41st Match - England v New Zealand

[vcs]

Love me a good Trent Boult forward defence.

 

[wrongun]

So the semi final lineups are like to be

Oz vs NZ
Eng vs Ind

Correct?

Sure hope so! Should ensure Aus gets into the finals.

 

[Neil Young]

Southee doesn't bat this sensibly when there's a test match on the line.

 

[vcs]

And now he smacks Rashid for 4! Hero

 

[vcs]

Ah crap, was looking good for a 50 there.

 

[Moss]

From Wellington 2015 to this? I blame Mccullum and Southee for showing England the way.

More seriously, assuming NZ are in the semis my only wish now is that they play with a little more spark. Been utterly joyless cricket from them for 2.5 games now.

 

[Larwood's_boots]

Sure hope so! Should ensure Aus gets into the finals.

Having been crap for a couple of years (during which they had no meaningful games with England) they’re going to win it all and then be full of confidence for the ashes aren’t they...

I feel physically sick ???

 

[Anil]

looks like it will be aus vs eng in the finals...maybe this is the year england finally do it!

 

[rythy]

Well done England. Now SA do your job and thrash Aussies. Looking forward to India NZ semis.

 

[MW1304]

Thank balls.

 

[OverratedSanity]

England deserve loads of credit for winning two basically must win games so convincingly. Chasing does seem inordinately difficult for some reason though.

 

[Moss]

Congrats England on making the semis for the first time since 1992! Been some terrible times for them in limited overs cricket in that time, but never felt they were so bad ss to warrant that record.

 

[Spintolose]

In the end the Kiwis scrape through largely because of their rained off game v India.

 

[trundler]

It's been a great turnaround from England. Now gimme a lollapse in the semis.

 

[Moss]

In the end the Kiwis scrape through largely because of their rained off game v India.

You could argue that they were helped by a lot of 50-50 moments - a missed run out against Bangladesh, Tahir not reviewing a KW caught behind, Braithwaite's attempted winning hit not coming off etc. Having said that they played good enough cricket in each of those to win, so they probably don't deserve a semifinal spot less than say Pakistan or the Windies.

However their refusal to tinker with the playing XI has somewhat predictably blown up in their face these last 3 games. They're still a very capable side when they get it together, hope they recover for the semis as I sure don't want to see any one sided games in the knockouts.

 

[Niall]

Not sure what NZ can do to improve in the knock outs. Nicholls, Munro and Guptil the three openers horribly out of form. I'd be tempted to have Latham open, but the guy finally scored some runs in the middle order so not sure that's the solution. Would Blundell make a big difference?

Bowling wise to reliant on Lockie and Boult also.

 

[wrongun]

Not sure what NZ can do to improve in the knock outs. Nicholls, Munro and Guptil the three openers horribly out of form. I'd be tempted to have Latham open, but the guy finally scored some runs in the middle order so not sure that's the solution. Would Blundell make a big difference?

Bowling wise to reliant on Lockie and Boult also.

I don't see them winning a game unless their bowlers do it for them.

 

[Niall]

I don't see them winning a game unless their bowlers do it for them.

Yeah its a huge ask for the weakest of the four semi finalists to win a world cup no matter how gun their elite players are.

Genuinely can't remember a world cup in soccer/rugby/sport where what would like the weakest side in the last 4 somehow won it.

 

[Larwood's_boots]

So just checked and there’s rain forecast for both next Thursday and Friday in Birmingham- my understanding is that if they can’t play either on the match day or reserve day the higher placed team will instantly qualify ?

 

[harsh.ag]

So just checked and there’s rain forecast for both next Thursday and Friday in Birmingham- my understanding is that if they can’t play either on the match day or reserve day the higher placed team will instantly qualify 

WIll be amazing if that happens