2015 World Cup

March

Semi-finals

24 Semi-final 1, South Africa v New Zealand, Auckland (01:00 GMT)

26 Semi-final 2, India v Australia, Sydney (03:30 GMT)

Final

29 Final, Melbourne (05:30 BST)

99-2 off 20

Sorry, Moeen. Sorry, chaps. My jinx. My fault.

Moeen falls to a nothing shot off Mathews having seen off Malinga's inevitably more threatening opening spell.

Dilshan also now on early. Just like he did often in one dayers last season for Surrey and again bowling tightly.

I love the way you see everything through Surrey-tinted binoculars, Guildford.

Have a go. 106/3 off 20.

I think Ballance's chance has now expired.

Oh look the guy who is horrible out of form and playing out of position fails again. Who'd have thought it

Root lucky... Jayawardene a finger tip away from snaring him. Should have taken it.

The Loaded Dog wrote:I love the way you see everything through Surrey-tinted binoculars, Guildford.

Hi LD - I admit to rather playing up to this. However, I do find it easier to reach a view about a player when I've seen him perform before my very eyes rather than just on tv. Watching at a ground also always make more of a lasting impression on me. Nearly all the cricket I go to watch is for Surrey home games, so there you have it! That said, I've splashed the cash for this summer and am going to an ODI against New Zealand and day 2 of the Ashes Test, both at the Oval of course.

Can't believe Gary Ballance hasn't got the decency to get to 10 before he gets out. No-one else would ever have got 4 10s in a row. Disappointing effort.

guildfordbat wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:I love the way you see everything through Surrey-tinted binoculars, Guildford.

Hi LD - I admit to rather playing up to this. However, I do find it easier to reach a view about a player when I've seen him perform before my very eyes rather than just on tv. Watching at a ground also always make more of a lasting impression on me. Nearly all the cricket I go to watch is for Surrey home games, so there you have it! That said, I've splashed the cash for this summer and am going to an ODI against New Zealand and day 2 of the Ashes Test, both at the Oval of course.

Keep it up, mate. It's always great to read your insights direct from the inner sanctum of Surrey. I can almost picture you at the ground quietly observing the action and making astute comments to those near you. Enjoy the ODIs v NZ at The Oval.

Will never understand why teams don't just bowl 50 overs of spin against England

Olly wrote:Will never understand why teams don't just bowl 50 overs of spin against England

Yeah but if you have a devastating seamer, it makes sense to use him as well ... someone, like, you know, that Australian ... erh ... Mitch Marsh.

I've just put this topic up in the Sticky section.

guildfordbat wrote:

Olly wrote:Will never understand why teams don't just bowl 50 overs of spin against England

Yeah but if you have a devastating seamer, it makes sense to use him as well ... someone, like, you know, that Australian ... erh ... Mitch Marsh.

We do struggle against bowlers named Mitchell too. A spinner named Mitchell is our ultimate kryptonite

Olly wrote:99-2 off 20

100/2 off 20. Excellent call, Olly.

England just in that tricky middle-innings phase.

A steady process of accumulation will inevitably result. Still on for a good total.

Vintage Ian Bell! Excellent.

Oh shucks.

JDizzle wrote:Vintage Ian Bell! Excellent.

Always be worried when he looks good. Comedy dismissal just round the corner. 

Looking for to Broad taking these soft dismissals to a new level later

Well this is where I like Morgan coming in, time to get settled, can make a big score if he bats beyond overs 42-43

Yep. Morgan getting back into some form would be huge, he is England's only genuine, proven game winner with the bat.

England on target for a distinctly ordinary score.

Dilshan back for his 6th over and it's bowled before you know it. Just 2 runs off it.

Sri Lanka getting a grip.

guildfordbat wrote:Dilshan back for his 6th over and it's bowled before you know it. Just 2 runs off it.

Sri Lanka getting a grip.

Now bowled 7 overs for 20 runs and he hasn't spun a single ball. Just awful

England still on for a 290+ score.

All good, all good.

Duty281 wrote:England still on for a 290+ score.

All good, all good.

Gonna need, beautiful day, pitch doing nothing, outfield lightning fast. 300 should be minimum

Taking into account the recent history of this ground, allied with the skill of our bowlers, I think 285 or more will be enough for an England victory.

Olly - meant to say earlier that for 6 runs less from Ballance we could have had up to 10 overs from Tredwell. Not a bad swap imo.

Morgan gets out to let Taylor bat in the PP, as he's clearly England's best player. Clever batting.

Duty - with Morgan trooping back to the hutch after a poor dismissal, your 285 looks a very stretching target ....

I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ROUND OF GOLF SHANE GO AWAY

Olly wrote:I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ROUND OF GOLF SHANE GO AWAY

But he played with 11 mulligans, rather than getting the shots. Game changing news.

Olly wrote:I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ROUND OF GOLF SHANE GO AWAY

Totally agreed.

Back to the cricket - am I right we've just chosen to take the PP with Taylor on 0 and just at the crease?

No option Guildford, has to be taken by the 36th over. Morgan's dismissal was inopportunely timed.

guildfordbat wrote:

Olly wrote:I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ROUND OF GOLF SHANE GO AWAY

Totally agreed.

Back to the cricket - am I right we've just chosen to take the PP with Taylor on 0 and just at the crease?

Has to be taken at 35 overs Guildford, if not taken beforehand 

Re: Your Tredwell point, I just don't see him offering enough wicket taking potential to justify having one less batsman in the team. I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with Woakes, Broad, Tredwell, Anderson, Finn as our 7-11. I'd actually consider Tredwell for one of the seamers tho

Since when was Shane Watson SL captain?

Epic review

Thanks, Olly.

I wasn't sure if we could defer the PP any longer - thought not and you've confirmed it. Does seem odd though - and not just with hindsight - to have not taken it earlier. Knight (one of the Sky guys I like) is keen to take it straight away after the mandatory first PP if the openers are going well. I feel that has a lot of merit - display positive intent and keep the foot on the gas. We too often seem to leave it too late.

Good powerplay from England - 42/0.

Ten an over from here gets us up to a shade over 300; twelve a over would make a delicious 320 score.

Olly wrote:
...
Re: Your Tredwell point, I just don't see him offering enough wicket taking potential to justify having one less batsman in the team. I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with Woakes, Broad, Tredwell, Anderson, Finn as our 7-11. I'd actually consider Tredwell for one of the seamers tho

Yep, I appreciate your views on this. It was mainly mischief making on my part - although I think that even the Ballance household would be hard pushed to claim that their Gary's inclusion was justified today! I realise you're not saying that.

As per post earlier today, my number 8 would have been Jordan in place of Broad. That improves my tail although, admittedly, it remains a weakness.

guildfordbat wrote:Thanks, Olly.

I wasn't sure if we could defer the PP any longer - thought not and you've confirmed it. Does seem odd though - and not just with hindsight - to have not taken it earlier. Knight (one of the Sky guys I like) is keen to take it straight away after the mandatory first PP if the openers are going well. I feel that has a lot of merit - display positive intent and keep the foot on the gas. We too often seem to leave it too late.

With the fielding regulations as they are now, last 15 overs should be high scoring enough anyways. I'd take it during the middle overs, just put pressure back onto the opposing captain, at the very least get some of those death bowler overs out the way early.

Kinda need to get Buttler in here lads

Duty281 wrote:Good powerplay from England - 42/0.

Ten an over from here gets us up to a shade over 300; twelve a over would make a delicious 320 score.

Duty - we're doing well at the moment and could get around this sort of score. However, a wicket soon would give things a different look ....

guildfordbat wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Good powerplay from England - 42/0.

Ten an over from here gets us up to a shade over 300; twelve a over would make a delicious 320 score.

Duty - we're doing well at the moment and could get around this sort of score. However, a wicket soon would give things a different look ....

Exactly, Jos Buttler would come in, and our scoring rate would acclerate!

Nice one Joey!

Great knock from Root. Superb effort. 6 overs left, 285 minimum from here.

Excellent by Joe Root.

AB De Root.

Twenty-five from the over.

Beautiful innovation.

Already dreading the day we ruin Root by making him captain