Super Eight

[Scaly piscine]

... which is why a few of us can't work out why he's rated above Ponting, whatever the stats might tell us.

But no, we're not perfectly capable of winning 3 out of 4 when we're reliant on 3 batsmen.

What like in the CB Series you mean? The odds are obviously against England, but to say England aren't capable of it is ridiculous. Are most of the other teams not capable of winning the World Cup because they can't win 2 out of 2? Even NZ have a small chance of pulling that off.

It'll take someone like KP or Colly going on a great run, but it is possible in cricket.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I'd say we could scrape into the semis with the big guns firing, but anything further, just no.

Once there it's one-off.

Say if South Africa lose to New Zealand. Then they'll go into the England match with a 4-2 record and not very good run rate (assuming they don't thrash Bangladesh, a nice little bit of rain and Kallis batting would do nicely). England will have 2-3, assuming they beat Bangladesh. So if England beat South Africa it's 3-3 v 4-3 and England know what they have to beat West Indies by to qualify. (Of course, with Bell/Joyce/Vaughan in the top order, chasing anything in 41 overs or so, say, would be a hassle.)

Still, it's not a totally far-fetched scenario.

(or a repeat of the recent clashes between England and Australia, of course. )

 

[Goughy]

Well played Sri Lanka in what was (apart from the last 5 overs) a very ordinary game.

Disappointing from an England perspective and even if they started too slowly, Nixon and Bopara did a good job.

Just a shame Bopara missed a juicy length ball at the end.

MOM to the Engalnd supporters who created a jubilant and vocal atmosphere.

 

[Zinzan]

What like in the CB Series you mean? The odds are obviously against England, but to say England aren't capable of it is ridiculous. Are most of the other teams not capable of winning the World Cup because they can't win 2 out of 2? Even NZ have a small chance of pulling that off.

The difference is that like the chappell-hadlee series, the CB series was pretty much a meaningless tournament this year given it was played just a month or 2 before the W.Cup. Clearly all focus has been on trying things for this tournament.

 

[Majin]

God damn, I've seriously got to stop turning the cricket off to go and do something else.

 

[Dick Rockett]

Are most of the other teams not capable of winning the World Cup because they can't win 2 out of 2? Even NZ have a small chance of pulling that off.

Hahahahaha, idiot.

 

[Jono]

Argh, fell asleep again. Sounds like an absolute ripper of a match!

Time people stop bagging Nixon me thinks

 

[Richard]

Hahahahaha, idiot.

Had to at that, TBH.

I might get into trouble for it, but it was so, so deserved.

 

[pasag]

Can't believe I fell asleep ffs.

 

[mikeW]

Hopes ready to replace Watson

Cricinfo staff

April 5, 2007



James Hopes is waiting for news on his state team-mate © Getty Images



The allrounder James Hopes has been placed on standby for his injured Queensland team-mate Shane Watson, who is battling a left calf strain. Watson was hurt bowling against Bangladesh on Saturday and is waiting for a review from the physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, confirmed Hopes as a shadow player, but he felt Watson would regain his fitness before the end of the tournament. "The intention and the expectation is that Shane will recover and play a vital part in the World Cup," Hilditch said.

The announcement is a blow for Cameron White, the Victoria allrounder who played during the CB Series, although Brad Hogg's strong form has negated the need for another slow bowler. Hopes, 28, is a similar player to Watson and has appeared in nine one-day internationals. He has scored 84 runs at an average of 28 and taken four wickets at 67.25.

Watson's aggressive middle-order batting - he has scored 77 runs at more than one-and-a-half runs a ball during the World Cup - and his containing bowling have made him a valued member of the side. Brad Hodge, who scored a century against The Netherlands in his last game, is likely to replace Watson for Sunday's match with England.

 

[Jono]

Oh, and do England ever win ODIs against test nations with Pietersen in the team?

They won a few all summer without him, now he's back and they're losing.

Obviously I am making no point at all here, but still its interesting.

 

[Prince EWS]

Hopes ready to replace Watson

Cricinfo staff

April 5, 2007



James Hopes is waiting for news on his state team-mate © Getty Images



The allrounder James Hopes has been placed on standby for his injured Queensland team-mate Shane Watson, who is battling a left calf strain. Watson was hurt bowling against Bangladesh on Saturday and is waiting for a review from the physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, confirmed Hopes as a shadow player, but he felt Watson would regain his fitness before the end of the tournament. "The intention and the expectation is that Shane will recover and play a vital part in the World Cup," Hilditch said.

The announcement is a blow for Cameron White, the Victoria allrounder who played during the CB Series, although Brad Hogg's strong form has negated the need for another slow bowler. Hopes, 28, is a similar player to Watson and has appeared in nine one-day internationals. He has scored 84 runs at an average of 28 and taken four wickets at 67.25.

Watson's aggressive middle-order batting - he has scored 77 runs at more than one-and-a-half runs a ball during the World Cup - and his containing bowling have made him a valued member of the side. Brad Hodge, who scored a century against The Netherlands in his last game, is likely to replace Watson for Sunday's match with England.

Haha, knew this several days ago. Wonder why it took cricinfo so long to get an article up on it.

Anyway, good choice IMO.

 

[Richard]

Oh, and do England ever win ODIs against test nations with Pietersen in the team?

And he often plays a big part when we do too.

Seriously, we lose without him, we lose with him. Then occasionally, we win.

 

[mikeW]

Haha, knew this several days ago. Wonder why it took cricinfo so long to get an article up on it.

Anyway, good choice IMO.

Im not totally against it but it does seem weird he didn't at least play 1 or 2 matches this summer if they were thinking about taking him to the WC. No doubt he has had a great domestic season and deserves another chance but i think i'd rather take the punt on Watson getting fit.

 

[Prince EWS]

Richard posting in an official thread...

 

[Richard]

Yeah, just spotted that comment about E-ahem *a certain someone* and had to

 

[Prince EWS]

Im not totally against it but it does seem weird he didn't at least play 1 or 2 matches this summer if they were thinking about taking him to the WC. No doubt he has had a great domestic season and deserves another chance but i think i'd rather take the punt on Watson getting fit.

Yeah, I'm sure they will take that punt. Hopes is only on standby in case Watson gets ruled out totally.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah, just spotted that comment about E-ahem *a certain someone* and had to

But to do that, you would have had to actually open the thread to read it in the first place...

 

[Richard]

Oh, yeah, I just did that to read a few comments about the incredible game we've just seen.

 

[Jono]

And he often plays a big part when we do too.

Seriously, we lose without him, we lose with him. Then occasionally, we win.

Took the post too seriously Richard. There was no need to fetch scorecards, I quite obviously know the winning knocks he's hit.

I do find it extremely odd that England won various ODIs without KP during the Aus summer, when it was believed that they may not win one after losing him, and now they're losing with him there and in good form.