Super 10 Group 1: England v Sri Lanka at Delhi

[quote author=dillinger10 link=topic=103395.msg686223#msg686223 date=1459013418]
I can't take much more of this. It's never easy with England. Top top credit to Jordan and Stokes at the end. They got their line and length right on every ball. England helped out by the fact that Mathews was playing on one leg at the end.

Somehow, some way, against all odds, England have advanced to the semi-finals and will most likely face New Zealand (barring West Indies losing to Afghanistan).
[/quote]

O ye, of little faith.

Twas a close one but we got there and on course for the final.

The 19th over was crucial and Jordan delivered.

What a valiant effort by Angelo making me tick with apprehension.

We are more comfortable chasing so it would keep us in good stead having defended a close one.

My only criticism is that, on the day, the spinners showed little or no thinking. I know they have generally been good but Matthews could not move well and they gave him half volleys, ball after ball.

I would put that down to one of those things.

I think this is a good England team with the ability of any one or two doing it big on the day.

Roy showed some maturity today but my man Halo is languishing in failure just now.

He will come good.

I know we can overturn the Kiwis so best of luck lads....

Come on you England....

[quote author=The Captain link=topic=103395.msg686207#msg686207 date=1459012696]
Down to the wire
What a catch
[/quote]
Indeed. Catches win matches. Six inches higher and that was four runs leaving Sri Lanka needing 13 from 9.

[quote author=ketchim link=topic=103395.msg686252#msg686252 date=1459018293]
Hales is a worry for Kiwis 3 prong Spin attack next Wednesday !

should Vince get back in ?
[/quote]
Both Roy (18.27 ave) and Hales (15.22 ave) have struggled over the last 12-months. While they are destructive batsmen that can get the innings off to a flying start (see their partnership against South Africa as evidence of this), neither has a fifty over this period and all too often they don't hang around for long.

I am a big fan of James Vince. I thought he should have been in the XI from the start. He is very good against spin, excelled in the four T20I's he has played so far (36.75 ave at a strike-rate of 119.51) and had a fantastic NatWest Blast campaign last year for Hampshire (59.17 ave).

For better or worse, England have determined that Roy and Hales are the best opening pair and will be given every opportunity to fail. As Mail noted above, Roy showed great maturity in his innings against Sri Lanka. He used his feet exceptionally well against the spinners (something he has not always done) and paced his innings perfectly - it was just a shame he couldn't quite kick on and get that big score. He has had a decent tournament so far so it would be harsh for him to miss out.

Hales has struggled in his three innings and looked a little lost to be honest, but I can't see any way in which he is dropped from the side (unless his back injury flares up again).

I give Morgan a lot of credit for his team selection in this match. He resisted the urge to play a third spinner, and as it turned out, the extra seamer won them the match as Mo and Rash were carted all around the ground. Plunkett has been tremendous in the two matches he has played (8 overs, 1/35).

It is getting interesting !