The Cricket Thread

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Delighted for England - Winning it in Australia.

I just hope they don't do what they did in 05.. Get over confident about it - Thinking they're invincible - Then start a decline. I must admit, I miss the days of Trescothick, Vaughn, Giles, Hoggard ect. A truly great team, as this one could be. I always said Anderson would have a bright future, after he changed his bowling action, he demonstrated that to everyone.

On separate news; Makhaya Ntini

A truly great bowler. First black player, post-apartheid, to represent South Africa - And what an impact he made. A true great in the game, I was delighted to see his farewell match.. Very emotional. The great South African team of Pollock, Gibbs, Ntini, Boucher & Smith are now slowly being hidden away - Much like the old invincible Aussies.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Max were you biting your nails as intensely as I was?

What a match!

[Madmax 9,219]

Max were you biting your nails as intensely as I was?

What a match!

I couldn't watch! Getting screwed by work

What a series this is turning out to be though! The last match was fucking epic! I think this is probably the most evenly contested, thoroughly enjoyable series I have ever seen. Tests and ODIs. Both sides going toe to toe, making one comeback after the other.

Did ya look at the WC squad though? Shambles. No backup keeper. 3 specialist spinners when we already have the likes of Yuvraj, Sehwag, Raina and Pathan who are more than capable of bowling those 10 overs of the 5th bowler. Just 4 specialist seamers, 3 of whom are injury prone. And I can't understand why Chawla's been picked over Ojha and Munaf over Sreesanth.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I couldn't watch! Getting screwed by work

What a series this is turning out to be though! The last match was fucking epic! I think this is probably the most evenly contested, thoroughly enjoyable series I have ever seen. Tests and ODIs. Both sides going toe to toe, making one comeback after the other.

Did ya look at the WC squad though? Shambles. No backup keeper. 3 specialist spinners when we already have the likes of Yuvraj, Sehwag, Raina and Pathan who are more than capable of bowling those 10 overs of the 5th bowler. Just 4 specialist seamers, 3 of whom are injury prone. And I can't understand why Chawla's been picked over Ojha and Munaf over Sreesanth.

Brilliant! The first game was awful, then we really clawed our way back into the second. And today didn't disappoint either! Great stuff from Yusuf and Harbhajan!

I did! Shambles is the word I was thinking too. We're the only team that relies on part-time bowlers to see us through - Chawla hasn't played a full ODI since 2008! I would've rather have seen Irfan Pathan. Can't understand Sreesanth's snub at all. I understand the heavy spin attack since we're playing in asia but seriously only 4 seamers?! Zaheer and Praveen are exciting and Nehra's at the end of his days. The selectors may have screwed this up completely. Unacceptable considering the year we've had too..

[MikeCFC 45]

Done really well to win the Ashes in their own backyard,but have gone a bit off the boil in the ODI's.Fair enough,injuries haven't helped us and it's obvious our 2nd string bowling attack just isn't good enough.

In saying that,we still have James Anderson to return,as well as Stuart Broad.albeit for the World Cup.Can't believe Tremlett was overlooked for the World Cup but all should piece together and i'm certain that these ODI's will only strengthen our cause and lead us to glory in the sub-continent later this year.

Champions=England

Runners Up=India

[Madmax 9,219]

You're a brave man betting against India in their own backyard

I think we've shot ourselves in the foot with the squad selection. But I still fancy us to win it. I think England will be found out (apologies to the English contingent here ) because I see all the talk getting to them. I really think Sri Lanka have a very good chance as well, and keeping my personal feelings for the Aussies aside, you can never rule them out.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

South Africa will win it.

[Ollie 4,400]

Of all the sports in the world and world cups, this must be the most open because there's so many teams that can win in ODI circumstances. India may be favourites but so many can win it, including England. In hot, swingy conditions, our bowling attack can have a huge role to play. Shoulda had Cook tho in current form, what a stupid decision to send him home. He's the only batsman we have in true form.

For us to win the World Cup, we need Anderson and Broad to get wickets and we have to stop losing silly frequent wickets and make sure we bat out the overs.

My tip = Sri Lanka.

[MikeCFC 45]

What an embarrassment today was.England gave away their wickets very cheaply,though credit should go to Anderson and Finn for giving it a go in the final powerplay.

Oh well,at least we have that little urn,and with 2 tests remaining,a little pride could still be restored,but it's all about getting ready for the world cup now.

On a final note to a Mr Steve Smith.Nice try you cheat!!.

[MikeCFC 45]

So all the talking is over,the Cricket world cup kicks off tomorrow.

England have gone into decline within the space of 6 weeks,injuries haven't helped but they should still progress past the group stages and they are going to have to restore form very quick if they are to make the semi finals,but i feel there are just too many teams to stop them.

England need big runs as teams like Sri Lanka,India,Australia and South Africa are more than capable of scoring 320+ in 50 overs.If Shane Watson and Michael Hussey are on top form,the Aussies could claim an unprecedented 4th world cup in a row.

I think India will triumph with their first world cup win since 1983.They have home advantage as well as the expectation of a nation.Sri Lanka,.Australia,South Africa to make up the rest of the final 4.

Winners-India

Runners Up-South Africa

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Lets go INDIA !!!!

I wish I could go back home for this, the country is going to go craaazy!!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Will be waking up early for this, then switching between us and Chelsea

[MikeCFC 45]

Will be waking up early for this, then switching between us and Chelsea

What's the time difference in India?-and is Sri Lanka and Bangladesh more or less the same?

Next question:is there D/N matches as well.I work nights so will hope to get as much of it as possible.

Not had time to see the full itineary as well.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

What's the time difference in India?-and is Sri Lanka and Bangladesh more or less the same?

Next question:is there D/N matches as well.I work nights so will hope to get as much of it as possible.

Not had time to see the full itineary as well.

Well the India game starts at 08:30GMT tomorrow which is 14:30 there. So +6hours. Assuming that 14:30 is a D/N match, the daytime-only ones would begin at 04:00GMT (09:00 there).

You can find the full schedule here

[MikeCFC 45]

Well the India game starts at 08:30GMT tomorrow which is 14:30 there. So +6hours. Assuming that 14:30 is a D/N match, the daytime-only ones would begin at 04:00GMT (09:00 there).

You can find the full schedule here

Thanks for that fella.

[MikeCFC 45]

Seems like this world cup is going to go on forever,and why is there only 1 match a day?.Surely the ICC could do it in the same format as the football and rugby world cup.

Yesterday saw the ultimate embarrassment when New Zealand beat Kenya in the blink of an eye.Although i like the idea of 'new nations' taking part in world cups,but when there are too many of them it makes the tournament tedious and dumbed down.

The test playing nations should qualify automaticaly,along with the hosts and only 1 minnow should qualify out of a group of minnows.This would shorten the tournament and make it worthwhile.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Seems like this world cup is going to go on forever,and why is there only 1 match a day?.Surely the ICC could do it in the same format as the football and rugby world cup.

Yesterday saw the ultimate embarrassment when New Zealand beat Kenya in the blink of an eye.Although i like the idea of 'new nations' taking part in world cups,but when there are too many of them it makes the tournament tedious and dumbed down.

The test playing nations should qualify automaticaly,along with the hosts and only 1 minnow should qualify out of a group of minnows.This would shorten the tournament and make it worthwhile.

Yeah they already changed that, starting next world cup only 10 teams will qualify down from this year's 14.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Definitely agree! I don't understand what the logic was with 1-match a day. Probably a marketing scam to try and get as much revenue from sponsorship and all as they can, also probably trying to hinder the IPL which schedules to kick off 2-weeks after the final.

Atrocious planning by the ICC.