ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Put South Africa under pressure and they always struggle.

England are reaping the rewards of a ridiculous winter schedule that has had them playing pretty much constant cricket for 4 months coupled with thousands of miles of travelling. 50 overs cricket isn't our strong point but we're not as bad as we're looking in this tournament....

(11-03-2011 21:09 )lancealot790 Wrote:  Morgan had played virtually no cricket before he was called up

That's an advantage of course. Morgan looked fresh and was the pick of the England players on the day. Anderson was the big disappointment to me, especially with those wides at the end of the Bangladesh innings. England conceded 23 wides in all and that cost them the match. I'm not sure why Prior was opening when that's already been tried and failed, but having made that decision they may stick to it for the next match against the West Indies.

India 296 all out off 48.4 overs

South Africa 300/7 off 49.4 overs

South Africa won by 3 wickets


India got off to a flying start by putting 142 runs for the 1st wicket also Tendulkar and Gambhir put 125 runs for the 2nd wicket however once Tendulkar departed then India collapsed from 267/1 to 296 all out couldn't believe what i was seeing absloute madness. South Africa had a reasonable start and most of their batmens made useful contributions with the bat all in all it was a close game but India have only have to blame themselves for the shambolic batting and it looks like India have gone back to their old ways once Tendulkar goes the rest flop.

England struggle in batting power plays and this has been a problem for a long time, none more so than in this tournament. The power play towards the end of the innings just seems to bring about a consistent clatter of wickets falling with not enough run output. Even accounting for the fact its limited overs cricket some of Englands dismissals generally have been ludicrous. Matt Priors one in the Bangladesh match was a case in point. The bowling and ground fielding has been very inconsistent to say the least. Wides, no balls, fumbles, leg side freebies and poor execution of the basics have cost England dearly to the extent that they will probably need to beat West Indies to avoid another group phase exit in a World Cup.

The real problem with england is a lack of consistency with the selection policy, Strauss has had at least a dozen opening partners in the last few months. They have chopped and changed the team virtually every game, while some of those changes have been forced, many were by choice. The england test side have been extremely successful over the last few years and it is no coincidence that the team is very rarely changed. While i have made no secret of my disgust at the teams performances at this world cup some of the blame must lie with the ECB. Their ludicrous decision to agree to 7 one day games at the end of the ashes tour was totally irresponsible with no thought for the team what so ever. The casualty list of injured players has been horrendous, Broad, Pieterson, Swann and Morgan have all suffered because of the stupid schedule. England need to forget about using part time bowlers and go for broke against the West indies, five specialist batsmen, Prior and five bowlers. Below is the team i believe should be selected for the crunch final game.

Strauss
Bopara
Trott
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Sharzad
Tremlett
Anderson

If the pitch looks like a slow turner then perhaps change Anderson for Yardy. I am always reluctant to drop players because they are having a bad run but Collingwood has been very poor in the last 12 months and we need somebody who is confident and in reasonable form.

New Zealand 358/6 off 50 overs

Canada 261/9 off 50 overs

New Zealand won by 97 runs


New Zealand got off to a decent start by putting 53 runs for the 1st wicket then Ryder and Brendon McCullum put on 96 runs for the 2nd wicket but the New Zealand players were hitting sixes for fun and that boosted the score to 358. Canada got off to a poor start by losing 2 wickets for 4 runs however useful half centuries from Bagai and Hansra made sure that the Canadians had put a spirited batting performance and all in all good to see them bat out the 50 overs.



Australia 324/6 off 50 overs

Kenya 264/6 off 50 overs

Australia won by 60 runs


Australia got off to a steady start despite losing Watson early however a good partnership between Haddin and Ponting which was worth 89 runs for the 2nd wicket but then they had a mini collapse from 127/1 to 143/4 but a useful 93 runs from Clarke took the score to 324. Kenya lost a few early wickets however Collins Obuya and Mishra shared a 4th wicket partnership worth 115 runs and overall a decent batting peformance from Kenya.

Its been a good world cup so far some good matches and some good games to watch.

(13-03-2011 00:50 )lancealot790 Wrote:  England need to forget about using part time bowlers and go for broke against the West indies, five specialist batsmen, Prior and five bowlers.

You can disparage Bopara and Collingwood as part time bowlers, but both of them have a better bowling record in ODIs than Tremlett does. Still good luck to Tremlett if selected. He should be pretty fresh, that's one thing in his favour.

(13-03-2011 00:50 )lancealot790 Wrote:  Their ludicrous decision to agree to 7 one day games at the end of the ashes tour was totally irresponsible with no thought for the team what so ever.

Australia had the same schedule and they don't seem to be complaining about it.

Australia were at home so they could just go return to their families if they wanted to, england have had THREE days at home since november. They must be shattered having spent the best part of 5 months constantly travelling and playing cricket, most of them without a break. I cannot remember the last time england played a 7 match one day series against a single country, the schedule was about money and not cricket. I make no excuses for englands appalling displays in the one day series against australia and the world cup, but anyone who knows anything about cricket, knows that england are the best fielding side in the world and fatigue has taken it,s toll on them, hence the amount of dropped catches and misfields.