http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/eng...ults;type=team
I mean, just look at that. They've been mugged by Sri Lanka already.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/eng...ults;type=team
I mean, just look at that. They've been mugged by Sri Lanka already.
Sri Lanka had Murali taking 16 wicket hauls at The Oval, India have never had anybody like that in their attack. Winning away just comes down to taking wickets, something India have rarely been consistently good at.
With Murali long gone I expect to see India overtake Sri Lanka in the near future.
Sri Lanka beat England a couple of years ago with Eranga and Dhamika Prasad running riot. They are a more resourceful team than India.
May well struggle without Sanga and Mahela now though of course
NZ v SL about to start on Sky Sports 3 if anyone fancies a glorious scene from Dunedin. It's like a drug to me. It's dark, cold and wet outside, bring on the blue southern sky.
Sri Lanka won the toss and are bowling with a crack attack of Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and of course Rangana 'Rangy' Herath.
World T20 draw is finally done. It's fabulously shit. I'm 100% certain the draw is rigged.
Group A
England
Sri Lanka
South Africa
West Indies
Qualifier B
Group B
India
Pakistan
Australia
New Zealand
Qualifier A
Qualifier A
Bangladesh
Ireland
Netherlands
Oman
Qualifier B
Zimbabwe
Scotland
Afghanistan
Hong Kong
Despite this moronic format, the ICC claims today that the tournament 'globalises the sport'.
I read that from the top and thought, shit Group A is stacked, until I got to Group B and realised there were only two groups. What kind of disgraceful format is that?
It's the same one they used last time and as far as I can see its main purpose is to keep associates out. I mean it's T20, would 4x4 and a quarter-final etc really hurt?
This is the seventh consecutive ICC tournament in which India and Pakistan have been drawn into the same group. Absolutely no chance it isn't rigged.
Neil Wagner has just nutmegged Angelo Mathews. Not sure I've ever seen something like that before.
How did he do that?
He bowled the ball straight, and it went through Mathews' legs (after some injudicious footwork), and bowled him. Just looked really bizarre. I think he must have thought, well, if I miss this, it's pitching outside leg so I can't be out LBW . . .
Hah.
I love the weird ones like that.
It's being termed a 'miracle ball' apparently.
Meanwhile I hadn't noticed that the Windies have had all their pie-chuckers banned.
West Indies are absolutely septic and I can't see any way back.
I always look around for young/teenage players in underage and domestic cricket and currently there is a lot coming through in England, a lot in Australia, a lot in Pakistan (although half of them will never be picked). India is slightly bare by their standards but there are a few (remember Ishan Kishan). South Africa has one or two as does New Zealand. The 'desh are going to come on strong I think although Sri Lanka are struggling a touch.
But West Indies have absolutely fuck all in the tank. Afghanistan would probably overtake them given the chance.
Monster runs for Taylor and Stokes in the first nonsense 100-a-side warm-up against the Durban Disabled XI. Two single figure efforts for Hales, but a fifty for Compton.
I would guess they're planning on this:
Cook
Hales
Compdog
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Bairstow
Moeen
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Just look at that batting depth. It's like a Craze side.
Right, India, THIS, in the NZ v SL match, is a greentop.
Brilliantly Sri Lanka have responded by taking everything on like it's going out of fashion and Chandimal is 41* off 39 at time of going to press, just wafting the bat at everything even though it's hooping a yard.
I saw the wicket early on their inning mad how green it was
If NZ make a pitch like that for Australia
Sri Lanka going from 71-0 to 133 all out.
Concluding session (surely) of a very good Test is underway on SS3. Kane 'fap fap fap' Williamson is 82 not out. New Zealand are 5 down and need 43 to win.
This bloke Chameera has come from absolutely nowhere to take (so far) 9 for 96 in the match, almost all of it with short balls.
Williamson to his 13th Test hundred, batting with his willy out. He might be the best player in the world, you know.
Sorry?
It's just a saying.
Didn't realise he was averaging 90 this year.
Cook's hundred today was his 51st in first class cricket. Wonder if he has an outside shot at 100 if he gives the one day shit up. Not 31 until Friday. The highest number by an active player is 73 by Rogers, who he should piss past.
Root also tonning like the don he is.
Sri Lanka were 27-5 at one stage. Might still make over 100.
If he were a Gladiator, what would his stage name be? I reckon Sparrow.
That said, if my daughter brought him home I'd shed the sweetest tears of joy.
Rockstar Woakes unfortunately doesnt get an early bowl as Amla wins the toss. How many is Hales going to get on a cloudy morning with Dale Steyn back in the team? I'm going with 8.
Right then, Joe, might be down to you to stop this getting too ugly.
Hales actually looking pretty good early doors. Steyn right back on it though. Ominous.
They've given Hales a few balls to work with and he's off to a solid start. It'll be if they don't look too threatening but aren't giving him a sniff I'll worry.
It had completely escaped my mind that the mighty Ronald wasn't there. A sad day for everyone.
Er.. why have they gone off for thunder?
It's raining.
Not according to The Guardian.
Regardless, the covers are off.
Can see us getting a fighting 214 all out off quite a lot of overs.
97 all out.
That was such a shit waft.
Collapse incoming but I do like the look of this batting lineup in theory. Compton a solid citizen at 3, Root and then Taylor before the counter attacking 6,7,8
It bats all the way down, just needs a couple of them to stand up as major players. I'm backing Taylor and Stokes. And Moeen, always Moeen.
Taylor whipping out the Ponting pull shot to the first short ball from Steyn which he's too short to have a chance against. Hope that's a sign of things to come.
Re the South African selection during the series, by the way, remember italicised players can only be replaced by other italicised players, and bold players by bold:
Elgar
van Zyl
Amla
de Villiers
du Plessis
Duminy
Bavuma
Abbott
Morkel
Piedt
Steyn
Harmer
Roussouw
Rabada
Imran Tahir
etc
etc
Sorry to say that Amla looked like a hapless tail ender in that innings.
Reading the BBC comments you'd think Compton had murdered the Queen. I think even Swann was complaining about him being a bit safe, when the exact fucking thing we needed was someone who could just stay in and stabilise a deteriorating innings.
I think 303 is well above par on this tacky wicket and nobody will EVER score at four an over on it. Absolutely no idea what all the negativity is about. Compton and Taylor's partnership yesterday was superb.
I also think South Africa are actually quite a weak side.
Steyn's celebrations.
Knighthood for anyone who just lamps him.
Yasir Shah's been popped for doping. What a fucking blow. I always liked to pretend cricket was relatively immune from it, but evidently that's not the case.
Absolutely ridiculous piece of umpiring. Clearly out and not even a slight debating point to be had.
Looks like it could cost us the Test match at this rate too.
That's it Graam, your absence as wonderful cricketer and wonderful man is definitely what's lacking.Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special
"When I was involved with South Africa, we developed a crop of players who were part of a very successful unit: Amla, De Villiers, Du Plessis, Duminy, Morkel, Steyn. But some of the players who have come in, and some of the tactical decisions that have been made, have been found wanting."
Wasn't he floating the idea of a comeback lol
Broad bowling beautifully
Grim knock from "Faf". In a really good position now
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