The Cricket Thread

In fairness though, that would have been said about us in the early 2010s.

First losing Dimi, Briggs and Macca. Then Carberry, Adams and Ervine reaching their sell-by dates. Benks chucking Wheater out didn't help either (the only keeper we've ever had, other than Pothas, who can actually bat in t20). We've never really replaced any of them, although Will Smith did a sterling job with the ball for a few years. Vince and Dawson have largely carried our t20 team for about four years now. And no obvious signs from the youngsters/reserves this season that they could do a job for us going forward in t20 - save maybe for the odd bright spark from Holland.

 

Donald
Vince
Rossouw
Northeast
Dawson
Alsop (W)
Holland
Wood
Abbott
Afridi
Crane

Would've be a pretty decent XI, we never stood a chance with the depletion this year.

Could even have had Brad Taylor in for Mason if we wanted a stronger batting line up.

 

Unlucky guys, that looked a decent target.

Crawley has come along way in the last 12 months and should only improve. Very good in all formats of the game. He was in one of those moods today.

 

Great start, Roy out first ball of the match.

 

And Root out second ball of the match.

England 0-2.

 

Morgan gone, 67-3.

 

Buttler caught at cover, 96-4

 

Is Zampa good, or are the English batsmen making him look good?

 

He’s good, very hard to pick the wrong ‘un.

 

He has a good knack of being able to follow a batsman and then bowl the right lines.

 

50 for Billings and 100 partnership with Bairstow.

 

Bairstow goes to 101 with a brilliant 6 off Cummings, then gets a straight-driven 4. England starting to accelerate now.

209-4 after 37 overs.

 

Billings gone, reverse sweeping Zampa straight to point.

210-5.

 

Bairstow bowled by Cummings for 112.

 

Fantastic recovery by England after the worst possible start. Brilliant 50 from Woakes, too. England finish on 302-7.

Would it be tempting fate to say no one has ever chased anything like that score at OT?

 

Yes

 

Warner bowled by Root. Excellent.

 

Second for Root. Marsh for 2. Australia 54/4

 

Secret weapon Root strikes again!

 

Tee hee