Cricket World Cup group stages, May 30 - July 6

[Arthur Crabtree]

Says he wants to play Tests too.

[GarlicJam]

Yeah, when I read about this, I thought, surely not tests, if anything. When did he last play first class cricket?

I had assumed that this CWC was his swan song. It should be.

[Arthur Crabtree]

WI stats for this competition. CG hasn't done well, but he has been WI second highest scorer.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... tournament

Problem with picking Gayle for me is if he picks his appearances around playing T20 leagues.

Though I suppose other WI players will want to do that too. But it doesn't help their side improve.

[mikesiva]

I suspect that Gayle is just extending his career to play at home against India in August.

[GarlicJam]

Sir Curtly pulls no punches with his view on the whole saga - https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/icc-world-cup/cricket-world-cup-2019-curtly-....

[yuppie]

This is Gayle putting himself in the window for the IPL.

Comes out of retirement for the India one day series and the India test series.

He called a press conference to announce this, and the first the WICB board or the players heard about it was from this press conference. Its all about Gayle, so the WICB would do well to not select him. But you get the feeling that they will take him so it generates more income. Sad really.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fifteen wickets for Mustafizur in the competition, making him the fifth highest. Quite expensive though.

Presume BD won't get these. Simplifying things for England and Pakistan.

[andy]

5-58 i wouldnt say is expensive at all lol

[Arthur Crabtree]

Through the competition I mean.

[Arthur Crabtree]

India have left Kuldeep out. Maybe a good idea to play an extra seamer, but it does feel a little bit like India have blinked.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Shami gets Tamim. Superb wicket taking record in this WC for the paceman from Amroha.

[backfootpunch]

India have left Kuldeep out. Maybe a good idea to play an extra seamer, but it does feel a little bit like India have blinked.

Very strange one for me

Kuldeep has been brilliant for them in recent years

Bet they regret it now as chahal is getting plenty of assistance from the pitch

[andy]

169-4

146 needed from 19 overs

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well short ultimately. So BD out. Gives them bit less to play for against Pakistan.

Anyway, winner of England and NZ can put their trotters up and relax.

[Durhamfootman]

how are the English supporters nerves holding up?