ODI World Cup.

[K]

'England thumped 13 sixes to one, prompting Kohli to complain about a short boundary square of the wicket. It wasn't lost on observers that England were given a batsman-friendly deck and the boundary rope brought in on a day the host nation faced two spinners.

"The toss was vital, especially since the boundary was that short. It is a coincidence that it just falls under the limitations of the shortest boundary you can have," Kohli said.

"It is bizarre on a flat pitch. It is crazy things fall in place randomly. If batsmen are able to reverse sweep you for six on a 59-metre boundary there is not much you can do as a spinner.

"One side was 82 metres. They had to be a bit smart in the lines they bowled, but you can't do much with a short boundary."

The International Cricket Council has said the pitches used here had been decided months ahead of the tournament.'

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket ... 522tj.html

[Donny]

Tonight.

SL v. Windies.

[K]

WI win toss, field.

This is a fresh wicket at the same venue as the England vs. NZ clash, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays. (I don't know if they'll use the same pitch.) Pakistan & Bangladesh need to win and England to lose.

[K]

In the 11th over, Perera hits three 4s in successive balls. 14 runs off the over.
SL 0/63 (11). Perera 39* (29).

Looks like this pitch is a belter. Flat-track bullies rejoice.
Last game (I think) WI had huge problems with their 5th bowler.

SL have moved to favouritism.
Odds: SL 55%, WI 45%.
Line: 296.5.
..................................

British commentator (on the WI misfielding): "If you're a West Indies fan you must be tearing your hair out."

[K]

Pre-game odds:

Bangladesh 19%, India 81%
England 66%, NZ 34%
Australia 66%, S. Africa 34%

[K]

A wicket! Dimuth caught behind, bowled Holder.

SL 1/93 (15.2).

A wide and two balls later, appeal. Not out. Review. Still not out and review lost.

[K]

And now Perera is run out! A wicket thrown away!

SL 2/104 (18.1).
Perera 64 (51).

Perera was dropped the previous over, so these two teams are trading gifts. No wonder this is a dead rubber.

"Dear, oh dear," M. Clarke squawks about the drop.

Cottrell gives his salute after the run out. He was the fielder who returned the ball to Brathwaite.

After those two wickets, WI are favourites.
Odds: SL 47%, WI 53%.

[K]

At 2/142 (24), cricinfo forecasts 335.

Odds: SL 57%, WI 43%.
Line: 305.5.

[K]

Mendis c&b Allen!

SL 3/189 (31.5).

Allen dived to his right to take the catch, which was better than the delivery, though not as good as some are making out.

Odds: SL 59%, WI 41%.
Line: 309.5.

[K]

Holder bowls Mathews.

SL 3/247 (39.1).

--------------------------

But a let-off in the 44th over, as a no ball from Thomas gives Thirimanne a life.

[K]

SL 4/304 (46).
Fernando 97* (98 ).

SL passed 300 last over.

---------------------------

Fernando completes his century in the 47th over.

Odds: SL 75%, WI 25%.

[K]

Fernando holes out. 104 (103).

SL 5/314 (47.2).

-------------------

In the 49th over, the broadcast predictor says SL 69%, WI 31%.

Odds: SL 72%, WI 28%.


And another wicket off the last ball of the over. Udana.

SL 6/327 (49).

[K]

SL finish on 6/338 (50).

Odds at change of innings: SL 72%, WI 28%.

[K]

Malinga gets Ambris caught behind.

WI 1/12 (2.2).

Odds: SL 70%, WI 30%.

----------------------------

And off the last ball of his next over Malinga gets Hope too!

WI 2/22 (5).

Odds: SL 81%, WI 19%.

[K]

Gayle 6 and out! Gayle hits the first ball of the over for 6 and holes out the next ball.

WI 3/71 (15.2).

Before this wicket, in the 12th over, cricinfo forecasted WI 15%

Odds: SL 90%, WI 10%.