The Cricket Thread

[Max Power]

Yeah Pooran looks class. Also time for Shimron Hetmyer to come to the party.

Dare I work out scenarios India don’t qualify?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think they have to lose all their games, which in fairness isn't impossible given they have only brought three batsmen.

[Max Power]

I have shelved my investigations.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Can't think of a worse chasing unit ever than this West Indies side. Completely one dimensional but don't even elect to deploy that one dimension.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bairstow has had another MELTDOWN I see. They really need to keep him away from the media.

[Max Power]

He’s lucky he’s personally escaped criticism. Two first ballers, dropped catches and his dismissal was the most inforgivable against Australia.

[Ian]

I love how criticism is always THE CRITICS WERE WAITING FOR THIS and NOBODY WANTS US TO WIN!

Fuck off, eedjit.

[Ian]

PaddyPower have Sri Lanka at 2.63 for this. I'll have a bit of that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pradeep is out with a 'sudden illness' (not a short illness I hope), presumably a fresh deck at Durham, don't fancy them chasing.

EDIT: It seems they're batting, cricinfo managed to get the toss result wrong.

[Jimmy Floyd]

PaddyPower have Sri Lanka at 2.63 for this. I'll have a bit of that.

I got on large at 3.4 after the toss, early wicket caused a slight sense of humour failure but South Africa not at the races so far.

[Ian]

I only put some on them as part of an accumulator with some football. The odds are currently slightly increased over that so I'm tempted to chucker a tenner on them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They love chucking wickets away. Don't really fancy SA to chase anything mind.

[thommo]

Anything over 220 is going to be tough when you have Amla plodding along at the top of the order.

[Ian]

I wouldn't put it past the Saffers to fuck it from here but I'm glad I didn't go for an extra bet just on this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My troops have been withdrawn. They're just too shit.

[Max Power]

Fuck me that is a risible dismissal. How did we lose to these mugs?

[Ian]

What a load of shit this is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

RIP Sri Lanka. After Malinga and Angelo call it a day, all they will have left are a few mercurial thrashers and a load of shit spin.

Could see them not qualifying for the next one of these. Holland are coming, Scotland, Nepal. Not too convinced by Ireland.

[ItalAussie]

South Africa destroying a mediocre team after being eliminated from the competition was practically a certainty, in retrospect.

Tonight is quite important, although we might be mathematically better off with a loss. India are surely going to run the table now, and NZ winning might be Australia's best chance of having India and England run into each other in the other half of the draw.

[Ian]

Run the table? India have yet to face the might of James Vince, Ital.

[ItalAussie]

I do think England could knock them over on their day. Don't know that you have the bowling to knock over Sharma and Kohli cheaply though.

[Max Power]

What scenes if the hounds do us a huge favour and turn over Pakistan here...

[Byron]

From what I gather they don't have much batting left now either.

[Danny]

I stuck on the NZ game and watched Boult get a hattrick to end the Innings, fliicked the stream over to the Afg game to catch that run out :drool:

[Danny]

Take it the captain is on a fix then. Why the hell is he bowling himself when the spinners have it under control.

Either that or its JT with his 2008 penalty and he wanted to be the hero.

[Max Power]

Yeah he fucked it bowling himself. Oh well. It’s on us tomorrow to do the business.

[Max Power]

Edgbaston has spun a fair bit so leaving Mo out despite his form is a big call but I like Plunkett coming back in, think we’ve missed him. Roy back as well.

Batting first :rave:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think this is the right setup for us, just need to 'execute' now.

[Max Power]

England dismantling bowling attacks on absolute roads. I have missed this.

[Ian]

Are these runs as aesthetically pleasing as they should be, though?

#justice4vince

[Byron]

Batting first :drool:

[Ian]

Bairstow started playing really weirdly after he got his hundred.

[Kikó]

Nicely balanced this one. Kohli going could be influential.

[Byron]

Pretty much on a knife edge at this point.

[niko_cee]

It shouldn't be, but you can just see Dhoni helicoptering 30 off an over at some point to fuck us.

[Danny]

I do love when Dhoni just decides they cant win so plays for the red inkers

[Kikó]

Ok i think we've won.

[Byron]

You'd think at this point they would just go for it, they need sixes. Seems MS Hitler just doesn't care.

[niko_cee]

Stokes to bowl the last with them needing 30-odd . . .

[Max Power]

What nonsense from Dhoni :lol:

He’s keeping the strike now? It’s mathematically impossible mate.

[niko_cee]

Bit of a change in a year for Roy, wasnt he getting left out for being shit this time last year? Now he's the catalyst for the entire team.

What's the most likely route to getting bombed out of this now? Does a wash-out in Durham screw us? If not I guess it's either a nibbly greentop or someone (India?) chucking a game (against the Desh?).

[Ian]

The back end of that was just bizarre shit from India.

[niko_cee]

Roy's return obviously gets the headlines, but Plunkett's was probably as significant. Was quite surprised he wasn't straight back in after the Pakistan game. Looking like a choice between Mo and Rashid at the moment. Who was it that was on Rashid as leading wicket-taker? He's been dross.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Dhoni has been fixing for years, nothing should surprise anyone.

[thommo]

I seem to remember this same conversation, post for post, last year, when Dhoni was trundling his way to a 50 in about 75 balls when the asking rate was around 10. The Lords ODI I think it was. He's a fucking disgrace.

[Danny]

Roy's return obviously gets the headlines, but Plunkett's was probably as significant. Was quite surprised he wasn't straight back in after the Pakistan game. Looking like a choice between Mo and Rashid at the moment. Who was it that was on Rashid as leading wicket-taker? He's been dross.

Baz. I went back and found it on Page 109 (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?64-The-Cricket-Thread/page109)

I thought I had recommended Starc as wicket taker but apparently not.

[Ian]

Can India genuinely not do any better than Dhoni or does his knowledge of who has the greasiest palms see him through?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He still has his moments, but Rishabh Pant should really be first choice now and they must have another bat who has more gears than MSD. Indian cricket tends to move very slowly when it comes to replacing legends.

[Ian]

Do I, for England's benefit, strictly speaking "want" India to win here? :uhoh:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I suppose in theory, but I can't ever support India in anything really.

[Max Power]

Bangers have a huge inferiority complex against India. They aren’t winning this. As evidenced by that absolute shocker of a drop.

[Ian]

Here comes Dhoni to swashbuckle India to victory.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bangers have a huge inferiority complex against India. They aren’t winning this. As evidenced by that absolute shocker of a drop.

All the other subcontinent teams do. Rock stars.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kohli can fuck right off screaming at the umpire about a DRS not going his way. Should be his tournament over really (obviously won't be).

I see Dhoni has left the field after less than 10 overs, this Indian side is like a corruption machine.

[Ian]

Has Dhoni left the field so they can conveniently bring on a really good fielder?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yes, although taking off Iron Gloves Dhoni to do it is a new level of shamelessness.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Debating a huge bet on Bangladesh to win here. Don't think I'll have the bottle, but it's a war between my cynicism and Ravi Shastri's moral compass, and it's a war to the bitter end.

[Max Power]

Has Dhoni left the field so they can conveniently bring on a really good fielder?


https://twitter.com/cricvizanalyst/status/1146072565171011585?s=21

[Max Power]

Think they’ve fucked it now. A batter short today and the rate is climbing.

[Ian]

https://twitter.com/cricvizanalyst/status/1146072565171011585?s=21

Amazing.

[niko_cee]

Has anyone chased anything of note in this World Cup? Rather turned the zeitgeist on its head.

[Max Power]

Bangladesh chased 320 against the West Indies but after that it’s a load of totals they’d have cruised in the 80s.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has anyone chased anything of note in this World Cup? Rather turned the zeitgeist on its head.

Nasser always says 'runs on the board in a final' and that applies to basically any World Cup game. Evidently not to first Ashes Tests, but whatever.

Batting at this level is hard enough without having to think about the sums at the same time.

[Ian]

But what if you've really managed to convince yourself that you can chase anything?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Today will either be great or an utter disaster. Here's hoping we win the toss and ****ing bat.

[Queenslander]

Kiwis will win this I reckon.

[Max Power]

Batting first and no Lockie Ferguson.

[hfswjyr]

Can't see us winning this. Southee is going to be smashed all around the park.

We should make the semifinals, which I'm still very proud of.

[Max Power]

Bairstow looking in good nick. Who can he start a fight with before the semis?*





* if we get there

[Queenslander]

Batting first and no Lockie Ferguson.

I reneg

[Ian]

Why are we batting second like COWARDS?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bairstow looking in good nick. Who can he start a fight with before the semis?*





* if we get there

He needs to call out Tendulkar as a fraud or something, let the responses rile him up.

[Ian]

"England have scored seven hundreds in this tournament. That is as many in the previous eight World Cups combined."

Lol.

[thommo]

Feel like we're completely chucking this away. Williamson to make 100* to run the Kiwis to victory.

We were 194-1 after 30... and have scored 65-5 in the next 15.

[Ian]

This has gone well.

[Max Power]

But as we were saying, no one has really chased this tournament. 300 a very good score in a crunch World Cup game.

Although no doubt this is the game Guptill, Taylor and everyone find form :moop:

[thommo]

True, but I'm so naturally negative about England in these tough situations. Realistically, this is a good score on a pitch that is slowing up. Woakes and Plunkett should hopefully do the business with some cutters/slower balls.

[Jimmy Floyd]

305 should be plenty, unless Williamson gets 150*.

Umpire S Ravi and his trigger finger doing its patriotic duty as well.

[Ian]

Christ, that sounds like it was lucky.

No shits given, though. :dance:

[Max Power]

Are they actually in danger of collapsing to such a degree they allow Pakistan to take a run at the big NRR gap?

Actually no surely it’s borderline impossible they fail to qualify.

[Ian]

Are there any implications for us beyond win-and-we're-through?

Do we need to care about what happens in other matches if we win this?

[Max Power]

Nope win and we are through and will play at Edgbaston next Thursday. Almost certainly against India.

[Ian]

So what you're telling me is that it's COMING HOME?

[Max Power]

Without doubt

[niko_cee]

We can still lose this, then India at Edgbaston followed by Australia at Lords is a right pain in the arse route to winning it. Why isn't every game at Trent Bridge? Or, at a push, the Ageas or whatever it is called these days?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Australia at Lord's is a nightmare final. Hopefully the Bangla boys do the decent thing and get themselves bowled out for 10 to let Pakistan in.

[Max Power]

South Africa beat a rotated Australia into second and we beat them at fortress Edgbaston before India chase 350 against us in the final at Lords with Ravi Shastri spinning his shirt above his head in the away balcony.

[niko_cee]

Are New Zealand in danger of spaffing this up for themselves on the net run rate?

If you don't let de Grandhomme get away with his shite (both bat and ball) then they're soft as shit and have looked so all tournament.

Hopefully they have it in them to ambush Australia somehow, but I really can't see it.

[Byron]

Nope, current standing is that Pakistan would need to bat first, get 400 and then bowl the Bangla Boys out for 14.

[niko_cee]

I must admit I have absolutely no idea how net run rate works. Could they not bowl Bangladesh out cheaply and then knock them off superfast, or does it not work like that? I always thought being rolled cheaply/not batting your overs was fatal for the old net run rate.

[niko_cee]

Feels a bit shit for Pakistan that they're going to get bonked out of this (in all likelihood) on the back of New Zealand having their game against India washed out. They had South Africa on the run in the game they lost to rain as well, didn't they?

[Jimmy Floyd]

New Zealand have been complete pikeys throughout this tournament. Had one good game early doors against Sri Lanka, and since then it's been pure luck + some Williamson runs.

[Shindig]

Top decision by the council to put the big screen on for Sri Lanka's weekend game and not this one.

[Ian]

Seeing that freak Williamson wicket yesterday and then people getting shirty about mankads when they happy is there any reason as a batsman that it's really worth the risk of leaving your ground a moment before the man on-strike starts running?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd say you probably steal an extra run doing it a lot more often than you get out doing it. It is a risk, though.

[Ian]

Yeah and given how infrequently that run is going to be decisive it just seems like trying to gain an edge for it's own sake rather than because it's actually worth the risk that is small in likelihood but potentially catastrophic in consequence.

[niko_cee]

Every run counts. Williamson has probably walked out of his ground as the non-striker (tens of) thousands of times, and stolen hundreds of quick singles on the back of it, whereas he has been out once due to it. He'd have been run out a lot more times if he wasn't backing up properly, I would imagine.

Not doing it would be like saying why bother diving in the outfield to save a run when you could be injured (I'm sure this point was made yesterday as Wood launched himself into the advertising boardings when the NZ goose was already well and truly cooked).

[Ian]

You're probably right with the numbers about doing it thousands of times to gain hundreds of runs but all that means is that the majority of the time it's for nought, and surely a decent proportion of those singles would have been successfully run anyway?

I look at it this way: If an England batsman got out in an important match because of something unlikely that could have been easily prevented I'd be annoyed. If we missed out on a chance of a single not because he's not reacted quickly enough but because he hasn't already ambled a few yards down the wicket I wouldn't blame him.

But then how do you even weigh that against the game where you fall short by a run or two. I guess it's not possible to say which is right or wrong because the numbers to refer to would be nearly impossible to determine so it's just a gut thing.

[Ian]

Though I suppose if any mad statisticians were going to go through the numbers and deem it too risky then the ECB would have done it by now and formed a Plan around it.

[niko_cee]

It's just like walking in as a fielder. You do it. I don't think it's some received wisdom thing which is actually really harmful. Sometimes it means the ball goes over you head by a fraction and had you stood on your heals you could have caught it. But the other 99% of the time it gives you an advantage, so you go with the numbers.

The problem wasn't so much losing their best player to a freak occurrence as it was that he was their only capable batsman so they were fucked whichever way that particular incident went.

I always think the same about getting snaffled down the leg side. Awful way to go, just leave it alone for a wide, but it's easier said than done. Same for Morgan and the short ball. Let them bowl it, he's a midget so it'll probably be a wide and then they can't do it again in the over. But it is a game of risk and if you try to mitigate them all you end up 89-1 after 50 overs.

[Ian]

Such a shame to see The Universe Boss having a disappointing tournament.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of my pre tournament bets was Rahmat Shah to be Afghanistan's top run scorer, to achieve this he needs to score 8 more than Najibullah Zadran in this innings. The ways I keep things interesting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

By my calculations, these scores work for Pakistan:

400, 84ao
450, 129ao
500, 175ao

I really hope they have a go, the entertainment involved will be phenomenal.

[Ian]

Would have been a bit lol if Pakistan had been out before it even started because of the coin toss.

[Ian]

Pakistan do not appear to be swashing many buckles.

[Max Power]

Shaheen looks a talent. Perhaps another “tough paper round” etc but exciting bowler.

[Ian]

Outside of hoping for an amusing result in Sri Lanka's favour do we care what happens here? Does it matter to us now?

[niko_cee]

If India win and Australia lose (or draw?) then it can alter who we face in the semi.

[Byron]

Go given the Aussies are tanking this, would it be preferable to play them at Edgbaston in the Semis?

[niko_cee]

Yes.

India are a much better side.

Should be done and dusted if South Africa (Rabada) weren't (wasn't) so fucking useless in the field.

[hfswjyr]

Yeah, I would certainly have preferred NZ to face Aus. England have a great chance of winning this tournament, despite the 3 losses!

[Max Power]

Surprised Shami has been left out for India but hasn’t seemed to hurt them too much so far. Very nervy start from New Zealand.

[hfswjyr]

Run rate less than 3. May as well practice for tests now.

[Ian]

Well this all seems a bit grim.

[Max Power]

It’s kind of bizarre. This pitch looks fine. India have bowled decently, very well with the new ball. They have to go berserk now and try and get 250 but even that looks light tbh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

NZ are a bang average side and only persistent, extreme luck has brought them to this game.

[Max Power]

They aren’t great but doesn’t excuse the lack of INTENT. They barely played a shot off 20 overs of spin and an injured Pandya.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They don't have the players. Ross Taylor is past it, and has always been horrendous against spin and particularly left arm spin. The openers might as well not be there. It's Kane 150* or they lose.

[Max Power]

In more disappointing news it seems the Pepe’s adverts have stopped shouting out individual shops and now have only a “calling everyone in the UK” version. Sad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That is very sad. I had planned a special trip to Blackburn and everything.

[Max Power]

Jumped out my seat when my local got a shoutout earlier in the tournament.

[Ian]

They never even mentioned the Glasgow ones so FUCK 'em. That's what I say.

[Max Power]

Scenes if India go out in a DLS adjusted chase. The seethe will be unparalleled.

[Max Power]

Or not. They’ll win comfortably tomorrow.

[niko_cee]

What happens now? Do they start again tomorrow or does the game carry on? Massively unfair if it's the latter.

[Max Power]

The game carries on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is why they don't have reserve days, they are a massive pile of shit.

It is funny watching Indian Twitter get their head around rain.

[Max Power]

Sharma gone early 👀

[Max Power]

Ooh this is is well and truly game on. Lovely from Boult.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The scenes if they bottle this. MS Pony to score 70* off 230 and see them home though.

[Max Power]

My word. Keep Sanjay Manjrekar on don’t you dare end his stint this is great.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What is he blaming? I've got a tenner on conspiratorial English umpires

[Byron]

Oh yes :drool:

[Max Power]

What is he blaming? I've got a tenner on conspiratorial English umpires
He’s just devastated. Tried to get an “umpires call” thing going with Kohli wicket but now saying good decision.

Simon Doull stoking the “Kohli is a bottler” fire which is top wind up material so fair play to him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It is all quite reminiscent of the final vs Pakistan.

[Max Power]

Catch of the tournament!

Dhoni still hiding...

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was going to say permalol at Dhoni hiding down the order.

[Byron]

r/cricket is going to make for phenomenal reading.

[Ian]

Oh man. :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Santner has form against these.

Not sure how Dhoni move the betting market from here, might have to retire hurt and then come back.

[Max Power]

Santner’s figures :cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jadeja makes me nervous. He's a right pest of a cricketer.

[Max Power]

And unlike the bloke at the other end he seems to have noticed the required run rate is climbing and is going to attempt to do something about it.

[Ian]

Fuck's sake, New Zealand, get this done.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nothing will stop Jadeja here. Sanju Manju has fired him right up.

[Max Power]

Jesus I’m a bit nervy watching this, god knows what it’ll be like if England are in a similar spot tomorrow.

[Max Power]

This is fucking amazing

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've had the emotional rollercoaster of my life just following this on cricinfo with a bit of Jeremy Coney in the earpiece now and then, sod actually watching it.

[Max Power]

Ian Smith and Sourav Ganguly not exactly the dream team on TV comms but it just worked. Was out my seat after the runout. Incredible.

[Byron]

Work is going to be glorious when talking to the processing guys.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cracking knock by Big Mahendra again, surely has another World Cup cycle in him.

Kiwis can't bat but my word can they bowl.

[Ian]

:cool:

[niko_cee]

I've seen nothing of this match, what was the situation with the pitch? Are the ICC trolling by preparing minefields, was it conditions, or was it just a mix of good bowling, slightly sub-optimal conditions and nervy batting?

Forecast for Birmingham tomorrow looks interesting.

[Max Power]

Pitch played fine, maybe didn’t come onto the bat beautifully as the innings wore on but all the Seamers bowled a lot of cutters. Bit of spin when India bowled. New ball moved a bit for only for 5-10 overs and not hooping round corners.

Just two good bowling attacks, good fielding and PRESSURE.

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[Byron]

Hey Harold.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was simple really, they got Rohit and Kohli out for one each. If you do that, you beat them. They really fucked up their selection for this, as they do for most tournaments, which left them with a geriatric Dhoni and a load of no marks in the middle order.

Still, see ya boys.

[Max Power]

Advantage Australia as they win the toss and bat. Not very confident at all.

[niko_cee]

Quite fancy the chase today. Conventional wisdom has to stand up at some point. Time for Bloakesy to be a hero. An Edgbaston Ashes morning please.

[niko_cee]

Or, at least batting second the sinking feeling tends to come later in the day.

[Max Power]

Absolutely on it here. All over them :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I invested large in us after the toss. You don't touch us at Edgbaston.

[Pleb]

On the ropes :drool:

[Max Power]

Flawless bowling performance thus far. Just absolutely on the money.

[hfswjyr]

Knockout batting looks like another beast altogether.

[Ian]

It's the hope that kills you.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure if they have an Andy Bichel this time waiting to crush our dreams. Maybe Marcus Stoinis 60* and 5/29

Do they have another keeper in the XI? Handscomb?

[Max Power]

Handscomb keeps doesn’t he?

Still fancy them to post a decent score. Think they’ll go after Rashid big time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rash has been pants all tournament hasn't he. As have almost all wrist-spinners actually, contrary to vogue.

[Max Power]

Top drawer reverse jinx :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fucking have some. You have to mean it or it doesn't work.

[Max Power]

Oh that’s lovely!

[ItalAussie]

As soon as we lost against South Africa I started to write us off. Edgebaston isn't exactly a happy hunting ground for us, but I'd have backed us to do you at Lord's.

India were a two-man band, although Jadeja is a brutal hitter when he's in. I'd forgotten he was playing, and assumed that it was done once Kohli was back in the sheds.

Guptil's runout was the obvious highlight, but the low-key impressive move for me was the ease with which Williamson took the Jadeja catch. Everything was riding on it, and he took it like it was a tennis ball in backyard cricket.

[Max Power]

Couldn’t have asked for a better performance in the field really.

Now just please just please don’t fuck it up lads.

[niko_cee]

Just for once can we not just piss a chase? Should have this on toast but, well, it's England. Hopefully the aggressive brand holds up.

Bowlers superb.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hopefully we learn from the Sri Lanka debacle and come after it. If ever we needed the Brand it is now.

No Vince helps, although I see he made a cameo catching Carey earlier.

[Max Power]

Roy and Bairstow out first over caught at deep third man off Starc then?

Seriously though, having Roy back is such a change from Sri Lanka. Strong first power play and it’s more or less game over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Indian twitter's latest pastime is trying to convince themselves that 224 is a monstrous target. England could fuck it up, but it's a shit target.

[Max Power]

Roy the boy. The ball sounds so good off the bat with him. Like a gunshot.

[Ian]

Why has he even bothered reviewing that? Has he caught his pad and thought it was the ball or something?

[Gray Fox]

Is it too early to panic?

[Max Power]

In the bag. They’ve broken the back of the chase. And a couple of arms as well.

[Ian]

Well that was disconcertingly easy.

[niko_cee]

Career ending stuff for Lyon in the white ball game.

Nice one cobber.

That Smith over too.

:drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Real shame that.

[niko_cee]

Also, did anyone else think Buttler was (quite sensibly?) aiming for Smith with that run out?

[Max Power]

Love that it’s raining now.

World Cup final. To borrow a well loved phrase... if we execute our skills even remotely close we win the final on Sunday. Fuck it up and you let them in, but play to your potential and it should be ours.

[niko_cee]

Just get Roy in the red ball team as well. I mean, if we're even thinking about picking Vince, it's not debatable. He's having the summer of his life.

[Max Power]

Roy and Archer gonna lead us to double glory this summer :nodd:

It’s such a small thing but I loved how Roy dealt with Smith’s over. I hate when part timers are allowed to shuffle through at the best of times but in this scenario I loved how he just absolutely obliterated him.

[niko_cee]

It was the same with De Grandhomme in the New Zealand game. You just can't let him bowl his shit. What did he get? 1 over? Yet he's been trolling other teams for 1/30 off 10 in other games. Yes, yes I appreciate the jinx risk.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm coming around to the merits of Roy-as-Sehwag in Tests. Maybe.

[niko_cee]

Could say the same for Warner.

He might be total shite, but, well, what we have now is total shite with no upside by and large.

Starc bowling some mad leg theory at Root all summer could be highlight territory. I didn't mention it this morning but I was whistling a revised Mitchell Johnson number on the school run today and I'm glad it got an outing this afternoon.

Archer is a terrifying bowler. That one that beaned Carey was mental. It just comes out of nowhere. Imagine him at Sabina Park in 1997.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Archer is very reminiscent of peak Michael Holding. No obvious effort into the run up and then just kills you. I hope we see the best of him before the ECB turn him into an injury wreck / Celebrity Masterchef contestant.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I've not seen enough of Holding really but I was wondering if there was a similarity today based on his nickname alone.

[Queenslander]

Grim.

[niko_cee]

lol at the team of the tournamnet on the beeb.

Warner may have more runs, but anyone opening with him over Roy is out of their mind. Think I went:

Roy, Rohit, Root, Williamson, Shakhib, Stokes, Carey, Starc, Amir, Archer, Bumrah.

Pace on, assuming Shakhib can pick up the spin bowling slack.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Warner did spend most of the tournament patching over the vast inadequacies of a poor Australian side, in fairness to him.

[Ian]

I thought he was going to muller about 150 past us going into the game.

[niko_cee]

Cloudy first up, with early drizzle potentially juicing up the pitch. Could be a decent toss to lose tomorrow, assuming whoever wins it bats first. I reckon bowling first is definitely New Zealand's best route to victory, even if that's against orthodoxy at the moment.

[Giggles]

Eoin Morgan should have his throat cut.

[hfswjyr]

I'd like to see us bowl first and make the most of the early swing. Otherwise Roy and Bairstow are going to have a fieldday.

[Max Power]

Still think win the toss and have a bat. Lord’s especially is always a bat first and win. And it’s a final.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think bat. NZ won't be able to chase more than 260, and from NZ point of view, they will want something on the board and their strength (bowling) second.

[hfswjyr]

Well none of us got what we wanted.

Game on.

[Max Power]

The usually sound tactic of just reviewing every Dharmasena decision fails this time. Just as I was about to get The Fear about this Guptill start.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Properly awful shot from Guptill and even worse review.

[niko_cee]

Long way to go and all but I think New Zealand could have done some damage in those opening overs had they bowled, bit of nip and the brand can falter somewhat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The thing I worry about from an NZ point of view is when are they going to accelerate, Kane will just bat through and the only hitters are Neesham and Big Colin, both of whom are hardly infallible.

[Yevrah]

So how does that leave things going into England’s innings? Who is favourite?

[Byron]

I'd say it's evenly balanced. NZ are probably about 40 short but their bowling has been brilliant in this tournament.

A lot depends on Roy and Bairstow staying in past the early onslaught.

[Max Power]

New Zealand are in the game with this score but they need early wickets + nerves/pressure to really cripple us.

[niko_cee]

If the boot were on the other foot, and we were the underdogs trying to convince ourselves that this was a competitive total, we'd get absolutely pasted, but, you know, natural pessimism and all.

Runs on the board in a final etc.

[Max Power]

Fuck me. That was out.

[Max Power]

This is going to be a nail biter. Already had a fair slice of luck this innings as well.

[Ian]

Getting dominated here. Need something from Stokes and Buttler.

[Clunge]

Stage set for Buttler.

[Max Power]

I’d have sent him in now tbh. Innings needs impetus.

[niko_cee]

We're getting De Grandhomme'd.

:face:

This has got collapse in a heap written all over it. Need the Kiwi and the Irishman to see us through.

[Max Power]

Oh god Neesham now. Death at the hands of the dibbly dobblers.

Come on Jos.

[Ian]

Fucking hell.

[Max Power]

When Buttler is there I have faith. Especially now danger man Colin de fucking Grandhomme has bowled out.

[Ian]

Fuck me this is tense.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, it's too much.

[Max Power]

Nope. Not from here. It’s too steep without Buttler

[Ian]

This would require something very special but we really needed Buttler to hang about. He was nerveless.

[niko_cee]

We're going to lose this by the 5 wides Buttler let through his legs.

[Shindig]

This is why you never make England favourites.

[Waffdon]

Hahahahahhaahha what the fuck

[Ian]

This is too much.

[Byron]

Cannot. Control. Nerves.

[Danny]

This is outageous.

[Disco]

What the fuck happens now?

[Danny]

Super Over

[Ian]

That last over was fucking absurd.

[Max Power]

Can’t write this shit

[Byron]

Dear God. Got to be Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow surely.

[Yevrah]

Is 15 good?

[Waffdon]

England have this now.

[Max Power]

Over to you Jofra lad.

Fuck me this is insane.

[Byron]

Is 15 good?

No fucking clue. You'd think so, but one six changes everything. I suppose NZ batsmen might be a little rusty but I'm clutching at straws here.

[Ian]

Yeah. Very good. For reference England and New Zealand went at about 5 an over during the actual match.

Nothing's in the bag though, one six for New Zealand changes everything.

EDIT: meant to quote Yev there.

[Ian]

Fuuuuuuuck.

[Ian]

:rave:

[Ian]

Fucking hell. I feel for New Zealand fans. That last over.

[Byron]

What is life? Nothing means anything after this.

[Danny]

I think I just scared the life out of my cats with the way I yelled at that

[Waffdon]

Why did NZ need to get 16? This match has been mental.

[Max Power]

I’m dead

[Pleb]

:jayjay:

[Gray Fox]

Why did NZ need to get 16? This match has been mental.

England win by virtue of more boundaries.

What scenes.