Scott, just because there have been a few upsets, it doesn’t follow that England will get one. Been reading too much J. Agnew, have we? “Australia are due a loss” he said hopefully. Engalnd always think they are “due” something, That’s their problem.

Woohoo go Tait!

Fiona, I’m a born pessimist.

The commentators are talking about pinch hitting right now and why England are not going with this strategy. We’re seeing two new flavours in the top 3 today and there’s still no basher

Regarding dominating opening batsmen, Cricinfo writes:

What England would give for an opening batsman who could dominate the opposition. Well, there is one, but sadly he has spent the winter back home due to illness. Marcus Trescothick flew home two weeks into the Ashes tour, but has been involved in Somerset’s pre-season. During a friendly against Devon today he has smashed 256 in a 30-over game, including 25 fours and 18 sixes.

Now, that doesn’t sound like someone sick to me. It sounds like someone who can’t handle the pressure and runs away from it. What are your thoughts?

Michael - it sounds to me like someone who doesn’t like running at all!

McGrath is going for an over. That won’t last!

whee! Dumbnut Vaughan is gone on and my Dearling Straussy with him but Pietersen and Bell are finding the boundaries. Fun game. Let’s see what happens next.

Sri Lanka did this also - quite a good tactical move. It could all go horribly wrong now. England could be 200 all out or 300-6 after 50. I wouldn’t like to guess which way either although my natural pessimism leans towards the former.

England bowled out for 247 - only a couple of decent scores, the rest single figures - I can’t see Fred, Jimmy Anderson, Sajid or Monty actually bowling out Gilchrist, Ponting, Hussey and co. Though Hayden might be a bit easier, after that dolly he dropped. After Bell’s wicket, England have, as planned, folded obediently.

I do wish Strauss had done something, I was backing him even for the vice-captaincy. Cuh.

I was hoping for something from Strauss as well, I have been pushing for his inclusion.

As for Hayden, he’s the best batsman in the world at present. It won’t be easy. Cuh on anyone thinking it’s Pietersen.

That was a shocking hundred in my opinion. When he could have grabbed the match by the horns he batted for his hundred. The way he celebrated his 50 I knew he was playing only for himself.

England will most likely tumble from the World Cup after this match, and in my opinion, it will all be this dickhead’s fault. Kevin Pietersen. He’s not a team player. He’s not a match winner.

Got one! Only nine more to go!

England were in a position to score 300. They fluffed it.

Mark Nicholson is spending his superlative energy on Nixon right now and I tend to agree with him. Shock inclusion for the Comm. Series in Australia, he really has been quite a shiner for England. His effort the other day against Sri Lanka was awesome. His enthusiasm, yes even his chirp, is alright with me.

Top effort from Ponting and Clarke so far. They’ve walked the line between too much risk and too little beautifully. A few times they’ve looked under pressure and a little jumpy but have managed to keep their heads. England are bowling reasonably without appearing particularly threatening. The fielding has been enthusiastic.

Ponting gone for 86.
Should be too late for England.
It would be nice though if Clarke decided to see it out to the finish.
Symonds in.

Slower ball, FOUR.
Slower ball, bizarre effort from Pietersen on the boundary. He caught it, tip-toed the boundary incredibly but could not maintain the balance and prevent flailing over the boundary so he backhand flings the ball back into play.
Slower ball, SIX.

Slower ones aren’t working Colly.

Michael, I have to admit I quite like Nixon now - I was all against his inclusion, seeing as Chris Read has done absolutely NOTHING to warrant his exclusion from the WC squad (or should I say ICC 2007 World Cup….) but Nico really seems to have something, albeit at the ripe old age of 36.

Anyway, pfft to England. The pity’s that they just don’t deserve to win, I’m tired of supporting a team that looks like they don’t want to be there. I don’t think it was so much that they were outfoxed completely by the Aussies, more that they just gave up, rolled over and died. Hell, I even hope Bangladesh beats them, the Banglas certainly seem to want it more than them.