series vs UAE and Afghanistan

minitrue · 21-01-2021 10:25am

Singh's turn to get in on the act with the ball while also taking another catch! 208-7 off 41.3 but it's Khan coming in to bat now which is a bloody handy #9 to have coming in here ...

KevIRL · 21-01-2021 10:47am

Should have run out Rashid a few overs ago, looking like it will be a costly miss

KevIRL · 21-01-2021 10:59am

KevIRL wrote: »

Should have run out Rashid a few overs ago, looking like it will be a costly miss

Dropped now

minitrue · 21-01-2021 11:07am

Rashid still there but Najibullah finally gone (29 off 43) ct Young b McCarthy as he can't time a wide slower ball bouncer. Rashid has done some damage already though, 256-8 off 48 now and with the way this pitch has turned you can't be optimistic about us chasing this even with the small boundaries.

And Rashid "just" gets one over a flying Tector on the rope at cow thanks to the wind having turned down a single off the last ball of the last over. And then a zany looking helicopter like shot just beats the fingertips of a diving Balbirnie at cover and back for 2 to stay on strike. And off the last ball of the over Tucker can't hold on to a flashing edge off Rashid, 267-8 off 49 with Rashid on strike. Possibly harsh wide against McCarthy and then a 6 from a length ball in the slot, then one over cow to bring up his 50 off 27 (5 6s out of the 17 in the innings with only 13 4s)! 280-8 with 4 balls to go, sigh. Square drive for 4 and finally a legside yorker with Rashid giving himself space gets a dot (turned down a single tbh). Full toss, hit to square leg, looks for 2 and Singh fires it in and Tucker whips the bails off on the half volley with him not even in shot. Number 11 gets himself one ball and hooks it into space and this time the throw from Singh isn't quite as good and he makes it in for the 2nd to leave them 287-9 and a monster chase on our hands!

minitrue · 21-01-2021 11:21am

I think they were on 217 and Rashid on 5 when we messed up the run out! Got to think that was a 50 run mistake and probably killed off our chances.

The boundary is tiny though so we've a few people who could do a lot of quick damage but I suspect it's going to be close to impossible to play Rashid on this pitch.

fergiesfav · 21-01-2021 11:23am

66 runs off the last 5 overs. A consistent theme with this Irish team. I don't know how many times I've seen them get themselves into a good position only to be slogged out of the game.

The fast bowler don't seem to have any clue of how to bowl to when the pressure is on. It's looks to me like the just serve up slow bouncers praying for a miscue and a catch in the deep.

You'd have to question the coaching, it's the same rubbish every game. It's like they don't work on death bowling and just hope for the best.

fergiesfav · 21-01-2021 11:26am

Also doesn't help having a keeper that can't keep! Seems every game there's a dropped catch or missed run out with Tucker. It's not like he's scoring the runs tho make up for it either!

fergiesfav · 21-01-2021 11:54am

KOB is working out well as an opener!!!! Ridiculous decision to have him opening. There's seems determination to have 2 Stirling's opening the innings. Thats all well and good in theory, but your a lot more likely to be 10/1 after 4 overs then 44/0 like they hope!:mad:

Ford is a relic in today's cricket, we need shot of him ASAP.

McCollum should be opening with Stirling, with KOB coming in at 5.

KevIRL · 21-01-2021 2:52pm

Not getting Rashid run out that time really costing us now.

minitrue · 21-01-2021 3:24pm

271-9, Tucker out for 83 off 96 when there were 15 balls left (and 35 needed, he'd put on 18 off his last 5 balls having finally got hold of a couple while the feed was down AGAIN). That Rashid innings just killed us really but it was only once Delany had failed to smash on some quick runs that I really felt it was probably gone. All in all I wouldn't write us off from bouncing back and winning the next 2.

fergiesfav · 21-01-2021 3:51pm

As is often the case the death overs killed us. Until we uncover a quick that can bowler tight overs at the end this side will struggle to restrict teams to less than 250.

Decent effort with the bat, Tucker especially. But again big issues to sort out. KOB is not an opener, crazy to try him there at his age. McCollum needs to play. Delaney at the minute is offering nothing, bowls a couple of overs for a lot and doesn't ever look like he's comfortable batting.

Id have McCollum in for Delaney with KOB dropping to 4. I'd like to see Tector bowl some overs. He has a good record with the Wolves

minitrue · 24-01-2021 7:05am

Same pitch and we won the toss and are batting. Same team, let's hope at least 1 of the top 3 can get stuck in and make a score this time and I haven't just cursed them!

minitrue · 24-01-2021 7:09am

Well it's not going to be KOB, edges his second ball to slip off the offie Mujeeb

I blame myself

minitrue · 24-01-2021 7:25am

And Balbirnie LBW sweeping after the longest DRS ever cause they had issues with ultraedge (Balbirnie's reaction said he didn't hit it anyway though it was extremely close to the glove). Balltracker says he didn't get outside the line and it didn't turn enough so it would have smashed leg. 20-2 off 4 and Tector in to join Stirling. Me and my big mouth!

minitrue · 24-01-2021 8:05am

50 off 47 for Stirling having survived the most marginal Umpire's Call view off Nabi! Tector just keeping him company on 13 off 27. 70-2 off 14.2

minitrue · 24-01-2021 8:44am

Tector falls after doing a good job keeping Stirling company (including a good review off his first ball from Rashid, a googlie that was beating leg according to ball tracker), 24 off 58 and succumbs like Balbirnie in the last game chipping a slower ball to mid-wicket. 104-3 off 24.5 so a good recovery but a lot to do. Campher joins Stirling in the middle.

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 8:45am

Harry Tector is out, I watched him a few times and he is technically correct but struggles to rotate the strike, harmless enough looking player but will get lots of chances and may turn out OK. Also his father strikes me as a bit of a tulip, was he any good? 104/3 now, no momentum in the innings

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 8:56am

Now there is a bit of momentum, Stirling with 3 boundaries 123/3 off 28, 13 from the over

minitrue · 24-01-2021 9:11am

It's the same pitch and it was tough enough the first time out!

I don't think Tector Sr was much of a player but in more recent times he's been the man behind the quality of most of the (good) streams for non-televised games here.

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 9:32am

minitrue wrote: »

It's the same pitch and it was tough enough the first time out!

I don't think Tector Sr was much of a player but in more recent times he's been the man behind the quality of most of the (good) streams for non-televised games here.

Good on him, I wasn't slating the chap, just wondering, Stirling has reached a ton now, he's 105* out of 176/3 off 37

minitrue · 24-01-2021 9:51am

And Campher falls for 47 (off 51), smashing a Rashid full toss straight to cover

He's really helped kick on this innings though, 210-4 off 41.3. Tucker in now with Stirling on 125 off 127. 8.3 overs to see if we can get to a big total.

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 9:56am

minitrue wrote: »

And Campher falls for 47 (off 51), smashing a Rashid full toss straight to cover He's really helped kick on this innings though, 210-4 off 41.3. Tucker in now with Stirling on 125 off 127. 8.3 overs to see if we can get to a big total.

Pity about that, was a rubbish ball, good stand though, need a finishing kick to get 275+

minitrue · 24-01-2021 10:05am

And now Stirling flays a wide one into covers hands

128 off 132, darn good knock and made sure we are in this fight! 226-45 off 44.3 and Delany in now with 5.3 overs to go, fireworks or bust you would think

minitrue · 24-01-2021 10:11am

Tucker looks to lift one over the square leg boundary but doesn't really get hold of it/give it enough and an easy catch for Nabi to send him packing for 17 off 19. Singh in now and 233-6 off 46

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 10:16am

minitrue wrote: »

Tucker looks to lift one over the square leg boundary but doesn't really get hold of it/give it enough and an easy catch for Nabi to send him packing for 17 off 19. Singh in now and 233-6 off 46

I have revised my target to 260, hard going against the spinners

Navanboyo · 24-01-2021 10:24am

Thanks for the updates. One question if you dont mind, is the boundry the same as the last game? There were comments the last time that it was brought in or smaller than usual.

CiarraiAbu2 · 24-01-2021 10:28am

Is it been streamed somewhere

minitrue · 24-01-2021 10:30am

Honestly I'd have taken the 250 from the start, but I'd like a big last over! McBrine tries but bowled first ball and Singh had glover a slow ball bouncer behind but no hat-trick ball today for Naveen! McCarthy at the non-strikers end for the last over with Delany facing ... well they certainly both like to go big, but Delany just slaps the first ball out to the cover sweeper to put McCarthy on strike! He tried to go big but it goes up a long way but not far enough and caught maybe 5y inside the boundary by Rashid

At least they crossed so 4 balls for Delany to find the middle of the bat while Young watches on? Finshes 2, 2, 1 and Young faces the last ball (#11s dream) and tries a sneaky flick but misses and they run a leg bye so 259-9. Take our chances and I fancy it's enough, let them have chances and it won't be.

minitrue · 24-01-2021 10:32am

Boundary is in quite a lot, maybe not quite as extreme as last time.

You have to sign up to it but https://www.freesportsplayer.tv/ is the official way to watch (yes, at least as of last game it said UK only but it works fine here).

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 10:33am

It's on Premier sports 1, if you can't get that, try YouTube, just type in Ireland v Afghanistan cricket, and it's 3 or 4 down on the first page.

minitrue · 24-01-2021 10:35am

lol I forgot about the official tv coverage!

B1gft · 24-01-2021 10:56am

I am looking at it on FB, just type it in, perfect reception.

CiarraiAbu2 · 24-01-2021 11:05am

Thanks

minitrue · 24-01-2021 11:31am

Slow start then some quick runs so McCarthy on first change and strikes LBW with his 5th ball, looked stitched and no review. 44-1 off 7.5

minitrue · 24-01-2021 11:36am

And BOOOM, Gurbaz gone LBW to Camphers 3rd ball and he instantly wastes a review! 48-2 off 8.3

minitrue · 24-01-2021 12:13pm

Afghanistan have rebuilt a bit too well for our liking and McBrine not getting the same amount of turn today. 99-2 off 17 at drinks, we'd really like another double strike now straight after drinks!

Mysterypunter · 24-01-2021 12:24pm

minitrue wrote: »

Afghanistan have rebuilt a bit too well for our liking and McBrine not getting the same amount of turn today. 99-2 off 17 at drinks, we'd really like another double strike now straight after drinks!

Need a few quick wickets, Afghanistan looking comfortable

minitrue · 24-01-2021 12:38pm

Time to run through the bowling options, Delany, Stirling, Tector, Balbirnie and feck it, if that doesn't work let's see what Tucker can do and bowl all 11!

minitrue · 24-01-2021 1:59pm

Finally, 232-3 off 42 as Hashmatullah skies one off Singh looking to try and get to his century (82 off 100) and Young gets around and takes it diving at long-on. Be some miracle from here if we can get anything out of this with them needing 28 off 48 and Shah still there on 96 (off 102). A million to one now he's brought up his century guiding a gift from Barry down to the fine leg boundary.

The only bright side of sorts is I don't think we missed any chances, the pitch just did nothing except be slow and they new how to ground it out. And as I type that Tector flies through the air and can't hold on to a chance to get Shah (wasn't impossible but would have been good)! And then next ball Delany puts down a pretty regulation chance at mid-wicket/cow to leave McCarthy fuming! It really is all my fault :-o

minitrue · 24-01-2021 2:19pm

McCarthy had lost it indeed and feeds Ashgar 3 short ones in the next over that go 6, 6, 4 when they'd 18 left to win. 260-3 off 45.2. Campher only bowled 4 overs, probably would have been worth going back to him earlier with the way he had been bowling before today. I'd have tried him before McCarthy and Chase again, likewise Stirling before going back to McBrine and Singh though I guess their two 5-fors bought them the nod. Have to give credit to the two lads who put on 184 ?chancelessly?, hard to believe it was the same pitch as the last game with the lack of turn (or anything else) for all our spinners.

The WC qualifying means we have to dust ourselves off and take something out of the series on Tuesday, no dead rubbers in this format! I'm going to guess Little comes in (I'd guess for Young) if he's been showing he's up to speed in training.

Maybe for the last game I'll keep my mouth shut!

wicorthered · 24-01-2021 4:08pm

Jesus that Ireland team is very very poor. Mccarthy and Young aren't even an associate level attack as the UAE proved. Does Gareth Delaney offer anything?

Considering how they struggled against the UAE this is not unexpected.

Irish cricket is finished, nothing coming through that could be even remotely considered test level.

VillaMad · 24-01-2021 6:03pm

Stirling is world class and Campher looks very promising. As for the rest it's just average at best. Tough times.

KevIRL · 26-01-2021 9:45am

Better start today. Four wickets taken although a handy partnership starting to develop now. A few changes to the team including KOB dropped

Richard Hillman · 26-01-2021 12:56pm

It just seems to be a perennial problem with Ireland in getting a good start with bowling and then letting their lower order run away with things. Its 100% a mindset issue.

Humberto Salazar · 26-01-2021 2:09pm

Seems like there is a huge reliance on Stirling. If he goes that's it you would think.

Mysterypunter · 26-01-2021 2:51pm

Humberto Salazar wrote: »

Seems like there is a huge reliance on Stirling. If he goes that's it you would think.

He has gone, and so has tucker, lots of walking wickets to come, so it looks like another defeat, I'd love to be wrong, but it's groundhog day

fergiesfav · 26-01-2021 3:47pm

Woeful absolutely woeful.

They obviously all go to bed dreaming about Rashid Khan. They can't bowl to him, can't bat against him. I doubt in the history of the game a single player has terrorized a team like he does to Ireland.

This Irish team is probably the worst team for 15 years.

Not matter what situation they get the opposition in thy cannot finish them off. To let 163/7 become 266 is criminal and shows up how little threat the bowling side offers, particular the medium pacers. This happens time and again.

The batting side is much too reliant on Stirling. Balbirnie is an all or nothing type, you'd never depend on him. The rest are at best guys that shouldn't be batting higher than 7 in international cricket. How many times does it look like Ireland are well set for a big total only to look like headless chickens trying to up the scoring rate.

I'm convinced they don't do any bowling coaching. If any coach is teaching his bowlers to bowl repeatedly short on soft slow pitches, he obviously doesn't understand the game. The economy rates for McCarthey, Young, Little (bowled well today) and Adair are embarrassing. If they are being coached to bowl like that the coach needs to be removed.

It was a good ride while it lasted, but unless CI go down the passport route they'll be overtaken by Scotland soon.

MrKingsley · 26-01-2021 8:07pm

That's a crushing defeat earlier. No use being on top for the first 35 overs of each inning just to let it fall away like that.

Overall I have faith in the team - if not the coaching. How Khan does for us every match with bat or ball is infuriating. How the players have not been told to look for 3-3.5 an over off him and forget the boundaries by now is beyond me.

I feel we are paying the cost for holding onto some of the last generation for too long. A lot of this squad has still only played 5 or so series. They need to be given time.

Adair, Campher, Tucker, Delany, McCollum, Tector all need time. They've all played less than 20 ODIs barring Tucker. And he shouldve been given the gloves a long time ago.

riffmongous · 27-01-2021 1:34pm

Richard Hillman wrote: »

It just seems to be a perennial problem with Ireland in getting a good start with bowling and then letting their lower order run away with things. Its 100% a mindset issue.

We see it over and over again where they just can't finish off a team, and it's been like that for years

series vs UAE and Afghanistan

Comments