(the pitches have certainly offered a bit more to the bowlers, but the standard of bowling in England's group has been pretty shocking, a few spinners and Chameera aside)
NZ have picked teams to suit the conditions, which clearly were suiting spinners and slower bowlers, as they've left out Trent Boult and Tim Southee from both matches so far!
NZ have twice scored an unexceptional total, but defended it really well.
SA get a massive total, and England chase it down. Clearly pitch conditions are really affecting what a decent 1st innings total actually is
Wankhede is just a carpet, par score should be 200 at this level of quality.
This afternoons match for India v Pakistan should be a little higher than India's first, 175 par I'd imagine.
This World Cup will be decided on horses for courses.
Agreed. The batsmen that know how to adapt from a "road" to a two paced track will be the keys to success. And in Root we probably have the best in the world at doing that.
NZ have a wealth of good T20 bowlers though! England have...Rashid. Ali isn't too bad on these pitches. All the quicks are completely unfit for this format.
I think we are in danger of going OTT about our bowlers. Before the start no one complained about them, indeed they bowled well in UAE which is similar.
NZ have bowled well on more friendly (to bowlers) pitches.
Rabbada who looked very good pre t20 got carted just as much.
I agree we need to have a 'bopara' type bowler in the team, but for England to win I really think we need to bat second as we seem to struggle to set a score.
Afg have a tidy spinning unit - we will have to watch out on Tuesday - Delhi is expected to be a slow,low turner. Thats why they are talking about ENglnad playing 3 spinners (adding Dawson to the team)
I literally bumped into ABDV in a bar/restaurant in Cape Town about 6/7 years ago - he was with Gary Kirsten - ABDV was great with my kids - signing shirts etc. - whereas Kirsten was a total arrogant up-his-own Dick.
I literally bumped into ABDV in a bar/restaurant in Cape Town about 6/7 years ago - he was with Gary Kirsten - ABDV was great with my kids - signing shirts etc. - whereas Kirsten was a total arrogant up-his-own Dick.
Kirsten probably thought he was in ABV's shadow in that situation. They don't exactly have the same public persona.
My experience is slightly different in that he was superb in coaching my son, Seb, last summer. But then, as Kirsten described Seb as "my wonderful little cricketer", I would say that wouldn't I ;-)
Comments
Plus we're going all the way to the finals so Rashid has plenty of time to get it under 8.
And it was a sportsman's bet anyway. After Cheltenham I can't afford any other type of bet!
Santner
ABDV
Kohli
Amir
Ashwin (captain)
Duminy
Malik
Khawaja
Wasim
Jadeja
Agar
brilliant opening partnership by the England boys, enjoyed watching Roy and the way he played his shots almost with disdain in those first few overs.
SA get a massive total, and England chase it down. Clearly pitch conditions are really affecting what a decent 1st innings total actually is
This afternoons match for India v Pakistan should be a little higher than India's first, 175 par I'd imagine.
This World Cup will be decided on horses for courses.
NZ have bowled well on more friendly (to bowlers) pitches.
Rabbada who looked very good pre t20 got carted just as much.
I agree we need to have a 'bopara' type bowler in the team, but for England to win I really think we need to bat second as we seem to struggle to set a score.
Looikng forward to AbdV here at Wankhede, hopefully gets going, be a great sight.
My experience is slightly different in that he was superb in coaching my son, Seb, last summer. But then, as Kirsten described Seb as "my wonderful little cricketer", I would say that wouldn't I ;-)
Went for 29 in his last over !!
Shahzad!
SA bowlers look shot.