The Cricket Thread

New Zealand got their points early (please take note England) and then lost a bit of form. India should be better than them, but they are a bit reliant on a few players and are poor in a run chase...not much to chase in this case though. Pretty certain that England or Australia could beat either team in the final (and we can beat Australia).

 

India are gonna be all out for less than 100 here.

 

I never saw this coming, it's going to be a real effort for India to even get close to NZ's total

 

I didn't expect it, but it was possible. Along with Australia, NZ have the best bowling attack to take advantage of overcast morning conditions. So yesterday's rain has played massively into NZ's hands. They got to bat first (which is clearly the way to go - the pressure of a WC run chase has regularly told over the past few weeks), but still bowl in such conditions.

I'd suggest that the chances of India being 46-4 yesterday afternoon, if the weather had been dry, would be much less.

NZ have been here before though. They had Australia 5 down for not very many, but then took their foot off the pedal. Didn't bring Boult on to try and land the final blow, and Australia fought back. Now, granted, Alex Carey has been the best no.7 at this WC, but NZ should remember that.

 

I can’t understand why Dhoni hasn’t gone in yet.

 

If there's one cricketer who puts himself first, ahead of his team...

Look at the run chase against us. He was playing for his average at the end, rather than playing to try and win the game. And that's not for the first time, once he's decided that any realistic chance of winning has gone.

So my guess is that he doesn't want to come out and bat whilst the ball is still doing a bit. Come out a little later, when it's easier to bat and India are closer to the finish line, and then hopefully play the match winning innings.

 

One more quick(ish) wicket, NZ. One more. Seven down, and the tail will be wide open.

 

After complaining about the short boundaries at Edgbaston, what’s the betting Kohli will moan about the long ones at OT?

 

He´s a bit of a Geoffrey, then?

 

India have a long history of struggles against the seaming ball. Many years ago, before any of us were born, save Beddy and Godders. India were 0 for 5 at Headingley in 1952, I think.

 

First time really that India have been in this run chase.

 

If Jadeja and Microsoft Dhoni do this, it'll be one of the greatest salvage jobs ever.

 

Love that celebration of Jadeja’s 50!

 

Time for someone to be a NZ hero. India have this atm.

 

Bloody exciting !

 

It's the 2s which are killing them. They just can't get Dhoni on strike enough.

 

Get in!

 

Game over

 

Great captaincy from Williamson!!!! NZ deserve this - under the radar of many experts, yet here they are on the threshold of another final. Good luck to them if they go one better than last time.

 

BEST RUN OUT IN HISTORY