brainless dogshit, all he has to do is play out 20 balls for Stokes and we would still win.


Absolutely, all you need to do is be a body when the guy at the other end who can actually bat goes for it. With an extra wicket in hand Stokes wins that with ease at the end, but like you say, no apologies.

We'll win our remaining games. Sub-continental no-marks are our kryponite, but, if we can't win another game (which is really all we need) then we're fucking shit anyway.

[hfswjyr]

I'm sure he still gets all the gigs that Sanga can't be arsed with.

I wonder why they have such a big chip on their shoulder. Probably because they are shit and know they are.


Really hoping they get about 245 here and we chase it down for the loss of 0 wickets in about 23 overs.

I love the internet.

Doubt this result will matter anyway. England will still make the semis, and have every chance of winning the thing. Just two games from there.
Anyone but India/Aus again please.

[Queenslander]

http://i64.tinypic.com/w9cjzc.jpg

[hfswjyr]

I was sure Braithwaite had won it on that last ball there. Looked for all money to be a 6.

[Danny]

As someone not shitting themselves at the thought of it going for 6, I knew he didn’t have enough on that one.

He needed to calm the fuck down there. He had swing and got lucky a few times. He could have taken that deeper without needing to be silly. I suppose when you think it’s your night though.

[ItalAussie]

It's a travesty that the associates aren't here. The format is a bit silly really.

But I realise the economic necessities. Can't we just write "India and Pakistan must always be drawn in the same group" into the rules somehow?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Funnily enough for the next World T20 they haven't been drawn together, for the first time since forever.

[niko_cee]

I don't know what it's like at Lords but it feels like win the toss and bowl conditions here today. Juicy.

Should probably consider replacing Vince with James Anderson at the last minute.

I don't know if it's funny or depressing that our attempts to play the sort of cricket you need to do to win in the rest of the world is going to be undone by an unusually (lol) damp British summer nullifying the slow bowlers and the batting 400 brigade.

[niko_cee]

Brings back memories of youth cricket (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48742007)

[thommo]

I would back us to beat anyone in any ODI over the last 2-3 years. Now it's down to the nitty gritty of a World Cup tournament, I'm shitting bricks and can't see us winning another game.

All I can see happening this morning is the sun coming out and the Aussies battering 120 off the opening 15.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think we will win this. Even if they get 300, you can get at all their bowlers after the openers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Australia are sickening. Literally every piece of luck has gone their way in this whole tournament.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sonething on twitter says it's statistically the luckiest 15 overs of the tournament.

[Ian]

Statistically the luckiest??

[thommo]

TMS said it was something like 8 or 9 play and misses in the opening 10.

And now they're through that sticky period, they're making hay. I'm resigned to the defeat.

[Ian]

Yeah we need something here, pronto.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Statistically the luckiest??

The highest % of false strokes without losing a wicket for that period of time.

There we go. MO

[ItalAussie]

Australia are sickening. Literally every piece of luck has gone their way in this whole tournament.

We're already basically through to the semi-finals. I'd rather get it there now. As it is, that's where the wheels will fall off the luck-train.

EDIT: This is not to say we can't lose from here. Far from it - England are still favourites, albeit less so than when the game started. They're just giving themselves something to chase, and drag it out to maybe 45 overs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we had Roy I'd agree, but instead we have James Vince.

England losing makes the tournament better I guess. Christ.

[Ian]

Lol at Stoinis sprinting all the way through there.

[Ian]

Well this is a bit more like it.

Of course we ourselves are essentially starting at 24-1 but at least we're looking at a target more doable with that in mind.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jeez they should have got 340 with that start. They're a four man team, opening bats and opening bowlers.

[Ian]

I don't watch a lot of ODI outside of World Cups. Is Maxwell a Gayle-esque figure where he's only really interested in hammering it to the boundary?

[ItalAussie]

I don't watch a lot of ODI outside of World Cups. Is Maxwell a Gayle-esque figure where he's only really interested in hammering it to the boundary?

Nope. He'll put together an innings if he comes in before the 30th over. But after that, his instructions are to go hard. And he gets forgiven if it doesn't go off. What's nice is that he plays good shots - he's no slogger.

That wound up a lot less worse than I dreaded, but still likely not enough.

[ItalAussie]

Jeez they should have got 340 with that start. They're a four man team, opening bats and opening bowlers.

I mostly agree, but S. Smith is good for a few runs here and there.

Also Carey is normally a safe pair of hands, which is his real job.

[Queenslander]

Carn the boys!

[niko_cee]

This is a piss easy chase 95% of the time in the last 4 years so we'll no doubt spack it up here. If Vince is going to get out wafting for an attractive 24 hopefully he can do it at a good rate and not see Bairstow golden ducked at the other end whilst he's at it. Starc full and straight at wee Jonny is surely going to be the plan.

[Ian]

Ah, Vince has cut out the middle man I see.

Twat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Vince is absolutely fucking useless. The greatest example yet of this country's predilection for cricketing style over substance. Bring back Trott getting 85 off 120.

[Queenslander]

Carn the boys!

[Max Power]

Oh no.

Gonna need to be a Buttler miracle knock incoming I feel.

[Ian]

Well this is fun.

[thommo]

It's like nothing ever changes. Stupid shot to play given the situation.

That being said, Finch and Warner sliced their way to a 100 partnership so maybe he was trying to emulate that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You have to remember Morgan is the most stubborn man going. He will keep bowling first and he will keep batting the same way.

I swear we as a nation just can't do major tournament play. Applies in every sport.

[Ian]

Was that shot from Bairstow as lazy as it looks to my ignorant eyes?

[niko_cee]

Vince.

:drool:

The aggressive brand.

:drool:

Hales sat at home lolling his tits off.

:drool:

[Ian]

"Lolling his tits off" or "lolling, off his tits"?

Vince needs to fuck all the way off though. Maybe he can specialise in doing mo-cap for cricket games if his technique is so fucking dreamy.

[niko_cee]

Both.

David Willey too.

[Ian]

Some ball to get rid of Stokes. It was a valiant effort.

[niko_cee]

All on Mo and Bloakes, deep square on red alert.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All I can say is I hope it's Pakistan who snare fourth spot and not fucking Sri Lanka.

[Max Power]

You’ve got to laugh. Finally crack one day cricket, smashing everyone in sight for four years. Oh and it’s a home World Cup and we’ve just found a cracking fast bowler two months before it starts and we still manage to fuck it up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love Pakistan. I only have the radio but the atmosphere sounds proper scenesy.

India v Pakistan semi would be orgasmic.

[Ian]

You’ve got to laugh. Finally crack one day cricket, smashing everyone in sight for four years. Oh and it’s a home World Cup and we’ve just found a cracking fast bowler two months before it starts and we still manage to fuck it up.

Yes unfortunately Englanding is still what we're better at than anything else.

And picking James fucking Vince. :mad:

[Max Power]

I love Pakistan. I only have the radio but the atmosphere sounds proper scenesy.

India v Pakistan semi would be orgasmic.

Only saw the first few overs but the noise for Amir’s first over was insane. The only real consolation to this England collapse would be Pakistan knocking India out. Or the Bangers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We might need the bangers to do us a favour and beat them at this rate.

That said, we really should be winning one of the last two. Unmitigated disaster if we don't.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're fucked, aren't we?

[niko_cee]

Probably going to need to win the last 2, so very much need to press the Roy button or whatever the line was and hope all guns blazing comes off against India.

(before getting merked on a murky greentop by Tim Southee)

[Jimmy Floyd]

If the pitch at Edgbaston is anything like the one in that last game we might as well just fold our hand now and make Vince captain.

I am quite angry really given that the ECB have flattened everything for these mooks.

[Ian]

Jimrage 3 soon, lads. :drool:

[Ian]

Windies really taking their time laying this foundation here.

[niko_cee]

They've dug too far down.

About 6 foot by the looks of it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nicholas Pooran down my trousers is probably their best player now, so you never know.

I see the chief exec of this World Cup has now been put in charge of the Hundred, good luck old boy.