ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

For me it's all about England selecting the squad of players best equipped to win a World Cup.
They have obviously concluded that Archer gives the bowling attack an extra important dimension with the pace he offers. Selectors cannot go on sentiment, it is a ruthless business.
The only thing that matters ultimately is results. It remains to be seen whether the squad selection is correct although I can certainly see the logic behind what they have done.

Dropping like flies here!

Well, what a farce that was!

Wood and Dawson pick up injuries, Archer subs and nearly injures himself, Root subs when he is supposed to be mourning his Grandfather, but doesn't bat when we need him, and Paul Collingwood comes on as fielding sub. Then Rashid and Archer come out to bat in place of Wood and Dawson.

Top four in the batting order can't manage anywhere near a run a ball, then Buttler comes in and appears to be playing on a different pitch (or a different planet) and has a strike rate of 168!

Why play these warm-up games when we've already played 6 against Ireland and Pakistan?

Today's warm up match is against Afghanistan at the Oval.
Afghanistan is batting first. Shame I would have like to see England trying to build up a big total.
Current score 115-8 off 31 overs.

Afghanistan reached 160 all out.

In reply England are 100-1 off 10 overs (and that was a fluke)

How long before England 500 in a match?

England reached the total in under 20 overs, for the loss of just 1 wicket.

Afghanistan aren't a top side, but they do have two of the best spinners in the world, so this was a top batting performance by the top three.

Do you think the restructure for this competition, is a good or bad thing by not having the ICC Associate members being represented?

It's India's turn for a warm up today. They are taking on Bangladesh at Cardiff.

West Indies were also in action today against New Zealand.

They put together a score of 421 in their 50 over. New Zealand could only manage 330 all out in reply. West Indies are a team to watch in this years competition

(28-05-2019 06:24 )babelover48 Wrote:  Do you think the restructure for this competition, is a good or bad thing by not having the ICC Associate members being represented?

At a time when other sports like football are looking to expand their World Cup, it's a shame that cricket is so keen on shrinking it. The reason isn't hard to fathom. It allows a format of just one group with everyone playing each other, so India for example is guaranteed matches with England, Australia, South Africa and, most importantly, Pakistan. So very nice for the broadcasters and that means more money for the competing countries.