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Well England are certainly not doing it the easy way, very nearly threw that one away as well.

Into the semi's now all the same.:cool:

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Not impressed with Morgan's captaincy or the spin bowlers.

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Never a dull game with England! It was excellent death bowling from Jordan and Stokes which was a big positive. The spinners will be better against New Zealand in the semi.

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Well the spinners will have to be better in the next game or else we are on the next plane home sadly

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Given the fact that it is basically a hit and hope slogfest the spinners hadn't done that badly until today. Morgan had to find four overs from somewhere.

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Agree Den. We need to be bold, and drop one of them for another seamer, play to our strengths, and have lots more options.

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l would have took Broady instead of one of the spinners.

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Is that the same Broady who got tonked for 36 in one over? TBH Moeen Ali's batting got them out of a hole in the last game, they will be playing New Zealand at the same venue as today so need to get the selection right. New Zealand haven't played Boult or Southee yet, two top class seamers.

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England lack some real worldly experience in their bowling attack and he would have been perfect but sadly they left him out.

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Broad was on Sky earlier, never looked fitter. Surely he's got to be a better pick than Topley? Probably more the case that he/selectors thinks he's wasted on 20/20. Usually I'd agree, but this is a world cup.

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... and England have just spanked NZ to secure a place in the 2016 T20 World Cup final.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cricket/35722502

I must admit I didn't think we'd get out of the group stage so well done the lads - anything else will be a big bonus.

:clap:

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Well l never expected that.....:D

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... a man like you should know, better than most, always to expect the unexpected...


;)

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A good all round performance, captain excepted.

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By the sound of it our bowlers take a great deal of the credit for keeping the last few overs of the NZ innings very tight indeed.

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The death bowling from Jordan and Stokes has been excellent the last couple of games, fingers crossed that continues in the final.

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Well that wasn't in the script.:D

Great game all the same, well played Windies.

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Well the final will be interesting as we are the underdogs in my book.

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I fancy our chances if we win the toss and bowl first, i think we're so much better suited to chasing down a score than defending one. Get Gayle early as well! (even though that didn't do much good for the Indians)

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Yes we certainly need to get Gayle early that's for sure as he can do considerable damage that's for sure..

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I'd agree with this, they're much better at chasing to so the toss is vital

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Sadly we have lost the toss and we are in a hole already.:(

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I can't believe it! Heartbreak for England :(

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How many times would that happen in the last over and l would say one in a million probably.:(:(

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I was travelling that day and got home to see the last over, 19 to win ? Home and dry i thought, 4 balls later......

It was badly bowled , has to be said, no matter how sorry you feel for Stokes. Nobody seemed to talk to him between balls, and he didn't change tactic. However, incredible pressure, and superbly hit so don't blame him - the capt. should have taken more responsibility and at least talked to him between balls.

My hatred of 20/20 increases ;)

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So sad to hear this but his health must come first.:(

http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/...eart-condition

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Yes, thank God it was found before anything happened whilst he was playing.

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See SL have reverted to form today. Shame they almost made it look competitive yesterday. Can't help think us and the Aussies are the only countries that take Test cricket seriously. Seems to fading in this country too, the corporate money has taken over. The tests in Headingley and Durham had mostly empty grounds - as long as they have their corporate boxes and Sky have the tv rights no on seems to care. Maybe they can paintbox the crowd in future.

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Sadly in Asia now one day cricket is king Mr K.

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Looks like the cricket team are taking their cue from the football team. 35-4 after 9 overs. :(

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Well this could be over in another hour old boy.

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"I don't believe it". :shocked:

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No l don't either as l was just about to bring out the tissues yet again.;)

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Here' s hoping Pakistan provide some competition. SL were embarrassing. Bound to be some controversy with Pakistan, which always adds to the entertainment ;)

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Indeed Pakistan do produce some very talented cricketers but sadly for many years some of their players have shown unacceptable inappropriate behavior which has tarred the game of cricket.

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Some brain dead batting from Ali and Root especially. :(

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Its quite clear there is still a fair way to go if England are to ever get to be called the best team in the world as Pakistan's bowling have revealed considerable technical weaknesses in England's batting line up.

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Really like watching paint dry, 154 deliveries without a single run being scored.

Cricket, boring nah :D

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Nothing boring about seeing those arrogant Aussies losing old boy..

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Great innings from Moeen Ali, pity that Hales, Vince and Ballance all failed again.

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Yes its the players lower down the order who seem to be constantly rescuing England.

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England break the record score for ODI internationals helped by a poor display from Pakistan it has to be said.

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Still it was still nice to see it though.:)

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It's quite funny watching the Sky TV summarising during this current test series in Bangladesh.

They have got tiny Ian Bell stood beside Gus Fraser who seems to put on more weight every day he comes on the screen, he is huge. :)

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Just a heads up that BT sports are showing the AUS v SA test series at the moment. I came across it by accident today. SA are giving the Aussies a good going over :).

BT have the rights to all Aus home cricket for the next few years, including the next Ashes. Breaking Skys monopoly on cricket is long overdue.

Re: Cricket
 

Why?

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Anybody having a monopoly on anything isn't good. Ideally there should be some live cricket on terrestrial, even footy manages this, however those in charge of cricket in the England are more interested in short term money.

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Unlike Sky no terrestrial channel has ever broadcast live, ball by ball, five day tests matches from all over the world. Some edited highlights are usually available on terrestrial and BT are unlikely to broadcast a full five day test match free to air apart from a possible 'loss leader' enterprise. BT's coverage of the major European football cup competitions has been a disaster as far as audience figures go and is likely to be much worse for cricket.

Sky has been a major innovator of various technologies that have dramatically improved the viewing experience, some of which are now used for the DRS protocols.

In short a monopoly can be a bad thing but if the product is first class and they don't continually hike the prices way above the norm then I don't see a problem.

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imo all England home Test matches should be on terrestrial tv. Channel 5 would be interested, they've sod all else to broadcast. Sky/BT could have all one day cricket, away test matches - still most of it, that should be more than enough for the greedy ECB. Viewing figures for home test matches plumetted after Sky took over from Ch4. There's a lot of kids not seeing any live cricket any longer.

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Even when the BBC TV had a complete monopoly they never, ever broadcast ball by ball test cricket and as much as I have always been a cricket nut I accept that the demand for full, ball by ball test match cricket, even home test matches would have limited appeal.

How could viewing figures for home test matches plummet, apart from highlights there was no live test match cricket to view in the first place so how can you say viewing figures plummeted? Channel 4 never showed full, live test cricket.

---------- Post added at 20:51 ---------- Previous post was at 20:47 ----------

Many years ago the BBC used to broadcast in full the Sunday League 40 over competition and I used to watch it from start to end. The Gillette Cup final may have been shown in full but nothing else has ever been broadcast in full, from start to end until Sky came along.

Re: Cricket
 

err yes they did.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/cricket/194168.stm

Re: Cricket
 

No they didn't, extract from the article you linked to



'The channel's extensive commitment to racing means Saturday afternoon coverage will only be available to a minority of viewers via Channel 4B, the station's digital channel'.

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think you are grasping at straws ! Sky have missed the odd ball because of ad breaks.

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Anyhow, Mark Nicholas was a crap cricketer and an even worse TV presenter. :p:

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Yes Nicholas is a pratt but apart from Bumble I have no time for the boring Sky commentators - always TMS on the radio for me, just tricky to sync with the tv pictures !

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Because our reliable Mr K wants us all to pay even more Jim.

---------- Post added at 05:08 ---------- Previous post was at 05:07 ----------

If l don't like some of the pundits l find the best thing is to put the volume on mute.

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Cripes, all I did was point out the the Aus v SA series is on BT sports for anyone that missed it. If you've already got the XL package, there's no extra charge.

Re: Cricket
 

No, you also added that breaking Sky's monopoly was long overdue.

Paying twice

Unless you are lucky enough to be able to afford the XL packages then as the last paragraph in that articles states, 'it just means forking out twice over'

Re: Cricket
 

In a idea world one would want more cricket on terrestrial TV Mr K but sadly that is never going to happen now and for some because its with two Pay TV companies all lovers of sport end up paying more as yes its on Virgins XL package but customers are still paying a considerable levy for it and that includes customers who don't even like sport but go on Sky and the extra charge for BT Sports in HD is pretty mouthwatering to say the least for their customers and that is on top of their premium sports channels.

Re: Cricket
 

How would football fans feel if all live action was on paid platforms ? Including FA and World cups ? Fine if they could afford it but a lot would miss out. That is the position cricket fans are in. There's a balance between money and the good of the game. Cricket is becoming more of an elitist niche sport, that less are seeing which won't do it any good in the long run.

Anyhow more importantly SA have given the Aussies a good thrashing in the First Test :)
(with apologies to those who planned to watch on BT Sport later....)

Re: Cricket
 

Looks like England are going to play Hameed tomorrow, only the second teenager to play for England since 1949. Big ask for him to start in India, they should have played him in Bangladesh instead of that waste of space Ballance.
4am start - Mrs K will be pleased ;)

Re: Cricket
 

Good first day from England, very poor crowd though.

Re: Cricket
 

Well you must be pretty pleased with today's happenings as well Mr K.:)

---------- Post added at 11:03 ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 ----------

The supporters prefer the one day game in India sadly as do their cricketing authorities Jim.

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Yes Den, it was a pleasant distraction form what was happening elsewhere in the world ! ;) Good toss to win I think.

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Cooky has not a good track record of winning the toss lately so it was nice to win the toss for once..

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After 3 days of curing my insomnia, the first test is starting to get interesting. Eng 49 ahead on first innings and 4 sessions left. Probably a draw, England collapses permitting.

Meanwhile Aus 84 all out against SA.:D

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Yes Australia being all out for 84 certainly made my toast and butter go down very well this morning Mr K.:)

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Would agree a draw is now odds on, an all round solid performance from England in the conditions.

---------- Post added at 11:12 ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 ----------

Great knock from the young Lancastrian. :cool:

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Yes indeed and could he be the other opener we have long been looking for.

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Second Test starts at 4am; set your alarm clocks/don't go to bed :) Anderson is back, Woakes probably rested .

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Lose the toss , lose the game in India (except if you're India of course..). Silly Alistair, he needs a double headed coin, but he'd probably call tails...

Re: Cricket
 

Why did he go to the spinners as soon as he did?

Re: Cricket
 

Good question but alas sometimes captains make strange decisions.

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Losing Cook at the death could be crucial, a decent effort so far though.

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Yes if only this was the last days play today.

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Oh dear all went Pete Tong, like the England collapses of old. Plenty of stroke makers, but apart from the openers not many that can hang around . Not too downhearted , nobody else wins in India either...

Re: Cricket
 

Well l do agree Mr K with you on your point of its hard to win in India as l think in over 30 years we have won just one tour there.:(

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England looked a shambles in the last Test. The poor poppets have been sent to Dubai for a holiday on account of they are knackered (and can do some Xmas shopping). My heart bleeds....

Geoffrey Boycott would have then in the nets for a couple of weeks - as ever he's right.

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You have to remember its very hard to win in India Mr K as you stated a while back so can you say you are surprised by what has transpired so far?,

Re: Cricket
 

Englands latest South African does the business.

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Yes its nice to see some talented young guns show their talent these last few tests.

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Amazed he's allowed to play for England seeing as he's played for SA at international level (U19). Well done anyway I guess. See KP has reverted to being SA, now his England career is over, talented cricketer, otherwise a complete ******.

Re: Cricket
 

A quite telling stat, of the last five 'English' batsmen to make a ton on debut, four of them were born in SA.

Dropped catches costing England in this test.:(

Re: Cricket
 

And a samey bowling attack...

Re: Cricket
 

Captain Cook - should he stay or go? Looks like he's going at the end of the tour by the sounds of it. Should stay on for the next Ashes at least; rarely does anyone win in India, and changing the captain isn't a panacea.

Re: Cricket
 

As usual the British media are going overboard and are foaming at the mouth calling for the head of everybody baring the team mascot but England have not become a bad side just because of one tour as its mighty hard to generally win in India so l am quite confident going forward with the talent we have and the talent we have coming through.

Re: Cricket
 

5-0 with India scoring over 700 in an innings, England lost their last 6 wickets for 15 runs, so much for a flat pitch....

Even though I though Cook should stay, he has to go, that really was pathetic. He sounded utterly depressed/fed up and didn't have any excuses after, except that we were crap (or words to that effect).

Re: Cricket
 

Excuse me Mr K but it was actually 4-0 old boy.;)

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Seemed like 5-0 Den ;)

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You must get out of your sorrow and sadness Mr K as it will all be back to normal come the glorious English summer.;)

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The umpire was man of the match for India today :rolleyes:

Re: Cricket
 

Indeed he did not just make one poor decision but at least 5 decisions were extremely poor IMO.

Re: Cricket
 

Poor decisions are one thing, but when they are all in favour of the same (Indian) team :rolleyes:

Re: Cricket
 

They should be using DRS for starters.

Re: Cricket
 

Back to the dark ages, one of the main reasons neutral umpires came into being in the first place was because of totally biased decisions in both India and Pakistan. :(

Re: Cricket
 

England captain resigns.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...ricket-captain

Re: Cricket
 

Shame, but doesn't sound as though he's up for it any longer.

Not sure about Root as captain (the heir apparent), bit too young. England have a habit of turning their best players into their worst by making them captain:- Botham, Pietersen, Flintoff etc. I'd give it to to Anderson but they don't seem to make bowlers captain these days.

Re: Cricket
 

Have you ever been captain Mr K ? as there is far more to it then you think there is and after a while it can take a fair toll on a person.

So with your wise unparalleled expert cricketing knowledge Mr K who would you suggest?.;)

Re: Cricket
 

Umm, I just did suggest someone Den. And no, I've never been a captain, I'm too nice to dream of telling someone what to do, plus rubbish at cricket...

Re: Cricket
 

Anderson great player that he was is sadly like me ;) nearing the end so l am not sure its wise to appoint him as captain as we need to look to the future IMO Mr K.