The Ashes (NOT!) -England v Australia at the Ring of Fire, Dubai- 10/30 Saturday (N), 26th Match, Group 1

[wpdavid]

If they hit 10 an over from here it'll still be 117. He'll have to do something pretty special

True. I guess I'm a bit nervous about their quicks in what seem to be helpful conditions, even faced with a small chase.

 

[smash84]

WTF kind of batting is this, at least rotate the strike regularly FFS, the RR isn't even 5

 

[Howe_zat]

Sky noted that Moeen Ali was the most selected fantasy cricket player for this game (presumably on their website? idk) so there are a lot of people sat there annoyed he might not bowl or bat at all

 

[White Ball]

I don’t think this is an easy deck to bat look at Finch boundary count for the whole innings!
Main issue for Australia will be the dew

 

[wpdavid]

There was a theory that we should have let Woakes bowl all four at the start of the innings ...

Let's hope that Mills' radar is functioning for his last two overs.

 

[Howe_zat]

'Why don't they bowl yorkers every ball??'

Guy bowls perfect yorker, goes for 4

 

[Howe_zat]

I mean, obviously I'd rather Cummins didn't blap one for six first ball (edit: or that one) but it does suggest that conditions aren't quite as hazardous as the score would have you believe

 

[Daemon]

Can a human be more perfect than Pat Cummins

 

[Arachnodouche]

Cummins been showing glimpses of his six-hitting potential over the last year. Is this the first time he's doing it in Aus colors?

 

[Kirkut]

'Why don't they bowl yorkers every ball??'

Guy bowls perfect yorker, goes for 4

Takes me to the series/game that changed the game thread. AB hitting yorkers for sixes with that ramp shot does make it less invincible.

 

[wpdavid]

I mean, obviously I'd rather Cummins didn't blap one for six first ball (edit: or that one) but it does suggest that conditions aren't quite as hazardous as the score would have you believe

Genuine question. How long does the white ball stay 'new'? Cos doing this before the 18th over may still not be easy.
Anyway, Jordan coming up trumps here, with more than a little help from YJB.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Superb from Jordan.

Starc as always undersold as a power-hitter. Always wondered why Aus never utilized him as a pinch-hitting option.

 

[Howe_zat]

Think Jordan has just about put the danger to bed there.

Australia's lowest 20-over score (using all 20 overs) is the 121 they got against Bangladesh this summer.

 

[Howe_zat]

Mills has had a shocker really. Little sign of a consistent line, which would be enough in this game given the platform he had

 

[wpdavid]

He's been absolutely ****e, hasn't he. Anyway, 126 it is.

 

[Howe_zat]

I've just heard two guys in the pub talking about the 2016 final and one of them claimed 'Kraigg Brathwaite' hit the winning runs against Stokes

The irony that he didn't remember the name

 

[The_roc]

Come back Mark Wood, all is forgiven

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

40 runs below par

 

[Howe_zat]

40 runs below par

I'd suggest only 20-25 below par given the way the rest of the tournament has gone

You'd still favour England but the odds have come in on Australia from 11.00 at the half way mark to 6.00 now. Cummins and Starc have given them a lifeline

 

[nightprowler10]

England's rise as a limited overs side has been real quality. Easily the team that stands a chance to defeat Pakistan in current form.

You've got it backwards imo. England's the team to beat. If we faced off they'd be favorites.