ICC Champions Trophy (6 June - 23 June).

[Syn]

What the fuck. This is horrendous.

Did you watch it from the start - when they were picking the openers?

It was like something from a Ricky Gervais Office sketch.

Don't mind either of the three tbh but when they're forced to take up time and talk, they're hilariously bad.

[Dennis Bendtner]

I can't believe that. Couldn't they put some highlights on? Doomed from the start when Charles realised the idea was awful and would never fill the time so turned it into a pointless world XI instead. What's the next trick?

[Dennis Bendtner]

Did you watch it from the start - when they were picking the openers?

It was like something from a Ricky Gervais Office sketch.

Don't mind either of the three tbh but when they're forced to take up time and talk, they're hilariously bad.

Yeah. It's been cringey as hell ever since that tedious weather banter. Charles is the white Harsha Bhogle. Allott just wants to be somewhere else. Seems like there's an embarrassing lack of planning when the pub-team pundits are wheeled out.

[Dennis Bendtner]

This is still car-crash TV. Charles is very bad at this.

[Syn]

Yeah. It's been cringey as hell ever since that tedious weather banter. Charles is the white Harsha Bhogle. Allott just wants to be somewhere else. Seems like there's an embarrassing lack of planning when the pub-team pundits are wheeled out.

Charles has been in the game long enough - longer than Ian Ward and whoever else they use. Don't know why he's so shit at it. Maybe it doesn't help having someone who hates you (Paul Allott) and someone who's constantly trying to look/sound cool (Nick Knight). If he had Botham and Holding there, he might've had a chance of saving it.

[Dennis Bendtner]

I think Botham and Holding would've lost patience long before. At least Knight made an effort...in his weird intellectual way.

Turns out we've got tickets for the semi-final at Cardiff next Thursday. India being there is dependent on finishing top of the group though. Chanced it tbh so they better fucking batter Pakistan.

[Syn]

I think Botham and Holding would've lost patience long before. At least Knight made an effort...in his weird intellectual way.

Turns out we've got tickets for the semi-final at Cardiff next Thursday. India being there is dependent on finishing top of the group though. Chanced it tbh so they better fucking batter Pakistan.

It looks like it'll be India V NZ in that. Sophia Gardens is nicely done up now. Parking is really awkward though so get there early and be prepared to walk. Train might be better - but the ground's not very central so either way it'll be a few miles trek.

[Ollie the Optimist]

It looks like it'll be India V NZ in that. Sophia Gardens is nicely done up now. Parking is really awkward though so get there early and be prepared to walk. Train might be better - but the ground's not very central so either way it'll be a few miles trek.


I walked almost to the ground on Sunday, it's 15 minute walk from station if that


When I say almost, I mean to the bridge to cross river and get to ground

[Syn]

I walked almost to the ground on Sunday, it's 15 minute walk from station if that

From Cardiff Central, about half an hour. Over a mile. Easily walkable but gotta account for the time.

Bridge? Are you talking about the Millennium stadium?

[Dennis Bendtner]

Cheers both. It'll be an early start in the car. Don't mind a banterous trek with the Indians.

[Ollie the Optimist]

From Cardiff Central, about half an hour. Over a mile. Easily walkable but gotta account for the time.

Bridge? Are you talking about the Millennium stadium?

I walked though the park amd it was just across a river, and there was a bridge to get to the stadium side. I'm a quick walker though so maybe it's why it didn't take too long

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England vs Sri Lanka today. :popcorn:

Sri Lanka won the toss and will bowl first.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

28-1, Bell goes for 20. :rolleyes:

[Syn]

Oooooooh you know what time it is.

Bumble-Bhogle banter. Talking about Man Utd and Arsenal.

Oh the bants. Bantersaurus rex. banter at a canter.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bhogle and Bumble. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sort your life out Trott.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cook goes to review to stay in. Don't fancy his chances.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Complete waste of a review.

131-2, Cook out, lbw by Fatty Herath.

[Syn]

I still don't understand how malinga's action is legal but underarm bowling is not.

[Syn]

Dilshan drops his 3rd catch of the game :haha:

Granted this one was tougher. But Sri Lanka in general have been pathetic in the field. Easily given away around 30 runs extra even at this stage. All the quick singles and boundaries they should've stopped. Not an athletic team at all.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another drop!

[Dennis Bendtner]

Keepers shelling catches like that tend to be a bit embarrassing.

And the captain put him off, oh dear. :lol:

[Dennis Bendtner]

Punched through the off-side by Root.

[Syn]

Get the fuck out.

England looking good for 300.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Root finally succumbs. 249-4.

[Syn]

These are such cheap village shots. Cross batted garbage. All against a bowler who shouldn't be allowed to play cricket. "He's played beautifully", say Hussain and Atherton, on Root's pinch hitting. Awful cricket all 'round.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

249-5, Malinga on a hat-trick!

[Syn]

Here's Malinga to grab his +1 when nobody gives a shit and the damage is done. Awful human being.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bopara shows his batting intelligence. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shocker of a decision for that previous wicket. Cook's fault for wasting a review though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

249-6, Buttler goes for a duck. :rolleyes:

[Dennis Bendtner]

Getting out to this filth. What a disgrace.

[Syn]

If I was the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. Next to the word 'trundler' I would just have a picture of Kulusekra.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

254-7, England playing the death overs like they usually do.

[Dennis Bendtner]

That's the worst throw I've ever seen. Dilshan having a great day.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bopara whacking it everywhere.

Buffet time. :scarf:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Billy Bowden. :haha:

That's one of the funniest things I've seen.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England make 293-7.

28 off the last over. Not bad.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Oh dear. Asian trundler #592 has pissed away Malinga's good work.

[Syn]

Fucking Indians. 294 is too much for SL.

[Ollie the Optimist]

BOPARA :bow:

[Dennis Bendtner]

Sky Sports Ashes HD? Really now?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sri Lanka 102-2 in response.

I'm sure Swann told Dishan to fuck off.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sri Lanka 180-2 now, Sangakkara on 86, Jayawardene on 39.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

187-3, Jayawardene goes for 42.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Why did Sri Lanka put Kula Shaker in? Can't remember seeing a nightwatchman in ODIs too many times.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sangakkara gets his century. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nearly a hilarious run out, well I say nearly, England couldn't get the ball anywhere near to the stumps.

Bat went flying. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kula Shaker is going nuts. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

England are awful

[Syn]

Sangakkara and Anderson have been sniping at each other all innings. Safe to say Sangakkara has won this battle.

Really didn't think SL would chase this down because they're filled with about 7 or 8 really shit players. But the class 1 or 2 they have (Sangakkara in particular) have done the job.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sri Lanka beat England by 7 wickets!

England. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

England's top 3 rightly being criticised

[Syn]

Good chase! One of the best ODI innings I've seen for some time. A lot of pressure on him to get those runs. That's what separates the truly class players - doing the job under pressure. 100s in a chase are worth double.

[Cripps_orig]

Apparently Trott was blocking during powerplay overs

Is this true?

[Dennis Bendtner]

The thing is England are very inflexible with their approach regardless of conditions. 280-290 is nominally competitive but a lot of the time it's merely par or even below. It's regularly chased down these days. The mistake is assuming otherwise and having a top three that have the same approach every time. Old-fashioned. And it can't be compensated for by an 'outstanding' bowling attack because clearly when conditions don't suit them they don't do much.

[Syn]

Personally I don't think there's much wrong with England's approach. I just think they're not suited to entertaining batting. I've said many times that the best shotmakers they have are Pietersen and Bell. They don't even pick Pietersen any more. And the rest seem to be 'survivors'. I like Joe Root but even he's a bit of a nurdler, and his average has been grossly inflated so far by batting against trundlers. So England's approach is always restricted because they can't play their shots - they don't know how to. It takes a special talent to work runs off good deliveries. Subcontinent batsmen find it easier because they use their wrists more to work the ball to the leg side.

It works very well in Test Cricket because you wait for the bad ball and the onus is on the bowler to force you into a shot, not the other way around.

[Ollie the Optimist]

If trott went and scored 30 of 20 people would moan that he didn't score enough. He's scoring 50+ regularly, the rest of the batsman are failing IMO. How often does Morgan play a big innings? Or butler? Not often enough so trott looks like he is being slow yet we have guys who are just not getting runs.

[Syn]

If trott went and scored 30 of 20 people would moan that he didn't score enough. He's scoring 50+ regularly, the rest of the batsman are failing IMO. How often does Morgan play a big innings? Or butler? Not often enough so trott looks like he is being slow yet we have guys who are just not getting runs.

I think the point is though that Trott, with an average of 50, is consistent in getting England to a decent total. but with strike rate of 76, he's preventing England getting the massive totals. And 330 is not uncommon any more. That's part of the reason why England haven't been successful in ODIs. They're not competitive in their batting and with the artificial regulations of power plays, it's more difficult for even the best bowling attacks to keep the runs down.

I agree though that its hard to get rid of Trott unless you're confident someone else can come in with an average of around 40 and a strike rate of 85. That's really difficult to sustain over, say, 70 matches.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Personnel is part of approach too. It's England's choice to select a conservative top three. Whilst many of their batsmen are orthodox, they do have players who play different types of scoring shot. Regarding Trott, it isn't only him - Bell and Cook scored 79 off 122. That includes 10 overs worth of powerplay on a pitch doing very little. The reality is that ODI pitches are going to be flat most of the time and if you don't capitalise on early-to-middle scoring opportunities then you'll tend to be behind a really good score.

There's nothing to stop someone like Morgan, Root, Buttler, Bopara playing up the order and to different degrees they all have the capacity to accelerate earlier.

Sri Lanka, India and South Africa are all fairly accustomed to chasing that kind of score. It's a bit robotic just to settle for it.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I wonder if we are starting to see the end of ODIs. 20/20 are so fast amd high scoring that people expect ODIs to be the same except bigger but they're not. Amd they won't be anything like tests because tests. With tests we expect the slow batting as well as the quick tempos that go with tests, ODIs we expect fast run scoring but don't want the slowness, yet this is what happens. 20/20 has ruined them in my opinion as people expect the shots that Morgan, adv, raina etc play the whole time and the fast scoring when it isn't possible. ODIs are getting stuck in the middle of the two formats amd I'm not sure there will be a future for them soon. This cl13 has hardly set the world alight IMO

[Syn]

I actually think its in the strongest position because the most popular format at club level and growing up is 40-45 over matches in the regional leagues. We also have twenty20 tournaments but we mostly field the pubbers for that.

People always want more runs whether its posting a first innings total in a test match or the last over in a Twenty 20. The most important thing for me is that - whatever format it is - it should lend itself to quality cricket.

And by quality I mean: persistent, fast, tight line and length bowling should be rewarded. And long strides, high elbows and straight bat shots should be rewarded. I still think that's the case in 50 overs ODIs although it still requires a bit of invention/wrist-work to manoeuvre the good balls for one. But that's also good test match batting (drop and run).

I think in 20 overs, far too many good balls go for boundaries and bad balls take wickets. That's not what you want the youngsters to learn and be rewarded for. The values of Tests and quality batting/bowling have to be preserved.

[Dennis Bendtner]

I wonder if we are starting to see the end of ODIs. 20/20 are so fast amd high scoring that people expect ODIs to be the same except bigger but they're not. Amd they won't be anything like tests because tests. With tests we expect the slow batting as well as the quick tempos that go with tests, ODIs we expect fast run scoring but don't want the slowness, yet this is what happens. 20/20 has ruined them in my opinion as people expect the shots that Morgan, adv, raina etc play the whole time and the fast scoring when it isn't possible. ODIs are getting stuck in the middle of the two formats amd I'm not sure there will be a future for them soon. This cl13 has hardly set the world alight IMO

I don't see that argument at all. It isn't about what people want or expect, but reality. 300+ chases in ODIs are regular occurrences now. You have to be adaptable in your strategy to win games.

You don't need to play reverse sweeps or scoops to make better use of ten overs of powerplay up front. Now you see these ODI pitches in England are mostly flat, as they are in most places. There's more scope to score more runs.

[Syn]

Don't like these new fielding restrictions either. Powerplays and all that. Liked it more when it was first 15 overs only. The limit on two bouncers an over is no good either. Shouldn't support the cowards.

Anyway. Cardiff. Crucial game between SA V WI. Rain. We'll be having 36 overs a side. Toss in a couple of mins and start 15-20 mins after, I guess.

[Syn]

WI win the toss and will bowl. Tino Best is in the side :popcorn:

And Steyn is back for SA.

[Syn]

It's raining again. Fuck Cardiff.

[Dennis Bendtner]

This isn't nearly as cringeworthy as the other day but it's clear again that they don't know what to fill the time with. 'Narine is a good bowler' can only be repeated so many times.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Rain might do for tomorrow's game as well.

[Syn]

If there's no rain, in a 50 over game there's not much danger of India losing to Pakistan. If its rain affected and it turns into a slog fest who knows.

in a similar way, today's game will suit the pubbers (ie windies). 31 overs a side and starting in 10 mins if the weather stays clear.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa 124-2, loved how Gayle earlier trolled Amla with fumbling the catch twice.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa make 230-6 off their 31 overs.

[Syn]

Decent enough start to the chase. You feel that Gayle has to stay in for 20 overs if they're going to do it.

[Cripps_orig]

96-3

Gayle already gone

[McNamara That Ghost...]

137-4 now, Samuels whacking it everywhere!

[Syn]

How frustrating. Windies easily could've won this match but they've been throwing it away.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Steyn just decided he had enough of this. Samuels out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And then Steyn gives five wides away. :doh:

[Syn]

:popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

190-6, off goes Pollard.

Come on Sammy.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Players taken off before Sammy can win it.

Windies are par on the D/L!

[Syn]

No brains at all. Nothing that we didn't know though.

[Syn]

I've been boring the shit out of everyone around me about how WI just needed get singles and stay ahead on D/L. They have no idea about tactics or game plans. It's just all about hitting the ball for 12. Well done guys.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Surely no chance of them going back on now so SA will go through courtesy of run rate.

A well earned :doh: for Pollard.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Laughing Bob Willis. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Match ended, match tied on D/L. South Africa through.

Michael Holding must be little bit gutted. Me too tbf.

[Syn]

I'm just annoyed. Also I fully agree with the discussion by Paul Allott and Bob Willis. Instead of trying to fit in any many overs as possible in a rain-reduced match. Common sense surely dictates that when the weather forecast is no good, when there has been a lot of rain it should've been turned into a 20 over match. Not a 31 over match. We would've seen a result.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Cricket shoots itself in the foot these days with rain. Most grounds now have an indoor centre for indoor nets, send players in there during rain breaks to warm so they can get on with it straight away in steadying war,ing up on the pitch.


Also if raining before start, don't wait for rain to stop to toss up, get it done, decide, so when rain stops you can just get straight on with it

[Cripps_orig]

India v Pakistan soon

Biggest rivalry in sport

[Cripps_orig]

India win the toss and field

[Cripps_orig]

Jamshed went in the 3rd over

43-1 off 10 overs atm

[Cripps_orig]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/4969554/Bob-Willis-England-are-tampering-with-ball-Umpire-knows-it.html

England :doh:

[Syn]

Umpires would have to lodge an official compliant if they believed that.

England bowl cross-seam a lot to scuff the ball up, but that's legal.

[Cripps_orig]

131-5

Match reduced to 40 overs

[Cripps_orig]

165 all out

[Syn]

India 39-0 off 7.1 overs.

[Cripps_orig]

India need 168 to win despite Pakistan only getting 165

screw job is on

[Syn]

Screw job?

anyway, they could've set India 300 and it wouldn't matter.

Now, rain. I don't think India will complete the 20 overs necessary for a result.

[Syn]

What a run out by Kohli earlier. Greatest of all time? Cest possible. It had everything.

[Syn]

DL revised target of 102. India need 39 runs off 10.3 overs.

[Syn]

India win comfortably.

Played 5, won 5, since coming to UK.

Invincible? I don't want to comment on speculation. But yes.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

NZ won the toss and will bowl first.

[Cripps_orig]

Cook, Bell and Trott to actually play for the team or just think about their averages?

The answer to that will decide the match

[McNamara That Ghost...]

On come the covers.

:haha:

[Cripps_orig]

Haven't checked who goes through with what result.

I assume this group is close

[McNamara That Ghost...]

NZ go through I think if it's a no result (so obviously would if it's a win). England would be hoping Australia win against Sri Lanka but not by much, if they only get a point.

Too complicated to work out really. Goal difference is needed.

[Syn]

Doesn't look like we'll get a result here.

Why is it so hard to find the Champions Trophy group tables? BBC and cricinfo - no chance.

[Syn]

Can't find it anywhere. Internet's lost the plot. Bring back ceefax.

[Syn]

Panic over: bloomberg :bow:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-15/icc-champions-trophy-cricket-standings-results-schedule.html

England can take a NR and then hope that this pathetic excuse of an Australian avoid defeat against SL. i.e. hope it rains tomorrow.

[Cripps_orig]

Doesn't look like we'll get a result here.

Why is it so hard to find the Champions Trophy group tables? BBC and cricinfo - no chance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/champions-trophy/table

It was on the cricket home page..

[Syn]

Whatever.


Disco: "I support Australia - what happens if this is a washout?" Regulation 14.3 c) If the penultimate group match is abandoned, the final group match will be deemed a draw in the interests of fairnace. Regulation 14.6 d) If the points totals in the group stage are level, the tiebreaker shall be a behaviour-based measure, with the team whose players have thrown fewer punches in post-match festivities progressing.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

24 over per side. Play is on now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

16-1, Bell goes for 10.

Trott in a Twenty20 effectively. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Fair play to Bell

Tried to score quick runs

No criticism here.

Here comes Mr Selfish

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trott is out. Didn't fancy it clearly.

Outscored Cook in his cameo though.

[Cripps_orig]

25-2

Trott goes

He is horrific

[McNamara That Ghost...]

100-3 now, Root goes for 38.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cook gets his fifty. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

McCullum having a shocker in the field

Dropped catches galore.

The shit one, not Brendan.

Decent innings from Cook. There still might be hope for him yet

[Cripps_orig]

141-4

Cook gone

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Morgan has been having a shocker for a while now.

143-5.

[Cripps_orig]

159-6

Buttler walks

[Syn]

Bopara :haha:

essex :haha:

[Syn]

Nathan McCullum: caught 4, dropped 3.

England 169 all out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

14-1, Anderson gets Wonky!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

14-2, Anderson bowls Guptill!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

27-3.

[Cripps_orig]

48-4

B McCullum gone

Bopara with the wicket

[Cripps_orig]

62-5

Bopara with another wicket.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shocker of a no ball from Broad!

:haha:

Well ok it is really tight. Stays as 135-6. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

140-7. Buckethands Anderson. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

11 off 1 needed. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England win by 10 runs and are through to the semi-finals. :bow:

[Syn]

Well done to England. Guess they'll probably be playing SA.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Australia won the toss and will bowl first.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

8-1, Johnson gets Perera!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

20-2, off goes Sangakkara. :o

[McNamara That Ghost...]

92-3, off goes Dilshan for 34.

[Syn]

Dilshan - most overrated cricketer in history (after sehwag and flintoff)? Yes.

[Syn]

Mahela Jayawardne is the hipster's choice.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sehwag and Flintoff are overweighted cricketers tbf.

128-4, off goes Thirimanne.

[Syn]

Mitchell Johnson should've been picked for the Ashes. When he's good, he's very good. Otherwise, extras will have a good innings.

[Syn]

MJ bowls a beamer :haha:

[Syn]

Some new Aussie pub teamer bowls Yoss and then appeals because he didn't know it hit the wicket :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Simon Doull sounds like he is a lot further away than the other commentators.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jayawardene gets his fifty. :bow:

[Syn]

Doully saying Trotty is far better than Jayawardne even though the latter is talked about as one of the greats in the game.

Have to agree. Jayawardne - the most overrated batsman in history (after Dilshan, Sehwag and Flintoff)? Yes.

Classy batsman but just not prolific enough.

[Syn]

Actually fuck that, Jayawardne has played over 350 ODIs and Trott has only played 58. Much, much harder to maintain a strong average over 150+ ODI games.

Playing a gem of an innings today though. Looks like Australia will need close to 10 an over to qualify. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

244-8

[Cripps_orig]

253-8 off 50 overs

Aussies need to get that in 29.1 overs.

Anyone blocking/leaving a ball should be shot

[Cripps_orig]

9-1

Watson gone

[Cripps_orig]

52-2

Hughes gone

They are up with the rate but losing wickets

[McNamara That Ghost...]

69-4. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

80-5.

Aussies. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India are 100% on DRS reviews in this tournament.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:haha:

Spear from Wade on Kula Shaker.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

127-6. Getting little bit unlikely for the Aussies now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

163-7.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

168-8. :lol:

Johnson. :wave:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Aussies are out but they can still help NZ to get through. One wicket remaining. 38 off 88 needed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sri Lanka win! C&B from Dilshan.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Forfuckssake. Had to be another India-Sri Lanka. It's like a spectacularly shit and unwanted version of El Clasico being on 20 times a year.

[Syn]

It's going to rain. All day. What happens if it's rained off? Does it play on Friday - forecast is good for then.

It'll probably be worse. A 21 over D/L-infested slogfest which actually gives Sri Lanka a hope in hell of winning.

[Dennis Bendtner]

I don't think they have reserve days. If I remember correctly, there's a super over, or if that can't go ahead because of the rain then the team that finished top of the group goes through. It seems because it's the last Champions Trophy that the ICC can't really be arsed with it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 49-3 currently.

Anderson. :bow: :bow:

Finn. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

50-4, Broad gets De Villiers for a duck!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Duminy gets a review and stays in, England fail to review one...and Duminy stays in.

:doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

63-5, Duminy chops on to his wicket!

Tredwell. :bow:

Swann. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

70-6, Tredwell gets Du Plessis!

South Africa are brilliant in semi-finals. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

76-7, Trott's quick thinking. :bow:

[Syn]

Anderson little bit world class.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

80-8, Tredwell gets another!

[PGFC]

:wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 140-8 now. :unsure:

[PGFC]

SA are so going on to win this :sulk:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

175-9, Broad gets Kleinveldt.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Now 175 all out.

Come on England. :scarf:

Presumably England will have their batting in two sessions.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Maybe not. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England 37-1, Cook went for 6 not that long ago.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

41-2, Bell fucks it up again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trott on to 53. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Root going for the Dilshan scoop once too often.

146-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England win by seven wickets and are through to the final!

:bow:

[Syn]

We'll see you on Sunday. :coffee:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If there is much play today. :lol:

Toss is supposed to be in five minutes, starting to rain again though.

Cardiff. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India win the toss and will bowl first.

Impressive grey hair Dhoni has.

[Syn]

Hope it's rained off without a result. India go through in that case and keep themselves fresh ( :trophy: ) for the final.

[Syn]

6-1. Kumar gets Yoss caught at 2nd slip.

[Syn]

Dilshan goes off. Retired hurt with a broken vagina.

[Syn]

Batsmen running all over the wicket. Aleem Dar has a word. Fucking love it when the Lankans bring out the filth tactics. Dhoni should slow the overrate down a bit.

[Syn]

SL 26-1 from 10 overs.

DSL :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

36-2, brilliant catch by Raina.

[Syn]

Pidgeon takes a goodun. Good toss to win, this. Even the Trundlers are looking dangerous.

[Syn]

Dhoni standing up to the stumps for his opening seamer :haha:

What a maverick. Apart from, not really, because they're slow as fuck.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

41-3, Sangakkara. :wave:

[Syn]

Pidgeon takes another catch off Ishant. Sangakara gone. The pitch is unplayable. Call it off.

[Syn]

Can't believe gavaskar praising Raina for being 'a 100% committed cricketer'. Gavaskar was a committed cricketer. Raina is a fucking coward and everyone in world cricket knows he's scared of the short ball. That's not commitment.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dhoni does a brilliant trollface.

[Syn]

Dhoni is going to bowl! :haha:

Worse than Wumger.

What a fucking maverick

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dhoni's golden arm! :haha:

61-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Or not. Massive inside edge.

Aleem Dar. :haha:

62-3.

[Syn]

Aleem Dar does have far too many shockers.

[Syn]

A disturbing number of over have been bowled already. Come on rain.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mathews stays in on review.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

119-4! Jadeja gets Jayawardene.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bhogle discussing bowling with Warney. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shocker from Kohli down at the rope! :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wicket this time though, 158-5. Off goes Mathews, eventually.

[Cripps_orig]

Shocking performance from SL

[McNamara That Ghost...]

160-6, Perera doesn't hang around for long.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

164-7. What a delivery.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Malinga has got this.

171-8, five deliveries to go.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Some nutter on the pitch, stewards falling over.

Another catch messed up down at the ropes. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sri Lanka make 181-8.

[Syn]

India 61-0 off 13 overs.

[Cripps_orig]

77-1

[Cripps_orig]

142-2

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India win by eight wickets.

[Cripps_orig]

I don't understand why SL played the way they did

Why bat so slow?

It's good preparation for India I guess as they come up against Cook and Trott

[Syn]

It's looking good.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England won the toss and will bowl first.

[Syn]

Great toss to win with cloud and high potential of rain. #gettingtheexcusesinearly #anderson #cloud #swing #swag #yolo

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tim, via text on 81111: Ashwin popped in for pizza at my restaurant last night...lovely chap but hopefully nice guys don't win!

Pizza is the perfect preperation for a sporting final. :bow:

[LDG]

:lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And down comes the rain.

:rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Umbrella that says on it:

Shit! It's raining. :haha:

[Rors]

Weather highly rubbish here. Just settle it with a bowl-off in the Edgbaston Indoor Centre...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trophy will be shared in the event of no result. :lol:

[Syn]

It never used to be like this. Summers were actually #decent. Last two years we've turned into Finland or summat.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Parts of Finland have permanent daylight so they could wait it out for six months before declaring it a no result.

[Syn]

:|

[Rors]

Parts of Finland have permanent daylight so they could wait it out for six months before declaring it a no result.

Timeless Limited Overs Matches :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

It's sunny in London.

Who decided to have the final in a pub team stadium rather than Lords?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Timeless Limited Overs Matches :bow:

We'd might actually have a match on Brian Lara that lasts more than 20 minutes if that was the case...

[Cripps_orig]

Brian Lara Cricket :bow:

Still the best cricket game I've played

[Rors]

We'd might actually have a match on Brian Lara that lasts more than 20 minutes if that was the case...

Hour-long test series :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Inspection at 3pm, going to be a 26 overs game or something like that. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

What a farce

Why not just play it tomorrow?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They didn't book a reserve day.

ICC. :doh:

Also, half an hour before play will begin.

[Cripps_orig]

24 overs per innings.

It's ridiculous.

You wouldn't see this in any of the other main sports.

Cricket is light years behind the rest

[Cripps_orig]

Raining again.

[Ollie the Optimist]

They didn't book a reserve day.

ICC. :doh:

Also, half an hour before play will begin.

I read they didn't book a reserve day because of England games against nz being too close to the final.


Also, even if you have a reserve day, if it rains it rains, there is nothing you can do. Not really sure what options there are?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:lol:

Sharing the trophy it is. :trophy:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Twenty20 now.

Another half an hour wait for play. :rolleyes:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We've had a delivery. :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Risky run there.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Broad. :haha:

I didn't realise he collided in to the stumps and left the ball behind. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

SS1HD has obliterated.

:rose:

SS1 is still working though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

19-1, Broad bowls Rohit!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Down comes the rain.

[Cripps_orig]

They can't lose any more overs

Draw it is

Trophy is shared.

ICC has to be ashamed