World T20 semis & final, March 30-April 3

[Dr Cricket]

personally thought WI bowled ok but barring england, the rest of the teams batted awfully against them.

And you think any teams have batted that well against New Zealand?

TBH I don't actually rate NZ that much.
Bowling attack looks good in tricky bowling conditions but they batting and bowling might struggle in flat pitches.
Batting looks weak in paper and bowling hasn't had to bowl in flat decks yet.

England got a great chance to beat NZ here.

NZ is very reliant on Sodhi and Santner if they both struggle NZ will struggle to contain teams.
not sure NZ pace attack is that great on a flat deck.
Mitch MC looks hittable and Corey Anderson is average.

Think NZ got lucky with the pitches and conditions, like Greyblazer said they probably peaked too early.

[Making_Splinters]

I don't quite understand the underpinning logic behind this drive to downplay New Zealand's chances.

From what I've seen of them this World Cup they have bowled and batted with a recognition of the conditions that they have played in. They've seen off India and Pakistan as well as Bangladesh who recently got to the Asia Cup finals.

Their bowling looks very good with the two front line spinners having bowled exceptionally and even if the pitch doesn't look like it will help spin - I'm fairly sure we've played on this twice now so I don't get where that assumption is coming from! - they have Southee, McClenaghan, Boult, and Milne as front line bowlers to pick from.

Let's just assume for a second that is a flat pitch, can anyone seriously argue that Williamson, Guptill, Munro, Anderson, Taylor and Ronchi isn't a more than capable top order?

While I am not going to write England off, as they have shown several decent performances thus far, the bowling and batting have not put together a string of decent performances thus far.

As far as the whole peaking argument goes, come off it, they've only played 4 games.

A bit of respect for the opposition goes a long way.

[Dr Cricket]

Taylor is pretty crap these days.
Corey Anderson does struggle against spin, think only Guptil and Willamson worry me from that team.

Not sure the NZ batting line can destroy the english bowlers and get 20-30 runs above par or get above 200.

in a flat deck would make Eng favourites especially if they are chasing.

[sussexpob]

Indeed. The longer you go down the orders, the more England's ability tells.

[Making_Splinters]

I wouldn't say there is any particular advantage in terms of batting line ups on either side to be honest. England bat longer but they haven't produced consistent performances with the bat. You'd take New Zealand's openers over ours, Root over Munro, Buttler over Ronchi but aside from that it isn't exactly clear cut anywhere else given Morgan's form.

The real worry has to be the consistency of the bowling, England have had a couple of good spells with the ball, but they've also gone all over the park.

It's very even, I'd have New Zealand as slight favourites just because of how well their spinners have bowled and our less than convincing reputation against slow bowling.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I see the semi is being played at 14.30 (BST).

[The Professor]

This is great from Gayle

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/7897 ... =short-url

[Arthur Crabtree]

I wonder who was the first sportsperson was to talk of himself in the third person. Andy Cole comes to mind, but it probably goes further back.

[The Professor]

Ali

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, must be.

I blew that 'sportsperson' by following it with 'himself'!

[Making_Splinters]

Public poll on Cricinfo has 60% of the over 46000 votes going for an India New Zealand final.

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's what I went for.

[mikesiva]

"Trinidad and Tobago’s Lendl Simmons is set to join the West Indies for their crucial ICC World Twenty20 semi-final against hosts India. Simmons is expected to replace Grenadian batsman Andre Fletcher who injured his hamstring in yesterday’s six-run loss to Afghanistan. The right-handed Simmons was initally named in the Windies World Cup squad but was one of many Trinidadians (Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo and Kieron Pollard) who pulled out for various reasons. Simmons had cited a back injury for withdrawing from the squad but has recovered enough to boost the regional side. The 31-year-old opening batsman was scheduled to fly to India anyway for the Indian Premier League (IPL) which bowls off from April 9 - May 29. Newsday understands Simmons left Trinidad immediately yesterday upon getting the call-up."

http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,225861.html

[Arthur Crabtree]

At least England have avoided the kind of humiliating exit they suffered in BD two years ago, though they did tread on that boundary in the gme with Afg.

[GarlicJam]

Public poll on Cricinfo has 60% of the over 46000 votes going for an India New Zealand final.

No surprise seeing India there. If their team was made up of the likes of Kapil Dev, Bishen Bedi and Sunil Gavaskar - in their current physical condition - they would still top the poll.