In the absence of any meaningful football for a while, anyone object if we have a thread dedicated to summer sports, but cricket in particular as the WC starts next week (with England as favourites on home turf) If there's no takers, I can soon lock or delete it. Anyhoo, just announced England squad - I'm pleased Curran made the cut ahead of Willey England squad Eoin Morgan (capt, Middlesex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (wk, Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
I'm also happy that Tom Curran made the cut. I think, with a bit more experience, he could be our new beefy. I just hope England haven't peaked too early!
Did anyone spot Joe Root's brother Billy has been banned from bowling until he can correct his action?
I can't ever get too excited about cricket, if it were up against football, season wise I think it would die. For me it is a semi Ok filler for the off season. Bah!
Many people can't, that's why I asked if anyone would object to a thread. Let's embrace sunshine, strawberries, willow, leather, and Perrier Jouet for a couple of months while the football season is closed
Whilst I can't get too excited, I can't imagine how anyone could get offended by a thread about it either. Its not like the political threads that can garner such strong and passionate arguements. I suppose that depends though on weather you like your spinners Off or Leg? Bah!
We have a great team and chance to win this. BUT it only takes one bad performance, We are worthy favourites. Looking forward to it.
I have just watched Malinga take four wickets in four balls at a previous World Cup and I wonder if his bowling action has ever been questioned. It looks like throwing to me but what do I know?
It's a very low, 'slingy', round arm action but because the arm remains locked straight throughout the ball he bowls is deemed legit. There's something in the laws about 'having no more than a 15% bend in the arm at the point of delivery' or similar - but in truth it makes the offside rule in football look simple to comprehend Thing with Malinga is that his arm is so low that batsmen often can't see the ball against the black sight-screen at the other end as it's too low in the sky! For a real 'Bambi on ice' bowling action, try and watch India's Jasprit Bumrah. Only about an 8 pace run up, arms and legs flailing everywhere but what a tricky bowler to read / put away for runs. Three days to go
Thanks for the comprehensive explanation Cromer, it was the 15% rule that I was not sure of, I thought it may have referred to degrees from perpendicular
Must admit to not being able to muster much enthusiasm for the 'Wooden Spoon' cup, alias Europa League final tonight. Two of England's 'elite' top six? Boring. Especially as the cricket world cup begins for real tomorrow!! please log in to view this image
Was at the Bristol County Ground yesterday to see Windies play NZ. West Indies played like it was a T2o, but kept pace for 50 overs. 420+ score with big hitters all the way down the order. Their pace bowling quartet were exceptional too. Really think they could be a danger to anyone in this tournament.
Even good old Google getting into the spirit of it - and using Malinga in their graphic, it seems!! https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl
Nice mnessage from david Willey, especially as he was omitted from the final England squad at the final cut
Ben Stokes just takes what is possible the best catch ever.Absolutely fantastic. Now he is bowling,after scoring most runs in Englands innings. MOM probably??