World Cup 2015

First topic message reminder :

Warm Up game between Ind and Aus ongoing...
it's an official ODI...though after so much cricket why do these sides need a "warm-up"

India's bowling in melt-down and the two most dangerous guys in Aus side Warner and Maxwell get 100s

Looks like Ind will be chasing 375

Like with the bowling, a poor 2nd half of the innings for Zimbabwe undoing the early good work with the bat.

They could sure do with a Lance Klusener type.

Ah, there we go. A six!

South Africa's depth coming in handy for them, but this should be a good early wake up call.......

The fight gone out of Zimbabwe and they are folding quickly. So SA all set to walk away with a big win, but they had to really earn it.......

That is an enormous six by Solomon Mire!!!

Runs flowing in the new ball overs despite the early wicket of Younus.

Zimbabwe fall to South Africa by 60 odd runs. However, some scares for the winners along the way.

I saw the opening 11 overs of the match and South Africa were struggling at 30/2 at that stage. Panyangara and Chatara had shared those overs to good effect and seen both Amla and de Kock back to the hutch.

Not too surprising that South Africa should ultimately triumph but Zimbabwe should take a lot of encouragement and view the QFs as a realistic hope.

Being suggested on Sky that India will need to take 10 wickets to win this game as ''300 is gettable''.

Think there's a lesson there for England. We are continually incapable of topping 300 in the big games regardless of our batting line up. As suggested before, I would like us to play the extra bowler and seek to bowl the opposition out for under 250.

3 wickets now for India and a good chance of them getting the remaining 7 ....

Assume msp has gone off to worship at the altar of Ravi Ahwin.

All of a sudden, some awful bowling from the Indians after doing all the hardwork.
If there is a bowling lineup that can fluff this up from this situation, then it is the Indian bowling lineup.

msp83 wrote:All of a sudden, some awful bowling from the Indians after doing all the hardwork.
If there is a bowling lineup that can fluff this up from this situation, then it is the Indian bowling lineup.

You'll be ok. Pakistan need just over 100 from the last 10 overs but with only 3 wickets remaining. Those 7 wickets you already have are the difference and virtually guarantee India victory. England would probably have only taken 4 or 5 in similar circumstances and be facing defeat.

guildfordbat wrote:Being suggested on Sky that India will need to take 10 wickets to win this game as ''300 is gettable''.

Think there's a lesson there for England. We are continually incapable of topping 300 in the big games regardless of our batting line up. As suggested before, I would like us to play the extra bowler and seek to bowl the opposition out for under 250.

3 wickets now for India and a good chance of them getting the remaining 7 ....

Which bowler though? Playing 5 right arm fast mediums or 4 +Tredwell is unlikely to be much more effective than 4 plus Ali. If they play 5 specialists they end up with Jordan spraying the ball all over the place and 10 overs of bowling sat in the locker.
Ali is seen as a front line bowler by England, they are already picking 5. Theyve already tried dropping Bopara and giving up on the desperation variety overs, replacing him with a guy with an even worse ODI record who cant bowl at all.

What they really need is Captain Wonderful to pull his finger out and score at least 1 run per innings. Plus a left armer capable of bowling 95mph+ on a consistent line.

I honestly think Englands problem over the last few hasnt been tactics or selections so much as not having players capable of delivering at a high level consistently.

I think most would have said Stokes. but he wasnt/isnt in the squad.

Few what? Decades?

Gooseberry wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Being suggested on Sky that India will need to take 10 wickets to win this game as ''300 is gettable''.

Think there's a lesson there for England. We are continually incapable of topping 300 in the big games regardless of our batting line up. As suggested before, I would like us to play the extra bowler and seek to bowl the opposition out for under 250.

3 wickets now for India and a good chance of them getting the remaining 7 ....

Which bowler though? Playing 5 right arm fast mediums or 4 +Tredwell  is unlikely to be much more effective than 4 plus Ali. If they play 5 specialists they end up with Jordan spraying the ball all over the place and 10 overs of bowling sat in the locker.
Ali is seen as a front line bowler by England, they are already picking 5.  Theyve already tried dropping Bopara and giving up on the desperation variety overs, replacing him with a guy with an even worse ODI record who cant bowl at all.

What they really need is Captain Wonderful to pull his finger out and score at least 1 run per innings. Plus a left armer capable of bowling 95mph+ on a consistent line.

I honestly think Englands problem over the last few hasnt been tactics or selections so much as not having players capable of delivering at a high level consistently.

Tredwell, as covered on the Carlton Mid Triangular thread.

Wonder if Sir Ian saw Steyn get taken to the shed by the Zimbabwean #8 bowling a steady diet of yorkers... I really do sometimes wonder just how good ODI cricket really was twenty years ago

Four games in - four favoured teams won - four teams batting first all posted three hundred ...and the only chasing team who put up much of a fight was Zimbabwe !

I think we might say the first couple of days hasn't told us much we didn't already know - or at least suspect. But I won't be shocked if there are a couple of surprise results in these early rounds : though I don't think they will affect any of the favourites. If anything , Australia look a bigger favourite than ever after their first game. And NZ look like a pretty realistic challenger...which is as far as I am sticking my neck out at this stage.

a perfect day for India...when they hit all the upsides, all the creaky wheels rolled perfectly....

--the 75 odd from Dhawan was an unexpected bonus...given his form and struggle

--and Kohli after his bad run in ODis in Aus.....rose to the moment and got that 100 that bound the inning together

--and Raina luckily wasn't tested with short stuff early on when he came.....got the chance to get set and delivered the role team envisages him perfectly.....

--and Ashwin bowled that perfect bamboozling spell that we wished he could...and that we won't in every game

--and every one of our seamers..... otherwise objects of pity.....today bowled in the 4 to 5rpo range and picked 8 wickets between them......

300 though above par ( and I believe 270 is par for these pitches) was 30 runs short of what it could have been...and althouhg it didn't count against us today.....we must bear in mind.....
Raina cannot get away when he comes in early from bouncers....

and that Rahane should be played at his usual spot.....he can build innings and hit big shots also and has a better chance of scoring then Jadeja and Dhoni.

and that Jadeja is not a hitter or even a batsman against the quality of bowling that pak, SA, Aus NZ possess. In fact Likes of Ashwin and Shami have a higher chance of connecting against fast bowling.

Dhoni himself should bat at No.5 and leave the hitting to Raina at the end...he ain't a hitter that he was especially outside India.

The record vs. Pak remains intact

and if at least two Indian batsman have Big world cup then we could go some distance like the Champions Trophy

And the super batting line-ups Aus, SA, Ind and surprisingly NZ set up above par 300 scores......and when chasing among their opponents only Zim got to a par 270 +

from Our group Zim will go throuhg at the cost of someone......I suspect

I have very low expectations for WI against Ireland tonight....

alfie wrote:Four games in - four favoured teams won - four teams batting first all posted three hundred ...and the only chasing team who put up much of a fight was Zimbabwe !

I think we might say the first couple of days hasn't told us much we didn't already know - or at least suspect.   But I won't be shocked if there are a couple of surprise results in these early rounds : though I don't think they will affect any of the favourites. If anything , Australia look a bigger favourite than ever after their first game. And NZ look like a pretty realistic challenger...which is as far as I am sticking my neck out at this stage.

Alfie - go with that. Hoping Gary Wilson and Ireland might pull off a surprise against the West Indies later on.

There's been a fair bit of talk recently on Sky and in the English media generally as to whether ''Australia have peaked too soon''. That's a type of question often asked at football world cups and imo far more applicable to that sport where class and form are less likely to go hand in hand than cricket. I don't particularly feel Australia are peaking - more that they are continuing to show why they are deservedly favourites.

Those silly bookmakers. Ireland best price 15/4; Windies 1/4.

I am expecting an Ireland win here, and then bafflement when the media term said victory as a surprise. A good, settled Ireland side versus the West Indies who are in a very bad place, presently.

I had to pull over on the road when Geoffrey Boycott came on the radio. He was so fired up and angry! I have to admit after reading his article - harsh words but true. I still don't think England is fielding their most powerful and effective team. They are still too conservative in their selection of players and their approach on the field.

That was a comprehensive win from India but I still believe they should have scored another 20-30 at least in those final overs. They are on the right trajectory though with their batting looking more confident. Credit to Pakistan, as well, for starting to show what they are capable of doing in getting those 5 wickets in the last 5 overs. Signs of danger for other teams. They should beat the WI and will need to play at their best to see off Zimbabwe.

I've tipped the Windies over Ireland but I'm well aware an upset could be on the cards.
Ireland have won the toss and have elected to bowl.

Nice ground in Nelson.

Kevin O'Brien first change. Strange selection from Ireland going with the extra spinners imo

Olly wrote:Kevin O'Brien first change. Strange selection from Ireland going with the extra spinners imo

You can thank me later Irish fans #jinx

good wicket there.

1 down.

Great piece of fielding.

make that 2 down.

Get in... Smash them Ireland. I need to sleep but fingers crossed..

Come on, mysti. You can do another hour!

Strong Combined Universities vs Counties banter from Athers and Beefy, that no other country in the world will properly understand!

Following LD's comment, a lovely, lovely ground in a beautiful setting.

I'm pleased to see - and hear! - Gary Wilson keeping. Think Niall O'Brien had been behind the stumps in Ireland's two warm up games. Wilson's not a classy keeper but his sergeant major approach of barking out instructions and encouragement - just listen out - have warmed him to those of us at the Oval.

Not common these days but - unless he gets some tap - I would have McBrine bowl 10 on the reel. He's doing well, let him keep going and bank those overs.

Not sure how long Gayle will be able to just pat back Dockrell and McBrine...

guildfordbat wrote:Not common these days but - unless he gets some tap - I would have McBrine bowl 10 on the reel. He's doing well, let him keep going and bank those overs.

And they do the exact opposite! I agree too, keep frustrating Gayle and Samuels whilst you are on top.

Yeah feel Ireland need to get one of these soon ish because they won't pat back forever

Good, nagging accuracy from the Irish bowlers. Nice fielding as well.

Something has to give!

Has Gayle just flicked the switch?

Hmmm. McBrine had 0/12 off 5 and gets replaced by Stirling. It'll be interesting to see what McBrine's final figures are.

The other side of the coin to replacing McBrine is that Ireland's third seamer is KOB. They might want to get some Stirling overs in the bag whilst on top as insurance if Mooney/Sorensen/KOB disappear.

westisbest wrote:Great piece of fielding.

make that 2 down.

Hi Westy - pleased to see you've joined the civilised classes on this forum.

Ireland continuing to field well. They're not the eleven greatest cricketers the world has ever seen but they give it everything and I just adore that.

I wish England would bowl with this discipline and control

guildfordbat wrote:Come on, mysti. You can do another hour!

I can't sleep. But I need to be up at 6.. These Asian sporting events drive me nuts!!!

71/2 off 20. Ireland doing very well but ...

Gayle gone at an RR of 50!!!!

Huge wicket.

Well bowled George Dockrell. Good team bowling.

Gayle gone.

Huge for Ireland! He never got going, he never found his timing in this innings.

Another one!!!!

Now Samuels too?! Go on George!

They missed a trick by not taking the bails off as Samuels came down the track to review. Just to be sure. That's legit now. I am not bitter.

... and now Ireland definitely on top as Dockrell (or 'Docky' as Wilson would chirp!) snares Gayle and Samuels.

JD - Dockrell doesn't seem to have kicked on as much at Somerset in the last couple of years as expected. Injury problems?