Cricket- the sport not the insect

[dlwssonic]

Cricket world cup coming up?
Who's your pick for the victory, I must say the English have been looking real good

 

[Pricey_sky]

South Africa are my pick, they won't mind conditions and have key players in form at the right time.

Australia will be tough to beat at home and can make the final.

 

[dlwssonic]

Yup for me I feel its either South Africa, Australia or India. Anyone one else will be a surprise.

 

[del1962]

So England put in a performance to give false expectations

 

[the asian]

Yup for me I feel its either South Africa, Australia or India. Anyone one else will be a surprise.

South Africa are eternal chokers. They will bow out in the QF.

The Flat Track Bully Indians won't win in AUS/NZ.

Also Don't rule out us (Sri Lanka) losing in the finals for the 3rd time in a row.

Both Aus and NZ should do well.

The Tragic incident of Hughes might rally the Aussies while the Kiwis always do well in their backyard and are seemingly in good form.

 

[movingtarget]

Aussies are looking good for another World Cup win. They are winning all of their close games as well. Plenty of depth for the ODIs. Sri Lanka might be the only danger. Can't see England or India winning it.

 

[darwin553]

Sri Lanka? More like New Zealand

 

[the asian]

Sri Lanka? More like New Zealand

New Zealand are beating us right now, but don't rule us out.

 

[dlwssonic]

The final is in Australia, I feel Sri lanka can play better in australian conditions than New Zealand.
New Zealand's batting is still extremely volatile and I'm not sure how their pace bowling will fair in australian conditions.
For india... We all know the BCCI controls the ICC..

 

[dlwssonic]

South Africa are eternal chokers. They will bow out in the QF.

The Flat Track Bully Indians won't win in AUS/NZ.

Also Don't rule out us (Sri Lanka) losing in the finals for the 3rd time in a row.

Both Aus and NZ should do well.

The Tragic incident of Hughes might rally the Aussies while the Kiwis always do well in their backyard and are seemingly in good form.

South Africa can't choke this time not again.... Not with such a good side. they should at least make it to the semis.

 

[darwin553]

New Zealand are beating us right now, but don't rule us out.

I don't expect Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand though

 

[the asian]

I don't expect Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand though

We have a great record against them in the World Cup though.

However a lot depends on the availability of Malinga.

 

[movingtarget]

South Africa can't choke this time not again.... Not with such a good side. they should at least make it to the semis.

Yes they should make it that far but I have doubts that they will make the final.

 

[42x16ss]

Get the helmets ready! Mitchell Johnson is back from his injury and hurling them down like a lunatic once again

He's taken 3 for not much bowling first change today against the English.

 

[movingtarget]

Get the helmets ready! Mitchell Johnson is back from his injury and hurling them down like a lunatic once again

He's taken 3 for not much bowling first change today against the English.

He does not need much incentive. Just mention England and that will do it.

 

[42x16ss]

He does not need much incentive. Just mention England and that will do it.

Probably! Don't forget that Johnson has a soft spot for South Africa too though

That first spell yesterday was as fast and vicious as anything I've seen from Johnson, including his spell at Centurion a few years ago. He seems fresh, fired up and good to go.

He'll play a large role this World Cup IMO.

 

[del1962]

Why cant we have the old Mitch back, the one that used to bowl two yards wide of lef stump.

 

[42x16ss]

Why cant we have the old Mitch back, the one that used to bowl two yards wide of lef stump.

Rumour has it, that a couple of years ago, Dennis Lillee took him out the back of the WACA change rooms and gave him a taste of his old aluminium bat until his bowling became acceptable

Some say he promised to give him a second dose if he reverts too

 

[movingtarget]

I wonder if Clarke would not be better making himself unavailable for the World Cup. The Aussie Team will still be strong without him, if he injures himself again during the World Cup will it be worth it if it means missing more tests. Haddin and Smith should be good enough tactically. But I suppose if something goes wrong Australia has good replacements waiting in the wings. His back and hamstring problems don't seem to be going anywhere, they just keep patching him up enough to get him on the field until it goes wrong again. He probably wants one more crack at the Ashes before he retires but it is looking more and more doubtful. He admits himself that his future is uncertain.

 

[42x16ss]

Clarke moved well in the trial match against the UAE. With George Bailey struggling to hold his place due to a huge lack of form, I doubt Australia has the luxury of sitting him out.

Injured or not, Clarke is in exceptional form with the bat and will probably be needed against the big test playing nations - NZ, South Africa and ****stan in particular.

 

[Pricey_sky]

The closer we get to the world cup I have a sneaky feeling New Zealand will do well. They play every game in home conditions where they are very strong and will only play in Australia should they get to the final. I like the explosiveness of their batting and have the power to chase down big totals.

 

[movingtarget]

The closer we get to the world cup I have a sneaky feeling New Zealand will do well. They play every game in home conditions where they are very strong and will only play in Australia should they get to the final. I like the explosiveness of their batting and have the power to chase down big totals.

Is their bowling attack up to it ? I have not seen them play for a while. Once again I don't think South Africa will do it. An Australia NZ final would be great.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Is their bowling attack up to it ? I have not seen them play for a while. Once again I don't think South Africa will do it. An Australia NZ final would be great.

That's probably their weakness, although having the experience and guile of Vettori will certainly help.

Looks like they are on for a big total here: 270-5 with 5 to go.

 

[greenedge]

Australia's run total was immense today, never gave England a chance. I can't help but feel there is no way for England back in this tournament, if they were going to beat us later in the tournament they should have beaten us here considering how many ODI games we have played against them recently. I'd also have kept Cook, even if he was demoted as captain.

NZL look to be in ominous form.

 

[movingtarget]

I am really looking forward to the Australia and New Zealand game. Aussies play Bangladesh next. I heard that the next World Cup will only have 10 teams instead of 14. I wonder what the TV audience was for ****stan and India ?