2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (50 over version)

Yesterday finally delivered a close contest, Pakistan were bowled out for 270 in 46.4 overs South Africa stumbled home 271-9 in 47.2 overs after looking in control at 206-4 in the 34th.

Back-to-back exciting games. Two contrasting centuries from Head and Ravindra, great entertainment.

It was good to see the first home game yesterday when South Africa nearly blew the match.

But England I've never seen such a doppy team.
In the test series Bairstow was run out after he decided to go walkabout before over was called.
In this competition Root was run out when he and Bairstow failed to spot that that there was zero chance of a quick single. Then there was Rashid who didn't seem aware that the ball was still live and also managed to get himself run out. Then there was Mark Wood, all he had to do was hold one end and maybe look out for a bad ball. But he decided to charge down the wicket to a world class spinner.

And I'm still to understand why they keep playing Livingstone and leave Harry Brook on the bench. (unless Brook is injuried).

^^ I've spotted a commonality with those run outs, Yorkshiremen are dopey. But this one less so, as he can spell the word dopey.
Good to see you back Charle, hope you holidayed well.

Mitchell Stark, the go to man for Australia, almost stuffed his lines up, but he/they got away with it, and squeaked home. It will/has been, called a 'thriller' due to the nature of the result being by such a narrow margin (really genuinely thought we were going to get another 'Smithism' 'barest of Margins', but not quite) and that is fair, but I have seen other matches where maybe the end result was a comfortable win, but the 'journey' to get there was edge of the seat along the way?? I am curious how only a close finish appears to be the one scenario that gets called a 'thriller'??

Thankfully, both bowling attacks had bite to them, or we would have had yet another bat - fest (in effect we did) to mull over, and that is what made it such a contest!

NB wow betide anybody who seeks to ditch decades of history, and memories, by precipitating the ending of the format

^^ Goes to show that it is possible to have a high scoring game, yet still great bowling performances within it.

Great fighting spirit by the Netherlands to beat Bangladesh, in trouble with the bat, but still battled to put up a defendable score, gave their bowlers a chance, and they delivered. England should be ashamed that a side that amounts to part timers have displayed better game awareness than England who should be able to draw on all their experience.

Really enjoyed the World Cup so far.
Any chance of England making a comeback...?
If England don't get through, a part of me really wants NZ to win it.

Oh dear. England up against unbeaten hosts India tomorrow.

Think it might be a hide behind the sofa job

(28-10-2023 22:29 )Snooks Wrote:  Oh dear. England up against unbeaten hosts India tomorrow.

Think it might be a hide behind the sofa job

Prophetic words Snooks! That is exactly where most england fans will have ended up I suspect! Another chinning, and still ------still----------england are technically still in the competition. I am not sure a stake through the heart would even kill them off at this rate! Still no real answers as to how they ended up in this state, with such a travesty of a defense of the trophy! Australia await them next........!eek!OUCH! Taxi!!!!!!!!