England v West Indies, 2nd ODI, The Oval, 19 June, 2012

Is there any stopping the Belf-Brezzy show, except maybe the rotation policy?

Cracking series, this. So much so that nobody GAF.

Well it's about 30 below here in Pomgolia, Skulls, so it's a bit difficult working up the enthusiasm for cricket at the mo. Let's hope things, including the temperature, pick up for the one-dayers with your lot and when the Saffies arrive.

Well, I don't believe in the side, really. I also don't really like the format a huge deal. Most importantly the football and scrumpy has provided a massive distraction.

Not sure some of the players will be up for it either, especially given the venue (Dernbach as a Surrey man has already been withdrawn from the remainder of the series). May feel rather like that Test in NZ a decade ago after the Ben Hollioake news broke.

I can't imagine they'll feel too good at all. I reckon they'll be even more determined to win, though. At least they'll all get to pay tribute to him whilst the memory is still fresh.

I see Chris Woakes has been added to the squad. Wonder if he's managed to put on a yard...

Allan D wrote:Well it's about 30 below here in Pomgolia, Skulls, so it's a bit difficult working up the enthusiasm for cricket at the mo. Let's hope things, including the temperature, pick up for the one-dayers with your lot and when the Saffies arrive.

Global Warming's a bitch.

We haven't had anything resembling a summer since about 2006 I think. The odd weekend here and there, mostly in May or September, that's about it.

Still, we barely saw a flake of snow for years and then had a run of bad winters, so maybe the "barbecue summers" (as famously forecast a couple of years ago before another washout) will arrive like London buses before too long?

Will Gayle be making his long awaited cameo?

Sunny day, Oval flattie - this has Windies win written all over it.

They'll score 300+. We'll be crabbed to death by Trott.

Well we've put em in.

Think that's influenced by some pretty crap defences of large totals at the oval.

Gayle may not end up being there for a long time but looks like he wants to have a good time. Lendl sedate.

Well he's reached 50, so he is having a good time. Brezzylad collared for 21 off 2 overs. There may be a correlation between belters and better batsmen, but I'm not sure.

Ok, seriously, that is disgraceful, match changing umpiring. How on earth is that out? We've been totally and utterly robbed there.

Aww, was looking like a decent game until Crystal was gunned. The Axe now taking the wind out of the Windies' sails.

WIFAN wrote:Ok, seriously, that is disgraceful, match changing umpiring. How on earth is that out? We've been totally and utterly robbed there.

Yes, it looked dire. Was so enjoying his innings too!

WIFAN wrote:Ok, seriously, that is disgraceful, match changing umpiring. How on earth is that out? We've been totally and utterly robbed there.

You Snooze, you lose.

Hill's a Snoozer, no? Well, bollocks, I stand by it anyway.

Cook's doing a Strauss with the field?

How many matches will the jaded Anderson play?

238/9 but an innings with 9 sixes, bizarro.

Doesn't look enough at the oval but as mentioned at southampton, england have Bres batting too high at 7

WIFAN, you know I have a soft spot for WI and I love watching Gayle smash it in that cool way; but that was out; pad first. The ball deviated onto the bat from the pad. It was close, but really no doubt about it. The slo-mo replays make it quite clear.

This is some red hot power play cricket...

Windies attack doesn't cut the mustard.

Dello wrote:This is some red hot power play cricket...

At least we got to 60 this time, rather than 50.

First 10 Over PPs:

1st ODI - 41/60 were dot balls
2nd ODI - 33/60 were dot balls