T20 World Cup, June 1-29

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, some big hitting at the end got Australia over the line with 2 balls to spare, after a drop by Scotland in the last over. From an English perspective, we've got away with one here, but Scotland will be gutted - they ran Australia very close and looked the better team for much of the game, and gave a great account of themselves in the tournament. Australia's strength down the batting order got them over the line in the end.

[bigfluffylemon]

So group 2 will be England, South Africa, West Indies and USA.

Group 1 India, Australia, Afghanistan, and one of Bangladesh or Netherlands.

I'd reckon it'll be an Australia India final from here, but it's hardly a novel observation to say that anything can happen once you get to the knockout stage of a T20 tournament. I'd never write of West Indies at home in T20s.

[Durhamfootman]

and.... breathe............

[Durhamfootman]

I suppose it isn't surprising that Buttler scored 0. It must be hard to play at your best with your heart in your mouth for that length of time

[mikesiva]

Tournament being undermined by the weather.

WC is being played during the caribbean rainy season, I imagine, because no-one dared schedule it when the IPL was on

they could have played it in Blighty..... oh wait!

maybe in a few years time cricket will always be played during a rainy season, no matter where it is, because they will only be rainy seasons.

Cricket may need a plan going forward...... so I don't expect one anytime soon.... unless sticking heads in the sand is technically a plan

Spot on!

In the 1980s and 1990s, Test cricket used to be played in the Caribbean between March and May, which was the dry season.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Commiserations to Scotland. Could well have beaten England, but for the weather.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So there's another group stage... I thought we'd learned that knockout games were more exciting.

[GarlicJam]

and.... breathe............

did you enjoy supporting Australia?

[bigfluffylemon]

and.... breathe............

did you enjoy supporting Australia?

It felt weird. Second time ever (after the WC final v India).

[alfie]

So group 2 will be England, South Africa, West Indies and USA.

Group 1 India, Australia, Afghanistan, and one of Bangladesh or Netherlands.

I'd reckon it'll be an Australia India final from here, but it's hardly a novel observation to say that anything can happen once you get to the knockout stage of a T20 tournament. I'd never write of West Indies at home in T20s.

I'd hesitate to even try a guess at who will win the thing - or even make the knockouts. Australia certainly looked good thrashing England ; but their bats really struggled this morning (at least until Stoinis went berserk) against Scotland on a slow pitch with pace off the ball. I am sure their spin-heavy opponents in Group 1 will have taken note...

Hope the weather treats the rest of the tournament a bit more kindly.

[Durhamfootman]

and.... breathe............

did you enjoy supporting Australia?

oh, I was fast asleep for both matches and only spotted the results when I got up this morning

not sure if that counts as supporting anybody

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan actually struggling to score 107 to beat Ireland...

Must've stopped raining at last in Florida.

[Arthur Crabtree]

An Ireland win leaves Pakistan at the bottom of the table.

[Durhamfootman]

Pakistan are losing this as things stand

It's Babar or bust

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan going to squeeze home.