Champions Trophy - England and Wales 2013

First topic message reminder :

We have had a few prediction/ speculation type threads but this will be the discussion thread for matches in the Champions Trophy which starts this morning.

The first game is India v South Africa at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff.

mystiroakey wrote:The last couple of results have shown us that England are probally not on the level((as poor) we assumed..

Nz do have a good attack and have clearly gained a lot of confidence..

Agreed. Looks like NZ and England have benefited from all that cricket.

Sri Lanka all out for 138. Brilliant stuff from New Zealand, although the Sri Lankan batsmen didn't exactly cover themselves in glory

Sri Lanka allout 138. Atrocious batting performance from the Lankans, and it could have been even worse had it not been for Sangakkara's lone hand.

Does make England's performances seem a little better it must be said.

Terrible stuff from SL.

trebellbobaggins wrote:Does make England's performances seem a little better it must be said.

Terrible stuff from SL.

And those 1 day losses to NZ were without key players. Looks like England have the best bowling unit in this competition right now.

Yeah teassoc indeed. England were at least experimenting. Seems that series toughened us and NZ up a little.

Ronchi really has been pants so far for NZ

Hes certainly lacking that NZ spirit.

teassoc wrote:

trebellbobaggins wrote:Does make England's performances seem a little better it must be said.

Terrible stuff from SL.

And those 1 day losses to NZ were without key players. Looks like England have the best bowling unit in this competition right now.

England certainly have the resources to put together the best bowling unit of this tournament along with that of Pakistan. Anderson, Broad, Finn and Swann, with Bresnan as the 5th bowler make them a formidable outfit. Bopara and Root filling as the 5th bowler could be a little bit of an issue, but playing Bopara gives them the best chance to utilize the likes of Buttler in the optimum way, and their plans rely heavily on Buttler and Morgan getting to bat the last 6 overs.
Pakistan too have a fine bowling unit. Junaid Khan, Mohammed Irfan and Wahab Riaz are a fine set of seamers, and all of them bring something different to the table. Then they have Saeed Ajmal. Mohammed Hafeez is a pretty useful ODI bowler, and Shoaib Malik too can be a decent parttime option.

msp83 wrote:

teassoc wrote:

trebellbobaggins wrote:Does make England's performances seem a little better it must be said.

Terrible stuff from SL.

And those 1 day losses to NZ were without key players. Looks like England have the best bowling unit in this competition right now.

England certainly have the resources to put together the best bowling unit of this tournament along with that of Pakistan. Anderson, Broad, Finn and Swann, with Bresnan as the 5th bowler make them a formidable outfit. Bopara and Root filling as the 5th bowler could be a little bit of an issue, but playing Bopara gives them the best chance to utilize the likes of Buttler in the optimum way, and their plans rely heavily on Buttler and Morgan getting to bat the last 6 overs.
Pakistan too have a fine bowling unit. Junaid Khan, Mohammed Irfan and Wahab Riaz are a fine set of seamers, and all of them bring something different to the table. Then they have Saeed Ajmal. Mohammed Hafeez is a pretty useful ODI bowler, and Shoaib Malik too can be a decent parttime option.

Very fair assessment. SL were woeful - batted how they often do against the swinging ball even though it wasn't swinging that much, then played some dreadful shots as the innings went on.

49-3. Sri Lanka need a Malinga style burst

Guptill falls just after for 25. 49-4

A bit of a collapse from New Zealand. Another wicket here, Sri Lanka will be right back in it.

Spicey game!

New Zealand 71-5, and in serious trouble. Vettori and Brendon McCullum in the middle. They need a partnership here.

Naaa NZ will be fine. Although full credit to SL for giving a real go of it.

Sometimes that small target is so hard to get!!

Exactly. Its never over, until its over.

Vettori gone, 80-6

Hmm well. They bowled well but they are getting hammered.

Bet NZ wish Williamson hadn't used up that review rather stupidly now...

So far the only 2 teams to put in a complete performance are India and England. Pretty open tournament so far

And with England's performance there was definite room for improvement

England may have missed a trick with spin vs NZ

i hate the unprofessional and poor sportmanlike attitude of asian cricketers. want new zealand to put them away now

Good bowling by New Zealand today, they've nearly messed this easy target up but should still stumble over the line. England won't be fearing Sri Lanka after the latter's brittle batting display today, that's for sure.

India and NZ are my picks to win the tournament. However NZ certainly don't look great with the bat today!

WHAT A BEAUTYYYYYYYYY FROM MALINGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hmm, I may have just jinxed the Kiwis.

Big wicket that. Think New Zealand should now take the attack to the bowlers. Hanging around may not be all that easy in such a pressure situation.

Just block the remaining 3 overs off Malinga. Get the 19 required off the others.

Papa slingo having another great day.

Could be all over.

MALINGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Very very interesting now.

8 down. All 3 results possible.

I hope England can cope with this slingy action. It's a nightmare to play.

SL positively trying to intimidate the umpire with this LOUD appealing. 8 runs to go.

Probably should've used their review properly then

Come on New Zealand, nearly there - 7 to go.

Bt of luck there but a bit lazy from NZ.

This has been such a struggle for them.

AMAZING!!!!!!

COME ON SL!!!!!!

what a match

All down to Southee now

Oh my word. What a game.

Run out trying to keep the strike?

Guess not

That's Malinga done for the day. 4-34 of his 10. Southee survived an absolutely hostile last over from Slinga. McClenaghan on strike now.

Edge behind for 4 coming

McClenagan gets a single

Southee another.

2 to win, 1 to draw

Single for McClenaghan, and its Southee on strike against Dilshan.

Wide and a single taken.

NZ win