50 over world Cup

[Andy]

England will have to pay centrally contracted players for the entirety of their deals even if they no longer play 50-over cricket after this World Cup.

Perhaps the money can from a renaming of the upgraded Warner stand. Stanford Stand anyone ?

The Last Stand?

[bwildered]

 After the Saffers de knock up the semi, the sluggish from the start men in yellow have hit their straps and have reached another final.
Seems Mr Key they have prioritised both 50 and Ashes cricket.

 A India v Aussie final, one defeat in the final game would be terribly unjust to see the impeccable hosts not raise the trophy, but the rules are the rules !

[bwildered]

 Final, India v Australia live on terrestrial TV, channel 5.
 Further England games on  the Damien channel 666.

Congratulations to Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleburgh on officiating in the final.

[dazedpenguin]

Never write off the Australians. India have been the best team all tournament but crumbled on the final day. The Aussies know how to win. I don't usually congratulate the Aussies, but just this once: well done. They out batted, out bowled and out fielded India. A fine innings by Travis Head, reaching his hundred to almost silence.

[bwildered]

 Not a dry poppadom in the house. Poor Indians lost the only game that mattered, pressure must be enormous for the hosts players  in a country where they were expecting to win the tournament.
 Congrats to the Aussies, who got ahead of the game after a frantic start, held their nerve which became a stroll in the park by playing solid cricket when needed, ( bazball ? ).
 Liked the format of every team playing each other, some good underdog results kept it interesting, although tight finishes were rather rare.
 

[Andy]

That was superb game management, indeed the ability to reintegrate Head and the vital role of labs hanger at times shows tournament management as well. Plenty of (Indian?) contributors on various hys were writing off the 50 over game, but it has been a much more interesting tournament than the various T20s.

Even though today’s match became a procession, that was the reward for the Aussies’ performance with the ball and the rebuilding after the top order bazball effort fell apart. Once again the average Aussie has far more guts and brains than their English counterpart.