T20 World Cup, June 1-29

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, job done, can't ask for any more than that. NRR is now out of the equation. England just need to get over the line against Namibia and hope Australia beat Scotland.

And silly comments aside, there's no way Australia don't do their utmost to win that encounter. They might reat a couple of players, but their reserves are no slouches. Going easy onto mess around with NRR is one thing, but deliberately throwing a game? I can't imagine it could happen.

And while I said there's no advantage to topping the group, the winner of Group B avoids India in the next round and will almost certainly have an easier group overall to make the semis.

[bigfluffylemon]

Shakib took Bangladesh to a winning score

And knocks Sri Lanka out.

[Durhamfootman]

well lets just hope that England don't have to play Namibia around school pick up time in North Sound

[Durhamfootman]

of course nobody has considered England thrashing Namibia and then the Australia Scotland game being washed out, to break English hearts. It is the caribbean after all and the weather there does like to knock England out of World Cups

[bigfluffylemon]

Here's a future trivia question. Spare a thought for poor Fayyaz Butt. Playing in his first, and probably only ICC tournament, he's left out of Oman's first three games, then comes in for this one, his first time playing a test nation.

Delivers one ball which is short down leg and goes for 4. Match over.

Poor guy.

But at least he didn't get a duck as well - scored two runs. Still, it may well be the lowest contribution in a cricket tournament ever.

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, job done, can't ask for any more than that. NRR is now out of the equation. England just need to get over the line against Namibia and hope Australia beat Scotland.

And silly comments aside, there's no way Australia don't do their utmost to win that encounter. They might reat a couple of players, but their reserves are no slouches. Going easy onto mess around with NRR is one thing, but deliberately throwing a game? I can't imagine it could happen.

And while I said there's no advantage to topping the group, the winner of Group B avoids India in the next round and will almost certainly have an easier group overall to make the semis.

OK, maybe not quite true. NRR can go down on a win and up on a loss. There is a theoretical series of results where England win, Scotland lose, and Scotland still go through. It's unlikely. But if, say, Namibia bat first and score 120 on a tricky pitch, then England just make it over the line in 20 overs, then Scotland v Australia is reduced to 5 overs a side and both teams score 60 with Australia winning the super over, England go out.

[bigfluffylemon]

That said, I can't find a plausible scenario where Scotland lose a full 20 over game and still keep their NRR ahead of England. It would require England to chase down (or defend) a very small total at an implausibly low run rate.

So the only NRR scenario is weather affected.

[bigfluffylemon]

Afghanistan comfortably see off PNG, and New Zealand are going home. Once they've played two dead rubbers, that is. Three dead rubbers in group C in total over the next five days. Great scheduling, that one.

Weather for USA v Ireland is not looking good. If that one's rained off (or the USA win), it settles group A with two games to spare as well.

[Durhamfootman]

So the only NRR scenario is weather affected.

Eek!

[andy]

Can see USA pulling off another one today and beating Ireland!

[mikesiva]

Papua New Guinea 95 all out

Doriga 27

Farooqi 3-15

Afghanistan 101-3

Gulbadin 49*

New Zealand departure confirmed.

[alfie]

Well, job done, can't ask for any more than that. NRR is now out of the equation. England just need to get over the line against Namibia and hope Australia beat Scotland.

And silly comments aside, there's no way Australia don't do their utmost to win that encounter. They might reat a couple of players, but their reserves are no slouches. Going easy onto mess around with NRR is one thing, but deliberately throwing a game? I can't imagine it could happen.

And while I said there's no advantage to topping the group, the winner of Group B avoids India in the next round and will almost certainly have an easier group overall to make the semis.

OK, maybe not quite true. NRR can go down on a win and up on a loss. There is a theoretical series of results where England win, Scotland lose, and Scotland still go through. It's unlikely. But if, say, Namibia bat first and score 120 on a tricky pitch, then England just make it over the line in 20 overs, then Scotland v Australia is reduced to 5 overs a side and both teams score 60 with Australia winning the super over, England go out.

Funny things happen in t20 ; but - even assuming your maths are correct - I think you are stretching a bit with that scenario

Can't see England failing to beat Namibia (hope that isn't a monster jinx ), or Australia falling to the Scots , even understandably resting a few players ; so I think it is just the weather to fret over.

As to the advantage of topping the group : I understand there is none. Australia are always "B2" and India "A1" , no matter which spot they qualify in : the seeded teams are all set up in advance to play in particular scheduled matches in the next round - provided they qualify , of course ! Australia v India is already locked in for Gros Islet , Match 51 , 25th June. Conveniently 10.30 am EST

[Durhamfootman]

bright and sunny forecast for North Sound on Saturday

scattered showers for Gros Islet on Sunday

[sussexpob]

And silly comments aside, there's no way Australia don't do their utmost to win that encounter

Josh Hazlewood's take....

In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they're probably one of the top few teams on their day,” Hazelwood began. "We've had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that's in our best interest as well as probably everyone else's I think

Not a particularly sensible thing to say ....

[Durhamfootman]

and something that Cummins has had to row back on