England do open themselves up criticism. I try and avoid KP but…
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I am holding fire on the hundred @Eoink and @HappyListener because the recent injection of cash may attract the big international stars. I suppose the ECB is still smarting from loosing out on the T20 franchises to the IPL.
I enjoy the format for both men and women, but do we, the arm chair viewer or ardent supporter, need another short form format? Perhaps the days of the ODI are over? Perhaps my attention span is shortening?
A while ago I found myself watching T10 cricket on Sky, it made me realise that 20 over games do have a flow.
I have heard people tell me that the atmosphere at the Hundred is much more family friendly than at the T20 domestic games, so in that sense it makes sense to me, but I do wonder about having another format nobody else plays.
On a linked note I have watched some of the SAT20 games on Sky, it took me a while to realise that the commentators weren’t saying “my Capetown”, the team is MI Capetown as they’re owned by Mumbai Indians. That tournament much like the IPL seems to have a good balance of international stars and domestic youngsters/uncapped players.
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I haven’t been terribly interested in these last England white ball series’. Neither have the players?
Have to feel there’s a real slump from the heady days when England T20 and ODI champions.
If the domestic T20 (or more likely the Hundred) do attract overseas stars is that actually good for domestic cricket, as opposed to the pockets of foreign investors! Scratching my head on that one.
Trying not to be a luddite but cricket is changing fast in ways that are mostly leaving me behind.
Bruce
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Been watching Pak v NZ in the ICC WC – Pakistan only 22-2 after 10-over Powerplay chasing lots…a good game to win!
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I’m listening to it. NZ seem very strong. I would be amazed if Pakistan get anywhere near this total. But I’m often wrong.
You were right. They didn’t. NZ impressive; apparently there had been questions about their bowling. Not sure why on the evidence of yesterday. But it was their fielding that stood out for me including one of the all time great catches.
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Oh dear, I was hoping Bangladesh might give India a good game….
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Their pace attack is raw, but a slow-ish track with turn helped them IMHO, with the Pakistan top-order batsmen non-plussed as to what to do. On a non-turning & pacier strip (unlikely in Pakistan?!), things could have been different – but full credit to the NZ team, who played the conditions very well, and fielded especially well. Someone at the ECB needs to investigate Phillips’ ancestry, as he played a blinder (batting/bowling spin/superb gully fielder) 
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Well Hridoy changed that position.
Well, they’ve got a score to try and defend – and Dubai strips can be a tad variable.
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Rohit’s drop from the hat trick ball looks significant at the moment.
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Ok chaps are you ready for this evenings game, good verse evil. 
We’ve not had a great lead up and are missing a lot of players however I’m sure we’ll give it a go. Always interesting playing you guys.
It’s only on Prime here and behind a paywall, luckily I have Prime.
I shall be keeping half an eye on it Pete. England go into it talking a good story, but the recent tour of India hardly inspires buckets of confidence. I read today no Starc, Cummins or Hazelwood. Well that might be of some help? Time will tell.
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England exemplifying ‘play yourself in’ again - not 
…only 5 overs gone.
England seem still keen to hit the ball in the air to where fielders are.
It’s a strategy they have been keen on for some time.
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These guys need to be paying a match fee, not receiving one then, perhaps, they would hang around. Easy wicket, fast outfield, poor shots…
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At last, someone using his brain. Were you watching Harry Brook??
"Ben Duckett, a prolific sweeper against spinners, has played only nine sweep shots in this innings scoring 17 runs, 11% of the deliveries he’s faced from spin leading up to that dismissal today. Across his career, Duckett usually plays 19% sweeps shots.
Adam Zampa is usually a tricky spinner when batters have tried to sweep him. In ODIs since the start of 2022, Zampa has 25 wickets at an average of 10.0 when batters have look to play the sweep - the best of all spinners in the timeline. Duckett has shown another case of curbing his natural game to find an effective way to excel in this innings." BBC Website.
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On this track, I fear England are ~40 or so short given the Aussies bat very deep. Both Smiths batting too high in their respective orders judging by the shots they played.
I think England would have been happy with their score, it was at least par. Doesn’t look enough at the moment, I have only watched bits but England seamers bowling both sides of the wicket too much.
And Australia know how to knock the ball around.
Edit: Can’t remember when England last won a game.