World Cup 2011

[SAMOAN]

The thought is that it will do a bit under lights. NZ maybe not the best attack, but I am a Kyle Mills fan and would expect him to get movement. Dan Vettori is also a very tight bowler and 230 would be better than it looks. Plus Scott Styris is still in and another big hitter in Jacob Oram to come

[SAMOAN]

Batting power play still to come as well.

[David_Speedie]

Taylor hitting out now and scoring big so they'll certainly get the 230 talked about as a defendable target.

Saying that, the amount of boundaries makes me question why they got so few in the middle overs. Should be an interesting game/chase anyway.

[David_Speedie]

Going to have to watch the highlights, this seems an unbelievable shift in gears for Taylor.

[Swooperman]

Where are we now ? Good fcuking question

There was a time before today that I considered England might have their name written on the whole thing, despite claiming theyre unbackable......they still are, too inconsistent, but we're entering do or die, & they play well against decent teams

This run rate calculation is confusing, lets go on if they beat Windies thyere likely through, and if the results go according to plan...theyre....I think through

Ahh, bullshit, I was trying to convince myself theyre backable but theyre not. Of the value teams to win the WC, its WIs.....no Gayle today & still 275....granted Ireland, but on theyre day, anyone

[David_Speedie]

I'm surprised England are such strong favourites for tomorrow. Feels like value with WI around 2.4 - Gayle has been quite so far and it just feels like a number of their batsmen could take the game away from England if they get after the bowling (in particular Anderson).

Saying that who knows what you'll get with england and perhaps the tricker pitch works to the strength of Trott and Morgan.

Small bet only on WI then.

[Swooperman]

Think England need to bat or fcuked

Saying that, nobody wants us next round

[Swooperman]

Sri Lanka in Columbo then, on saturday, & whoever wins plays in Columbo again 2 days later. Big advantage for Sri Lanka

So, here we go. I've said all along (check the thread) that the Aussies wont get past the quarters & I believe it even more now. Dont see them beating India, no chance ()
Dont see New Zealand beating South Africa but even if they do then if we get past SL then I'd fancy us from here tbh, done SA already, theyre bottlers & I dont see NZ denting us.
Pakistan/Windies is a coin toss tbh, Pakistan will be favourites but Chris Gayle come do them yet, meaning the winner plays India/Australia.

India/Pakistan v Sri Lanka final imo

[SAMOAN]

India v Aus, about to kick off and as always the first 15 overs will be important. I do feel however that the Indians have targeted the opening overs more than the Aussies and this could be where the game is won or lost. Can't see India changing their strategy, so I expect plenty of action. The Aussies have been steady through the tourney so far, but do have the opening bowlers to make a huge impact. Australia are batting first and will probably need 270 plus.

[SAMOAN]

Generally you would want 300 against India, having listened to the pitch report, I figured that 270 would be a winning score. 260 puts it right in the balance and as stated above the first 10 overs will be crucial. Either team could make a big early impact and the score after 10 could just as easily be 40 - 4 as it could be 80 -1.

[7HEGR1MR3AP3R]

India cruising I reckon

[SAMOAN]

Mercifully England go out and the manner of the defeat, pretty much summed up their tournament. The TV commentator's spoke about Dilshan's style of batting a lot, especially the fact that he rode his luck a bit, but to me this is how you play the opening overs. You give a guy licence to go out their hitting and pretty much sod the consequences. If it comes off then great you have got runs on the board and you put the pressure squarely on the opponents. If it doesn't then you have still got plenty of time and batters to put things right. A guy like this may only have to come off a couple of times and you are in the final.

Interestingly England do have a player like this, in the shape of Craig Kieswetter. He gets runs quickly, scores in unorthadox areas and most importantly plays the spinners well. He was not prolific in the World 20/20 triumph, but did score quick runs and got a rapid 50 in the final. To me you give him ( or another big hitter ) the Dilshan role and see what he can do. If he comes off then you have got 70 in the first 10 overs and any score / run chase is possible. If he doesn't come off, then what have you lost. The lack of boundaries hit by England was embarrassing at times and was a big part of their struggles. Australia also did not attack that much in the opening overs ( surprising with aggressive openers like Haddin and Watson ) and they also went out with a whimper.

As for the tournament, no surprise to see 3 Asian sides left, but maybe a surprise that it is New Zealand joining them ( maybe should not be surprised as their World Cup record is pretty good ) Could not really pick a winner and would not be shocked if it went to the Black Caps.

As for my bets, there is only one left running and that is the Pollard bet for the fastest 50. Only 3 matches to survive, but about 15 guys capable of beating the mark. Of these I have Ross Taylor and MS Dhoni at bigger prices, so would be happy if it went to either of them.