The Sports Thread (5)

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452 Responses to “The Sports Thread (5)”

  1. Like

  2. jayshah: since the other sports thread has been closed, replying here.

    check the experts on espncricinfo, cricbuzz. they feel new zealand would benefit by the rain due to change is nature. Ajay Jadeja is suggesting to open cautiously nevermind if India only score 5 runs in 5 overs. I feel this will be a tricky chase for India not a cakewalk

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    • jayshah Says:

      Indeedio. A chase in a semi will always come with pressures! But if India were told they would lose the toss and restrict NZ to around 250, I’m sure they would be stupendously happy. It’s a match for sure. Just saying India are favourites and if they were to lose I’m sure they’ll only have batters to blame.

      Personally think they’ll have to start well keeping in mind at 20 overs a match is official so they need to be ahead on DWL if rain stops play. NZ’s strength is bowling and India’s batting. India bowled as well they could and no way have NZ taken advantage of toss. Also these last 4 overs are harder for batsmen – NZ can’t afford to settle in, they’ve got to go at 10 an over against India’s 2 best bowlers.

      Tricky it is but India would take this yesterday morning 100%.

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      • never before in history of world cup has a team batting second won in reserve day. a team batting first has won 3 times, twice in Manchester, once in Birmingham.

        last 5 times team batting first has won in Manchester

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        • jayshah Says:

          What and who was playing? When? The scores

          India are odds on to win with the bookies – enough to know who are favourites. NZ are 4-1. If you want to get rich put a lot on NZ.

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  3. sanjana Says:

    Here is what DLS target would be for India:

    – If India get 46 overs, the target will be 237

    – If India get 40 overs, the target will be 223

    – If India get 35 overs, the target will be 209

    – If India get 30 overs, the target will be 192

    – If India get 25 overs, the target will be 172

    – If India get 20 overs, the target will be 148

    If NZ get to play a few overs, or their entire innings, and then the rainfall forces a stop, then the DLS target for India will get revised accordingly.

    The forecast on Wednesday is not too bright either. “Skies will often be cloudy through Wednesday, with further heavy showers at times. Some brighter interludes are possible between the showers though,” according to reports.

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-world-cup-2019-what-will-be-india-s-revised-dls-target/story-wWhBeSlLFzmdk3Q91wIzbP.html

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  4. jayshah Says:

    India are flopping! Bullshit stuff.

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    • jayshah Says:

      In any situation 5-3 is schoolboy stuff.

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      • I had anticipated this….It will be No in the final like 2015God bless This team..

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        • jayshah Says:

          Pant and Karthik doing what top 3 should be doing. Dare I say it situation is tailored for MSD.

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        • jayshah Says:

          Wtf is Dhoni’s role in this side. His guarded approach is what India need here. What stupid people are in charge here.

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        • jayshah Says:

          India have to get it right batting order. Dhoni today was fine to be promoted as if he played like he does he could get them into a situation where Pandya, Jadeja could launch. Dhoni can’t come later when rr is higher to launch.

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        • jayshah Says:

          Pandya and Pant using up dot balls that Dhoni should have and in last matches Dhoni using up deliveries for hitters.

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        • tonymontana Says:

          The run rate is reducing at the stage. Can’t blame them for playing slow though. They’re trying their best to do their job

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  5. disappointing!

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  6. tonymontana Says:

    24-4.. looks a goner for India at this stage.

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  7. tonymontana Says:

    Those mauka ads by Star Sports team have been in poor taste and jingoistic.

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  8. i said this is a tricky pitch under overcast conditions. jayshah was arguing otherwise with me 72/5 in 23 overs

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    • jayshah Says:

      This is not pitch. It’s rubbish batting. 5-3 on any pitch is poor batting.

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      • don’t think any of the batsmen played poor shots. those were good delivieries in the corridor of uncertainty

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        • jayshah Says:

          All I would say is NZ started slowly didn’t lose wickets. India have. Pitch is same as. Not tough chase if you don’t ballsy it. Gutless performance IMO.

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        • Indian top 3 are FTBs (including Shikar Dhawan). It needs the skipper to do something out of the box which Kohli doesn’t do. Never experiments with the batting order when today was an opportunity to do so.

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        • jayshah Says:

          Kohli is partly at fault as captain. I’ve whined enough, Dhoni’s role is flexible in this team. Which means Pant and Pandya too are flexible. In last few matches when India are in 35th over- don’t bring out Dhoni if intention is to score runs. But if you’re 3 down with 5 runs chasing a modest total bring out Dhoni to steady the ship – it needs experience not kids.

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        • IdeaUnique Says:

          u got to give it to NZ – superb bowling. Rahul/Karthik are useless fellows in crunch games – such bogged down approach.
          Pant/Pandya – irresponsible shots when they were perfectly set!

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        • Very sad. Hopefully at least NZ will win the cup. 9 per over is totally ungettable now…

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        • jayshah Says:

          India are still in this. At 45th over these 2 need to be batting with 10 an over.

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  9. IdeaUnique Says:

    ha ha i m luving this: That joker Sanju-manju’s “bits-n-pieces cricketr” abt Jadeja – he bowled so well, fielded brilliantly and now batting – still u hear that joker’s commentary today – he is so much biased! Jadeja proving with performance.

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  10. tonymontana Says:

    This will be awesome for India if they manage to pull this off

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  11. sanjana Says:

    What a match! thanks Jadeja!

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  12. jayshah Says:

    This is magnificent stuff by Dhoni and Jadeja.

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    • jayshah Says:

      India lost – bad batting strategy and order throughout tournament. Jadeja should have played earlier. Karthik experiment pointless. Kohli captaincy is poor. First ball lost review in semi final. Shocking. This was not a tough chase. Dhoni and Jadeja showed the top order what was possible.

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  13. tonymontana Says:

    Good fight by Dhoni and Jadeja. But the kiwis were better today. What an amazing bowling and fielding performance. That run out by Guptill did prove to be the turning point

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I will not blame Kohli. He did what was asked by all of us. He brought Jadeja which proved fruitful. Faith in Dhoni paid. Rishabh Pant entered and did not disappoint. And Kohli himself did not fail as a batsman. Too much dependence on Rahul Sharma’s invincibility gave us overconfidence.
    Life is full of surprises and we have to be ready.

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    • Kohli as a captain is not at Dhoni’s level. As a batsman Kohli’s WC is decent enough. Sharma can’t always hit centuries, I’ll never blame him. Jadeja did everything right. Guys like Pant and Pandya are too young to blame. Dhoni played a fantastic knock today but chasing a modest total he should have been promoted to #4 or #5 to steady and then him, Pandya, Jadeja etc to finish it off. India were not far off BUT they were due a disastrous performance based on group stages. Warning sign was there against Afghanistan and England.

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  15. why was Chahal playing despite going for 88 runs versus England, I think?

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  16. tonymontana Says:

    Time to show the disgusting and jingoistic advertisements. Star sports has also been privy n participant to this.

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  17. Its simple. If your top 4 batters fail together, then its a big ask from the next 4 to do the job of 8 guyz. Jadeja and Dhoni did well to make it close in the final stages.

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  18. If it was not close, there would have been stone pelting at players houses. This was competitive, as Jay suggested, I don’t want Pant, Pandya, Kartik to play Dhoni like inning. Dhoni should have come ahead and other players needed to play Jadeja like inning.

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    • tonymontana Says:

      The other players just needed to play decent. Not very big partnerships, but just something to chug along

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  19. Dhoni may announce his retirement anytime now, may be tonight.
    Best way to change the headlines.

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    • It’s time to move on from Dhoni. Pant has shown enough to be given his opportunity now. Karthik is over.

      I’d like Pant to open asap as Dhawan and Sharma are 33/31. Rahul is #4 material.

      India has to think 4 years ahead, WC is in India and Kohli is 30 now so that’s his last chance at peak.

      Sharma
      Pant
      KOHLI
      Rahul
      Pandya
      Bumrah
      Kuldeep

      Only they can make it to 2023 based on age.

      Kumar
      Chahal
      Shami
      Jadeja

      They are maybes

      Rest are disposable now.

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      • Based on current state, I can see Dhoni playing for 1-2 years but you need to think ahead and Pant and Sanju Samson could compete for wicket keeper role.
        KL Rahul is not opener material IMO; he is very similar in approach in 1-10 overs like Rohit; We need little more attacking batsman.
        I don’t have issue with bowling but we need more lyons in spin department who are smart bowlers.

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        • Dhoni in this format is finished IMO. In a tournament he brings experience and ex captain strategy but as a player his role is not clear. A game like today is a Dhoni type game but if he’s coming in after so many wickets it’s pointless. He’s not around for next WC so get rid now. If he’s in the side use him correctly if not forget him. Tendulkar had calls to leave but in 10 he hit 200 and 11 had a good WC in the way he plays.

          Dhoni, Dhawan and Karthik can go now.

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  20. IdeaUnique Says:

    Dhoni is a mystery in last 10 overs. Clearly he has lost his killer instinct……

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  21. IdeaUnique Says:

    Jadeja – what on earth India were doing by hiding this talent? he shd have opened the innings today

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    • I guess you have seen bits and pieces of him 🙂
      He plays like top 5 batsman on certain days, and he is clueless like our tail on some days.. but one thing is always there is his commitment to fielding. He save 5-10 runs if he is fielding in every match.

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  22. What a choke by India.

    Are we the new chokers?
    WT20 2014 F
    ODI WC 2015 SF
    T20 WC 2016 SF
    CT 2017 F
    WC SF 2019.

    We are the new SA in ICC tournaments.

    India lost the match already when they went down 5/3 within 4 overs. Also not sure Pant and Pandya should have batted at the same time (two inexperienced patience less kids). It was perfect time for MSD to play slow innings and build partnership and hold Pandya for the end of the innings.

    Some face saved due to Jaddu who played courageous and probably his most memorable innings in cricket.

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  23. Tell me one thing, being the person that everyone listens to, why can’t Dhoni have taken the same attitude he took in 2011, asked whoever he needs to that he be promoted up the order? He certainly has that weightage still to make that point? Right??? How does it work? You have to bow down to Shastri and Kohli??

    Goddammit, we can’t believe we lost this one? This was the BEST combination of players we had. Truly we were a better team than NEW ZEALAND. We just effed up badly today.

    God knows how i will take to recover from this…

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      I guess he was captain then but I don’t think this Indian team is street smart anyway. They are so bad with reviews and don’t really manage well in the moment. At this level of sports, hardwork and talent everyone possesses but the difference is who has more mental strength and natural ability.

      I hope the real England turn up tomorrow as they have played well for few years now and anyone but Australia is what I want, would not like to see Warner, Smith and co walk away with the trophy again. Australia will walk all over NZ – India should have!

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      • IdeaUnique Says:

        my only problem with Dhoni is with his mindset in last 10 overs….only in 49th or 50th over – he hits a boundary or a six….what on earth is that>>???? u can’t score 90 in 10 overs? what finishers u r?

        – Dinesh Kartik is finished. Good for everyone
        – Kedar Jadhav shd not be in ever. But we know Maharashtra almost rules Indian cricket and very sad for this aspect….
        – Sanju-Manju shd be thrown in to Arabian sea 🙂 but again, we may see this man being in management of BCCI…
        – K L Rahul is NOT a one-day or 20-20 player, shift him to Test cricket
        – Let Pant play as opener like Gilchrist

        Like

    • I am shattered too. Loss is not sinking in yet.

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  24. jayshah Says:

    ODI cricket is more than an individual game. I use to hate when Tendulkar got blame for others’ shortcomings.

    In this semi
    India had biggest batting partnership, the 7th wicket stand between Dhoni and Jadeja at over 100 runs. This is after rain, overnight and all the negatives pointed out as advantages for NZ.
    Most economical bowling was tie between Santner and Jadeja.
    Kumar and Henry took most wickets at 3.
    Jadeja at 77 top scored.
    NZ’s 5th bowler a combination of 2 had worst economy equal to Chahal.
    Guptill had worst strike rate of any batter.
    NZ hit 1 six vs 5 for India

    The above tells you others contributed for NZ more to compensate for lack of individual brilliance.

    In T20 individual stats like this – India would win. But the longer the game is the more players out of 11 you need to contribute.

    5 Indians scored single digits vs 2 for NZ and top 3 all out for 1
    In Test cricket every player has a proper role. ODI it diminishes but do India know what they have to do to get over the line?

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  25. A monumental heart shattering loss for all Indians. India played so well in the leagues, in the first innings of the semis and suddenly the drama changed when the chase began.

    However i still believe India is the best team of the world cup. I thought the loss to England was timely and would make our team alert. If only we had played off the first 6 overs wisely.

    Anyway, a great run up so far and enjoyed the world cup. Would probably still watch the semis and finals as cricket would always live.

    I still do not think India has replacement for Dhoni. I really like Pant but think he should play with Dhoni for a year or two before taking over. So Dhoni should not retire now. He was the difference yesterday and another cameo like Jadeja from the other end could have sealed it. I agree that he should have come ahead of Dinesh. But these are now post mortem theories and conjectures.

    It would take a day or two to overcome the loss. Well played India. I don’t see any reason to criticise our team. We have best batsman, best bowler, best captain, best wicket keepers, best finisher.

    Next world cup is in India.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. What is wrong with KRK? He is denigrating Kohli in his tweets and it is below the belt. Looks like he is mighty jealous of him or envies him for his popularity. He is gloating at the loss rather than being empathetic. Aamir Khan rightly took action against him.
    If India did win, he would have sang praises and just because India lost he is targetting Kohli.
    And please armchair critics, why didnt you make an effort to get into the team and win every match as you surely know all the tricks?

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  27. sanjana Says:

    Like

  28. Pakistan won against both NZ and England. India lost to them.

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  29. jayshah Says:

    Australia win toss, bunch of tossers!

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    • To make it even, I think losing toss captain could be allowed to change 1 player after the toss.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Most country have created toss neutral pitches barring UK. In India we still have problem with Eden etc where toss still plays a big role. However Brits are still relying on toss and along with weather the duo makes the Toss win almost a guarantee to win the match. All big teams have won the toss in the world cup, have chosen to bat and have mostly won.

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        • Not at all. England today showing India how to start against Australia. India messed up yesterday as simple as. They were favourites before and after NZ innings. Not big scoreboard pressure just crap coach and batting strategy. If India were 33-0 yesterday like England today it would fall into place.

          The toss is important but if you choose to bat you are targeting 300+ not 240 or 220 like today. How you approach the chase is more important than toss. India chased 270+ vs Pakistan in 2003, 250+ vs Australia in QF in 2011.

          Shivaay is right – fix your team of 17 now. England have done this and allowed 1 exceptional change in Archer but they’ve been steady. Easily best one day side right now. 6 bowlers, a spinner, all rounders galore and proper batsmen. India chop and change.

          Dhoni has to go OR define his role properly. Semi final he can’t consolidate after 5 wickets down it’s got to be earlier.

          He’s not superhuman!

          India could be in final, I hope England are as Australia don’t win #6!

          Like

    • It would have been 3 down..

      ps – It is now…Looks like hangover from yesterday..

      Like

  30. sanjana Says:

    https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/though-we-fell-like-humpty-dumpty-anand-mahindra-on-world-cup-exit-2067806?pfrom=home-lateststories

    India’s exit from the World Cup left the nation heartbroken as they lost to New Zealand by 18 runs in the first semi-final on Wednesday. As many vented their frustration on social media, business tycoon Anand Mahindra only had words of praise for Virat Kohli’s team who, he said, “fought like Titans till the end”.
    “We need an Indian version of the movie ‘Hangover.’ To describe the blunt pain in the head & the bitter taste in the mouth that a country experiences when it wakes up & remembers that it’s no longer in the race for a title that was supposed to be in its destiny.” he said.

    “Don’t Even Think About Retirement,” Lata Mangeshkar Urges MS Dhoni

    “Aaj kal main sun rahi hun ke Aap retire hona chahte hain (I hear you want to retire),” Ms Mangeshkar said today in a tweet addressed to the cricketer who led India to the 2011 World Cup triumph.

    “Kripaya aap aisa mat sochiye. Desh ko aap ke khel ki zaroorat hai aur ye meri bhi request hai ki Retirement ka vichar bhi aap mann mein mat laayiye (Please don’t do it. The country needs you. I request you to not think about retirement),” she added.

    Like

    • This is the best time for Dhoni to retire. It will create room to play someone like Pant permanently @ No 4.

      Dhoni had a good innings yesterday (50 runs) and can retire now in a high. I have doubts if he could have pulled a win there IF Guptill’s direct throw did not get him run out. The asking rate was enormous in the last 3 overs and frankly it was Jadeja who had been hitting the ball more in that partnership.

      The point is, Dhoni has a chance to retire as a ‘hero’ and he should take it rather than drag this for selfish reasons.

      Like

      • A Dhoni fan in me wants him to retire now on a high,
        Indian cricket fan in me want him to continue.

        I see merit for Dhoni if he retires now and agree it will be on a high but problems for India’s middle order and see India not ready to lose him.

        Sigh!!

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        • Dhoni continuing for another year is not going to help India answer its pressing middle order questions. They have to take the pain of experimenting, till they find someone who can step up. 2023 is in India, they better start preparations right away.

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        • His reflexes have slowed; He got runout in IPL final and even today he hesitated while taking second and that was his undoing; Having said that he still run harder than any player. And he is still very good behind wickets.

          I don’t see him in next World Cup but I certainly see he can carry 1-2 more years and transition over to Pant/Sanju.

          If he continues then I think he needs to bat 2-3 down.

          I think we need to give try Shreyas Iyer, Shubham Gill to solidify middle order.

          Like

  31. sanjana Says:

    Looks like Australia has stabilised after initial hiccups. Atleast they are not losing wickets as of now.

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  32. God just rated Carey as young best talent of WC

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  33. Shivaay Says:

    World cups are not won by jugaad selections 2 days before a game. Its a consistent process of trial & error where u select a bunch of 15-17 individuals who can walk into the playing 11 at any required moment. With this Indian team however, heavy dependence on the top 3 meant they never focused on the middle order and attempted all sorts of makeshift last moment stuff to fill in the gaps. And the results are there to see. For me the world cups hopes were already dented once Dhawan got injured. Such was the over dependence on the top 3, we never thought of back ups. Dropping specialists like Rayudu & Rahane in favor of bits pieces T20 stars like Vijay Shankar & DK was another hara kiri. 50 over games are won by specialists with enough match practice & experience. Not by makeshift chopping & changing match after match.

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    • Good comment.

      Like

    • Precisely. A test team is very settled. T20 chops and changes. By default ODI needs some consistency.

      Is the video of Kohli questioning shastri for sending out Pant out instead of Dhoni real anyone?

      Like

  34. It looks like England will take Aussies to cleaners.
    So it will be England versus New zealand.
    There is a big video circulating about dhoni’s runout. Umpiring error?
    https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/07/ms-dhoni-m.jpg?w=759&h=422&imflag=true

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    • IdeaUnique Says:

      i dont think Dhoni cud have finished the game evenif that runout did not happen. He simply DOES NOT HAVE THAT KILLER INSTINCT for which he is known for! he has shown consistently in this tournament that he cares a damn about stepping up on the gas! just chk that 2nd delivery of 49th over – on 1st, he hit a six and on 2nd – he blocks the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that is when you need 26 of 11 balls – how can u explain that???????

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      • That’s not exactly fair. NZ chose fergusson to bowl 49th, their best bowler. The key was to get to last over against Neesham. Dhoni for sure has not played like younger Dhoni like hitting boundaries and helicopter shots but yesterday from a near embarrassing situation he and Jadeja got India into a scenario to win. And in the end it was a close match only because of them 2.

        Who knows if he didn’t get run out what happens. 25 off 10 with 6 against Neesham I would fancy Dhoni and Kumar to give it a good go.

        Like

        • With Dhoni at crease for 10 more balls, they could have reached more near. In end it is game of nerves. It could have swung anyway.

          Now people might suggest we should have tried earlier but rate was 10+ for almost last 10 over. And it is not as if bowlers were bowling bad balls.

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        • jayshah Says:

          Dhoni did great IMO. Jadeja though wow. But look at chase today. England made a joke of it against a better bowling attack than NZ. Totals similar and obviously England batting is more reliable but they played their natural game. India have to learn.

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        • England started slow but Starc bowled some wide hittable balls and that started the chain..

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  35. England destroying Australia!
    6 6 6!

    Chasing it down inside 30 overs?

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  36. Jason Roy brings so much difference to the England team as opener. This was such a masterful chase by England. Crushing defeat for Australia. England have been among the top two teams in last few years in ODI. Well deserved and great to see them in the final.

    Whether NZ wins or England its great to have first time WC winner among these.

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      He got injured, England lost games so he’s crucial for opening partnership. That’s 3 opening century partnerships in row. England hopefully win as they’ve lost 3 finals and they are best overall ODI side by a distance IMO.

      Butler has hardly played yet!

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      • Apart from couple of matches Buttler is having kind of meh tournament so far. Yeah he didn’t got much chance in few matches but whenever he got chances he wasn’t able to score or make impact. For example flop show when got chances against SL, Australia and NZ where he could have played some part with Stokes to carry the team. Think his form could be vital for England in the final.

        Like

  37. Shivaay Says:

    I had mentioned in one of my earlier comments about the top-down/bottom-up hierarchy of modern day cricketers. Sustaining in a 50 over format is not the cup of tea for T20 specialists alone barring perhaps the #7 and #8 slots. The rest of the position are that of specialists and since most modern day cricketers are no longer ODI specialists but T20 specialists playing ODI’s as an afterthought, its best to revert back to the 90’s formula of strengthening your Test side first and then selecting 70% of your ODI specialists from the Test side with the remaining 30% playing the role of floaters. This is exactly where I feel the selectors should have at least tried Pujara in the ODI format 3 years ago and persisted with a test specialist like Ajk Rahane for the #4 slot and given him a long rope despite his uneven form. Even an out of form Rahane or a “red ball specialist” Pujara is a safer bet than an in form DK if your team’s down 5-3 in seaming conditions.

    Like

  38. Dark Knight movie: “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain”.

    Applied to the field of leadership, exit remains one of the most thorny issues. If not planned well, it can leave an organization or team paralyzed, or, worst still, implode.

    Dhoni handed over the Test Cricket captaincy to Kohli in December 2014, focusing exclusively on shorter versions of the game, before passing on that baton to Kohli in January 2017. Dhoni’s presence on the field did offer Kohli more nerves and the team a greater stability, as admitted by Kohli, but Captain Cool became less of a ‘player’ that he was. The power-hitting, counter-intuitive judgement, tactical maneuvering, temperament, and an insight into his fellow mates, which Dhoni was famous for, was best a thing of the past, and the contrast is evident, especially in the ongoing tournament.

    Would it be nice to retire while a lot of fuel is still left in you? When things are going pretty well in your absence? When your best is well and truly behind you?

    In competitive sports, where one player is in at the cost of other, it matters tremendously. So does in business, where lost pride often becomes more important than lost market share!

    My heart pains to see Dhoni struggling today, but offers a sobering reminder of the life of a hero, and why it’s important to know your limits and accept them, at times. Hopefully we all make our calls wisely.

    View at Medium.com

    Like

  39. https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket-world-cup/ind-v-nz-two-cricket-fans-die-after-india-lost-thrilling-world-cup-semifinal-5825249/

    IND v NZ: Two cricket fans die during India vs New Zealand World Cup thriller
    In two different incidents, two cricket fans suffered heart attacks after watching India lose to New Zealand on Wednesday.

    Like

  40. jayshah Says:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48958223

    England are the benchmark according to Finch.

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    • West Indies would be laughing. 😀

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      • jayshah Says:

        Not really. England have been outstanding overall for at least 2 years. They have 2 decent spinners who can bat, 4 regular batsmen (top 4), 5-6 are outstanding. Fast bowlers plus Stokes are plenty. In India this team would not be as lethal but any other place be it Australia, SA or WI they would be strong. Only Kohli and Bumrah get it in this side from India for sure and maybe Sharma and Jadeja.

        If they lose against NZ it’s there own fault!

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      • I don’t think England were as convincing in round robin league matches the way India was. Round robin for me assessed the teams.

        Semis and Finals were the ones where for the cup.

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        • Semis and Finals were the fight for the cup in do or die situations.
          But the league matches gave is a clear winner – INDIA.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          One player is not always the deciding factor but can determine the approach to match and team. Jason Roy injury hurt England and since he’s been back Bairstow has flourished too. Top order is so important. Vince was sitting duck.

          Likewise Dhawan injury hit India bad. England were in trouble. The KEY match was against INDIA. And India failed to attack to knock them out. That is where India lost some momentum and gave life to England. If India had actually chased down the total and won it would have crushed England’s spirit and potentially changed semi finals line up to make way for Pakistan or Sri Lanka in semi for India.

          If you want to be champions play like it against big teams.

          On convincing, India had several close matches against weak sides like Bangladesh and Afghanistan – enough to suggest problems were there in side when crunch encounters came along.

          Still say India should have gone all guns blazing against England to knock out the outstanding side of last 2 years than worry about nrr or knocking out Pakistan – a team whom India has never lost to in WC.

          Like

        • don’t forget vijay shankar. he would have been handy in the sf and soaked up balls at one end at #4. then again, he may have not.

          Like

        • Come to think of it, even after winning the WC (NZL or Eng), none would have won more matches than India, such was their dominance in league matches.

          let’s give credit to where it is due.

          India got 15 points and topped the league table and dominated the league stages. Loss to Eng was considered a surprise and an aberration. In Semis, India lost to NZL. 8 out of 10 times they would beat NZL in current form. But the picked the wrong 2 to lose. But that doesn’t make them lesser.

          Despite Dhawan getting out, they were still better than others. Tes few close matches against weaker team, but those were still wins. India never suffered humiliating loss the way England or NZL did in their league matches. There was a fight even in loss. India tops for me.

          Like

    • The win by Eng or NZL would go down as surprise wins the way Pakistan won in ’92 or India won in ’83

      None played convincingly in league matches. Both NZL and Eng suffered humiliating losses by lower rank teams. Were not the top 2 in Round robin league matches.

      Like

      • jayshah Says:

        There is no surprise in number 1 ranked ODI when entering a tournament winning it. It would be a slight surprise for NZ to win but they did reach finals in 2015 too.

        India will only improve if they do a lot of introspection rather than blaming external factors like;
        Ground size – Edgbaston
        The toss – England showed how to chase a modest total. India to chased against SL.
        45 mins of bad cricket – this one takes the cake of excuses. Usain Bolt lost a world championship by split second due to disqualification. A dodgy mistimed tackle in football you could give opposition penalty for example, again split second. In golf one crap hole out of 72 you can go into water and lose title. In boxing you’re lights out if someone knocks you out in split second.
        Kohli is complaining about whole 45 mins of rubbish cricket of which most is self inflicted rubbish batting strategy. Indian deserves to lose as excuses are loser type ones. Blame yourself first, man up and admit you weren’t good enough rather than format of cup etc.
        India should invest in some sports psychology maybe as mentally they struggle.
        I’ve been bickering with my cousin who is hating on Kohli for poor semi and finals record, and on Dhoni for way he bats. This is a team game and 5-6 players have to perform minimum. In semi bowlers did job. Batters only 2 stood up, not good enough. England didn’t even have to get to #5 as top ordered destroyed Australia. I get one off anything can happen but basic of approach, strategy etc is something you can get right.

        Like

        • You are betting your arguments because England has won semis and reached finals which India did not. This ofcourse calls for introspection and from second para onwards your comments are justified. India surely needs to introspect.

          But you are denying the average performance of England and best performance by India among the teams before semis.

          You have completely escaped to defend Engalnd’s humiliating losses in league matches. Complete surrender. India and Aus were the only 2 teams which fought even in defeat. India did a bit better than Aus.

          Like

        • Lets discuss WI series 🙂

          BTW WI did well against England in ODI series.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          India gave up against England, chasing nrr. For me topping group is pretty lucky as Australia failed to beat an already knocked out SA. It’s all potatoes and potatos debate. Who finished top in group doesn’t matter. Do India get credit, sure.

          Firstly I agree with some of your points. The weather has disrupted play a lot and many teams can feel unhappy more than India. Sri Lanka and Pakistan for example.

          I have explained England’s poor patch wrt to how much difference Roy makes.

          I know in knockout anything can happen and group winner is nothing. Who won groups in previous WC’s – do you remember? No one cares about groups overall, it’s just s system to identify the semi finalists. If India topped group – CONGRATULATIONS! I’m sure they’ll be happy on flight home discussing topping group.

          Both England and NZ beat India and they are in final. Australia ended 1-1 with England in tournament. Australia beat NZ. England beat NZ. India beat Australia. Between 4 sides Australia and England won 2 matches, India and NZ 1. It’s all swings and roundabouts.

          I did say post England India match that India may rue that opportunity to knock out a contender.

          India showed weakness in crunch time as they crumbled to 5-3. It was not even a big chase. As England showed against Australia they made easy work of it! India’s strengths are way more than any country in world in cricket. Money, bench talent that no nation is close to. They should be dominating this sport outright but mental and strategy side is weak. It took a South African coach in Gary Kirsten to get this side right in 2011, Shastri is a turd. Get in Kumble or Dravid whose no nonsense approach will sort out the babies from the men.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Giving up is worst sin in sport. A lot of great tennis players despite losing still play to win. THEY HATE LOSING. India were happy to lose to England after certain point in chase and chose to get in semi via nrr. As Australia failed to beat SA I like everyone was happy to face the weakest opponent NZ (finished 4th so must be worst if India is best by your logic) but bad application in most important moments by top 5-6 is enough to say bye bye. And yes finishing top in group becomes meaningless because by default you face weakest side at 4th and odds are in your favour to win. Every bookmaker had India as heavy favourites, me too but if attitude is poor you don’t deserve to win.

          Like

        • Who gave up?

          England against WI?

          or India against NZL/England?

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          India vs England in group game

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          England have only lost 2 ODI series since 2016. One against India and another 1 off game vs Scotland. They have been touted as winners for some time so it’s not lucky or fluke or whatever. They learnt a lot from how NZ played in 2015, fearless cricket mixed with big hitters and strike bowlers. The market (betters) had them as favourites.

          India too has outstanding record only recently lost to Australia in same period such that England’s blip in WC meant India overtook them in ODI ranking. These 2 are best ODI sides for last few years now. Australia are Australia, mentally the strongest hence can never write them off. NZ are captained so well always – Fleming, Mccullum and Williamson but they punch above their weight and always give their best. For a small nation that always is in shadow of Australia they always try best and never give up.

          India has so many advantages over world of cricket, they are like Brazil in football but with money. In most countries cricket is dying sport over football or others except subcontinent. India honestly should be producing best of everything and winning trophies like anything. This is a mental thing overall.

          Like

        • Won’t call it giving up. India did make 306 chasing. Giving up could have led to worse result. But there is an element of doubt, esp with Pakistan element involved and they surely see blood.

          But i would still not believe that Kohli’s team would give up. A mix of great balling and Dhoni’s tactic to take the match till the end before taking risk did it. Looks bad and sometimes suspicious if it doesn’t work out.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Mate the moment you think about Pakistan or anyone else instead of winning you are going against instincts of being in top level sports.
          At 45th over against England you don’t think – hmmm right it doesn’t look like we are winning this but look let’s score runs, bat PAKISTAN out of tournament! Oh England then slip through back door and go to final now.

          As a top level sportsman you play to win not play to lose in least way possible and then suddenly you have to start winning again. How much more confidence you are if you chase down England, knock them out and chase 240 in semi final? Isn’t the England game like practise or free hit at chasing?

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Moto in sport is don’t lose/die thinking what if. NZ did that against India as they could have gone in their shell after poor start but they played to set a target. India gave it everything after worst possible start so in semi they tried 100% but strategy was awful. Same application against England to knock out East India Company was needed!

          All our indian films are filled with never say die attitude from Rahul, Raj, Bhuvan to dishoom dishoom unrealistic odds of 100 bad guys with guns and 1 hero still beating them up with bare hands.

          Like

  41. BCCI should ban all TV and other media ads featuring cricketers for one month after a graceful loss, and 3 months after a humiliating loss

    Like

  42. sanjana Says:

    Like

  43. From ’87 onwards i am following world cup cricket.

    2019 world cup in UK has to be the most disappointing. The timing was bad. Pitches were average. Umpiring was abysmal. And to top it, stadium infra to keep the fields safe from rains was shockingly poor. Also did not have any opening ceremony (even IPL has one).

    Rating: 2/5 Poor

    Looking forward to 2023 in India.

    Like

  44. sanjana Says:

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-world-cup/why-indian-cricket-fans-outnumbered-everybody-else-at-the-world-cup/articleshow/70193112.cms

    The setting wouldn’t be an ideal one but Indians across the globe who have landed in or based out of the United Kingdom will be in majority during the World Cup final at the Lord’s on July 14.

    All the tickets for the final have been sold out and despite India’s shock ouster in the semi-finals, 90 percent of the fans who have planned their trips months in advance, will still be thronging at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ expecting some high quality action.

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Hahaha India fans rock. It will be funny on Sunday when England face NZ that most people will be waving India flag. Not their on the pitch but in spirit.

      Like

  45. GOAT Fed in 12th Wimbledon Final.

    What a time to be alive
    Maradona , Messi, Sachin, Lara, Viv, Warne, Fed, Nadal, Jokovich, Bolt, Phelps………………….

    “Roger Federer in #Wimbledon final for the 12th time.
    Remember in 2017, he had become the oldest man to win a #Wimbledon title in the modern era at 35 years, 11 months.
    Today, Federer is a few weeks short of his 38th birthday!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Beckham in ‘disbelief’ state 🙂

      Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Add Woods too, Mayweather, Ronaldo – so many greats!

      Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Just watched match #40 between Federer and Nadal. It’s like watching match #10. Tennis won’t be the same when Federer, Nadal and Djokovic play no more. Not an epic but Federer outfoxing Nadal in long rallies really made the difference and that backhand was lethal.
      Can’t see Federer beating Djokovic, very difficult as Djokovic is charging towards many more slams. Like today Federer must win 1st set to stand any chance.

      Like

  46. sanjana Says:

    “Please Be Kind”: James Neesham Urges Indian Cricket Fans To Re-Sell Their World Cup 2019 Final Tickets

    James Neesham wants Indian cricket fans to re-sell their World Cup 2019 final tickets on the official platform, to give other fans a chance to watch their team play.

    “Dear Indian cricket fans. If you don’t want to come to the final anymore then please be kind and resell your tickets via the official platform. I know it’s tempting to try to make a large profit but please give all genuine cricket fans a chance to go, not just the wealthy,” Neesham tweeted.

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Idiot. I find this a little offensive and profiling. Football fans do this all the time for champions league finals etc.

      Like

  47. sanjana Says:

    NZ won toss and chose to bat and so far lost only Guptill. They are playing a bit carefully saving their wickets.
    Too carefully!

    Like

  48. sanjana Says:

    Confused. To watch World Cup or Wimbledon.
    Watching both on computer.

    Like

  49. What a painful Sunday…:

    Like

  50. Looks like second disappointment! Fedex loses first set!
    But then Djokovic is fabulous and clinical. Perfect.

    Like

  51. sanjana Says:

    No one is giving up. But djokovic has an edge.

    and England is batting fantastically in their last overs.

    Like

  52. Don’t want England to rule the world again: they have ruled enough!!!!

    NZ dismisses PLUNKETT! 22 of 9..

    Like

  53. sanjana Says:

    This is a thriller!

    Like

  54. sanjana Says:

    Unlucky but plucky England.

    Like

  55. Unbelievable – The World Cup is reduced to a SUPER OVER after 7 weeks!!!

    Like

  56. Greatest sports Sunday #Wimbeldon #Cricket

    Like

  57. DJokovic wins.

    Like

  58. sanjana Says:

    Fedex lost. Sad!

    Like

  59. sanjana Says:

    Atlast england wins!

    Like

  60. Congrats to Jay and all the other English folks out there. I was sorry to see NZ lose and it was real heartbreak to see Federer lose his own epic match. He certainly had his chances but this match nonetheless is a confirmation of his greatness.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Congratulations to England…Tough luck for NZ…Boult catch-six, Four overthrow of Stokes bat, sun in fielder in super over (2 instead of 1)..Lady Luck was firmly on England side..England played well but NZ were better team.

      Like

      • do think the boundary rule for this WC was a terrible one. They should have played another over. Hey if you can play all those sets in tennis you can play an extra over or two here as well!

        Like

        • Yes Completely agree..boundary rule to break the tie from super-over is harsh on any team.. Yes if they can do in Tennis and in scocccer as Shivaay mentioned below, they could have added an additional over..maybe “Super-Deluxe’ over.. And there was 2008 T20 India-Pak match that was decide by a strike-out..each team had to strike a wicket in their bowling..glad that is removed now.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Doesn’t most boundaries benefit side chasing side anyway? I know the likelihood of a tie in both match and the super over is limited but that rule only benefited England. They KNOW how many NZ scored and not vice versa.

          Like

        • You feel bad but in other scenarios also England would have won:
          1. More points in league games.
          2. Head to head in league game.

          Having said that, this boundary rule is absolutely ridiculous.

          Like

        • NZ could have won if we take into account wickets.

          Like

        • absolutely and that was the sane way of doing it. But I could still have lived with an additional super over. It’s not like tennis. A result would have been produced fairly quickly.

          Like

    • jayshah Says:

      I don’t celebrate England victories. Hahaha. But I think this team deserved a signature moment even if it was a toss of a coin moment. Just like Federer deserved to win it seems but didn’t. Sport soon will lose many exceptional talents.

      Like

    • Shivaay Says:

      If a super over is a tie, there gotta be another super over. Plain & simple. Just like a football penalty shootout, if the teams are tied 5-5 they continue the shootout till a 2 point difference. They do not decide the winner based on ball % possession.

      Like

  61. jayshah Says:

    I’ve missed it all. I’m happy to see Federer get close as he’s taken the top player to the brink.

    Seems NZ deserved victory but England did really well to chase TWICE!

    Like

    • I was surprised not to see lockie Ferguson as super over bowler..He has more variations than Boult who has been hit all over as Delhi Capital in last overs.

      Like

  62. IdeaUnique Says:

    the best ever sports-day i have witnessed so far. Stunning, thrilling, nail-biting, heart-breaking, exciting…..every emotion u can feel being a sports-lover was there today….wow! cant sleep – need a coffee now 🙂

    I was rooting for NZ in cricket and Federer in Tennis – both lost and yet I felt that they went down fighting like champions and in the end the sports was the winner. Well played England and Djokovic – superb display of sportsmanship and skills 👌👍😊

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Shivaay Says:

    Perfect climax for the incompetent ICC. A World Cup of 10 teams, a World Cup without a Quarter Final, a World Cup where the top 2 table toppers get no second chances & a World Cup where the winner is decided by laughable rules despite it being a tie. No lessons learnt from the fiasco of 1999. Ironically, both the world cups took place in England.

    Like

  64. over to the Ashes now.

    Like

  65. jayshah Says:

    It’s swings and roundabouts in cricket. Everything is different. You can’t say both teams ‘literally’ played in same conditions as each other EVER. It’s not 1 vs 1 on same court or pitch at same time. The toss unfortunately is not something that should come into it but it does sometimes. I don’t think NZ can be too annoyed. Nor England if they lost. I don’t like the super over at all – it’s a bit of fun to decide something pretty serious.

    In the end most boundaries decided the match. Why not that from start? Or something else like group game result.

    Anyway I didn’t see the match – is it really the greatest ODI game ever? I think that honour belongs to Australia vs SA in 99 semi. Now that was drama! Today’s match seems harsh for any loser for sure – should just have tie result and joint winners.

    I’m still annoyed Federer broke Djokovic in last set but didn’t win it from then. He’s definitely done that before against Djokovic. Tbh I’m surprised Federer took it this far, quite incredible. That alone was enough for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • jayshah Says:

      One could slice and dice stats. Look at Wimbledon final. Federer had higher 1st serve %, more aces, more winners, more points and more games but still Djokovic wins. Rules are rules and you’ve got to win the most important moments.

      Like

    • ‘Anyway I didn’t see the match’ – Jayshah really?? I had both Tennis and Cricket playing in two rooms and walking around crazily. 🙂 …What a sports Sunday ….But whoever made that Tie-break rule for Super-over made it terrible. Perhaps he would have thought this would never happen and it played out in finals!

      Like

      • jayshah Says:

        I caught some cricket and was superstitious about the tennis. Hate watching any favourites lose. Can’t be bothered to watch it now! I’m a bad loser!
        The amount of times I’ve skipped football highlights after Spurs lose is too many to worry about watching Federer lose in an epic. If he had won I’d have watched it numerous times already.

        Like

        • It was heartbreaking. On Champioship points he needed his first serve in. He needed service winner or Aces. But that didn’t happen. I knew Djokovic will be all over his second serve and almost impossible to beat in the rally since he is mentally very tough and Federer already has had 2 losses in Wimbledon finals to him, one of which was also equally heartbreaking. So Federer would be nervous. I guess the nerves took over and he couldn’t finish him off. Federer actually lost it in his head. He lost 3 tie breakers and the first one he should have won. It was more like Federer lost then Djokovic won to me. Sport is a great leveler. Even a 20 slam guy has to prove himself. For years Federer had to fight mentally to beat Nadal. He finally has had a good run against him apart from clay. But on clay Nadal has to loose. He is just too good there. But now he has this mental battle against this guy. I have a feeling Federer is just not retiring because he wants to fix this.

          Like

        • I meant Nadal is too good on clay. Difficult to beat him there. Especially for a single handed backhand guy trying to deal with his topspin. Wawrinka did manage to beat Nadal with single handed backhand but his backhand was absolutely freakish. But he was also not as consistent. Djokovic has the best double handed backhand in sport. It’s almost like better to attack his forehand. So he has a better chance against Nadal on clay.

          Like

        • It’s too sad that 2 teams make same runs and still one of them has too loose without actually being beaten. I have a soft corner for NZ cricket team. They don’t have that huge a cricket infrastructure. Have limited no. of players and cricket is not even their most popular sport (like India or Australia or Lanka or Bangladesh) but they still come to these tournaments and compete so well. It’s so unfortunate they lost the World Cup because they scored less boundaries. They stopped India from scoring 240. Got Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out for nothing. Held their nerve and fielded brilliantly to get through. Again stopped England batting line up from scoring 242 and even tied in super over. Ben stokes was also extremely fortunate to get 2 sixes in penultimate over. One due to overthrows off his bat. How much more cruel can it get?? Nothing against England, they played really well and they won as per rules. But it was absolutely cruel for NZ. NZ are my champions no matter what the result says.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Agree on the whole Federer point..

      Like

  66. On a lighter note- Finally Guptill got run out..Dhoni’s blessings 🙂 😦

    Like

  67. sanjana Says:

    I am still confused as to who really deserved. No winners or losers for me in cricket or tennis as well. Overall felt sad.
    Indian cricketers must learn how to deal with crunch situations from this mother of finals.
    I thought the cricket finals will be boring one sided match. Surprisingly it turned out to be the most thrilling and unexpected one.
    A nightmare!
    Those who attended the finals had full paisa vasool masala moments.
    No sport events for me for the next two weeks. The shocks are too much!

    Like

  68. tonymontana Says:

    Happy for England that they finally won at a game they devised. This might revive the game to a large extent in the country and garner more cricket fans.

    However, this was unfortunate. NZ was clearly the better team yesterday. Extraordinary bowling and fielding performance in which they gave absolutely nothing away. any extra run resulted in run outs, and the bowling was tight and disciplined.

    that overthrow was very unfortunate with clearly no fault of the fielding side whatsoever. IMO there shouldn’t have been any extra runs allowed. and even after everything, deciding the winner on the basis of more boundaries scored is insane. that’s almost like belittling the work of batsmen who took singles and carefully build up innings instead of merely taking risks and hammering the balls past the fence.

    are we implying that boundaries are more important and coordinating with your runners isn’t? the modern day ODI format has almost ruined the spirit of the game.

    everything being said, Ben Stokes was outstanding. clearly one of the best ODI innings ever under immense pressure. that too in the final. he fought through fatigue and crazy running between the wickets.

    Like

    • I was waiting for your take along with others. And also Saket’s.

      Saket, can we hear what you want to say?

      Nice to see Satyam making 3 or more comments.

      Like

    • Stokes played well but NZ was just unlucky. That overthrow 4 after the ball got deflected by a diving Stokes in the penultimate over made the difference. Without that bit of luck, England may not have been able to tie with 241 score and there wud have been no super-over play.

      As for winning due to more boundaries, they cud have just tossed a coin.

      As for Wimbledon final, Federer played well in an aggressive mode. Too bad he cud not hold his nerve at the tie-breakers and lost as many as 3 of them. Even Mirka was a nervous wreck through out the match.

      Like

      • The no of boundaries rule is plain ridiculous. They shud take wickets and dot balls into account too. This is ODI and not T20.

        Like

        • Coolguy Says:

          For ODi its simply a stupid rule. This is not T20. Infact I am not too keen on super over for ODI tournament. ODi needs lot more skill. I would probably have the rule if it’s tied than the team with more points/better net run rate in league matches takes the cup. I mean they played league matches for over a month. It should mean something. Still England wins but it makes lot more sense than someone winning due to more boundaries.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Yes this is totally what they should have done. In semi if they were washed out they would have gone back to league performance. Of course they could do head to head, nrr, league position but they chose something I personally never thought of ever. I was telling my cousins England won due to league position only to hear commentary saying most boundaries.

          I mean does anyone believe NZ went out to bat psychologically thinking to score most boundaries in the event of a tie and tie super over? Even England wouldn’t have but at least at over 40 or something someone could tell Stokes or any England batter that this is the ruling. The man with the bat can influence it more than bowling. It’s an idiotic rule.

          Like

  69. No one so far has questioned Chahal’s non performance in WC 2019. He started off well with 4/51 versus SA. Post that he has 8 wickets in 7 matches for 391 runs at average of ~49 including the most expensive figures of 0/88 for an Indian bowler in World Cup.

    He got rested for the game against SL? wtf?

    Like

  70. jayshah Says:

    England literally won the ‘world cup’ with a Caribbean bowler and Irish captain. Roy (South African) throw for run out. Stokes (born in NZ) MoM, became traitor to NZ. So much for Brexit! We’ve let everyone in to win this damn cup!

    Like

    • sanjana Says:

      Like

    • tom curran too born in south africa. moeen ali and adil rashid are of Pakistan origin. There was an article in ToI about this a few days back in print

      Like

    • Coolguy Says:

      Jay – The team that won Ashes in 2005, each member of that England team ended up writing an autobiography I believe. Correct me if I am wrong. I know Ashley Giles (Ganguly’s lollipop bowler) did for sure. So what do we expect from this WC winning team? Each one will have a movie on them ;). I mean MS Dhoni and Sachin had one after 2011. I am sure Virat will in future. So why not a movie on Baristow, Buttler and co. 😉

      Like

      • jayshah Says:

        The Ashes is the pinnacle for England and after decades of losing and to win in such extraordinary fashion it was bound to be popular. This I’m not sure. Books? Hmmm.

        Maybe Stokes should put his bat up for sale! Anyway have said it a fair bit England have been building for this for 4 years and have been outstanding for last 2 years. Whether they can do this on subcontinent is debatable. India will start as favourites in 2023 anyway but planning needs to start asap. England have shown how a really poor outdated side that played ODI from 80’s can turn it around quickly.

        Needs must.

        Like

        • Coolguy Says:

          If Virat is the captain, India aren’t going to win WC. Infact I said this same thing before this WC to someone. Post league matches and Rohit’s 100s I thought maybe I was wrong. But I always knew they can crack in knockouts. Infact I was more keen on India meeting England than NZ in semis. Reason was India hadn’t played NZ in the league game and they don’t know what’s coming. NZ has always troubled India with swing bowling in overcast conditions. But when everyone said NZ’s form is bad I thought again maybe I am wrong. I wasn’t. I was dead right. And against England India had better chance since they would have been on top of their game from ball one. If we repeat from semis now, I am dead sure India will win. But that’s the issue. You can’t correct your mistakes in knockouts. Virat is too cocky and overconfident and lacks tactical sense. And having coach like Ravi isn’t helping either. Rohit keeps quite since he knows the politics can go against him and he can be out of team even if he fails in couple of tournaments. He also isn’t the fittest guy around and still has ambitions to play test cricket. So Virat will continue to stay. And if he does til 2023 and he doesn’t mellow down, India isn’t going to win.

          Like

        • Coolguy Says:

          I mean Virat will continue to stay as Captain till 2023. As a player the way he plays he can play till he s 40. He is super fit and his batting is flawless.

          Like

        • only downside is he seems to have lost his stamina after turning vegan.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Yes I’m not a fan of this Shastri Kohli Jodi at all. A lot needs to change. Dare I say it India needs to take a look at what England have done for 4 years.

          India doesn’t have genuine all-rounders. Jadeja is closest but a bit hit and miss. A world class one is Ben Stokes. Genuinely in Flintoff category. Can bowl first or at first change, is go to bowler for wickets, tremendous fielder, a real threat with bat. I believe he’s scored a double hundred in tests. This guy is top talent.

          India ranking wise have 2 top batsmen and top bowler. Barring that it’s not a world beating team – India’s 03 and 11 ODI side is way better!

          They miss a Yuvraj Singh type figure desperately. Raina is as close as they got.

          Like

        • Coolguy Says:

          India has a balanced side now. Our bowling is good, if right bowlers are picked. Hardik Pandya is extremely consistent as an all rounder IMO. He still has to mature, but he is very good. Infact stupid Virat should save his bowling for slog overs and have Shami’s overs completed first. Shami goes for lot of runs in slog overs. But Virat doesn’t get it. Kuldeep and Chahal had done great but in England we should have always played one of these along with Jadeja and brought in extra batsman (pls not Karthick) or maybe extra bowler. Again tactical mistake. Virat and Ravi invested 2 years on Raydu and then didn’t pick him. It was the most horror selection. People like Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw should have been playing since long if Raydu needed a backup. No planning done here. Again someone like Ganguly would have brought them in early. But Virat and Ravi won’t. They wake up one fine day and discover a 3D player called Vijay Shankar 3-4 months before world cup. I am sure Vijay’s selection was influenced. How stupid these guys can get? Still even with the team we had, we should have won it. If Dhoni would have come at 4 and Pandya, Pant and Jadeja batted around him India could have beaten NZ. Tactical error. Dhoni comes at 7. And in final Rohit and Virat should have taken care of English bowlers. Lightening doesn’t strike twice easily.
          As I said before, repeat matches from semis again and 90% India takes the cup.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          If India played England, I’m sure Australia trounce NZ and beat India in final. India got worse in this tournament IMO not better like the other 3 semi finalists. The Pakistan match was too early, needed to be later to give the team that momentum later on.

          Anyway man for man India’s team is not close to England’s. Individual talent aside of Kohli and Bumrah I’d take England’s side. All top 6 can score big runs. 7-9 slots can score too. If Stokes is your all rounder option, it’s a front line bowler pretty much.

          The top batsman going into tournament on form, Butler, hardly played! That’s SICKENING!

          The tournament was the battle of the #3’s in semis – Kohli, Smith, Williamson and Root. Williamson was outstanding overall. Kohli had a decent tournament at best. Root steady. Smith so so.

          India are best when openers are on fire. Get Pant up there pronto and groom him as a prolific opener. If Sharma and him can open why not. Kohli’s not going anywhere. The rest will figure itself out. But your top 3 needs to be solid in any form of cricket.

          Captaincy is CRUCIAL. What the hell was Guptill doing out there in super over, he’s had a TERRIBLE tournament. Is it punishment or what? Williamson has got to bat. That’s poor from NZ to give England that confidence already.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          It’s over now. History books are written. Even new handball rules mean liverpool would not have got penalty against Spurs in champions league final. Umpire should have sat in video room to correct decision.

          Like

        • Of course..I am suggesting when umpires are in doubt they should consult.
          Dharamsena has been poor.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Yes everyone has said umpires were poor except England fans today in office. Now I wish NZ won on most boundaries to see their reactions!

          Like

        • In American Football, coach can challenge ruling on ground; The main umpire would go and check the camera and decide if coach challenge is good or frivolous. If it is good then ruling is overturned; but if coach challenge is not good, the team loses timeout (which is very important).

          Like

        • jayshah Says:

          Eventually I would like coach on football pitch to do the same. On the whole tennis and cricket are using technology well, VAR in football not well. Whether captain or tennis players are using it well is debatable.

          Plus use of technology is making officials look silly too so lots of pressure on them.

          Umpire’s call in cricket is pretty stupid IMO. Margin of error should not be included, as a fan if I’m seeing stumps hit give it out. Unnecessarily confusing.

          Like

        • they played NZ in the warm ups, lost miserably but didn’t learn anything it seems. Jadeja scored a 50 in the warm ups too.

          Like

        • So if overthrow was 5 and not 6 as per rules, then NZ has won by 1 run!

          Like

        • if my aunty had a moustache, she would be my uncle 😉

          Like

        • Jay – Current Australia team can’t beat India easily. You can ask Australians.

          Like

  71. Coolguy Says:

    Its sad with such a talented team we loose due to bias selection, non existent coaching and poor leadership.

    Like

  72. sanjana Says:

    Like

  73. what would a NZ all time ODI XI be?

    S Fleming
    B McCullum (WK)
    K Williamson
    M Crowe
    R Taylor
    S Styris
    C Cairns
    R Hadlee
    D Vettori
    T Boult
    S Bond

    Like

  74. In hind sight cringworthy ads by star sports

    Like

  75. sanjana Says:

    https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/cricket-world-cup-wimbledon-finals-twitter-reaction_in_5d2bef7be4b0060b11eeb257?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage

    If you slept early on Sunday night, you missed one of the most dramatic moments in sports history.

    Like

  76. jayshah Says:

    For the cricket WC I’d do the following;
    Keep 10 team Round Robin group stage
    Remove semi finals
    Top 2 from groups advance to best of 3 final.

    Any dispute over position in league should be determined by head to head only in absence of this should nrr be considered.
    Final is best of 3 where only 1 coin toss takes place. Winner gets to choose for match 1 and match 3. Match 2 is to loser of coin toss. Best of 3 to avoid one off situations.
    In the event of a tie it is a draw and then only group game decides winner then nrr then something else but not # of boundaries.

    This way India vs Australia would have contested best of 3 in 2019 WC. Every group game is meaningful rather than teams looking for nrr.

    Like

    • sanjana Says:

      This will make WC a game of perceived excellence than giving a chance to someone like NZland a chance to showcase their impromptu skills.
      Finals cant be there without semi finals.
      And we should make allowance to last minute upsets in a mass oriented game like cricket than a cynical game of excellence as in Tennis.

      Like

      • jayshah Says:

        I agree with you Sanjana. Might ideal WC would be knockouts straight away and in between having draws to determine each stages knockout matches.

        So theoretically India could face Australia straight away and Kenya face Ireland for example. Forget groups, it’s pretty elitist.

        Like

    • how will head to head work in 3 way tie between teams?

      if there is only toss for first game, pitch can be doctored by the home team for second game, in case the home team looses toss in the first game

      Like

    • I would like more teams to get involved post group stages. IPL is fair that way. But yes it’s very difficult for team at 3 or 4 to win it all since they need to win 3 matches in a row. But at least they have a chance. I would say how about 4 or 5 teams qualify in round 2. All play each other again and the team on top is the champion.

      Like

  77. Since Angrez jeet Gaye. How much Lagaan all have to pay??

    Like

  78. Post World Cup win: England basks in deflected glory
    Perhaps, the entertaining and aggressive style that England have played in this World Cup and over the last four years — and the fact that this team is very inclusive and diverse in its cast — can make a difference.

    “Football is the go-to sport in government schools. It has a monopoly over kids, particularly white English kids. The perception is cricket is slow and boring. The T20s have helped and hopefully, this greatest game ever does its bit to that excitement. The majority of government schools don’t have competitive cricket teams. That’s the reality. There was a spike in interest after England’s 2005 Ashes win in the kids, and the ECB, to their credit, are doing what they can — from running programs to tap 5- to 8-year-olds. Trying to catch them young. But I would be lying if I told you that this World Cup win, as great and dramatic as it was, would alter the sporting landscape. I hope it does, but it needs structural reforms of sorts — from schools, from terrestrial TV broadcasts (how will kids love a game that they can’t even see?) and an effort from the ECB to make it cool to the kids.”

    Fletcher’s work has revolved around diversity and participation of British Asians in the sport. “According to an ECB research, 30% of kids who play cricket in the country are British Asians. But hardly any progress through the professional system.” Yorkshire Cricket consulted with Fletcher to find exactly why that was happening.

    https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket-world-cup/england-win-vs-new-zealand-world-cup-final-2019-cricket-5831356/

    Like

  79. WHEN. WILL. THIS. STEELY. GENTLEMAN. BE. MADE. THE. COACH???

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Him or Kumble or eventually DHONI

      Like

      • Dhoni is political material and will opt for that soon 🙂

        How you celebrated ‘home coming’, Jay?

        Like

        • jayshah Says:

          With English Breakfast Tea and scones 😛
          Actually arguing with colleagues that England won with foreigners in a time when country voted for Brexit. The irony!

          Like

        • There are two cricketers I admire with no if and buts; Dravid and Dhoni.

          I hope they remain apolitical and use their cricketing acumen for Indian cricket.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Actually I don’t want him to take coach role; He is too nice a guy to get into all the dirty politics. You get pulled from all side.

      He has taken role of moulding youngsters; His contributions would last much longer.

      Liked by 1 person

  80. sanjana Says:

    https://scroll.in/field/930700/low-scores-graft-under-pressure-the-2019-world-cup-brought-retro-back-and-we-loved-it

    The bowlers have their say
    And it’s here where the World Cup has seen a wonderful change. In England over the last two months, bowlers have been given a voice and oh, they’ve had plenty to say. After a long time, batsman have been hopping around, taking evasive action, swishing in mid-air – absolutely unsure of what to do, at times. Between the likes of Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, Jasprit Bumrah and a whole lot of other bowlers, the game has become so much more exciting. Batsmen have suddenly no longer had the freedom to just come in and swing through the line – bowlers be damned. Instead, they’ve been forced to graft, build partnerships and take it for the long haul.

    Like

  81. sanjana Says:

    One Anonymous posted this comment on Mukul Kesavan’s article at NDTV.

    I remember many years ago in an ODI match of India (I think v/s Pakistan) there was a tie, but India was declared winner based on less No. of wickets spent. Why does ICC change the rules so frequently and bring new ones that are devoid of common sense?

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Yes less wickets was the norm. Constant changes are silly. ICC will change again as boundaries has been ripped apart by everyone. There is an issue with any parameter but if you use group standing or head to head it is clear cut. On that basis NZ know they HAVE TO BEAT ENGLAND and ENGLAND KNOW A TIE IS ENOUGH. Everyone knows before match the result in event of tie, it’s not decided by some dubious parameter in the match itself.

      Like

  82. sanjana Says:

    Former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar has picked his World Cup XI after the conclusion of the tournament. There were as many as five Indians in the team as Ravindra Jadeja, despite limited appearances in the tournament, made the cut. Sachin named Kane Williamson as the skipper of his side and included both Shakib and Jadeja as the two all-rounders. Rohit Sharma and Kane Williamson were the openers, while he included Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli to anchor the middle order. Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya were the two batting all-rounders in the side and they were slated to come in towards the backend of the innings to apply the finishing touches to the innings.

    Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer were the three fast bowlers in Sachin’s side and this renders the team a rather fearsome look.

    ICC pick

    World Cup Team of the Tournament

    1. Jason Roy (England) – 443 runs at 63.28

    2. Rohit Sharma (India) – 648 runs at 81.00

    3. Kane Williamson (c) (New Zealand) – 578 runs at 82.57

    4. Joe Root (England) – 556 runs at 61.77

    5. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 606 runs at 86.57, 11 wickets at 36.27

    6. Ben Stokes (England) – 465 runs at 66.42, seven wickets at 35.14

    7. Alex Carey (wk) (Australia) – 375 runs at 62.50, 20 dismissals

    8. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 27 wickets at 18.59

    9. Jofra Archer (England) – 20 wickets at 23.05

    10. Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) – 21 wickets at 19.47

    11. Jasprit Bumrah (India) – 18 wickets at 20.61

    Like

    • jayshah Says:

      Huh? No Kohli, Pandya and Jadeja here which is right. Decent side, I’d drop Archer for another spinning option but not sure who or for Mohammad Amir.

      If Kohli, Pandya and Jadeja (one match) made his team please make sure he doesn’t coach India EVER.

      Like

      • Coolguy Says:

        I know. Jadeja has no place since he excelled in one match. Though there could be an argument he is world’s best fielder, v good bowler and handy with bat. Pandya didn’t do enough either but he is a better bowler than Neesham and co and a good fielder and on his day can destroy any bowling. Kohli May not have greatest tournament but he still is world’s best batsman. May be they don’t make it on World Cup performance but can be picked in best 11 ODI side (outside of this tournament).

        Like

      • Archer has been a star perfomer. Don’t think anyone of the spinners had such a impact as Archer. Shakib always gives you a spinning option in the above XI. For Part timers, there are Williamson and Root.

        Like

    • Carey dropped Pandya on duck and missed stumping Van Der Rassuen who went on to score 95. Still he is picked purely based on his batting performances.

      Shai Hope took some brilliant catches but missed Dhoni stumping/runout.

      Like

  83. Nice comment by Great Bong –

    Liked by 1 person

  84. sanjana Says:

    A run here and there and results could have been different, this is what most people who watched the World Cup 2019 final drama unfold on Sunday thought. Despite the fact that it was not runs but boundaries which decided the eventual outcome of the match, an extra run awarded to England probably cost New Zealand the match and the trophy. Reacting to the overthrow controversy, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said, “I wasn’t actually aware of the finer rule”.

    This error in judgement by the on-field umpires would have infuriated most leaders but New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is not any leader. When he got to know about umpire’s perceived misinterpretation of the ICC rules, he didn’t blame only them for his team’s loss.

    “I actually wasn’t aware of the finer rule at that point in time, obviously you trust in the umpires and what they do. I guess you throw that in the mix of a few hundred other things that may have been different,” Williamson was quoted as saying by nzherald.co.nz.

    Even the New Zealand head coach Gary Stead and batting coach Craig MacMillan were not aware of the exact rules and trusted the umpires to do their job.

    Stead, like Williamson, instead of blaming the two umpires played down the issue saying, “The umpires are there to rule and they’re human as well, like players, sometimes errors are made”.

    “That’s just the human nature of sport, and why we care so much about it as well,” he added.

    The batting coach Craig MacMillan was also clueless about the exact rule.

    https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2019/kane-williamson-reveals-he-wasnt-aware-of-the-overthrow-rule-2070652?pfrom=home-topstories

    Like

  85. why no report card for all Indian players by Harsha Bhogle or anybody else? I want to see how much marks he gives Chahal, Kuldeep, Rahul, Kohli, Dhoni, Bhuvi, Pandya, Jadeja.

    Like

  86. Father : What happened to your results?

    Son: I have been NEWZEALANDED.

    Father: What?!!!! What do you mean?

    Son : Dad, Myself and another boy both scored exactly same marks. But, he was given 1st Rank, while I got 2nd.

    Father: This is ridiculous. If marks are equal, then both should have been declared Joint 1st Rank Holders na? By the way, how come he got 1st Rank? On what basis?

    Son : I checked that too. Principal said it was decided based on how many additional sheets were taken by us while writing the exams. He had taken more than me. So…..

    Father: 🤔😮😲😠😡

    Like

  87. sanjana Says:

    Dejected and heartbroken: Zimbabwe players raise voice against ICC ban
    The ICC unanimously took the resolution and said that the reason behind the move was because Zimbabwe Cricket had been unable to provide a process for conducting free and democratic elections.

    https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/dejected-and-heartbroken-zimbabwe-players-raise-voice-against-icc-ban-5837255/

    Like

  88. BCCI should give a proper farewell for Dhoni, Yuvraj, Raina. They should host a farewell list A match in Mumbai between Yuvi’s younguns to Dhoni’s dynamite. They can include foreign players.

    Like

  89. sanjana Says:

    William Shakespeare: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
    Thrust upon them by umpires?

    England captain Eoin Morgan questions rules despite winning World Cup, says ‘not fair to have result like that’
    England captain Eoin Morgan said it was not fair to decide the winner by boundary count when both England and New Zealand were unseparated even in the Super Over

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/england-captain-eoin-morgan-questions-rules-despite-winning-world-cup-says-not-fair-to-have-result-like-that/story-1j42r7TEOh59u0rMLtOqrO.html

    Like

  90. sanjana Says:

    Senior Indian cricketer under scanner for flouting ‘family clause’ during ICC World Cup 2019
    It has come to light that the player’s wife stayed with him for the entire seven-week duration of the tournament without seeking permission from either the captain or the coach for her extended stay.
    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/senior-indian-cricketer-under-scanner-for-flouting-family-clause-during-icc-world-cup-2019/story-VttupNxZmttl2dOyTaYmuK.html

    Is he Dhoni or someone else?

    Like

  91. i suspect it is Rohit Sharma

    Like

  92. sanjana Says:

    Indian Army responds to MS Dhoni’s request of training with Parachute regiment for 2 months – Reports
    The Army, however, will not allow Dhoni, who holds an honorary post of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, to be part of any active operation, sources mentioned.
    This training may help Dhoni to improve his batting.

    Like

  93. ODI world champs England tumble for 85 in only test vs Ireland at Lord’s. Seems the hangover from last weeks victory.

    Like

  94. Like

  95. I hear England team is going to be stronger with Amir planing to take UK passport..

    Like

  96. Steve Smith is Back with a Terrific “back against the wall” Ashes Ton. A True Test Legend.

    One of the finest knocks walking at 17/2 and seeing his team struggle to 122/8.

    Like

    • nobody else on this forum following the ashes battle? if so, what a shame. one of the most fabulous rivalry in cricket. what a gritty knock by a champion batsman yesterday

      Like

      • Not watching it but am following it. Smith’s knock – sensational given the circumstances. I can’t see how either side will score past 450 through whole series so it’s going to be fun!

        Liked by 1 person

  97. Like

  98. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49226479

    British media is gaga for Smith.

    Like

    • why not? from 122/8, Australia pull a miracle win thanks to the twin efforts of smith with some help from head, wade in second innings and lyon in final innings along with cummins

      Like

    • Over 40,000 attendance per day for the 1st test. Did some so called pundits (aka Trash 20 cronies) just say Test Cricket’s dying a slow death? Mind you, this attendance has nothing to do with the bogus idea of a WTC (with a points system as ridiculous as the Duckworth Lewis) as even Eng v Ire had packed crowds on day 1 & 2.

      Like

      • Certain combinations will attract crowds. In England if they play Australia or India it will attract crowds.

        This test has seen something quite special with 2 extraordinary Smith knocks.

        Like

        • Does that explain how a capacity crowd turned up at Lord’s for an Eng vs Ire test to watch their side bowled out for 85 on day 1?

          Like

        • Day 1 and 2 at Lord’s most matches will fill. Also Ireland is young and England off the back of WC win it was going to be full. Day 3 onwards tickets probably not as much people expected an easy game for England.

          Like

        • England dismissed for 85 against Ireland and 146 versus Australia. Massive issues exist with their batting. They cannot go for a seam friendly wicket due to Aussie bowling strength.

          Like

  99. Liked by 1 person

  100. Cricketers To Undergo Dope Test. “BCCI Is No Different,” Says Government
    Updated: 09 August 2019 14:41 IST
    The Indian cricket board has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

    https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/cricketers-to-be-tested-by-national-anti-doping-agency-nada-government-tells-bcci-you-have-to-follow-2082742?pfrom=home-topscroll

    Like

  101. The World Cup 2019 final overthrow incident involving England’s Ben Stokes and New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, which took the match to a Super Over, will be reviewed in September 2019, the MCC World Cricket committee (WCC) decided during a meeting on Monday. The decision was taken by the WCC panel including the likes of former cricketers Shane Warne and Kumar Sangakkara after the overthrow call caused a massive uproar in the world media and cricket fraternity. On-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena had also admitted to the error in judgement, days after the controversy broke out.

    “The WCC discussed Law 19.8 in relation to overthrows, in the context of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final. WCC felt that the Law was clear but the matter will be reviewed by the Laws sub-committee in September 2019,” the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said in a statement.

    The WCC during the meet also welcomed the introduction of replacements for players suffering from concussion and ICC’s recent announcement of further trials into the automated calling of No balls.

    According to the MCC release, “the committee also suggested that ball-tracking software should be used to help on-field umpires judge No balls over waist height and wides over the batsman’s head. Such calls often prove to be difficult for umpires but would be relatively straightforward for technology to assist with.”

    Among other major discussions, which took place during the meet, the WCC expressed its support in seeing the return of touring sides to Pakistan.

    — NDTV

    Like

  102. Like

  103. Like

  104. Rahane scores one while Pujara gets 100 in warm up. What a terrible rut Rahane is going through. Time to relieve him from vice captaincy and replace him with Iyer the batsman. Make Pujara VC of Test team.

    Like

  105. Major rule change in cricket ‘not far away’ after Steve Smith injury in 2nd Ashes Test
    Following an independent investigation into the tragedy, Cricket Australia introduced new rules for concussion substitutes in domestic games.
    Compulsory neck guards on helmets for Australian cricketers are “not far away”, the national team’s sports medicine chief said Monday after a sickening blow felled Steve Smith during the second Ashes Test. Australia have been at the forefront of pressing for better safety measures after the death of Phillip Hughes, who was hit on the base of the skull by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game in 2014.

    But they are not compulsory and Smith, who collapsed to the ground face first after the vicious ball from Jofra Archer smacked into the side of his neck, in scenes reminiscent of the Hughes incident, was not wearing a neck guard.

    He said afterwards they made him claustrophobic and uncomfortable.
    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/major-rule-change-not-far-away-after-steve-smith-injury-in-2nd-ashes-test/story-q5OpNGu2BYiDhmA8ZhkI9J.html

    Why cant dangerous bouncers be banned temporarily or permanently?

    Like

  106. Bodyline II series in the making? Smith playing Bradmanesque, Archer bowling at terrifying pace and hurting Smith and Labuschagne.

    Like

  107. why the icc rankings have not been updated after lord’s test? i expect williamson to drop below smith and pujara after scores of 0 and 4 in the galle test loss to sl.

    Like

  108. DEVASTATING, BRUTAL by Australia. England bundled out for 67!

    Like

  109. Sumit Nagal Qualifies For US Open Main Draw, To Face Roger Federer In 1st Round
    Updated: 24 August 2019 12:30 IST

    Sumit Nagal, ranked 190 in the world, will face 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at US Open’s showpiece court, the Arthur Ashe Stadium, in the first round.

    Like

  110. what a knock from Stokes. Won the Test match single handedly,for England. Outstanding All rounder. After World Cup win, now this. Is he bigger than Botham?

    Like

  111. tonymontana Says:

    Should go down in history as one of the best test innings ever. Reminder me of Lara’s 153 not out against Australia, where he snatched a win when there was very little chance for the Windies.

    Stokes is a powerful player. The year belongs to him

    Like

    • Genuine case for near top of list given match circumstances. Ashes on line, bowled for 67 and Australia heavy favourites with good bowling. He hit sixes for fun. 30 degrees plus for these British is not easy! Though Stokes has New Zealand blood!

      Like

  112. Federer to play qualifier from India Sumeet Nagal in US Open First Round
    https://in.news.yahoo.com/nagal-grand-slam-debut-against-190024799.html

    Like

  113. Like

  114. Delhi Feroz Shah Kotla to be renamed as Arun Jaitley stadium. Hmm

    Like

    • Get ready for a barrage of ‘revisionism’ barbs…although I am not supportive of Jaitley deserving a stadium named after him…

      Like

      • I rather have the stadium named after a politician, who is respected than a Mughal emperor who attacked India

        Like

  115. Stadium structure only. Ground still FS kotla.
    Gazab ka nonsense 🙂

    Like

  116. Like

  117. Steve Smith has played so much cricket in Ashes he will be eligible to play for England soon!
    What batting!

    Like

  118. Pakistan’s master leg-spinner Abdul Qadir died in Lahore on Friday after suffering from a massive cardiac arrest, his family confirmed. Qadir was 63 years old and is survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter who is married to current Pakistan star batsman Umar Akmal. Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Kamran Akmal, Umar’s elder brother, confirmed the tragic news about Qadir suffering a cardiac arrest and after being rushed to a hospital, was declared dead on arrival.
    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/former-pakistan-spin-great-abdul-qadir-dies-of-cardiac-arrest/story-jewxzyAJsHPA8g6r1DJLUP.html

    Like

  119. Nadal grabs #19 in epic it seems. While the next superstar in female tennis has arrived, men’s is dominated by Nadal and Djokovic now. Maybe a new decade will spring some surprises.

    Federer 20
    Nadal 19
    Djokovic 16

    Serena Williams stuck on 23 for ages. Got to feel for her a bit.

    Like

  120. My social life will take a beating in 2020. All my favourites are going cold Turkey. I might need a new identity.

    I’ll be Australian (Ashes and Smith), a Liverpool fan, a Djokovic fan and start to tweet Naveen’s comments as an Akkian! #gloryhunterjayshah

    Like

    • so currently you are English, ManU fan, Federer fan, and a hard core Bhai fan wearing a bracelet like Bhai and a Being Human tee shirt to your local gym for pumping iron? I hope you don’t drive like Bhai.

      Like

      • Never a Man United fan – JC is.
        And not a bhai fan. Just worried for his loony fanbase, what will they do when he retires?
        English on passport but indian at heart.

        Like

  121. New name for Ashes – Smithashes?

    Like

  122. Jay and others,

    A World Cup England did not straightforwardly win is with them. An Ashes urn they did not lose is with the Aussies.

    Good Deal?

    Like

  123. ‘You cannot select the series you want to play’ – Gautam Gambhir on MS Dhoni
    A lot of talks have been going on about former skipper MS Dhoni, who has been absent from India’s limited overs side since this year World Cup.
    https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/one-cannot-select-the-series-you-want-to-play-gautam-gambhir-on-ms-dhoni/story-Ffis4ccqJycgI22mYdJdRM.html

    Like

  124. Like

    • SRK, I am available and interested in KKR coach position. I can also coach the boys your swag and style for the parties. See, like this

      Liked by 1 person

  125. Like

  126. England humble the All Blacks to reach Rugby World Cup Final. Cracking match!

    Like

  127. Like

  128. Like

  129. T20 qualifiers are being played in Dubai..Eramus of Namibia took a brilliant catch against PNG Probably best of the year. Will upload the video when available.

    Like

    • He needs to be consistent …Under good tutelage, some can exceed their talent, We see players achieve more than inherent talent in Patriot’s Bill Belichick or in Spurs Gregg Popovich system. In IPL you see Superkings and Mumbai Indian’s team have been successful for longer durations.

      Like

      • Success kisi ki bhi ho, credit lene Dhoni sab se pehle khada ho jaata hai. Btw what happened to Jay’s column?

        Like

        • I was correcting raw data as FI had included oct 2, 3 collections into oct 4-10th so I also duplicated but now it’s corrected and story is more even.

          Liked by 2 people

      • The title is quite misleading. Greg’s outright rejection also made Chahar to try his best.

        Dhoni’s tough support did however made the main difference.
        Dhoni’s extraordinary success (which sometimes need luck) and terrific presence of mind on the ground (which is confused with instinct) is so supreme that we sometimes underestimate the leadership and strategic direction that he gave to Indian cricket team.

        I liken Dhoni a lot with Dravid. Both are silent workers and doesn’t do chest thumping and come across as less demanding. Even now when it is not clear if Dhoni has retired or not, his demeanour and approach is not confrontationist. Ganguly created a lot of brouhaha and demanded an exit. No such issues with people like Dravid or Dhoni.

        Like

        • Post retirement of the famous five, this is where each stand-

          Dravid went for ultimate service to Indian cricket. No titles.
          Sachin went for being true to his legacy.
          Kumble went for selfless services only to be downsized.
          Sehwag went for titillating fans with quick momentary bites
          Ganguly went for Titles and power.

          Dhoni is likely to take Dravid’s approach but in his own way.

          Like

        • This shows the character, an important trait of a true leader.

          Like

        • Sourav Ganguly is exactly what Indian cricket needed back in the year 2000. Any avid follower of Indian cricket during the era of the 90’s would agree with that. You can call him high headed, arrogant, something akin to Kohli’s approach but honestly, as a leader and a captain he’s changed the face of Indian cricket in more ways than perhaps anyone ever has. Ganguly is the kinda anti thesis to someone like Dravid just like Kohli is to Dhoni. Both sides of the coin are as important and meaningful as the other.

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  130. Thoughts on Poch being replaced by Jose, Jay? 🙂

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    • Basically agreed with sacking as Pochettino has been doing, saying wrong things for 9 months but Mourinho is an atrocious replacement. I would have opted for Rodgers to weaken Leicester and push for top 4. Or Allegri. Mourinho seems more a marketing choice. Manchester United should sack Ole and get Poch.

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      • Man I can’t wait to see how Mourinho gets along with Levy. He will probably end up missing Woodward! United aren’t sacking Ole until the end of the season it seems. Poch may no longer be available by then.

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        • There might be a vacancy at Arsenal shortly btw.

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        • The players may suit Mourinho more than United’s. But Levy’s and Mourinho’s last chance IMO. It will be box office though!

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        • He’d love having a top-quality striker like Kane for sure. Would be interesting to see how he deals with players like Eriksen that have their contracts expiring.

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        • Eriksen shouldn’t play period. Pochettino didn’t deal with running down of contracts or lack of funds with grace IMO. Players who don’t want to stay he played, sometimes half the team is wantaways! Hopefully Mourinho takes a firm line.

          Kane is like Drogba
          Son/Moura like Duff/Robben
          Alli goal scoring MF like Lampard
          Ndombele like Essien

          I think Mourinho’s 05-07 side has some resemblance.

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        • His biggest failing at United was that he couldn’t sort out the defence in nearly 2 and a half years. Something peak Jose could do in his sleep. Would be interesting to see if he pulls it off at Spurs. Levy would need to get this checkbook out regardless.

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        • He’s already got better defensive unit only they want to leave! If Jose can be the 05-06, 13-14 and 100 points La Liga then he might be good for 18 months.

          Liked by 1 person

  131. Messi wins #6 Ballon D’Or though Virgil Van Dijk can count himself unlucky.

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  132. Like

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  134. NZ inspire of being behind in current test against Australia, employed short ball to good effect.

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  135. Like

  136. Like

  137. Tom Banton hit 16 ball 55 in BBL; one over 5 sixes.

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  138. four day or five day tests?

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    • if teams are equal, then playing 5 days make sense to get a result. But in case of mismatches, like Australia taking on Bangladesh or Afghanistan, make it a 4 day affair

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    • Whole idea for 4 day test is to sneak in one T20 or ODI in between.
      Not good.

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      • Australia/India playing BD/Afghanistan. Why 5 days should be blocked when they are wrapped up in three or less? Agreed when equal teams are playing go for 5 days.

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  139. No MSD central BCCI contract. Surely he will retire now.

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  140. Like

  141. Djoko won the Australian Open.
    Thiem won the hearts…watch out for him. His quarters win over Rafa has some future for him.

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    • Djokovic is just too damn good. Definitely the best tennis player ever. Could end up with 25 slams if he plays 5 more years at this level.

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      • Djokovic is 32 years old and just won his 17th Grand Slam Title. Federer reached 17th title when he was 30 years. Federer now at 38 years has 20 titles. 25 titles for Djokovic looks a stretch.

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  142. English citizen too?

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