Thought we should prolly have a dedicated thread considering our Brave Island Nation are potential favourites here. Only England could look so menacing and then so limp over the course of a couple of ODIs. So England vs Bangladesh at 10:30am this morning from the Oval.
Stokes is a bit injured but being played anyway
India smashed Bangladesh a couple of days ago so we should be making hay in the sun here
A slight embarrassment of riches means there might not be much room for Bairstow
India are going to win it overall aren’t they (there’s no India flag emoji so I’ve had to go with man_with_turban)
The fact that we can’t squeeze Bairstow in our best lineup is really something. I’ve been up and down the top 6 trying to work out who he can replace, the only realistic candidate is Roy (plus a reshuffle), and that isn’t on the cards for the moment. #niceproblemtohave.
Dangerous game betting against Australia in ODI tournaments, but I’m going to say South Africa on the basis that they have the most rounded team and one that is likely to perform regularly in English conditions.
Lots of possibilities. NZ have a habit of knocking over Australia early in World Cups. Normally the Aussies have time to recover and go on and win the thing, but if they lose here, then they’d have to beat England, or go home early. OTOH Bangladesh knocked over NZ in their last match - could we see three teams on 2 points and run rate deciding progression?
I’m not sold on the NZ team, too many quite good but not great all-rounders (very much like a poor man’s England).
SA will choke as always, and the sub-continental teams are in the wrong conditions, so therefore by default England will win. unless they don’t .
(there’s no India flag emoji so I’ve had to go with man_with_turban)
