The International Cricket Thread

[paul_e]

Before the tournament started India knew that in the event they got to the semi-final they d play in Guyana, which meant they could pick their squad to be tailored for this pitch. No other team knew their potential venue, it’s outrageous.

I agree, no team should have that sort of guarantee. If keeping games at a time that works for Indian TV is so important to the ICC then both Semis should've been scheduled at the same ground.

[cdbearsfan]

Mon South Africa.

[PaulWinch again]

It’s fine that India have been better, but they shouldn’t be getting a leg up when it comes to selecting their squad and every other team has to have players to cover different scenarios. I’m hoping there will be a real stink about it, because it can’t happen like this again.

[PaulWinch again]

Mon South Africa.

Indeed.

[PaulWinch again]

Also without wishing to be overly cynical. It’s a hell of a coincidence that India’s semi final venue is also known as a turning pitch.

[taylorsworkrate]

It’s fine that India have been better, but they shouldn’t be getting a leg up when it comes to selecting their squad and every other team has to have players to cover different scenarios. I’m hoping there will be a real stink about it, because it can’t happen like this again.

There won't be. The other nations agreed to it before the tournament started so they can hardly kick up a fuss now.

It will all be forgotten about in a couple of weeks.

[PaulWinch again]

Both these semi finals have been brutal.

[cdbearsfan]

Before the tournament started India knew that in the event they got to the semi-final they d play in Guyana, which meant they could pick their squad to be tailored for this pitch. No other team knew their potential venue, it’s outrageous.

So they'll have picked a squad to give them an advantage at the semi-final venue, knowing that they play a grand total of one of their eight matches, there? Seems a bit far-fetched.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think England need a refresh now - time to move on from Bairstow, Mo, and Livingstone for me. The first two have had great careers, but it’s increasingly diminishing returns and Livingstone has just never really shown he can do it on the international stage with the bat.

[Steve67]

I've genuinely never seen what all the fuss is about with Jofra Archer, in any format of the game.  I presume I am in a minority on this.

[cdbearsfan]

Underdogs now, IMO.

[Steve67]

This is embarrassing.

[cdbearsfan]

Century! Okay, it's the team, rather than a player... but better than I was expecting a few overs ago...

[PaulWinch again]

I've genuinely never seen what all the fuss is about with Jofra Archer, in any format of the game.  I presume I am in a minority on this.

Really?

[Steve67]

I've genuinely never seen what all the fuss is about with Jofra Archer, in any format of the game.  I presume I am in a minority on this.

Really?

I guess he hasn't played enough.  He's done ok in this tournament to be fair, but in tests, I don't see him as any better than Wood or Stone.  I hope I'm wrong and he wins us the ashes as he should enjoy the Aussie pitches.