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

Thu Jun 1 (50 ovs) 10:30 local (09:30 GMT)
Group A - England v Bangladesh
Kennington Oval, London

Fri Jun 2 (50 ovs) 10:30 local (09:30 GMT)
Group A - Australia v New Zealand
Edgbaston, Birmingham

Mon Jun 5 (50 ovs) 13:30 local (12:30 GMT)
Group A - Australia v Bangladesh
Kennington Oval, London

Tue Jun 6 (50 ovs) 10:30 local (09:30 GMT)
Group A - England v New Zealand
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Fri Jun 9 (50 ovs) 10:30 local (09:30 GMT)
Group A - New Zealand v Bangladesh
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Sat Jun 10 (50 ovs) 10:30 local (09:30 GMT)
Group A - England v Australia
Edgbaston, Birmingham

Bangladesh could spring a suprise or two, could easily topple any of the sides in this group

I see the hyping up of England as favourites has already begun:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... oin-morgan
http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/39839215

I think that's premature at best and counterproductive at worst (England sides don't tend to perform well under pressure as favourites, in any sport). Maybe if they thrash South Africa 3-0 in the warm-ups the tag will be justified, but given the strength of Australia, South Africa and India at present, I think it's fairer to say that England should be competitive and make the knockout stages. Beyond that, anything's possible.

This seems to start tomorrow (I'm off work but going to Cleethorpes for the day) with England v Bangladesh. It seems England are going to play Stokes as a batter only. Though there's a strong case for Bairstow playing instead in that scenario. England of course are favourites, but BD must have a good chance and it would only take an advantageous toss to undermine the potency of home advantage. Woakes looks set to return.

My hunch. Win the toss, win the game. Chasing team to prevail.

Going to miss WI and Afghanistan in this competition.

Exciting game in prospect on Friday (I'm at work all day) between NZ and Australia. I know NZ haven't been getting the results so much recently but they look to have a fabulous squed and I got the impression (I wasn't following that closely) that McClenaghan had a good IPL so he could add more potency to a very good attack. Taylor has relocated his batting mojo recently.And the Aussie pace bowlers will be something to see. And Smith is the best batter in the world of course, so expect him to deliver.

Highlights for all games on BBC, which is a little nostalgia buzz and hopefully means respite from Boycott.

My hunch for this one says NZ. Though with no Braddin, the fruit won't taste half as sweet for the plucky Kiwis.

Come on NZ!

good and bad for england starting against the weakest team in the group

great opportunity to get off to a strong start and maybe boost net run rate, but if we lose then we are probably out after just one game

rich1uk wrote:good and bad for england starting against the weakest team in the group

great opportunity to get off to a strong start and maybe boost net run rate, but if we lose then we are probably out after just one game

Not really. Obviously capable of beating both Australia and NZ.

dan08 wrote:

rich1uk wrote:good and bad for england starting against the weakest team in the group

great opportunity to get off to a strong start and maybe boost net run rate, but if we lose then we are probably out after just one game

Not really. Obviously capable of beating both Australia and NZ.

capable of doing so but if we lose to bangladesh then it makes qualifying really hard as we have to win both and even then its not guaranteed

I reckon we'll win all 3 games. Less certain about SF against India though.

i hope your right about the group games

the nature of this tournament with it being so short is that almost every game is a knockout game tho, the loser of friday's game between NZ and Australia is immediately under alot of pressure

Arthur Crabtree wrote:This seems to start tomorrow (I'm off work but going to Cleethorpes for the day) with England v Bangladesh. It seems England are going to play Stokes as a batter only. Though there's a strong case for Bairstow playing instead in that scenario. England of course are favourites, but BD must have a good chance and it would only take an advantageous toss to undermine the potency of home advantage. Woakes looks set to return.

My hunch. Win the toss, win the game. Chasing team to prevail.

I hope it's not as simple as that, AC, but on recent form at the ground you may be right.

Agree I'd probably have Bairstow ahead of Stokes if the latter can't bowl, but I think England also rate Stokes' fielding so highly that it tips it in his favour.

i think its one thing saying in advance they wont bowl him and another if we are in the middle of a game and one of the bowlers is having a bad day or our opponents are putting together a big partnership and we need to break it

rich1uk wrote:i think its one thing saying in advance they wont bowl him and another if we are in the middle of a game and one of the bowlers is having a bad day or our opponents are putting together a big partnership and we need to break it

True. You can plan not to bowl him the full 10, but just have a couple of 2-3 over spells if needed.

It must be good old English pessimism sneaking in, but I can't help but have a sinking feeling that the wheels are about to come off the England ODI renaissance.

It's just been too good to be true. And when has an England side (in anything) lived up to the hype? Maybe the 2003 Rugby WC side (I'm too young for 1966). Can't think of many others.