IgnisExcubitor

Only caught the highlights, and even there you see the gulf in quality. Like the look of Brewster. Has the touch, pace and instincts of a striker. But also has a bit of swag. For those who caught the entire match, how did Wilson do? I know he gave an assist, but how was his overall game?

There have been huge issues with one sided contests between bat and bowl in the previous decade, because of which we saw pointless draws with teams regularly scoring 500/600 etc runs in an innings. However, that has changed now with ICC's cricket committee, which conducts pitch inspections and places retrospective fines/bans on poor pitches. The result is there for all to see. The last few years we have seen exciting Test series. Pitches, at least in Tests and ICC events, have something for the bowlers now. There are other reasons like teams not travelling well or no standout great Test sides, but Test cricket has vastly improved because of this reform. T20 hasn't only had negative effect on Test cricket though. It has also given us players like Warner, Butler, Pant, etc who have made Test cricket more enterprising. And anyone who has seen these players bat will tell you that they are not just sloggers. Test cricket still continues to be the best, and even these players aspire to play it. But for a sport that has a small global appeal, your limited overs games (especially T20) are your best bet to sustain it and increase its popularity.

I didn't wanted to get involved, but the stupidity of those posts is too much and the disgust towards India unnecessary. India bring in 70% of the revenue to this sport and is pretty much sustaining it on the global stage. (Hell today I learned that just last year BCCI paid 1500+ crore RS to our government, which helped finance other Olympic sports in our country). Without this money this sport will die a slow death. Most of the Indian players are not rank arseholes. India was the last national side to get on the T20 bandwagon. However, IPL has helped so many players come to fore. The likes of Warner, Butler, quite a few of the Windies, and a truckload of Indian players. It has aided them financially, as well. Even English players have now publicly stated how it has improved their game. Importantly, I find this snobbery towards limited overs childish. It reminds me of my school days, where kids who discovered rock music would laugh at people listening to pop. Absolute immature behaviour. All formats of cricket can co-exist. Lastly, we were not the number one favourites (England were for the right reasons) and no one apart from the English media and pundits have stated that the WC is theirs to lose. One can still continue to hate us, but dude let the reasons be valid. We are not spoiling the game. @topic Tremendous performance this from England. Deserving of the final. Someone new will win the World Cup. England favourites by a mile, but I still hope it's the Kiwis.

Yeah, I read they changed the oldest. It's not as quality as Home Improvement but the comparison can be unfair. Home Improvement was one of the all time best sitcoms. This one is light entertainment, but good fun so far. I am still half way through the first. Will tell you how the other seasons go.

Just got hold of all seasons of Last Man Standing . As a fan of Home Improvement, I am thoroughly enjoying this. The same kind of humour, except Tim Allen has three daughters instead of three sons now.

Nope. He has lost his finishing abilities over the last year or so. If anything, him not hitting a boundary in those two overs before Jaddu got out, actually put the entire pressure on Jadeja. @topic Supporting England today. It would be nice to see a new country winning the World Cup instead of Australia. Also, England is a better team than Australia but I fancy the Kiwis against them instead of the Aussies. It almost feels like they have some kind of mental block against their neighbours. The sport also needs a lift in England. On a side note, nice to see more and more English players admitting that IPL has helped them make better cricketers, in terms of improving their cricketing ability and ability to handle pressure.

With Shaq injured and Senegal progressing, I am legitimately concerned about our options up front. Add the community shield and Super Cup into the mix and that just raises the number of matches. Brewster needs time. And as fabulous as Origi has been for us last season with his cameos, he is not good enough to be relied upon as a main option. Strange thinking this from Klopp and the club.

Internet, brings out the stupid in many. And every club has those morons. @topic Piazon is still alive. Remember him being good on FM.

If that was it, then thank you Dhoni. He has been phenomenal in limited overs cricket. Also, Sir Jaddu. An innings to remember. We had a good campaign. We can be proud of that. Congrats to New Zealand. I really hope they go on win it. They deserve it.

Perfect time for Dhoni to come in. Watch him raise the required runrate from 6.9 to 11. Pant falling for the most obvious of traps. Sheer inexperience. Don't blame him. He will learn from this.

To be fair to Karthik he did well after breaking into the team. Not spectacular but good. His experience was also key. Today was the perfect match for him to perform and he squandered his chance. Hopefully, we move on from him. Rayudu was ideal for this situation. He has come in these situations for the national team, but more so for his Ranji side and IPL sides and steadied the ship while scoring at a decent pace. But he is not fashionable or a utility cricketer. His relationship with BCCI hasn't helped either.

You groom a man for two years for the number 4 spot and he performs at reasonable levels, but then you drop him for the World Cup because the other options are either fashionable or all-rounders. You then send other batsmen as injury replacements over him, forcing him to retire in anger. Rayudu must be enjoying this. Fair play to the Kiwis. Always said, if not us then them. Likeable bunch of players who should have won the 2015 title. Hopefully, they win this time. Though England and Australia are far ahead of them.

I love watching cricket games from England and Australia, but I hope that England never ever gets to host another World Cup. @match Kiwis should aim at 260. With Taylor at the crease and 23 balls to play it's possible. Of course Bumrah will have a big say in that. But it would really be a competitive total for a semi. Also, I know they are professionals, but I wonder what mindset the players will be in.

I have been a Bhuvi fan over Shami, because he is a better death overs bowler, but on form Shami should have played here. This is a bizarre selection. Not surprised with Chahal getting in over Kuldeep. He was rested last match. Kuldeep hasn't been the same since Moeen blasted him in IPL, leaving him in tears. Jaddu did well in the last match. Rest of the side looks good. Anything over 270 will be hard to chase.

I agree Bangladesh deserved that place more. They were an allround team from the rest. It's just that Russell was in unreal form (he singlehandedly won KKR matches from impossible situations) but couldn't really bring it to the World Cup because of the injury. And with their bowling and batting they probably were the most exciting team of the tournament. Don't really agree with Pakistan. It was always going to be an uphill task for them after ending the first match getting -5 run rate. And they were quite inconsistent (which is typical of them). @today's match Totally expect Guptill to finally come to the party and play a blinder of an innings, and then Boult wrecking havoc. Still think this has been a bat first and win kinda tournament, and I fancy it to continue that way. So, winning the toss is crucial.

@Devil-Dick Willie If Russell was fit from the start, reckon it would have been the West Indies.

There were whole host of rumours, including Buvac being upset with the goalkeeper coach or getting other offers. This is now confirmed though, since Honigstein is reliable when it comes to Klopp.

Raphael Honigstein, who is close to Klopp has revealed details regarding Buvac's departure. “The Liverpool [staff] had noticed that the notoriously wordless [Buvac] had switched from monosyllables to zero-syllables in recent months." “Buvac looked as if he would not have been happy with the increasing influence of fourth assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders. “The laid-back Dutchman had been very popular with the players. “The relationship between Buvac and Klopp has survived, both just could not work together anymore.”

Can't see Australia losing against SA, who must be desperate to go home. Kiwis need to sort their openers. Though it would be brilliant if Guptill finally performs in the semis. As for the second semi, if it's a flat track then England start as favourites. If there's something for the bowlers, especially spinners then we should be favourites. It shall be brilliant semi.

After reading @Bluewolf review watched Shaft and I enjoyed it. Didn't like Shaft Jr. but everything else is just good fun. The action scenes weren't that great, but the humour and chemistry between actors makes this an entertaining flick.

My favourite actress is currently there. Wish I was there. She has already appeared on the telly few times. Bumrah coming back to bowl is good. Hopefully, will be rested for the next match.

Watched the Spanish movie The Invisible Guest. A good thriller, that has a little too many impossible twists. They had a good opportunity to make a brilliant thriller but they went overboard by pushing too many possibilities. Still, quite an enjoyable flick.

Harsh on Kuldeep, but I am happy with DK getting a game. Jadeja would be more economical bowler than a wicket taker. He is also a good fielder. Hopefully, win this match and seal the qualification.

Interesting. I wanted to watch it, but was put off by the terrible reviews.

Better to have an off day in the league matches than the knockouts like Champions Trophy. England bowled brilliantly. Just according to the field. On a side note, Pakistan Twitter are screaming match fixing .