quote:

Where's your money doctorspin?

Really don't know. Maybe stating the obvious, but a lot will depend on the first 6-8 overs of the India innings. If they get of to a flyer it will be tight. If they lose a couple of wickets (and I think Vass and Malinga are a really good pair) then they could crumble under the pressure and thought of their buildings and contents insurance premiums

Good bowling here by Zaheer.

Agarkar bowling the last over as a one off and FOUR off the first ball.

And he gets away with a full toss 3rd ball

Next ball goes for 4

253 2 balls to go

munaf spoiling his figures with that last over. agarkar getting tap at the end as usual

Single and last ball to come

This game is shaping up very nicely.
SL climbing to 250 plus makes it very interesting for the chase - especially as the Indians look rather fatigued in the field.

Looking forward to India's knock.

Dot ball to end

254

Target 255

255 to win - par

Sri Lanka finish on 6 for 254.

Very interesting.

Sl probably missed few valuable runs by not creaming Agarkar here!

Why is Harbhajan picked ahead of Kumble?
Has the latter dropped out of favour or out of form?

Much will be revealed here.

I thought the Lankans batted really well to post that score and deserve credit for it. They could easily have colapsed in the middle overs and ended up with a sub-par score like Eng did against NZ.

What we will find out though is whether suh totals are defendable in the afternoon here in the Carribean. OR will it be that batting is much easier in the afternoon than it is in the morning making defending very, very hard.

This point will have important implications for the rest of the tournament.

254...not a bad score. Its a good pitch, fair. Has some bounce and carry.

Sri should edge this.

So far as India's chances in the chase are concerned I (like doctorspin above) feel the first 6-8 overs are absolutely crucial.

Given the extra pressure of a knock-out situation I really feel Ind must buy themselves some lee-way here. By that I mean come out all guns blazing in the first Power Play - get ahead of the RR and control the game from there.

If they do that I believe they will win and comfortably so.

If on other hand they make a sedate start with the loss of say 2-3 wkts before 20 overs are up then I think they will find this an immense challenge.

I have just got this feeling that this match might be an absolute thriller. Obviously the situation is imperative for India but its subtly important for Sri Lanka too as they will want the extra 2 points to carry into the Super 8 - points that ultimately might determine a semi-final spot.

And this Sri Lankan team IMO have every right to dream of lifting the Cup with the talent at their disposal.

Apparently only twice has a team successfully chased 250+ on this ground to win. Although this world cup has seen many records break so far.

quote:

Originally posted by RedDuster:
Why is Harbhajan picked ahead of Kumble?
Has the latter dropped out of favour or out of form?

Kumble's record against SL has not been anything to write home about.

quote:

Originally posted by Furriner:

quote:

Originally posted by RedDuster:
Why is Harbhajan picked ahead of Kumble?
Has the latter dropped out of favour or out of form?

Kumble's record against SL has not been anything to write home about.

Cheers Furriner.
I noticed Harbie went for 54 off 10.

Gordon in Portsmouth,

Why do you think this SL team is so talented??
Other than Sangakkara and Jayawardene,all the other batters are miss and hit.Jayasuriya is a lotterey,one day he fires 2 days he doesnt.

I feel India is a stronger team because as they far superior to Lanka in terms of batting depth,althugh Lanka has the better bowling

Here's the equation folks with regards to Net run rate if India wins

If India wins in....


35 overs!! Ind 2.31 , SL 2.67
40 overs Ind 2.08 , SL 2.79
45 overs Ind 1.87 , SL 2.91
50 overs Ind 1.67 , SL 3.02

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

quote:

Originally posted by RedDuster:

quote:

Originally posted by Furriner:

quote:

Originally posted by RedDuster:
Why is Harbhajan picked ahead of Kumble?
Has the latter dropped out of favour or out of form?

Kumble's record against SL has not been anything to write home about.

Cheers Furriner.
I noticed Harbie went for 54 off 10.

.. That really was the theory, though.

quote:

Originally posted by krishh:
Gordon in Portsmouth,

Why do you think this SL team is so talented??
Other than Sangakkara and Jayawardene,all the other batters are miss and hit.Jayasuriya is a lotterey,one day he fires 2 days he doesnt.

I feel India is a stronger team because as they far superior to Lanka in terms of batting depth,althugh Lanka has the better bowling

IMO they have a lot of bases need for a good one day side covered.

Batting:

In Jaysuriya and Tharanga they have good openers capable of taking on the Power plays.

In Sangakarra and Jayawardene they have a quality 3/4.

In Chamara Silva they have avery talented young guy in the middle.

They do perhaps lack a power hitting option at 6/7.

Bowling - Very strong here!

Vaas and Malinga are quality seamers of varying styles. One a very accurate left arm seamer and the other one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament.

Then you have Murali.

Backed up by Mahroof or AN Other Seamer - usually someone as competant as the India trio.

And in Jausuriya they have a very good 5th bowling option.

IMO the Sri Lankan bowling unit is the equal of any other sides in the tournament.

Fielding

Sri Lanka have long been the best fielding side from the subcontinent. This will be an important factor in winning close matches in this World Cup.

There I have talked up the Lankans so much that I have bound to woofed them for this match for sure. So Ind fans remember you owe me a debt for this one .

Poor running between the wicket has already hurt India in this chase as twice Gangs played authorative shots which did not quite go for four.

Should have been three but with Gangs it always only ever two.

These things add up quite a bit over 50 overs.