Normal service has resumed.
Urgh.
Bloody hell!
Missed the ending, as it was first practice session on the village cricket pitch. In the rain!
Still, the result was never in doubt, was it?
‘Twas a sure thing.
Will you be wombling over to Taunton tomorrow to see Hampshire continue their winning ways?
England win toss and bowl first.
And a max. of 47 overs each.
Buttler and Morgan again......
PAK looking good in the chase.
I’m loving the varying pronunciations of Fakhars name
England made to work for it, and will keep the selectors busy with options. Hoping it’s a good example of what the WC will bring.
Afternoon, everybodeeeee.
England bowl first.
Bit of a shame, I feel. When they eventually bat first, on current form we might see a truly massive total.
Edit - I'm not the only one thinking that!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48295945
Small boundaries, and assuming ul-Haq comes back in, England could be chasing a big total, albeit not the record monkey+.
Some quality batting here. Not just biff and bash, but some elegant shots being played as well.
Blimey
Complexion changes in 10 balls!
Never in doubt. Again!
Stokes regaining a bit of form in time for the Summer.
Are we happy with the WC squad? Dropping Willey for Archer the right call I think. Apart from 2 overs up front he’s rarely in it as a bowler.
Vince more versatile as spare batsman
Yeah happy with it, unsure about the kit though
I agree with Houns!
Also, Hampshire are in the runs again!
BUTTLER SMASH!
Here we go! World Cup time!
SA win the toss and will bowl first. Forecast looks good. So, big total or a return to collapse?
Day off, lots of menial home jobs lined up. Headphones charged - looking forward to it!
My traditional British glass half empty outlook is for a humiliating drubbing on day one.
Not the best start, then!
What’s that song? Things can only get better!
England certainly seem to have decided how they are going to play this tournament!
SA have a very good attack though.
Very even so far.
320 + will be par
Enjoying cutting grass in a beautiful walled garden at work listening to TMS, life’s pretty sweet (even better if England can knock a few more runs in the last 4 overs)
320 looks doable, Dan.
Or not.
Fingers crossed.
Hmmmm. Not enough I fear.
It comes to something when 311 feel below par.
I think it’ll be tight. Although SA don’t bat as deep, it’s a manageable chase. We need Archer on song. SA bowled and fielded tightly, save for one loose over.
(At the ground, soaking in the atmosphere rather than the sun).
Not too shabby. 167-6.
Catch.
RM.
What a catch that was. Astonishing.
Fabulous start
Fantastic!
Hope Stokes doesn’t continue the celebrations in a night club.
Quality! I love the fact that nothing is left just to run to the boundary, they chase everything where there is a slight possible chance of stopping 1/2 runs. Good work especially when the opener of any tournament in many sports turns out to be a mare for the hosts!
I’m actually a bit disappointed in SA. The best player in the world (ABdV) not playing, others a shadow of themselves (Duminy & Amla)
It does also show how lucky we are with genuine bowling All-rounders in our team.
SA bowled well today and we still got 311. Points in the bag against strong opposition. Losing today would have made every game a must-win.
My final 4 :
Eng
WI
Aus
Ind
That looks the strongest 4, although love AFG to be in there.
Certainly not PAK on their sorry showing this morning.
Poor showing from ****stan's batting lineup, they don't look like they'll make 3 figures here - albeit against some aggressive bowling. Best moment of the morning was a fan in a T-Shirt saying "I BAK THE PAK" 😂
RM.
Very pleased to see an apparent resurgence in WI cricket!
105 ao.
Ooof!
