Cricket Viewpoint - News, Opinion, Analysis

England beat Ireland by 48 runs at the World Cup today.

However, it wasn’t an entirely convincing display. Winning the toss, England chose to bat scoring 266 for 7 in their 50 overs. The openers Ed Joyce and Michael Vaughan were both dismissed cheaply. Vaughan scoring a sumptous boundary before edging behind.

Vaughan probably needs to consider whether he should open or drop down to number 3.

Paul Collingwood was again the man for England, scoring 90 with three sixes before being run out.
Kevin Pietersen scored 48 and Andrew Flintoff 43, as England powered along to a reasonable, but not necessarily outstanding score.

Ireland scored 218 in reply in 48.1 overs. Andrew Flintoff took 3 wickets and Monty Panesar 2 wickets. Neil O’Brien was the top scorer for Ireland with 63.

So overall a win for England, but not convincing enough.

Read the full match story from the BBC here.

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Australia completed a comprehensive 103 run victory over the West Indies in the delayed match today. Glenn McGrath and Brad Hogg were the destroyers in chief, each taking 3 wickets.

With this the West Indies suffered their first defeat of the tournament.

Chasing 323 against a bowling attack that boasts the variety Australia does is a tough ask at the best of times. Fortunately for the West Indians, the dampness caused by the overnight drizzle at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua did nothing to cause exaggerated assistance for the fast bowlers early on.

However, the West Indies had a disastrous start losing 3 for 20 by the 10 over. Brian Lara led the recovery with a typically sparkling 77 and wicket keeper Dinesh Ramdin hit a half century, but it was not enough.

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Matthew Hayden slammed 158 off 143 balls, with 14 fours and 4 sixes as Australia built a commanding total of 322 for 6 off their alloted 50 overs in their super eight clash against the West Indies. Brian Lara won the toss and put Australia in to bat.

The West Indies tasted early success with the wicket of Adam Gilchrist for 7 in the fifth over. Ricky Ponting was soon into his stride, before being run out for 35. Michael Clarke scored 42 and Shane Watson finished off the innings with his powerful hitting, remaining unbeaten on 33.

All the West Indies bowler took a bit of a hammering, with Darren Powell being the most economical at 5.3 runs per over.

The West Indies innings will commence later today, as rain washed out play before their innings could commence.

Australia are in a very strong position.

Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Brian Lara will need to fire in order for the West Indies to come close.

Will they make it? Let’s watch and see later today.

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