Watching the match today and the Afghanistan bowling should not pose many problems for England. But they can bat a bit so our bowling attack has to be on form if we want to improve our net RR.
So who do we (England) want to win tomorrow? SA or Australia?
100% SA
Well that was my initial thought, but IF Aus are "weak" and not going to be in the final 4, then maybe SA are more of a danger to us?
We should aim to beat them both. But, in answer to your first question, SA.
(Rule of thumb: always support whoever Australia or Palace are playing).
Each to their own and all that, but this is not a rule of thumb for me.
You’re right about Palace, of course, but I’d cheer on Oz against India every time. Can’t stand them.
Not India or Indians in general, just the cricket team.
Ignoring situations where England need a certain result...
If India were playing Australia in India, I'd marginally support Australia. If India were playing Australia in Australia, I'd marginally support India.
Can SA bat, like they did against SL, against that attack and how do Australia bat against a weaker attack than India's?
We can look at bilateral series but they weren't in a world cup and they weren't in India.
I think it's unlikely that both these teams get to the semis so tomorrow's game is massive.
SA's top 7, on current form, is as good as any in the competition - they average overall 44 at a strike rate of over a run a ball. Their weakness is that they only have the one decent spinner. Australia are in much the same boat so far as balance is concerned and their main spinner, Zampa, is not anywhere near as consistent as he was in previous years. The Aussies might also have another issue (and it sounds bizarre given that they are ranked so highly in Test cricket) and that is the prospect of having Smith and Labuschagne batting together for any period of time if neither of them is actually able to put the foot down when circumstances dictate that they should.
Can SA bat, like they did against SL, against that attack and how do Australia bat against a weaker attack than India's?
We can look at bilateral series but they weren't in a world cup and they weren't in India.
I think it's unlikely that both these teams get to the semis so tomorrow's game is massive.
SA's top 7, on current form, is as good as any in the competition - they average overall 44 at a strike rate of over a run a ball. Their weakness is that they only have the one decent spinner. Australia are in much the same boat so far as balance is concerned and their main spinner, Zampa, is not anywhere near as consistent as he was in previous years. The Aussies might also have another issue (and it sounds bizarre given that they are ranked so highly in Test cricket) and that is the prospect of having Smith and Labuschagne batting together for any period of time if neither of them is actually able to put the foot down when circumstances dictate that they should.
Whatever happens it should be a great game.
This is how I see it. I think The Aus batting line up is not as strong as others and potentially SA are marginally stronger and therefore more danger to England. Although I will obviously want Aus to lose.
Australia win the toss and have asked South Africa to bat. Australia have dropped Carey for Inglis plus Stoinis for Green and SA have brought in Shamsi as the extra spinner
Australia have only themselves to blame - three or four chances have gone down now. In the previous game, having been 2-3, Marsh dropped Kohli when he was on 12.
de Kock bizarrely plays on attempting to play a switch hit off Maxwell for 109 (106). He was starting to cramp up and might not be a bad time to get Klassen in as it will give him a couple of overs to have a look before launching his usual assault
Comments
But they can bat a bit so our bowling attack has to be on form if we want to improve our net RR.
SA or Australia?
Can SA bat, like they did against SL, against that attack and how do Australia bat against a weaker attack than India's?
We can look at bilateral series but they weren't in a world cup and they weren't in India.
I think it's unlikely that both these teams get to the semis so tomorrow's game is massive.
(Rule of thumb: always support whoever Australia or Palace are playing).
If India were playing Australia in India, I'd marginally support Australia.
If India were playing Australia in Australia, I'd marginally support India.
Maximum number of disappointed home supporters
Whatever happens it should be a great game.
I think The Aus batting line up is not as strong as others and potentially SA are marginally stronger and therefore more danger to England.
Although I will obviously want Aus to lose.
108-1 off 20
158-2 off 28.3
de Kock 90* (86)
171-2 off 30
197-3 off 35