Twenty20 World Cup Thread

[Nostromo]

I felt sorry for Broad. Poor chap, whatever Flintoff said to YS, Broad had to pay the price. I doubt if the two Englishmen will have a drink together tonight.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Ninjaman

He absolutely massacred Stuart Broad.

Yes Ninj, some spectacular tonking by Yuvraj - 36 off a Stuart Broad over, 19th off the innings - 6 sixes, many of them huge.

Broad bowled poorly in all honesty - no bouncer, no real variation, not even a slower ball - but the hitting was nonetheless pretty special.

[English_Al]

So, what do we reckon, win for England??

[Maranello]

Not if they play like Maddy and Solanki have done so far..but who knows!

[Maranello]

Well its the 18th over, and so far, I am completely unimpressed by England's run-chase - the batting order doesn't make any sense in the circumstances, and Colly and Shah have struggled. On top of that, the running has been woeful - they have not put the fielders under pressure, let alone take any risks. Where is the urgency, or the pride in playing for your country?!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Maranello

Where is the urgency, or the pride in playing for your country?!

I am sure England have done their best (poor as it is), no question of not playing for pride.

Broad is a good example of why potential Test players should not play in this quirky game, I wonder what dammage the 6*6's has done for his career, and for what? - a lottery of a game.

England have tried things on the hoof, like playing all the different players they have, and rotating bowlers after one over - idiotic format of a great game.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I am sure England have done their best (poor as it is), no question of not playing for pride.

The running has been pretty atrocious at times though. Also, I don't understand the batting order - surely Masceranhas or Flintoff needed to come earlier to slog for an over or two when Collingwood/Shah were wasting deliveries?

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Ernest

England have tried things on the hoof, like playing all the different players they have, and rotating bowlers after one over - idiotic format of a great game.

I don't think the format is to blame for England's general ineptitude in the field though! They should have been more experienced at this format, given their strong domestic Twenty20 base, but that hasn't come through in the performances, which have bordered on the amateurish.

PS: England end with a strong 200 - had they been a bit cleverer with their running and their batting order, they might well have given Dhoni some real jitters!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Maranello

I don't think the format is to blame for England's general ineptitude in the field though! They should have been more experienced at this format

The standard of fielding has not been the best by a few nations, England I agree should have played better in the field - I don't believe at this early stage, having a domestic 20/20 base makes any difference.

That's because with only 20 overs - the outcome is part skill, and a large part luck, or the same players would make the same quick score in all formats of cricket.

[Nostromo]

Right. Now India are ahead of the Kiwis (who are already through - or are they?) but not of South Africa (who they play tomorrow for that other SF spot) in the NRR. So what is the equation that India have to achieve to reach the semi-finals ahead of SA? Is it simply sufficient to beat them or does this NRR, which is going over my head, matter? If so, what should India do, if they score or are chasing 180 for example?