28 Mar 07
I see Australia have been at it again in today's game, amassing 330+ runs against the West Indies. On'y rain can save the Windies now, I would think - not out of the question considering the game is already going into the reserve day. It's starting to seem like your bowlers have done a good job if you manage to restrict Australia to 280-290...
28 Mar 07
Originally posted by B MoneyThey have some great batsmen all right - the Kiwis showed recently that big scores are eminently gettable, though ...
I see Australia have been at it again in today's game, amassing 330+ runs against the West Indies. On'y rain can save the Windies now, I would think - not out of the question considering the game is already going into the reserve day. It's starting to seem like your bowlers have done a good job if you manage to restrict Australia to 280-290...
28 Mar 07
Originally posted by B MoneyI give the Windies a fighting chance still in this game. Sure the Aussies have great batsmen but their bowlers leave a lot to be desired.
I see Australia have been at it again in today's game, amassing 330+ runs against the West Indies. On'y rain can save the Windies now, I would think - not out of the question considering the game is already going into the reserve day. It's starting to seem like your bowlers have done a good job if you manage to restrict Australia to 280-290...
All they need is a big innings from someone like Chris Gayle or Brian Lara and they'll get there.
And just for the record, I think Sri Lanka will win the tournament.
28 Mar 07
Originally posted by CritaIt is tough to say that Sri Lanka will win. Australia still have a team, and Tait is doing quite well.
I give the Windies a fighting chance still in this game. Sure the Aussies have great batsmen but their bowlers leave a lot to be desired.
All they need is a big innings from someone like Chris Gayle or Brian Lara and they'll get there.
And just for the record, I think Sri Lanka will win the tournament.
Sri Lanka, now in past history of the games played, when Jayasuria gets a low score; the team has then lost. They are too dependent on Sanath. Yeah, I know that sometimes they can pull out a victory, but if Jayasuria doesn't perform good in the knock-out stages then it spells trouble.
Also, Sri Lanka don't have the team that won them the world cup in 95/96, incased in the top-middle order were fine batsmen, and the best Sri Lanka has produced, such as, De Silva(Best Batsmen ever produced by Sri Lanka), Ranatunga(Excellent captain), Gurusinha(Showed how he could hit Warne), Mahanama, and many more back then.
I just have a feeling that they do not have the same side as back then. Bowling side of things is perfect; batting is average.
28 Mar 07
1 edit
Originally posted by CritaSri Lanka getting a lesson from SA this morning who are cruising to victory
I give the Windies a fighting chance still in this game. Sure the Aussies have great batsmen but their bowlers leave a lot to be desired.
All they need is a big innings from someone like Chris Gayle or Brian Lara and they'll get there.
And just for the record, I think Sri Lanka will win the tournament.
Aus smashed WI
29 Mar 07
Originally posted by Tirau DanIn the end South Africa only just made it in this game... They were crusing at 200 odd for 5, and then lost 4 wickets in 4 balls to Malinga! Unbelievable! I still think South Africa has got that reputation as chokers... As I predicted, West Indies got a pasting from Australia, despite Brian Lara getting 77.
Sri Lanka getting a lesson from SA this morning who are cruising to victory
Aus smashed WI
Talking about Sri Lanka and that great team that one the World Cup last time, one thing the current team is far superior in is fielding, and running between the wickets! I mean, Ranatunga, Gurusinha, De Silva, they were all great batsmen, but none of them were th fittest of guys!
29 Mar 07
Originally posted by B MoneyThe best thing about Sri Lanka was rolling those names off the tongue.. I loved listening to Dear Old Henry Blofeld commenting on the 25 years ago.. some are still in the team today amazing.
In the end South Africa only just made it in this game... They were crusing at 200 odd for 5, and then lost 4 wickets in 4 balls to Malinga! Unbelievable! I still think South Africa has got that reputation as chokers... As I predicted, West Indies got a pasting from Australia, despite Brian Lara getting 77.
Talking about Sri Lanka and that great team that ...[text shortened]... nga, Gurusinha, De Silva, they were all great batsmen, but none of them were th fittest of guys!
29 Mar 07
New Zealand won again today against the West Indies - YAY! This now leaves us and Australia as the only unbeaten teams at this point in the competition. I have to say that, barring Ireland and *possibly* Bangladesh, West Indies has looked like the weakest team in the Super Eights to me. I reckon it will be a miracle if they make it to the semifinals, home ground advantage notwithstanding.
30 Mar 07
1 edit
Originally posted by B MoneyYeah, couple heavy weights in that team back then. LOL.
In the end South Africa only just made it in this game... They were crusing at 200 odd for 5, and then lost 4 wickets in 4 balls to Malinga! Unbelievable! I still think South Africa has got that reputation as chokers... As I predicted, West Indies got a pasting from Australia, despite Brian Lara getting 77.
Talking about Sri Lanka and that great team that ...[text shortened]... nga, Gurusinha, De Silva, they were all great batsmen, but none of them were th fittest of guys!
Malinga could have gotten a 5 wicket bag. :X
30 Mar 07
Originally posted by B MoneyWooooo Hoooo.. by 7 wickets.
New Zealand won again today against the West Indies - YAY! This now leaves us and Australia as the only unbeaten teams at this point in the competition. I have to say that, barring Ireland and *possibly* Bangladesh, West Indies has looked like the weakest team in the Super Eights to me. I reckon it will be a miracle if they make it to the semifinals, home ground advantage notwithstanding.
Just watched highlights at the pub..
Very tidy result.
West Indies
C Gayle b Oram 44
S Chanderpaul c Styris b Bond 4
R Sarwan c McCullum b Oram 19
M Samuels c McCullum b Oram 9
B Lara c McCullum b Styris 37
D Bravo c McCullum b Bond 18
D Ramdin c Oram b Vettori 15
L Simmonds not out 14
D Smith b Vettori 8
D Powell lbw b Vettori 0
C Collymore b Bond 0
Extras (1b, 5lb, 3w) 9
Total (all out, 44.4 overs) 177
Fall: 14 (Chanderpaul), 66 (Sarwan), 78 (Samuels), 81 (Gayle), 128 (Bravo), 150 (Lara), 156 (Ramdin), 176 (Smith), 176 (Powell), 177 (Collymore)
Bowling: M Mason 6-2-14-0 (1w), S Bond 8.4-0-31-3 (2w), J Franklin 3-0-29-0, J Oram 8-2-23-3, S Styris 10-1-35-1, D Vettori 9-1-39-3.
New Zealand
P Fulton b Powell 0
S Fleming run out (Lara) 45
H Marshall c Lara b Powell 15
S Styris not out 80
C McMillan not out 33
Extras (1lb, 3w, 2nb) 6
Total: (for 3 wkts, 39.2 overs) 179
Fall: 0 (Fulton), 36 (Marshall), 77 (Fleming)
Bowling: D Powell 10-2-39-2 (2nb, 1w), D Smith 5-0-24-0 (1w), C Collymore 9-0-43-0, D Bravo 8-0-32-0, C Gayle 6.2-0-35-0 (1w), R Sarwan 1-0-5-0.
Result: New Zealand won by seven wickets
Brendan McCullum pulled off one of the best catches behind the stumps seen in many years.. and could easily have been given man of the match but the honour went to Player of the Match: Scott Styris 1-35 80no
Check out the reuters photo McCullums catch of the year
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10431634
30 Mar 07
Originally posted by invigorateYou mean Kallis... That game was much closer than it should've been.
SA won yesterday by fielding better Sri Lanka. If Jayawardne had caught Smithy it may have been different.
Murali, Vaas and Malinga look to be good bowlers on these wickets. But basically the Super 8 wickets are good battings tracks.
Should be a good game today.
AGAIN Shaun Pollock almost buggered up our chances!
Sri Lanka were lucky to have gotten that close. They don't have a chance this WC if they're going to only rely on Jayasuria getting a 100 off 40 balls and Murali getting 10 wickets. You need more than 2 players to actually PLAY cricket if you want to win some games.
31 Mar 07
Originally posted by CrowleyIt might be time now to look at who's likely to make the last four:
You mean Kallis... That game was much closer than it should've been.
AGAIN Shaun Pollock almost buggered up our chances!
Sri Lanka were lucky to have gotten that close. They don't have a chance this WC if they're going to only rely on Jayasuria getting a 100 off 40 balls and Murali getting 10 wickets. You need more than 2 players to actually PLAY cricket if you want to win some games.
Aus - Definitely. But what happens when Hayden doesn't make runs? Bowling is not great and leaks lots of runs.
NZ - Just looking a good, strong unit unit with no real weaknesses.
Thereafter, no team stands out (and I speak as a SA supporter). Sri Lanka, England, West Indies and SA are the contenders while the no-hopers are Bangladesh and Ireland.
The West Indies' batting line-up hasn't fired and been downright brittle, while their bowling lacks depth and penetration, so I would rule them out. Sri Lanka - you can't count them out yet, so they're in with a chance. England? I think not - they sure made hard work in disposing of Ireland.
SA started confidently against Aus and the little things turned the match - a dropped catch (Gibbs again!), a brilliant runout and cramps. That's cricket and sometimes I wish it weren't a funny old game. But they looked tentative against Sri Lanka and nearly lost it. Pollock I thought would be one of the standout bowlers but he's got no movement off the pitch and been pasted.
SO, my prediction is that Aus and NZ will head the final group with SR and SA following up. Either NZ or Aus will definitely be in the final - perhaps both.
Howzat?