USA get close to beating NZ in a warm up, sure Siefert retired out but jeez our bowling must need some work
Neesham two overs 0/26
Jamieson three overs 0/41
Duffy three overs 1/37
I'm not sure that Neesham is an all rounder at the top level these days.
Sodhi had a better game than previous.
It shows that the margins will be fine, even against the so-called minnows.
Santner going for 30 off three reads a bit unusual too.
Wonder overall if it was us bowling the usual half trackers, or just very good batting.
Upside - I only watched the highlights, but looks like we've spent some time on our fielding.
Some great catches.
@Bovidae said in T20 World Cup:
Sodhi had a better game than previous.
It shows that the margins will be fine, even against the so-called minnows.
The way T20 has expanded into smaller nations the past couple of years means you def can’t take them for granted
As you say very fine margins in T20, so easy for just 1 or 2 players to have a blinder and the other team the opposite and anyone can win
Can see there being the odd upset at this WC
Cricket (T20) being an Olympic sport again means a lot of interest and funding in countries that otherwise wouldn't be involved professionally, so it's not especially surprising that this WC is getting some additional focus as the last T20 WC before the 2028 Olympics.
The Seppos look to be pretty much 100% ex-pats, or least Sub-Continental diaspora (plus two Jaaps).
Pakistan doing it easily at present vs Netherlands.
They look well-drilled - and have Mike Hesson as coach. Hadn't registered that piece of intel.
I've put the hex on them.
They've gone from 98/2 to 100/5!!!
Including their big gun Babar!
Need 46 from 42.
Wheels falling off for Pakistan.
114/6 - need 34 from 24 and not a lot of batting left.
Dutch probably favourites
@Chris-B said in T20 World Cup:
Wheels falling off for Pakistan.
114/6 - need 34 from 24 and not a lot of batting left.
Dutch probably favourites
Jeez, if they pull this off we might see the return of @stargazer to bask in the glory of it.
Need 11 an over off the last three and just 3 wickets left.
Long time since they've scored a boundary - or even a 2.
Faheem savages the Dutch NZer - Van Beek - 24 off the over and the other NZer O'Dowd dropped a catch during the over.
Pakistan sneak home with three balls to spare.
Pakistan looked toast until a hitting masterclass, and a bowling and (one) catching meltdown over nine deliveries completely changed the game.
If there was such a thing as a bowlers Union, I wonder if T20's would exist 
@Donsteppa Wasn't much in Farheem's Cricinfo profile - or what had gone on in the preceding seven or eight overs - that suggested he'd pull that rescue off.
In my mind, I'd called it for the Dutch.
I see Bruce did well for Scotland, but they crashed when he fell.
SKY made the runs for India - not much from anyone else. Seems like the yanks never really threatened with the bat.
Will be looking forward to this one, especially as revenge after the Rugby debacle overnight.
A couple of extremely proud cricketing nations, this should be one for the ages !
@Chris-B said in T20 World Cup:
@MN5 Good god! I hadn't even noticed the Italians were in this competition.
Had a quick flick through their squad to see if anyone was born in Italy - only about half the squad identify that on Cricinfo - none among those.
Maybe the Mosca bros?
Well, apparently the Scots have a prood heritage dating back to 1821 according to the interweb.
Don Bradman got a century in Aberdeen after getting the most famous duck in history in his last tour to the UK in 1948.
But yeah, I have no idea which of these minnows will get up.
I have an awful feeling we get rolled by the Afghans again today, really hope I’m wrong on this one.
@Chris-B said in T20 World Cup:
SKY made the runs for India - not much from anyone else. Seems like the yanks never really threatened with the bat.
But they certainly restricted their batting compared to what India did against us.
@bayimports said in T20 World Cup:
I have an awful feeling we get rolled by the Afghans again today, really hope I’m wrong on this one.
The recent form would indicate you might be right. Hoping this isn't the case.
It still feels weird writing "Afghanistan" as a force in World Cricket.
As cricinfo says NZ have been in India for quite some time so should have a really good feel for the conditions at least.
Afghanistan a tricky team to play in sub continent conditions.
a very good spin bowling group and a couple of dangerous bats.
We will have to bat well to win this game especially through the middle overs and not get shut down.
Saw a couple of Indian pundits talking on Cricinfo - they seemed to be suggesting Afghanistan are a bit off form - especially batting - and were picking SA and us to advance out of the group - but, it will obviously be "on the day".
@Chris-B said in T20 World Cup:
Saw a couple of Indian pundits talking on Cricinfo - they seemed to be suggesting Afghanistan are a bit off form - especially batting - and were picking SA and us to advance out of the group - but, it will obviously be "on the day".
Good enough for me, one or a couple of our boys will score big. Huge win coming up.
Bowling has needed work so far, lets see if we can get it together and not have to chase too much
