2015 Cricket World Cup Australia/ New Zealand

[MolineuxWizards]

In regards to England I do not understand why they are so inflexible. Surely anyone could see that a platform needed to be built leaving your big hitters to swing away in the final 10 - 15 overs. As good as Moween is having him as an opener was a big mistake for me. We should have had 3 stubborn openers up front to try and protect the better stroke players.

We are also too negative with the fielding, the only way to protect a small score is to take wickets, not defend like it going to go all the way to 50 overs with 200 on the board.

 

[BillyDee]

Negativity is a problem that has been endemic throughout all forms of cricket for England recently. Whilst it might occasionally win you a test match (or at least stop you from losing), it doesn't help in limited overs, and is boring as hell to watch (one reason I haven't been to an England game in years).

 

[Tony Towner]

We should have had 3 stubborn openers up front to try and protect the better stroke players.

Who are New Zealand or Australia's stubborn openers? You couldn't be further from what is required.

 

[MolineuxWizards]

Who are New Zealand or Australia's stubborn openers? You couldn't be further from what is required.

Sorry but throwing away your wicket and exposing a frail middle to lower order is also not the answer, yes it can work in 20/20 but not when you have plenty of overs at the back end. Virtually every match our middle order is exposed because Moween has the licence to play shots. So until we have good enough openers like the 2 mentioned that can play offensively and defensively equally we have to play a certain way to at least stay in the match.

 

[Trips]

Sorry but throwing away your wicket and exposing a frail middle to lower order is also not the answer, yes it can work in 20/20 but not when you have plenty of overs at the back end. Virtually every match our middle order is exposed because Moween has the licence to play shots. So until we have good enough openers like the 2 mentioned that can play offensively and defensively equally we have to play a certain way to at least stay in the match.

That is not our problem in this World Cup, our problem has been our top order getting bogged down, knocking it around at 3 an over from overs 10-35, building pressure on the guys below before a collapse. Not because Moeen Ali plays shots.

ODI cricket is no longer about not losing any wickets and waiting for the last 5 overs to attack. You need to take advantage of the fielding restrictions in the first 10 and then keep the pressure up on fielding teams.

Look at the openers in the semi-finals - McCullum, Guptill, Warner, Finch, Rohit Sharma, Dhawan, Amla, de Kock. Most of those I would not have down as "stubborn openers" and look where their sides are. Attacking from the off and in the latter stages of the tournament. The approach you're suggesting is very out-dated

 

[FrankMunro-371]

The first semi final tomorrow sees New Zealand take on South Africa, and we could see a mountain of runs. Whoever bats first will probably need to score well over 300. I think New Zealand might just edge it, but it will be very close.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'm backing New Zealand purely because their attack is better, South Africa have to make up their overs with a fifth part time bowler given the balance of their team, Duminy is ok I suppose but Behardien and De Villiers are really poor with the ball. If they end up bowling for any length of time it could be carnage.

Hoping for a belter of a game, we really haven't had many good contests so far. All the quarter finals were walkovers and far too many of the group games were effectively over at the halfway stage. I wonder if the ICC will re-think the fielding restrictions after this tournament because I'm not sure watching 400 plays 250 is a particularly enthralling spectacle.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Agreed DW. I think fielding restrictions need addressing, and also the limit on short pitched bowling. At the moment I think the one day game weighs heavily in the batsmens favour.

 

[Carrotdude]

Does the fielding restriction make that much difference? Still plenty of low scores in this world cup if teams bowl well. All the pitches have been belters pretty much too so the likes of McCullum can just stand and deliver.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'd have to check the data but I suspect there has been an explosion of 350+ scores in ODIs since the new restrictions were brought in. I do think it skews things too far the way of the batting side, it's as good as impossible to stop teams scoring at a minimum of 9 an over in the last 10 providing they've kept a few wickets in hand (so England are essentially exempt from this rule). Basically a long series of virtual free hits and it's all very artificial.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Trying to hold out as long as I can for this game. NZ have started excellently, SA are 31/2 off 8 overs.

 

[Carrotdude]

On for a good finish. 4 wickets down for NZ they need 125 from 18 overs

 

[Sniffer]

67 needed from 8. The batsmen are set so they should do it.

 

[Lord Knows]

Good measured cricket from New Zealand they need another 67 runs, just going about the run chase without any panic, take note England.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

55 needed from 7 overs.

 

[Kenny]

I hope New Zealand win this. Such a great side to watch

 

[Sniffer]

Another over due from a fifth bowler too.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Another over due from a fifth bowler too.

I think that is what the Kiwi batsmen are waiting for.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Anderson out. The pendulum swings back in South Africa's favour.

 

[Sniffer]

Is it a wicket?