Good evening fellow travellers, unbelievable news, England have won a game of cricket! I know, it doesn’t seem possible but don’t stop reading, this isn’t fake news!
All joking aside, in what was an absolute annihilation of dear old Oman, England finally got their campaign moving after a washed out game against Scotland and a defeat at the hands of top cheaters Australia.
Things couldn’t have gone much better for England. The Lions won the toss and put Oman in. I’m usually a fan of a small nation batting first because it gives them a chance to get into the game. On this occasion England put them in with intentions of blowing Oman away. That’s just what happened. On the day England’s express pace and prodigious spin was to much for Oman, bowling them out for just 47 runs. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood picked up 3 wickets each. Legendary campaigner and Yorkshireman Adil Rashid looked deadly and picked up 4 as well as man of the match!
England in response were only going to bat 1 way, violently! Phil salt set the tone, smashing the first 2 balls for sixes. England had the job done in a World Cup record time of just 3.1 overs!
Now, let’s not get over excited, I am a big England fan and along with that comes a lot of caveats. England had a great day yesterday but the current T20 world champions should be routing Oman. We also need to bear in mind that even if England beat Namibia, their fate will be decided by Scotland Vs Australia. The maths works like this. If England beat Namibia comprehensively then we need Scotland to lose and then we’re through. If England beat Namibia in a tight game then Scotland could still qualify if they lose to Australia but not horrendously. If England lose to Namibia (not impossible……..anything can happen) we’re out. If Scotland beat Australia (not impossible………..anything can happen and Australia are massive cheats!) then England are out.
English backs are against the wall, as we England fans say, let’s hope for the best but expect the worst.
The early game today was between future champions of the world Afghanistan and current champions of the East Asia-Pacific, Papau New Guinea. If Afghanistan win this one, they’re through to the supers. PNG at this point are playing for pride, of which they should have plenty.
Afghanistan won the toss and put PNG in, bowl them out and win the game! That’s pretty much what happened. PNG put up a bit of resistance but found themselves all out for 95. Fazalhaq Farooqui looked deadly again picking up 3 wickets, he’s an absolute talent!
The Afghans in response didn’t look quite as fluid as they usually do, Gurbaz was out for a disappointing 11 and Zadran was dismissed for a 7 ball duck. The men from Northwest frontier got the job done however and booked their place in the super 8’s. Now, Whatever you do, don’t put money on this……….I’m tipping them for the final!
The last game of the day was a clash between the new world and the old, USA Vs Ireland. These 2 teams are a classic example of World Cup curiosity. Ireland, a full member test playing nation have had a torrid time, despite their list of very good players. The USA on the other hand are a composite team of West Indian/Sub-continental rejects and naturalised former foreign internationals with no pedigree whatsoever (harsh but true). Despite that, they have looked great and aside from the diatribe above, I genuinely wish them luck. If USA win this game then they’re through, ahead of Pakistan! Ireland, again, are just trying to save face at this point.
Once again though, the Florida rain was the winner on the day……..you’ve got to ask what’s the point in going all the way to America if it’s just going to rain, we might as well be playing these games at Grace Road!
The match was abandoned and the 1 point was enough for get the bald eagles over the line and through to the super 8’s on their first time of asking. The Star Spangled Banner is flying tonight.
That’s your lot for today. Tomorrow, England find out their fate one way or another………I’ll be here to help you through whatever the outcome.
All the best,
Nick
All The Cricket 
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