The Cricket Thread

[hodge]

Pundits calling for Cardiff to not hold any international cricket after this tournament due to the poor attendances. I couldn't believe how few were at the Bangladesh v New Zealand game, looked like far more empty seats than people there.

The ticketing system is pretty shit though. No choice of where you sit other than in a price band which could be any large section of the ground. Whenever I've gone to cricket I've always picked the exact seats I want (other than Lords for The Ashes where it's a ballot and you take what you're given!).

Lots of tickets still available in Cardiff for England's semi-final on Wednesday. Weather isn't looking like being a factor currently. I was surprised to hear if the match was abandoned due to rain then the team who finished higher in the group stages would progress to the final, thankfully it doesn't look like that's going to happen as that would be pretty shit for the competition and cricket.

They apparently sold out the England vs New Zealand game (or within a couple of hundred at most) but a lot didn't show likely due to the forecast.

 

[GodsGift]

38% of tickets bought for England's semi-final were snapped up by Indian fans before the tournament even started, so Cardiff will probably be about half full again.

 

[hodge]

38% of tickets bought for England's semi-final were snapped up by Indian fans before the tournament even started, so Cardiff will probably be about half full again.

Tickets can be placed for resale so will be interesting to see how many do.

 

[SMH]

Imagine paying 30-40 notes for a ticket then not showing up. Elsewhere Somerset have fielded first on a flat Taunton featherbed and now have to break the record chase for a List A 50 over match to win. Whoops!

 

[Super_horns]

Sangakkara is just a class apart - another 3 figures today.

 

[Bobbin']

Imagine paying 30-40 notes for a ticket then not showing up. Elsewhere Somerset have fielded first on a flat Taunton featherbed and now have to break the record chase for a List A 50 over match to win. Whoops!

They may even do it yet!

 

[Super_horns]

Great effort but losing wickets at key moments so probably fall short.

 

[RavenBish]

Bairstow thrown in cold against the Pakistan seamers when he could've got a free warm up against the Aussies

 

[Super_horns]

Surrey to win at Yorkshire again?

 

[blademan89]

Surrey to win at Yorkshire again?

Yep. Expected it. Our own fault for not winning the group when we had all our best players. Obviously all with England now.

 

[blademan89]

Bairstow thrown in cold against the Pakistan seamers when he could've got a free warm up against the Aussies

I'll still be backing him to be England's highest scorer, the man is superb.

 

[Dave]

Nearly a 2 ball duck!

Empty seats everywhere for a home semi-final.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Unconvincing start so far, slightly different wicket to the ones we have played on so far. Glad Bairstow came in. Going to need a big back 10 if we want 300+.

 

[Ciderhead]

Not like you to suddenly appear at the first sign of struggle, Saddler

 

[Saddlerrad]

Not like you to suddenly appear at the first sign of struggle, Saddler

Just keeping people informed, man of information.

 

[Ciderhead]

Just need to get to 250-270 now, still every chance of defending a par score against this Pakistan batting lineup. They've bowled very well though, has to be said

 

[Luke_1884]

Be lucky to get 200 here, we need to be bob on with the ball.

 

[spireite]

What an absolutely dreadful batting performance, game over

 

[Dave]

Brilliant from Pakistan though...

 

[SMH]

The Swalec head groundsman definitely sees himself as Welsh rather than British. Was it his smart idea to have a used pitch for a semi final?

 

[hodge]

The Swalec head groundsman definitely sees himself as Welsh rather than British. Was it his smart idea to have a used pitch for a semi final?

The one Pakistan played their last game on wasn't it?

 

[Ciderhead]

The Swalec head groundsman definitely sees himself as Welsh rather than British. Was it his smart idea to have a used pitch for a semi final?

There's nothing wrong with the pitch we've just been completely outplayed

 

[Super_horns]

That didn't go to plan!

I remember Pakistan won the T20 title when it was played here so maybe they just like the conditions..

 

[SMH]

The one Pakistan played their last game on wasn't it?

Yeah. Eoin Morgan agrees, he's brought it up in the post match press conference. Not taking away the fact England were well beaten but so much for home advantage.

 

[Soup Ladle]

I'm really disappointed to be honest. I was just saying to a non cricket fan who expressed mild interest in the CT that this is England's best ever ODI side and have a great chance of winning.

We were pathetic today and was like watching England in the 90s. Woeful. So bad. Really pissed me off that.

Was it attitude? Like the 'yeah we can bumble along to 250, take no risks and Pakistan's batting is crap so they won't get near that'. Or was that just the strategy? It's one of the two. Either way they abandoned the approach that served us so well since 2015 in favour of a conservative accumulation tactic that has done sod all for us in the past.

Yes Pak have a good bowling unit but not one that should skittle us for a paltry 211 in our conditions. There was nothing wrong with the pitch, did you see them bat on it? That was a 270+ wicket at the very least. Okay the players were deflated and bowled crap but no excuses. I'm sorry but this was a really poor defeat and one that will take fans and players a long while to get over. We will never have a better chance of a major trophy and they've blown it when the pressure was on. I know anyone can beat anyone in an ODI on the day but if that were a 5 match series we'd do them 4-1 or 3-2 at minimum. Never will have a better stab at glory than this.

Typical England in any sport. Excel in flattering to deceive.

 

[RavenBish]

Never will have a better stab at glory than this.

Pretty much the entire side are in their mid 20s and the domestic scene is producing better young players than anywhere else in the world currently so this seems a little dramatic

 

[Skinner]

Yeah, and no other side has such a young core what with the World Cup looming.

 

[Super_horns]

Great week for Notts - first they get 430 in the quarter final then chase down 371 against Essex to win their semi.

 

[RavenBish]

top stuff from Mullaney in particular. Hopefully Fletcher replaces Gurney for the final.

 

[SMH]

Got on Notts at 6/1 for the tournament a week ago. Feeling very confident now as they look brilliant with the bat. Essex have to be the South Africa of county cricket, they always seem to bottle it everytime they get to a knockout game.