Its Summer! - the Fever Cricket Thread. (Part 2)

In the face of that, you can't deny that performance was a mauling and it would be stupid not to acknowledge that for what it was. They are a team on fire and got the result they deserved.

303/8...I'm confused.

Given the start, it's a failure...

But given recent form, it's a success...

But given Scotland fared better against NZ it's a success...

But given only Ali really showed any world class, it's a failure...

Erm...

Ever heard of the term "middle ground" pal?

Do you mean they could be considered average?

If so, I guess that's about right but surely they'd want to be turning things around with something more clinical so therefore a failure?

On another team, I was really disappointed with RSAs bowling effort last night - they don't seem to be the attack that they could be. Steyne well down on pace and a bit average in all aspect, although I do like Imran Tahir, a good attacking leggie.

C'mon Scotland.  Believe in yourself for once.

Can you please point to the last time this team raved about themselves?  And no, i'm not talking about media "commentators" getting carried away prematurely, but the actual team or management?  I really don't think that is a fair thing to level at this side.

Last ODI series in England: Won 2-1

Last ODI series in South Africa: Won 2-1

Last ODI series in Australia: Drew 2-2

Now personally, I think that's a decent effort.

Test Match cricket Buffon. Play over 5 days in a contest, not hit and giggle stuff.

but you were making the comments about an ODI, in the middle of an ODI World Cup tournament. 

Chris Gayle, take a bow.  You have answered your critics

That's the scary thing about this tournament. Despite being in some of our best form ever, once we hit the quarters we are just one Chris Gayle batting explosion away from being out of it.

This isn't quite at Bahrain 2009 levels - but I want to win on Saturday very badly.  But something fishy is going on here.  Listening to 2SM (Sydney sport station) today...it was Southee this, Southee that, McCullum this, Boult that, "55 metre boundaries"..."Kiwis are right favourites here"...etc etc.  I think we're walking right into a Kangaroo trap.  I think we're gonna lose.

I want to win, don't get me wrong but i'm in a bit of a Kiwis v Kangaroos situation here. I'm not entirely convinced we will beat them twice, once maybe but twice probably not. Do I want to waste that one victory on Saturday or save it up, potentially, for Melbourne....

Nah screw it, we'll beat em twice.

Yeah, I disagree because cricket is such a mental game. If we were to beat them it would really eat away at the Aussies confidence which they rely on hugely. Plus it might start winding up some of the cracks in the squad (e.g. Smith vs Clarke captaincy thing & role of Lehman as coach). The Aussies have showed in the past that if you can chip away at their bullet proof outer shell they can fold pretty spectacularly.

We can definitely beat them twice. That's if we even have to play them twice, they're not guaranteed to make the final, or semis for that matter.

Good job he didn't do it against England as it wouldn't really count.

Pretty awesome that one of the UAE guys has the surname "Karate"

That was one lucky Irishman.  Unbelievable.

This CWC is playing havoc with club cricket.

Anyone keen for some club cricket playing for Onslow vs Easts down in Kilbirne on Saturday?

12:30pm start, 45 overs a side.

IF we can beat them once we may not have to beat them twice ;-)

So... where to watch tomorrow - is anyone 4Kingsing it?

"KB" doesn't strike me as a boofhead Australian at all.

https://www.sen.com.au/audio

https://www.mid-day.com/articles/ab-de-villiers-is-...

ABdV is genuinely a freak. Doesn't count though because it's only hit and giggle.

Meh, Baz had a better strike rate against a better bowling attack;)

One day cricket is awesome.

For all the fireworks of an innings like AB's, the part of this tournament that's been the best so far IMO is Afghanistan's win of Scotland. Fudge the ICC, ECB, BCCI, and CA for getting rid of the associates for the next tournament. It's a crime against the spirit of the tournament and the future of the game. 

Biggest game of the tournament so far by a mile. Gutted i'm missing half of it due to footy finals day. So important to win here and top the group, and get home advantage for the semis (providing we make it, which we should). The build up this week has been incredible, certainly feels like the most important cricket match here in a very long time.

Really? I would have supported reducing the associates at the start of the tournament, but I've really enjoyed watching them play. There are a lot of class players out there. It makes cricket also feel like this class international game. 

Great first over Southee.  FFS.

Hit that for bloody six Finch!

We can do this!

We need to take some deep breaths - Southee especially

Pitch it up.  You mug.

in before JV says I told you so because Southee didn't take 7 wickets and Mccullum didn't score 300 again. 

We need to get the "Sydney Mouth" out - quickly.

Or it doesn't matter because it's hit and giggle or it doesn't count because it's not in England, Australia or South Africa.

On yer bike Watson.

Bye bye Warner you fudgeing sharkcod