2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

[Troy]

It was right after I made that post that West Indies collapsed. That stupid run-out of Bravo cost them, Chanderpaul hit a reverse sweep and for some reason just started running and Bravo sacrificed himself which didn't even make any sense since Bravo was the one in form. South Africa are looking good with their line-up although they may struggle against better bowling opposition since they only have five batsmen, the middle order is weak.

Australia easily beat New Zealand today. New Zealand scored 206 and we reached the total with 7 wickets in hand with 16 overs to go. Once again though we struggled to run through the tail but maybe that was just Ponting giving others like Smith and Krezja a chance to bowl more. Johnson and Tait the best bowlers again. Watson and Haddin then started with a bang both scoring fifties and the total was never in doubt.

Ireland are playing Bangladesh at the moment. Bangladesh batted first and started with a bang going at ten an over for the first four overs then Ireland hit back and once Tamin Iqbal was gone for 44 Bangladesh were in a lot of trouble. They are currently 172/8 and will struggle to get to 200. Great bowling and fielding by Ireland but they will struggle against the top spinners from Bangladesh.

 

[Troy]

I mentioned before in this thread that India only had two good bowlers and yesterday they proved it. They couldn't defend 338 at home! Tendulkar was great again scoring his 47th ODI century whilst Bresnan was the standout for England taking five and going at less than six runs an over. Then England starting strong and continued to keep the tempo up the entire innings. Strauss lead from the front with 158 and Bell chipped in with a half century. England scored one run from the final ball to tie the score. Amazing result and it may give some other teams a chance. Shows that India can't be favourites and that South Africa are.

Canada are putting in another pathetic performance this time against Zimbabwe. It is a pity that qualifying for Associates was two years ago because Afghanistan would have been a great chance to make it ahead of Canada or Kenya.

Netherlands play West Indies tonight and I was hoping Netherlands would make it a close game again. West Indies are 100/1 from 16.4 overs with Netherlands just taking the first wicket.

 

[ants]

Yessssssss..... The Poms have lost to Ireland. I cannot believe it, but I am absolutely stoked. I went to bed last night just as England had posted 327, and then Jimmy Anderson took a wicket with his first ball, and thought to myself, ahh this will be a rout. I wake up this morning to Facebook status's of suck it poms, and yesssss Ireland. I think to myself, surely not! But low and behold, Ireland chased down the 327 with 5 balls to spare, making 7-329 Kevin O'Brien making a brilliant 113 off just 63 balls. Really going to hurt the Poms with a win, loss and a tie at this stage of the tournament.

 

[Troy]

I watched England's innings and then went to bed, it was great reading the report this morning always good when an Associate team can defeat a full member team. Incredible how Ireland came back from 111/5 to win. O'Brien was awesome scoring his century from just fifty balls, a new World Cup record. England have been strange this tournament, they struggled against Netherlands, tied with India (a favourite team) and then lose to Ireland. Their bowling is the biggest issue since they have leaked so many runs each match. This livens things up in the points table and hopefully there will be some more upsets.

Netherlands vs South Africa and Canada vs. Pakistan are on today so there is a chance of an upset.

 

[ants]

Allan Border de Villiers backs up with another ton to see South Africa to a mammoth 351. No chance of an upset in this one with the Dutch bowled out for 120. The other game however was a big chance of an upset with the Pakis only scoring 180 odd. I'd say BOOM BOOM Afridi saved the day taking another 5 wicket haul. I think they bowled Canada out for 130 odd, dont quote me. Afridi would be a big chance of most wickets for the tournament at this early stage, just like DeVilliers would be for most runs.

 

[Troy]

De Villiers and Amla are in such good form right now, Trott is also in that elite zone at the moment. They just can't stop scoring runs and never look like stopping before they get a half century. South Africa have to be the favourites now, they can't seem to do anything wrong.

After watching Pakistan bat I was hoping for another upset but Canada folded after being 104/3. In the three matches so far Afridi has taken 5, 4 and 5 wickets. Amazing performance as captain and he is making up for his batting being sub-par. I look forward to seeing Pakistan vs Australia to see where both teams are at.

 

[ants]

Yeh us and Pakistan, as well as tomorrow nights match against Sri Lanka should be big games. I really don't rate the Sri Lankans bowling attack except for Malinga and Murali, so I would expect us to post a massive total. As far as Pakistan goes, Afridis definitely been the saviour, if we can hold him at bay, I think we should do for them as well. Just watching Zimbabwe against New Zealand as we speak, Zimbabwe are 9-157 and have really got out of danger, they looked like being bowled out for under 100. The 8th wicket partnership was worth around 60 or 70.

 

[Troy]

Two pathetic matches today. Zimbabwe posted 162 and New Zealand scored those runs without losing a wicket. Bangladesh posted 58 against West Indies in easily the worst performance so far by any team. West Indies lost just one wicket before passing their score.

Big one tomorrow. Australia vs Sri Lanka, can't see that being a walkover like todays matches were. I think that we will we, like you said their bowling line-up isn't that strong and our bowling attack has been great so far aside from finishing off the tail.

 

[Prodigy]

I've noticed how England underestimate the small teams and that was the case with Ireland. It was a fantastic performance against India, and though we should've won they are a great side. This gives hope for us vs South Africa

 

[Troy]

Unfortunately tonights match was washed out. Sri Lanka were 146/3 from 32.5 overs against Australia when very heavy rain came and stopped the match. It is unfortunate that there wasn't a whole match since it would have been a great test for both sides, unfortunately both teams only get the one point for this match.

England vs South Africa should be a great match tomorrow, both highly ranked teams and it should be pretty even especially if the England that showed up against India shows up again. Ireland play India tomorrow as well and India should win but you never know after Ireland beat England.

In other news after the Bangladesh vs West Indies match yesterday the West Indies bus was stoned by Bangladeshi fans who thought it was the Bangladesh team in the bus. It is inexplicable that this was allowed to happen, there is meant to be ample security this World Cup but clearly there isn't. Shame that something like this could happen to a team. It is just cricket, it isn't a matter of life or death.

 

[Prodigy]

England, wait for it, wait for it.........................DEFEAT SOUTH AFRICA BY 6 RUNS! OMG I am elated. Great fielding performance this time around against one of the favourites. It sure has paid off with Broad back in the side.

 

[Troy]

That was an insane match. South Africa looked on top early when they had England 3 for nothing, then Trott and Bopara fought back. South Africa started strongly in the chase but then completely collapsed, Broad was amazing and I wonder what would have happened in previous games if he was fit.

Ireland playing India right now and Ireland are 189/8.

 

[Troy]

Hussey has been named as the replacement for Bollinger and Nannes has been flown over as a standby player just incase a bowler is injured. Tough call as to who Michael Hussey replaces in the line-up. It would have to be either White or David Hussey that goes. D Hussey will be saved by the fact that he can bowl part time off-spin which is quite effective.

 

[ants]

Form says Cameron White's head is well and truly on the chopping block. And even more so because Smith and Dave Hussey give a bowling option like you said. I think it really stabilizes the middle order for us because seeing Hussey come in instead of White makes me feel a lot calmer.

In other news Kevin Pietersen is out of the world cup and the IPL with a hernia, and Eoin Morgan is being called for as his replacement. Morgan broke a finger in Australia last month and looked to be missing out completely but will most likely be given a second chance due to Pietersen unluckiness. And Englands.

 

[Troy]

Yeah it would have to be White on form but it is strange since he was captain of the team for the final ODI of the series against England. If they are bringing Hussey over the have to play him and we have enough big hitters in D Hussey, Smith and Johnson to cover for White.

Shame for Pieterson since he was doing well opening the batting for England. Morgan was unlucky to miss out to begin with since he would be a much better option than Bopara. Wonder who they will open the batting with alongside Strauss.