Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Aidan11 wrote:If anyone thinks we can win the World Cup, please contact your nearest psychiatrist.

Problem is it's my psychiatrist that believes they can win the WC. He's beginning to convince me.

Aidan11 wrote:For me England just need to make one adjustment - the coach.

and I have just read something to see that there is a ready-made replacement right here on CMS.

Durham Footman, you time in the sun has arrived.

Ah, two trophies in two days. It's been quite a weekend!

Making_Splinters wrote:Realistically England getting to the semi-finals would be a huge achievement. At present I would say England have the foundations for a competitive ODI side, we're simply not in the same league as the top sides out there.

The infuriating thing is, had we had this side at the start of last year then there would have been time to build and develop. The bloody mindedness of the ECB to refuse to act until the last minute scuppered our chances.

Well maybe. Or it could be that they just aren't as good as the top sides...this combination may develop into a strong ODI team - or it may prove no better than the previous one.

I would caution , however , in reading too much into a heavy defeat by Australia , in Perth. They are pretty good ; and they are suited by this venue. England did beat India convincingly enough , despite some batting wobbles ; they may yet show that sort of form or better when the Cup starts. The worry for me is that Bopara is no Faulkner and yet he seems nailed on as the all rounder , with no alternative around. Given the batting frailties it may be that Hales or Ballance will get a call up and they'll just use Root if they need a few "variety" overs ? Pity they didn't try that in one of these games , perhaps...

The sad thing is that only Bell and Moeen were out to good deliveries and Bell should have been forward and Moeen continues his difficulties against the rising ball.

alfie wrote:

Making_Splinters wrote:Realistically England getting to the semi-finals would be a huge achievement. At present I would say England have the foundations for a competitive ODI side, we're simply not in the same league as the top sides out there.

The infuriating thing is, had we had this side at the start of last year then there would have been time to build and develop. The bloody mindedness of the ECB to refuse to act until the last minute scuppered our chances.

Well maybe. Or it could be that they just aren't as good as the top sides...this combination may develop into a strong ODI team - or it may prove no better than the previous one.

I would caution , however , in reading too much into a heavy defeat by Australia , in Perth. They are pretty good ; and they are suited by this venue. England did beat India convincingly enough , despite some batting wobbles ; they may yet show that sort of form or better when the Cup starts. The worry for me is that Bopara is no Faulkner and yet he seems nailed on as the all rounder , with no alternative around. Given the batting frailties it may be that Hales or Ballance will get a call up and they'll just use Root if they need a few "variety" overs ? Pity they didn't try that in one of these games , perhaps...

I don't think England are in the same league as the top sides, they lack experiance of winning games and of making big scores. The current side is unquestionably stronger than the one we've put up with for a while, there is a much better balance in the side though much work still needs to be done.

Realistically, what can we expect England to do? Getting to the quarter finals is a minimum for any of the larger Test nations, getting to the semi-final would be a good return for England. If they can get to the final, then who knows. Should England get to the knock out stages, then I'd be happy that they've done what could be expected of them.

Thankfully missed most of our innings. Might be time to bring in Hales or Ballance, and hope our five bowlers don't get injured.

Old timers Bell and Anderson would make a tournament side. Maybe Moeen.

Arguably you'd just pick eleven Aussies though.

Decent effort for Finn too.

Broad got his 500th international wicket today.

well that truly was a pathetic and shambolic final performance.....horror show!!

As MS rightly points out this team should have been put together a lot earlier. Getting the key decisions right at the right time is almost imperative for success in any walk of life.

I agree with hope's comments about Woakes. Line and length will be particularly important in NZ - Southee and his counterparts won't concern themselves with pace. However, it is England's brittle batting down the years that continues to be their Achilles heel - a few decent individual scores and occasional partnerships, but very little consistency.

However, whatever I think of the set-up and decisions - come on England

The gap between England and Australia is merely space.

The Waugh Twins wrote:The gap between England and Australia is merely space.

and the grand canyon is just a hole in the ground

GarlicJam wrote:

Aidan11 wrote:For me England just need to make one adjustment - the coach.

and I have just read something to see that there is a ready-made replacement right here on CMS.

Durham Footman, you time in the sun has arrived.

but I've never driven a coach

(actually, I have... lorry too, but that would ruin the gag)