*Official Match #13 - England v Afghanistan 15th October.

[Owzat]

Why on earth are we bowling first?

probably worried the batting order might be a bit thin lower down....? I think the "if in doubt.... *insert action*" applies here, they aren't sure so opt for what some might consider 'safety first'

personally I would be out there batting, try to post a big total and get those batsmen not in form into some

so far in this World Cup Ali has 11 runs, not picked but could have been to find form, Brook 45, Livingstone 20, Curran and Woakes 25 apiece. Obviously most are playing, but may not get to bat if England manage to bowl Afghans out cheaply and/or top order that are in some kind of form continue it

also an opportunity missed to tinker with the balance of the side, Brook, Livingstone, Curran, Woakes, Rashid and Topley managed 63 runs vs Bangladesh, England had plenty on the board but against better sides may not have that luxury. In the opener the 7-11 of Livingstone, Curran, Woakes, Rashid and Wood managed 73 runs, England needed more although I would say the lacking contributions collectively of the 1-5 (160 runs) were more damaging, and the bowling rather limp but if the bowling is what they are mainly in for they can't do poorly in that and not bat a bit

 

[wpdavid]

The bowling is definitely the weaker part of the make-up.

Woakes certainly is. Topley may be offended by that though.

 

[number11]

Woakes is bowling dross FFS.

 

[Owzat]

Good couple of overs from Topley.

Let's hope Woakes has a better over.

wide he do it?

would maybe have been bowling to a target of 350+ had England batted, think if the Afghans are/were going to win this it would be more likely batting 1st than 2nd although most sides nervous of being bowled out for a low or modest total opt to chase

 

[MW1304]

Woakes continuing as he's started the tournament here. The contrast between him and Topley is stark. Willey would be a big step up with the new ball atm.

 

[Ashes81]

This is pretty poor from Woakes - not a good start from him and not for the 1st time in this WC.

 

[mackembhoy]

This is bat first, Jos is an idiot.

 

[wpdavid]

Woakes continuing as he's started the tournament here. The contrast between him and Topley is stark. Willey would be a big step up with the new ball atm.

It's probably heading that way, although three left-armers feels like overkill. Curran actually started well with the new ball against NZ, although he was expensive later. Perhaps he should be opening with Topley, and Atkinson comes in to replace Woakes but bowl first change.

 

[Spark]

Would have been really nice if Woakes could have bowled like this in August...

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Great start by Afghanistan

 

[ashley bach]

This is some serious class batting from Afghanistan.

 

[Owzat]

The bowling is definitely the weaker part of the make-up.

although hand in hand with that England are carrying five bowlers of whom Curran and Woakes can bat, but more bowling all-rounders who are capable of scoring runs but in ODIs wouldn't count on it, so the presence of so many of them weakens the balance/batting

188/4 off 33.1 overs vs New Zealand, added 94/5 off last 16.5 overs which may not seem terrible but had Livingstone or any stuck in there may well have squeezed a few more out, and only 4 fours and a six from batsmen 7-11, a four every 25 balls

296/2 off 39.3 overs vs Bangladesh, added 66/7 off the last 10.3 but that is a slower RR not faster over shorter space when you should be hammering home wickets in hand not losing them regularly

 

[Socerer 01]

although hand in hand with that England are carrying five bowlers of whom Curran and Woakes can bat, but more bowling all-rounders who are capable of scoring runs but in ODIs wouldn't count on it, so the presence of so many of them weakens the balance/batting

188/4 off 33.1 overs vs New Zealand, added 94/5 off last 16.5 overs which may not seem terrible but had Livingstone or any stuck in there may well have squeezed a few more out, and only 4 fours and a six from batsmen 7-11, a four every 25 balls

296/2 off 39.3 overs vs Bangladesh, added 66/7 off the last 10.3 but that is a slower RR not faster over shorter space when you should be hammering home wickets in hand not losing them regularly

bro didnt you do the same **** in 2019 and won the superover at the end

 

[Owzat]

This is some serious class batting from Afghanistan.

They suffer, like most Test and ODI nations, from a lack of depth across the board, having a good bowler or two, and 2-3 good batsmen isn't enough against the better sides. Even with a worldie in either discipline you are going to struggle

I wonder if England aren't getting the balance all wrong, for so many bowlers and not a lot of batting lower down, not for this format, you'd want top bowlers and not enough of the England bowlers fire often enough to be called that

I think England will pull it back, but not convinced they will when facing better batting sides, the difference between New Zealand and Bangladesh (and Afghanistan)

 

[BazBall21]

An ageing Woakes and Sam Curran in the same attack just doesn't do it for me. Miss Jofra too.

 

[Aidan11]

Are we doing this on purpose so that we can challenge ourselves to chase a huge total?

Or are they doing it just to p*** me off?

 

[GIMH]

Gurbaz finding gaps everywhere. Looks sublime

 

[ashley bach]

They suffer, like most Test and ODI nations, from a lack of depth across the board, having a good bowler or two, and 2-3 good batsmen isn't enough against the better sides. Even with a worldie in either discipline you are going to struggle

I wonder if England aren't getting the balance all wrong, for so many bowlers and not a lot of batting lower down, not for this format, you'd want top bowlers and not enough of the England bowlers fire often enough to be called that

I think England will pull it back, but not convinced they will when facing better batting sides, the difference between New Zealand and Bangladesh (and Afghanistan)

I'm sure England will pull it back as you say, as usual a wicket or two often changes the pace of the game.
England's team is a powerhouse lineup, but if anything their big problem could be that they're a class bowler or two short.

 

[ashley bach]

Wow!

 

[wpdavid]

This is some serious class batting from Afghanistan.

They're way too good for England's bowlers, that's for sure. Woakes and Curran look completely out of their depth against these guys.