Cricket World Cup

[Come On You Irons]

"Starts on 5 October. Hopefully England can successfully defend the trophy, but it will be tough in Indian conditions. If England fall short, anyone but India or Australia please. I do fear India will 'find a way' to win their home World Cup though, given it's in their backyard and they effectively control the ICC these days."

[Come On You Irons]

"Sadly, I agree that ODI's will be the first to go from the international calendar. To be honest, since T20 cricket arose ODI cricket has always been for the chop eventually as international cricket simply can't accommodate three different formats. It's a shame, as T20 cricket is largely a lottery whereas there is more ebb and flow in ODI cricket and the better players usually step up (like Mitchell, Bumrah and Shami today)."

[stewie griffin]

"Irrelevant format that no one really cares about, which is why we've played so little of it in the past 4 years and the domestic comp is a training ground for under 19 cricketers. Will be the first to go when the schedule becomes too much and when India aren't as good at it. Seem to be paying attention to data and analytics from wholly Irrelevant conditions at the end of the Indian summer rather than the beginning. Topley has been a pleasant surprise and until his injury yesterday had 8 wickets at 15s... subsequently got smashed but still has 8 at 22. The EXTRA PACE or X FACTOR of mark wood has yielded 4 wickets at 70. Bravo. Batting has been a shambles and selection probably even worse. Sacrilegious as it may be, stokes is part of the problem. Retired from this format, decides he'll come back for a world cup, gets injured, then everything gets shuffled to accommodate him. Bigger problem is the Australian plant as a coach. Bloke is a clown."

[Fauxstralian]

NZ putting India under pressure for the first time in the tournament Lovely ground at Dharamsala with the mountains and the beautiful old red grandstands. Though they can stick the VUVUZELA'S up their arse

[southbankbornnbred]

"England were never going to win a World Cup on sticky, sweaty and spinning wickets in India, btw. But there's a big difference between that and being THIS bad!"

[southbankbornnbred]

"In addition, England - and Buttler will have played some part in this - have gone to India, the land of spin, and generally played a World Cup attack full of bowlers who rely heavily on seam movement and skiddy greentops in England: Topley, Woakes, Willey etc. I can't help but think Mott and Buttler believed they were playing village cricket in Shropshire this autumn."

[southbankbornnbred]

"In addition, England - and Buttler will have played some part in this - have gone to India, the land of spin, and generally played a World Cup attack full of bowlers who rely heavily on seam movement and skiddy greentops in England: Topley, Woakes, Willey etc. I can't help but think Mott and Buttler believed they were playing village cricket in Shropshire this autumn."

[southbankbornnbred]

"Said it before and I'll sat it again - Buttler is a poor captain and an over-rated cricketer. Sure, he's a good ODI batsman on flat tracks when the seamless white ball barely moves. One-day pitches and balls are designed for runs - big hit sixes and fours. The cricketing authorities have decided that's what people want to see in ODI and T20. Fair enough, as makes for good viewing. So big walloping batsmen like Buttler benefit from the way the limited over game is set up now in most parts of the world. But when the ball seams, swings or spins, he's generally a bang average batsman - as his less-than-bang-average record at test level showed. And he's a poor cricket brain and leader. The guy's stolen a living smashing a seamless ball long distances on flat ODI tracks. Good luck to him, he's made a lot of money from SmashBash or whatever the fuck it's called these days. But he shouldn't have been anywhere near the captaincy and his choices have been terrible."

[twoleftfeet]

“ it was a mistake to put them in “ You mean the same mistake you also made against Afghanistan?

[Vexed]

Topley is a whining fucking gangly mulleted choker. Cant fucking stand the prick.

[El Scorchio]

It's insane how bad England have actually been at this tournament. The bowling in particular has been absolutely dire.

[Fauxstralian]

"On a stinking hot humid day I'd bat first every time. The dew factor is big in the IPL in April but not so much in October. Bat first , set a score and squeeze the opponents bowling once the sun goes down. Simples. I know he won the t20 World Cup but surely England can find an Englishman to coach them rather than Agent Mott the former Australian LADIES coach"

[LeroysBoots]

"Butler said it was a mistake to put them in, you could not make it up"

[Come On You Irons]

Beyond pathetic. We are playing and getting whooped like an associate minnow rather than the reigning worls champions. Buttler needs to fall on his sword after this.

[LeroysBoots]

"Fuck me, bleeding hopeless"

[zebthecat]

Two more wickets and South Africa are into the tail.

[LeroysBoots]

"What idiots selected this squad,? Injury prone Topley, Woakes can't play on the sub continent, repeated non section of Ali Horlicks of a selection policy"

[twoleftfeet]

"England won’t get more than 250 I expect Buttler, Root, Bairstow and Stokes to retire from white ball cricket. Been an utter disaster from game 1."

[Iron Duke]

Oh well. At least England have got the Rugby to look forward too ?üôÑ

[onsideman]

Just when you think England can't get any more shambolic. Fucking hopeless

[twoleftfeet]

"I know, let‚Äôs go to India and play 4 seamers and one spinner ?üëç"

[zebthecat]

Our tail looks worryingly long and Ben Stokes hasn't batted in a match for ages. If South Africa make any sort of a score this could be a car crash.

[Fauxstralian]

Did I read that every team that has won the toss and bowled expecting it to be easier to bat second with the dew has LOST? You'd imagine England's strength would be batting first and posting a big score that puts scoreboard pressure on the chasers. Might be that that NZ game where the Kiwis smashed them around under lights has SPOOKED them

[twoleftfeet]

This is embarrassing. Why does Buttler keep fielding first? Englands bowlers are fucking shit and no Moeen? Few retirements at the end of this tournament I hope.

[Fauxstralian]

Great start by England getting DE KOCK second ball and Topley & Willey keeping it tight Then Topley injured a finger nail (presumably in the dressing room getting the last rites) and Willey kept on for 2 overs too many. Rashid on and off presumably with the SHITS on a humid day. Still no Moeen Ali in the team for some reason

[twoleftfeet]

"Fuck me England are dreadful. Should be coming home soon though. This female commentator is driving me mad to, loves the sound of her own voice."