Champions Trophy (England, June 2013)

[milko]

Twas good to watch - I think they did pretty well myself, even if it was the oldskool "getting it in ones and twos" way. Sri Lanka had men positioned quite defensively. Bopara made everything a lot better in that last over though. Now to see if we can keep a lid on their batting.

[milko]

Now to see if we can keep a lid on their batting.

Lol. That's the SL batting back to form then. Damn but when they're good, they're so good.

[merman]

It was a gamble though, sending in Kulasakera as a pinch hitter.

[Sirloin]

Great bowling at the start of the NZ innings from England, lot of run rate pressure on them now.

[Sirloin]

Hell of a catch there from Root, just hope they get to 20 overs for a result now!

[Sirloin]

New Zealand not out of this yet, still below 2 runs a ball, not likely, but still doable if these two stay together.

[feltmonkey]

that was a no-ball, wasn't it? slightly strange decision, not that i'm complaining! key wicket.

[Ravern]

IIRC, any part of the foot just needs to be behind the line when first contact is made, but that part of the foot can be above the line. So I think it was very marginally a legal delivery, as part of his heel was behind the line.

[feltmonkey]

ah, i thought it needed to be that the foot made contact with the ground behind the line, but your explanation does ring a bell, actually. either way, Broad's a lucky boy, as if he had no-balled, and Williamson had gone on to win the game for NZ...

anyway, irrelevant now, as England have just won it.

[Sirloin]

At the risk of my usual jinxing, Australia might pull this off (winning the match rather than qualifying).

[Sirloin]

Or not.

[milko]

It was quite entertaining watching them take it so close. I had this idea they might get to one run needed and then knock over a stump, just to piss of the kiwis. Ah well.

What do we think about England v South Africa then? I didn't see much of SA v Pak but they got Steyn back fit somehow, right?

[Sirloin]

Not been that impressed with South Africa but they have a lot of quality, with arguably the worlds best batsman and bowler. de Villiers is also a massive threat in the middle order. Their peripheral players are a bit inconsistent though. Will be a very tough game for England, who have gone from looking shaky at the top to looking shaky in the middle order. The other semi is fascinating too, SL could have a decent chance against India.

[milko]

No Steyn, no Swann. Finn in for Bresnan (so I guess we're not doing the ball tampering anymore for reverse swing )

[milko]

Woo, actual normal swing?! Both openers removed in two overs, that's a rather fine way to start.

[Sirloin]

Won the toss and bowl, and a wicket first over. Peterson out to pinch hit.

Amla going is huge, lot on the shoulders of de Villiers now.

[Sirloin]

Another one down but still a decent run rate from South Africa.

[milko]

They're in trouble unless these two biff a lot of runs together I reckon. Can easily see Miller knocking about ten and then getting out instead though.

[milko]

Oh, du Plessis has gone too. This looks way too easy.

[Sirloin]

They might not even make 100!

[merman]

Great impact from Tredwell there, SA now 103-8...

The pundits were saying England would prefer the Oval and the conditions, and that is being borne out. A good toss to win.

[milko]

The traditional awkward partnership to stop it being a total walkover then.

[Sirloin]

It's my curse, they will get 300 now.

[merman]

A tricky one - Cook could have risked bowling Anderson out and not making a breakthrough.

But 176 is hard to defend with the pitch so flat...

[milko]

Bit of a walkover in the end. Kinda dull to watch after those first crazy overs!

I hope the weather doesn't mess up tomorrow's game, that could be a classic. Same goes for the final...

[Sirloin]

England win the toss and bowl.

[Sirloin]

And they might start in a few minutes, 20 overs a side, which will probably favour the Indians.

[Sirloin]

Ok ish total from India, seems a slow pitch. 129 is still competitive in a 20 20, but if England keep wickets in hand they should be OK.

And of course as I wrote that Cook got out.

[Ravern]

Going to be fucked by spin again.

[Sirloin]

Thought the benefit of the doubt was to be with the batsman in cases like that?