The creekit

[dirty leeds]

Yes, agree on the fielding. Far too sloppy. More of our batsman needed to show up too, though.

[MightyWhite]

Just back. Good day out despite the result.

Said the other week that our propensity for needing to rely on a big (usually successful) run chase would hurt us occasionally and today was one of those.

His bowling was excellent in the middle overs today but it seems Moeen can't be viewed as anything other than a tail ender right now, he looked a rabbit out there for the few overs he hung about.

Fielding was obviously shite but I'm less inclined to kick off about Roy's error when Root was also dropped pretty early on in his innings too.

One of those days I think.

[Tommy]

My thoughts, briefly are -

- Missed Plunkett taking wickets in the middle of the innings.
- Wood & Archer together is probably overkill.
- England should have batted first.
- Sad to say that Ali seems to be all but done as a batsman. I can’t remember the last time he made a score in any format.

[Eddies Boots]

there did not seem to be anything for the bowlers early, but i assume they thought there would be

[Devi]

My thoughts, briefly are -

- Missed Plunkett taking wickets in the middle of the innings.
- Wood & Archer together is probably overkill.
- England should have batted first.
- Sad to say that Ali seems to be all but done as a batsman. I can’t remember the last time he made a score in any format.

I think you’re over thinking it.

- fielding was atrocious, from ball 2
- that being an indicator of an attitude that was even more so
- namely an expectation that we’d roll them over. (I’ve s hunch that to chase was a decision borne of seeing it as just another practice match)
- I’m minded to agree re Mo, but who else in the squad offers spin, 3 (top order) wickets, and ‘stable’ batting (a la Root, rather than Buttler)?

As I say, fielding and attitude cost us.

Oh, and that our openers are suddenly out of form / worked out (v spin)

[Mustafaster]

Kick up the arse.
Won't do us any harm.

[eric olthwaite]

Although Vaughan is generally a tit he said, at the end, that:

- Our fielding was the worst it’s been in a good five years
- Pakistan were probably at 95%+, with bat and ball, relative to what they could be at present.
- We still only lost by 14 runs

So all in all, no great need to panic.

[dirty leeds]

Exactly right. Pakistan played about as well as they can play. If we had fielded up to usual standard, we would still have won. So we know what to fix.

[SimonB]

Afghanistan are turning the game around today

[eric olthwaite]

Afghanistan are turning the game around today

Fucking hell, I think cricket was banned there less than 20 years ago. Remarkable set of buggers.

[SimonB]

Afghanistan are turning the game around today

Fucking hell, I think cricket was banned there less than 20 years ago. Remarkable set of buggers.

Given the pitch isn't turning the bowlers are doing well. Their wicketkeeper seems a big lad

[Vampire]

Afghanistan are turning the game around today

Yeah I had them down for an upset in this WC - but was expecting it to come later in the tournament when the pitches are likely to be a bit drier.

They have a quality spinner in Rashid and also a decent one in Nami - and Hassan is a decent opening bowler. I was hoping they’d stay under the radar early games to provide a betting opportunity later in the tournament.

[welshwhite]

Afghanistan are turning the game around today

Yeah I had them down for an upset in this WC - but was expecting it to come later in the tournament when the pitches are likely to be a bit drier.

They have a quality spinner in Rashid and also a decent one in Nami - and Hassan is a decent opening bowler. I was hoping they’d stay under the radar early games to provide a betting opportunity later in the tournament.

Get all your spare betting cash on us to win the title, Brett.
6-1 favourites at the moment and the price is dropping daily.

https://www.betvictor.com/en-gb/sports/ ... /0/0/0/0/0

[eric olthwaite]

The commentary quote:

Bumrah is all over de Kock

Has a most pleasing ‘Fnarrrr’ quality.

[dirty leeds]

Saffers going out, by the look.

[Tommy]

Have to wonder who will stop India. Australia if it falls right but otherwise...not sure.

[eric olthwaite]

How does it work for the knockout stage? Is there a draw for fixtures or is it pre-determined?

[dirty leeds]

Have to wonder who will stop India. Australia if it falls right but otherwise...not sure.

England, mate.

[dirty leeds]

How does it work for the knockout stage? Is there a draw for fixtures or is it pre-determined?

Top four of the 'round robin' make up the semi-finalists, then 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3.

[eric olthwaite]

Interesting. So there exists the potential for the teams playing on the final day to throw their game if they felt it would be handy to drop a place.