The Belated Cricket World Cup Thread

[Bigheadache]

Well Australia can't lose the number 1 position now given the NRR situation (unless NZ thrash them in the last game by 200+ runs or something similarly ridiculous).

As for SL's tactic of hiding their gun bowlers, well i don't think they really got anything out of that. SL's batting failed even though Tait bowled horribly and that must be a concern. Even with Vass, Murali and Malinga back they are still going to have to bat decently whether setting a target or chasing. NZ v SL in the semi will be a reasonably interesting game.

As for tonight, I'm betting on SA choking.

 

[satty]

...

As for tonight, I'm betting on SA choking.

I hope you didn't bet. SA must be happy to choke like that

So it's likely Australia vs South Africa and New Zealand vs Sri Lanka in the Semis.

Go Kiwis

 

[BarryW]

As for tonight, I'm betting on SA choking.

Hope the bookies don't come after ya

 

[princealfie]

I can't find cricket on any US channel? Where can I watch cricket on? ESPN or 2? or somewhere else?

 

[pivo6]

I can't find cricket on any US channel? Where can I watch cricket on? ESPN or 2? or somewhere else?

It's available as a package on Direct TV. I'm not sure about any other satellite or cable providers. I don't remember how much it cost.

 

[AlBDamned]

So the final four is all set. I'm sad we're out but glad we lost in such emphatic style. Now there really will be no excuses not to make some important decisions in the England set up. If they follow Australia's example after the 2005 Ashes and don't go in with all guns blazing, I think the future is bright given our young players. Fletcher has to go though. Too many emotional decisions from him and a complete inability to motivate, organise and energise the team have completely eroded his credibility.

I'm betting on Australia to win the cup. Nobody has come close to them really and nobody will unless they play out of their skin. I don't see it happening.

 

[Bigheadache]

Well I got proven wrong on SA.

I still think they'll get thumped by Australia in the semi. They may be ranked 1 or 2, but there is a huge gulf in talent between the 2 and SA have the most homogenous and predictable bowling attack (no one like a Malinga, Murali, Bond, or Tait or any spinners worth note) in cricket. Hopefully either NZ or SL can put up a decent fight in the final against Australia.

 

[AlBDamned]

Hopefully either NZ or SL can put up a decent fight in the final against Australia.

Let's hope so...

 

[wookyhoo]

I am of course looking forward to Australia winning, but I have a feeling that we're going to lose the Semi-Final.

 

[AlBDamned]

Fletcher goes, and so does Brian Lara...

And oh dear, what were Bangladesh even doing in the Super8?

 

[MOFS]

Fletcher goes, and so does Brian Lara...

And oh dear, what were Bangladesh even doing in the Super8?

Beating South Africa?

 

[AlBDamned]

Beating South Africa?

I should have put in brackets "Marginally more than England"

 

[Jasonbot]

I should have put in brackets "Marginally more than England"

But then South Africa trashed England to pave their way to the semi-finals

 

[AlBDamned]

But then South Africa trashed England to pave their way to the semi-finals

Exactly. You're not good enough to win the cup either, though. Most overrated #1 ODI side I've ever seen.

 

[vouder17]

Exactly. You're not good enough to win the cup either, though. Most overrated #1 ODI side I've ever seen.

We just have the tendency to play horribly in World Cups. Otherwise we are pretty good, i think...So far our match against Aus has been the hardest for the Aussies, but losing againt Bangladesh was just horrible.
I like to keep hope, hopefully these semi's will not be a replay of 1999 *cringe*

 

[Jasonbot]

We just have the tendency to play horribly in World Cups. Otherwise we are pretty good, i think...So far our match against Aus has been the hardest for the Aussies, but losing againt Bangladesh was just horrible.
I like to keep hope, hopefully these semi's will not be a replay of 1999 *cringe*

Well I am so confused as to that Bangladesh loss Still don't understand how we did (didn't) do it...

And yes, best of luck for our game vs. oz because if it's not luck then I have no idea what will make us win that game? My brother and I were joking about how the South Africans were really "gesuip" during that game vs. England and that was our winning strategy, if so, cheers Grahame!

 

[princealfie]

It's available as a package on Direct TV. I'm not sure about any other satellite or cable providers. I don't remember how much it cost.

True but I don't want to have to pay just to watch some fab games?

 

[Blue Velvet]

The Aussies have posted a huge total against the Kiwis, but there's no incentive for New Zealand to chase it... lose or win, because of the Aussies higher run rate, NZ are still playing Sri Lanka in the semis. Right?

Promote some batsmen who need some batting practice up the order to give them some time in the middle... the result is meaningless.

 

[Jasonbot]

The Aussies have posted a huge total against the Kiwis, but there's no incentive for New Zealand to chase it... lose or win, because of the Aussies higher run rate, NZ are still playing Sri Lanka in the semis. Right?

Promote some batsmen who need some batting practice up the order to give them some time in the middle... the result is meaningless.

I always though it would be fun for teams to send in a number 10/11 batsman when a total seems completely possible, like South Africa vs. England after the first wicket, that would be so demoralisisng for the bowling team in just destory them, but then I realised taht teams are far too serious these days are are all about statistics and dont care about the fun behind it anymore.

 

[Chris Bangle]

flethcher was an idiot he deserved to go..... I thoguht moody would have replaced him though... Doesnt matter.... chappel was an arse aswell

 

[AlBDamned]

flethcher was an idiot he deserved to go

I think that's a bit strong really. Fletcher did a lot of fantastic work with the Test team resulting in the Ashes win in 2005 and the number two test rank, but after that I think he ran out of ideas. He also made too many emotional decisions in the end and wasn't professional (Like Ashley Giles for Panesar, Geraint Jones instead of Chris Read), so it's pretty clear he'd gone as far as he was going to with the England team. Eight years is long enough though I think.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Just a few overs in and it's over for New Zealand...

 

[vouder17]

I was really hoping that the final partnership would make 125 runs, would have made it the best semi final ever.....
But onto tomorrow, the biggie. The "real" final of the world cup, SA have to show the stupid Aussies something, after Haydens cocky comments, i hope the proteas actually start playing cricket for the first time this cup!
Lets hope its a cracker.....

 

[vouder17]

Well there goes the cracker, was really hoping for at least a competitive game, now those aussies are gonna be sniffin their own farts for the next four years.
/Walks away with head down.
It was a legendary bad World Cup for us.

 

[Bunks]

Interesting game today with Sri Lanka resting top bowlers against Australia. Very disappointing that they didn't try and play the full team and put up a true fight.

Seems as though Aust will finish up in first place in the 8's and every one else will be fighting to be #2 or 3 to avoid being #4 and playing the Aussies in the semi final.

The way many of top teams play it seems as though being #2 is the achievement, not #1. if you don't take on the Aussies you will never beat them, same thing is happening in the test match series, a 4 day test is an achievement and a 5 day test is front page news.

Don't want the Aussies to lose, but the Cup is boringly long and underwhelming with excitement.

Though Kudos to the Sri Lankan tailenders, if not for them then they would have been done for about 180, throwing the bat and getting some fours and sixes did make the match a bit more interesting.

Hey jbernie - I am a fellow Aussie in Denver. Any idea where we can watch the final?