Oh well, if Collingwood and Flintoff can't time the ball, then nobody can.

Except Nixon. And he can't even bat.

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Red-it, Red-it, Read it and wept

Disagree ern. Collys timing it nice now, its just they just dibbed and dabbed it about when at times it just wanted clonking. Obviously not the extent now, but more than they did.

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Nothing says "Obey Me" like a bloody head on a fence post!

"Dire" doesnt come close to describing England's first half performance. Hang on, I thought they were rerunning the Andora match from Wednesday night. My mistake.

If Michael Vaughan has to captain the side can he at least bat in a position suitable to his ODI batting ability - i.e. just in front of Panesar. Ditto for Bell the snail (great test potential but complete waste of time in ODI's).

Open with Pietersen? May as well - he's normally batting within the first 4-5 overs anyway when the ball is still swinging, and it might actually put the opposition on the back foot with the field in during the PP's.

All I can say is thank God for Paul Collingwood.

True but the inings had to be repaired after yet another bad start by England, the pitch is slow though making slogging difficult.
England have enought to win I reckon, but not a convincing peformance.

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Ern

Ah but you have to remember that Vaughan is a truly magnificent captain, so he has to play whether he's in form or not, or whether he's fit or not.

And if you've got another batsman in the squad, or a place for one, then it's a complete waste, 'cos he's never gonna get a bloody game.

Go home Strauss, go and play for Middlesex and get ready for the summer season. The England Test captaincy awaits.

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Red-it, Red-it, Read it and wept

Open with mal loye. With the smaller grounds of WI I dont know why we didnt. He was outclassed by the aussies but against the irish on these small grounds he'd have had a field day. Failing that a couple of biffs and he's out and we're in no worse a postion than we are now.

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Nothing says "Obey Me" like a bloody head on a fence post!

I dunno though.

In the back of my mind Ed Joyce has been a promising cricketer for some time, and perhaps he should have played some Test cricket.

Perhaps he should have played some Test cricket at a time when England were so desperate to make someone else a nailed on certainty for every match that his century in Bangladesh was trumpeted as one of the great innings of the age.
A little bit of top class experience and Joyce might stop snicking swinging/seaming deliveries behind.

No question Collingwood is a fine one day player but... have to stop, I'll only rant.

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Red-it, Red-it, Read it and wept

Calm down everyone. I'm sure we'll be ok and as you all know my predictions are never wrong

I think we have more than enough, they wont get over 200. Oh dear, tempting fate again Mikey!!

Oh yes... it's all completely under control... I'm not remotely worried.

I think I'll toddle off home and have a couple of stiffeners.

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Red-it, Red-it, Read it and wept

Mahmood is the most economic bowler so far. Very scary.

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Nothing says "Obey Me" like a bloody head on a fence post!