England at risk of early elimination
on March 2nd, 2011 at 6:43 pmAfter losing todays match against Ireland, England are at risk of getting eliminated in the first round of the world cup. they have only two matches left, one against South Africa and the other against West Indies they will have to win atleast one match out of the two remaininmg to qualify for the Quarter finals. England’s bowling allowed 293 runs against Netherlands, 338 against India and 328 against Ireland, they will have to make some major changes in their lineup if they want to pose any serious challenge to the Saffers or the West Indians.
English team after setting a target of 327 became complacent midway during the Irish innings. A few things strange things happened which one should not expect from a professional outfit like England.
They dropped atleast 5-6 catches, some of them were half chances, but at least 3 of them were quite easy. The field placements and bowling changes by Andrew Strauss were also questionable, he bowled out his best bowler Swann and kept his worst bowlers for the death overs. Atleast in three or four overs England conceded a boundary on the last ball of the over, English bowlers were bowling at length in death overs when they should have been bowling yorkers, Broad was the only English bowler who bowled a few Yorkers but atleast in three overs he gave away easy boundary on the last ball because he for some odd reason altered his line or length.
The Irsih team thoroughly deserved this victory, O’brien played an innings of his lifetime and singlehandedly snatched victory from England he was ably supported by Cusack both players with utmost intelligence. O’brien very smartly took a back seat after Cusack got run out and allowed the new comer Mooney to take risks and score runs his strategy was to stay till end andbring his team as close to the victory as possible.
This is not the first time that Ireland has caused a major world cup upset last time they knocked Pakistan out of the worldcup, a match after which Pakistan’s coach was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his room. Many labelled it as a fixed match, but Pakistan lost that match because the conditions in that match heavily favored the Irish, that track was a mine field. Todays match was on a flat track and it was an epic run chase, Ireland has become a genuine Jiant killer in the world cup, now they are also in contention of a slot in the Quarter finals. They have to win atleast two more matches to move into the next round, they sufferred a narrow loss against Bangladesh.
A rematch between Pakistan and Ireland has again become a possibility if Ireland qualified for thr quarterfinals, ofcourse Pakistan will also have to finish at the top of their group.
Once again hats off to Kevin O’brien who played like a young Afridi and smashed some of the longest sixes in this world cup and scored the fastest century in world cup history.
I just don’t think the English bowlers are canny enough. In conditions they know, when they know their job, they’re good. But take them out of their comfort zone and they don’t know what to do. But I blame the culture behind the scenes for this. Everything is done for the players. They probably even have someone wiping their arse.
Stani
So do you think that some of the players in English camp deliberately wanted to throw the the game because you got a valid point Mushy must have taught them how to bowl in Subcontinent.
Broad was even bowling well in the match against Ireland but gifted one boundary in every over. I was surprised at the waywardness of Anderson.
I think they didnt dropped Ajmal they just didnt gave too much respect to Ireland and I think they desperately want Anderson to adjust.
Dont know much about Adil but yardy was pathetic.
I think they should have brought Adil Rashid though Wasim. Leggies are a big weapon and with them having Mushy on the staff, he may have been quite effective. Let’s not forget he can bat too. Perfect to replace Yardy, as the second spinner.
I just think they neither picked the best squad or the best team from the squad they did bring.
Wasim,
I’m certain they’re being told what to do i.e how to bowl in these conditions. They have the coaches, and one of the best support structures in the world but they’re just not doing it.
Broad was doing very well in the warm ups. They need to give Shahzad a go. Him Broad, Bresnan.
Stani
Do you think that they are being complacent, I think they have a genuine issue that their bowlers are not adjusting to the conditions in subcontinent.
I’m surprised England have done so poorly to be honest Wasim. I know they get carried away, and they did so again after the ashes success, yet they haven’t played well here yet. This follows a bashing in the ODI series in Aus, let’s not forget.
Can you imagine if Joyce and Morgan did not try to play for England? Ireland would have a pretty strong side and I’m sure they’d be playing Tests before too long.
I still can’t believe how clean O’Briens hitting was. That was the main thing. Again and again he did it.