Cricket World Cup

[Worthy4England]

TBF, a quick look at player stats, probably tells you everything you need to know. Only Salt makes much of an appearance (Brook does on average, but I think that's been helped by not outs). Bowlers look to be miles off.

That's 2 out of eleven players. The US has as many batsmen as England.

Whilst I don't think we have a winning squad, we look seriously below par.

[Worthy4England]

Other thing, if we look at our two senior batting pros. JB and JB, neither are currently ripping up trees and are pretty much identical on both runs and SR after 5 innings each...not much leading by example...

[BWFC_Insane]

Other thing, if we look at our two senior batting pros. JB and JB, neither are currently ripping up trees and are pretty much identical on both runs and SR after 5 innings each...not much leading by example...

Buttler is off form. Has been through the IPL as well. But he’s captain, keeper and opener. Bairstow I don’t think is that good at T20.

[jimbo]

Buttler seems to be starting slower in the last 12 months. Not a problem if he stays in and accelerates, but innings like yesterday’s kill you in T20s. It’s why we got rid of Malan. Bairstow’s an opener. If he comes in outside the power play he struggles to get going. It’s not his game. We miss proper middle order players and finishers.

[BWFC_Insane]

Buttler seems to be starting slower in the last 12 months. Not a problem if he stays in and accelerates, but innings like yesterday’s kill you in T20s. It’s why we got rid of Malan. Bairstow’s an opener. If he comes in outside the power play he struggles to get going. It’s not his game. We miss proper middle order players and finishers.

Yeah I think we need to put Buttler down the order to play the role of finisher. He’s not in form but I think there is a good argument to do so as we lack anyone else. I also think opening with him is negated by a lack of form. Bairstow could open - but I still think generally he’s not that great at the format.

[TANGODANCER]

Just watching, listening and hoping. That run-out was special.

[Worthy4England]

Other thing, if we look at our two senior batting pros. JB and JB, neither are currently ripping up trees and are pretty much identical on both runs and SR after 5 innings each...not much leading by example...

Buttler is off form. Has been through the IPL as well. But he’s captain, keeper and opener. Bairstow I don’t think is that good at T20.

I'm struggling a bit, he's not a good captain, he's not a great keeper and he's not a great opener. Their records will stand as two individuals...overall, I think Bairstow has been better and more consistent, Jos had his moment. I'd remove hin as Captain atm.

[BWFC_Insane]

Other thing, if we look at our two senior batting pros. JB and JB, neither are currently ripping up trees and are pretty much identical on both runs and SR after 5 innings each...not much leading by example...

Buttler is off form. Has been through the IPL as well. But he’s captain, keeper and opener. Bairstow I don’t think is that good at T20.

I'm struggling a bit, he's not a good captain, he's not a great keeper and he's not a great opener. Their records will stand as two individuals...overall, I think Bairstow has been better and more consistent, Jos had his moment. I'd remove hin as Captain atm.

Buttler has one of the best T20 averages and strike rates in the world. Opening too. So the fact he’s out of form is not great but he’s regarded as one of the best in the game and his IPL record matches that. I’m not sure he’s a great captain but then he did win the World Cup as one. So he’s not disastrous either and I’m struggling to see who would be a captain. If the call is that Buttlers time in general is up then we’ve lost a genuine world class player and I’m struggling to see many in the setup who will reach those heights.

But there is no doubt our ODI sides are in transition after a period of dominance.

[Worthy4England]

Just to stay on the right side of this one mate, I was looking specifically at this tourney, so far on current strike rates. I'm sure he'll be remembered fondly.

[TANGODANCER]

Don't let this one slip lads. Cricket is our game. The Yanks can have the baseball.

[BWFC_Insane]

Just for fun Buttler decides to play one of the best innings you will ever see.

[TANGODANCER]

Welll, wasn't that nice. Never lost a wicket. Well done the lads.

[Worthy4England]

Just for fun Buttler decides to play one of the best innings you will ever see.

He did. Under sod all pressure, coz we skittled 'em.

[BWFC_Insane]

Just for fun Buttler decides to play one of the best innings you will ever see.

He did. Under sod all pressure, coz we skittled 'em.

Still needed scoring and was a must win to qualify.

[Worthy4England]

Just for fun Buttler decides to play one of the best innings you will ever see.

He did. Under sod all pressure, coz we skittled 'em.

Still needed scoring and was a must win to qualify.

It did and it was. Point I'm making is we were chasing less than 120 against the USA. I want him to hit 85 at that SR in the semis.

[BWFC_Insane]

Always nice to see the Aussies out!

[Worthy4England]

Always nice to see the Aussies out!

Aye, specially after helping us through! Tough match up next.

[jimbo]

Not sure what it is about the ICC and their ability to create their own problems. Rain is forecast in Guyana for Thursday. No reserve day has been scheduled. Rather than 5 overs in the group stages, it needs 10 overs per side to constitute a game. If the game is not completed, the rules state that the highest placed side in the groups (so India) will progress to the final.

The other Semi has a reserve day.

It’s not that unlikely we’ll be kicked out of the tournament without playing. Not sure how the ICC can deem that as a reasonable sporting outcome, especially as the other semi is being played under different conditions.

[Worthy4England]

Not ideal, but if that was the rule we entered under, then the answer is "finish top of your group." I assume they read 'em.

[jimbo]

Not ideal, but if that was the rule we entered under, then the answer is "finish top of your group." I assume they read 'em.

If they want that as a rule, then fine. Just don’t have different rules for the other semi.