World T20 discussion thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

This is fast approaching in the UAE, and squads are beginning to be announced. England have announced theirs this morning

England's preliminary squad for the World T20;

Jason Roy
Jos Buttler
Dawid Malan
Jonny Bairstow
Liam Livingstone
Eoin Morgan
Sam Billings
Moeen Ali
Sam Curran
Chris Woakes
David Willey
Adil Rashid
Mark Wood
Chris Jordan
Tymal Mills

Reserves: James Vince, Liam Dawson, Tom Curran

Looks a solid squad, albeit the team has taken a hit in recent months with Archer's injury and then Stokes's withdrawal from international duty.
Billings in as the main batting backup, makes sense to me. He's played well in limited opportunity the past few summers.
I am a touch surprised both Woakes and Willey are in the squad...seems like they both do the same role to me?
Seems harsh, but happy no Tom Curran. He's not played well enough to be included.
I see some "why no Parkinson?" and it does seem a tad weird he isn't in reserve...but ultimately in T20 can you afford to carry someone like him, who while is a good bowler, is a liability in the field and offers absolutely nothing with the bat. I can see why Dawson is the chosen reserve over him, with those considerations.

I think the likely XI is;

Roy
Buttler
Malan
Bairstow
Livingstone
Morgan
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Wood
Mills

The real selection choices in there are between Woakes/Jordan, and Moeen/Sam Curran. Rest looks fairly set in stone to me

[Duty281]

The race for the semi-finals in this Group is exceedingly close. Will likely go down to NRR for that second-placed spot.

England unchanged and bowling first. Don't see this one as close, I think England are mammoth favourites. No Marsh for Australia, Agar's in, meaning their batting doesn't have much depth.

[alfie]

On to the Old Rivals.

Before the kick off , just flagging Australia will be remembering two stalwart past players today (Sir Fred has put a comment on the Ashes preview thread) : Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett both passing away this week. Remember them both very well .RIP.

Today they have brought in Agar for Marsh. Didn't trust the fifth bowler : better spin option now.
England to field first.

[king_carlos]

Much better 5th bowling option with Agar though.

I'd presume that they will use Agar up front against Roy in particular during the PP.

England's batting makes them favourites but I feel like this attack without Wood is just waiting for a team to really take them on. Warner, Finch and Maxwell can all do that.

Josh Inglis and Tim David could have added even more firepower to that batting as well with different selection.

[Pal Joey]

Australia may as well throw in the towel now in other words.... eh Duty?

You never know. It could be a walkover... or another nail biter.

The cricketing fraternity is in mourning here. We lost two greats in the last 48 hours. Ashley Mallet yesterday and Alan Davidson today. Also a popular entertainer... Bert Newton this evening. I was lucky enough to meet Alan Davidson a while back. He gave a talk at our school. Happy memories.

So as much as I don't like one or two players in this team I'm hoping Australia can pull off a win but it won't be the end of the world if they don't.

[eirebilly]

Now time for the main event.

This will be England's first real test this T20 world cup. With the Aussies looking very good last game, they could be finding that form that can destroy teams.

I would have to have the Aussies as favorites for this based on their last game and the fact that England have not really been tested as yet.

[Pal Joey]

No jinxing please, eirebilly... and alfie!

[alfie]

I wouldn't dream of attempting a hex , PJ

But I do think Australia have a much better chance than Duty allows

[alfie]

Wonder if (A) Moeen will take the new ball again . And (B) If he does , will Finch take him apart ?

Reckon Morgan will have plan B ready if needed.

[eirebilly]

I would say a possible option C alfie, maybe Livingston opens the bowling?

[guildfordbat]

Australia may as well throw in the towel now in other words.... eh Duty?

You never know. It could be a walkover... or another nail biter.

The cricketing fraternity is in mourning here. We lost two greats in the last 48 hours. Ashley Mallet yesterday and Alan Davidson today. Also a popular entertainer... Bert Newton this evening. I was lucky enough to meet Alan Davidson a while back. He gave a talk at our school. Happy memories.

So as much as I don't like one or two players in this team I'm hoping Australia can pull off a win but it won't be the end of the world if they don't.

Hi Joey - I hadn't heard about either of those cricketing deaths. Sad news. I remember Mallett well from Ashes matches back in the '70s.

I'm not nearly as confident as Duty but this tournament is clearly showing that there's considerable benefit from bowling first in the night games.

Agar coming in should give Australia far more of a proper fiith bowler than a ''try and get away with it combo''.

[Duty281]

Not quite throw the towel in territory, but England have the stronger team, are in excellent form and have the significant advantage of fielding first.

We'll see how it goes, I'd be highly surprised if England slipped up in this one.

[eirebilly]

Woakes 

[alfie]

Very nice start from Chris Woakes

Did for Warner with a ripper and very nearly had Smith edging as well ...

Think Warner was perhaps a little too keen to get at him , moving out of his crease. Overconfident after the runs the other day ?

[Pal Joey]

Woakes 

I'll second that. Great catch!

[Duty281]

Woakes! Sir Chris as Olly would say - that catch deserves a knighthood.

8/2, Smith and Warner gone.

[alfie]

Sir Chris Woakes ! Great catch to see off Smith !

Was a very poor shot really... Jordan won't care

8/2 .

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

They don’t call him Sir Chris for no reason folks

[guildfordbat]

A Jordanesque catch by Woakes off Jordan to get Smith!

[king_carlos]

That's what Woakes does so well which will have made Morgan want him parachuted in. He just executes the plan that Morgan wants from him.

[alfie]

They don’t call him Sir Chris for no reason folks

Keeps taking those and I'm putting him up for Lord...

[king_carlos]

Smith goes as well!

This pitch is nipping about a bit which should suit the Aussie seamers though.

[alfie]

Woakes on fire...pins Maxwell beautifully. Reviewed but won't save him...

15/3. Wow.

[Duty281]

Sensational from Woakes. 15/3.

Maxwell chucks away a review. That was plumb.

[eirebilly]

What was Finch thinking in telling Maxwell to review that... That was seriously plumb. Poor call.

[alfie]

Sensational from Woakes. 15/3.

Maxwell chucks away a review. That was plumb.

Shane Watson award of the day.

Guess reviews aren't quite so precious in these short games. But Finch should have told him to forget it.

[Pal Joey]

Disastrous start. Heading for a very low score unless these two can perform some sort of miracle.
I wonder what winviz says? England 98 Australia 2. Geez... should have been 4 if not for the umpire's call.

[Duty281]

Not the best day to drop Marsh.

Jordan may have England's fourth...no, umpire's call.

[alfie]

This is close too...

Think Finch will survive on umpire's call. Yes.

Australia breathe again ! But he really couldn't have complained if that had been given on field.

Excellent bowling from England so far.

[Soul Requiem]

That's what Woakes does so well which will have made Morgan want him parachuted in. He just executes the plan that Morgan wants from him.

He's just a brilliant all round player.

[eirebilly]

I know people don't trust Jordan so much and think he is past his best, maybe they are right but when he has his tail up, he is some bowler.

I think the Aussies will struggle to get 120 from here. 5 overs, 19 runs, only one boundary and 3 wickets down... Do not see that very often with them.

[alfie]

That's what Woakes does so well which will have made Morgan want him parachuted in. He just executes the plan that Morgan wants from him.

He's just a brilliant all round player.

He is. And I think he is still improving.

Ironic that he probably would not even have been in the squad had Stokes and Archer been available.

[king_carlos]

Jordan has found that hard length that is working well on these pitches. He was bowling a bit faster in the Hundred and warm-ups than he has recently so that length could work for him.

Whilst I'm not Jordan's biggest fan by any means I do think his all round skills can add something in the absence of Stokes and Curran. I'm more of a Willey skeptic than a Jordan skeptic I'd say!

[Duty281]

21/3. Superb PowerPlay from England and Woakes in particular. Certainly shouldn't lose the game from here. Two more wickets and Cummins or Agar will be coming to the crease, so keeping Australia below 120 should be the aim from here.

Actually, Rashid has the fourth! Stoinis didn't pick that at all. Keep 'em below 100.

[alfie]

21/3 in the power play. Not what Australia wanted.

Rashid back now , so Moeen being held back hoping for some left handers ?

Stoinis stone dead lbw first ball to Rashid !

[eirebilly]

Sorry for saying this PJ but nothing cricket wise makes me smile more than seeing Langer's grumpy face when things aren't going his way. Really do not like the man.

[guildfordbat]

Some left field thinking from Mrs Bat - England should slow down on taking wickets or they won't get the benefit of the dew falling!

[alfie]

Dilemma for Australia now. Four down , no Marsh (although Agar is not a rabbit) : so they really can't afford to lose any more yet ; but with only 27 off 7 they need to push on a bit.

Livingstone on. Maybe they'll target him ?

[Soul Requiem]

I could be wildly wrong but it feels like Dilly gets Stoinis trapped in front with the wrong un a lot.

[alfie]

Some left field thinking from Mrs Bat - England should slow down on taking wickets or they won't get the benefit of the dew falling!

Mrs Bat likes to think outside the box , eh ?

I see the point : but in principle I just hate ever going away from intent to take wickets , for any reason. It concedes some pressure ; and I've rarely seen it prove profitable. Keep taking wickets like this and the dew is irrelevant.

[Pal Joey]

Sorry for saying this PJ but nothing cricket wise makes me smile more than seeing Langer's grumpy face when things aren't going his way. Really do not like the man.

No need to apologise. He's one of the three I don't really like along with Warner and Wade.
Also thought some of them showed a little disrespect when the anthem was played... smirking and fidgeting around. I can understand some nerves but that was a bad look given the sad news alfie and I mentioned above. Surely it's not too hard to show some respect for the country they represent for a minute or two.

[eirebilly]

Sorry for saying this PJ but nothing cricket wise makes me smile more than seeing Langer's grumpy face when things aren't going his way. Really do not like the man.

No need to apologise. He's one of the three I don't really like along with Warner and Wade.
Also thought some of them showed a little disrespect when the anthem was played... smirking and fidgeting around. I can understand some nerves but that was a bad look given the sad news alfie and I mentioned above. Surely it's not too hard to show some respect for the country they represent for a minute or two.

Ah fair dues then buddy.

Some big work ahead for Wade and Finch if they are to get yiz to 120+

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I could be wildly wrong but it feels like Dilly gets Stoinis trapped in front with the wrong un a lot.

He hasn’t picked a Rashid googly for a half decade now!

[Pal Joey]

Sorry for saying this PJ but nothing cricket wise makes me smile more than seeing Langer's grumpy face when things aren't going his way. Really do not like the man.

No need to apologise. He's one of the three I don't really like along with Warner and Wade.
Also thought some of them showed a little disrespect when the anthem was played... smirking and fidgeting around. I can understand some nerves but that was a bad look given the sad news alfie and I mentioned above. Surely it's not too hard to show some respect for the country they represent for a minute or two.

Ah fair dues then buddy.

Some big work ahead for Wade and Finch if they are to get yiz to 120+

I'm predicting it now. 87.

[guildfordbat]

I know people don't trust Jordan so much and think he is past his best, maybe they are right but when he has his tail up, he is some bowler.

I think the Aussies will struggle to get 120 from here. 5 overs, 19 runs, only one boundary and 3 wickets down... Do not see that very often with them.

41/4 off 10.

Hi Billy - I still wouldn't rule out 120+ but likely to be heavily dependent on Finch batting beyond the 18th. Whilst he's there, Australia aren't completely dead and buried.

[eirebilly]

Howya guildord,

8s from here to get 120... Not sure the Aussies can do it but then again, Cummins could come in and get 30 off about 20 easily.

[eirebilly]

I will state that i do want the Aussies to put on a half decent score as i would like the English batters to get some more time in the middle.

I should be careful for what i wish for though

[king_carlos]

I really don't get Wade playing ahead of Inglis. I don't think Wade is a poor player but just don't get Langer's fascination with him across formats. Better players in white and red ball. As an England fan I'd be delighted if Wade keeps gets picked ahead of someone like Khawaja over the winter.

[alfie]

Wade was playing quite usefully with Finch then... Looked as if they were setting up to try and build some sort of platform to attack the last six or seven overs : but as soon as he attempted to go after the spinner he's holed out.

Finch really has a lot on him now. Agar is no mug but he is not the preferred option to be in at this stage.

Rashid done . 1/19 . Not bad. Livingstone to bowl out now. Moeen to have the night off ?

[Pal Joey]

Khawaja is in great form at present, KC. Agree, we don't want Wade.

Already looking ahead, if Australia carry on like this I can see them losing to Bangladesh again. Even the Windies might have their swansong and beat this lot.

[guildfordbat]

That was a well judged catch by Roy - made it look more straightforward than it was.

I would have sent in Cummins now and told him to blast off from the start. Agar hanging in there isn't what Australia need now as it puts more demand on Finch.

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