World T20 Champs Super 8s & KOs, Feb 21-March 8

[Arthur Crabtree]

SA win 6/6. Must be favourites.

[alfie]

SA win 6/6. Must be favourites.

Looking that way. But they so nearly tripped up against Afghanistan so they aren't invincible. Anything could happen in a knockout game.

This group will be interesting now with India under some pressure later today.

[Durhamfootman]

SA win 6/6. Must be favourites.

they seem to have all the bases covered

destructive top order, with smart middle order options and destructive finishers if they lose wickets early. A pretty devastating quartet of quicks, but maybe a question mark over slow bowling back up. Maybe that won't matter because they may end up playing in India for their remaining matches anyway, where having alternative spin options may be less important

India probably need to thump Zimbabwe today

[Durhamfootman]

India make a fast start, taking 23 off the 3rd over. 46-0 after 3

although Muzarabani takes the wicket of Samson in the next over and slows the rate down

Abhishek isn't out yet

[Arthur Crabtree]

Going to be 220-250. Game over.

[meninblue]

Going to be 220-250. Game over.

Well predicted, Arthur.

257 to win for Zimbabwe. India should look to cover the massive difference in net run rate.

[meninblue]

Good over by Arshdeep to begin the bowling innings for India.

Zim 4/1.

[meninblue]

Zim 87/2 in 12 overs.

They have not lost many in 12 overs but their run rate is just 7.25 rpo.

[meninblue]

6er and that brings 50 for Brian. Played some very good shots. Well batted

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe Zimbabwe just wanted to lose with dignity. But they will certainly be knocked out.

[meninblue]

2 wickets of successive balls for Arshdeep. He bowled well in pwoerplayand has done good in second spell now. Zimbabwe 144/4.

[Durhamfootman]

I just don't understand why India persevere with Dube. They keep bringing him on and he keeps getting clattered. This time he comes on and bowls a 10 ball over that goes for 26..... and it's not the first time in this tournament. From what I can tell, he's hopeless. What am I missing? What does he bring and how badly will it cost India at some point?

[Durhamfootman]

and he's back and at it again

1, no ball, wide

he'll probably pick up a wicket as Bennett tries to get his hundred, but that just masks over his problem... and today it's Bumrah who doesn't get to bowl out

oh.... there you go.... buys a wicket

he's still a liability with ball in hand

[meninblue]

I just don't understand why India persevere with Dube. They keep bringing him on and he keeps getting clattered. This time he comes on and bowls a 10 ball over that goes for 26..... and it's not the first time in this tournament. From what I can tell, he's hopeless. What am I missing? What does he bring and how badly will it cost India at some point?

Shivam has been used as a 6 bowling option in all series leading to this WC. The last series NZ series, SA prior to that and Aus before that. That trend continues in this World cup as well. He does picks a wicket in odd match but he leaks lot of runs and releases the required run rate pressure. His bowling has been only good for opponents to score and as you pointed out,correctly, he has actually cost matches with his bowling not just at tough international level but also in IPL. However, India like all teams needs the sixth bowler and the team think tank is trying to keep him active in match situations in hope of developing him.

Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma are the other 6th bowler options but then they are spin part timers unlike Shivam who is medium pace bowling between 120 to 125 kph.So on some types of wickets these spin part timers cannot be used and he is the only option in the squad.

[Durhamfootman]

8 ball second over that only goes for 20

2 overs 1 for 46

1 for 46

crikey.... even Carse can't do that