Print

[Marc28]

Yeah Ravi needs to realise the game situation more and look to adapt,
Watching the South Africa game Millar knows when to push and when to knock it around great knock

[ppccopener]

Paul Harris was given a role, which he did pretty well.

Bopara an all rounder? More like bits and pieces. Pick a proper batsman(Ballance seems to be flavour of the month these days)

Fine,but that's one less bowling option, we already can't defend 300,ramp it up to 350 plus each game with the bowlers we have that's a big ask from the batsmen even with bigger bats these days!

[Gerry SA]

Fine,but that's one less bowling option, we already can't defend 300,ramp it up to 350 plus each game with the bowlers we have that's a big ask from the batsmen even with bigger bats these days!

TBH if England can score 300+ then it takes pressure of their bowlers.

Look at India, a kingpin ODI side, bowling is crap but when their batsmen put up a big score they normally win.

[Marc28]

Watching the Aussie innings
We had no one in the middle overs to take the rate down
Also I watched broad get take apart for bowing length again
Sat watching the game now and yes it's the tail batting but the howling is very very good from the windies
Lots of variation exactly what is needed in the modern one day game not length length length

[Gerry SA]

Surely there must be some fast South African bowlers England can poach...

[WalkingWicket37]

Surely there must be some fast South African bowlers England can poach...

The last one we tried that with was Jade Dernbach, you're welcome to have him back!

[InternalTraining]

I saw the match till Captain Morgan and Joss Butler were steadying the ship. I haven't seen the highlights but did check the score card. Here are my thoughts:

- Ian Bell's golden duck could've been challenged had there been a DRS. Watching international cricket without DRS feels like eating noodles with your hands.

- Moeen did not face his first ball till 2nd or 3rd over. Moeen played Starc just fine. The six he hit to Starc was a dismissive flick, Starc followed up with a yorker which Moeen blocked followed by a long stare from Starc. He was batting nicely but a clever field change by Bailey caught him by surprise. Not sure why Bell took strike but it took 2-3 overs before Moeen got on strike and once he was there, he played like he plays.

- Morgan and Warner scored centuries, rest of the batters from both sides made small contributions. Clearly bowling was the difference but it could've been negated (espeically Starc's first over). If I take out the first over of the match by Starc, I'd say the match was even. In a way, it is a good thing that these mistakes were made and Australia came out ahead. England can make small adjustments until they get their batting and bowling combination right.

[Gerry SA]

The last one we tried that with was Jade Dernbach, you're welcome to have him back!

You're too kind, but I think we're happy without him 

[ppccopener]

yeah thanks Gerry

Jade Dirtback. A triumph of modern day self promotion/bluff and bluster over ability...
and don't go there with the tattoos.If youre going to get one at least have something that looks good

[KIPPERS]

Englands bowling is lightweight. Whats Finn there for if he's not hitting 90. No left hander no variety. Id rather see Rashid and Mill's in there.

[InternalTraining]

^ That is true but that is also true of other teams preparing for the WC.

[Gerry SA]

^ That is true but that is also true of other teams preparing for the WC.

That's entirely true.

True that Australia have bucket loads of fast bowlers. South Africa have Steyn and Morkel.

But NZ have chosen Milne who's rapid. India have gambled with Varun Aaron, who's also rapid but a tad wild. Pakistan have that giant who bowls 150kph. WI have Taylor, Cottrell etc whom are all 140-148kph.

England seem handicapped by not having any genuine fast bowlers

[InternalTraining]

^ Pace alone does not make good bowling. Varun Aaron and Yadav had plenty of pace in tests against Australia but they couldn't take 20 wickets.

Moeen got out to Faulker at 130.8 kmh delivery - caught by Maxwell.

Pace alone is not enough; clever field placement (captaincy) and variety in bowling will determine the winner of this world cup. Except for SA and Australia, I don't see any team that has a small army of bowlers who consistently take wickets or bowl in the right areas. 

[Gerry SA]

^ Pace alone does not make good bowling. Varun Aaron and Yadav had plenty of pace in tests against Australia but they couldn't take 20 wickets.

Moeen got out to Faulker at 130.8 kmh delivery - caught by Maxwell.

Pace alone is not enough; clever field placement (captaincy) and variety in bowling will determine the winner of this world cup. Except for SA and Australia, I don't see any team that has a small army of bowlers who consistently take wickets or bowl in the right areas.

Pace might not get wickets by itself, but name me a batsman that wants to face 150kph bowling?

Had Starc been bowling 130kph, he wouldn't have got either Bell or Taylor out.

[ProCricketer1982]

England were hammered. Aus lost a few cheap wickets at the end messing about thta made it appear closer. Pace isn't everything BUT.. you get away with a lot more at 150kph than at 135kph.

Team Ethic are just not good enough, simple as that.