.png)
2 weeks ago
8
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
In Colombo, Australia, 182-6, are giving Ireland, 115-9 off 16.4, a doing. Oh, and as I type, they taken the final wicket to secure a 67-run victory.
Here’s a report on that SA v Afghanistan slobberknocker.
England v West Indies is one of the classic T20 matchups, principally because of the 2016 edition of this competition.
Understandably, that final assault ruined Ben Stokes’ career; he was never the same after that.
I wrote the below first thing this morning, but the point was emphasised by what happened in the Afghanistan v South Africa match, one of the most ludicrously brilliant you could wish to see. If you don’t know how it went, catch yourself up here, immediately; promise promise.
I can’t think of a forfeit for myself, but anyone who doesn’t deem the above worth their time, come up with something and I’ll do it, that’s how confident I am.
Preamble
The principal reason T20 has been so successful is more lifestyle than sporting: before it, cricket took a long time, now it doesn’t and, as attention-spans shorten while the cost of living increases and relative wages decrease, it suits more of the people more of the time.
But there’s solid middle-based rationale too: T20 can be settled by one individual having a day out, or a few swinging hard and hitting well for the not very much time it takes to turn a contest. As India, England and Australia grow ever richer and ever more remote, this aspect is of increasing significance.
These formulae – OK, I’m flattering my logic by calling them that – almost caught England out against Nepal, and operate with greater weight against West Indies. Of course, the loser of this contest will still expect to qualify for the Super 8 by beating everyone else but, as per the above, in this format of the game anyone can beat anyone, so you never quite know.
Play: 1.30pm
