Semi Finals

[KiWiNiNjA]

Originally Posted by simmy

Another one gone! Great stuff from Ireland.

LoL. Wrong thread mate

[simmy]

Yeah I know.. I deleted it now!

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by simmy

Yeah I agree, but they haven't played well. They just got thrashed by Bangladesh ffs!

They played well in every game except that one though. Even against Australia, their top order looked good for a little while in chasing a massive score. They completely outplayed Sri Lanka, who everyone seems to rate for some reason, and would have defeated them with ridiculous ease if not for a 4-ball spell from Malinga when the game was seemingly beyond doubt anyway. They've played very well in patches and let themselves down at certain times - notably their bowling against Australia and their match against Bangladesh. They've been infinitely better than West Indies really, who have basically shown nothing all series other than the fact that their selection policies are dire.

[honestbharani]

seems to me like rsa, nz. oz and sri lanka will def. go in.

[tenpin28]

The Australian Cricket team are the most over rated team in the world cup! They have no leadership through Ponting who always turns to McGrath and Warne when their opponents are getting on top. It will be interesting to see how Pontings record pans out when these two world class bowlers leave. The run of Australian domance is also fading as no young stars are coming through. The era of New Zealand as the number one side in the world is quickly becoming a reality, evident through our current world cup domance. No other side seems to have the depth in batting, yet the diversity in bowling. New Zealands selectors have done an excellent job incorporating youth into the International side. The likes of Fulton, Taylor and Gillespie seem to have the experience and skill level as veteran campaigners such as Vettori, Fleming and Styris.

[The_Bunny]

Originally Posted by tenpin28

The Australian Cricket team are the most over rated team in the world cup! They have no leadership through Ponting who always turns to McGrath and Warne when their opponents are getting on top. It will be interesting to see how Pontings record pans out when these two world class bowlers leave. The run of Australian domance is also fading as no young stars are coming through. The era of New Zealand as the number one side in the world is quickly becoming a reality, evident through our current world cup domance. No other side seems to have the depth in batting, yet the diversity in bowling. New Zealands selectors have done an excellent job incorporating youth into the International side. The likes of Fulton, Taylor and Gillespie seem to have the experience and skill level as veteran campaigners such as Vettori, Fleming and Styris.

Ever think that the reason few new players are coming through for Aus is that the current crop are to good

[pasag]

Originally Posted by tenpin28

The Australian Cricket team are the most over rated team in the world cup! They have no leadership through Ponting who always turns to McGrath and Warne when their opponents are getting on top. It will be interesting to see how Pontings record pans out when these two world class bowlers leave. The run of Australian domance is also fading as no young stars are coming through. The era of New Zealand as the number one side in the world is quickly becoming a reality, evident through our current world cup domance. No other side seems to have the depth in batting, yet the diversity in bowling. New Zealands selectors have done an excellent job incorporating youth into the International side. The likes of Fulton, Taylor and Gillespie seem to have the experience and skill level as veteran campaigners such as Vettori, Fleming and Styris.

Fiery? Is that you?

[steds]

Originally Posted by honestbharani

seems to me like rsa, nz. oz and sri lanka will def. go in.

I agree with honestbiryani

[PhoenixFire]

Hmm, well Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are all pretty much guaranteed a place in the Semis, and it'll either be South Africa or England to join them. I'm guessing that the most likely thing is South Africa, but anything could still happen.

[Nishant]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFire

Hmm, well Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are all pretty much guaranteed a place in the Semis, and it'll either be South Africa or England to join them. I'm guessing that the most likely thing is South Africa, but anything could still happen.

England fans just have to keep the hope alive TBH...even if it is just a fluke, they'll take it!
Plus, SA might just put on one of their poor performances again...

[Bahnz]

My pick for the top four (in order)

Australia
Sri Lanka
England
South Africa

[superkingdave]

It is pretty remarkable that despite playing so badly, England could plausibly get through with one scrappy win over SA and a narrow loss to West Indies.

[KiWiNiNjA]

Originally Posted by Bahnz

My pick for the top four (in order)

Australia
Sri Lanka
England
South Africa

Good old PESSIMISM huh.

If it turns out like that you're a genius. If it doesn't you are thrilled that NZ made it thru

[Bahnz]

Originally Posted by KiWiNiNjA

Good old PESSIMISM huh.

If it turns out like that you're a genius. If it doesn't you are thrilled that NZ made it thru

I don't know if it's even physically possible for both England and South Africa to get into semi's ahead of us, but if it is, we'll find a way! After all, this is the same side that helped Matty Hayden back into the form of his life, and kickstarted England's run to one day glory. There's no doubt about it, we're one day miracle workers!

[el grapadura]

Originally Posted by Bahnz

I don't know if it's even physically possible for both England and South Africa to get into semi's ahead of us, but if it is, we'll find a way! After all, this is the same side that helped Matty Hayden back into the form of his life, and kickstarted England's run to one day glory. There's no doubt about it, we're one day miracle workers!

Unfortunately, it is. All that needs to happen is for us to get crushed by SA and Aus, and England to beat SA and WI. The only improbable result of those four IMO would be England beating SA, and that game will probably be the first and last time I'll be cheering the Yappies on.