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just noticed the England-Afghanistan game is on Friday the 13th

rich1uk wrote:just noticed the England-Afghanistan game is on Friday the 13th

My wife's birthday - do you think she'd appreciate an England win as a present?

KipperJohn wrote:

rich1uk wrote:just noticed the England-Afghanistan game is on Friday the 13th

My wife's birthday - do you think she'd appreciate an England win as a present?

maybe but probably best having a backup plan just in case

So, four games each down in Group A, each side has two to go. Let's have a quick look at the permutations.

New Zealand are through, but will want to finish top to ensure the best draw in the next round, so shouldn't take their foot off the pedal too much. Games v Afghanistan and Bangladesh give them every chance of making it 6 from 6.

Sri Lanka are all but through. It is possible to devise a scenario where they go out, but it is quite convoluted and involves them losing to Scotland and Australia, Bangladesh beating New Zealand and England or Afghanistan winning their two remaining games and overtaking SL on NRR, so realistically it isn't going to happen.

Australia need to win one of their remaining games to guarantee their passage, but given that they still have Scotland to play that should be a fait accompli. The Australia - Sri Lanka game therefore takes on some importance as the likely battle for second place. The winner will likely avoid India or South Africa in the QF.

Bangladesh need to win one of their remaining games against either England or New Zealand to guarantee progress. Lose both and they could still go through if Afghanistan beat England but lose to New Zealand, or if Australia somehow contrive to lose their remaining two games.

England need to win their two remaining games to have any chance, and even if they do need at least one of Bangladesh, Australia or Sri Lanka not to win any of their remaining games. New Zealand beating Bangladesh is their best hope of that.

Afghanistan are the same as England - they need to win their two remaining games against New Zealand and England, and hope that at least one of Bangladesh, Australia or Sri Lanka don't win any more games. Unlikely but still mathematically possible.

Scotland are out, and with their final two games of the tournament against Australia and Sri Lanka, it doesn't look likely that they'll break their World Cup duck this time around, sadly.

Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding England, it would be a new low to lose to either Bangladesh or Afghanistan.

On the plus side, crashing out of the World Cup in the group stages would surely make a couple of people's jobs rather untenable.

Can't see heads rolling if we go out early.

Moores looks fireproof despite being clueless.

If England win both remaining games and New Zealand versus Bangladesh is washed out, then both sides will have 6 points.

Does the winner of the match between the pair qualify, or is it decided by net run rate?

Run rate.

Early forecast "a little afternoon rain" - precipitation percentage 61%

Ducky Lewis might decide it then.

Making_Splinters wrote:Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding England, it would be a new low to lose to either Bangladesh or Afghanistan.

On the plus side, crashing out of the World Cup in the group stages would surely make a couple of people's jobs rather untenable.

People's jobs have become untenable for a lot less - I see that a number of wagons have already formed a circle.

Strange that Downton says there'll be no knee jerk reaction - quite a contrast to his approach to the Ashes whitewash when he appeared to have reached his conclusions before the end of the fifth test.

Double standards or a lesson learned? Or simply incompetent?

Moores is Downton's signature appointment. I guess he's going to defend his choice.

And this is the problem.

Downton probably knows deep down he's made a mistake but can't sack him for two reasons.

1. Loss of face.
2. They'd have to pay out his contract.

Chandimal's WC is over


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real shame for the lad, as he was finding his form.. sri lanka have had a lot of injuries for this world cup..thats 5 first teamers i believe now..?