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Since there were objections to our hijacking the thread, I thought I would start a brand new one in the Coffee (Beer?) Corner, where we can continue this very important discussion.

At this stage, I think the players should just be given the next few weeks off to drink rum and sail pedal-boats, and the trophy given to the current No.1 ranked ODI team. However there seem to be a few (predominantly Australian) voices out there that don't agree with me.

Interesting game today. I think Sri Lanka are gonna murder England, but the English have provided a few very surprising results recently. Can their fluke-fest continue?

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Hey,

as you can imagine, in an SAP-related forum you have all these german folks watching the threat who have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. So I would like to ask for a quick explanation of the game of cricket. I will see whether I will be allowed to award points (YES !) for the coolest and shortest explanation.

Just so you know what I know so far about the game: Two teams in white outfit (both teams wearing the same outfit ?) throw balls at each other. They must not bow their arm and have to hit a little thingy (wicket ?). After they throw they run back and forth. There is no offsite. Games take 5 days with tea-time at 3pm. The english invented the game but normally loose against the West Indies, Australia, NZ, India and Madagascar. The americans took the game, americanized it and now call it baseball.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Looking forward to learn something (like always on SDN) and also looking forward to next UEFA European Football Championships 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

Oliver

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Oliver,

Your undetrstanding of the game of cricket is in line with the following quote of George Bernard Shaw.

"The English are not very spiritual people, so they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity."

That aside, there are quite a few limited versions as an alternative to the traditional 5-day game.. like the 20/20 for example..

~Suresh

Oliver,

No offence intended, but this description of cricket is among the most cheeky ones I have ever seen

Makes me realise that Cricket still is a game limited to a few countties and not as universal as even SAP is...

I wish I could explain the game of cricket to you, but I just realised that the game aint as simple as it seems..

Regards

Bhavesh

The way today's game is going on, looks like it is SL and Australia in the finals !

Hi Oliver,

I read somewhere that cricket is a game where two teams toss a coin to see who goes out first. The toss-winning team sends two batsman in and they stay in until they are out. Then a replacement comes out and the team stays in until ten players have been in and out. Then the first team is OUT so they go in and the other team is sent out.

Then the first team attempts to get the team who is in out, and the opposing side tries to stay out and not get out. All pretty simple - but sometimes a team is sent in before the other team is out.

Regards

Gareth

Hi Suresh,

Aust SL in the final. Poor old SA could only manage149 which Aust got in 33 overs.

I am very excited about the final - I do not think Australia will get an easy win in that one.

Lyal, is it time for Smith?

Gareth

And then there were two...

Sadly, we had two very disappointing semi-finals, and the two best teams are in the final. But I'm afraid that, unless Australia have a very bad day at the office, I just can't see Sri Lanka stopping them lifting their third consecutive World Cup trophy.

Sri Lanka have some top players, but their backup bowlers and middle-order batsmen look a bit frail. I just can't see any weak links in the Australian side.

I hope I'm wrong...

Never mind, NZ! We'll see you in the final at Stade de France on 20 October

I've never been a fan of Mr. Smith (largely because of his provincial background), but I would like to hope that the usual SA approach of 'fire the coach and skipper when things go wrong' will not apply this time when we are finding a bit of sporadic form and stability.

Hi Oliver,

To add to Gareth, which ever team wins the toss, decides if they or the opposite team will either bat or field.

Usually, they play one day international aka ODI, where they play for 50 overs for each team, each Over has 6 balls, and 11 players in each team.

Which ever team plays first, tries to score as much as they can in those fifty overs, by this they set a target, and then the opposing team has to score that target to win. If someone gets out like they hit the ball and if the ball doesnt touch the ground and the fielder from the other team cathces the ball, then the batsman is out. this is just one way of being 'Out'. When someone is out, it is referred as a wicket down. Usually, the strategey by the fielding team is to take as many wickets down as they can, and the batting team is to score as much as they can while savign the wickets. So if a teams score is 320 / 9 in 50 overs. Yup, i hope you know by now what that means.

The match you were referring to that goes on for 5 days is called a test cricket, where the teams dont have any overs to play, they play as long as thier wickets are not lost. In my opinion i find this a little too long and if i may say....boring.

Cricket is pride for many countries that play, so when they hear such responses about cricket, they feel sad for people who dont take time to understand it. So the next time, someone tells you they dont know what Cricket is and people just throw balls at each other, please feel free to explain them.

Thank you !

Hi Lyal,

On Mr Smith, SA Cricket this morning mentioned a lack of mental toughness on the part of the team.

Now I must add I didn't find the semis disappointing at all. What I am looking forward to is seeing if all the talk about Murali holds up against a better batting line up. I for one wouldn't like to face him.

As for the Stade de France, I don't want to dredge up the past but I believe a field goal is worth three points. (and he hasn't kicked one since).

Australia have a weak link, as England found last summer. They have to respect every opponent.

Cheers

Gareth

or maybe Australia just has a bad run after ages in a world cup finals.. it has to happen sometime right.. Maybe Murphy strikes..

I am pining and hoping SriLanka wins.. Its good for the game to have a different champion after 2 successive wins by the Aussies..

Regards

Bhavesh

As hard as it is for me to support Australia, I feel obliged to support the Southern Hemisphere when there is a North vs. South match. Poor Sri Lanka are only just on the wrong side of the equator

It will be intriguing to see what Murali can do against the form batsmen in the Aussie side. As a genuine no.11 in my village cricket team (living in mortal fear of getting a call-up to open the batting for England), I probably wouldn't like to face him either

Gareth, I hope that somewhere deep down Mr. Larkham is still embarrassed by that ugly, wobbly dropgoal of his! Almost as embarrassed as being in the team that allowed England to burgle the William Webb-Ellis trophy.

Enjoy the final!

Lyal

Aussies proved beyond doubt that they are miles ahead than the rest of the world.. like some one said, they should be given a bye to the final.. but for the rain, we would have seen 400+ score today.. Gilchrist chose the right occasion to remind he hasn't lost touch yet.. I think he sealed the outcome in the morning itself.. glad this loooong tourney is finally over.. SL need not feel bad.. they lost only to the BEST team after all..

~Suresh

Hi All,

I will have more to say tomorrow as I am still a bit doughy after the match. Well done to us! But the umpires and ICC should hang their heads in shame over the last three overs.

Cheers

Gareth

I'd say the same, Gareth. But all in all, both the teams did well.

Yes I must admit the last three overs did nothing for the game and mocked Sri Lanka and Australia at what should have been crickets big moment. I am over the moon about Australias cup performance, but I am also happy about the following:

1) ICC will shorten the contest next time;

2) Some of the better teams have learned to take the pool matches seriously and not expect the minnows to be awed by the competition;

3) The overall performance of both Ireland and Bangladesh shows a depth in International cricket which the game needs. I am not so young that I do not remember 'expert' commentators sledging Sri Lanka as a newcomer in the late 70's early 80's. I hope they are all eating their words as SL is now the scariest team in World cricket. And if I read through my collection of cricket histories, I see an article by Bill O'Reilly predicting a new team could prove competative. The new team in this case was the West Indies (1957 and no I do not remember that far back).

So, as I have been so successful this time, here are my predictions for next WC.

India and Pakistan win all their pool matches;
SL win all theirs;
SA (Sorry Lyal) and England bow out under the pressure from Bangladesh and the Netherlands;
Australia and NZ get through
West Indies make up the eight.

Australia succomb to arthritis in the last eight.

NZ/Sri Lanka final.

Regards

Gareth

Hi Lyal,

Was at the Brumbies Crusaders game on Saturday and got to see an even wobblier, uglier field goal win that game.

I was at Aussie Stadium for the final - heart in mouth for two hours followed by trying to get a consoling beer in a Sydney which seemed to have filled with gloating Englishmen. Let me tell you, my beer was about 27.7 degrees that night.

Don't worry, just about anyone in the world has a better than average chance of being asked to open the batting for England. It's the cricketing equivalent of waking up after a big night with a traffic cone you can't remember finding.

Cheers

Gareth

I never actually watched the game, but those final three overs in the dark were ridiculous. I was listening incredulously on the radio as the commentators were trying to work out who the fielders were by a process of deduction, because they couldn't see them. Crazy! But, the correct team won, and it shows how far ahead of everyone else Australia currently is! They are a scary outfit, and I think have shown that they have the depth to cover for the retirement of McGrath and the other oldies who won't be around for the next World Cup.

Growing up in South Africa, every school and club team has at least five guys who want to run in from 30meters and bowl as fast as possible. Spinners are the fat, lazy guys who only get a bowl if all the quickies have been carted. I (and most other SA cricketers) am still firmly of the school that the only real bowler is a fast bowler, but this attitude is going to have to go through a serious change if SA are going to get anywhere on the low, slow, dusbowl pitches of the subcontinent. I would agree that Bangladesh will be a major player in these conditions, but I disagree that the Dutch will be able to exploit them. A lot of their (limited) domestic cricket is played on synthetic pitches, so they don't really have the conditions or personnel to do well in the next WC. So hopefully SA can sneak into the last 8

Has the new format for the WC been officially announced yet? I'll be interested to see what the ICC will do. Two games a day instead of one will really speed up the process. But how many (so-called) minnows will be allowed to play?

One thing that has really irked me throughout the tournament is the constant moaning of the commentators (and some players) about the length of the tournament. Jim Maxwell and the rest of his whiney friends don't seem to realise that they have the best job in the world! I would happily hang up my workflowing keyboard to be able to follow cricket all year round (and get paid for doing it). Especially when it goes to beautiful parts of the world like the Caribean!

Gareth, thanks a lot to the Brumbies for beating the 'Saders for us. It has done wonders for our home semi-final chances! And really opend up the top 6 or 7 positions on the log!

OK, I'd better do some work

Cheers

Lyal

Hi Lyal,

Strong possibility of a Bulls/Sharks finals. What odds the Sharks to go all the way. I will have to follow them as over the last few months my hair has taken on the team colours.

Cheers

Gareth

"English have provided a few very surprising results recently. Can their fluke-fest continue? "

No it can't.

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This WC seems to have gone on for too long already.

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England lost this morning by two runs on the last ball. The World Cup has only just begun in terms of excitement.

Oh, and did anyone hear Greg Chappel has resigned as the Indian coach. Any chance Kapil Dev as the next one.

Hi Gareth

Now why would a coach of a losing cricket team be keen to leave the Windies ASAP?

Hmm

I'd rather coach a rich losing team than a not so rich losing team.

This is the same motivation as Peoplesoft has been using for years......

I agree . This WC 's format and the length are falwed.

Yea they seem more flawed now that India is no more part of the proceedings .

welcome to the coffee corner Lyal!

I wonder if you are ware that large parts of the world (e.g. the whole continental Europe and the U.S afaik) don't know Cricket AT ALL.

So you maybe want to give us a short intro to that great sport to enable us Cricket agnostics to chat about it )

Cheers,

anton

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Don't feel bad, the British hardly understand it and they invented it

It's a fantastic spectator sport: not much happens in the early stages of each half, so you sit in the pub and drink beer and talk about Cricket whilst not watching Cricket because the Cricket you're watching is not particularly interesting so you find some more exciting Cricket to talk about.

The apparent uninterestingness however is more than compensated by the excitement of the closing stages, which is greatly enhanced due to the amount of beers consumed - a game can go on for a full day, so that's a lot of beer.

In sunny climates, going to a live match usually involves bringing cooler bags and the wooden type of matches to light barbeques and cremate dead things to be consumed with - you guessed it - beer, whilst going through the aforementioned process.

Oh, and of course the rules are best discussed over beer too..... This is a popular conversation topic during early stages of the game.

Cheers,

Mike

wow. that sounds like a sport which i would enjoy much. )

Hi Maike,

Don;t forget Test matches. You can spend five days on the couch drinking beer waiting for a draw.

> Don;t forget Test matches. You can spend five days

> on the couch drinking beer waiting for a draw...

5 days? These days, most Test matches get completed inside the 3rd day !

~Suresh

Hi Suresh,

I meant test matches where Australia wasn't playing :). But seriously, I am not too young to remember Geoff Boycott coming out on day one and batting for a draw!

From memory, India and the West Indies had a strategy for 5 day tests:

Lara or Tendulkar bat for three days, and then two days to bowl the opposition out twice.

Regards

Gareth (Channelling Richie Benaud)

Wow, Mike! I've been trying to think of a way of introducing cricket to those that have not been privileged enough to grow up in a cricket-playing nation. But I think you have nailed the perfect introduction!

Yep, England nearly pulled off a surprise win over the Sri Lankans. But, at the end of the day they fell just short of the target. With the close correlation between beer and cricket, I feel that England will never be a great cricket-playing nation until they collectively realise that beer was designed to be drunk BITTERLY cold and not luke warm! I suppose that is a result of many generations of brains being addled by excessive consumption of tea?

Lyal,

I believe English beer will be warmer - tear temperature I believe from crying into them.

Australia have one hand on the cup.

Sadly, after the (allegedly no.1 ranked) SA capitulation against Bangladesh, I feel an odd desire to buy a tear-temperature beer and join the weeping and wailing

I see that Australia are so confident that they even tried to make a game of Sunday's fixture by giving (the allegedly no.1 ranked) Pietersen 2 extra lives.

We'll see whether that confidence leads to a fall...

Looks like Srilanks are going to lift the Cup again. whats your take?

Raja

Raja,

I am glad there's somebobody else backing up the Lankans on this forum.. Don't know if you have seen this , out of which the current discussion originated.. I am sure the Aussies will have to dig really deep to smother Murali & his 'doosara' !

~Suresh

Hi Suresh

Well according to Pieterson, Murali is the hardest bowler to pick in flight. But more than one player is needed to win the cup. And Jayasuria is older than me!

Bad luck for the windies this morning. So by my reckoning we have Australia, NZ, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

What odds for an Australia NZ final?

Gareth

An Aussie- Kiwi final cannot be ruled out but I bet the game would be more exciting with the Lankans in it.. and Gareth don't underestimate Vaas & Sangkarra who could be innoccuously explosive too..

~Suresh

So if we go on form into the cup, we would have Aust, SL then NZ and then I guess South Africa, although they didn't beat either Australia or, more surprisingly, Bangladesh.

Vaas scares me a little as when he is on form he is unstoppable, but when he has a bad day, everything turns to water.

Will be interesting.

Gareth

Suresh,

I havent seen that thread before. the reason why i bet on SL is more with the way they conducted themselves in the past matches in WC. they were confident , cool and determined. (without the arrogance of the kind of NEL-SA)

Aussies may look stronger, but i sincerely feel that the chances with either SL or Kiwis

Raja

Message was edited by:

Durairaj Athavan Raja

Durairraj,

I heard Ian Healy and Ranatunga on the radio on my way home a few weeks ago discussing this exact thing. Arjuna stated clearly that Sri Lankans preferred to let their cricket do the talking for them. Although he did say he found the chatter of the other teams entertaining.

Heals on the other hand had a different view.

What is not so good is the length of the contest as it is starting to wear us poor southern hemisphere fans out since most games start at 11pm or so and finish just after eight in the morning. Kind of apt therefore to be discussing in Coffee Corner.

Gareth

>>>Arjuna stated clearly that Sri Lankans preferred to let their cricket do the talking for them.

I still remember what Arjuna said when a reporter asked him about the 'eyeball to eyeball' contest with Aussies during the Worldcup they won..

" The only ball I see when on the field is the cricket ball ".. such a cool headed guy..

~Suresh

I think if we go on form, an Australia - New Zealand final seems to be on the cards. Sri Lanka and South Africa (presumably) have both had some awesome games, but they have also had some completely rubbish games, whereas Aus and NZ have been far more consistent. But, as they say, it's a funny old game and anything could happen!

I think today's game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand should be a corker! Worth filling up with coffee for and having an all-nighter, Gareth!

Hi Lyal,

You were right - it was a corker (albeit lower scoring than I'd like to see) but the Kiwis blinked and the Lankans didn't (well not much anyway).

Can't see the same excitement out of Aust Ireland although as you said, it's a funny game.

Living on coffee

Gareth

Hi Gareth

Yes, it was a great game, but I was surprised how easily the Sri Lankans won. NZ have got their results so far with just Bond Styris and Vettori firing consistently. This time, even though Styris batted well, the rest of the team's frailties were shown up badly - particularly the bowling attack.

<a href="http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/current/match/247496.html">Ireland are currently 14/4</a>, so I can't see any other result other than an Australian win happening there. I just hope the game lasts long enough so that I can listen to cricket on my drive home!

However, tomorrow's game should be another good one. If there are no other bizarre results, SA and NZ will be playing this to determine 3rd and 4th place (i.e. who gets to play Australia in the semi-final).

Have a good weekend!

Lyal

Gareth --> Aussies ( who else ? )

Me & Raja --> Lankans

Lyal --> Springboks?

join the cricket fan(atics)!

~Suresh

Yep, as frustrating as it is to watch the South Africans, I will always back the Proteas!

It's a pity I didn't make this thread a question - then I could have awarded points to those backing the eventual winners

>>It's a pity I didn't make this thread a question - then I could have awarded points to those backing the eventual winners

Let me get a bit 'cliche'(y)..

The game of cricket will be the ultimate winner !

~Suresh

P.S. Points? Who cares? this is Coffee Corner!

Proteas!

They bat/field/bowl well but they miss the magic finishing touch the aussies have.

Look at the way Srilankans handled kiwis - that should tell who is going to be the winner of this WC. If Styris was lucky to get away with that nicked catch to sankakara. he should dedicate his century to the umpire.

(by the way i am not a Srilankan, an Indian)

Thanks to this thread guys,. after india's loss to bangladesh, i totally lost interest in Cricket. But for this thread i dont speak cricket to anyone.

Raja

I would say I second Raja to some extent ... The only thing that could have kept me up all night would have been an India Vs Pak match .. but then the teams decided that they had more endorsements ( India ) and decided to leave early...

Nothing much in the WC for me ... but then by the way its been going ... I would put my money on AUS..

Maybe we should start a thread about the EPL too .... Chelsea anyone ???

Arun

Hi Suresh.

Got me there. Although a nasty little voice in my head wanted Ireland to get up and ensure no team goes into the finals undefeated.

And this is what is good about this world cup. Ireland and Bangladesh were in with a (sort of chance) - who would've picked that?

Cheers

Gareth

Gareth,

Bangladesh posted handsome victories against India & SA and yet lost quite convincingly to Ireland.. which makes me agree with what Ponting observed the otherday.. Ireland looks like shedding the minnows tag pretty soon...

Are you getting ready for what will most likely be a 'preview' of the final? I heard the Grenada Pitch is more suitable for the Lankans..

~Suresh

P.S. I am glad India left the scene quite early.. on current form there could have a few more humiliating games for them..

Hi Arun

The one great thing in the UK about having the Cricket World Cup on is that it provides the occassional break from the endless, boring drudgery of soccer that dominates every form of media throughout the year. So feel free to start a thread, but I shall politely decline to participate.

South Africa paid the price this weekend for having a useless tosser for a captain

I didn't actually watch the game, but I listened to it, and it sounds like the pitch was a demon in the morning, and credit to the NZ bowlers for taking full advantage of it. It leaves the Proteas having to play England on Tuesday in a straight shoot-out for the last semi-final berth. England have managed to look completely rubbish throughout the tournament, but have been threatening to improve. Could be a good game...

Cheers

Lyal

<a href="http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/current/match/247499.html">Today's game</a> between Australia and Sri Lanka could well be the two teams that meet in the final. Australia have picked their first-choice team, but Sri Lanka are playing it cagey and have left out their three main bowlers, Murali, Vaas and Malinga (injured).

Very sneaky, Mr. Moody!

And........

Welcome back for the first time this morning. And the big news is ... Australia by seven wickets with 7.2 overs remaining. Gilchrist, Ponting and Symonds seeing how many runs you can get without actually running.

I am wondering why Murali was too scared to risk his WC figures by bowling at the worlds best? (Sorry lads, couldn't help it.).

Bracken was very impressive, especially late in the innings using the slower ball with Gilly up on the stumps. Perhaps it is this willingness to try something different and arrgessive which is the difference between the teams.

Regards

The Smug and Chortling Gareth

I must agree here. I had a theory a few years ago that the violence in soccer was caused by the lack of action on the pitch.

Hey Lyle,

Have you been watching the Super 14? What odds a Brumbies-Sharks final?

Gareth

That Aussie victory was yet another very impressive and clinical performance against the team most people seem to think will be in the final. I think Sri Lanka were really stupid to leave out Murali and Vaas (what? Oh, they were injured? YEAH RIGHT!). They had the opportunity to go for a win against Australia and achieve first position on the log, and they meekly surrendered it before the first ball had been bowled. And, while they had their second-string bowling attack on the field, they must be pretty worried that their first-choice batting line-up capitulated so easily! Bracken was impressive, but I just can't respect him until he gets rid of his girlie hair accessories! They are AWFUL!

But, today is all about SA vs. England. On paper, SA should win. But England have produced a few notable flukes recently, and they could win it if SA aren't more consistent. And beating South Africa is the kind of annoying thing that KP and his merry band of bits-and-pieces players can do.

Gareth, the Brumbies aren't their usual ruthless, efficient, ball-hogging selves this season. As for my Sharks, I would LOVE to see them in the final. But I have gone through countless seasons of watching them get a great start and then crumbling towards the end of the season. Every year I hope this is the one. This year could be it, but I am terrified that the crumbling will still happen. I'm afraid it would take a brave man to bet on a final with no NZ teams in it. Sadly...

Now let me get back to work so I can get this annoying mini-go-live done so it doesn't disrupt my cricket-watching too much!

Cheers

Lyal

Not just on paper. Pietersen 3 caught Smith - Smith 89 no. Very happy to see flukey England going home after a less than convincing campaign.

Todays Sydney Telegraph has a story on SL leaving the bowlers out to ensure they didn't meet Australia in the Semis. If this is the case then they will lose as top level games are 75% mental.

Just to build your forlorn hope, This years Sharks are THE most impressive South African outfit I have ever seen....... Except Percy - still a super model at heart.

Cheers

Gareth (The Real One)

It's pretty sad that the only time cricket ever displaces soccer on the back pages of British newspapers is when there is controversy in the sport. While I loved seeing South Africa get through in such emphatic fashion (especially seeing the so-called no.1 batsman in the world succumbing for 3), I felt sorry for Vaughan and Fletcher and the team after that mismatch. And the press won't be giving them a break!

At least SA got the game over quickly so you could get some much-needed beauty sleep, Gareth

As for the SL tactics, I have heard good arguments both for and against the exclusions. But I am still disappointed. I do know that there would be MAJOR outcry in South Africa if we ever deliberately put out a sub-standard team against Australia. No matter what the circumstances! I presume that the NZ'ers will not employ similar tactics!

And as for the rugby, I am trying not to be overly confident. But this is the first season for at least 10 years where the sharks have consistently been able to play 80 minutes of rugby. So I am hoping! As for Percy, it has taken me a number of years to finally accept him, but I consider him a Natal boy now. Now I am busy trying to accept our next former-stormer geriatric, Bobby Skinstad. Gonna be tough...

Hi Lyal,

This morning's game gave me even more sleep. All done before lunch.

When all is said and done, if SL had played Murali and Vaas against Australia, I think they could have won.

Poor old England. They really need to start looking at their pathway into the top level as it looks like they have major pressure issues in World Cups. Shame really as on paper they should be better.

I'd forgotten about Bobby. You won't have so long to get used to him - as I found knees deteriorate over age. I was sorry noone picked the odd man out yesterday between Cindy Crawford, Scarlett Johansen and Olly Le Roux. It was Cindy - She hasn't dyed her hair lately.

Regards

Gareth

It's been a disappointing World Cup. India and Pakistan going out early, England and West Indies misfiring, and South Africa qualifying as the least worst team. It's a three horse race of Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

I just came across this thread, and loving every bit of it...I agree with Chris, with India and Pakistan out of the game, it seems a little bland, but Sri Lanka did awesome y'day against Ireland, all out for 77, that's neat. I'll bet on Sri Lanka.

Hi Gareth,

But since both SL and Australia are now qualified, does it really matter who won in this match, except maybe for run rate purposes ? I think SL was playing a strategic card, by not revealing Murali and Vass's style to Aussie team in upclose and personal way. Just my 2 cents.

Hi NewYorker

Yep, and I hope it works - Aust SL final will mean the best two teams will play off.

In response to your earlier post, you're right. Due to the form of some of the 8, the semis have been determined quite early, meaning the most interesting game became England/SA. But this was due to the India and Pakistan losses in the first pool matches (I still can't believe that!). Now I am happy that Bangladesh and Ireland made the last eight - Good for them and good for cricket, but it did mean in reality we had a final 6. This was made worse when I noticed during the Australian summer that England have feet of clay when under pressure. So there's a last 5 and of these 4 can go through. The West Indies have been falling into the trap of relying on three or four players rather than the team over the last few years and so there's 4.

This hindsight stuff is great! So what does each team bring to the finals:

NZ - capable all rounders and the provan ability to defend a small total;

SL - best bowlers of the competition and a batting line up which is unstoppable if it can get a start;

SA - Sheer determination combined with toughness under pressure. (I often think the best way to beat the Proteas is to send in a grossly under strength team and spend the week talking up their chances - with noone to beat the would fold.)

Aust - Clincal play, excellent fielding and depth.

The only other item of note is that the weekend will see the retirement of Brian Lara - highest test score of 400, and over 12000 test runs at 54 or so. It will be a shame to lose him.

Regards

Gareth

348 against NZ (even if they are without Bond & Oram).. This team is becoming simply unstoppable.. Hayden's dream-run, McGrath's last salvo & Ponting's consistnet aggression make them clear favorites to lift the WC.. with odds heavily favoring the Aussies, I am still betting on SL to win.. and now I must admit that it has to be huge upset & will require a great effort from Murali in particular to check these rampaging Aussies..

Its a pity we won't be seeing Lara on field after this Saturday.. I have always felt he & Tendulkar should never have been made captains in the first place..

~Suresh

Hi Suresh,

Pretty impressive for us, and it is good to see Watson complete an innings without injury. And I notice England win when the pressure is off (again).

But that means SL is in the box seat as they will have nothing to lose and all to gain. If they have a go and don't make it, then they were beaten by the outstanding team of the contest. But if they have a go and win - what an achievement!

Still heaps to watch for. And Lyle, wouldn't it be odd if NZ and SA both won their semis? Now there's a forlorn hope.

Bad luck Sharks; Well done Bulls and (shock) Stormers.

Cheers

Gareth

Yep, Australia do seem to be unstoppable at the moment. Where all the other teams have relied on two or three top individuals, everyone in the Australian team seems to be firing (with the possible exception of Mr. Cricket, himself). They just don't appear to have any weak links, which is ominous! I saw a comment on the Cricinfo commentary that Oz should get a bye to the final next WC, and everyone else plays a round-robin to see who gets to face them

My only hope for Wednesday is that SA can go into the tie knowing they are the underdogs, and play like they have nothing to lose cough 434 cough. The talent is there. And surely even Australia must be due a bad game? Surely?

Wonder what odds you'd get on a SA - NZ final?

Gareth, I can't believe we lost to the Chiefs. We came so close to being the only team ever to beat all 5 NZ sides Fortunately the stormlets did us a favour by somehow beating the Blues, so the weekend wasn't a complete washout!

Big Game tonight - 'cmon SL. But, being Anzac day, the Kiwis will have more pride and determination than usual. I can't wait!

I hear on the radio that Smith still has a slight wrenched knee from the Pietersen catch - do you think Kev hit it to him on purpose. I also hear that the finalists are the only teams retaining their coaching staff - India, WI, Bangladesh, Ireland, Canada and The Netherlands have all lost their coaches. Oh and England.

Lyle, I couldn't believe it either. And the worst bit is this time I can't blame Perce or Skinstad. During the last half you could have book the entire team for loitering without intent. Hope they do better this week. Game of the round - Crusaders/Brumbies in Canberra - look out for me in the front row about 10 yards east of halfway. I'll be wearing a Brumbies jersey.

Cheers

Gareth

NZ 32/2 11 overs, NZ - players bodylanguage says it all , looks like Srilanks will get thru semis easily

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