PAK beats AUS by six wickets! I hate football

[Anthea]

Cricket Triangular T20:

Pakistan wins series beating Australia by six wickets!

The result:
Australia 8-183 (Short 76, Finch 47, Amir 3-33) lost to Pakistan 4-187 (Fakhar 91, Malik 43 not out) by six wickets with four balls to spare.

The match in a tweet:
Fakhar Zaman’s 91 powers Pakistan to their highest-ever T20 run-chase, with Australia left to rue a late batting collapse in the tri-series final #AUSvPAK

The big-game player: Aaron Finch rightly named Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan’s most dangerous batter ahead of the decider and the opener delivered for his side in spades. He smashed 91 from 46 balls after Pakistan lost two wickets in the first over.

The same batsman who scored a century in the final of Pakistan’s surprise Champions Trophy victory was again decisive in a Pakistan victory.

This time in Harare, he combined with Shoaib Malik for a match-defining 107-run stand. The left-hander struck three sixes and 12 fours in total, timing his innings almost to perfection. His late departure brought Australia back into the contest, but Malik finished the job with a clever innings to see Pakistan reel in their highest-ever T20 run chase.

Fakhar's brilliant knock caps off a superb campaign, with his 278 runs earning him the player-of-the-series honours.

The fielding woes:
Pakistan’s poor fielding could have cost them dearly in the T20 final in Harare. They put down Aaron Finch on the first delivery he faced and then D’Arcy Short in consecutive balls.

A tough skied chance went begging in the second over when Finch top-edged, while a regulation catch that appeared to flick Short's glove then went down at first slip. From there, the two openers combined for 95 from 59 balls.

Finch eventually departed for 47 from 27 balls but the damage was done. Short was again dropped on 52 on his way to 76 from 53 balls.

The catch:
Despite Pakistan's troubles, Shadab Khan managed to reel in a memorable grab. As Australia chased quick runs and Short and Marcus Stoinis hit three sixes in a row, it was Alex Carey’s turn to swing the bat. He connected sweetly with a ball delivered by Faheem Ashraf that looked destined to reach the boundary. But a cat-like Shadab dived full-length at mid-off and stuck out one hand, claiming the catch and seeing the back of the dangerous wicketkeeper. His enthusiastic celebration matched the sheer brilliance of the catch.

The horror debut:
Presented with his maiden cap by Shoaib Malik prior to the match, Sahibzada Farhan made his debut and, after fielding for 20 overs, opened the Pakistan innings. But the 22-year-old’s first ball was the stuff of nightmares. A leg-side wide from Glenn Maxwell saw Farhan overcommit and drag his back foot. Carey did the rest to leave Farhan the founder of a unique club; he is the first player to be stumped for a diamond duck (zero runs off zero balls) on debut.

The record:
Pakistan had never lost a T20 International when batting second under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed. The skipper would have been licking his lips when Finch won the toss and elected to bat, but early fielding blunders gave Australia the perfect start, from which Pakistan needed to claw their way back. But thanks to the cool heads of Malik and Fakhar, Sarfaraz’s record remains intact.

The collapse:
After the openers put on a near century stand, Australia’s middle-order capitulated for the second time this series against Pakistan. They lost 6-31 from the final 26 balls of their innings, highlighted by the loss of Alex Carey, Ashton Agar and Travis Head in the space of nine deliveries, adding just ten runs. Mohammad Amir was the chief destoyer amid the wreckage, finishing with 3-33 from his four overs.

The rankings:
Had Australia won all five of their matches in Harare, they would have risen to No.1 in the T20 world rankings. Instead, they drop to third behind Pakistan and India, missing a golden opportunity to claim the top spot for the first time in their history. They will have a chance to vie for it again when they meet Pakistan in the shortest format in the UAE this October.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-r ... 2018-07-08

[Piling]

French people say that only Brits and their former colonies are able to understand a cricket match

[Anthea]

[cricketfixture]

The first limited overs international cricket world cup played from 7 to 21 June 1975, in England. CWP 1975 had eight participating cricketing nations including (England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Each match played was consist of 60 overs each side.


https://cricketdugout.com/1975-cricket-world-cup-results-live-scorecard-fixtures-and-team-squads/

[Anthea]

The first limited overs international cricket world cup played from 7 to 21 June 1975, in England. CWP 1975 had eight participating cricketing nations including (England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Each match played was consist of 60 overs each side.

https://cricketdugout.com/1975-cricket- ... am-squads/

Welcome to Roj Bash

[Anthea]

Cricket World Cup: Pakistan shock England at Trent Bridge

Cricket World Cup: Pakistan beat England by 14 runs
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Trent Bridge

Pakistan 348-8 (50 overs):
Mohammad Hafeez 84,
Woakes 3-71

England 334-9 (50 overs):
Root 107,
Wahab 3-82

Pakistan won by 14 runs

England suffered a stunning upset at the hands of inspired Pakistan in their second World Cup match at Trent Bridge.

The hosts and favourites were surprisingly lacklustre in the field as Pakistan, roared on by their noisy and vibrant fans, posted 348-8.

Even though England have made a habit of overhauling such targets, they were still faced with having to pull off the most successful chase in World Cup history.

And they were denied by the rejuvenated Pakistanis, who had lost their previous 11 one-day internationals including a 4-0 series defeat by England prior to the tournament and then a humiliation against West Indies on this ground on Friday.

Despite Joe Root's 107, the first century of the tournament, and a 75-ball ton from Jos Buttler, England were restricted to 334-9 to lose by 14 runs.

In a tournament where the 10 teams play each other once to determine the semi-finalists, there are plenty of opportunities for England to get their campaign back on track, starting with Bangladesh in Cardiff on Saturday.

Pakistan, renowned for veering from shambolic to sublime in global tournaments, will look to continue their resurgence in Sri Lanka in Bristol on Friday.

The day the World Cup came to life

After England opened their tournament by beating South Africa at The Oval on Thursday, captain Eoin Morgan asserted that they will not go through the competition unbeaten.

Similarly, on Sunday, Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood defiantly claimed his side could reverse their fortunes and beat Morgan's men.

Both were right.
Hafeez bowls Morgan for nine

Indeed, both sides were almost entirely transformed from their first matches. Whereas Pakistan improved immeasurably, England were inexplicably shoddy.

Not only that, but England often let their frustrations boil over in the field and there were a number of noticeable moments of tension between the two sides when they came to bat.

All of this was played out in an electric atmosphere, created mainly by Pakistan fans, whose near constant din was only dimmed when Root and Buttler were together.

The tension of the contest and energy of the crowd amounted to a wonderful occasion. This was the day that the World Cup came to life.
Root and Buttler tons not enough

On a slow pitch, England's top order struggled for impetus against the tricky spin and hostile pace of Pakistan.
Roy trapped lbw by Shadab

Like South Africa on Thursday, Pakistan opened with spin and saw Shadab Khan trap Jason Roy lbw. When Ben Stokes edged Shoaib Malik behind, it meant Buttler arrived at 118-4 with 231 required from just under 28 overs.

He was immediately into his destructive stride, heaving sixes over the leg side and driving through the covers. At the other end, Root, who was dropped by Babar Azam on nine, accumulated runs with dabs and nudges.

While they were at the crease, England were on course for victory, but both fell just after reaching three figures.

Root sliced Shadab to short third man, Buttler (103) fell in almost identical fashion to the pace of Mohammad Amir.

Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali turned an equation of 61 from 39 balls to 29 from 14, but when both fell in successive Wahab Riaz deliveries, the game was up.

Slapdash England punished

By the metric of their own team analyst, England put in their best fielding performance for four years in defeating South Africa. This must rank as one of their worst.

'He's normally got the safest of hands' - Roy drops Hafeez on 14

Not only was the ground fielding littered with errors, but Roy put down the most straightforward chance off Mohammad Hafeez on 14. Hafeez went on to make 84.

Woakes at least equalled a World Cup record with four catches, three superbly taken on the boundary, but he was one of a number of disappointing bowlers - his 3-71 made more respectable by some improved death bowling.

Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer were expensive as only Moeen, who claimed 3-50, and Mark Wood, in the side for Liam Plunkett, provided any sort of control.

Pakistan, who were blown away by a barrage of West Indies bouncers on Friday, cashed in.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq added 82 in 14 overs, with Babar then particularly harsh on Rashid in his 63. Hafeez was the most aggressive, while captain Sarfaraz Ahmed favoured the leg side for 55.
Cricket World Cup: England's Joe Root scores century v Pakistan
'A great advertisement for the tournament' - what they said

England captain Eoin Morgan: "It was a very good game of cricket and a great advertisement for the tournament. We're bitterly disappointed to be on the wrong end of the result though.

"Trent Bridge is a high scoring ground, we felt the wicket was good, the outfield was rapid and we thought if we got partnerships going, 350 was in our grasp.

"Joe and Jos kept us in the game. If we could have got a substantial partnership earlier, we might have got over the line."

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: "It was a great team effort. The bowlers bowled really well today.

"We tried a couple of different things - we started with Shadab because we know their openers are not good against spin.

"Fielding is a very important part. In the last ODI series it was different. Today we fielded better and we bowled better."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan on TMS: "England's fielding certainly cost them 30 or 40 runs.

"Full credit to Pakistan - the support they've had, the atmosphere they created. I think we're in for a fantastic tournament because of all the support.

"I think we're going right to the wire."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48504940

[Anthea]

Wood claims everyone wants to beat England at the World Cup

Defeat in second game by Pakistan has cranked up the pressure on England

Eoin Morgan's side face a must-win game against Bangladesh on Saturday

Liam Plunkett is expected to return, probably at the expense of Adil Rashid
Mark Wood believes England have become marked men as the rest of the world do their utmost to join Pakistan in derailing the hot tournament favourites.

Defeat at Trent Bridge in just their second game has cranked up the pressure on an England team that showed signs against Pakistan of being weighed down by the great expectations that will accompany the World Cup hosts throughout the tournament.

And Wood, one of the few bowlers who did himself justice in a woeful performance in the field in Nottingham, believes Bangladesh will be just as motivated to bring England down in what has become a must-win game on Saturday for Eoin Morgan's side.

Mark Wood believes World Cup hosts and favourites England have become marked men

'We have a huge target on our back,' said Wood, who proved his fitness after more ankle problems in bowling with pace and hostility, taking two wickets against Pakistan. 'We are the favourites, the home side and everybody wants to beat us.

'Now we have to come back with authority, say to everyone that we're here to win it and put on a real show. We're still in a pretty good place.'

That may be so but England will reconvene in Cardiff after two days off at home needing to get back to the relaxed and fearless cricket that has served them so well on their explosive journey to the top of the world rankings.

This, then, is just the sort of situation that encouraged Andrew Strauss to recruit a coach in Trevor Bayliss who likes to stay calm, laid-back and take the pressure off his players rather than remind them just how important Saturday's match is.

England face a must-win game against Bangladesh following the defeat by Pakistan

To that end Bayliss has made Thursday's practice at Sophia Gardens optional with only four players - Jofra Archer, Liam Plunkett, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood - obligated to attend because they are conducting a community coaching event at the Cardiff ground.

'Trevor reacted as you would expect him to,' said Wood of the post-match inquest into England's 14-run defeat on Monday. 'He wants us to be better than we were the other day but he wasn't over the top or anything like that. In his cool, calm Aussie way he just said "we have to do better".'

Plunkett, who was left out at Trent Bridge, is expected to return on Saturday, probably at the expense of Adil Rashid as England invariably go into matches on the short, straight boundaries of Cardiff with only one spinner. And, worryingly, Rashid does not look fully fit.

'Cardiff has big square boundaries and Liam has bowled well there in the past so he probably comes back in,' admitted Wood. 'It's just which bowler misses out so I don't think my place is guaranteed.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/crick ... d-Cup.html

[Anthea]

PAKISTAN

[Anthea]

Cricket World Cup: West Indies
are playing 'Calypso cricket'

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell bowls a bouncer against Pakistan, West Indies dismantled Pakistan with bouncers in their World Cup opener in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019

West Indies are showing "plenty of signs" of the "Calypso cricket" played by their previous dominant sides, says Australia coach Justin Langer.

Australia face West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday at 10:30 BST.

I wish I could go - I used to go every time the Windies played in UK

Both sides won their opening World Cup games - West Indies thrashing Pakistan after bowling them out for just 105 with short-pitched fast bowling, while Australia eased past Afghanistan.

"When I was a kid it was Calypso cricket," said Langer.

"And we're seeing plenty of signs of Calypso cricket."

West Indies won the first two World Cup tournaments, in 1975 and 1979, and also dominated cricket in the 1980s with a squad of superb fast bowlers and destructive batsmen.

"West Indies are running and bowling fast," said Langer.

"They're not necessarily going to be bowling the same spot every ball, but they are going to be exciting to watch. They all try to hit sixes most balls too.

"It's always exciting playing West Indies. When I was growing up they were my heroes."

Australia, who have won five World Cups, came into this tournament on the back of one-day international series wins in India and against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

"We've probably spent four months thinking and playing against spin bowling," said Langer.

"We have to adapt to West Indies no doubt, who have got a number of good, fast bowlers.

"They are obviously a very dangerous team the way they bat and aggressive bowling, but they've got weaknesses as well and we're playing pretty good cricket."

Australia's Test side were bowled out for just 60 during the 2015 Ashes at Trent Bridge, while England set a men's ODI world record by hitting 481-6 against Australia on the same ground last year.

Captain Aaron Finch said he hoped being in the home changing room for this match would bring a change in fortune.

"Just before we turned up to training a few boys talked about their previous experiences here, which obviously haven't been overly pleasant," he said.

"But we're in the home changing room - a first for everyone, which is nice.

"West Indies a very dangerous side, it's important that you start really well.

"If we're tentative and wait for things to happen, that's when they can dominate you from the start."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48532319

[Anthea]

Will there be another Brian Lara?

NEVER

Brian Lara's 501 not out: The day Warwickshire's West Indies legend rewrote cricket records

The day after Brian Lara's world record 501 not out at Edgbaston he was turning out for the Bears at The Oval in a Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final

At a time when bat dominates ball, switch-hits and scoop-shots are commonplace and teams regularly rack up eye-watering totals, there is one 25-year-old record that has stood the test of time.

On Tuesday, 6 June 1994, Brian Lara struck the highest score ever made in first-class cricket for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston.

It is a record that has remained ever since and will most likely last a lot longer, possibly forever.

But the West Indian batting legend's unforgettable summer of runs in Birmingham - and various other English cricket grounds - might so easily have never happened at all.

The summer of 1994 was an memorable one for the Bears. With Lara's assistance, Warwickshire became the first English county to win a domestic treble of trophies - County Championship, Benson & Hedges Cup and Sunday League.

They might even have won a fourth, too, only for the Bears to be beaten in the NatWest Trophy final by their old enemies Worcestershire, who they had beaten in the first Lord's final of the summer two months earlier.

But what turned out to be trophy-laden summer of Lara, lager and laughter seemed a long, long way off in mid-April.

How did the Bears sign Brian Lara?

While the Bears were on their pre-season tour of Zimbabwe, the then relatively little-known Lara was back home in the Caribbean playing for West Indies against England.

He went into that series having previously made just one Test century in 11 matches, although that was a pretty prodigious 277 against Australia at the SCG 15 months earlier.

He then hit 167 in the second Test at Georgetown as the Windies clocked up an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series - and that was enough to tempt Warwickshire into offering him a deal.

"We got him for £40,000," recalls Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss. "A week later, it would have cost us £100,000."

The first of Warwickshire's three trophies in 1994 was the Benson & Hedges Cup win over Worcestershire at Lord's

And why did Lara's asking price rocket?

Because, just days after he had signed with the Bears, Lara broke the 36-year-old world Test batting record for the first time when he eclipsed fellow West Indian Garry Sobers' 365, set at Sabina Park in 1958, by making 375 against England in the fifth Test in Antigua.

"We knew we'd got a snip," said Amiss. "Our membership trebled. I remember our operating manager Keith Cook telling me it had paid for Brian Lara three times over."

The build-up to 6 June

It was 18 April 1994 when Lara completed his world Test record 375 against England in Antigua.

It was 10 days later when made his Bears debut against Glamorgan at Edgbaston. He hit 147 and they won by an innings.

He went on to make two tons in a match - 106 & 120 not out - to help Warwickshire escape with a home draw with Leicestershire.

Having sacrificed their first innings in a weather-hit game, he then compiled 136 at Taunton as the Bears chased down 332 in 54 overs to win on the final day against Somerset.

"That was when word went out on the circuit," remembers Amiss. "Don't declare against Warwickshire."

After starting with four straight centuries, Lara failed for the first time when he managed only 26 against Middlesex at Lord's in the first innings before being caught behind off Richard Johnson. But he made 140 in the second innings to leave the hosts hanging on for a draw.

And so back to Edgbaston...

Day One (2 June): After winning the toss, it was Durham's day on a flat track at Edgbaston. The visitors closed on 365-3, with former England batsman and air ace John Morris on 204 and skipper Phil Bainbridge on 50.

Day Two (3 June): Despite Morris getting out quickly on the second morning, Durham went on to reach 556-8 before declaring. Lara was the last of eight Bears bowlers who had a trundle (11-1-47-0). In reply, he did not immediately find his touch.

After the early loss of Dominic Ostler to Anderson Cummins, before he had even reached 20 Lara had been bowled by a Cummins no-ball and dropped by Durham keeper Chris Scott. "With my luck, he'll go on to get a 100," was Scott's famous line. But, aided by 51 from Roger Twose, Lara was quickly back into his stride to reach the close on 111, out of the Bears' 210-2.

Day Three (4 June): It rained all day. No play.

Day Four: (5 June): These were the days when the Sunday League was still a key part of the English cricket fixture list and it was rest day in the Championship. Warwickshire also played Durham in the 40-over format and Lara holed out for just 6, off England's future chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Brian Lara's 501 not out 20 years on

Day Five: (6 June): From then on, with a day lost, it was just a case of batting all day for the Bears. They resumed on the last day still needing another 193 to avoid the threat of a follow-on. But that was done without losing another wicket as Lara extended his stand with overnight partner Trevor Penney to 314 - of which Penney made 44.

After a brief half hour in the company of Paul Smith, in which they added a further 51, he was then joined by Keith Piper. And the pair remained unparted, in an unbroken then county record 322-run fifth-wicket stand. Piper made an impressive 116, but it was Lara who took centre stage. There was just one blip, in the day's final over, when Morris' gentle medium pace somehow extracted enough lift from the surface to hit Lara on the helmet.

A feat he still proudly proclaims on the after-dinner circuit as being "the only cricketer to ever bowl a bouncer and hit someone on the head on 497". Two balls later, Lara played the shot that went past the previous best, the 35-year-old record 499 set playing for Karachi by Pakistan great Hanif Mohammed, who was run out going for his 500th run.

The Day After (7 June): Such was the English cricket schedule 25 years ago that Warwickshire had a date down in London at The Oval the very next day, a Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final with Surrey. Exhausted by his efforts the previous day, Lara was asleep in the dressing room and did not come in until the Bears were in a bit of trouble on 120-4, chasing 268 to win. But he hit 70 to help his side to a four-wicket victory in the first ball of the final over.

So where were you the day Lara got his 501?

If you are 35 or over - and at all interested in cricket - it is hard to imagine you will not remember where you were the day Lara performed his 501 check-out.

BBC reporter Clive Eakin, who still covers the Bears for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, was there that day, working for BBC WM...

"It was by no means certain that I would be sent to Edgbaston that day. At BBC WM at the time we reported on most but not all of Warwickshire's days of cricket and that morning I turned up to Pebble Mill not knowing how I would be deployed.

"But word had got out that Lara was going to chase a world record as, with a couple of bowlers injured, Durham had made it clear they weren't prepared to set Warwickshire any target at all.

"So I was sent to the ground and was lucky enough to see the full day's drama which was always going to be about one man.

Brian Lara drills his world record-breaking four - one of 72 boundaries he hit in that innings - to the extra cover rope

"A whole list of records were ticked off as the day went on before the final drama - Lara got hit on the helmet late on - and confusion as to whether the match would be ended after the over which Lara started on 497.

"All that, of course, made it all the more exciting when Lara hit the runs for a probably never to be repeated 501 not out... and I was lucky enough to be there describing the events live."

BBC WM's Warwickshire reporter Mike Taylor was there four days too early...

"Back in 1994, I was one of those earnest youngsters who sits at cricket matches with a scorebook. That spring, I had bought a bigger, new one, which demanded a debut at the first opportunity.

"The match started on the Thursday of Whitsun half-term week, and I was at Edgbaston in the Priory Stand. Front row, with newly-sharpened pencils.

"Had Warwickshire won the toss, I'd have had Lara B. C. in the batsman column, and this article probably wouldn't have been written, but I went home delighted that my book's first page featured a double-century from John Morris. I thought about getting his autograph. And I at least got to write down 'Lara' - as bowler number eight.

"On Friday I couldn't go. On Saturday it rained. Sunday was Sunday League day. And, on the Monday, I was back studying for A-levels. It didn't occur to me that there was any great hurry to rush home to check the Edgbaston score!

"I still have the scorebook. And I still don't have John Morris's autograph. And, somewhere, I do have a fully filled-in scorecard, but I can't quite bring myself to pass it off as the genuine article."

And BBC Sport online cricket reporter Ged Scott wasn't there at all...

"I was working then for the Shropshire Star, and was just coming to the end of a busy shift on their sports desk, 40 miles away in Telford.

"We'd just put the final edition to bed when my cricket-mad sports editor Pete Byram leaned across the desk to me, with a thoughtful look in his eye. Lara was on 300 and plenty. And he said: 'He's still batting. Do you think we should drive down to Edgbaston?'

"We ummed and ahhed a bit but, regretfully, I shook my head. I'd got the weekend local league cricket round-up to write up for the following day. And we thought they'd probably call the game off at 5 o'clock.

"Sadly, I stayed put and didn't see history made. Instead I just spent the next two hours refreshing Ceefax and watching that score go up and up..."
Brian Lara's records

Born 2 May 1969, Cantaro, Santa Cruz, Trinidad

Broke world Test batting record in April 1994 (375 v England), and the world first-class record of 501 just 50 days later.

Australia's Matthew Hayden took Lara's record when he made 380 for Australia against Zimbabwe in Perth on 10 October 2003. But Lara got the record back within six months, when he made 400 not out, again against England, again against Australia, on 12 April 2004.

All-time top West Indies Test run scorer. 11,912 in 130 matches, at an average of 53.17 - but just 45 ahead of nearest challenger Shiv Chanderpaul (164 matches). Hit 34 hundreds and 48 half-centuries.

All-time top West Indies ODI run scorer. 10,348 in 295 matches, at 40.90 - just 122 ahead of nearest challenger Chris Gayle (287 matches). Hit 19 hundreds and 62 half-centuries.

Made an overall 92 career centuries, in first-class and one-day cricket combined.

Scored 3,099 runs in 30 first-class matches for Warwickshire, at 63.24 and 1,308 runs in 44 List A matches.

Played just three games of T20 cricket for Zimabwean side Southern Rocks in 2010, at the age of 41.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44632651

[Anthea]

Cricket World Cup: Commentator blasts ‘atrocious’ umpiring in Australia v West Indies

Commentator Michael Holding has blasted the umpires for their ‘atrocious’ decisions as Australia beat the West Indies at Trent Bridge

Four wickets were overturned after reviews during the 10th match of the Cricket World Cup in Nottingham.

West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Jason Holder were rescued by the review system twice, as they try to chase down Australia’s 288 runs.

Gayle was eventually given his marching orders for 21, but a review would have revealed bowler Mitchell Starc had overstepped, and a no ball would’ve been given.

Commentator Michael Holding blasted the umpires - Chris Gaffney and Ruchira Palliyaguruge - for their performance.

“I am sorry but the umpiring in this game has been atrocious,” said Holding, while commentating for OSN Cric, in the UAE.

“For one, even when I was playing they are not as strict as they are now.

“You are allowed to appeal. You do not appeal two, three, four times to the umpire. That is the first thing.

“They are being intimidated, that means they are weak. This has been an atrocious bit of umpiring by both.”

Australia were the first team to bat at Trent Bridge, and set the Windies 289 runs to win.

The Aussies were forced to recover early on, after falling to 79-5.

But, number eight Nathan Coulter-Nile smashed an incredible 92 off of 60 balls to put Australia back into the competition.

The West Indies started their innings brightly, after an early dismissal for Evin Lewis.

Gayle set the pace with 21 quick fire runs from 17 deliveries, while Shai Hope made 68.

But, a quick collapse in the Windies tail-end meant Australia were ultimately the winners in Nottingham.

That’s their second win of the competition from two matches.

But, the defeat was the West Indies’ first of the World Cup

[Anthea]

IND v PAK at the nets

phpBB [video]

Direct Link:

https://youtu.be/RZmRliNztc0

INDIA VS PAKISTAN Live World Cup 2019

Live Scores and Commentary

https://youtu.be/M0N5rXd5Uqo

I will be busy for several hours

[Anthea]

A thread from Imran Khan:

The Prime Minister of Pakistan has been on social media with some selection suggestions and advice for the national team...a thread of five tweets. It makes for a stirring, insightful pep-talk.

When I started my cricketing career I assumed success was 70% talent & 30% mind. By the time I finished playing cricket I felt it was 50-50 ratio. But now I tend to agree with my friend Gavaskar it's 60% mental strength & 40 % talent. Today role of mind will be more than 60% 1/5
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

2/5 Today, given the intensity of the match, both teams will come under great mental pressure and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match today. In Sarfaraz we are fortunate to have a bold captain & today he will have to be at his daring best.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

3/5 All fears of losing should be banished from the mind as the mind can only process one thought at a time. Fear of losing leads to a negative & defensive strategy & crucially mistakes by opponents are not pounced upon. So here are my suggestions for Sarfaraz & Pakistan team:
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

4/5 1. In order ro have a winning offensive strategy Sarfaraz must go in with specialist batsmen and bowlers because "Raillu Kattas" rarely perform under pressure - especially the intense kind that will be generated today. 2. Unless pitch is damp, Sarfaraz must win the toss & bat
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

5/5 3. Finally, even though India may be the favourites, banish all fear of losing. Just give your best and fight till the last ball. Then accept whatever the result like true sportsmen. The nation's prayers are with all of you. Good Luck.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

[Piling]

Cricket is a game that only Brittons & Indians are able to understand.

But I remember to have enjoyed the novel : The Taliban Cricket Club by Murari. It is a funny and good story about cricket, feminism and freedom.

https://www.amazon.com/Taliban-Cricket- ... 0062091255

[Anthea]

Sounds good, I may get round to reading it - EVENTUALLY

I am practising web pare design at the moment

My last website was set up using a free system and we had a lot of problems

I will code one from scratch

Cricket World Cup

Australia is 1st

England 3rd

India 4th

Windies 6th

Pakistan 9th

I think India will win

Britain may have ruined their country

Divided the population

Used people as slaves to copy documents without allowing them to learn English, so they had no idea what they were doing

Should Indian dare to work his own cotton into cloth, Brits cut his thumbs off

Sent lots of Hindus to West Indies to work, alongside slaves, in the cane fields

Stole most of India's most valuable gems

Through our intervention cause the death of 2 MILLION people at the great divide

But what does all that matter

We gave them cricket