England V Sri Lanka October 1st 2007

England were heavily trounced in Dambulla (which seemed an interesting ground with a bit of history) and in all honesty they probably lost the game when they lost the toss.

On a poor one day pitch Sri Lanka made too many runs for England to be in with a shout especially batting second under the lights.

Englands bowling had been competent without being inspiring whereas the Sri Lankan bowlers simply put the ball in the right place and let the pitch and conditions do the rest.

The English top order didn't gave their wickets away, I just think most of them were deceived by some spirited bowling.

We must end this obsession with having to have the Wicket Keeper open though, I can`t see the point of it, Mustard could be a decent player down the order and you need two proper opening batsmen in 50 overs cricket.

Whats with the reverse sweep too, Swann and Bopara almost looked like they could swing it England's way until Swann came up with a simple chance off Dilshans bowling. I seriously think the cricket authorities should ban it (because we can`t play it).

Bopara continues to impress, he always seems to walk to the crease when its a lost cause and always looks assured and you do believe in him at times.

On to the next game now Dambulla again, need to win the toss next time though.

ENGLAND V INDIA 19TH SEPTEMBER 2007

The end of the road for England as they exit the 20/20 world cup.

An exciting game which will be remembered for Yuvraj Singhs amazing 36 runs off one over, all the more amazing for the fact that Stuart Broad didn`t actually bowl disastrously bad.

England made a gallant attempt to knock the runs off but once again no batsman could finish their innings off.

What was all the mouthing off going on from Flintoff, he obviously stirred Yuvraj up so much he tore England to pieces. Flintoff looks woeful with the bat at the moment and needs to keep his trap shut until he can justify his spouting off.

I wonder if the guys will be down the lap dancing club tonight

England v New Zealand 18th September 2007

Disaster strikes as England are (all but) sent scuttling out of the 20/20 World cup.
Couldn't` watch this seen as I was at work but I lived every ball on the excellent BBC Website.

Looks to me as if yet again England failed to capitalise on the chances they were given.
They had the Kiwis struggling after 10 overs and created an opening partnership of 62 which should have seen them home.

Back to the drawing board(again) for our one day cricket team.

Maddy had a good game so I take back a little of what I said in my earlier post but he couldn't see it through to the end and I think that's were our biggest problem lies, we just don`t have enough match winners (if any) Pieterson is world class but when was the last time he finished a tight game off. Nope I can`t think of one either.

I hope the Kiwis go on to win it now beating the Aussies in the final (here's hoping anyway)

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA 16TH SEPTEMBER 2007

Another disappointing one day performance by an unexceptional England squad.

When was the last time England won a game in a major tournament against a test playing nation which actually counted for something (a rhetorical question).

England had bowled well and had restricted the South Africans until a rash of dropped catches and an impressive innings from Albie Morkel swung the game.

For me, in the batting stakes England rely too heavily on Pietersen and Collingwood and if they fail (at the same time) then it becomes an uphill struggle. Wright has not put a foot right yet, if the England selectors believe in him then he deserves a longer run in the team but they need to decide where to play him.

Prior looks out of his depth opening, why do we continue to have this obsession with a wicket-keeper who needs to open aka Adam Gilchrist, Gilchrist is a once in a lifetime cricketer and we need to move away from this nonsense of trying to emulate him.

Pieterson is a world class batsman, no doubt whatsoever but he was at fault last night. You should never amble a run in one day cricket never mind 20/20. He does make some daft mistakes sometimes for one so talented.

Not sure about Shah, he can bat no doubt about that, but his shot selection is poor at times as it was last night and that's what separates good players from the mediocre.

Flintoff looks all at sea as a batsman (at the moment), he would struggle to make New Earswick 2nd 11 on his batting alone but his bowling is as impressive as ever and he always looks England's most likely wicket taker.

Anderson and Broad are both decent bowlers and should be persevered with, Broad has also showed he can bat a bit and he can deal well with pressure.

As for Snape,Maddy, Kirtley and Schofield, well these guys have had their chance years before and failed to take it, I can`t see much changing in the next few games but It would be a turn up for the books if any of these four made a serious impact on the 20/20 World cup.

As for Dimitri Mascarenhas, its a struggle to spell his name, never mind comment about him but hes an honest player who has played pretty well for England both batting and bowling, hes more likely a short term solution as an all rounder but I think he deserves his position in the England team and should probably bat at no 6.

Anyway disappointment is brushed aside and its roll on the next game, as I write this New Zealand is less than 9 hours away. Come on England.