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

[Arthur Crabtree]

No, Stoinis killed the game in the end.

[Durhamfootman]

comprehensively

[bigfluffylemon]

England going predictably badly against Ireland. Had a feeling they would struggle to chase and they are proving me right. Not sure why the batting is misfiring so much, but it is.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anxious moments for England. There's a lot of batting though, and they should get there. Especially if Mo stays in for 3-4 overs.

[mikesiva]

Rain...with Ireland just ahead on DLS.

[bigfluffylemon]

Game over, Ireland win on DLS. And they deserve it.

England haven't been the same since Morgs retired. Poor today. I just knew they'd blow the chase.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pleased for Ireland. Big win for them. I still fancied England to get there though.

[alfie]

Game over, Ireland win on DLS. And they deserve it.

England haven't been the same since Morgs retired. Poor today. I just knew they'd blow the chase.

Weird how the excellent form England had displayed at the end of the Pakistan series and the three games against Australia simply disappeared as soon as the serious matches started. Given the way Moeen was teeing off at the end they may well have snatched victory had the rain stayed away ; but they can't complain about a little bad luck after being so heavily outplayed throughout the innings.

They certainly miss Morgan at the helm. Suppose they can still get through if they can beat Australia and NZ but you wouldn't be putting money on it after that display...

[Durhamfootman]

I think that's they call "an oops"

Doesn't surprise me. It doesn't seem to matter which sport it is, whenever England have to play a nation who consider that match to be their world cup final, then England often succumb to the pressure.

[bigfluffylemon]

NZ-Afg rained off. Hard to say if it will matter - my hunch says that it only might if there is another wash-out. Otherwise 1 point or 2 points for NZ from this match won't make much difference unless NZ lose more than one of their remaining games.

Huge, huge game between Australia and England tomorrow. The loser might as well pack their bags - they won't be mathematically out, but their destiny will be out of their hands even if they win their remaining two games.

You'd have to favour Australia at home at the MCG, despite recent matches. There will be a significant home advantage, and Australia tend to rise to the big occasion. That said, it's T20, anything can happen, and the weather forecast is dodgy, so DLS may have the final say (doesn't look as though it'll be bad enough for a washout, but Melbourne is unpredictable to say the least).

I am not sure why so many people were hyping England as favourites before this. I wasn't - I reckoned India or Australia, and I still do, with NZ the next most likely. England's T20 form has been on the wane over the last 12 months since the last T20 world cup, they've lost Morgan, several key players are injured or out of form, and Stokes hasn't played a T20 in 18 months and looks like it - but they can't drop him, as they need his bowling. I'd certainly be moving him down the order, he's not cutting it at 4. Promote Brook and Livingstone above him. Probably Moeen too, given recent form.

[alfie]

Largely agree with you there , bfl.

Not sure England were being seen as favourites , exactly : I certainly wasn't too hopeful though must admit their good immediate lead up efforts had given me a good deal more optimism. This game was always a potential banana skin ; but it isn't just the loss that has disappointed me as much as the mediocre batting and apparent lack of flexibility shown in the field - over both matches. Whether they just have "plan A" , or are woefully overconfident of brushing aside the weaker teams , the results have been distinctly underwhelming.

As to Friday : Australia haven't been tearing up trees either so I guess this game could very easily go either way (if it happens : as I type the water continues to pour down outside , as it has done consistently since last night. Whether it will clear tomorrow and stay dry at the desired time is anyone's guess). In t20 it is crazy to try and predict results between two reasonably evenly matched sides at any time : but although England had very much the upper hand in their recent three clashes , that almost seems to suggest Australia are "due" a win...

Frankly there are a few things wrong with this England XI but I think they are too stubborn to switch from their declared template. I would be dispensing with Hales who has two serviceable knocks from eleven innings since his recall - though whether Salt would do any better is debateable. Stokes at four isn't working - especially as the openers both failing means he is paired with Malan and they are too similar in their early approach. Would be a punt but I would actually open with Stokes and move the middle order hitters up. Would mean one less pure bat ; but Curran , Woakes , Willey or Jordan can all give it a whack if needed and they'd have extra bowling options - which could be important with Topley unfortunately gone from the squad.

Easy for me to say of course (with no responsibility) ; and might be hopeless - but in any case there is no chance of England making such a radical departure from their chosen method. I can only hope the same XI , which will presumably take the field on Friday , are able to bounce back and revive their prospects in what is looking to be a fairly open WC , judging by the games we have seen so far.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe with Roy, Bairstow and Morgan gone from the top five, a period of adjustment was likely.

[mikesiva]

Big win for South Africa over Bangladesh....

Rossouw, de Kock, Nortje and Shamsi!

[alfie]

SA getting a big NRR lift after their unfortunate 1st game wash out. Must be a strong chance to go through but I guess their clash with Pakistan will be the big game...weather permitting.

It is unfortunate that all this unusually heavy rain activity across much of Australia is threatening to have undue influence on the qualifications from the group stage. Hopefully won't end up being the decisive factor in the final result.

India cruising against Netherlands , as expected.

[alfie]

Maybe with Roy, Bairstow and Morgan gone from the top five, a period of adjustment was likely.

Well yes. But they were pretty bullish about the replacements - and at present it seems that results are falling a bit short of expectations. I see the coach has already confirmed they plan to continue with no - or minimal - change of plan. Despite admitting they got a lot wrong on Wednesday...