Post: #151

Hahaha, Bangladesh hitting 288...can't wait to see NZ chase this.

would be crazy to see Bangla win and SL play India in the quarters.

Post: #152

Bangladesh playing extremely well here and have NZ in all sorts of trouble. Excellent attacking captaincy so for by the stand in captain, Shakib al Hasan. He's got the wickets of McCullum and Kane Williason, NZ's top 2 players.

They are exposing the fact that NZ lack some batting depth when it comes to controlling the middle overs. Too many finisher types.

Post: #153

Big game right now, first Quarter final: SA vs SL.

I'm calling that SL "upset" the Saffers here. SA has never won an elimination game in the WC. That's a staggering stat.

Interesting team selections here too.

My picks for the Quarters are SL over SA in a close one.

India over Bangladesh comfortably [but not a blowout]

Australia over Pakistan comfortably [losing Irfan does not help them here]

NZ over the WI in a blowout

Post: #154

I'm going to go against the stats and say SA will win. Especially since SL just lost 2 wickets.

But in all honesty, it really comes down to the SL batting lineup. If Sangakarra can stay put and help SL put up a big total, SA might lose easily.

Post: #155

This has been some next level pace bowling from SA so far. It's always interesting to see how after all these 400 totals and T20 style of play, when push comes to shove in these pressure games it starts looking like old school Test match style cricket. 270 becomes a huge winning total.

In pretty much any sport, defense wins championships.

Post: #156

I don't understand...why did Nigel Long not given out Jayawardene for that LBW. The tv recap showed it would have hit the stump. Am I missing something (talking about ball on 21.5, bowler being Imran Tahrir)

Post: #157

Nevermind, lol Tahrir got him the next ball

Post: #158

The ball pitched and hit outside the line of the stumps. I think more importantly it hit outside the line. So even though it would have hit the stumps cleanly, it becomes an "Umpire's call" and the on field call stays.

I always thought the pitched outside the line/hit outside the line rule is a bit unfair to bowlers sometimes, but it goes back to the spirit of what the LBW is for I think.

Post: #159

Damn Sri Lanka are in a lot of trouble now with 4 down for 82. Sangakarra needs to stay in there and get a big score if they want any chance.

Post: #160

(03-18-2015 12:13 AM)Slim Shady Wrote:  The ball pitched and hit outside the line of the stumps. I think more importantly it hit outside the line. So even though it would have hit the stumps cleanly, it becomes an "Umpire's call" and the on field call stays.

I always thought the pitched outside the line/hit outside the line rule is a bit unfair to bowlers sometimes, but it goes back to the spirit of what the LBW is for I think.

Honestly, it sounds like nonsense. My understanding of LBW was that in an ideal world, there would be no legs. So had a batsman's leg not been there, it would've been bowled out. If it would've hit the stumps cleanly, then it really should be LBW. Even if technically the ball doesn't hit the leg inside the line.

Post: #161

See now for that ball if he doesn't offer a shot, then it's clean out even if it hit way outside the line. If you don't play a shot, then it means you are blocking the stumps and can't be out caught either - then you are penalized. But the spirit of LBW is lenient towards a batsman for attempting a shot.

This law also helps protect against balls behaving badly on unpredictable/bad pitches, or pitching on cracks. It does however penalize great bowlers sometimes that are bowling intentionally unpredictable deliveries. Shane Warne for example lost out on a lot of LBW's I am sure because of this law. He also lost out on a lot more because he played in a non DRS world where the umpires didn't realize what variation he was bowling and that it was actually going to hit the stumps.

Post: #162

Honestly these days a lot more LBWs are given than ever before. Back when I was learning cricket we had the unwritten rule that if the batsman is standing out of his crease, he is automatically not out. That's not true anymore because you look at DRS reviews and you see that a lot of those balls are going to keep low and hit the stumps. But the reason for the outside the crease rule was that you are attacking and showing intent, which gives the advantage to the batsman in the ruling. Standing outside the crease also means you can get stumped. So I think it used to be more balanced back in the day.

Technology is excellent for edges and run outs, but the LBW laws are still murky. LBW has always been the weirdest cricket law for most people to understand though. Very subjective.

Post: #163

my my, SL at 116-7...

Post: #164

116-8...if SL ever needed Sanga to fire, it's right now

Post: #165

There goes that...and it's raining now..


SL have played atrociously...really lost the plot out there. But you never count them out till it's over. I think you'll see something special from Malinga later.

Post: #166

Malinga better pull a Starc...otherwise I don't see SL winning

Post: #167

(03-18-2015 01:51 AM)Genghis Khan Wrote:  Malinga better pull a Starc...otherwise I don't see SL winning

Malinga hasn't had the best world cup. He's taken some wickets but his average is pretty poor at 29.. Compare that to Starc who has an average of 8, which is insane.

Sucks to see Sri Lanka go out like this, I thought they played some good cricket this world cup. SA vs NZ will be a good match. Although I'm hoping the WIndies can pull off a massive upset on Saturday

Post: #168

Bangladesh vs India on at the moment. Bangladesh 2 quick wickets and India are 2/79 off 18 overs. What an upset this would be if India lose

Post: #169

They won't.

In Dhoni we trust.

But great atmosphere at the MCG though. It will be an intense game for sure.

Post: #170

Rohit Sharma finally playing well...goddamn, I was wondering why we hadn't dropped his ass considering how poorly he's played in this WC. But fortunately, he's been big this game.

Also commentators are annoying as fuck, constantly talking about how Bangla has risen to the occasion. 155 at 35 overs is not that bad. Especially with Rohit, Raina and Dhoni (to come). India can easily smack 250+ in the next 15 overs.

Post: #171

Raina just smacked a 6....what now, commentators?

20 in the past 2 overs...175 for 3. Looking good

Post: #172

Bangladesh have lost the plot a bit under pressure here. That's why this Indian team under Dhoni is so good. They keep playing their cricket under pressure and don't crack.

I remember that Champions Trophy final in 2013 against England. After that match I never count them out. As they faced the barrel of defeat in that match Dhoni told his boys "God is not coming to save us".

Gary Kirsten said after the 2011 WC that he would "go to war" with Dhoni. I would too.

Post: #173

Rohit getting his ton

I wonder if Raina will get his second century?

Post: #174

Ah nevermind. Still great knock by Raina

Post: #175

India hitting 300 at MGC.

Finally, the commentators get something right: "The reason they're world champions is because they know exactly what they're doing. How often do you see Raina come in for the batting PP, dhoni the last 10 overs, Jadeja the last 4-5 overs. The openers getting a hundred. They know their role exactly."

Having 6 batsmen, with Jadeja and Ashwin as all-rounders...such a ruthless combination. Lol another game where those two are not out at the end. Lower end indian bowlers have barely had any batting practice

#InDhoniWeTrust indeed