The first semi-final will send a new team to the World Cup Final. Will it be Dmitri’s tip for the championship, South Africa, or will it be everyone’s darling team, New Zealand.
Needless to say, I have a job to hold down and need to sleep, so won’t be watching much. But you can comment away downstairs….
Being Outside Cricket 
South Africa won the toss and bat first.
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Forgot to mention the changes. Philander plays. Abbott does not.
Henry comes in for the injured Milne.
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SA 123/3 off 28. Similar to England, only with 5 overs and 7 wickets fewer.
Quite riveting, although the ICC has been trying to train audiences to find this kind of thing dull – hardly any sixes, and only Vettori and Boult bowling and beating the bat.
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175/3 off 34…
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Have to say that rain delay has made it advantage NZ. No way D/L would be a match for AB in full flight, as it were.
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Gotta feel for SF, they were probably on for 350+ but for the rain!
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4.1 Steyn to McCullum, SIX, this is one of the best fast bowlers of all time. You don’t just charge down the wicket to him, and loft him effortlessly back over his head for a six. McCullum has just done that
wish England had such a player….
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They had that lunatic who had the audacity to invent a shot and then successfully utilise it against the highest wicket taker in test history. Who did he think he was?!
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South Africa’s game I think.
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Their’s to loose…
any news on Steyn?
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In another equally massive cricket match, Alistair Cook is currently on 2 not out after 16 balls in Abu Dhabi. Quite extraordinary stuff!
Pfssssst.
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New Zealand won it. Of the next to last ball. At least South Africa were spared elimination on the tie. The Anderson – Elliott partnership proved crucial, and Elliot saw them home.
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Congratulations, New Zealand. One of the most exiting finishes I have ever watched in a World Cup match.
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I mean “exciting” of course! Boy, it’s late at night here…
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I guess SA had a bit of an exiting finish . . .
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I knew there would be a joke just like that! But well played SA as well. Anyone could have won at the end, and really hope there are no comments in the media about SA being chokers. I saw no evidence of that, just some wonderful cricket from both teams.
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I would not bet on it, 11 balls remaining, 21 runs to the tie.
People will forget all the splendid fielding, on a wet outfield. People will forget that Tahir bowled excellently, with a mostly wet ball. And bizarrely, one of the balls had to be changed.
They’ll just see the scorecard and decide what must have transpired.
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You couldn’t possibly be talking about our esteemed cricket journalists, could you? No way could they ignore the superb skill and effort both teams exhibited. Not a chance. That even one of them will suggest Cook should open for England in ODIs is beyond comprehension. Isn’t it?
And skipper them…
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The Guardian has two articles. One uses “chokers” in the headline. It is not open for comments.
Good job really.
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I hope one day the England cricket team will be good enough to choke.
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What a game!
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We can only hope the other semi-final and the final are half as good. That game was nearly worth my entire ESPN subscription. If you add the earlier NZ vs Aussie game I think the cost has been worth it.
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Delighted for the Black Caps! What a great game of cricket. Couldn’t help thinking of Peter Moores’ lament for Jonathan Trott when Brendan McCullum was flaying the bowling to all corners. How out of touch is he? England aren’t playing Test Match cricket in a 20/20 age.
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are, clearly.
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Well played New Zealand. Great match.
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What a match, and what a finish!! And real emotion at the end, no fake media constructed emotion.
I look forward to the small minded, deluded little Englander, one eyed snide remarks that will no doubt come from people like Simon Huges, and his idiot sidekicks. As we speak he will be penning an editorial in the once great cricketer magazine , full of snark and public school boy humour ridiculing the game.
Then again, he probably didn’t even see it. His attention instead following his favourite dinner companion.
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Isn’t it great to see a team playing to their full potential? New Zealand had to make some tough calls a year or so ago. They made them and look at the result. Adventurous, uncluttered, confident cricket under a captain that leads from the front. Really pleased for them and all you kiwis out there. Great sporting speech by AB too. Our international cricketers could learn a thing or two from that.
New Zealand: the anti-England.
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Yes, and it can’t be repeated often enough that Selvey thought it was appropriate to ignore McCullums feats, and instead include Strauss calling KP a C**t as one of his cricket highlights of last year.
These people are sick. Yet they are the seen as the cream of English cricket opinion. No wonder the game here is light years behind.
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Hey Mark, while there are undoubtedly people who believe what they read in the papers, I doubt that anyone sees them as the cream of cricket opinion.
For cream, I’ve been fascinated by VVS Laxman and Jacques Kallis on Sky Verdict, especially their batting tips. If only I’d known that stuff when I was playing!
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What a sensational game
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Well done to both teams, great game, but congratulations to NZ for pulling it off!
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In the meantime, in a galaxy far,far, away…..Cook 5 c. Rashid
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Bowled by Brooks, caught Rashid.
Which makes Cook the 5th best opening batsman in this game (I count Carberry as one, since he faced the second ball in the MCC’s first innings).
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Letting his wicket do the talking again…..
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Look on the bright side. He spent 45 minutes taking the shine off the ball. Can I get a job at the ECB now?
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Please please please quit! Either Cook or his cheerleaders are total chumps. Stop backing yourself into a corner.
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cricket/ecb-fear-england-captain-alastair-cook-will-quit-if-kevin-pietersen-returns-10129888.html
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And just to remind everyone that game this morning was played by 2 teams who are not part of the so called big 3.
Makes you proud to be British. At least we can still win at gaming the financial system?
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Perversely, you might say, that might be killing two birds with one rock.
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It’s quite a good piece by Collomosse, pointing out the mixed messages and factionalism. I’m still convinced Downton’s toast, but not yet. I think after their ‘review’ they’ll abolish his job and pay him off.
But if Cook’s really prepared to quit over Pietersen coming back, that suggests he must have been a prime mover in getting rid of him, no? Rather than just the nice little bunny who went along with it all.
Or is it just that he went along with it in return for unquestioning support, which he got. But now the opportunity of the World Cup has been ‘taken away from him’, he’s not playing any more.
Deary me.
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Of course Cook was s prime mover in getting KP sacked! He went and blabbed to Flower what was said (about Flower) in the players-only meeting. Then he was one of the panel who voted to end KP’s England career.
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It may sound silly but one thing to remember, Cook/ KP are competing to be at least statistically Englands number one batsman. I can see why someone would eliminate a direct threat to stamp your name in history.
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A case of history repeating itself? – See Gooch vs Gower and the selection for the ill fated Indian tour
Surely not
Personally i have always believed that the quest to be England’s top run scorer was the prime motive behind not selecting Gower
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Clearly someone in the ECB told the journalist(s) that Cook might walk. Presumably the same individual, or group, with in the ECB that keeps insisting that Downton is safe, and presumably the source of the ‘dossier’ leak and other leaks.
But it’s a peculiar thing to try to spin. I doubt Graves gives a flying fuck if Cook throws his toys out of the pram (not that I believe Cook would for one moment contemplate this. If his Test and ODI form and the 5-0 hammering wasn’t enough to get him to fall on his sword, the recall of KP is hardly likely to do it. Indeed, if Cook stays in the form he’s been in for the last 2 years, only the captaincy is keeping him in the side. Throw that away and he’d be dropped for Trott or Lyth.).
Why would Graves care if a failing captain chucked it in? Bell can do the job.
Cook’s position will be clearly strengthened if he plays well in the Windies and we win. Fail there and we lose, and it’s clear-out time. Fail there and we win, and I reckon he’ll get the NZ series. But if this form keeps up Boult will have him on toast.
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I suppose there’s one further possible twist, one which will put TPE into a spin.
I’m trying to imagine where James Taylor fits in. For me he, rather than Root, is FEC.
So, England lose in the Windies. But Bell also fails, so they go for a massive clear out. Whitaker goes. So does Downton. So does Moores. Cook loses the captaincy
1st Test against NZ, Taylor is captain, batting 5, replacing Bell.
Could happen.
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According to the reports, Pietersen will be unavailable for the 1st NZ Test anyway (if Sunrisers get out of the group stage).
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For me, Taylor is FEC too. Whether it happens ……
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Fabulous match! Then I listened to Cookies Dubai Debacle (pt2)…
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The interlude, provided by Lyth was much better.
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Rather enjoyed this one and listed to quite a lot in the wee small hours. Best match so far by miles. Well played both teams. On the radio I thought KP was very good – first time I’ve heard him. Switched off when Swann came on but to be honest he was ok, At least he mentioned under armed bowling to Coney and Border during the rain break. Looking forward to seeing what NZ do over here against the England and Welsh as they dig in…
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listened to quite a lot
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under arm bowling – although the concept of bowlers being under armed sounds familiar…
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Is that a hirsute problem, or an advert for the next generation 6 blade razor?
Maybe like swimmers shaving their heads or wearing a cap to improve their speed, our bowlers need to reduce under arm friction to increase arm/rotation speed?
I’m sure there could be some laptop data available on this?
Would Cookies at the crease balance (Gary Ballance) be improved if he shaved more regularly to allow his proudly English jaw to point him in the direction of the ball?
Would reducing Bellies bum-fluff, invigorate a sense of freedom whilst batting?
Would pinning Jimmy down to clear his chin also release his anger in the right direction (at the stumps?)
Would letting Broady grow back some hair let him ‘grow a pair’?
Moeen – stop hiding all those bird’s nests/last nights takeaway remainders/ECB directives on your chin – it’ll help rid you of those nicks and long- off lobs whilst batting…(Gary Ballance balance)
Rooty – grow some Belly bum-fluff, but get rid if it does look manly
Taylor (no nickname? – Outside!) – stuff your pads with all the shavings and take command…
Hair apparent….
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Dave found Graves’ appearance on R5 and posted it at the end of the previous thread. Here it is again in case anyone hadn’t noticed (Graves is on at 4:40):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05nfb5s
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“We have to make sure we protect him, look after him properly and let him concentrate on playing cricket.”
Colin Graves being quoted on the BBC Sport website. In other words ” don’t let him speak to anybody….I mean anybody ! “
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Oh come on Cookie! Take charge from Compo (you’ve dumped him before…) and lead MCC to a fantastic victory from behind…
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Jeez. I’ve only watched the highlights and I feel drained.
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What a contrast! Whilst one captain, iron rod no less, scores a superb 5 runs off of 30 balls without any boundaries, another captain, not even worthy of Selfey’s top 5 cricket moments makes a hash of leading NZ in the World Cup semi-final……..hang on, sorry that’s not right. Forgot to turn my ECB spinchecker off (like spellchecker). Iron rod was shocking and once again, McCullum was just incredible (insert any other superlative), what a man, what a start to the NZ innings and what a match.
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Wonder if McCullum has ever heard of Selfey …. Or indeed whether many people have.
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“Selfey’s top 5 cricket moments”.
It was worse that that – it was 10!
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/18/cricket-in-2014-10-memorable-moments
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Oh dear ……………
“England’s visit to to the Caribbean sees Alastair Cook return as captain of the Test team, after he was dropped from the one-day international side and replaced as skipper by Eoin Morgan.
Cook was dismissed for three and five playing for MCC against county champions Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi, but Graves backed the 30-year-old in Test cricket.
Alastair Cook scored just three and five for MCC against county champions Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi
“I want to see Alastair as a big part of that set-up,” Graves said. “He is a proven Test player, he is a quality player, I have every confidence in Alastair Cook.
“We have to make sure we protect him, look after him properly and let him concentrate on playing cricket.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32037349
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You can read that 2 ways.
1 we must protect him sounds almost Flower like.
2 concentrate on playing cricket (translated means) shut up making idiotic rants, and focus on your batting.
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“protect”, why?
Does the ACB “protect” Michael Clarke? Did they “protect” Ricky Ponting? Does NZ “protect” McCullum?
Oh, and he hasn’t been batting like a “quality player” for two years.
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That Graves comment is worrying and confusing! I agree, why does Cook need protecting? He has played over 100 tests, is the highest century scorer for England in tests, has played all over the world in many of the toughest arenas, yet he needs protecting!? What is this drivel, if he can’t stand up for himself after garnering all this experience then he should not be anywhere near the test team. This smacks of the whole ‘he is still learning to be captain, give him more time’ rubbish that was spouted last summer, it’s all about pandering to Cook and his doey eyed deeriness. Utter tosh.
Actually I have just re-read Graves’s comments and reading between the lines, they could be paving the way for Cook to return to the ranks and no longer be captain? The last line in particular, finishes with ‘let him concentrate on playing cricket’ the statement also starts with ‘I want to see Alastair as a big part of that set-up’ again no reference to captaincy. All about being part of the team, what do others think? Actually I might retract my comments above and hope to be proven wrong about Graves spouting tosh…..
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In that interview Graves is quite blunt about what he expects from the WI tour. Total victory. He even says that the WI will be missing their best players and so he expects a straight forward win.
I’m sure that will be music to the ears of Moores and Cook. (Snark) Anything other than a win will not be tolerated. The pressure has just been cranked up on Cook and Moores.
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I very much read it as “Shut up and bat, Alasdair”.
The comments are pretty clear. Lose in the Windies and there will be some big changes. Indeed, fail to win and there will be big changes. He’s basically said Moores’ job is on the line. That implies Cook too, since I can’t imagine they’ll bring in a new coach and tell him who should be captain.
I don’t think it’s the sort of intervention he should be making, given that he isn’t in the job yet. It puts undue pressure on Moores and Cook. I think Graves should, from a professional point of view, be keeping his own counsel.
But I’m happy that it indicates a recognition of the problem and likely changes ahead.
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That’s how I read it Mark!! If we lose to the Windies there WILL be an inquiry! More than happened after the last Ashes then?
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As a primarily WI supporter, I think this might be their best opportunity for Test success in a while. Many of the batting performances in the PCL were pretty strong and I hope they put in some of those who have shown recent form domestically – the setting up of which was the excuse for the latest trouble between board and senior players.
Anyway, Kraigg Brathwaite has the temperament to bat all day. I hope they drop Samuels for the first match at least.
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Alastair’s furious and hurt, apparently. Bless.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/24/kevin-pietersen-surrey-sunrisers-ipl
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“after being released from the bulk of his commitments with Sunrisers Hyderabad”
obviously ANOTHER dressing room to be added to the mythical list he fell out with!!!
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“Cook is privately furious at the talk of a Pietersen return – he has made those feeling known to Graves – ”
Not very private, then, especially when the press all mysteriously know how he feels, too.
“while he is similarly hurt by the interpretation of his comments last week, when he suggested a lack of leadership at the World Cup, in his absence, contributed to the group stage exit. ”
Disingenuous much? There was no other way to interpret what he said.
Stop trying to play this game, Alastair, you’re no good at it.
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Well it was PRIVATE in the sense that he told his friends. Problem is his friends also masquerade as cricket writers. Cook is now following the example of the ECB and leaking like a burst pipe. In his case, he is a one man leaking burst pipe.
Graves didn’t keak this fact to the media that Cook does not want KP back in the team. Cook has leaked it himself to his tame journo mates.
Very like the ECB dossier that was leaked at the publication of KPs book to make KP look bad it rebounded and made the ECB look like liars and morons. Cook has done the same. His rant has only backfired, and now he his leaking how hurt he is.
Cook is now behaving like a dictator who thinks he has a divine right to rule. He is missing the key point. He needs to shut up and score runs. Otherwise he will be deposed.
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If I were the Man of Steel I would be “privately furious” that I had apparently hitched my fortunes to the wrong wagon.
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It’s creeping up……
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10 per cent in 10 days. It’s still over 100 days to the Ashes…
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Well KP’s signed for Surry – and with Sangakkara that’s a nice proposition. That’ll make some people Moody. Forgot to mention Retired Swann tipped Meaker as a fast bowling England hopeful. Have I missed something?
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@ SIR PETER – Moody as next ECB coach? – Not improbable – I hope so!
@MARK – ‘Friends’ masquerade as cricket writers – the truth in both senses
@ZEPH – let him keep throwing the toys out, he might hit something useful…
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He’s only signed for CC cricket as I understand it – which makes George Dobell’s idea (from a while back) that they might recall him for one-dayers only look not too likely. I guess one attraction of that was that he wouldn’t encounter Cook nor in all probability Anderson so I could see why they might have considered that option. Of course it would all backfire if KP had scored ODI runs and/or the team was winning and the Test team wasn’t (not that England look likely to beat NZ or Australia in ODIs whoever is selected).
I also gather Pietersen hasn’t pulled out of his CPL deal which my or may not have some significance.
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Lawrence Booth ties himself in knots:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-3010632/THE-SPIN-England-embark-17-Tests-10-months-period-define-captain-Alastair-Cook-coach-Peter-Moores.html
The conclusion is curious: “it’s up to the ECB to take charge. If they imagine they can win his [KP’s] silence while planning not to pick him – and that, by the way, is their plan – then Cook’s meltdown may not be the last”.
How does he know this “is their plan”? If it is “their plan”, is it a fit way to treat anyone whatever you think of their past misdemeanours? Why would Cook meltdown if he knows “their plan”?
I think this might be another attempt – pace Brenkley – to get the ECB to say they’re not picking Pietersen ever again, never ever ever, whatever he does, however the team is going, etc etc but, frankly, who can tell?
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It depends who he means by “they”. If he means Downton, Moores and Whitaker it’s not as if their respective positions are guaranteed. And if someone (most likely Ballance) has a bad start to the summer while KP is slapping about the Div 2 bowling, there is going to be momentum in one direction, just as there was to dispense with Cook from ODIs despite the repeated and fervent denials from the ECB.
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By “they” he must mean the ECB. What he doesn’t seem to factor in is the decidedly uncivil war that appears to be going on inside the ECB between the outgoing and incoming regimes.
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Another way to read it would be to focus on the words ‘meltdown’ and ECB. Let’s assume he’s referring to Downton, Whittaker et al rather than the chairman elect.
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I don’t believe that’s anyone’s plan.
But history has shown that if you tell KP he has to jump through a lot of hoops to get what he wants, on the assumption that he’ll be too proud/stroppy to jump so you’ll never have to deliver, you will be proved wrong. Look at the whole reintegration charade.
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What a strange article.
The only way England can get out of this mess is through winning cricket matches. If Cook keeps losing, the captaincy is gone. If England keep losing, Moores is gone. If Cook keeps failing with the bat, he’ll be dropped.
If Broad bowls as insipidly has he did in the WC, he’s out.
Graves has been clear that he’s not going to tolerate losing matches and everything staying the same (which is what Gooch, Selvey and Pringle seem to suggest should be the case). Whitaker, Cook and Moores are on notice. Downton is too far gone to be salvagable.
Anyone trying to predict anything beyond the end of the Windies series is wasting their time. Lets cross that bridge first.
Windies series
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I agree Silk….you’ve absolutely nailed it!!
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This article made me feel better:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/25/mark-wood-england-cricket-caribbean-durham-sussex-abu-dhabi
as long as Team England don’t batter all the individuality out of the guy.
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The list of his injuries is a little concerning (although many young fast bowlers probably have a similar tally).
Still, at least he’s going into a regime with a proven record of handling injuries sensitively and intelligently…..
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32052083
Swann backs Cook.
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Laughable.
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“Swann backs Cook.”
Is like saying………….Night follows day.
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so called friends…
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I don’t think Graves cares one way or another if KP comes back. If Cook and England perform this summer there will be no need to bring him back.
However, what Graves is not going to put up with is Cook and Moores failing over and over again with no consequences. If they don’t get their act together they will follow KP out the door. There is some accountability being put back into the ‘jobs for the boys’ culture at the ECB. Much overdue.
Maybe this is what Cook is beginning to realise. The notion he can just carry on without scoring runs for another 2 years is at an end. Score runs or put your wellies on and go farming.
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Yes, I suspect you’re right. He’s setting out ground rules, announcing his authority.
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You know, that almost sounds like “meritocratic”, a word that has not applied to the ECB shenanigans for about 10 years off the field, and the past 17 months on the field.
The rot in the ECB appears to be systemic. Not sure if Graves is the man to clear out the Augean stables (considering how he got in), but it is good to have hope.
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Quick reminder of what our friend Paul Newman said about KP’s relationship with Surrey last autumn:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2780748/Kevin-Pietersen-refuses-interviews-press-conferences-questions-answer.html
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Mike Selvey must hate Ali Martin: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/25/jason-gillespie-colin-graves-england-kevin-pietersen
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I bet this bit made heads explode in the Mail offices and The cricketer magazine.
“Pietersen has revealed he is to donate his Surrey wages to his own foundation which has been set up to help under-privileged children “achieve and prosper”. “I always said this was not about money, and I will be donating my full Surrey wage to my foundation,” he said, “
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With Gillespie seemingly out of the running, are there serious alternatives as coach if it doesn’t go well in the West Indies? I don’t know if he is interested but if he were Tom Moody might very well say things like these:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/855429.html
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Newman, classy as ever……
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Laughable. When Ben Dorries, the bozo of brisbane is backing you….
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He’s lost his insiders hasn’t he? No more news filtering through from the ECB? Frozen out? He must be so angry now. All his hard work going to pot? Selvey doesn’t seem to be the one getting all the news at the Guardian, that seems to be coming to Ali. These people must be right pissed off and some. Hopefully, this drip, drip stuff might be snuffed out? Wouldn’t that be something.
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He forgot the second division “muppet” that is on 1.1 million / year, and still fails to prosper against sub-county standard (cf. Selvey) attacks, Paul.
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The most sense I’ve heard talked about ‘muppetgate’ was (weirdly) by Stuart Broad when he was denying that his #stayhumble was directed at Pietersen:
“To back him up a little bit he does use that word (muppet) a little bit, even about himself sometimes.
“(But) it’s a very important role in cricket, that development role, no one’s going to start on big wages or top wages, you have to earn your stripes.
“I think that (£15k-£18k) is actually below the minimum cap anyway so he’s a bit off the mark.
“I don’t think he meant any offence but (was) just a little bit misguided.”
That seems a pretty fair summary to me.
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Moody rules himself out of any future ECB position..: Moody, who has coached several teams including Sri Lanka, believes handling players with differing personalities in a team is part of the “excitement of management.” “I think in every team you are going to have different personalities,” he said. “We are all not cut out of the same cloth, that needs to be embraced. Quite often your best players are those challenging players who push the boundaries. At the end of the day that’s all part of the excitement of management, to mould those contrasting personalities into a successful team.”
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Gillespie also rules himself out of any ECB position with this statement: Gillespie said of the last 18 months of Pietersen’s career. “I don’t know KP well at all but I respected him as an opponent. When he faced us in 2005 he took the fight to us bowlers. I’d never experienced that before from an England cricketer, with the exception of Michael Vaughan in 2002-03.”
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Gillespie was also quoted as saying of the KP situation: “It got messy and that was disappointing.” Considering that in Australian cricketspeak, ‘disappointing’ means ‘absolute and total embarrassing shit’, it’s a strong statement.
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To pick up on your theme Rav, here’s Alec Stewart ruling himself out. Pietersen “outstanding” in the dressing room? He leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes! He’ll be good for youngsters like Dunn, Roy and Ansari? He corrodes young players so grievously they can only flourish uncontaminated by his taint! Hasn’t Alec been listening to the prevailing narrative?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/855497.html
Also, contrary to some other reports, Stewart makes it clear that Pietersen isn’t playing early one-dayers but that doesn’t rule out one-day appearances as the season progresses.
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That’s poor Ravi’s England career over: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/25/ravi-bopara-england-cricket-world-cup.
Honesty, ambition and common sense. Something must be done!
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Yeah, good stuff Ravi. And here’s your Team England P45, son.
Hope he does well at the IPL and gets the pong of that wonderful dressing room out of his kit.
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Well done Ravi Bopara. Let us hope more players stand up and speak the truth.
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