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"Cricket world cup '03 is nuts!"

I think that this year's cricket world cup, although not even at the super sixes, is corrupt, but in an exciting way in places. It kicked off with England losing to Zimbabwe- if the ICC had seen sense then England would have been given the win- England beat Zimbabwe 5-0 in Zimbabwe last year- even a Russian could see that country is about as safe as a train set on fire with no wheels. Kenya were given a win over New Zealand, yet the Kiwis are much stronger, just fearful of their own safety. All this 4-points job, but there is also 2 points for NO RESULT, which could have also been awarded. I can't see why the ICC let Zimbabwe host matches anyway- Mugabe acts like a dictator.
In protest of the Mugabe regime, Alan Flower and Henry Olonga of Zimbabwe both wore black armbands to protest against 'The death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe', quoted Flower. Not surprisingly, after a few more comments Olonga was ejected from the squad- contradictory, seeing he is one of their best bowlers, and the first black player to represent Zimbabwe. Against Mr Mugabe's policy. Hohoho.
Everyone, from Mike Atherton to Imran Khan, has been protesting against day and night matches- the floodlights restrict vision, and the weather changes from hot to cold- England could well have beaten India, if the light and temperature hadn't changed- The pace bowlers had much better vision, and one of the pace men took 7-25.
Once again, the small nations (bar Kenya- home advantage?) struggled miserably. Canada were all out for 36, the worst World cup score ever, against Sri Lanka. In the match against the West Indies, John Davison got the quickest World Cup century ever, but his team lost. He could have played for Ausralia, but is a Canadian citizen. Woooo. Namibia played terribly against Australia- beaten by 256 runs, another record, after they were all out for 45- the joint second worst World cup total (Canada were 45 all out v England in 1979). Another record as Jason Gillespie took 7-15. And if they win their next match England will be out. Damn. But it's good to see the small countries- it wouldn'tbe the same without them.
Can't wait for the final!

Absolu† Neó wrote:
> Yep but at least if they had qualified for the Super Sixes they
> wouldn't look as Sh!te as they do now and they wouldn't be looking
> back and think 'What if we played and beaten Zimbabwe'
>
> Anyway, Hussain has stepped down as one day captain leaving the way
> clear for Vaughan to take over. However why doesn't he just step down
> as test captain aswell? - bit silly having two separate captains,
> they've done this before with Atherton and Stewart and I

It SHOULD have been declared at least a tie- the ICC must have forgotten that England beat them 5-0 in an ODI series recently AND that the 'government' of zimbabwe (deliberately no capital letter due to what's happening there- Did ya see 'Mugabe's Secret Famine' on Channel 4 recently? yes? REASON!) who just kiss their leader's butt would have the England team attacked by the police. IF the points were divided (FORM and SAFETY considered) England would be through now.

...don't think it quite worked.

Yep but at least if they had qualified for the Super Sixes they wouldn't look as Sh!te as they do now and they wouldn't be looking back and think 'What if we played and beaten Zimbabwe'

Anyway, Hussain has stepped down as one day captain leaving the way clear for Vaughan to take over. However why doesn't he just step down as test captain aswell? - bit silly having two separate captains, they've done this before with Atherton and Stewart and I

Even if England had played beaten Zimbabwe and beaten them they still would have had pretty much no chance of getting into the semi-finals as they would be on 0 points going into the super six stage.

Although quite shockingly, Kenya will probably get to the semi final even if they lose all 3 of thier super six games. After thier amazing win over Sri Lanka and the england style no show by New Zealand.

Well - its all over for England, they are out.

Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe Abandoned due to rainfall.

How ironic that Zimbabwe only finished 2 points ahead of England and if England had played there and beaten them - they would have been the ones that would have qualified.

I think Hussain will also step down after his silly decision against Aussie's and someone like Vaughan will take over as captain.

The last time we beat them was back in 1999.

Thought England had that one in the bag at one point.

Guess you can never write off the aussies!

What a close match that was, and I thought that we were going to beat when there were 20 balls remaining.


Just hope Pakistan do us a favour.

I'll never understand cricket.

*shakes head*

England once again threw it away, why Hussain gave the 48th Over to Anderson, we'll never know - 12 runs came off that over and it gave the Aussies the incentive to win it in the the final over. If England had played Zimbabwe and beaten them, they would be better off at the moment and it could just come down to that walkover.