World Cup semis & final, July 9-14

[alfie]

Archer gets a bit carried away with the short stuff sometimes... Needs to calm down a bit. Might see him switch ends so Woakes can close out ?

[Gingerfinch]

Better over this one, good change of pace.

[bigfluffylemon]

Bit loose here. 240-250 looks likely.

England ought to be able to chase that, but I thought that against Sri Lanka, and we all thought India could chase 240 v New Zealand.

Good over from Archer.

Pakistan defended 249 last time England played a world cup final, and a certain left arm inswinger did the damage then. Is it an omen?

Colin about to hit out or get out v Woakes.

[bigfluffylemon]

And get out it is. That should save England a few.

No matter how many times I've watched this England batting line up, and no matter how good they are, I hate watching and have to look through my fingers. It's because we know that no matter how good they are, they can implode.

It's going to be a long afternoon. Fortunately it's Sunday so I started drinking an hour ago...

[Gingerfinch]

Didn't look out but may as well review.

[alfie]

And get out it is. That should save England a few.

No matter how many times I've watched this England batting line up, and no matter how good they are, I hate watching and have to look through my fingers. It's because we know that no matter how good they are, they can implode.

It's going to be a long afternoon. Fortunately it's Sunday so I started drinking an hour ago...

I have a bottle of scotch handy...just in case.

[alfie]

Woakes has been excellent today. He and Plunkett the outstanding performers.

And as I type he bowls a rotten five wides

But follows up with a wicket... I forgive him.

At least until he bowls a high full toss no ball ! Mixed bag this over

3/37 off nine. We'll take that

[sussexpob]

Woakes won't bowl 10 again....got to question Morgan's captaincy

[bigfluffylemon]

Didn't look out but may as well review.

Pitching outside leg. Someone explain that rule to me, as it was plumb otherwise. What is the rationale for that aspect of the lbw rule?

5 wides then Latham holes out to a wide full bunger from Woakes that should have been hit for six. Weird. Woakes lost it a bit this over.

And now a beamer - free hit. Woakes losing it under pressure out there? This has been a hideous over, lucky it hasn't gone for 20.

[bigfluffylemon]

Double post.

Utter dross from Woakes, gave away about 10 free runs there.

[alfie]

Woakes won't bowl 10 again....got to question Morgan's captaincy

To be honest I'd have had him bowl ten. But they're a bit obsessed with Archer and always ensure he bowls his full set...it is working reasonably well I think.

[sussexpob]

How many extras have England given away in theaat 10...sloppy

[Gingerfinch]

Pitch it up and there's the wicket.

[alfie]

Good finish from Archer now taking out Henry

They have their 240 . Shouldn't get ten more , surely ?

[bigfluffylemon]

England have bowled 17 wides this innings. Hope that doesn't come back to haunt them.

Archers follows a wide with bowling Henry off a full toss that Henry misses. England losing the plot but the Kiwis aren't good enough to punish them.