India look set to follow Pakistan as shock exits from the World Cup, after failing to beat Sri Lanka which would have ensured progression through to the Super 8. Bangladesh will take their place provided they don’t lose to Bermuda.
India won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat, and despite starting slowly, forged their way to 254 for 6 off their 50 overs. Tharanga top scored at the head of the innings with 64, with Silva backing him up with 59. Dilshan, Arnold and Vaas added an extra 50 runs off not very many balls at the end of …read more

There were no prisoners yesterday, as the first weekend of the cricket World Cup 2007 claimed two high profile victims. First up was Pakistan versus Ireland, and on St. Patrick’s day of all days. And although the Irish rugby team narrowly missed out on the Six Nations crown, the Irish cricket team were on top form to embarass one of the teams tipped to win the World Cup. As was the norm for these “giants vs minnows” matches, the giants were batting first, but were humbled by some superb bowling and were bowled out cheaply for just 132. The innings …read more

Less than a week ago I described how England had plunged to a new low. I asked what words could be used to describe the state of English question. I was bemused, befuddled and, erm, besaddled with erm, disgust. After England got stuffed yet again, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m stuck in some sort of bizarre cricketing Groundhog Day, but instead of Bill Murray it’s Fred Flintoff. “Watch out for that Australian team, it’s a doozie!”
England needed just 35 overs to get themselves bowled out for 110, and Australia took just 24 overs to knock the runs off for …read more

Would you believe that I actually had a much longer post all written out here, but thanks to the wonder that is the Internet, it didn’t get processed properly and I ended up with nothing.
But maybe it’s fate? After all, what else is there to be said about another lacklustre performance from England? And this time against New Zealand, England received their hardest spanking of the tour to date. 120 all out is nothing short of piss-poor.
England’s top order, with the slight exception of Ed Joyce, who, 6th time lucky managed to find a glimmer of form with …read more

I was in two minds as to whether to simply post a blank entry here, to try and symbolise being speechless about the latest debacle. Just when I thought it really couldn’t get much worse, it did, as England were beaten by an innings inside 3 days. Australia didn’t even post a gigantic total, 419, which in being-beaten-by-an-innings terms is pretty paltry, in fact maybe it’s a question for Bill ‘Bearded Wonder’ Frindall. I digress. To lose by an innings and 91 inside 3 days is nothing short of disgraceful and a new low in English cricket. But it can …read more

England failed to maintain a hold on the Ashes as Australia’s bowlers successfully took the 5 remaining wickets required to regain the Ashes. KP and Flintoff made a valiant start at the job, but after Flintoff was out on 51, the remaining 4 wickets cost just 14 runs, despite Monty managing to string it out beyond lunch. Kevin Pietersen was left not out on 60. Mike Hussey was named man of the match for his 74* and 103 and the Australians were understandably overjoyed about reclaiming the Urn, which it seems all Australians believe rightfully belongs in Australia. Given the …read more

I nearly started this entry with “Despite our best intentions” but I thought better of it. Why? Because I don’t think you can really doubt England going about things with their best intentions. Many punters around the various blogs and forums have described England’s lack of commitment as “shameful”, suggesting that our men are not giving it everything. It’s perhaps not a bad conclusion to draw, as on all too many occasions it seems that England have simply stopped trying or taken the outcome of a game as a given. No such criticism could ever be levelled at the Australians. …read more

Words can barely describe. I have so few words I can barely complete. Sentences. It defies all sense of understanding. It’s just, so… bad. Being an England fan is such a difficult task. So many questions. No answers. Just a pitiful sense of frustration and disbelief.

If it helps you to do the Baldrick voice when reading the above title, then please, feel free. In fact, you can just imagine it now:
“What are we going to do about winning the Ashes?”
“I have a cunning plan, m’Lord”
“Oh, do you?”
“Yes, and it’s so cunning you could brush your teeth with it.”
“OK, let’s hear it.”
“Well, m’Lord. We all know that Australia are a better side than us. The only way we’re going to win the Ashes is by getting knocked out of the Champions Trophy, so that we have lots and lots of rest, whereas they continue to tire …read more

Well, well, well. The ICC Champions Trophy just got interesting. After England got stuffed against India earlier this week, things were beginning to look a bit hopeless ahead of the Ashes warmup on Saturday. But goshdarnit if the group wasn’t just blown wide open as West Indies didn’t just pull down the Aussies’ pyjamas and spank Wipeout all over their bare naked tooshie.