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

Starting to look BD have left themselves too much to do. The scenario that haunted the fears of Australian cricket this morning, that a defeat today would inexorably lead to Australia's demise, is beginning to look unfounded.

The Australian batting kicked on today.

ODIs are a bit of a farce when the chasing side doesn't aim to beat the opposition's score.

Still no India tomorrow. India not playing is stopping the WC enter a dead rubber zone.

England v SL.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Still no India tomorrow. India not playing is stopping the WC enter a dead rubber zone.

Makes a lot of sense. I hadn't considered that

It's tough for Bangladesh now, but still possible. Their pathway is simple - win all three remaining games, including beating India. They have Afghanistan (should win) and Pakistan (definitely possible). They'd still need England or India to lose most of their remaining games though.

More likely is two weeks of inconsequential matches sucking all the positive momentum out of the tournament.

hey up

Dilly on a hat trick

doesn't get it

SL 135-5

in a bit of trouble I'd imagine

Have England decided that this is their best team (in the absence of Roy, of course)?

a Plunkett-less team

or is this the side for the softer teams and does Plunkett come back in for Ali against the big boys?

not that long ago that England were one of the 'softer' teams, of course

4 years ago they were only able to beat Scotland and Afghanistan

beaten by Bangladesh
comfortably beaten by SL
hammered by Australia
bowled out for 123 by NZ who only needed 12 overs to knock them off

....... and Alistair Cook thought it was because he'd been dropped as capt

I suppose Plunkett might come in for Moeen if the pitch demands.

But it looks like that's the first choice. Not clear if Roy will be back.

I think Plunkett should be at least ahead of Woakes. It's tempting to want Woakes' batting, but there's plenty of batting in the side anyway.

Durhamfootman wrote:....... and Alistair Cook thought it was because he'd been dropped as capt :point

Whereas the captain who replaced him has played a part in transforming the side.

England should be able to keep this to 250 maximum. A lot less if wickets fall.

Matthews gets his half century!

Very slow one.