World T20 Champs, Second Round, Oct 22 - Nov 13

[Durhamfootman]

beating India in the final...

sporting drama demands this result.

India should beat England. But I fancy NZ to beat Pakistan. I don't believe all this mercurial voodoo stuff. NZ are the stronger team, especially in the conditions...

hmm........

[Arthur Crabtree]

Did it batting second too.

[mikesiva]

Oh come on , chaps : isn't this all building to an England /NZ final , decided by a super over ?

Seriously , I reckon any of the four of them could win it. Though it might be asking a lot of Pakistan to win five games in a row - for all their flair , I reckon they've had a couple of lucky breaks to get this far.

If the pitches are at all similar to those of the last few days , the toss and the chance to bat first might play a big part in the semis.

Pakistan beat NZ comfortably....

[Gingerfinch]

Looks like the key to beating NZ is to not get Williamson out!

[bigfluffylemon]

See? Pakistan are destined to win this tournament...

[alfie]

Disappointing semi (unless you are a Pakistan supporter !) : after a lot of exciting and/or high quality group games , this was over early in the Pakistan reply as NZ just didn't turn up - bat , ball or field. The Pakistani pace men were excellent , and NZ were either simply unable to cut loose at the end , even with wickets in hand ; or unwilling to take the requisite risks - not an approach that serves one well in a knockout match. Still 152 should have been enough to ensure a contest ; but from Boult's first over and the dropped catch it simply went from bad to worse... Pakistan probably could have got the job done much earlier but they didn't really want to take any risks once the RRR was well in hand. Looking to the final , I still think their batting looks a bit iffy after the opening pair but hey they've made it this far so anything goes for Melbourne ...If the weather allows.

England's chances look to have been badly hit by these two injuries. Not ideal replacing two of a previously unchanged XI at the death , as it were ; but they have competent reserves and did OK in Pakistan a few weeks back with a very understrength team so who knows ? Maybe this is the day for Salt - or Brook - to play a blinder... Or Jordan to star with the ball...

Obviously India come in on a good winning run and they have some wonderful players : frankly in a t20 match between two fairly similar quality teams it may come down to whether one of their talismans like Kohli or Yadav has a good or bad night. Seems they want Karthik rather than Pant though many of us question that. And with Pandya there as another pace option they will have the two spinners. England will need to improve on what they have shown with the bat lately if they are to score well against Arshdeep & co.

Summed up I haven't a clue what will happen so will just rejoice that it doesn't appear it will be raining and settle in to enjoy the game

[Arthur Crabtree]

Impression I'm getting is that Wood will play.

[bigfluffylemon]

Wood out.

England choose to bowl. Big call. I think most of us would have assumed win the toss and bat. Let's see.

[andy]

Very surprised not batting first....also if salt is playing he has to open and move hales to 3.....salt gets going straight away dosent chew up any balls and just goes .....he needs to open imo

[alfie]

Also surprised at the decision to bowl first. Must back the bats to chase better than they have done in the other games !

I would actually bat Salt and Hales up top and have Buttler at four as if you are chasing I want him there at the death. Unlikely they see it that way.

Pant for India , eh ? Makes sense to me but not the way they have prepared - we will see. Hope Jordan justifies the faith in him - I would have sooner seen Willey but there it is...no Wood is a Big Blow .

[andy]

Rahul gone early the ball flew through!

[Red Devil]

Extra bounce in the pitch, but still a very quiet start from India - Eng on top, but Kohli hits the first 6

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wood has been expensive so far, but got wickets. Gone for nearly 8/over. Jordan might not get the wickets, but he won't definitely give more runs away.

Hard to see England winning this chasing. But I'm usually wrong.

[Red Devil]

Rohit has had enough, on the charge now but Ind still can't get away. 31/1 from 5 is sluggish

[Red Devil]

Wood has been expensive so far, but got wickets. Gone for nearly 8/over. Jordan might not get the wickets, but he won't definitely give more runs away.

Hard to see England winning this chasing. But I'm usually wrong.

51/1 after 8 - I'd say Eng are on top at the moment. Jordan coming in to the attack now