WC Semi-Finals
Printed From: Cricket World
Category: The Archives
Forum Name: World Cup 2007
Forum Discription: Archived discussion of the ICC CWC 2007
URL: http://www.cricketworld.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3509
Printed Date: 19 June 2013 at 4:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.71 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: WC Semi-Finals
Posted By: RightHandBat
Subject: WC Semi-Finals
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 11:40am
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Since the semi finals are around the corner, just thought I'd make a thread for it. Discuss...
------------- "His classical hits down the ground, met with a checked drive, were Tendulkar at his best. It was though he had a new lease of life." - Sachin Tendulkar's return to cricket with a 91-Ball century. |
Replies:
Posted By: Chin Music
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 12:54pm
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Australia will beat South Africa, Sri Lanka will beat New Zealand and we'll have a repeat of the 96 final, only with Australia winning. South Africa have had on- and off- days, but even on their best day they won't beat the Aussies, while NZ and SL have both been pretty consistent, SL have been more so, and the pitches have been perfect for them
------------- Turnham Green CC Fast bowler & middle/lower-order bat |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 1:09pm
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I'm still backing England to win. =p
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 1:26pm
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The reception party is already gathering at Joburg International Kerm - lots of rotten tomatoes awaiting the boys!!
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 1:36pm
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Heh good to hear, I have a bet on England winning the whole world cup. Blissful ignorance of being an England cricket fan.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 1:48pm
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Denial mate , a classic symptom and I'm as culpable as you. Maybe
you'll get better though , sadly , I'm a hopeless case (ask the missus!)
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 1:53pm
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If anything i'm getting gradually worse, it must be an English thing, expecting your side to win despite there being no real reason why they would or should win... and yet watching every single ball of the beating just in case something special happens... and it very rarely does. Ah well, whatever happens i'll be here in my ODI shirt cheering along. ------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 2:08pm
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Must be genetic , maybe we're related !!!
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: scuudz
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 6:16pm
| Guess that means I'm related to Kerm too??!! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 17 April 2007 at 6:46pm
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One big delusional family.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 2:53am
 ! We have at least made the 4 (pretty comfortably too) ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 3:22am
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Aussie wern't written off by anyone with decent amount of cricket knowledge, just a few young forum experts. ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 3:45am
------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: gambler
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 5:23am
Well mark me down as one of those that did....
 . Those are the 2 teams I got money on (since start of the tournament) to win the WC.I must admit to feeling a bit nervous about the Kiwis though. They will be a threat. SL will have a tough semi on their hands here. It could go either way.
SA would have a decent chance against the Aussies if the match was being played on the bouncy Barbados pitch...but I dont give them much hope on a slow St Lucia wicket.
|
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 6:37am
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Agreed Gambs , the conditions won't be favourable for the South
Africans , but they can still win. If they do it'll be in a high
scoring match - something we haven't seen at all in this
tournament. The other match should be a close affair too , too
tight to call with any confidence at all. The best four sides have made the semis , so for all the bitching and moaning , the format can't be all wrong. Yes , the thing has taken forever , but we might just have an adrenalin rush over the final three matches. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 8:03am
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To be honest, I don't see SA beating the Aussies, but it's not impossible. If their batsmen all fire on the day, they can be truly devastating, and not even the omnipotent Aussies would be able handle them. But that's a huge IF.
As for the other semi-, I see Sri Lanka topping the Kiwi's yet again. Now before Bond2322 strikes me down for saying that, let me reiterate that it's only a guess based on the previous match in the tournament. ------------- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other forum members. They are the express property of Mojo. |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 8:34am
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Even if SA's batsmen fire, Australia have a much better batting attack Hayden, Ponting, Clarke, Symonds in top form, Hodge/Watson (both in good touch but not sure who will be picked) while Gilchrist/Hussey are due to fire and McGrath, Bracken, Tait and Hogg all in good form.
If Australia bat first they will definately win and if they bat 2nd they will have a 99% chance of winning.
 Their only hope is that Australia have a disasterous day of monumental proportions. The sun may shine on their bums that day! Sri Lanka & NZ on the other hand.....They will have to do it tough to stop the world champions getting 3 in a row.
Boy, i have been wrong before, lets hope this isn't another one of those rare occasions! ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 9:07am
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I won't deny that Aussies have an awesome lineup, but I wouldn't say that it's much better than the Proteas. In the context of this tournament, who have been doing better?
Hayden - Smith -> Hayden
Ponting - Kallis -> Kallis
Clarke - Gibbs -> Gibbs
Symonds - Boucher -> Boucher
Watson - Prince -> Watson
Gilchrist - De Villiers -> De Villiers
McGrath - Langeveldt -> McGrath
Bracken - Hall -> ???
Tait - Nel. -> Tait
We don't have an answer for Hogg. Pietersen is nowhere close.
But my point is that SA players have been doing just as well as Aussie players. If they all get it right on the same day, the way the Aussies usually do, they'll put on a good contest.
*Edit* I compared Gilly with AB because they're both opening bats, and Boucher with Symmonds because they're both big-hitters. ------------- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other forum members. They are the express property of Mojo. |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 9:27am
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Disagree with a fair bit of that Mojo. Kallis better than Ponting??? Boucher better than Symonds??? Watson better than Prince??? And no, South Africa's players have not been doing just as well as the Aussie players. Australia undefeated in 1st, South Africa loses to Bangladesh and NZ and are in 4th so i think that takes that out of the equation.
Wow, that is a very interesting statement.....If all of South Africa's players are on fire and all of the Aussie players have suddenly gone bad, then yes i agree with you but what are the chances of the entire Australia team going to butter?
But that is your opinion and i respect it. ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 9:29am
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It's not that simple Mojo - the dynamics within a side can't be
measured , neither can confidence. The South Africans at breakfast
today will be a totally different bunch than that that gathered
yesterday. Winning so comprehensively is a major boost and they
have the memory of that beating of Australia last year. They won't start favourites , but that won't bother them overmuch and they will give it a full go. Australia fear no-one , but they're yet to be really pushed in this competition and they might not look so invulnerable if the South Africans start well. I suspect the South Africans will want to bat first if they win the toss and then post a big score (270-300). They'll back their attack to make life difficult for the Aussie top order and hopefully see some rash shots by the opposition when trying to reduce the required runrate. Aussie crushed SA first time around , I don't think we'll see such a one sided affair next week. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 9:37am
I meant purely in the context of this tournament... Kallis has performed much better than Ponting... The other two are touch-and-go.
Tonks, to be honest, I don't expect SA to beat Australia. But to be fair to them, they're not a totally trash side. They've beaten a fully fit Aussie side on numerous occasions. The Aussies are the better side on paper, but very few teams can put down the Proteas when they're playing at their best.
Of course, all remains to be seen whether or not they actually do play at their best.
I meant as individuals, not the team as a whole. SA's key to winning is to have all their players firing together, which sadly hasn't been the case so far in this tournament. ------------- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other forum members. They are the express property of Mojo. |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 9:38am
I know what you mean, Sledger, but my point in doing that was simply to show that the SA players have been putting in some pretty decent performances. That's all. ------------- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other forum members. They are the express property of Mojo. |
Posted By: Sim Dog
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 4:04pm
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Kallis performed much better than Ponting? Give it a rest. What a ridiculous thing to say. Kallis has made runs but often in doing so he has made them so slowly his team has wound up in trouble. Ask any captain in the world cup who's performances they would take out of Ponting and Kallis and they would take Ponting without thinking twice. |
Posted By: ramzi
Date Posted: 18 April 2007 at 7:26pm
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I don't know why I fell like this but I have a gut feeling that the final would be NZ Vs SA.
Hope i'm wrong :-)
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Posted By: Jayasuriya
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 4:47am
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"They've got everything covered," said Johnston. "They've got pace, [Brad] Hogg is bowling well, and if [Shane] Watson comes back that balances them perfectly - he's crucial to them I believe. And their top order is fantastic. But New Zealand look pretty good with [Shane] Bond, and they have got two good spinners and guys that bat and bowl in the middle order. South Africa look dangerous as well and can be pretty awesome on their day. But in my opinion, it'll be Australia and Sri Lanka in the final." ------------- Sri Lanka to win the WORLD CUP 07 |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 5:05am
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I prefered the team we have been playing, I just don't rate watson. ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 6:29am
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Hogg's place must be secure and Hodge brings steel to the lower
order (batting at 7 !!) as well as terrific fielding. Watson's not
needed , he won't get a place at the top of the order now that Hayden's
in such great form and the bowlers are taking 10 wickets in each match
- why change at all? Have to say I think Hogg's looked on as the journeyman of the side - he much , much better than that. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Hedonism
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 8:09am
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If I was an Aussie, my concern would be with Tait at the moment. Fast he may be, but he just doesn't look dangerous. He's being taken apart by everyone.
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Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 8:22am
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He's got wickets, but expensively. He's no Lee but he'll do. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 8:28am
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I agree , he's a wicket taker and has justified his selection . He'll
always go for runs , as Lee does , I don't think they'll ever play in
the same side though , that's a too run friendly selection.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 8:45am
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For sure, though he's good cover. Its good to have someone like that in your side though, wickets are important from quick bowlers, especially if you have other bowlers to contain them, e.g. Hogg and McGrath (though he hasn't been that economical this tournament). ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 9:03am
spot on! ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 9:35am
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He is and I think he's NZ biggest threat when we face the Aussies in our last super 8 match. Not only do we have trouble facing good spin, but he is genuinely a good spinner. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Ricky Ponting
Date Posted: 19 April 2007 at 10:05am
| yeah he has a habit of getting the big wickets! all the time if McGrath and co can't get a batter out hogg does! |
Posted By: NZ_Fast
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 12:16pm
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Really to close to call the SL v NZ game. Obviously i hope NZ win but it could come down to one player, one moment of individual brilliance. Then we go on the trounce Aussie in the final  |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 12:43pm
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Hang on NZ fast we've got a game tonight. Were up against the Aussies!
If NZ win this game it will give them an extra boost of confidence needed to beat Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. We thrive on confidence as a team, work well as a unit and can beat anyone on our day. Another aspect being that if we win tonight we are the only team to have beaten Australia this tournament.
If Australia lose it will dent their WC record + Ego but will not dent their confidence. They'll be confident of going all the way no matter what.
Prediction: NZ to chase down 280. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:20pm
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A post absolutely full of confidence there Bondy! ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:24pm
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Like always.
Your prediction? ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:29pm
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I think you missed my attempt at dazzling wit lad! Too close to call , I'll go for a tie ! ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:31pm
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Sit in the fence why don't ya? Oh my overwhelming use of the the word confidence, haha very clever. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:32pm
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I'm hoping that NZ win, partly because i'm English so I hate the Aussies, but also because it would be good for my fantasy team if Bond rips through the Aussies =p.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:39pm
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Steady Kerm , the word "hate" for fellow homosapiens is rather excessive. But hating Manchester United is perfectly acceptable though... ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:48pm
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But not hating Arsenal...right? ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:50pm
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I say hate in a totally friendly way if such thing is possible =p. i'd claim to hate the aussies but i'd probably have a beer with them, assuming of course it wasnt aussie beer.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 1:58pm
As favourable things go , Arsenal rank just above green monkey disease. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 2:00pm
Quite. We all know what XXXX really means. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 2:04pm
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Oh yes because they cant write *insert 4 letter word here* on a can. Think i'll stick to british ale. I'm set up for the cricket once again, food, alcohol and a large tv pointing straight at me. Should be a good game. Better go and practice my own cricket for a good half hour first, cant be good for me the ammount of junk food i've eaten over this world cup =p.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 2:07pm
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Don't believe all that propaganda about junk food lad , probably started by some crazed vegetarian! ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 20 April 2007 at 11:37pm
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....or health nurtritionists ;) ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Roscoe
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 12:01am
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This World Cup is in the bag.
------------- It's a long way to the shop, if you want a sausage roll. |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 12:38am
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Stranger things have happened. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: joelza1990
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 1:14am
| Exactly. This world cup is certainly not in the bag for anyone yet. Australia have there off days here and there, but it looks unlikely there will be many who can stop the moment at this stage, But as you said bondy stranger things have happened. |
Posted By: gambler
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 8:41am
It might not be in the Aussie's bag yet....but they are certainly looking like odds on to collect it.
On top of the Aussies awesome form, they have a dream semi/finals draw. 1st they get to meet SA in St Lucia (slow pitch = SA is doomed)...and then (provided SL gets past NZ) they will play SL on a fast Barbados pitch (fast pitch = problems for SL). In case the Kiwis beat SL...well we all saw what happened yesterday.
Australia would have lot more problems if the situation was the reverse. Playing SA on a fast pitch + SL on a slow one would create some nervous times for Ponting & co.
All I can say is that I'm glad I took the 3.40 odds on the Aussies at the start of the tournament....
(I also got Sri Lanka). |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 1:00pm
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I wouldn't be the only one celebrating if Australia happened to to slip-up in their road to glory, would I? ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: ramzi
Date Posted: 21 April 2007 at 6:55pm
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So would NZ play Patel in Sabina park? Or will they go for a fast bowler? |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 12:31am
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Definitely Patel, theres no way Gillespie or Mason are getting back into that NZ side.
Our bowling attack should look something like this, Bond, Franklin (gulp), Oram, Vettori, Patel, Styris and McMillan if needed. Good balance there with Bond and Oram back into the side.
I'm also expecting something special from Bond, you wait and see. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: DRAVID FAN
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 1:32am
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My opinion: I still support SA and always felt that they are the only team capable of beating the Aussies. Gave the most competition in their match during the group stages and I feel that they will beat New Zealand in the finals. ------------- |
Posted By: Jayasuriya
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 1:34am
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Who said NZ were gunna beat SL? haha, and SA is not the only team capable, all these teams are capable ------------- Sri Lanka to win the WORLD CUP 07 |
Posted By: Burner
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 2:27am
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I'd also like to see Australia make the final so their falling at the last hurdle could be all the more painful for their odious players and the result pampered yellow horde in the stands. A more detestable bunch of players I've never seen before in world cricket, (OK I forgot about Tony Greig and his mob). From the rat like, underhanded sharp practise of their repugnant skipper to the stiff backed, loose mouthed Mcgrath via the clearly sexually dubious middle order, the Australian team exudes competence and arrogance in equal measure. I was no lover of the evil midget Langer but he is infinitely preferable to having to watch the conversational midget Gilchrist produce his succession of slogs at the top of the innings. Add to that the Neanderthal Hayden, a man who clearly has to shave his forehead and constantly chews gum, presumably so he doesn't eat the helmet grille, and you have an opening partnership sponsored by Dynabol with all the grace and subtlety of two hippos mating in a mudhole. Dismiss one of these vandals and you get Ratboy scowling and gobbing off as much as possible. I for one will be praying for Andre Nel to come down the pitch and put one on the little b@stard. Next up ponces Clarke plays a few airy fairy wafts and then gets out. Whenever I see this fellow bat I think "who cares?" As for Symonds what can you say? The bloke is as light in the loafers as it's possible to get. How much time do you have to spend in the hairdressers to get a barnet that stupid? And I'll tell you this he didn't hurt his arm playing cricket.... Ah Yes Hussey and Hogg - Clones I tell ya , grown at the Australian institute for sport and scientific perversion from some skin droppings off Ritchie Benaud. Enjoy yourselves now you twisted freaks of nature, in the future you too will turn into toads! As for Watson - Another terrible case of what can happen if you take steroids, yes you get big muscles but you also get the voice of a little girl. Keen quiet Shane, say nothing. Fresh from the stretching room at the AIS Bracken can't find a barber tall enough to sort out his mullet or his girly action, he may well be Australia's leading female cricketer. Tait it seems seeks to eschew the advantage of height by delivering the ball from knee height through the use of palates and callisthenics alone. Doesn't look like he's troubled by many complex thoughts either not that any of this team are! Lastly Mcgrath has the happy nack of getting results that far outweigh his ability and talent, rarely has a bowler picked up so many wickets with poor deliveries. Indeed Mcgrath has been the world leader in that happy skill since the passing of "Not the sharpest card in the pack" Warne. All of these Australian players carry a terrible burden of expectation that unfortunately is often fulfilled. One can only hope that this time it won't be. They also carry with them the terrible burden that each spoken sentence should be made to sound like it is a question. |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 7:54am
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You could of just written "I hate the Australian cricket team". It would of taken alot less time for me to read that, than the garbage that you wrote. Arguably the most pathetic post that i have read on here. Dont know what side you follow mate but i can tell you know stuff all about cricket. ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 10:17am
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I imagine he hates all successful people. ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: Aussietrumpet
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 11:50am
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Burner ..total tandas mate . Gee I don't dislike any other cricket teams (in fact appreacate most cricketers and nations teams ) the way you dislike Austalia ..and probably Australians in general ..Hope you see the light some day . Peace Brother |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 12:01pm
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A bit random wasn't it? ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: slogger72N/O
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 12:29pm
| burners probably just jealous cos the aussies are better than whichever team he supports |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 12:32pm
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Something like that. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Aussietrumpet
Date Posted: 22 April 2007 at 2:16pm
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The semi finals are going to be the real test for SA. They are off to
St Lucia to play an Australia side who dont need previous good performances to
gain confidence. Australia are truly the team to beat and it might come to an end for the Proteas next match.
I say this is because one of SA's dark secrets have been exposed
tremendously in this cup and that is that they cannot play (to the
point of not at all) on low bouncing slow wickets. Their slow bowling
weakness too is a factor
. Australia is playing well and we have a well balanced team . But anything can happen on the day .Really hoping Australia can win .. NZ vs Sri Lanka like both teams... should be close . Have a feeling Sri Lanka will win (but just gut feeling) |
Posted By: Jayasuriya
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 4:31am
HAHA LOVE IT!!!  ------------- Sri Lanka to win the WORLD CUP 07 |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 6:18am
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You would! ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: Ricky Ponting
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 8:44am
| lol sadly the worlds best are never liked :( |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 8:48am
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Not necessarily. I know that the Brazil and Italy soccer teams are very popular, the All Blacks have a big fan club outside New Zealand, and I don't know anybody that dislikes Valentino Rossi. The Aussie cricket team falls into the same category as Michael Schumacher. You either love them of hate them. ------------- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here may not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other forum members. They are the express property of Mojo. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 9:35am
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Burner , just how did you manage to type that diatribe whilst wearing your straight jacket - impressive feat that.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: ramzi
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 6:12pm
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SL Vs NZ tommorow.Can't wait actually :-)
But even if we lose i'm still happy the way our guys played.
Gave it everything when things mattered and no regrets.
I wish both the teams goodluck and let us have a cracker of a match
By the way if SL need to win the keymen for me would be Kumar and Mahela with the bat and Vass,Mali and Murali with the bowl plus good fielding
|
Posted By: DRAVID FAN
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 11:06pm
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I know that Sri Lanka will win tomorrow. All my friends along with me are sure that they will win. I'm not really that interested in tomorrows game compared to day after's. I'm sure that's going the game everybody wants to watch Arch-rivals of cricket according to me. I believe South Africa will win and supported them from the begining (wasn't sure if India could win). Aussies are a tough opponent but South Africa are not too bad either. ------------- |
Posted By: DRAVID FAN
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 11:07pm
Sorry, I made a typing error. I meant to say Sri Lanka, really. ------------- |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 12:13am
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I'll be shooting you down if NZ win. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 12:24am
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Here it is Bondy! Can the Kiwi's make the final for the first time mate??? ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 12:47am
and if they don't? ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 12:58am
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Don't mess with my optimistic psyche.. All i'm saying is that people shouldn't be so sure. The winner of this semi-final is a lottery. There are many factors to consider, namely the performance of Bond. I'm expecting something special from him tonight, and if he delivers I can see us going through to the final. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 12:59am
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There wont be any excuses this time 143. Both sides will be at full strength tonight, we will see how Bondy deals with it if they dont. Will be interesting i bet! ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 1:02am
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Lotteries are all about luck arn't they? no skill involved, glad we don't rely on that. Batting is the kiwi's worry tonight, if they can set a decent total I think they will win. ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 1:06am
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Lottery is a term used to allocate uncertainty to an event. That's the term I have used to describe who I think will win the match.
I'd like us to bat first, will crumble when chasing against such a powerful attack. Anything above 250 should be a challange for the Sri Lankans. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: 143no
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 1:15am
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Still a term associated with luck or fate rather than somthing you have control over. Why not just toss the coin to decide the winner? ------------- Monkey see, Monkey do. |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 1:48am
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Some people believe the toss of a coin is deciding the winner (at the beginning of the match). ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 1:54am
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To be honest, i think the Kiwi's need all the "luck" in the world tonight. On paper, a full strength Sri Lanka should dominate a full strength NZ. They have better bowlers and better batsmen but you just dont know which Sri Lankan batting side will turn up. If they bat like they did against Aus, NZ should win. Thats what i think will determine the winner. Bond and Jaya are the key to their respective sides. One of them will win the match for their team and send their side into the Final. (in my opinion) ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 2:06am
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I agree with bits and pieces of what you've said. I think NZ bat further down the order than Sri Lanka, and if the wicket is seaming early that could be important. Sri Lanka have a greater impetus in their bowling attack with Malinga, Murli and Vaas.
What it will come down to is how NZ bats. Our bowling won't be strong enough to restrict Sri Lanka to under 230, so anything around 250 should be safe if we bat first. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: tonks007
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 2:24am
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True, Kiwi's bat first and get 250+ and we will have a game on our hands. Styris will need to keep up his superb form with some help from the likes of Taylor, Fulton and Oram to achieve that total but certainly not impossible. Should be a cracker! ------------- even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days |
Posted By: NZ_Fast
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 5:28am
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I think NZ have learnt to deal with malinga now, weve certainly played against him enough to. If Jayawardene was smart he would open the bowling with murali for 3-4 overs, fulton and taylor are clueless against him. Major battles are going to be vaa's to fleming, and bond to jayasuria. As ive said before, this could come down to one moment of individual brilliance. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 6:27am
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Murali won't bowl first up , their gameplan will remain
unchanged. The key will be Vaas against Fleming and history shows
that Vaas has the wood on the Black Cap's captain. Having said that there are games within games and Jayasuriya/Bond could be explosive. No-one has got at Bond in this tournament (the Aussies didn't get a chance!) and that could change today - Jayasuriya won't back off. If Bond doesn't get amonst them early I'll take the Lankans to win , whether batting 1st or second. The wicket is supposed to be a bouncy track , so maybe Oram and Franklin will make some impact , but so will Malinga , Vaas and possibly Fernando (Maharoof having to make way for the big man). It'll be close , but just maybe it's about time NZ got past their semifinal jinx! (there , hedged my bets!) ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: wiseguy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:45am
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I certainly expect a great match today, but in my opinion we should also look at the contribution of not very big players in these matches. For lankans, upal tharanga, sangakara, and Silva, all in some good form, and dilshan due for something special. For kiwis, its big time for Ross taylor, oram and franklin to come up with the goods, its been sometime they have won a match for their side. I can bet that apart from the big names, probably one of these guys will be the deciding factor in todays match! ------------- so far so good! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:47am
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Wisey , you on something? Sangakarra not a big player? He's world class!
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 9:39am
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I dont see anyone being able to take it to Bond, in his current form he is just too good, but if anyone can do it Jayasuriya can so it will be a great contest, unfortunatly i'm back at uni now so i'll have to watch the match in the bar and drink overpriced lager but ah well.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: Ricky Ponting
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 10:35am
Italy popular?? there very much hated by the aussies! they cheated and knocked us out of the WC  |
Posted By: wiseguy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 10:56am
------------- so far so good! |
Posted By: bondy
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 3:37pm
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You have no idea what your talking about. Taylor was performing outstandingly in recent times, as to was Oram. Though I agree with you about Franklin. He has to perform with the ball or else. He is our main, glaring weakness. That and batting collapses. Terrible. ------------- Good one Graham! |
Posted By: Migara
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:28pm
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Two ugly desicions against Dilshan and Silva. Mahela is leading the way with 115, and Tharanga has found form at correct time with 73, 289 is good, would have been 320 if not for those two umpiring blunders. Kiwis are denegrous on this good pitch. Murali will be a handfull with the bounce. ------------- _____________________________ Who claims me to be Wal bada? |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:31pm
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There were some decisions in favour of Sri Lanka.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: ramzi
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:43pm
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Both bondy and jaya didn't fire.:-( Atleast Mahela had a good game and half of my prediction was correct after all. Somewhat unlucky decisions but you have to accpet that because they came from the no1 umpire and the most senior umpire so just respect them and get on with the game.
Good batting at the end by SL but this is a small ground and NZ would really like thier chances as well.
Hope Styris is okay.He had bandaged his right index finger and nobody knew the cause.
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Posted By: Migara
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:48pm
 ------------- _____________________________ Who claims me to be Wal bada? |
Posted By: Kerm
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:55pm
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Well like one to Thranga that pitched middle and was going to knock middle half way up.
------------- Kerm |
Posted By: IbiZZle
Date Posted: 24 April 2007 at 9:50pm
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Three batsmen on the pitch at one time is such a amusing sight.
------------- !~Where Ever You Go, There You Are~! |