Super Eight

[Richard]

As you seem to be alluding to - it's that little thing called coincidence.

 

[shortpitched713]

Pietersen's such a rubbish player, like Tendulkar for India, hes the reason that England have ever lost a ODI match that hes been in.

 

[Jono]

Why does the guys leading cricket.com.au WC Dream Team have Michael Vaughan in his team? Probably on his bench, but still... it makes no sense!

 

[Richard]

Why does the guys leading cricket.com.au WC Dream Team have Michael Vaughan in his team? Probably on his bench, but still... it makes no sense!

You're a poet and you just don't know it...

 

[Richard]

Pietersen's such a rubbish player, like Tendulkar for India, hes the reason that England have ever lost a ODI match that hes been in.

Nonsense, Pietersen is no choker - that's completely and totally reserved for South Africans and Tendulkar.

Oh, wait...

 

[TT Boy]

Heart breaking game, who would have thought Nixon would play an innings like that? And Ravi showed that he could do with a promotion, looks like an intelligent cricketer. Well considerably more intelligent than Andrew Flintoff who undone all his great work with the ball by playing an absolutely ridiculously shot, complete and utter idiot. However, good win by Sri Lanka and my man Fernando kept his cool and delivered when it mattered.

Nothing more than a victory against Australia and I think it is far to say that will be are lot unless Bangladesh or the weather stops South Africa.

 

[simmy]

It was simply the most enthralling game I can remember watching since the Ashes Edgbaston test match. I really felt for Bopara, poor guy... all that effort and nothing to show for it.

SL look good to make semi-finals which is richly deserved whilst England can at least draw upon a lot of positives. Bopara should be batting above Flintoff from now on and Joyce should make way for Strauss.

Sunday is crucial but honestly... we have no chance. Hayden will annihilate us!

 

[simmy]

You know.. when you really think about that innings by Bopara you appreciate how brilliant it was.

Considering the quality of bowlers, the run rate required, the pressure and the balls it took.

Wow...

 

[garage flower]

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

Time people stop bagging Nixon me thinks

Not sure - I'm far from convinced. Looks (almost) completely shotless. A bit of a one-trick pony like Mal Loye.

Both Bopara and Nixon seemed to be waiting too long to launch the assault, though I accept it's pretty harsh to criticise given how close they got. There was an over by Dilshan towards the end that really should have been attacked and he and Jayasuriya seemed to get off too lightly generally (not all down to Bopara/Nixon, I know).

 

[simmy]

Not sure - I'm far from convinced. Looks (almost) completely shotless. A bit of a one-trick pony like Mal Loye.

Both Bopara and Nixon seemed to be waiting too long to launch the assault, though I accept it's pretty harsh to criticise given how close they got. There was an over by Dilshan towards the end that really should have been attacked and he and Jayasuriya seemed to get off too lightly generally (not all down to Bopara/Nixon, I know).

Considering the situation they were put in by the top order.. you can't really criticize. If either one got out early it was game over!

 

[Richard]

Not sure - I'm far from convinced. Looks (almost) completely shotless. A bit of a one-trick pony like Mal Loye.

Both Bopara and Nixon seemed to be waiting too long to launch the assault, though I accept it's pretty harsh to criticise given how close they got. There was an over by Dilshan towards the end that really should have been attacked and he and Jayasuriya seemed to get off too lightly generally (not all down to Bopara/Nixon, I know).

Would you've said that if Bopara had connected with the last ball?

IMO the two of them played the situation impossibly well - with the sort of nous you almost never see. 99 times out of 100 if not more that sort of situation will result in panic and a near-hopeless situation turning into a completely hopeless one. That they got close was one of the true wonders of ODI cricket history IMO.

 

[garage flower]

Would you've said that if Bopara had connected with the last ball?

IMO the two of them played the situation impossibly well - with the sort of nous you almost never see. 99 times out of 100 if not more that sort of situation will result in panic and a near-hopeless situation turning into a completely hopeless one. That they got close was one of the true wonders of ODI cricket history IMO.

I appreciate I'm being harsh, but I think they waited a little too long and left themselves a bit too much to do. When they came together - albeit under enormous pressue and up against (mostly) world class bowlers - the asking rate was only about 6. I think they could have done a bit more a bit earlier and then perhaps Ravi wouldn't have had to try and launch that last delivery. In Nixon's case though, I think it's more about a lack of ability than a lack of intent.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

.............so basically AUS, NZL, SRL, RSA are all throught to he semi's now, well, the Super 8's and over but ENG or WI have a lot of work ahead of them.

Looking like a two-horse race between NZL and AUS. But i suppose SRL and RSA are bot capable of going through unbeaten from now on.

 

[pup11]

What a feeling for England close but no cigar, Nixon and Bopara tried their best but still it wasn't enough, but still i think this was a game England should have won.

 

[Laurrz]

SL Bowling unit looks really really good

batting looks safe, but not dangerous when Sanath departs

 

[garage flower]

SL Bowling unit looks really really good

batting looks safe, but not dangerous when Sanath departs

Think that sums them up very succinctly. Very good in the field too - especially Dilshan.

 

[Jono]

Not sure - I'm far from convinced. Looks (almost) completely shotless. A bit of a one-trick pony like Mal Loye.

There's plenty of one-trick ponies in ODI cricket that receive less ridicule than Nixon. Fair enough they don't have an ugly skull and chat constantly for 50 overs, but Nixon is more than a useful cricketer.

 

[Burgey]

Agree with Jono re. Nixon here. His knock this morning under pressure was pretty impressive for a bloke who, despite his age, is relatively inexperienced at the top level. The reverse swept six is one of the more remarkable shots I've seen in a while.

Sri Lanka look the goods atm. Can't wait for SLv Australia to see how the two bowling sides in particular stack up. Ponting & Hayden will be vital if they are still in when Murali comes onk, but I can see Malinga really troubling Hayden if the ball swings early. If Watson is still not fit when these two play, Australia will face a real dilemma re. selections imo, given Sri Lanka's powerful middle order will be facing a lot of part time stuff, unless they play the extra quick.

 

[Laurrz]

"Australia will face a real dilemma re. selections imo, given Sri Lanka's powerful middle order will be facing a lot of part time stuff, unless they play the extra quick."

hmm interesting point

i have faith in Symo (if he's fit) Clarke or Hodge

but yes Lankans are very good at playing these sort of part time spin bowlers and they are very good at milking singles and 2s

 

[pup11]

Do you guys think England have any realistic chance of making it through to the semi-finals now??