Chris had his say about the events of yesterday, so I won’t add to them here. England move on to Cardiff with four points, the mark Australia find themselves on at the moment, with India having two points from their first game. The Oval is the setting for the first meeting of members of the Big Three, the organising countries who will keep the World Cup for themselves for the foreseeable future, who will keep most of the cash raised, and in many eyes, form the three principal threats of winning the competition. I think New Zealand, who won comfortably against Afghanistan yesterday, will also be in the shake-up, and possibly West Indies who ran the Aussies close last week.
Those same West Indies, who will be our next opponent, face South Africa on Monday, although the weather forecast is absolutely dreadful for both that day, and Tuesday’s clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, so this could, possibly be our last game for a few days. What a mouth-watering contest it promises to be. India lost to Australia in the 2015 semi-final, and Australia lost to India in the 2011 quarter-final. The batting line-up that posted 328 at Sydney included Finch (81), Smith (107), Warner and Maxwell, who should reprise their roles at the original home of England international cricket (accept no North London impostors) tomorrow. India will return Dhawan, Sharma, Kohli and Dhoni from the top 6 back in that semi. I suppose it goes to show that teams don’t evolve that much in the batting department!
Australia have won 3 of the last 5 head-to-head match-ups, are on an impressive winning streak, and strutting their stuff a little bit. India never seem to lack confidence, had a good workout in the first game where Bumrah and Sharma certainly hit the ground running, and Chahal proved his inclusion was well-merited. But both teams showed some frailties last time out – Australia getting out of a massive batting hole through Coulter-Nile, India taking care to make their total having let the tail wag for South Africa. It promises to be a good one.
Comments below, as always.
Being Outside Cricket 
Let’s talk about Zinger bails be… and games played in white for all to see…
Yesterday for the third time this CWC, a bowler has been denied a wicket with a ball that has visibly and audibly hit the stumps, yet the bails have been unmoved. In this case, Stokes just ‘made sure’ next ball by obliterating the wicket next ball.
It seems that the bails are much heavier than the norm. This isn’t on its own something of concern as heavier bails have been available for use in very windy conditions for years. However, the Zingers also need a deeper groove in the stumps to fit, hence the chance that the bails will remain in place.
Flashing bails are presumably included (along with flashing stumps) to increase the ‘excitement’ when a wicket falls directly to the bowler (or a stumping/run out). But the visibility in an English Summer, when even a late start will finish in daylight, rather seems to make this ‘innovation’ redundant for a CWC in England…. which leads me on to…
I’ve noticed (on twitter) that there have been a number of ‘street-art’ style ads or posters for this competition. A few of these have depicted cricket played in whites with a red ball.
Which brings me to the question as to why this tournament, in this country, at this time of year, could not have been flagged up to be in whites, red ball, normal wickets etc… in fact sold as the purity of the game, when with all the multiple T20 leagues and International and county/state etc 50 over comps, with ever changing ‘pyjamas’ seem to melt in to meaningless oblivion? (Surely it’s not just a matter of over-priced replica shirt selling?)
Your thoughts?
Oh, and i hope Ind v Aus today is a classic, and that TMS don’t have all the usual idiots on 🙂
LikeLike
Right on time, Warner escapes in just this manner, bails not moving…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be more than happy to get rid of flashing bails and stumps. I don’t think they will ever go back to “whites” for limited overs cricket.
Is it going to rain – the clouds look a bit ominous on my TV.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Surely it’s not just a matter of over-priced replica shirt selling?”
I think it has a lot to do with it. How much ODI cricket is played in whites these days? Even at county level they all have their own team colours. Wait till the 16.4 gets going, I bet they will have home and away kits.
The bails not coming off is daft. Cricket has so many issues that it doesn’t address, yet makes up more problems for itself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dhawan’s thumb really slowing his shot making.
They should have the flexibility to bring him off.
LikeLike
Seems like I was very wrong about that.
LikeLike
Some utter selective ‘boll0cks-speak’ data being fed by various people who include ‘analyst’ in their twitter handle relating to crap 4th/5th bowlers, with no relation to the games/main bowlers/opponent/situation etc… but hey, these people are in the know, have the data… ffs
LikeLike
Warner out, but India might regret it, he was usefully clogging up one end in Cook-esque fashion.
LikeLike
Now I’ve seen the cricket bat guitar. I blame the IPL for this.
LikeLike
I kinda like it though not as much as a “bed-pan” guitar that some-one was selling on EBAY. I wonder if they plan to auction off the cricket bat guitar at the end of the tournament.
LikeLike
Has the IPL finally finished yet or is the CWC just a Smoke(screen) On The Water? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The IPL never ends. You can check out but you can never leave. We live permanenetly in its shadow.
I’m sure they’ll flog off the bat guitar, if there’s a few quid in it.
Playing the world cup in whites would have been brilliant, a way to reassert the identity of cricket.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@AdrianEdmondson
Jun 8
A: And what’s your job?
C: I play a guitar shaped like a cricket bat at cricket matches.
A: During the match?
C: Oh yes.
A: Can anyone hear what you’re playing?
C: No, it’s just an indistinct racket. But it’s very loud.
A: But….
C: Because I hate humanity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sad that I can’t tell if this is a parody or real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got to say that trying to recognise all the riffs whilst listening to TMS is infinitely preferable to LoveJoy/ERB/ShinyToy commentaries…
LikeLike
I’ve been doing that too. Overall, its been a good selection of riffs though, as always, a little Chuck Berry would be nice.
LikeLike
Aus took it close, but fell away in the last few overs.
Some good bowling from India under pressure. Bhuvi & Bumrah had some special overs.
In hindsight Aus will think if they had paced their chase better, they might have won – and will certainly wonder in the future about promoting Maxwell and Carey up the order.
India played a controlled game all game and they won, so you can’t say much against it.
Jadhav looks a vulnerable option, not clear what they do if someone gets on top of one of their main 5.
LikeLike
Starc used to be good for a quick 30. Maybe he’s just rusty.
They” were pretty close here in a very challenging chase.
LikeLike
I watched most of the chase and it was one of those where the chasing team are statistically well in it, but in watching the actual game they never really seemed close. There’s been a couple of chases like this, and it again shows how important it is to be ahead of the rate in the first 25 overs in a big chase.
The Indian leggie (whose name suddenly escapes me) was excellent, and Jasprit always on top.
Carey played well. I have to say, over the last year or so to me he’s looked the best newer Aussie bat.
LikeLike
I see you’re still Teal.
LikeLike
Dmiyti hates me.
LikeLike
You know Dmitri has repeatedly said this is not an editorial policy issue. It can only be character related.
Aside from that, who’s your money on for this? Gritted teeth but for me it’s probably England, because batting. Close second is that England will bottle it and India’s all round excellence will carry them through. Otherwise, anyone on their day, there’re a few candidates for that.
England being beaten by Bangladesh in the final would be really entertaining.
LikeLike
Dmitri isn’t even his real name, so it’s not like he can be believed on things.
Buttler’s injury is a scare, as he’s not replaceable. Rashid isn’t really on his game at the moment, and rumours of a sore shoulder worry me. But yes, it’s fair to say that the English batting is obviously strong, and Archer realizing he doesn’t have to over think things early on and just be himself will help.
However, India are to me joint favs. Watching how they did for Aus today (and yes, I think Lyon should always play) it’s clear how strong and professional a unit they are.
As for your lot, the batting is… well, obviously not good enough. If they can hang in to the semis, then obviously all games are winnable at that point, but I’m not sure they’ll get there. The Kiwis look better, let alone England and India, and there are plenty of teams who can beat them left to play in the initial phase.
Very weird, the drop off in Australian bating. Greg Ritchie would get a game. Even at his age.
LikeLike
Oh, and I really like the Banglas. My fav team in the tournament.
LikeLike
What do you mean it’s not his real name. Hes a black dude from souf london, innit?
Unfortunately I agree with you, dammit, Aus is good but not good enough. India is efficient (like Nadal was today, champions just do it). But I think England without Buttler would still be formidable.
The Australian drop off is nothing to be concerned about, its just a rebuilding period, after Ponting. Snide comments about Ritchie really not necesary but I do wonder what Hussey is up to these days. Maxwell ffs, is that the best we have?
LikeLike
Snide? Moi? Anyway, it was totally necessary.
And if Maxwell is the best you have, god knows why he batted behind Khawaja in that chase. Presuming Huss is busy, I’m still not sure Langer is getting things right. Finch remembering he always looked better than Roy (to me) when at Surrey might help too.
It’s strange to say it, but overall, this Aus team looks a little… dated, or rather, outdated. England are more daring, and India more professional. It’s topsy turvy world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, dated is a good word. I can just imagine them celebrating putting a CRUSHING 275 runs on the board, only to see the competition knock them off in 40 overs. It’s a bit of a retro team, channeling all those skills from previous world cups.
BTW, it puzzles me that you know who Greg Ritchie is. If I remember, he gained minor notoriety for an off-colour after dinner speech, but aside from that, he’s not exactly a leading figure in Aus cricket. Maybe he’s big in Quebec.
I see Lemon had a pop at Warner today in the guardian. Maybe the guy just had a bad day, it happens. He’s not really Australia’s biggest problem. I thought there were all these young tyro’s coming through, Head, Hanscomb, someone called Jye or something? Anyway, there are no Marshes in the team, so progress is being made.
LikeLike
I must be new to this, why wasnt Lyon playing today?
LikeLike
I’ve been asking that for years.
LikeLike
What is a Marcus Stoinis, and what is it for?
LikeLiked by 1 person