Cricket - T20 World Cup

[sunny-dave]

Ireland v England today at the MCG

Spoliers follow

[sunny-dave]

Great win for Ireland – they fell away a bit after a great start when batting (102-1 in just 12 overs became 157 all out) – but they bowled well and England were woeful with the bat.

Just possible that Moeen was digging them out of a deep hole (87-5), but the rain hissed down a few minutes later (it is Australia in the summer – what a daft time to play cricket) when England were 105-5 and the magic DLS method said that they were five runs behind the notional target for the balls bowled.

The group looks very open now – so I'll be up early on Friday for the IRE-AFG and ENG-AUS double header.

New Balls and a pint of Guinness please :-)

[sunny-dave]

Highlights on Sky Mix (which I think is a non-premium channel) at 5pm this afternoon

[jno]

it's not summer in Australia, at best it's early spring (would you be playing international cricket in the northern hemisphere in April?) and they're undergoing a really bad La Nina year down the east coast. The other match today was completely rained off.

Brief highlights here if you want them

[sunny-dave]

Thanks for the highlights link, jno.

I was being facetious about 'summer' - but it is a daft time to play cricket - there is a reason that most Ashes series start in December.

[THECORBYLOON]

Can someone explain why Moeen Ali is often referred to as, "Moeen" in print and in speech, rather than "Ali"?

I cannot recall a commentator saying "Ian coming in to bowl" when reffering to Ian Botham, for example.

[sunny-dave]

I think it comes down to personal preference - and practicality - when Moeen Ali was at Worcestershire CC there were (at least) two other players with Ali as a second name.

Some scorecards name him as Ali, some as Moeen and some give both names.

Imran Khan was a similar example.

[bobbinwales]

wasim akram too was called Wasim rather than Akram

[THECORBYLOON]

I had forgotten about Wasim Akram and others so is there a cultural reason for that particular use?

[ichkeria]

At least we get one win in the group of death ...
Bring on the Afghans
Who I am sure we beat not that long ago ...

[jno]

it's the group of death by drowning at this rate. Bring on sunny Queensland.

[sunny-dave]

Squeaky bum time now - Ireland played well (including giving England a good stuffing), but are on the plane home.

England need to beat Sri Lanka tomorrow morning to qualify for the semi-finals - NZ already through and Aus will qualify if England lose or are rained off (again).

Other group is more open - probably India and the Saffers, but Pakistan still have a chance if either of those two slip up.

[jno]

SL now hold the fate of both England and Australia in their hands. Should be ineresting. I am on general principle always happy to see any or all of the self-described Big Three thrashed but alas one of them will go through tomorrow whatever happens. The Aussies got quite the fright today.

[sunny-dave]

Yes - it was an interesting last 20 minutes or so, jno