World Cup needs thrilling final
Barbados - The neutral observer to the final will ask for nothing more than something the World Cup has lacked virtually from beginning to end: a decent tight game with a close finish.
While there has been widespread criticism for the unnecessarily protracted format of the tournament, the fact that the cricket has also been so mundane has not helped the overall feeling of disillusionment. It really has been deeply frustrating.
After two one-sided semi-finals, let's hope we are repaid by something special from Australia and Sri Lanka, who both entirely deserve to have reached the last stage.
The Aussies will start as favourites, simply because of their remarkable unbeaten run of 28 World Cup games, and backed by their formidable performances here. Indeed, apart from one crazy half-hour period against England, Australia have not been pressed at all.
But Sri Lanka could unseat them. Not many teams have three out and out wicket-takers in this form of the game, and in Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka have genuine match-winners.
Malinga gives his captain two bites of the cherry because he provides real speed at the start of an innings, and then devastating reverse swing at the end.
Let's not forget, either, that Malinga has never played against Australia in a one day game before - and last played a Test against them in July 2004. Not many of these batsmen will have faced anything like it.
You would think that Sri Lanka are likely to be at their most dangerous by bowling second. The pitches here have generally slowed up considerably during the day, which has not helped teams chasing targets.
Sri Lanka's support bowlers, Jayasuriya, Arnold and Maharoof thrive in those conditions - but Barbados has been the exception, and the ball has really flown through in the first hour or so, and then behaved more predictably in the afternoon.
This might well tempt Ricky Ponting to put Sri Lanka in to bat first, and see how they fare against the pace of Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken's early swing and Glenn McGrath's persistence.
Sri Lanka can be at their most dangerous when they have their backs to the wall, allowing Jayasuriya and Tharanga to bat with total abandon.
Who could ever forget their amazing chase for 322 to beat England at Headingley last year? Not only did they knock off the huge target, but they did so with more than 12 overs to spare!
We will settle for more of that excitement on Saturday – but it will take a remarkable match to change the overall mood and make this World Cup finish on a high.
Well i have to say that as a sri lankan supporter, i have seen many people say that we are at war against australia becuase of what murali's action is, but i would like to say that there is only such thing for the sake of cricket and nothing else personally...
The match should be an absolute thriller in my opinion becuase these are arguably two of the best teams to play the game in the past couple of years.... after many early upsets like pakistan skittling against ireland and india following the same fate against bangladesh(who also beat SA!!)
i hope we can have a FAIR match where there are no stupid decisions nor appeals from anyone and it is played in true cricket spirit and the best team should win
Complain about this postWorld Cup Fever
Aubrey Joachim, the Bard, composes for us all
It's 96 all over again!
The year the Lankans cricket did reign
It's time to stop and watch once more
The Sri Lankan Lion begin to roar!
While cricket is a gentleman's game
The cup final is but brawn against brain
With the Aussies flexing their brutal might
The Lankans brains will gently fight!
While woodchopper Ponting will cut and swing
Gentle Mahela with his bat will sing
Ricky will spit, and chew and weep
When Jayawardene's bat will paddle and sweep
McGrath will charge in cursing and swearing
Murali will spin them laughing and smiling
Symonds brades are certainly no match
When swinger Malinga's locks all eyes will catch
Sangakkara will, with legal ease
Outsmart Gillie with taunt and tease
Jayasuriya will cut, drive and chop
Leaving Hayden in a heap of flop
With the sign of the cross, Vaas will start
The Australian batting to take apart
Tharanga will surely leave young Bracken
Torn, tattered and oh so broken
So let cricket's battle royal begin
May the best team on the day win
Let's play the gentleman's game in good spirit
Let not cursing, swearing and sledging wreck it!
Complain about this postthats one way to look at it.
Complain about this postor the aussies just crushing the valiant sri lankans. more likely, unfortunately
Ye none forgot the chase against England, because Agnew wanted to compare English bowling attack to the Aussies. The same english were wiped head to tail in ashes,
Complain about this post11 Sri Lankan 'Spartans' do battle with the mighty Australians!
Hope it's a great final!
Complain about this postMy prediction for this match:-
Sri Lanka inns:
Jayasuriya b.Hogg 81
Tharanga c.Hussey b.McGrath 16
Sangakara c.Watson b.McGrath 54
Jayawardene not out 112
Silva st. Gilchrist b.Hogg 32
Dilshan not out 41
Extras 15
Total 351 for 4 (50 overs)
Australia inns:
Hayden c.Tharanga b.Maharoof 41
Gilchrist c.Jayasuriya b.Malinga 11
Ponting lbw b.Vaas 7
Clarke b.Vaas 32
Hussey lbw b.Muralitharan 50
Symonds c.Sangakara b.Muralitharan 2
Watson b.Muralitharan 0
Hogg st.Sangakara b.Muralitharan 3
Bracken not out 11
Tait c.Jayawardene b.Muralitharan 4
McGrath b.Jayasuriya 4
Extras 23
Total 188 all out (41.2 overs)
SRI LANKA WIN BY 163 RUNS TO WIN THE ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP
Man of the Match: Jayawardene
Complain about this postMan of the Tournament: Jayawardene
Best Bowler of Tournament: McGrath
Best Batsman of the Tournament: Hayden
MOM (Aus) : Hussey
MOM (SL): Jayasuriya
Go Sri Lanka Go.
Complain about this postIt is time to dethrone the Aussies.
Sri Lanka are the only team in the competition who on current form can challenge Australia. They have a good mix of experience, talent and class. Jayasuriya, Jayawardene, Murali, Vaas and Sangakara are all bone fide world class players, and Malinga has that x factor that might just tip the balance.
That said, Australia have been at there bullying best in the World Cup. It shows what a crucial player Hayden is. He is out of form in England in 2005 and Australia look a completely different team. He is on tip top form in the 2007 CWC and Australia appear unbeatable. Want to beat Australia, get Hayden quickly. Oh and Gilchrist, then make sure Ponting can't play himself in, oh and get rid of Clark before he gets going, then hope Symonds doesn't pound the ball out of the ground. And make sure you keep McGrath, Tait and Bracken out. And be grateful Brett Lee isn't fit.
Complain about this postHello everyone,
I think this match will be a close finish than many would suggest. It would be pretty purile to assume that Aussies have already won without a ball being bowled. On the day a little mistake could turn the whole match completely upside down. If Sanath gets a good start and stays at the wicket then no matter whoever bowls would get a hard time. That is why I believe perhaps Sri Lanka may have a target bowler, it could be Tait, Watson or even Hogg. If runs flow from those two, nothing McGrath can do about it. Its all about sensible play, definitely not what Proteas did in the semis and got bowled out.
As of umpires decision which is paramount to the sides concerned I wish please please no absurd decisions in this final 'cos that will blow up anything interesting to look forward to.
My prediction is Aus 279/8 in 50 overs SL 283/7 in 48.5 overs. SL winning by 3 wickets.
Little less glamorous than 1996 but a win is a win nonetheless!
Sri Lanka all the way!
Thanks
Complain about this postJRJ
Murli? ok, birth defect.
But what about Malinga? He is clearly throwing the ball.
Complain about this postI WOULD RATE THE AUSSIES AS FAVOURITES.BUT THEY HAVEN'T FACED VAAS,MALINGA AND MURALI IN THIS WC.THEY MAY TACKLE VAAS AND MURALI BUT IT IS TOUGH TO GET AWAY MALINGA.AS I AM AN AUSSIE SUPPORTER,I WOULD LIKE THEM TO WIN BUT CAN'T WRITE OFF THE LANKANS.ITS GOING TO BE A GOOD CONTEST.MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN
Complain about this postExcellent analysis, Jonathan.
Thanks for reminding readers about Malinga's exceptional abilities, but he is too inexperienced.I want Shri Lanka to win but cannot see how it can happen. Hayden, Ponting, McGrath are simply formidable, almost frighteningly so.
Complain about this postI'm sure the Aussies can handle whatever Sri Lanka throws their way.
Complain about this postJonathan seems to have forgotten the two tight finishes Sri Lanka were involved in - against South Africa and England.
Complain about this postI'm sure the Aussies can handle whatever Sri Lanka throws their way.
But here is hoping for a good close match regardless of outcome.
Complain about this postKanna, do you have the sports Almanac from Back to the Future? Have you come back in time and already know the score? Have you considered the implications of coming back, maybe you have changed something and caused the aussies to win. Perhaps you have even stopped yourself from being born, because your parents are going to meet in the after match frenzy and conceive you. Hang on, if you destroy yourself before you were born, who comes back to destroy you, then the match goes on as before and you are born, but then you come back in time and release the match score, and then aren't born again ....... AAAAAAAAAAAH! Maybe this is some new mind games, by making everyone think you come from the future with the right result you will make it happen because the aussies will realise the seeming inevitability of the result and it will become so.
Complain about this postAfter reading number of responses I just have feeling that number of people are too optimistic about the match.
Clearly the Aussies are winning -
One the pitch suit them, its not a turner. Good bounce will support the aussie batsmen than sri lankan.
Secondly Sri Lanka doesn't have batting dept and they will be asked too many questions for their liking.
Unlike the semi finals Sri Lanka has to get out of its shell. Which may leave their conservative batting approach in the tournament exposed.
This is for the people who are just banking on Murali then guys he is the same bowler who was about to become the first bowler to concede hundred in ODI in sydney. So the aussies know him inside out.
Get ready for the third one sided final in the World Cup and amazingly it had to be third sub continental side.
Well played Sri Lanka but its not time yet. Aussies are too strong, powerful, disciplined and clear about what they need to do.
Finally don't be surprised if the occasion get to Malinga. After all Sri Lanka is banking too much on him on a bouncy track.
Complain about this postJonathan does not seem to recall his arrogant prediction of a Kiwi Oz final. At least he has learnt a lesson and is not predicting anything. How hard it must for the tea- and crumpets Pommies to have a S.Asian team beat New Zealand aka little England to the finals.
Complain about this postThe final is going to be another one sided affair in favour of Australia. I do not believe Malinga will have any impact on the Australian batsmen. As for Murali, let us not forget that a couple of years back, in the VB series finals, he went for 0-99 in 10 overs gainst these batsmen.
Complain about this postThis is a hard game to pick.im glad i dont have any money on the outcome.
Complain about this postThese are the best oneday teams in the world at the moment.
Im going to sit on the fence and just hope for a nail biter.
As you say Jonathan it needs something to lift what has been a very dull world cup!.
Australia will smash Sri Lanka.
Don't need to say an more reallly...Apart from CHUCKERS....
Complain about this postAustralia played like champions and deserve to be in Finals. Sri Lanka really played like lions and almost every team suffered at their hands. I hope that for sake of cricket Sri Lanka wins tomorrow. Fleming was right that they have the best bowling attack in the world at the moment. But, taking down five top Aussie batsman would be a huge task. I hope they win the toss and score somewhere around 280-290. Then, that's game on and they are also a very good fielding side. Vaas is class act, for Malinga, Aussies haven't played them since 2004. Then, you have the old wizard Murali. The only concern I have the Sri Lankan batting, if they score 270 above, it would be tough ask for the Aussies. I am putting my money on the Sri Lankan lions. Let the game begin
Complain about this postAggars - what happened to your English team?? This is the same team that you reckon will start favourites in the 2009 Ashes...
C'mon Aggars - they are a joke!! Still in celebration mode after winning the Ashes in 2005 and the CB series. Anyone would have thought they'd just won the world cup the way they carried on after that series victory.
You called the Australians bullies?? Well, if your mob had a bit of mongrel in them, maybe they wouldn't be the world's biggest under-achievers!!!!
About time English sport stood-up...
Complain about this postWorld cup need more knock outs. Then only we will have more tight finishes.
Complain about this postThe Aussies deserve to win in my opinion. No other team has thrown everything they've got in every single match no matter the opponent. People should stop moaning about the one-sided games and appreciate the level of standards the wining athletes put in to win comfortably. Everyone was praising Phelps for his superiority in the pool and they should do the same here. Wish can get live TV coverage in Samoa but will settle for BBC web coverage at 3am!
Complain about this postWell done Jonathan.
I thought for a while that BBC sacked you for the bias report on SL-NZ match. It’s good to be neutral and analyse with open mind. However you lost lot of credibility. Many will agree with you this time. Yes, you are right that Aus are favourites. So they were in 1996 and at that time SL was almost minnow. On a given day SL could win against anyone and I feel that Aus have the gut feeling that it’s going to be not easy. I feel that SL could upset Aus.
Good luck SL and looking forward to a good match.
Complain about this postThere has been so much rubbish written about this from so many ignorant, childish and bigoted people. It is just a cricket match. Cricket will survive an Australian victory and Australia will survive a Sri Lankan victory.
Aussies aren't arrogant - they just happen to be very good - but it won't always be thus. So appreciate their excellence while you can. Sri Lankans aren't herioc lions - they are just cricketers carrying a nation's hopes. Both want to win, both deserve their place in the final and either would be a worthy winner. Australia because they are clearly the best, Sri Lanka because they are clearly the top challenger and to be champions they must beat the best.
I for one will be happy just to see a contest in a SIGNIFICANT match. There have been so many insignificant and one sided matches. The tournament seems to have gone on forever.
As for the contributors to this and other bloggs - if your team isn't good enough to match the Aussies on the field, accept it graciously. Criticising them as arrogant or whatever won't make you any better - just bitter. And the worst kind of loser is a bitter one.
Complain about this postCongratulations to both teams on reaching the Final.
Let's hope it's an exciting match.
I think if both teams play their best the Australians will win. The Lankans can win if the Aussies have an off day.
May the best team win
Complain about this postA day dreamer's scenario; Australians crumble like a cookie, every Sri Lankan plays like a superman. Or the Aussies prevail as the form suggests. For the sake of cricket lets hope that does not come to pass. Lets have a knife-edge game of cricket where everyone deserves what he gets and the umpires do not make any blunders. That alone will relieve the ennui generated by this long drawn out extravaganza. I expect the toss winner will elect to bat first, Sri Lanka certainly as Australia can only be rattled while chasing. A Murli-McGrath magic show.
Complain about this postHi Mr. Jonathan Agnew
Great pleasure to hear from you after along lull after your famous dream that NZ will thrash SL at semis?
So much enthusiasm to hear your very similar final dream on final who will beat who than a general thrill
Good luck boy
Complain about this postThe clash of the titans . Sri lankans are 11 bravehearts against 11 lionhearts of australia . The battle is just being raised.
Complain about this postNo, nonesense talks about SL's major wicket takers being branded as "CHUCKERS". This one word will enough for SL team to play to their potential and clinch world cup once again in year 2007.
Remember, that no one can demoralise SL team players morals by commenting such CHILDISH talks. If they are chucking, then what was the ICC doing all these years?
This match will not be decided not only by "CHUCKERS" (if you still branded them as so)alone, but by every other members of this SL team. Cricket is a team game and what will they say if Vaas, Mahroof and Jayasuriya strikes with wickets and Jayasuriya, Mahela, Tharanga and Sangakkara blasts AUST, bowlers to all round the graound to to clinch World Cup?. May be then they will invent a new theory to brand Jayasuriya, Mahela, Sangakkarar, Tharanga and Co as CHEATERS or in any other new word.
Please let the players(in both teams) to play their natural game. IF ANY PLAYER OR PLAYERS IS PROVOCATED, THEN WELL, THEY WILL SHOW THEIR REAL CLASS AND THE OPPOSING TEAM WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES.
I think, SL players have already been provocated and no one can stop them from hereon clinching WC.
Best wishes for SL team.
Complain about this postAll these people who call the Sri Lankan bowlers "chuckers" certainly are afraid of the outcome of today's match.. No wonder these dudes are half sure SL will kick some Kangaroo *ss. I think the other teams that played against the aussies through out the tournament so far have lost wickets unnecessarily because of this make-feel "fear" of the name "Australian cricket". I think England or Kiwi bowling attack is better than that of Aussies' except McGrath. Since Australia is a team relying on power, getting 2 or 3 early wickets can put them in deep trouble.. Sri Lanka have to be more concerned about their batting.. Get rid of Hayden, Ponting early and half the Aussie team is gone.. I would like to see Sri Lanka lifting the cup as they've been playing "smart" cricket and i think they deserve to win the cup.
Complain about this postI must have been watching a different world cup, England had at least three thrilling finishes - against Australia, Sri Lanka and the Windies or do they not count if we only win one of them.
I am sure the Irish and Bangladesh supporters were thrilled enough on their way to the early upsets caused by their respective teams.
Certainly the world cup format has dragged on a little but I think that the correspondants reporting over in the caribbean would not have as much to say on the matter if England had played like Australia all the way through it.
Complain about this postIt sounds like australia vs the rest of the world. Go Australia make it three in a row ,looks like its going to be another white wash game.Enjoyable to watch as an aussie shame its nearly all over stayed up every night watching all games and yes best two teams are in the final. make us aussies even prouder.
Mcgrath this one is for you.
Complain about this postShawn Martin, we need more of those!
Complain about this post.
Aussies are playing excellent cricket, and are ruthless and brutal when it matters. See how they crushed Proteas in the semi.
My wishes are with SL of course, but it takes more than an excellent performance from them on the day to seriously upset the Aussies from claiming a hat-trick of cups.
Jack1949 (message 27) - Jonathan did not write to post-match report on the Sri Lanka v New Zealand match. It was in fact written by my colleague Paresh Soni and concluded with the words "I for one would not bet against this multi-talented team securing Sri Lanka’s second World Cup triumph" so I fail to see how that is biased against Sri Lanka.
geneva lynn (message 31) - in his preview of the semi-finals, Jonathan did not say New Zealand would "thrash" Sri Lanka. He did tip the Kiwis to win on the basis that the pitch in Jamaica should have suited them - but even BBc cricket correspondents get it wrong sometimes.
A number of you persist in labelling members of the Sri Lankan team "chuckers". In my opinion, this is an argument to be had another day - if Sri Lanka win, it will be a wonderful achievement by them. Instead of carping about Murali's action, why not celebrate him for the wonderful cricketer that he is? Instead of running down Malinga, why not accept him as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket?
Complain about this postArjun, please understand the definition of chucking before you call Malinga's action as a throw. His arm is the straightest when the delivery is done. The confusion arises because of the sideways sling action which is brilliant. Traditional coaching always teaches you to release the ball when the arm is in line above the head as it provides greater control. Malinga is obviously an exception and defies the coaching manual.
Complain about this postAnd as for calling Murali a chucker, it is better than the dirty tactic of bowling underarm to win a match!
The best two sides are in the final with some of the best players in the world today. Let us hope to have an exciting game of cricket and may the best team on the day win.
We shold pray for nail biting final this time. Last three previous world cup finals were one sided.
Sri Lanka has golden opprotunity to win the world cup second time and beat the same opponent. On the other hand OZ would like to make a new history in cricket world cup winning three finals in a row.
In 1983 world cup final the situation was almost the same for the Caribbean. The West Indies were all set to win the three successive world cups. They were the hot farvourite. Indians had only outside chance. In the final at Lords when India bundled out for partly 183 runs, then many Indian viewers switched off their TV and Radio sets. But cricket is a game of great uncertainty. Kapil Dev and his men fought galantly and flattened the Clive Lloyd team on the turf.
At the outset OZ is favourite. But the Islanders have the capability to overcome the Aussies. They have the quality bowlers like Vaas, Muralidharan and Malinga, they can fox any batting lineup. 1996 world cup hero Jayasurya is an unpredictable element, he can change the comlexion of any match, the skipper himself is in tremendous nick. Lanka is looking very tough opponent for the Kangaroos at least on paper.
Ricky Ponting should not forget their recent defeats before the world cup. Today would be the real test of both the captains. The team who will keep the nerve will emerge as the winner.
Its now only time will tell will Lanka add another glory in their cricket histroy, or Australia's domination in world cup contiune. Wait and watch1
Complain about this postWhoever wins it, the World Cup 2007 will be forever overshadowed by the murder of Bob Woolmer.
When the dust has settled I hope that the ICC will look at the structure and length of this interminable tournament and do something about it, but I'm not holding my breath.
Complain about this postSo Jonathan Agnew, just to go back to your previous blog before this, you said: "Complete guesses of course, but I take Australia to beat South Africa, and New Zealand to beat Sri Lanka." I am afraid your guessing turned out to be wrong.
You complained that Sri Lanka had left out some of their fast bowlers against the previous match with Australia. You failed to take on New Zealand, who also rested their players.
What is so pathetic about most of the blogs of the BBC sport commentators is that they have all missed the realy story. How has it been possible for a country like Sri Lanka, with a a very low per capita income, to take on and crumble the well-endowed nations like New Zealand and England.
There is no comparison in the funds or technology that is available for the Sri Lankan team as against England, for instance. Or the cricketing facilities that are available in Sri Lanka, as against coaching academies, gear and money available in either England or Australia.
Yet tiny Sri Lanka has beaten some of the "mighty". Remember, the ODI whitewash against England in the 2006 tour. Best of luck to both the Sri Lankans and the Aussies today. Enjoy yourselves.
Complain about this postmy score board,
if SL bat first
tharanga c gilchrist b. bracken 12
jayasooriya c ponting .b symmond 86
jayawardene notout 105
sangakkara b.hogg 112
silva c.tait b mcgrath 13
dilshan not out 04
total 332/4
hayden c.sangakkara b.vaas 04
gilchrist lbw malinga 36
ponting c.arnold b.murali 86
clarke c.sangakkara b.vaas 33
hussey lbw mahroof 29
symonds c.malinga b. murali 21
watson lbw murali 49
tait b.murali 25
hogg b.vaas 18
bracken lbw malinga 11
mc grath not out 18
total all out 330
well done srilanka best match in the tournament.
Complain about this postI myself think that the Aussies will steam roller Sri Lanka unless Sri Lanka bat first and Jayasuria gets stuck into Taits wide balls
Complain about this postI agree with Don... No wonder most of the BBC commentators wanted NZ and Aus in the final and they must be so disappointed now. Being a Sri Lankan, i am not too optimistic about today's match but i hope SL will will the cup and end Aussies' winning spree. I think the Aussies have been killing the spirit of the game of cricket by playing exceptional one sided cricket (that i admit) and either other teams must match their skills or the Aussies must be taken down to others' teams' levels. Anyway, the top two teams have made it to the finals no doubt about that. We'll see who's gonna lift the cup in a few hours.. Mahela or Ponting....
Complain about this postgood one.realy statistic realy well.
Complain about this postLook, this is really Sri Lanka's match. they have a better team than Australia do. The Austalian to order has not been exposed to the likes of Malinga; they will crumble like biscuit pudding. Chmara Silva is to an extent unstoppable. Tou people call yourselves fans of cricket. How can you say that withrealising the Chamara SIlva got 69 against Australia two weeks ago, when Sri Lanka rested their mainstream bowlers. Gilchrist is useless btw!
Complain about this postCome on sri lanka!! I've backed you since the start of this competion, so win this for us- your fanatical fans. You've got the itinery andthe motivation to win. Go on lankans, beat the aussies and beat 'em bad!!!
Complain about this posti have also backed sri lanka throughout the tournament and my fantasy cricket team includes; malinga, murali, tharanga and mahela J. in my opinion the final hinges on the performance of Tharanga; if he hits a big one then sri lanka wil win. However in my team i also have Mcgrath and Ponting. If Ponting is on fire then australia will win. Sri Lanka are stong the aussies are stronger. Both have quality wicket keeper batsmen, but gillie is better. Both have big hitters but symonds is better, both have wiley old bowlers, mcgrath is better than vaas. i want sri lanka but australia will win.
Complain about this postPlease don't let Australia win. I'm a Pom living here, and it's a beautiful country, but are there worse winners on earth? If Australia wins I'm going to have this rammed in my face for months. Australians are bad enough losers but when they win they take to another level.
Go Sri Lanka (please)
Complain about this postThe team with the most heart shall win this final-and that's Sri Lanka.
Complain about this postI have a magic crystal ball - let me look into it to see what happens......
Sri Lanka will lose the toss and Ponting will elect to Bowl first. The Sri Lankans put a total on the board of 286 with Jayasuriya and Sangakara in a partnership that is the bulk of the innings. Thuranga and Silva do a bit too.
Australia then are put to bat and in a shock Hayden is gone in Malingas first over. Austraila approach the total with Ponting still in but 9 wickets down and Murali takes the last wicket with the second to last ball with 4 needed off the last over. The three wicket takers in Sri Lankas attack are key.
Sri Lanka win, but somehow the Australians feel as though they could have won but either through sheer bad luck or something they don't. The crystal ball is sensing that this will be the most talked about match of the World Cup.
And Liverpool will win the Champions League.
Complain about this postWhilst the world cup may not have been the most exciting, I can't help thinking that Aggers is exagerrating, when he states there hasn't been a close game in the tournament. England lost on the last ball against Sri Lanka, they won against W Indies with a ball to spare. Let's also not forget Malinga's 4 wickets in 4 balls, or Gibbs 6 sixes in an over.
Complain about this postIt is unrealistic to expect a close finish every match, especially in this form of the game.
Even though I live in France, I have still managed to enjoy the world cup and experienced tension and drama, thanks to TMS and bbc.co.uk - thanks to all concerned.
The Real feed is not working - I just get "a general error has occurred" PLEASE fix this QUICKLY!
Complain about this postJonathan,
Yo seem to be such a pessimistic and give so much of negative commentary. You say that world cup has not been exciting. But I think we have had many close matches (sa vs srilanka, zimbabwe vs ireland, ireland vs pakistan, west indies vs england). Your commentary is so negative and laid-back. The world cup has been fun but probably not the best world cup. But it is wrong to say "that we badly need a thrilling final" etc...
Please give a more positive commentary.
Thanks
Complain about this postThe ground reality tells that it suits to Pacers in the first innings and might provide some help to spinners in the later stages.
Complain about this postAustralian are on their way to be the unbeatable in this World Cup while Sri Lankans are looking to spoil their ideas. What we have to do is to just watch their efforts that who will succeed.
I have 60 points for Australia to lift the trophy again by observing their efforts throught out the ICC WC 2007 and 40 points for their rival Sri Lankan.
I hope to watch a thrilling match.
I thoroughly disagree that this World Cup has been tedious. I've had six weeks of great pleasure from it. I listen to you whilst I'm ironing, delivering election leafaets, gardening, sewing, and this afternoon I'm making the cake for my mother's 100th birthday. Entertained all the way. The mix of teams has been great - from the ruthless skill of Australia to the unpredictable glee of Bangladesh - all jumbled together like a lucky dip, and to have all you various splendid commentators in all your different styles and accents interacting there right in front of us has been a gift.
Complain about this postI for one will be sorry to see it ended.
I thoroughly disagree that this World Cup has been tedious. I've had six weeks of great pleasure from it. I listen to you whilst I'm ironing, delivering election leafaets, gardening, sewing, and this afternoon I'm making the cake for my mother's 100th birthday. Entertained all the way. The mix of teams has been great - from the ruthless skill of Australia to the unpredictable glee of Bangladesh - all jumbled together like a lucky dip, and to have all you various splendid commentators in all your different styles and accents interacting there right in front of us has been a gift.
Complain about this postI for one will be sorry to see it ended.
Re: Post#49 AnExPom wrote:
"Please don't let Australia win. I'm a Pom living here, and it's a beautiful country, but are there worse winners on earth? If Australia wins I'm going to have this rammed in my face for months. Australians are bad enough losers but when they win they take to another level."
Ah, that good old "bad losers" chestnut.
The last resort of the losing, whinging pom.
Complain about this post281 off 38 overs....
I keep telling you that we going to smash the Sri Lankans..... does anyone believe me yet ?
And when will the narrow minded anti-australian supporters finally have the intelligence to credit this australian team with some due respect.
We have catgerically taken apart all teams.... and our best bowler (Brett Lee) isn't even at the tournament.
Just think how we could have played if we were at full strength...
Complain about this postHow can the Aussies "kill the spirit of the game" by "playing exceptional one-sided cricket""? Gordon Bennett! Which ICC-member country is going to deliberately avoid trying to play such magnificently competitive cricket in future ODIs or Tests? Unless, of course, they're aiming to leave the ICC and establish a nineteenth-century style, nice-guys-only-need-apply, Gentlemen v Players league? One-sided is as one-sided does. Well done Churchy and co - you're role models for the new generation, nationality notwithstanding, and forget the result!
Complain about this postHow about Paul Nixon for England coach?
He has all the qualities and if he's given responsibility for the team he would whip them into shape.
NIXON FOR PRESIDENT!
Complain about this postThis world cup will be remembered as proof that fans don't matter, players don't matter and a good compettiion doesnt matter. It happens that the best team won, but that's only because Australia could beat anyone and won the toss in the final.
The ICC, IRB, FIFA and all other governing bodies should remember that this is all about a basic principle of a straight competition between teams to see who is the best.
Too often, in trying to chase the mighty dollar /yuan (and the ridiculous chase for US and China is embarassing/stupidly naive), they forget those who genuinely care for the game.
Please stop trying to be a money making machine and do what you are meant to do - give us good sport!!
Complain about this posti told you so..... smashed everyone and now smashed sri lanka in the final...
281 off 38 overs....
And when will the narrow minded anti-australian supporters finally have the intelligence to credit this australian team with some due respect.
We have catgerically taken apart all teams.... and our best bowler (Brett Lee) isn't even at the tournament.
Just think how we could have played if we were at full strength...
Complain about this post(post 46.) Ashan Setukara quote:
"....Gilchrist is useless btw!"
Any other words of wisdom Ashan?
Complain about this postWhat is empty about the victory? Australia were undefeated throughout the tournament and now undefeated in 29 consecutive WC matches. They beat SL convincingly in the super 8's and had the final been played over 50 overs they would probably have smashed 400+. The Sri Lankans were never likely to seriously threaten an Aussie win. Had Sri Lanka won by the DL method would anyone be questioning the legitimacy of the outcome? I doubt it.
Sri Lanka were No. 2 and tried hard but they were still not in the same league as Australia. Farcial the final and the tournament as a whole may be, but without question the best team won. There is nothing hollow about that at all.
Complain about this postI know Australia is the best team and deserves to win. But a final must look like a final. Yesterday's match was a match of 38 overs. Is a final should be of 38 overs?Rain has disrupted the game.... Once Jayasuria and Sangakara was continuing their brilliant partnership it looked to me that may be the match is going to be a very crucial match. But as there were coluds everywhere they tried to maintian the DL method and both of them got out. So, Srilanka couldn't develop their plan. And they lost. So, Australia won because Srilanka couldn't maintain DL method. and thats why I don't think it looked like a final of World Cup. and I think Rain has a good part in making the result of that match. Otherwise anything could happen.
Complain about this postJonathan, your on-screen anger at the end of this farcical apology for a cricket match was entirely appropriate.
This world cup has been a disaster of organisation from start to finish, and once the rain had intervened during the final one feared the worst....and that was what we got.
It was nothing short of a joke , and cricket will take years to recover its dignity.
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