So what sport(s) DO you follow?

[Jack the Stripper]

^^Mqybe that was India's problem. They just thought they'd only have to to turn up against NZ and they'd get through to the final. I know most of their fans did.

Tomorrows(tonight my time) SF is gonna be insane viewing. The coin toss is gonna be crucial. Edgbaston is hard to chase runs on.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The second Cricket Semi-Final between England and Australia has just started.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat... they may already be regretting that decision... 12 for 2 in the 4th over.

[Jack the Stripper]

Gonna take a massive rescue mission from here to pull this one out. England's bowling has been first class.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

If any team can pull it out the fire it is Australia, you've still got some good batsmen to come.

[Jack the Stripper]

Dunno, they've got Maxwell who's natural game is is to slog, even when digging in and steadying the ship is required he can't help himself. Stoinis hasn't done much with the bat this World Cup but is a more than capable batsman. 

If they can get 250 on the board it will give them something to bowl to. They've defended low totals in Semi Finals before.

[Jack the Stripper]

250 is a pipe dream now.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I was starting to fear you might get a big-ish total while Carey was still there, but a couple of quick wickets has changed the complexion of the innings, but Smith is still going well, and Maxwell may well slog a quick but telling innings.

[Jack the Stripper]

It's been the story of our World Cup. We have one good partnership and the rest colapse around it. England has bowled incredibly well. The execution of their plans has been spot on.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I'm sorta dissapointed. While I want England to win, it would be nice if they did it by chasing down 350!

If Smith can guide the Aussies to 230+ I can see you still winning this... it's the English way!

[Jack the Stripper]

If they can get to 230 they'd have done well. Early wickets will be the key when bowling. Gotta get them under pressure from the get-go. This is England's to lose now.

[Jack the Stripper]

All out 223. At least 60 runs too short but still respectable given the predicament they were in.

Can you believe the run out of Smith Kilo? Running to the non strikers end Butler the keeper has thrown down the stumps from well behind the the stumps at the batters end, the ball going between Smiths legs as he was reaching for the crease with his bat 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It' gives your bowlers something to defend, so it's not all over.

And yes, that run out was spectacular, watching a replay I can't see how the ball went through his legs without hitting anything! It's a shame because after his innings he sorta deserved to get his 100.

[Zzzptm]

So how has Australia's bowling been so far in the finals? Is it going to be up to the task of the English batsmen?

[Jack the Stripper]

It' gives your bowlers something to defend, so it's not all over.

And yes, that run out was spectacular, watching a replay I can't see how the ball went through his legs without hitting anything! It's a shame because after his innings he sorta deserved to get his 100.

Yeah he did deserve a 100. He's been unlucky in this World Cup Smith. Was out twice to two extraordinary catches when he was looking at a big innings.

I'm gonna hit the scratcher but will check the scores intermittently through the night if I wake up.

[Jack the Stripper]

So how has Australia's bowling been so far in the finals? Is it going to be up to the task of the English batsmen?

Australia has one of the best bowling attacks in this World Cup but has been up & down. Unfortunately they don't have a lot of runs to play with in this SF so its gonna have to be tight line and length bowling. There's not a lot in the wicket to help the bowlers. Anything short and wide will be punished by the English.