Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

more umpiring controversies. Khawaja given not out lbw to a ball which would have hit middle stump 2/3rds up, then Lambshanks given run out for having his bat in the air at the point that the bails lit up, despite no-one being able to tell with any confidence whether the diving Billings had hit the stumps with the ball or his arm

As Alex Hales ends his season as, by any reasonable measure, one of if not the most successful batsman in this year's tournament, Sydney Thunder reasonably ask the question of why he doesn't seem to be even being considered in England's plans for the T20 world cup this year.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/alex ... nd-1249792

I think it's a fair question. Hales lost the 'trust' of the team two years ago, but has clearly matured and is trusted by his Thunder teammates. More to the point, how much is 'trust' worth when you have a batsman that is capable of what Hales is?

Nonetheless, I expect that while Eoin Morgan is captain, Hales won't make it near the England side. He's a stubborn so-and-so. Generally it's a good trait in a captain, but I wonder if he might have the blinkers on.

England will probably have a top order of the likes of Roy, Bairstow, Buttler and Malan, with Billings, Vince and Livingstone waiting in the wings and Stokes, Morgan etc. following further down. So it's not as though there's a glaring deficiency in the top order. But if someone gets injured - as in the 50 over world cup - they might regret it.

I think a lot of people are wondering about this, fluffy

I'm not sure anyone knows what the issues of 'trust' were about, but as you say, while EM is in charge it appears only an injury crisis would see him in with a chance of a recall. He'll just have to ply his trade around the world and rake in as much money as he can, while his T20 stock is high. I think he only has a white ball contract with Notts, so he is in a good position to do this

Vince has had a terrific knockout campaign for the sixers. 2 big 90+ scores and now what sounds like a screamer of a catch

Well-deserved win for the Sixers, who have been the most consistent team in the tournament.

Thunder keep getting close but no cigar. They have a strong squad when fully fit but always find a way to lose at crucial moments.

Melbourne teams need some serious effort to turn around their run.