I completely forgot this was on and went to the Renegades v Brisbane game in Melbourne. That was shite as well.
If England collapse again now, I will have to take some responsibility. I watched the start and we lost three wickets so I decided to do some work. I switched back on and within 10 seconds, we lose another wicket. The same happened in the first match. Apologies to all involved.
So did I . Look what has happened since ! Record 4th wicket partnership and 2 centuries . Now Archer is showing his class too.
Phew, it wasn't just me, we're off the hook! He was brilliant, I'm glad he got the extra wickets cleaning up the tail. He deserved them. Every time we needed a wicket, he managed to get it. It's great to see him back.
This series has shown that we’re nowhere near as good as we thought we were. We’ve got a few months of tinkering to do before the WC in India but some changes need to be made, all over. If Jofra hadn’t have come back early to get us back in the game it looked like our 346 wasn’t enough to defend. Work to do..
Plenty of questions were being asked about England's T20 cricket last summer after they lost the home series to India and South Africa. The subsequent World Cup victory suggested there was no cause for panic then, just as there is, in my view, no real cause for alarm now. Fitness and form permitting, it seems inconceivable to me that Root and Bairstow will not be in the side when we get to the World Cup this autumn. The same would apply to Stokes if he wants to be there. Assuming they are, then it seems to me that the main issues to resolve are who opens with Bairstow and how to balance the side up to cover all bowling bases in Indian conditions. In that context, the return of Archer is probably the biggest positive of this short tour, particularly given his performance today. The other important point to make is that these games mattered far more to South Africa than to England because they needed to win them to give themselves the best possible chance of qualifying automatically for the World Cup. As I understand it, the result today means they now need to win their forthcoming series with the Netherlands and have another series result go their way in order to get the last automatic qualifying spot. The key to any tournament cycle is winning the games that really matter and we know England are more than capable of doing that.
So Brisbane Heat come to Perth to play Scorchers on Saturday in the BBL Final. Surprised at that - thought Sydney would win. I didn’t realise till last Sunday that all the Aussie Test stars are gone. Got my ticket for Saturday. Weather forecast is OK - only going to be 37C Good job the game starts at 16:30 local time but it will still be over 30 at that time.
Heat were always in with a chance against a Smithless Sydney side, but it looked like they'd blown it until Neser came in to bat. It's all a bit academic though as I expect the Scorchers will be too hot in the final. The Australian team flew out to India earlier this week, all except Usman Kawaja that is, he once again had problems getting his visa because he and his parents were born in Pakistan. He had the same problem in 2011, I mean, you'd think they'd let it go this time eh?
Another reminder of the dark cloud that still hangs over English cricket. If what is being alleged here is true, then I would suggest the ECB has serious questions to answer. ECB racism process 'failed everybody' - Hoggard
I was very confident Thursday night and yesterday but woke up this morning and got a bad feeling. That may be due to following Stoke for over 40 years though as those bastards have let me down so many times I have zero confidence whenever Stoke play Going with a mate today. Can you remember quite a while back I mentioned I met my mate’s neighbour who is an ex pro cricketer? He has become a good mate of mine now and he is who I am going with so be good to get an ex pro’s view on the game as it is going on. Mate did OK in his career - played 3 ODI for England. That Kawaja problem is ridiculous - due to the history between those 2 countries though I doubt it will ever be let go
Brisbane make 175-7. Got 20 or so runs in the last 2/3 overs to making more of a game of it potentially.
What a bloody game that was! I thought we were done but Cooper Connolly made himself a hero by dragging us back in it. Needed 10 off the last over and Bang then bang 6 and 4 from Hobson. Fantastic game and a fitting end to the tournament
Quite an interesting next few days. India vs Australia Test series starts tomorrow. Aussie pundits have already began crying about the pitch. I am also surprised with them having so many left handers in the side. Women's T20 World Cup begins on Friday. Aussies clear favourites, but this being the shortest format gives the likes of England, India & the host South Africa a good chance. & early next week we will see the auction for the inaugural Women's IPL.
So looking forward to the test series between India and the whining Aussies. It looks like the pitch will help the bowlers against left handers and with Australia likely to have at least five in their side it could prove decisive. Kohli v Smith and Ravi v Garry, it’s as mouth watering as it can get outside of an Ashes series..
What a lovely start to the series. The pitch is not all that it was supposed to be. Marnus & Smith looked comfortable, & so did Carey to a degree. The rest just didn't apply themselves. Not picking Travis Head is an absolute shocker from Australia. Rohit is looking at complete ease, scoring at a strikerate of 81. Ideally I hope the team scores really big, so they don't have to bat again.
I am delighted for Rohit getting his ton. All the Aussie prematch discussion was spent on how the pitch is doctored to affect the left handed batsmen, only for both of our left handers to get half centuries. Fair play to Todd Murphy. He bolwed well. I thought Lyon was a touch unlucky, as he bowled well too.
Absolutely made up for India and Rohit. As my learned friend above has noted all the fuss about left handers finding it difficult and two Indians bat the Aussies out of the game. They’re probably regretting dropping Travis Head right now. The media down here babe been bigging up Scott Boland pre tour, he’s just learning now how hard it is away from home. A bit like Warner and Garry..
