[jikl]

On a side note, I would love to know how much the Ireland - Bangadlesh double paid.

Sean

[the saint]

I can't say I'm upset to see Pakistan go out. And to have India in dire straits too. IT can only help my side's cause, however implausible that may be.

[nickf]

good day for the bookies.

nickf
sydney

[Deanrover]

Wow the Pakistan coach is dead - probably suicide??

[the saint]

Bob Woolmer. Holy *****.

On the other hand, England have shown their game plan by attempting to win the World Cup by boring everyone else to death. I think they needed those beers to loosen up...

[GeeGee]

Surely not suicide.

But, whatever the cause, it's a tragedy. I saw Bob Woolmer play for Kent (against Yorkshire!!), in the 70's. Only other times I saw him was on TV. He was such a stylish player.

Much missed

Geoff

[Walddk]

Should the World Cup continue after it has been stated that Woolmer was murdered?

"Yes" is my answer. It will not help anyone to call it off. All cricket lovers are saddened and disgusted, but the show must go on.

Roland

[GeeGee]

I agree with Roland.

But it is still very awful, and completely destroys the 'feeling' of the ethos around cricket.

Years ago I can recall seeing a fielder taking a catch close to the ground, and when the umpire gave 'out' the fielder said no, the ball had grounded before he took it.

That's cricket. So what is this?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cri...icle1556555.ece

Geoff

[mike777]

Pakistan coach strangled.

[Lemm1ng]

Dravid out for 60, India on the brink of following Pakistan out of the tournament. Disappointing really... because I really fancied them.

On the bright side, at least England might win 3 games in the super eights now! (Windies, Bangladesh, Ireland). Oh... if we beat Kenya tomorrow of course.

[zasanya]

!@$%^*(&^%(*&&
I hate cricket
Used to love A guy called Sachin Tendulkar.Still do actually.

This post has been edited by zasanya: 2007-March-24, 10:26

[jikl]

Graeme Smith suffering from cramps ruined a good match. Jacques Kallis should be dropped, I know he scored 48, but he always protects his average. It was the way he scored it, far too slow, he gave SA no chance.

Anyway, go Bangladesh!

And then off to the Super-8s.

Sean

[the saint]

My initial inclination even before SA batted was that 377 might not be enough. And for the first half of their innings I was most definitely right, and from 160-odd without loss, they SHOULD have won that match.

My inclination was that Australia didn't go hard enough after the loss of the first two wickets and lost a clutch at the end in the desperate swing to add a few more runs. There is an optimal number of wickets to lose when setting a total - about 7. This means that you have maximised your batting potential. Gets the 10s and 11s in and their run-rate is too low. Australia were only 2 down coming into the last 5 overs. On that pitch in a small ground against a samey attack, Ponting should have been going faster than a run per ball. That may be harsh, but in the modern game it is fair.

I accept Sean's point about Kallis to a degree. In his recent ODI innings when SA have been setting big scores, he has set out at that rate and accelerated at the end with genuine big hitting. It has worked when such as Boucher have been creaming every other ball to the boundary at the other end. It has worked because there is no required run rate. When chasing, the end point is known, and psychologically the position is a bit different. While SA have been shown to be capable of scoring above 12 runs per over when setting, actually doing it when chasing is another matter. For that reason, I think Kallis misjudged, even though the tone of his innings suggested he rightly realised he needed to be there at the end. He is still too good to drop. And Sean isn't the first person to suggest that he looks after his own numbers first.

[jikl]

OK, realism time, can England make the semis considering they will probably need to win 5 out of 6 to do so.

Sean

(They have to play Aus, SA, SL, WI, Ba, Ire)

[Walddk]

jikl, on Mar 28 2007, 11:56 AM, said:

OK, realism time, can England make the semis considering they will probably need to win 5 out of 6 to do so.

Sean

(They have to play Aus, SA, SL, WI, Ba, Ire)

No, but maybe 4 wins will be enough. Even that is a tough ask. I don't think they can, but I don't mind if I am proven wrong.

Roland

[FrancesHinden]

We've just agreed to play a 48-board match the same day as the final. We're a team of 6 and Jeffrey wants to sit out throughout...

[paulg]

FrancesHinden, on Mar 28 2007, 03:15 PM, said:

We've just agreed to play a 48-board match the same day as the final.  We're a team of 6 and Jeffrey wants to sit out throughout...

I suggest you start at 9am and wrap it up in 32!

[the saint]

I think England will beat Bangladesh, Ireland and the Windies. If Sri Lanka bat like today we have a chance against them too...

[GeeGee]

Just as a total aside, in today's Times Online regarding the latest Wisden: -

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cri...icle1575436.ece

Do you agree?

Geoff

[paulg]

Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2007

Paul Collingwood, Mahela Jayawardene, Mohammad Yousuf, Monty Panesar, Mark Ramprakash

A parochial choice but Monty has been a shining light for England during a poor year. Ramps continues to frustrate everyone by showing the form and freedom in county cricket that he never really showed at Test level. Colly came of age but I think he was a little lucky to make the list. And no Aussies despite taking the Ashes back