And it’s a tie! What a match - and what a nail-biting last couple of overs.
With about 40 overs left, I thought it was England’s for the taking. Then Khan did his damage and I thought India had it. What a match.
India ain’t gonna win this title unless they can put some bite into their attack. Failing to defend 338, sorry thats not good enough, against what is a fairly pedestrian ODI lineup when compared with Oz or Lanka.
What a match!
Having said that, even though I’m English, I feel India were cheated out of a win by the umpires.
I’ve looked at the replay of the last ball of India’s innings, and both batsmen did have their bats grounded beyond the line - a short run should not have been called and India’s 339th run should not have been taken off the board.
Also, how did Ian Bell survive that LBW review? Everything pointed to him being given out - except for Hawk-eye showing that he was more than 2.5m down the pitch when the ball hit him (this is the maximum distance over which Hawk-eye’s tracking is considered reliable). However, it’s not like the ball was projected to just brush the outside of the stumps (if it was, then Hawk-eye’s margin of error over that distance would be a legitimate concern) - it was going on to hit middle stump near the bottom. Hawk-eye’s projection didn’t even need to be very accurate to show that the ball would have hit the stumps. I’ve seen umpires ignore Hawk-eye’s “more than 2.5m” message in the past when the correct decision was obvious, so why not today?
We all know how seriously Indians take their cricket and I couldn’t have been the only one to notice these mistakes - it wouldn’t surprise me if effigies of the umpires are burnt on the streets of Bangalore tonight.
Yes, it appears I was a little pessimistic, with hindsight (as an England fan, how can you be anything else?!). It was nice to send out a message to everyone that you can’t write England off yet. However, I don’t think we have a chance of winning a World Cup on the subcontinent, given that our main strength relative to other sides is (and probably always will be) in swing bowling.
^
That is whats going to help you do well. You win titles thanks to good bowling not good batting and in the sub continent the ability to make the ball misbehave is vital. Australia in 1987 and Sri Lanka in 1996 both had this quality (Murli and Vaas) as did Australia last three times, WI in 1975 and 1979 and Pakistan in 1992.
Yes, but our “strike” bowler is Anderson and he does not appear to be either very consistent, or good at making the ball “misbehave” on these flat pitches. That is why I don’t see them as serious contenders. But who knows? No-one seriously thought they would win the 20-20 either.
Well the flogging of the minor nations continues, with Sri Lanka and the West Indies destroying Kenya and the Netherlands. Perhaps Ireland can give England a bit of a fright tonight…
Kevin O’Brien for Ireland has just smashed the quickest 100 in World Cup history - off just 50 balls. It’s the 6th quickest of all time. Ireland are in touching distance of beating England as a result - needing 53 from 48 balls with 4 wickets in hand.
O’Brien is still at the crease and has larruped 6 sixes and 13 fours.
Re: AK84’s comment at #26 - I’m not so sure about England’s bowling at all. I cannot see England winning this tournament with the current side. Don’t bat deep enough, don’t bowl well enough, fielding has been terrible (several drops in this game alone).
Watching the internet scoreboard on my computer between my fingers…
Barring a miracle piece of death bowling, Ireland are going to do this - 20 needed off the last 3 overs.
And it’s done, with a four off the first ball of the last over.
England lose by 3 wickets. Well done Ireland - and especially Kevin O’Brien. Huge, huge knock.
So much for my thought that this would be dull until the quarter final stages. England probably need to win their remaining games to stay in this tournament, so the pressure is right on now.
Note to England, take care of Andy Flower. Losing to Irish in the World Cup to a coach is very dangerous. Take it from someone who knows.
Fucking hell - how can we go from a brilliant tie with India to that shambles? Oh yes, because we have no-one (other than, perhaps, Swann) who can bowl consistently enough to pressure batsmen into giving up their wickets.
However, I think we can still put this down to complacency - at least it means that either we will up our game considerably and become a real threat, or (more likely I feel) just lose all the belief that was gained in the India game (and more) and go out meekly.
One of the great world cup innings by Kevin O’Brien. Congratulations Ireland.
Wow, Ireland gave England more than a fright! What a result for the minnows.
Very true, although Flower looks to be in better health than Bob Woolmer was (if you believe Woolmer died of natural causes that is).
And Pakistan get skittled out for less then 200 against Canada.
Do I smell betting scandal? 4 for 3 including a leg bye off the last 14 balls with 7 overs to go.
You smell stupid shots.
Well, Afridi seems to have pretty well wrecked Canada.