Champions Trophy, Feb 19 - March 9

[Durhamfootman]

no one other than Root is prepared to give themselves time to get in.

time to get in?

that's commie talk, mister

[Arthur Crabtree]

However, SA currently taking their time.

[alfie]

I have paid bugger all attention to this tournament, but I have just seen that Aus open with a game against England. Nicely convenient, especially with the Saturday evening our timeslot.

After a couple of complete thrashings at the hands of Sri Lanka, I am not getting my hopes too high for this one day side - but I am Australian, I am eternally optimistic at times like this.

How are the England prospects?

Have you seen any of England's results recently haha? Our prospects are 50-50 i would say...the side is talented from top to bottom, match winners the whole line up but it isnt clicking....'Bazball' has taken over and no one other than Root is prepared to give themselves time to get in...Duckett's record in odi's is outstanding but he always gets in and gets out, Salt never goes on to make a big score, makes a lovely 30-40 and is out, normally inside the first 10 overs...

Harry brook worries me especially against spin...looked all at sea against Chakravathy in the recent ODI series, and has struggled against spin ever since breaking into the england side...I like Jamie Smith at 3 for the game against Australia, very good move, and a move that will put pressure on Salt, as when Bethell is fit again, i can see Bethell batting 3 and Smith opening in place of Salt.

The bowling is very one dimensional, all out and out pace and nothing different in case it goes wrong...Carse is hit and miss, one day exceptional, the next day can easily go at 10 runs an over...Archer hasn;t been the same since coming back in, howevrr his fitness seems to be a lot better and has strung a lot of games together now, Wood is always impressive however he's 35? Now i believe, so time isn't on his side...

Rashid is the banker but there's very little behind him...Rehan has carried drinks all winter which is pointless, he needs to bowl he needs game time, I'm not sure why McCullum has him arond if he is never going to play

I don't rate Salt at all in the 50 over format (he is OK at t20) . Apart from the games he has played against The Netherlands and Ireland , he has done nothing. Duckett I would like to see go on more . He has a good overall record ; but again , this is mainly due to his home games against Australia (better than Netherlands !) and Ireland : his figures away from home are distinctly ordinary.
England really need Brook to transfer some of his Test skills into the ODI format , at which he has so far been underwhelming.

Think this game between two very flawed sides might be close - which would at least produce some excitement !

[alfie]

Solid sort of start for SA.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nabi gets a wicket with his first ball though.

[andy]

Nabi is introduced in the 6th over and strikes immediately, gets de zorsi first ball!

[mikesiva]

Rickelton gets his half century.

[andy]

50 for rickelton! SA 83-1 after 15

[andy]

Rather inexplicably it's taken 25 overs for Noor to come into the attack and when he does he immediately makes something happen

[mikesiva]

Bavuma gets his half century.

[andy]

Bavuma gone but SA in a great position...165-2 with 20 overs left

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume dew is going to be a problem in this competition for sides bowling second under lights. It usually is in DNs in Asia.

[Arthur Crabtree]

SA chose to bat first though.

[mikesiva]

Presume dew is going to be a problem in this competition for sides bowling second under lights. It usually is in DNs in Asia.

Wasn't a problem in Dubai yesterday. Maybe it's the time of the year.

Rickelton gets his century!

[andy]

Hasn't been any dew in Dubai recently...apparently this time of year there isn't any which is why teams have been batting first when winning the toss...very good innings from rickleton and already the 5th hundred scored in this tournament! 200 up in the 36th over...350 on here?