Nel vs KP should be good, what with both being such introverts .

Nel got Pietersen! Sorry guys, this is personal and nothing to do with either team, but I have to say it.....WHOOOPIE!

Pietersen spoons a leading edge to mid off where Smith takes a really good low catch. Oh dear!! Severe rebuilding job required. We really haven't got to grips with the power plays at all. The only chance for England to get close to a decent score hangs on the under rated Collingwood. Be a good time for Flintoff to find some form with the bat.

If we lose this game, which now looks likely, it will be interesting to see if Vaughan plays against West Indies on Saturday. Surely this is his last ODI with Joyce coming back in and I guess Strauss will captain. Oh well, we haven't lost yet so may be a moot point. We will see.

Its odd really, england have been poor from the off, and loss to SA was written in the stars yet we turn up with the same side (more or less) and same batting order. Now KP has gone we'll be lucky to get 150. What we really needed was a thrasing in the CB series because I feel that just papered over giant cracks.

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

I just checked the score.

I'm off to the canteen for a cuppa and then back to work. Far more interesting than our "team".

This is a great point Rich. It cheered me up at the time but our ODI set up clearly needs a total overhaul with Vaughan and Fletcher both left to concentrate solely on the test side; unless of course we turn this game round win the next 3 games and take home the world cup. In that case knighthoods all round!! NURSE, BRING ME MORE MEDICATION QUICKLY!!

ditto.......

What's with you guys? B****y 'KP' is not England's only good player! Have you forgotten that they won the CB trophy in Oz without him? Collingwood might not peacock around the place, but he is a good player in his own right and not 'underrated' like some believe. He might still do a good rescue job with the bat and then help out in the field and with the ball.

Would not have made a scrap of difference Rich - Flintoff was captain and would have got the blame, vaughan would still have been captain for the World cup, same players, same batting order would have still happened IMHO.

England are not good enough to bat first, 5 runs in the first 5 overs set the tone.

__________________
Ern

Several years of bitter world cup experience I'm afraid Nostro!! Lets hope you're right and England will prevail. You don't want to put some money on it do you?