The World Cup [admin's warning: contains cricket]

[Snake]

While noting that PlunketÔÇÖs bowling statistics of 1 for 13 was the worst of our five bowlers today in Bermuda in the first friendly before it all kicks off, can I ask if we are allowed to talk about Cricket on here once it all starts for real, boris?

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Extras having an good competition.

[Snake]

Typo alert.

[boris]

While noting that Plunket’s bowling statistics of 1 for 13 was the worst of our five bowlers today in Bermuda in the first friendly before it all kicks off, can I ask if we are allowed to talk about Cricket on here once it all starts for real, boris?

I'm sure there must be &quotspecialist&quot websites for that sort of perversion, snake.

[Resurrection Ox]

Extras having an good competition.

Surely 'a' good competition?

[DLT]

Your not forced to read it.

Only caught glimpses of last night's game but when you look at a side that bats Shane Bond at number ten thenyou know England will be in trouble.

How the hell we can pick Anderson, Mahmood and Lewis in a team before
we choose Broad I haven't got a clue.

Dalrymple isn't a got enough bat, isn't a good enough bowler, so don't pick him.

[Snake]

Well, it's cherio to Pakistan, and that's a bonus.

I regret now not putting &quotIreland will go further than us&quot as one of the options of this poll.

Anyway, Fred should be fired up for the next match he plays in.

[Hog]

You forgot the &quotWho gives a monkey's?&quot option on the poll

[GodalmingYellow]

Your not forced to read it.

Only caught glimpses of last night's game but when you look at a side that bats Shane Bond at number ten thenyou know England will be in trouble.

How the hell we can pick Anderson, Mahmood and Lewis in a team before
we choose Broad I haven't got a clue.

Dalrymple isn't a got enough bat, isn't a good enough bowler, so don't pick him.

Broad? You're having a giraffe matey.
Can't argue with you about Dalrymple though.

Anderson is one of the few bowlers we have who can swing the ball.

[Isaac]

Your not forced to read it.

Only caught glimpses of last night's game but when you look at a side that bats Shane Bond at number ten thenyou know England will be in trouble.

How the hell we can pick Anderson, Mahmood and Lewis in a team before
we choose Broad I haven't got a clue.

Dalrymple isn't a got enough bat, isn't a good enough bowler, so don't pick him.

Broad? You're having a giraffe matey.
Can't argue with you about Dalrymple though.

Anderson is one of the few bowlers we have who can swing the ball.

Unfortunately out in the windies the ball only appears to swing for about 5 overs. Having both Plunkett and Anderson in these conditions partly explains why England can take early wickets but struggle later on. The ease at which the amateur Canadian 7, 8 and 9 batted yesterday was extremely worrying.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

If anybody would like a really annoying earworm, just try thinking &quotI love Jamie Dalrymple&quot to the tune of Jennifer Eccles.

[GodalmingYellow]

Your not forced to read it.

Only caught glimpses of last night's game but when you look at a side that bats Shane Bond at number ten thenyou know England will be in trouble.

How the hell we can pick Anderson, Mahmood and Lewis in a team before
we choose Broad I haven't got a clue.

Dalrymple isn't a got enough bat, isn't a good enough bowler, so don't pick him.

Broad? You're having a giraffe matey.
Can't argue with you about Dalrymple though.

Anderson is one of the few bowlers we have who can swing the ball.

Unfortunately out in the windies the ball only appears to swing for about 5 overs. Having both Plunkett and Anderson in these conditions partly explains why England can take early wickets but struggle later on. The ease at which the amateur Canadian 7, 8 and 9 batted yesterday was extremely worrying.

Don't take the minnows tag too seriously. Some of these sides, including Canada have some very good players, including Aussie Shield and English County players. Yes we should beat them, and we did, but don't expect a roll over every time.

In fairness, I suspect the bowlers took it a little too easy when they realised Canada wouldn't get near the target.

More worrying is the form of some of the batting line up. We rely on our strength in batting to make up shortfalls in our bowling.

[Isaac]

Don't take the minnows tag too seriously. Some of these sides, including Canada have some very good players, including Aussie Shield and English County players. Yes we should beat them, and we did, but don't expect a roll over every time.

In fairness, I suspect the bowlers took it a little too easy when they realised Canada wouldn't get near the target.

More worrying is the form of some of the batting line up. We rely on our strength in batting to make up shortfalls in our bowling.

There's a real lack of even first class experience in the Canadian side. They are club players mostly, apart from the openers and one of the lower order batsman and only the opener who was first out is actually a first class cricketer right now.

I'd expect an international side to at least look like getting them out - England didn't, apart from the first few overs when the ball swung (this was true against new zealand too, 3/4 quick wickets then nothing). I don't expect them to roll over, but you don't expect them to look ridiculously comfortable either. Effectively England had 3 bowlers yesterday (Anderson, Plunkett and Panesar) and two of them were toothless after 5 overs. If they took it easy they deserve even more criticism since runrate could still make a difference.

This is not promising for the super 8's, if they make it. I reckon England could really struggle against Kenya if the top order batting fails again.

[GodalmingYellow]

Don't take the minnows tag too seriously. Some of these sides, including Canada have some very good players, including Aussie Shield and English County players. Yes we should beat them, and we did, but don't expect a roll over every time.

In fairness, I suspect the bowlers took it a little too easy when they realised Canada wouldn't get near the target.

More worrying is the form of some of the batting line up. We rely on our strength in batting to make up shortfalls in our bowling.

There's a real lack of even first class experience in the Canadian side. They are club players mostly, apart from the openers and one of the lower order batsman and only the opener who was first out is actually a first class cricketer right now.

I'd expect an international side to at least look like getting them out - England didn't, apart from the first few overs when the ball swung (this was true against new zealand too, 3/4 quick wickets then nothing). I don't expect them to roll over, but you don't expect them to look ridiculously comfortable either. Effectively England had 3 bowlers yesterday (Anderson, Plunkett and Panesar) and two of them were toothless after 5 overs. If they took it easy they deserve even more criticism since runrate could still make a difference.

This is not promising for the super 8's, if they make it. I reckon England could really struggle against Kenya if the top order batting fails again.

Famous last words, but we'll be safe against Kenya. As you say, the Super 8s is a different kettle of kippers though.

[Resurrection Ox]

Don't take the minnows tag too seriously. Some of these sides, including Canada have some very good players, including Aussie Shield and English County players. Yes we should beat them, and we did, but don't expect a roll over every time.

In fairness, I suspect the bowlers took it a little too easy when they realised Canada wouldn't get near the target.

More worrying is the form of some of the batting line up. We rely on our strength in batting to make up shortfalls in our bowling.

There's a real lack of even first class experience in the Canadian side. They are club players mostly, apart from the openers and one of the lower order batsman and only the opener who was first out is actually a first class cricketer right now.

I'd expect an international side to at least look like getting them out - England didn't, apart from the first few overs when the ball swung (this was true against new zealand too, 3/4 quick wickets then nothing). I don't expect them to roll over, but you don't expect them to look ridiculously comfortable either. Effectively England had 3 bowlers yesterday (Anderson, Plunkett and Panesar) and two of them were toothless after 5 overs. If they took it easy they deserve even more criticism since runrate could still make a difference.

This is not promising for the super 8's, if they make it. I reckon England could really struggle against Kenya if the top order batting fails again.

Famous last words, but we'll be safe against Kenya. As you say, the Super 8s is a different kettle of kippers though.

We will struggle to beat Kenya. We may not even qualify even if we beat them!. Have you thought about that one? Still cheer up.

With our lads there's always 'happy hour' after the game . or is that 'happy 8 hours'?