H_T

I saw his innings up until he reached 50, didn't see any after that. Certainly turned it on. Magnificent. Cannot believe they scored over 100 in the last 6 overs. Amazing.

I think the Aussies would be quietly annoyed at their preparation leading into the finals. With Canada & Kenya to come as well as a half baked Pakistan who looked very shaky against Canada, the Aussies won't be getting a good hit out in preparation. They would be hoping that the Paki's provide just that. The Sri Lanka game that was washed out, was their best chance of a hit out. Whilst the other pool, England, Sth Africa & India have had reasonably better hit outs and have been tested. Particularly with Ireland performing beyond expectations with county experienced players.

3/104 needing 81 off about 104 balls remaining.

Pakistan 9/181. Wow. With 8 overs remaining. But can Canada bat ?!! Call in the ICC investigators.....nah this game seems kosher to me. edit: ALL OUT for 184. CANADA - can they get 185 and follow Ireland's success. Go the minnows.

Pakistan v Canada - Pakistan 4/104 after 27 overs. Canada have troubled their batsmen with swing and movement off the seam thanks to some cloud cover. Go Canada, hopefully the Ireland win rubs off on another minnow. Sth AFrica in control over the Netherlands. ICC may have to have another inquiry....

I watched England's innings and saw the start of Ireland's innings. They were I think 3 for 60 odd ?? when my head hit the pillow. Unbelievable. Would also love to see some of O'Brien's innings. Is that a case to include the "minnows" in the World Cup ? I think it is for the game's sake in lifting the games profile in minnow countries such as Ireland, Netherlands, Kenya, etc. Despite ordinary performances.

I don't see why they don't just send him now. Let him become accustomed to the conditions and amongst the team. That said, they're probably concerned if another bowler goes down now in the short term. So it's probably just a precaution. Malinga ripped through Kenya to achieve the second best figures for Sri Lanka bowling in World Cups. His yorkers were piping hot eventhough the Kenyan batsmen had NFI.

Not sure if the ICC would have thought of that. The bookies would be most upset.

Warnie tipped a 'tie' for England/India on his Twitter I heard.

VICS win the Ryobi One Day National Comp, defeating Tasmania at the MCG. Finally won the One day comp having been runner up for the past 4 seasons. Some record.

Yeah I do too. He looks very settled at state level and looks destined for bigger things (was one of the more experienced last night; led the way). Thinking man's cricketer. He tied things down for a couple of overs with the ball.

And my man Matthew Wade produces again...101 off 113.

Did you see Nannes' wides in the last over ? What on earth....! NSW good late fight back at the death. VICS v TAS final again Nasher. These two states should have more rep....{I won't go on..}

England 0/12 off the 1st over. Netherlands payed the price having fine leg up. Pressure off alitlle for the Poms. Dutch look nervous. Good batting pitch, absolute road. Strauss & Pieterson the openers. Won't be staying up to watch anymore...another four to the Poms. 0/16.

Graeme Swann drops an absolute sitter....bookies need to be investigated the way England are performing. Terrible. "Comic book stuff" says Botham. Netherlands innings comes to a close @ 6/292 at a run rate of 5.86. Have set England a target of 293 - James Anderson 0/72 off his 10 overs. Wow.

ten Doeschate is a talented and creative one day batsman. Takes risks putting the ball behind square with delicate scoops or guides down to third man when not in place. England is "all over the shop now" and would be very nervous in the chase with the bat. Netherlands have hit three boundaries off Anderson to get 15 off the over. Now 5/274 with 2 overs remaining. Botham thinks 300 is on the cards and Strauss is shaking his head more than Stevie Wonder saying no to a hair cut. edit ten Doeschate out for 119. Great innings for his country. edit: Just got worse for England - they had three men inside the circle when Broad skittled a Dutchman (can you tell not sure who...) , batsman now recalled. 6/286 - 1 over remaining... haha. Go the Dutch ! Paul Collingwood the culprit running into the circle. Nice one umps.

All quiet on the Cricket front here....anyway watching the England v Netherlands game in the World Cup. Could be witnessing a big big upset here. Netherlands are 5/255 in the 47th over. Magnificent innings by Ryan ten Doeschate on 118* off 106 balls and making England look second rate. If the Netherlands can put any pressure on the Poms top order, could be a big upset on the cards.

Avg. 67.75

Yeah I know. Given the players that were playing and quality of the opposition I classified them as ODI. Interesting first post Einstein007 - and btw welcome to D'land. Not sure about players losing interest after 'real cricket' given the dynamics and player personnel of the two forms three forms are quite different; granted some players play more than one form of cricket - some cases all forms (ie Watson, Johnson). Given Watson's (*serious player*) performances in all three forms, there is no evidence there of him losing any interest.

Clarke's last four ODI innings: 54, 82, 7, 73

I watched the last few overs. Wow. Maxwell hit the fastest 50 for domestic cricket. (I think that is what I heard M.Waugh say). 50 off the last 5 overs was needed. Suspense the last over...6 off 5; 4 off 4; 3 off 3; 2 off 2; 1 off 1...and run out chance last ball ! Thanks for that. Feel for him after a fantastic summer and run feast.

Marsh has tweaked a hammy hasn't he ?

Heard Mike Hussey express his displeasure at being left out and not being given the chance to return to full fitness early in the World Cup campaign. He mentioned that he thought a precedent had been set with Andrew Symonds last world Cup when he returned half way through having injured his arm/bicep in the lead up to the last World Cup during the ODI series in Australia. He is spitting chips. Where does he stand now ? I'm happy to see Ferguson given the chance and I think Krejza will be handy on the sub continent. Looking forward to the World Cup now.

I thought they were about right. I just hope they don't appeal... That would have been amusing. Much like his date with Tait to the AB medal. I was a little surprised he was rested from the last ODI against England, given he was starting to perform with the bat though. I'm sure Cameron White enjoyed it, all the same. I'll come back to that Nasher...in a week.