The summer of cricket 2020

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A very strong position for England with runs on the board and a series lead in hand.

Pakistan going to have to produce something special from here to rescue the series

Duty281 wrote:

alfie wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Yep, that's the game I think, Alfie.

Barring something extra, extraordinary.

Think it was effectively gone a while back , to be honest. No one has even looked like getting on top of the bowling (Morgan struck a couple of good ones , but he always seemed to be dicing with death to try and score )

In truth it seems 294 was massively over par on a pitch that , as Stuart Broad said , appears to be a bit two paced. Marsh and Maxwell were able to turn it around for them after the early wickets ; but we should probably also praise Stoinis for getting the score ticking over even amongst the early mayhem. Meant they were never as far behind the clock as England have been.

Can't think when I've seen Roy scratch around to no effect , Root score just one off eleven balls , and Bairstow unable to get out of first gear for twenty overs - all on the same day.

Aussies have bowled brilliantly though. Credit where due

Yes, Aussies have bowled very well, unlike England in the second half.

English ODI batting on slow pitches could be a concern going forward. Hopefully they'll get loads of practice on such pitches ahead of the Indian World Cup.

There’s a reason Morgan’s asked groundsmen to prepare more slow pitches going forward...whether they will or not is a different question of course...

Tell you what if its going to happen these two are giving it a go now. Its been a bizzare enough game so far

The RRR is still under 8. If, and it's quite a big if, these two stick together for at least another 10 overs, England might start to fancy it.

Only Moeen and Woakes to come in the way of half-decent bats, with the remaining three being Rashid/Archer/Wood who can all club a few, but you wouldn't expect them to last long.

If we go old school and double the score after 30, England aren’t a million miles away... Just off to find some more straws to clutch at.

Its chaotic all round the past 10 overs or so which really sits in englsnds favour as much as anything can. Its going to take something remarkable from whats already a pretty fair straw clutch by these two bit the way this game has been im not writting it off altogether yet.

Well I'm glad they've managed to keep the game going - even though it still looks a very tall order to get near 294.

Figured I might as well stay up and watch it : we are all still under "house arrest" in Melbourne so plenty of time to catch up on sleep

151/4. Have to say Billings hasn't done himself any harm here.

Oh well

Aah. Just when I was beginning to hope...

Another great outfield catch does for Bairstow , alas. An eventually more than respectable 84 after a lot of early struggles ; but they needed another five overs or so from him , I think.

Moeen likes facing spin ; and Starc appears to be crocked. But I still can't see it...

I'd guess that Mo will have been sent out with instructions along the lines of look to have around 100 left with 10 overs to go then see what happens.

7 overs to come from Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. Plus 2 from Zampa.

England should be completely done here but we've seen less ridiculous things on a cricket field in the recent past!

Moeen gone...

Think that is it.

And now Moeen goes, didn't get going in that innings at all. Timing was always awry.

Billings needs to work a minor miracle to win this one.

Exceptional from Hazlewood.

45 dot balls out of 60. Remarkable.

king_carlos wrote:Exceptional from Hazlewood.

45 dot balls out of 60. Remarkable.

Certainly was ! And took a terrific catch to get the danger man as well...

Unless Billings wins this with a whirlwind hail of sixes I think he'd be my choice for MoTM.

There's one six anyway 200 up !

Two lovely reverse sweeps from Billings. Certainly taking his chance in the starting XI with aplomb.

Likes that reverse sweep , does Billings ! Plays it pretty well too

Need another 82 off eight. Closer than I thought they'd get...

Billings is averging over 200 this summer now

Woakes gone, also never got going.

"It was either going to be runs, boundaries or a wicket." - outstanding commentary and analysis from Shane Warne.

Zampa has his fourth... He's not been afraid to invite the big hits. Good spell by the leggie

Only the bunnies left now to help Billings. Need another 66 off six .

Think Winviz will have the Aussies pretty short priced...

alfie wrote:Zampa has his fourth...  He's not been afraid to invite the big hits. Good spell by the leggie  

Only the bunnies left now to help Billings. Need another 66 off six .

Think Winviz will have the Aussies pretty short priced...

England at 4% is roughly 3.99% higher than I would have them!

Rashid gone . The end is nigh...hope Billings gets his hundred at least.

Guess they've done well to get as far as they have , with only three batsmen passing ten.

But really , this has been a pretty convincing win by Australia. Morgan will have to rally the troops for the remaining games if England are to keep their excellent home record intact.

Billings to 95 ...

Billings gets a ton.

Superb knock in testing circumstances against a quality attack.

can forgive him if he ends not out with england a few short ..still going for it rather than protecting his average

Hundred for Sam Billings

Some consolation at least. But congrats to Australia for a very good win ...

I thought they were about 25 over par. Try again Sunday...

Billings out off the last ball...certainly didn't care about his average!

That Aussie sixth wicket partnership, allied with the first 15 overs of their bowling, won the game for Australia.

England are 2-2 in the ODI Super League.

Billings now avergaing 250 this summer!

And then gets caught as I type

Superb from Hazlewood, and Billings too. Billings really taken his chance with the extended run of games this summer, seems to have cemented that reserve middle order role for the moment.

Only able to watch now and again but followed largely on cricinfo. Although there were several contenders, Hazlewood rightly got MotM imo. His 10-3-26-3 was a brilliant return. The maidens particularly caught my eye - you don't get that many in limited overs games these days, especially not bowling at England.

One thought. I did think England should have pushed Wood up the order to 9 and sent him in for a biff. By the stage Woakes got out we needed the tailenders going for it with Billings rather than just staying alongside him. Rashid and Archer with a combined 13 off 15 left Billings with an increasingly impossible task.

I liked the comment on cricinfo that Starc's undefeated 19 off 12 at the end of Australia's dig was a valuable cameo. As so often, certainly not an original thought of mine although I'm sure that I've said before he can often get a few.

guildfordbat wrote:Only able to watch now and again but followed largely on cricinfo. Although there were several contenders, Hazlewood rightly got MotM imo. His 10-3-26-3 was a brilliant return. The maidens particularly caught my eye - you don't get that many in limited overs games these days, especially not bowling at England.

One thought. I did think England should have pushed Wood up the order to 9 and sent him in for a biff. By the stage Woakes got out we needed the tailenders going for it with Billings rather than just staying alongside him. Rashid and Archer with a combined 13 off 15 left Billings with an increasingly impossible task.

I liked the comment on cricinfo that Starc's undefeated 19 off 12 at the end of Australia's dig was a valuable cameo. As so often, certainly not an original thought of mine although I'm sure that I've said before he can often get a few.

Very much agree. (Though I doubt it could have actually changed the result). To be honest I wonder why England seem to rate Wood's batting (or "biffing" , actually) so little...he is by no means a batsman , but he has shown an ability to smash quick runs on occasions in the past. Rashid and Archer really haven't . Would surely have been worth trying...

Hazlewood was absolutely brilliant .

Hazlewood was brilliant. Starc and Zampa very good. A deserved win for the Aussies.

Perhaps I'm being overly positive but I think it says a lot of this England ODI side that they still came with 19 runs whilst missing Stokes, putting in one of the worst batting performances we've seen from them in years and against a very good attack bowling excellently.

I'd back this side to bounce back. With Smith to come back in it will be a good series though.

If Morgan wins the toss in the 2nd ODI it will be interesting to see what he chooses after that stuttering batting display.

Can understand why you are still optimistic , King Carlos...this team has a fine record. But I reckon they have a couple of questions right now (apart from whether their preferred chasing tactic is wise on this pitch against this attack ?)

The form of Roy  or rather the lack of it. As goose rather uncharitably pointed out yesterday he's been rubbish all summer. We all know how dynamic he can be ; but I think this on-off season has hurt him more than most - along with his injury break of course.  He is an "eye" player ; and the lack of match practice has apparently left him really struggling to get any sort of a start.
If he's lucky enough to survive for a while next up he might get going again ; but the question must be asked : with two must win games coming up , should he be risked ? I think he will be ; but it might not be wise.

Same goes for Moeen. Sometimes will supply late batting fireworks even if he couldn't yesterday ; but his bowling appears to be the side's Achilles heel. Not getting smashed ; but he offers little or no wicket taking threat and was easily milked for six per over in this match. Hopefully will improve ; but frankly I think he's a waste of space in English conditions - a fourth seamer would be much better value.
He benefits from the future appointments on the subcontinent and the management desire to have spin options available. But again : is it smart to play him with the series on the line ?

I think they will stick as is . Mainly because they don't really care if they win or lose the series and are more concerned with settling a team for the future.

(They are really missing Stokes of course but can't help that. )

Aussies will just want to win. They want the "psychological advantage" ; especially after being smashed in England in recent times in ODIs.

Expect a tight game tomorrow.

After the pummeling Australia took in their recent ODIs here and having not played for a long time they seem really up for it that's for sure.

The only obvious changes England might make would be Banton replacing Roy or either Curran brother coming in for Moeen. I'd be tempted to try Tom in the Plunkett role or perhaps Sam for the left arm option if the conditions look helpful.

With the Roy it's the familiar thought process of 'if he stays in for 25 overs then he will swing his way into form and England may well win of the back of his score'. It has usually paid of with Roy at the top, especially since Bairstow started partnering him. I'm not a fan of players batting their way into form in international white ball cricket. The games just move to fast these days for it to often work. This season is unique though due to covid meaning most have played little cricket.

Banton is very dangerous as well of course but has only played 20-odd list-A games so it'd be a big vote of confidence to make the change after losing a game. I think Roy will be backed.

Wood misses out due to a niggle and Moeen for tactical reasons. Both Curran brothers come into the side. Aussies unchanged. Morgan wins the toss and chooses to bat first.

1.Roy
2.Bairstow
3.Root
4.Morgan
5.Buttler (wk)
6.Billings
7.Woakes
8.S Curran
9.T Curran
10.Rashid
11.Archer

It will be really interesting to see what Tom brings in the middle overs and Sam presumably with the new ball.

Rashid and Zampa will now be performing near identical roles in their bowling attacks.

Roy given lbw to Starc second ball of the match but successfully overturned on review. It did look high first time from my armchair and so it proved. What struck me though was how long it took Roy, in conversation with Bairstow, to call for the review as if bereft of belief and confidence. In the recent past, he's been as keen on a review as Broad!

A turning point? We'll see but, if so, he's got quite a way to go yet.

Roy is showing glimpses after that overturned LBW.

Bairstow gone as I type that though. A stock delivery from Starc but Bairstow is stuck on the crease and follows it.

Root has absolutely done him there. Roy gets himself in then is shafted by his partner!

Arrived a bit late to see England not off to a great start again...and just in time to see Roy run out

At least he got a few runs this time .How was he looking ?

Team might be better balanced today but they need someone to get going. Root struggling to get bat on ball , it seems...

Oh dear that's poor from England and good from Stoinis. Just as Roy was looking like finding some form as well.

Root has barely laid a bat on Starc so far.

alfie wrote:Arrived a bit late to see England not off to a great start again...and just in time to see Roy run out

At least he got a few runs this time .How was he looking ?

Team might be better balanced today but they need someone to get going. Root struggling to get bat on ball , it seems...

A few well timed boundaries and was starting to rotate the strike more reminiscent of how this England side usually bat. Clearly they were trying to keep doing that with another single but a poorly judged one.

king_carlos wrote:

alfie wrote:Arrived a bit late to see England not off to a great start again...and just in time to see Roy run out

At least he got a few runs this time .How was he looking ?

Team might be better balanced today but they need someone to get going. Root struggling to get bat on ball , it seems...

A few well timed boundaries and was starting to rotate the strike more reminiscent of how this England side usually bat. Clearly they were trying to keep doing that with another single but a poorly judged one.

I think Root owes Roy a beer or two...and the team some runs. Hit it straight to cover and ran!

Starc doing his best Hazlewood impression and Root his best Bairstow impression from the first ODI.

Extraordinary the way Joe Root is battling to score . He is usually such a busy batsman , always good for singles even if he isn't finding the boundary. (Which he's just found , that is a welcome short ball !)

Had the same issue the other day against Hazlewood ...but hopefully he's away now with another boundary...

The problem with Root starting like this though is he doesn’t have the same ability and power as Bairstow to be able to catch up later

Aussies sticking to the same game plan , Hazlewood staying on...

Why not , eh ? Tight again...wonderful consistency

But I am a bit more hopeful in that England are batting first this time so there isn't quite the same pressure on them regarding the run rate. If they can get a partnership going they will have time to up the scoring later on. Probably not going to get 300 ; but I don't think it's that sort of pitch.

king_carlos wrote:

alfie wrote:Arrived a bit late to see England not off to a great start again...and just in time to see Roy run out

At least he got a few runs this time .How was he looking ?

Team might be better balanced today but they need someone to get going. Root struggling to get bat on ball , it seems...

A few well timed boundaries and was starting to rotate the strike more reminiscent of how this England side usually bat. Clearly they were trying to keep doing that with another single but a poorly judged one.

Roy's first boundary was fortunate and resulted from poor work in the field by Cummins who dived over the ball at mid on. Starc understandably not too chuffed. That appeared to give Roy some much needed confidence who powerfully struck Hazlewood for three fours in the next over. However, when your luck's out, it doesn't often come back too quickly and stick around. So it turned out with the run out that followed fairly soon afterwards. Best I've seen Roy bat this shortened season though.

Maxwell is so good in that backward point region. He's stopping Root from running the ball down to third man to rotate the strike. Really good field placing and execution.

That placement has had such an effect on Root here that I'd expect a few other sides to copy it.

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

alfie wrote:Arrived a bit late to see England not off to a great start again...and just in time to see Roy run out

At least he got a few runs this time .How was he looking ?

Team might be better balanced today but they need someone to get going. Root struggling to get bat on ball , it seems...

A few well timed boundaries and was starting to rotate the strike more reminiscent of how this England side usually bat. Clearly they were trying to keep doing that with another single but a poorly judged one.

Roy's first boundary was fortunate and resulted from poor work in the field by Cummins who dived over the ball at mid on. Starc understandably not too chuffed. That appeared to give Roy some much needed confidence who powerfully struck Hazlewood for three fours in the next over. However, when your luck's out, it doesn't often come back too quickly and stick around. So it turned out with the run out that followed fairly soon afterwards. Best I've seen Roy bat this shortened season though.

Yes...just saw the highlight shots of the boundaries. Could have done without the run out ; but at least he hit a couple in the middle and just possibly might have him in better fettle for Tuesday.

Aussies will be pretty happy with that first part-session. England might be glad of the drink break !

42/2 off 14.

Good work with the ball by the Australian seamers keeping it dry. 5 maidens bowled by Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and even Marsh.

They bowled a few maidens on Friday too. And England didn't bowl any... I did think at the time that despite the successful early wicket taking England were a little inclined to slip up with at least one loose ball per over. Something they might want to address later today.

At least the Aussies are making some fielding errors

Doesn't look like a big scoring pitch but a lot of pressure on England's attack to match australias

It's another tough scoring pitch, as expected. 260 will be competitive, 280+ could be match-winning. These two have dug in really well and and established a decent platform after a tough start. Australia, again, have been tight and disciplined with consistent line and length.

Wonder if Root will bowl a few overs later, with no Moeen in the attack?

Oh dear, Zampa strikes in his first over again.