Can England make through the super 8's

[NigelS]

After Tommos poll on the state of Englaish football, and my accurate score prediction, I though I would put a poll on whether England could make it through the Super 8's

Realisitically, after losing to New Zealand and assuming they beat Ireland and Bangladesh (I am hoping that is not being too presumptious) England would have to at least beat two (possibly 3) of Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa or West Indies.

I think we could beat the Windies, and have a sneaky feeling we might do the Aussies, possibly not iof they score 300 again though!

I think the semi finalists will be Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and England.....

[CraigC]

It's unlikely england will get through, starting a win down makes it extremely difficult. The fact that England in the first stage only bowled out one side, and that was with the penultimate ball against Kenya (admittedly in a reduced overs match). Clearly with the bowlers struggling, there won't be enough fire-power to notch the number of wins necessary.

On the poll, in the absence of "They won't qualify but will not finish bottom either" I went for the absurdly optimistic "we're gonna smash the Aussies". Why not. ;)

[milhouse]

Why was Darren Gough not selected ? I think he could have made a world of difference to our bowling. We haven't got any real pace in our attack and that is what is letting us down.
I think we will qualify, but only just.

[NigelS]

milhouse said:

Why was Darren Gough not selected ? I think he could have made a world of difference to our bowling. We haven't got any real pace in our attack and that is what is letting us down.
I think we will qualify, but only just.

I think Goughie is a bit past it now, he didn't play over the winter. However I do admit that we need some bowling inspiration from somewhere.

[davemay]

After watching that " game" on Friday, ( against Ireland ), if that is the best we can do that lot should be on the next plane home, and drop a few off in mid flight. It was utter RUBBISH

[NigelS]

davemay said:

After watching that " game" on Friday, ( against Ireland ), if that is the best we can do that lot should be on the next plane home, and drop a few off in mid flight. It was utter RUBBISH

Agree Dave, bowling attack looked inept. Also our top 3 batsmen are well out of touch, Vaughan especially. All the sides performing have a top 3 batsmen that is in form and taking it to the bowlers.

They think it is all over - it soon will be. England, like the West Indies, have shown themselves to be a very poor team.

Why is it that it has to be a rare, but always over praised, occasion that anyone of these 'stars' actually performs when required.

[davemay]

After yesterday's result ( New Zealand beating South Africa ), we could UNFORTUNATELY possibly qualify for the semi-finals of the world cup.
Just think what the cricketing administrators will make of that, saying how well we performed, and then bury their heads in the sand for another million years or so.

[NigelS]

davemay said:

After yesterday's result ( New Zealand beating South Africa ), we could UNFORTUNATELY possibly qualify for the semi-finals of the world cup.
Just think what the cricketing administrators will make of that, saying how well we performed, and then bury their heads in the sand for another million years or so.

I share your sentiments Dave, we have beaten Ireland and Bangladesh and are one win away from the semis. The run chase of Bangladesh was cringe worthy to say the least. However, we could even win this thing- we have a match winner in Pieterson and he is a genius!

I think they need to review the format for the tournament. The best I can think of is 15 teams in 3 groups of 5, top 2 go through to make a super 6, then semis and finals.

[milhouse]

your having a laugh - current score 142-8 against south africa, we are gonna get whooped ! they will score that in 30 overs !

[CraigC]

England's entire approach to ODIs has to be reviewed. The slow-scoring painful win against Bangladesh set the stall for this match. 142-8 only tells half the story - it took 48 overs to score it. How can you play a One Day as if it was the last day of a Test trying to save the match? Scoring that slowly just puts more pressure on the side.

All the confidence that had built over 4 or 5 years that had seen England rise to 2nd in the world Test rankings prior to the Ashes victories seems to have vanished and left the current sad sight of England being being bowled for 154 in 48 overs, a total which South Africa surpassed in just 19.2 overs.

Make no mistakes, there are good players in the England side, and at their best a top quality side - you can't just ignore the progress England had been making, especially at Test level. However, although I think Duncan Fletcher has been a good coach, it is now time for heads to roll and a new approach to be put in place.

[NigelS]

What baffles me is the mind set of the players especially the openers. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that 8 runs off the first 7 overs is not going to win you many matches. I mean who is telling them to bat this way?

Vaughan clearly isn't a good ODI batsman and should never have played in this tournament - 20 balls before he got a run, I just don't get it. I even question his 'great captaincy' skills today when he elected to bat first, but it would have made no difference anyway whatever he chose. But the buck doesn't stop there - Fletcher has to go after the Ashes debacle. The team really looked like to couldn't be bothered by the end and they just wanted to go home. Mahmood's failure to stop a simple boundary summed up the whole match.

The right teams have made the semis, and I will now be fickle and support my other home country - Sri Lanka!