Yes the fact that I didn't even get that right says it all ! I think the ashes outcome is too close to call. The fact it is being played later in the summer when the pitches will be drier and many of their batsmen will have properly acclimatised takes away much of the usual english home wicket advantage. Hopefully we'll have a really wet seaming summer ! Anything could happen in the WC as the games are so volatile - one successful slog or catch and anyone can beat anyone - well almost.
I think actually, under the flinty eyed Irishman, England have changed the way ODIs are played. Their ability to score 300++ on a regular basis is akin to when Barca started playing carousel footie. This significantly increases our chances. The key to the Ashes is our batting. My fear is that we will be a permanent 10-2 with Joe Root batting as a de facto opener, let alone #3. Jimmy & Broady can bowl their socks off, & I think they will, but you can't defend 200 every match. Btw, it will be interesting to see how often Broad plays. Let's hope the muddled old Aussie in charge doesn't start meddling in this area again.
Yes some difficult calls around Woakes, Broad, Curran, Wood, Broad, - I'm sure Ali will be the only spinner. I also think the Aussie pace guys will blow the top order away consistently and the 2 returning criminals will want to make a mark. The ODI plan works on the basis that every player goes for it and there are enough of them who can bat to get us to 300+ even if a few hole out along the way. However at some point I can see us getting to a very quick 150-7 where no-one goes on to make a big score. The challenge will be winning when that happens. I still remember the day that Boycott used to open for England in limited over matches ! There was a final against WI where I think he and Brearley(?) opened and were about 120-0 but needed to score at a ridiculous rate over the remaining c15 overs to win and so lost !
1979. When Somerset won the World Cup. http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...s-west-indies-final-prudential-world-cup-1979
That was it. Surprised the memory was so accurate ! 129 runs from about 40 overs for the first wicket with them both scoring at about 3 runs an over and taking their applause for their 50s. Needing another 158 runs from the remaining 20 which was out of the question in those days. The most frustrating cricket I have ever watched.
To be fair, that Windies attack was one of the best ever. Our openers did well to survive & build a partnership. When Brears was out, we needed 150 off 20. Not a frightening propspect today. King was the match winner. Windies 100-4 with Viv hesitant. Our poor selection requiring part timers to bowl 12 overs in a WC Final was our undoing. King tucked massively.
Yes but even the tv commentators were getting frustrated as time ticked away and the deliveries were being patted back to the bowlers or left. Our openers effectively batted us out of the game as no-one scored at the sort of rate that was then needed in those days (other than Collis King who was superb on the day). Of course they were streets ahead of us and it was unlikely we would have won anyway.
When Collis King had one season in League Cricket his batting average was something like 294 Great effort by Sri Lanka today - last pair put on about 80 to win - number 11 was not out 6
Watching England doing well against the Windies, Roy belting it everywhere, just polished off a sumptuous curry & the chief dilemma is whether to stay on the London Pride or switch to merlot. This, pace Mr Brydon, is the life.
Typical Scotland - lose to a team they bowled out for 20 odd the day before ! England already flying it seems - hope it's the start of a great year .
And the Jockos want full member status. Laughable. Just like giving Ireland test matches. No infrastructure & you simply can’t give status based on a couple of ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ imports. The depth is with Bangladesh. The stratospheric talent, now, is with Afghanistan. Watch out for these boys in June.
Got a ticket at the Hampshire bowl to see England vs Windies in the World Cup, hoping for same outcome
Jason Roy owed us 126 runs for dropping Gayle on 9 and he very nearly did it! I didn't think the Windies pushed on enough in their innings and should have got 400. With this current England ODI side I never feel a total is not reachable and always felt as though we would win last night. Brilliant to see
Not quite such a good start. 10-2 with both openers gone. Still can really see how long we can bat down the order I guess.
Threw that away and awful decision by umpire for butler dismissal. Hopefully a wake up call before the world Cup because that's how easy it is to lose a match you were bossing
Curran, actually. I am far more critical of England cricket than WFC. I know more about that area & it’s management is hugely far worse. Having said that, this England 50 over outfit is a machine. Most of the time fearless & brutal. However, good wake up call tonight. People like Stokes need to be more aware of the match situation & not just biff.
Yes Curran my mistake, though unfortunately caused by Stokes wasting a review (though could have been genuine uncertainty from him)
That turned the match. No way would Stokes not know he hadn’t hit it. A gunshot. Birds launched themselves off trees.
Buttler and Morgan going bananas...58 off 15 balls edit then 15 off the next 2 legitimate balls.....inc nb's 174 partnership so far off 17 overs. Buttler 98 off 57 balls
23 sixes so far which equals the world record in an innings. 24 now beaten it. buttler the 2nd fastest 150 in ODIs
Cricket but not as we know it. Exhilarating once in a while but gets a little eating only creme brulee. Fantastic performance though & encouraging for WC.