Don't phone it's just for fun prediction contest

[R W S]

To get you in the mood for the BIG one (prediction contest that is) Have a go at this bonus competiton.

Name the England starting line-up for this weekends 3rd one day international against Zim, as a tie breaker I want you to name a song that should be played if Zim should actually win this match.

[R W S]

VS Solanki,
IR Bell,
MP Vaughan,
AJ Strauss,
KP Pietersen,
PD Collingwood,
GO Jones,
AF Giles,
AG Wharf,
D Gough,
JM Anderson.

Tom Jones 'it's not unusual'

[Andy Mellon]

Prior, Bell, Vaughan, Strauss, Pietersen, Collingwood, GO Jones, Giles, Wharf, Gough, Anderson

A song? The Hallelujah Chorus? How's about for England 'The Man don't give a ******' by the Super Furries as they don't really want to be there. Or, what about 'Goodness Gracious Me' by Peter Sellars. I know the song isn't really relevant in itself, but I could imagine Blowers saying that very line if Zimbabwe win.

[Zainub]

Solanki Bell Vaughan Struass Pieterson Collingwood G Jones Giles Wharf Anderson S Jones

Song: 'somewhere only we know' for the reason that I'm totally and completely addicted to it

[Ernest]

M vaughan.
A Strauss.
V Solanli.
I Bell.
K Pieterson.
P Collingwood.
G O Gones.
A Giles.
A Warfe.
J Anderson.
S Jones.

These are the days of our lives.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Solanki Bell Vaughan Struass Pieterson Collingwood G Jones Giles Wharf Anderson Gough

Shut up be happy - Opening track to Ice T's Iceberg Album circa 1989

"I dont like cricket" perhaps ?

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Solanki Bell Vaughan Struass Pieterson Collingwood G Jones Giles Wharf Anderson S Jones

Song: 'somewhere only we know' for the reason that I'm totally and completely addicted to it

Crickey! I predicted the right team

[Rachael]

Interestingly.. with 10 overs to go.. only Wharf has figures that really stand out:

Bowling                      O      M      R      W
Wharf                        6      1     10      0
Anderson                     8      0     34      0 (1nb, 3w)
Collingwood                  6      0     30      0
SP Jones                     6      1     24      1
Giles                        6.4    0     31      0 (1w)
Vaughan                      8      0     36      1 (1w)

Given that they are part timers... Collingwood and Vaughan look to be holding their own right now: not sure they would do so against better batsmen.. but it's all good experience and adds welcome flexibility in terms of ODI bowling options.

[Zainub]

Zimbabwe have out lived my expectations here a bit.

[Rachael]

What happened in those final 9.2 overs?

Bowling                      O      M      R      W
Wharf                        8      1     30      1 (1w)
Anderson                    10      0     51      0 (1nb, 4w)
Collingwood                  6      0     30      0
SP Jones                     8      1     43      2 (2w)
Giles                       10      0     44      1 (1w)
Vaughan                      8      0     36      1 (1w)

Giles managed to contain the damage to 13 off 3.2 overs but other than that England leaked a shocking 20 runs off 2 overs from Wharf... 16 off 2 overs from Anderson... and 19 off 2 overs from Jones... predominantly to the following world renowned batsmen:

H Masakadza                              b Giles               21  24   2  0
*+T Taibu             c Anderson         b SP Jones            24  18   2  0
P Utseya              not out                                   4   1   1  0

By my reckoning England conceded 45 off 6 overs from the seamers: thank god we weren't bowling to Symonds and Gilchrist!