Cricket World Cup 2007

**Réiteoir** · 15/03/2007, 4:19 PM

Just got in from work - switched on BBC Radio 4 to listen to the Ireland game on "Test Match Special" - and John Kenny's doing the main commentary on the game.

Last time I heard him was last Friday night at some eircom League game

Extremely unusual experience - but very reassuring...

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 4:21 PM

He's lived here a lot longer than the vast majority of "our" football internationals.

170/6 now, eight overs left. Bray still there on 87, Kevin O'Brien last man out for 28, after forging a useful 56 run partnership with Bray. Johnston the new man in on 12. A big hitter but just as likely to hole out. McCallan next man in can bat, Langford-Smith less so, Rankin next to useless with the bat.

Rain has stopped play. Could be bad news for Ireland if the Duckworth/Lewis equation comes into play as their run-rate isn't great and they've lost a lot of wickets.

**OneRedArmy** · 15/03/2007, 4:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

They'll be doing well to register 200 if the next wicket falls anytime soon. 240 is probably the best they can hope for. I have a feeling that would be competitive, as I fancy Ireland's bowlers to do well.

Rain stopped play.

I mentioned Sion Mills above, when Ireland bowled the Windies for 25 all out on a muddy wicket to win by 9 runs.

More rain!

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 4:40 PM

Play set to resume in about five minutes. Rain delays are notorious for precipitating the fall of wickets. This doesn't look good.

**geysir** · 15/03/2007, 4:41 PM

I have too many questions right now.
I guess Ireland have to score as many runs as possible within 50 overs.
Their batting day is over when 50 overs are completed or they run out of batsmen.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 4:42 PM

Yep, that simple.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 4:51 PM

182/7, Johnston gets himself run out stupidly. All rests on McCallan and Bray (91*) now.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 4:54 PM

McCallan stumped for nought.

182/8.

**Drogman.** · 15/03/2007, 4:58 PM

Not good at all.

Hopefully Zimbabwe will have an off day on the bat

**Réiteoir** · 15/03/2007, 5:04 PM

Jeremy Bray gets the first ever century by an Irish batsman in a World Cup

Well deserved

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 5:06 PM

Did it in style with a four too. 199/8. Not gonna be good enough unless the bowlers put in a herculean effort.

**geysir** · 15/03/2007, 5:22 PM

So does 220 wet your crease?

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 5:24 PM

Ireland finish on 221/9, Langford-Smith caught off the last ball going for the big finish. Bray, unbeaten on 115, rescued Ireland afer a ropey start. If only one of the recognised batsmen could have supressed their usual rushes of blood Ireland might have posted a competitive total. As it is, 220 is at least 30-40 runs below par and will take some defending. Zimbabwe's innings will commence in roughly 20 minutes.

**geysir** · 15/03/2007, 5:32 PM

Looks like they could throw caution to the wind at the end with a batsman to spare
Why does it matter so much if you have a few batsmen knocked out runless when you still have batsmen to spare at the end? Were they the ones who could bat well?

**pete** · 15/03/2007, 5:47 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Why does it matter so much if you have a few batsmen knocked out runless when you still have batsmen to spare at the end? Were they the ones who could bat well?

Guys at the tail end would not expect to be as good as those higher up the order. I don't know much but I assume Trent Johnstone as captain is reasonable batsman - if he was there at the tail end might be able to knock more over. 9 batsmen out seems efficient as worse thing is to have not use your 50 overs.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 5:48 PM

Yes, teams generally bat in descending order of ability. The bowlers must also bat and generally do so at the bottom of the order.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 6:18 PM

Zimbabwe cruising along at 26/0. Ireland bowling well but fielding horrendously. O'Brien just dropped Duffin off Rankin.

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2007, 6:20 PM

Fvcking hell. Morgan drops Duffin again two balls later.

Duffin's luck runs out. Caught by O'Brien off the next ball. Rankin gets his first wicket. 26/1.

**OneRedArmy** · 15/03/2007, 6:37 PM

Not looking good, run rate very comfortable and they are starting to work the boundary.

Need wickets, and lots of 'em.

2nd dropped catch was horrendous.

**Poor Student** · 15/03/2007, 7:29 PM

Are those Irish fans there some form of Ole Olers or genuine fans? There seems to be a fair degree of football chants and general paddy whackery going on in the stands.