The All New World Cup 2023 Thread.

[Durhamfootman]

just got in

not what I expected to find

monumental *modded* up

[Durhamfootman]

you reap what you sow in this game. England's preparation has been very..... Englandish

too much golf, not enough cricket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume this is the first time England have lost to Afghanistan.

England losing to a qualifier is a WC bingo card classic.

I suppose Afghanistan didn't qualify, but it's that sort of thing.

[mikesiva]

Mujeeb 3-51
Rashid 3-37
Nabi 2-16

Afghan spin.

England 215 all out

[Durhamfootman]

It's a terrific win for Afghanistan. Well done to them

Honours pretty much even in the Rashid v Rashid sub plot. 3 wickets each, similar economy, similar runs scored

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, pleased for Afghanistan. England can maybe afford one more loss?

But this competition is looking more of a piece with former struggles in India than the brave new England of the Morgan years.

[Durhamfootman]

England opt to bowl

Should have batted imo. Give everyone the chance to get runs under the belt.

I can't help but think that England used this match to practice chasing for later in the tournament. Shouldn't have tried to be so damned clever

[sussexpob]

To make it worse, during this pathetic chase my laptop blew up

[bigfluffylemon]

Dismal. Just dismal.

Maybe playing no 50 over cricket all summer was a mistake?

Surely not. Gotta respect the hundred...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Losing is what England really has to offer international sport. Especially cricket. Not that they always do, or even usually do, but they often lose calamitously and it's a real boost to the opposition.

[sussexpob]

Well, at least let's hope some people in Afghanistan got some joy out of the moment

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, at least let's hope some people in Afghanistan got some joy out of the moment

I am sure they will. And fair play.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stokes would be handy to come in, if fit. They could probably do with Mo, given the conditions.

Atkinson might be worth a run out, as an unknown quantity. Willey feels like someone who isn't going to get a game, unless there is a lot of injuries.

[alfie]

Have to credit Afghanistan for a fine achievement. They weren't overawed and did the job well...

But really that was horribly disappointing from England. Apart from the top three against Bangladesh - and Brook here - the batting has been pretty dismal ; and while Topley and Wood have bowled pretty well and the spinners turned up in this one , the bowling has been fairly limited. Not out of it with six games to go but they'd have to smarten up or could be figuratively packing their bags early. Next game with SA looms as Very Important.

[alfie]

Stokes would be handy to come in, if fit. They could probably do with Mo, given the conditions.

Atkinson might be worth a run out, as an unknown quantity. Willey feels like someone who isn't going to get a game, unless there is a lot of injuries.

Mo should have played this one. They must have misread the pitch or just assumed seam would be fine for "only Afghanistan". And it would have made sense to have given Willey and/or Atkinson a run out instead of Woakes who has been diabolical .

Lord knows what they will select now as there isn't much room left for experimentation at 1 from 3 ...