England defeat South Africa by 104 runs to begin World Cup campaign on a strong note

[Mamoon]

Root is more crucial for England than Roy, he is the glue that holds this batting together.

Last summer when Indian bowlers had England on the ropes, it was his class that shown through.

England have explosive options who can replace Roy, but they don’t have an anchor like Root.

 

[barah_admi]

England are building a very good score here. 300-320 and I think they can defend it.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Just 308 more to get 500. Come on

 

[Mamoon]

Morgan is one of the most admirable personalities in modern cricket. Will be remembered as a legendary figure if he takes England to World Cup glory.

 

[Omer2002]

320 south africa will chase ...must be eyeing big here i think england...but if butler doesnt fire then its a risk

 

[barah_admi]

I always find it surprising that cricket broadcast never shows a small radar showing field placements considering what an important part of the game is that. As a viewer I would love to know where fielders are placed and thus what kind of shots batsmen can try.

They used to have graphics like this in the past. However, when the camera zooms out, you can see the placements anyway.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Injured

Dodgy shoulder

Thanks guys.

I really hope we see him in action soon because he can singlehandedly win games for South Africa. I didnt think he would, but he's still got the venom in him. He's still just as good and still as much of a match-winner.

Disappointing to see him risk his shoulder playing in the IPL a month before the WC. He's made enough money to afford missing out on one paycheck.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Looks like a world cup where trundlers would enjoy.

Amir will enjoy with his economical bowling.

 

[Mean&Green]

Root is more crucial for England than Roy, he is the glue that holds this batting together.

Last summer when Indian bowlers had England on the ropes, it was his class that shown through.

England have explosive options who can replace Roy, but they don’t have an anchor like Root.

Exactly the fact is that if the openers fail root is the one to hold the innings together for the lower order batsman and power hitters to play their game freely if he even gets out than it will be extremely difficult for the batsman coming after to play their natural aggressive game which is why he’s so vital.

 

[Pakhs]

Root is more crucial for England than Roy, he is the glue that holds this batting together.

Last summer when Indian bowlers had England on the ropes, it was his class that shown through.

England have explosive options who can replace Roy, but they don’t have an anchor like Root.

England won that series comfortably in the end, They have the batting for all bowling on flat pitches. Only question on their batting is pitches get slower or start taking turn. Bowling is definitely their weaker suit.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

320 south africa will chase ...must be eyeing big here i think england...but if butler doesnt fire then its a risk

If eng only make 320 from here will be disappointed.

 

[Hasan123]

England ahead.

 

[Mamoon]

Steyn has no fear factor in white ball cricket. He came second best against Elliott in the most important over of his ODI career.

However, he would be an upgrade looking at Ngidi’s current form.

 

[ExpressPacer]

South Africa looks really good and they were supposed to be one of the weaker teams. I dont see Pakistan winning against ANY team this world cup. Maybe Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but everyone else will humiliate us. We dont have the bowling, the firepower or the fielding of the WC teams.

 

[Pakhs]

Exactly the fact is that if the openers fail root is the one to hold the innings together for the lower order batsman and power hitters to play their game freely if he even gets out than it will be extremely difficult for the batsman coming after to play their natural aggressive game which is why he’s so vital.

Root makes the team but in now way they are over reliant on Root. Its not like if Root gets out early they cant score. Morgan has come out and played better and quicker than Root.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Stupid slogging.. Smh

 

[Mamoon]

England won that series comfortably in the end, They have the batting for all bowling on flat pitches. Only question on their batting is pitches get slower or start taking turn. Bowling is definitely their weaker suit.

Every now and then England will find themselves 70/3, and more often than not Root will be the player they will look up to. He is a vital component of this batting engine.

 

[ARK Rafay]

South Africa should've played Morris

 

[Pakhs]

South Africa looks really good and they were supposed to be one of the weaker teams. I dont see Pakistan winning against ANY team this world cup. Maybe Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but everyone else will humiliate us. We dont have the bowling, the firepower or the fielding of the WC teams.

I disagree SA looking good here, I think this bowling looks week.

 

[Mean&Green]

Root makes the team but in now way they are over reliant on Root. Its not like if Root gets out early they cant score. Morgan has come out and played better and quicker than Root.

He’s played better today won’t be the case all the time

 

[Mamoon]

Exactly the fact is that if the openers fail root is the one to hold the innings together for the lower order batsman and power hitters to play their game freely if he even gets out than it will be extremely difficult for the batsman coming after to play their natural aggressive game which is why he’s so vital.

Roy is very good, but Hales, Billings, Vince, Duckett etc. can play a similar role. They don’t have an alternative for Root at the moment.

James Taylor was a massive loss.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Steyn has no fear factor in white ball cricket. He came second best against Elliott in the most important over of his ODI career.

However, he would be an upgrade looking at Ngidi’s current form.

Elliot played an ATG knock. Under cloud cover in the UK, on these pitches, he would easily swing it early on. Maybe even reverse it at the end owing to his pace.

Ngidi is very good - English batsmen are just brutal. I would in fact have Ngidi, Rabada and Steyn. Phehlukwayo makes way for him.

 

[Pakhs]

Every now and then England will find themselves 70/3, and more often than not Root will be the player they will look up to. He is a vital component of this batting engine.

Root has not done anything that great in the last year or so in ODIs. England are definitely not reliant on him.

 

[Hawkeye]

Morgan is one of the most admirable personalities in modern cricket. Will be remembered as a legendary figure if he takes England to World Cup glory.

That's not happening. They will bottle it again, don't have the nerves and can't handle the big stage.

 

[Mamoon]

Elliot played an ATG knock. Under cloud cover in the UK, on these pitches, he would easily swing it early on. Maybe even reverse it at the end owing to his pace.

Ngidi is very good - English batsmen are just brutal. I would in fact have Ngidi, Rabada and Steyn. Phehlukwayo makes way for him.

Phehlukwayo has character which cannot be said about most of his teammates barring a few. I will play him in all games.

 

[Mean&Green]

Roy is very good, but Hales, Billings, Vince, Duckett etc. can play a similar role. They don’t have an alternative for Root at the moment.

James Taylor was a massive loss.

But they ain’t in the team, yeah man I feel so bad for that guy I know some posters will go crazy but I think he had the potential to be the best batsman in the world maybe even as good as sachin he was the same height great technique had the power game too everything

 

[ExpressPacer]

I disagree SA looking good here, I think this bowling looks week.

I think their bowling is one the best. English batting is just too explosive and these pitches do not do justice to bowlers.

Rabada, Ngidi, Steyn and Morris will run through sides as the competition moves on and as the young lads in Rabada and Ngidi get a feel for things.

 

[Mamoon]

Root has not done anything that great in the last year or so in ODIs. England are definitely not reliant on him.

Except for two hundred in three games against India last summer, a shootout between the top two sides in the world.

 

[Hasan2K8]

England will get somewhere between 330-350 many batting to come.

 

[Mamoon]

That's not happening. They will bottle it again, don't have the nerves and can't handle the big stage.

It may or may not happen, but you are putting too much stock in your belief that they will fall short. If that happens, you will look good, but if it doesn’t, people will call you out on it and you will have to make excuses.

Anyway, it looks like you have made your choice. At least it is a brave one.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Hitting every ball will never make you a great batsman at end. This is bizarre they are hitting every ball. RIP cricket

 

[Omer2002]

the slog is on i think they have timed it right to be honest...if the fourth wicket went a bit earlier would have been a struggle..have enuf batting left

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Oh dear. England going to explode now.

 

[Hasan123]

What a shot by Stokes. Morgan ,Root,Stokes ,Buttler ,and Roy all in form. Not looking good for Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

But they ain’t in the team, yeah man I feel so bad for that guy I know some posters will go crazy but I think he had the potential to be the best batsman in the world maybe even as good as sachin he was the same height great technique had the power game too everything

James Taylor was brilliant. England’s Test team are one specialist batsman short, and he was the man to be their backbone alongside Root for a decade.

Such a natural player. Magnificent to watch, and I am glad he is still working with the ECB.

 

[Hasan123]

Tahir back into the attack. Need a wicket.

 

[Mean&Green]

Wow stokes wow what a shot teams have been extremely lucky my boy Johnny hasn’t come to the party yet if he gets going together with Roy it’ll be doom and gloom for the opposition before they even come out to bat

 

[Hawkeye]

It may or may not happen, but you are putting too much stock in your belief that they will fall short. If that happens, you will look good, but if it doesn’t, people will call you out on it and you will have to make excuses.

Anyway, it looks like you have made your choice. At least it is a brave one.

Yep, happy to stick my neck out for this one. Pretty sure.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

If Plunkett is coming in at 10...thats a crazy diamond gun batting line up....I guess 320+ is on the cards, flat deck, good outfield, 2 new balls....et al.....i'd still back Faf and Saf to chase whatever Eng put on the board...Eng bowling ain't that hot....lets see what Archer has to offer though-will be xciting to c him...

 

[Mamoon]

Anyone that thinks Stokes is overrated cannot be taken seriously. Elite player.

Only Jason Holder runs him close and Pandya will in the future.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Every now and then England will find themselves 70/3, and more often than not Root will be the player they will look up to. He is a vital component of this batting engine.

Every now and then?

How often do they get 70/3? It's a rarity.

Ask opposition team and they will tell you who do they prize more?

It's one thing to bat like Roy and other to perform, many can bat like Root.

Infact England of 2015 had Root and many similar accumulators, but not Roy. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow together with Buttler are the reasons why they are number 1 and play this kind of cricket.

 

[hussain.r97]

Root brings some level of stability to England. Without him, England would be prone to self destructing more often than not. There are many players like Roy within the English lineup, but Root is one of his kind and a class above the rest. He's the only English player suited to all conditions and all types of bowling, and capable of rescuing England from a dire situation.

 

[Mean&Green]

That was gonna go out the stadium had chokes connected damn it

 

[Hasan123]

James Taylor was brilliant. England’s Test team are one specialist batsman short, and he was the man to be their backbone alongside Root for a decade.

Such a natural player. Magnificent to watch, and I am glad he is still working with the ECB.

He's a scout and plays a role in selection. Always rated him. Should have played for England long before he got his run.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

morgan gone

 

[Hasan123]

What a catch by Markham.

 

[Titan24]

They used to have graphics like this in the past. However, when the camera zooms out, you can see the placements anyway.

Yes it does show it when the shot is played on a certain side however, they can easily show a small radar in between deliveries where one can see placements on both side and any filed change as well.

 

[Mamoon]

Every now and then?

How often do they get 70/3? It's a rarity.

Ask opposition team and they will tell you who do they prize more?

It's one thing to bat like Roy and other to perform, many can bat like Root.

Infact England of 2015 had Root and many similar accumulators, but not Roy. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow together with Buttler are the reasons why they are number 1 and play this kind of cricket.

On average, England have a meltdown every 5-6 innings. It didn’t happen against Pakistan because our bowling is rubbish, but they will not score 330+ every game and that is where Root comes into play.

 

[Sycamore]

15 seconds into commentary stint , and guha talking about IPL.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That wicket should have come a little earlier for RSA. England look comfortably placed now.

 

[Mamoon]

Our fans would call Morgan a team player for not playing for his average and personal milestones, but that was a terrible shot at this stage. One more wicket and England could be in a spot of bother.

 

[Ronaldo7]

15 seconds into commentary stint , and guha talking about IPL.

What's the need to have female commentators in a men's game just for the sake of it??
At least have someone who can comment on crickrt properly

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Anyone that thinks Stokes is overrated cannot be taken seriously. Elite player.

Only Jason Holder runs him close and Pandya will in the future.

Nah...HP is too much of a hit and miss biffer....stokes is a way better all conditions bowler....the closest would be Stoinis or woakes or possibly andre rus ....

 

[hussain.r97]

If they get Buttler early, South Africa have a real shot.

 

[Omer2002]

Good leggie always a good option

 

[Ronaldo7]

Our fans would call Morgan a team player for not playing for his average and personal milestones, but that was a terrible shot at this stage. One more wicket and England could be in a spot of bother.

According to pak fans, if a player goes for a big shot and gets out then he's playing for the team.

 

[the Great Khan]

15 seconds into commentary stint , and guha talking about IPL.

thats all she bloody does. Kohli and IPL...brit indian cricket fans always talk about the IPL..

 

[Hasan123]

South Africa can restrict England if they can get Buttler out early.

 

[Pakhs]

Except for two hundred in three games against India last summer, a shootout between the top two sides in the world.

2 100s in one year these days is not great performance. Butler has done better and many others.

 

[Mean&Green]

The reason England score big scores is the ability of butler to score a 100 in 50 balls

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Rabada back into the attack

 

[Hasan123]

Rabada on with Buttler in. Slip as well. Faf is such a good captain.

 

[Hawkeye]

What's the need to have female commentators in a men's game just for the sake of it??
At least have someone who can comment on crickrt properly

Why the inferiority complex? Who told you women can't have cricket knowledge?

How old are you, really?

But yes, they could have gone with a much better female commentator. However, Waqar Younus also commentates, and she's much better than Waqar.

Cut your hatred.

 

[Mean&Green]

thats all she bloody does. Kohli and IPL...brit indian cricket fans always talk about the IPL..

I hate her so much not being a feminist but honestly I’m yet to see a proper female commentator who actually knows something about cricket

 

[Mamoon]

2 100s in one year these days is not great performance. Butler has done better and many others.

Buttler is one of the best ODI players of all time.

 

[Pakhs]

I think their bowling is one the best. English batting is just too explosive and these pitches do not do justice to bowlers.

Rabada, Ngidi, Steyn and Morris will run through sides as the competition moves on and as the young lads in Rabada and Ngidi get a feel for things.

Okay lets see but I dont think so.

 

[hussain.r97]

What's the need to have female commentators in a men's game just for the sake of it??
At least have someone who can comment on crickrt properly

The IPL thing can be annoying, but I honestly prefer listening to Isa Guha over Waqar and even Wasim.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Buttler is one of the best ODI players of all time.

England Phobia.

 

[Mamoon]

Moeen will have to carry his weight in this World Cup. A lovely batsman to watch but he is so casual in his approach.

 

[Hasan2K8]

Looks like it will be less than 320 now. Anything under 300 SA will win

 

[Ronaldo7]

Why the inferiority complex? Who told you women can't have cricket knowledge?

How old are you, really?

But yes, they could have gone with a much better female commentator. However, Waqar Younus also commentates, and she's much better than Waqar.

Cut your hatred.

Mate, read what I said.
I don't mind them having female commentators on there but what's the point of having them just for the sake of female representation???
At least have someone who's good enough for the job.
Jeez, everyone's here coming at me like they're some SJWs.

 

[Hasan123]

Stokes coming into form at the right time. What a player.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Pollock is such a pleasant guy. I'm really enjoying his career as a commentator.

 

[Titan24]

Nah...HP is too much of a hit and miss biffer....stokes is a way better all conditions bowler....the closest would be Stoinis or woakes or possibly andre rus ....

In my opinion Holder is way better than any of the allrounders you have mentioned. Holder and Stokes are the best pace bowling all rounders at the moment, Stokes has edge in his batting while Holder holds an edge in his bowling.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

The IPL thing can be annoying, but I honestly prefer listening to Isa Guha over Waqar and even Wasim.

IPl's annoying to me too...and am indian...yes...they could cut out the IPL references and commentate on the task at hand...dunno much about waquar...but hey,Wasim is fun...whatz wrong in listenng to him..)

 

[Hasan123]

Tahir has come back into form after looking in decline last year.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Looks like it will be less than 320 now. Anything under 300 SA will win

12 overs at least 340

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Moeen will have to carry his weight in this World Cup. A lovely batsman to watch but he is so casual in his approach.

Lol. Which england player is not good?

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Buttler is one of the best ODI players of all time.

Care to give a quick list?

 

[Hasan123]

Pollock is such a pleasant guy. I'm really enjoying his career as a commentator.

Always enjoyed his analysis