The Afghanistan attack includes three bowlers in the IPL top ten. And didn’t it show against England.
I don’t know who plays who(m) over the next couple of weeks so I’ve not attempted any arithmetic but I’m guessing we’ll need to beat South Africa on Saturday and improve the run rate to stand any chance of getting into the semi finals.
How long will it be until the county calendar is changed by the ECB so that 50 over cricket isn't hidden by another competition? Our performances in the World Cup has all come about because none of our players play 50 over cricket, only T20 and the odd 4 day county match.
4 yrs ago, the 50 over competition was held in the English Calendar equally with the T20 Blast and County Championship and we won the World Cup.
The attendances wernt that great last season, not many matches sold out. Plus mainly its not proper cricket, should be 6 ball overs, it hardly any shorter than T20, they should concentrate all money and efforts into that if they want to attract younger supporters.
The Royal London Cup ran and I think it was well attended by pure cricket fans. However, it involved those who played were either rejected / unselected players from the Hundred and those in the 2nd XI pushing for a contract at their club or others. I don't discourage that but the ECB seem to be very reactive rather than proactive.
None of the players in the 50 over World Cup squad, play the 50 overs game outside of international circuit and they haven't done since 2021 which I find it worrying.
They think this will take off like T20 has done. However, the ECB didn't register the rights to T20 and have then lost out on the millions they could have received.
If there is a format that hasn't been broken, no-one wants to change it
From our poor showing so far, its looking unlikely but this will probably come back and bite me!
The team just looks like they don't have an answer to the questions they have been asked. I hate to say this but recalling Root & Stokes has unsettled the team. Before this summer, the ODI squad looked balanced and settled but then you bring both Root & Stokes, who can be match winners on their own, but they have now made the squad slightly unbalanced.
In my opinion, Stokes shouldn't be there. His body is falling apart and he needed the 6 month downtime from the last test to the next one to get his knee and hip injuries healed and recover. In that time, he could have personally scouted the County game, looking for the next Cook or Broad or another spinner that he could give an opportunity to in the test squad.
Totally agree re Stokes ! Root, well I think he should definitely be in the team, for a start in India he's about our only batsman who looks happy to play spin bowling. I never expected us to win this tournament, as we just don't play enough 50 over stuff now and because we struggle in spinning conditions.
It tends to be all or nothing with Stokes’ batting. He will need to be at his very best today. He won’t bowl of course. A shame because he has a happy knack of breaking partnerships.
His fielding and input on field placings are invaluable. His catch to dismiss the dangerous Miller was superb. Straight into the midriff but ferociously driven.
The heat and humidity are intense. Temperature approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Our (fielding) batsmen look nearly as knackered as the bowlers. South Africa’s bowlers are no doubt enjoying an air conditioned environment !!
I think South Africa have this one completely in the bag. With hindsight, the decision to field does not look to have been a good one.
I’m confidently predicting a South African double before the day is out.
Comments
The Afghanistan attack includes three bowlers in the IPL top ten. And didn’t it show against England.
I don’t know who plays who(m) over the next couple of weeks so I’ve not attempted any arithmetic but I’m guessing we’ll need to beat South Africa on Saturday and improve the run rate to stand any chance of getting into the semi finals.
How long will it be until the county calendar is changed by the ECB so that 50 over cricket isn't hidden by another competition? Our performances in the World Cup has all come about because none of our players play 50 over cricket, only T20 and the odd 4 day county match.
4 yrs ago, the 50 over competition was held in the English Calendar equally with the T20 Blast and County Championship and we won the World Cup.
Get rid of the Hundred for a start !
I completely agree
The Royal London One-Day Cup ran from 1st Aug-16 Sept.
I agree the Hundred should go and the T20 Blast expanded so there are 3 key competitions covering the three formats England play.
What's wrong with the Hundred? It always seems sold out, and wasn't the point to introduce new fans to the game?
The attendances wernt that great last season, not many matches sold out. Plus mainly its not proper cricket, should be 6 ball overs, it hardly any shorter than T20, they should concentrate all money and efforts into that if they want to attract younger supporters.
Yeah, the format confuses me - I was wrong about the crowds, clearly!
In the first 2 seasons that the Hundred ran for, they have lost £9 million and it's had to have grants from the MCC and ECB to keep supporting it.
The Royal London Cup ran and I think it was well attended by pure cricket fans. However, it involved those who played were either rejected / unselected players from the Hundred and those in the 2nd XI pushing for a contract at their club or others. I don't discourage that but the ECB seem to be very reactive rather than proactive.
None of the players in the 50 over World Cup squad, play the 50 overs game outside of international circuit and they haven't done since 2021 which I find it worrying.
And i believe they expected to be able to sell the format overseas, which also hasn't happened.
They think this will take off like T20 has done. However, the ECB didn't register the rights to T20 and have then lost out on the millions they could have received.
If there is a format that hasn't been broken, no-one wants to change it
Oh, did we invent T20?
Yes, our county teams were the first to play a T20 or Twenty20 competition in 2003.
Genuinely didn't know! I didn't really get into cricket until the 07 World Cup - not even the 05 Ashes!
Have you ever wanted a game?
I played for quite a few years - just became too time-consuming in the end, unfortunately!
Does the complete absence of any speculation about England’s prospects of reaching the semifinals indicate that no-one thinks they will?
What about the impact of Ben Stokes’ possible return tomorrow?
Today, to be strictly accurate!!
Goodnight.
What does this even mean?
Are snipers picking off red kites that have had their wings burnt on the floodlights?
From our poor showing so far, its looking unlikely but this will probably come back and bite me!
The team just looks like they don't have an answer to the questions they have been asked. I hate to say this but recalling Root & Stokes has unsettled the team. Before this summer, the ODI squad looked balanced and settled but then you bring both Root & Stokes, who can be match winners on their own, but they have now made the squad slightly unbalanced.
In my opinion, Stokes shouldn't be there. His body is falling apart and he needed the 6 month downtime from the last test to the next one to get his knee and hip injuries healed and recover. In that time, he could have personally scouted the County game, looking for the next Cook or Broad or another spinner that he could give an opportunity to in the test squad.
😂😭
Totally agree re Stokes ! Root, well I think he should definitely be in the team, for a start in India he's about our only batsman who looks happy to play spin bowling. I never expected us to win this tournament, as we just don't play enough 50 over stuff now and because we struggle in spinning conditions.
It tends to be all or nothing with Stokes’ batting. He will need to be at his very best today. He won’t bowl of course. A shame because he has a happy knack of breaking partnerships.
His fielding and input on field placings are invaluable. His catch to dismiss the dangerous Miller was superb. Straight into the midriff but ferociously driven.
The heat and humidity are intense. Temperature approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Our (fielding) batsmen look nearly as knackered as the bowlers. South Africa’s bowlers are no doubt enjoying an air conditioned environment !!
I think South Africa have this one completely in the bag. With hindsight, the decision to field does not look to have been a good one.
I’m confidently predicting a South African double before the day is out.
I wrote the previous comment earlier this morning but forgot to post. Have just returned. It looks horrendous out there.
And the shrieking voice on the PA doesn’t help!!
Well.... as the saying used to go when I played. Good game to win boys !
Struggling here but should be fun!
The wheels are falling off. Last hope of a long partnership between Buttler & Stokes.