T20 World Cup, June 1-29

[bigfluffylemon]

SA finally break the curse. That was remarkably one-sided on another crap pitch. Objectively SA were favourites, but a little surprised it was that easy.

Are India the number 2 chokers after SA? Given the talent they have, one feels they should have won something since 2011. Plenty of times they've looked unstoppable until they fall apart in a critical game - last T20 and both last 50 over WCs for example...

[mikesiva]

The Trinidad pitch has been poor.

Afghanistan 56 all out

Omarzai 10

Shamsi 3-6
Jansen 3-16
Nortje 2-7
Rabada 2-14

South Africa 60-1

Hendricks 29*

[Arthur Crabtree]

Afghanistan's WC ends not with a bang but a whimper.

[alfie]

Pitch was a shocker. Not the first we have seen at this WC ; but really poor for a semi final. Balls both leaping from a length and skimming low...impossible to bat with any conviction on it. Oddly enough both captains misread it as SA were also intending to bat first had they won the toss !

Think SA were massive favourites anyway and Afghanistan had probably already exceeded their expectations ; but a pity this one was decided so quickly and in such poor conditions.

Now to hope at least the other semi can get a proper game in between feared weather breaks ...

[Durhamfootman]

ouch!

[sussexpob]

Last night, I spend 4 hours watching two matches in the Euros full of top quality skill, technique and entertainment....

I put this on to watch this morning, and I turned it off after 15 balls.... Jansen had just bowled a full ball that nearly decapitated the keeper, then bowled a ball a few metres shorter that hit the stumps 2/3rds of the way up.

Not even fit to be classed as a sporting contest.

[Durhamfootman]

I think you'll find that after the WC is over the ICC will announce that it has been one of the greatest tournaments of all time

shame on you for being so negative, SP

[sussexpob]

I think you'll find that after the WC is over the ICC will announce that it has been one of the greatest tournaments of all time

shame on you for being so negative, SP

I don't think its asking for much is it, just to have surfaces where skill is rewarded?

After an IPL tournament where bowlers were hung, drawn and quartered on baby sized boundaries and the flattest pitches ever, we now get a World Cup being hosted on pitches that would struggle to produce a 2 day test match in a format where batsman need to play shots. How are batsman supposed to play on these surfaces with any form of confidence?

15 balls was enough to see that the bounce was impossible to judge, the pitch seemed very quick (although Jansen, Nortje and Rabada can make a slow pitch seem that way), and a few balls seamed massive. Jansen bowled a bouncer that seamed so much, it went 2 meters wide down the leg side.

I think I could have given Bradman a working over on this deck. Simply not good enough.... unfit for professional cricket. Bowlers just need to vaguely put the ball in the right areas, and the pitch works it magic.

[Durhamfootman]

I think you'll find that after the WC is over the ICC will announce that it has been one of the greatest tournaments of all time

shame on you for being so negative, SP

I don't think its asking for much is it, just to have surfaces where skill is rewarded?

Oi!

that's commie talk, mister

besides, nobody has the time to devote to watching a total of 40 overs of cricket. Far better if it only lasts 20 overs. More advertising time at the end without the inconvenience of any cricket diluting its message..... can probably charge more..... ker ching!

[sussexpob]

Bright sunshine, match currently rained off...

Guess the drainage at this ground is epic...

[Arthur Crabtree]

It rains more in Guyana than Manchester.

[sussexpob]

It rains more in Guyana than Manchester.

Be careful what you say about Guyana, AC.... just ask George Dobell.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not enjoying the new BBC scorecard.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, they're off. Kohli all out of runs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And they're off. For rain.