The International Cricket Thread

[Steve67]

Had the game gone on between Scotland and England last week, I fancied Scotland to have won it, so England survive the group stage by the skin of their teeth.

[Gareth]

I agree Steve, Scotland were rattling along nicely when the rain came in that day

[tomd2103]

Had the game gone on between Scotland and England last week, I fancied Scotland to have won it, so England survive the group stage by the skin of their teeth.

We'll never know unfortunately, which makes the whole thing a bit of an unedifying spectacle really.  I think Scotland can feel a bit aggrieved though given the position they were in when the game was abandoned.

[paul_e]

Had the game gone on between Scotland and England last week, I fancied Scotland to have won it, so England survive the group stage by the skin of their teeth.

I suspect the target would have been similar to the one they set today and England have the firepower to chase that. Obviously we'll never know but I believe that game being washed out was better for Scotland than it was for England.

This isn't to criticise Scotland who have improved massively but I think 180ish is about their limit.

[PaulWinch again]

Really strong effort from Scotland, I thought they had it a couple of times. They need more opportunities.

[cdbearsfan]

It'll be the same as the Rugby World Cup. Minnows perform well, there's talk about getting them more involved, then within weeks they're completely forgotten about because the authorities only care about a tiny number of teams. How many test matches have Ireland played since getting test status?

[PaulWinch again]

Absolutely it’s ridiculous. Although with shorter format stuff there’s really no excuse.

England have crushed the Windies there.

[Villa Lew]

Anybody going for the double England to win the Euros and The World Cup, I would have thought you would get good odds at the bookies.

[paul_e]

I think the inclusion of the associate teams in T20i is actually in a decent place and they are building in a sensible way. It needs to expand to ODIs more as well but I think they do deserve some credit.

Test cricket is a mess and runs a major risk of turning itself into even more of a niche version of the sport with even teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies struggling to get games. England, Australia and India in particular have far too tight a grip on the format and are more interested in maximising revenues from 'big' series than in the long-term health of the sport.

[olaftab]

Buttler unlucky with LBW, ball was missing both leg and off stump! Not sure why he wasted a review?

[paul_e]

Buttler unlucky with LBW, ball was missing both leg and off stump! Not sure why he wasted a review?

I suspect he got a little 'lost' on his positioning after taking a couple of steps , I'd say that's more on Salt to tell him not to be stupid but turned out to not matter anyway.

[cdbearsfan]

Looking like a fairly comfortable win for India. No Talibanter today.

[taylorsworkrate]

Been a very odd run chase so far from England

[taylorsworkrate]

Really poor first 10 overs. Its a slowish pitch but they just haven't applied themselves at all. Left themseleves with a lot to do

[Villan For Life]

This is going to be an interesting chase