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Little chance now. Gayle has gone. Big shame as he is the only player able to take it to the Kiwi's.
Windies have so much talent but are clueless
True but NZ are playing very well, seems to be no weak link if one of the big hitters is out another steps up. Then there is the bowling...
You're right Mike, potential match of the tournament next Thursday in Auckland, NZ v SA. Here's hoping both teams play to their current form and it'll be a cracker! 😀
A shame WI couldn't manage their wickets, their run rate was on course and one that England can only dream of. The upcoming test series in the Caribbean could be interesting, and a summer of suffering demolition at the hands of our antipodean visitors!
At least there will be about 30 less Aussies around down here to take the piss.
Off to check the odds on an NZ overall
Sure, nz are my second team and they are strong right through. And no doubt the wi had scoreboard fright from the start. But thats what i mean, nowadays 400 is the new 300, and the chase that down you need a strategy, getting a decent rate but keeping wickets back. The wi seemed to think they had to get it in 40 overs come what may!
I always had a rule of thumb that you'd double your 30 over score in the last 20, and probably exceed it with wickets in hand. As tms said yesterday, 20:20 and big bats has given batters the belief that boundary fielders don't matter any more, anyone who's any one can clear the ropes now, and the last 15 or 10 overs can be think of a number time. Windies didn't get to the last 15 overs 🙁
Yeah seems true, and he'll I explained 1 day cricket to a new yorker last night...
Some teams have worked out one day, they are still in the competition.
I absolutely loved Graeme Swann's summing up after the game. The 'cause and effect' bit I'm not so sure about, but the bluntness is absolutely appropriate.
He basically said the new fielding restrictions were the result of finger spinners who chucked rather than bowled. He reckoned the extra fielder that is now required to be in the circle was because spinners who chucked (and so could 'bowl' a doosra) were limiting the ability to score runs, particularly in the middle overs. I'm not sure about that (I don't really give a shit about limited overs cricket anyway), but the blunt and matter of fact assertion that a lot of these 'mystery' finger spinners were just plain chuckers is spot on.
There was the ridiculous matter of journalists describing Swann as the best 'orthodox' off spinner in the world when he was playing. This was just cowed journo-speak for 'he is the one who doesn't chuck it'.
It seems that, at last, the powers that be are taking some action to remove a living insult to the game of cricket, rather than falling over themselves to change the rules to make actions legal, post hoc.
Well half way through, some moisture and what can AB do? Should be a good finish this evening.
Getting a bit twitchy here......
BBC website keeps referring to 'Old Man Vettori'
Which doesn't make me feel good, 'cos I remember him making his debut looking like he'd been dragged out of a 6th form class.
Blimey, Twitchy twitchy twitchy!
South africans doing nothing for their reputation...
What a corking finish!
Great start to the chase by India, these two look in good form. Australia need to knock a couple over to keep in there. Not any Oz fans in at the SCG either, atmosphere sounds thumping.