TOPIC:

DId I hear that Chris Gayle has stated that he would like to extend his career and get back into the test team? After watching his short innings against India tonight my suggestion would be that he may want to reconsider.

Sri Lanka play their first game since upsetting England when they play South Africa tonight. SA will be a dangerous opponent for them as they are capable of a lot better than they have shown in this tournament and they may be freed up now they have nothing more to lose.
The Hysteria around the England team is getting a bit out of hand. They are still very capable of winning the cup if they can get their game together. I recall the 1999 World cup when Australia was in crisis early in the tournament. They were beaten by the Kiwis and Pakistan and even struggled to get over Scotland, they were one defeat away from elimination but the turning point was a gutsy run chase against South Africa of which Steve Waugh was the star. They didn't look back after that and lifted the cup.
Sundays game against India is that same opportunity for England to get their campaign back on track. I reckon India are due for a loss as well because they have looked a bit cocky and over confident against modest opposition in their last few games

I'm sure South Africa will be wondering where that all round performance was earlier in the tournament when it actually mattered. I honestly thought they would make the semi finals but they couldnt put it together in the matches that counted. That pretty much sums up South Africas history in the world cup.
Sri Lanka are pretty much out of it now but the interest in the next week is the battle between England, Pakistan and Bangadesh for the last semi final spot. Barring a major upset tonight Pakistan will leap frog England into 4th spot which will put the boys in blue under the pump to beat India. If they can't do this,their fate will then be out of their hands.

ArkRoyal wrote: gtr: the big question is will Morgan notice the trend?

Ark he also bowled Wood uphill in his first spell.That was a blue for his inform bowler.

Trent Boult first spell was great.Got Finch+Warner dropped 2 times by Guptill

With New Zealand 0-28 after seven overs, Australia will have to bowl very well to win this one, gtrxuone.
I thought we were a chance of reaching 255 at the start of the final over, but Trent Boult sent down one of the best overs I've ever seen.
The yorker that knocked over Mitch Starc was one that our premiere left-arm quick would've been proud of.
I watched the last 10 overs of Pakistan's thrilling win over the luckless Afghanistan.
Realistically, the Afghan skipper Gulbadin's decision to bowl himself in over 46 (or maybe 47), when he conceded 18 runs, cost his team the game.
The beauty of Pakistan winning is that England will - assuming Pak beats Bangladesh - likely need to win both their remaining games to qualify for the finals.
If the To and Froms can do that, they have my respect as a good side.
Until then, they're simply overrated in my opinion.
I'm still bemused how their supporters - more than any other nation - continue to condemn Smith and Warner after their suspension has ended when they have a boof-headed thug like Stokes in their line-up.
But I'm allowing myself to get sidetracked.

Gee that EF loss yesterday is a distant memory....can't stop giggling at this NZ batting implosion....have to say Aust bowlers have been spot on during this WC protecting a few of those getrable Aussie totals.....Starc has been brilliant all series....if the likes of Smith, Finch and Maxy get a bowl protecting 240 odd your luck must be in.....LOL

Gee who would be a supporter of Pakistan? Afghanistan had them stone cold before their captain inexplicably brought himself on to bowl medium pace when the spinners had the Pakistani batsmen in a complete tangle. His over went for 18 and the momentum completely shifted. Now the pressure is on England to live up to their number 1 status. Will be a very interesting lead up to the semis as it seems likely now that Australia and India will finish 1 - 2 and thus avoid a semi final match up.

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote: With New Zealand 0-28 after seven overs, Australia will have to bowl very well to win this one, gtrxuone.
I thought we were a chance of reaching 255 at the start of the final over, but Trent Boult sent down one of the best overs I've ever seen.
The yorker that knocked over Mitch Starc was one that our premiere left-arm quick would've been proud of.
I watched the last 10 overs of Pakistan's thrilling win over the luckless Afghanistan.
Realistically, the Afghan skipper Gulbadin's decision to bowl himself in over 46 (or maybe 47), when he conceded 18 runs, cost his team the game.
The beauty of Pakistan winning is that England will - assuming Pak beats Bangladesh - likely need to win both their remaining games to qualify for the finals.
If the To and Froms can do that, they have my respect as a good side.
Until then, they're simply overrated in my opinion.
I'm still bemused how their supporters - more than any other nation - continue to condemn Smith and Warner after their suspension has ended when they have a boof-headed thug like Stokes in their line-up.
But I'm allowing myself to get sidetracked.

Thanks Archie great post.The Afgans broke my heart when they didn't beat India last week and again last night.England have to beat India now or there in a world of pain.How about Fergusons ball to Warner,

I didn't see Warner's dismissal, gtrxuone, but Ferguson impressed me with his bowling towards the end of the Aussie innings.
Geez, Mitch Stark has been "useful" with 24 wickets in eight matches.
As unlikely as it seems, New Zealand could still miss out on a finals berth.
It would require England to beat India tonight and then thrash the Kiwis on Wednesday, plus Pakistan thumping Bangladesh on Friday.
After both England and NZ finish their qualifying matches, the Paks will have some idea of how much they need to beat the Deshis by to boost their currently poor Net Run Rate.
But if Bangladesh upsets India on Tuesday (anything's possible) they would give themselves a good chance of knocking over Pakistan.
And what if India loses badly to both England and Bangladesh and has to beat Sri Lanka next Saturday to seal their finals spot?
Lots of "ifs and buts" and NRR - like percentage - is a very sensitive statistic.