T20 World Cup: Cricket

[Jack the Stripper]

England are home. Outstanding batting from Buttler and Hales. India haven’t even looked like taking a wicket. The Pakistan bowlers will pose a very different threat than India but I trust England more than Pakistan. Should be a good final, a repeat of the 92 ODI World Cup final at the MCG between England and Pakistan, although England will be hoping for a different outcome this time. 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I was surprised how easy the win was, you usually expect to lose the odd wicket even if you stroll to the win. And it's not like India are a mediocre team, but everyone has off days I suppose.

[Zzzptm]

Wow, well done England and good luck in the final!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The final today: England vs Pakistan vs The Weather!!

England won the toss and decided to field. They bowled really well restricting Pakistan to just 137 for 8. With 4 overs to go they were looking at a 160+ but quick wickets and intelligent field placement stalled them dramatically.

England's reply has just started, 21 for 1 in the first 2 overs.

There's rain in the air but it hasn't affected anything yet.

[Jack the Stripper]

Should be ok with the rain. I live 10km North of the MCG and no rain here and the radar is showing rain on the outskirts of Melbourne but mostly missing the MCG. Maybe some very light rain at worst but not enough to go off. It is Melbourne though, whether can turn in the blink of an eye.

Don’t think Pakistan have anywhere near enough runs on the board. They do have a great bowling attack but unless they can Buttler out in a hurry and the rest of the batting lineup take the gas England will win.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

32 for 2 in the 5th... I can't watch!!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Well I did watch, and it was a little nail biting until the last few overs when the win was nearly assured. England won with an over to spare, Stokes hitting the winning run.

 

[Jack the Stripper]

They certainly make hard work of the run chase England but got there in the end. I do think it could’ve gotten very interesting if Afridi hadn’t of went off injured. Changed the momentum of the game when Iftikhar had to step up and finish Afridi’s over. England subsequently took 18 off the next 5 balls and got ahead of the runs to balls ratio.

Pakistan were fake finalist though. They lost their first two games of the tournament and only got through to the semi finals because the Netherlands caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of World Cup cricket in beating South Africa.

England thoroughly deserved the win. They’ve been the best white ball cricket team of the last 5-6 years. Now I just need a couple of NFL teams to win today and I’ll get my bet in.