*Official* Opening Match- England v New Zealand- October 5th, Ahmedabad

[The Hutt Rec]

Dharmasena doesn't get them wrong

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Looks like a different pitch

 

[Daemon]

Dharmasena will make 4 shockers this game to make up for that 1 right decision

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Batting deep is good for batting first though.

Very good for chasing too.
With an injured bowling attack it is better to chase than defend.

 

[The Sean]

What a contrast in overs!

 

[The Hutt Rec]

They started selling out tickets just before 40 days. What a farce.

Good point, I was planning on heading over for some games, but the fact they were still messing around with the schedule a month before made it impossible.

I don't think there'll be many international tours going on, flights are too expensive at that late notice.

 

[Bahnz]

Official attendance is 40,138, of which 40,000 were complimentary tickets.

Yeah.

 

[Athlai]

A rematch between the finalists at the last WC, opening game....and nobody except a few NZ and England fans and the groundsmans family show up.

Dreadfully embarrassing stuff, obviously tickets are way, way overpriced - or more likely 'cricket' as we know it is dead in India, and only T20 and India matches will draw anyone. When people said - and still say - that T20 will kill cricket this was exactly what they meant. Which is a tragedy because India was known for it's passion for cricket. T20 may be something that grew out of cricket but it isn't the genuinely fair contest between bat and ball that authentic cricket should be.

Storm cloud is here

 

[BazBall21]

Very good for chasing too.
With an injured bowling attack it is better to chase than defend.

We'll see what happens. I'd have batted first tbh.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Dharmasena will make 4 shockers this game to make up for that 1 right decision

Convinced he got it right by accident. Probably thought he hit it

 

[The Sean]

I've got the tv on mute while I work, but it'd be interesting to know if they make any mention of the (lack of) crowd on commentary.

 

[Molehill]

Such a shame that it’s a neutral game picked first for this massive stadium- premier tournament of the sport and it’s practically empty.

Anyone know what the ticket pricing was like locally?

Neutral game, but a repeat of the last Final. It ought to have got a decent turnout.

Shifting teams around for every game doesn't exactly make it easy for travelling fans to watch either.

 

[Athlai]

Bigger crowd than the G20 tho

 

[RightArmMystery]

Been impressed with Henry whenever I've seen him this year. Was so good in the Blast, tough to get away, will get movement if it's there and takes wickets. Quality bowler.

 

[thierry henry]

Boult was getting exaggerated swing in the warm ups but nothing so far. Pace on the radar (faked) is ok but looks floaty.

 

[straw man]

Neesham deservedly earning a spot after 15 ODIs since the last World Cup, 17 with the bat 55 with the ball

"Big Match Player"

 

[ataraxia]

"Big Match Player"

Playing for his Super Over experience IMO

 

[Moss]

Been impressed with Henry whenever I've seen him this year. Was so good in the Blast, tough to get away, will get movement if it's there and takes wickets. Quality bowler.

Yeah he definitely looked the most threatening bowler in the warmups. Lot depends on him and Boult in this world cup, and how the captain uses them.

 

[Molehill]

I've got the tv on mute while I work, but it'd be interesting to know if they make any mention of the (lack of) crowd on commentary.

I had just been in the car and they were all over it on the radio (Aggers and Smithy).

 

[Tom Flint]

What language is the kiwi anthem in?