The World Cup is over

And so Australia duly one. They are easily the best nad most consistent team. The fact that the final descended into chaos shows that the ICC really don't know what they are doing.

Secondly it was WAY too long. They need to cut it down significantly and cut the elapsed time. How about not 8 teams going straight to knock out with the group winners affectively winning the toss in the quarters? Less games means less money so it will never happen.

Ratings

Ok my ratings for the English players in the Cricket world cup. Yes I know we still have the windies to go but we are out

Vaughan - 1
well he scored absolutely nothing.

Joyce - 4
ok he wasn't outstanding but his record was Bradmanesque compared to Vaughan

Bell - 4
occasional glimpse of class. flattered to deceive though.

Strauss - 5
not a chance to make an impact really.

Pieterson - 7
easily Englands top scorer. Not outstanding but he did nothing wrong.

Collingwood - 7
never got the big score but did ok

Flintoff - 3
his bowling was more than fine but he is an all-rounder and his batting was awful

Bopara - 6
did ok. Not brilliant but did ok

Dalrymple - 3
few chances but didn't grab what he had.

Nixon - 7
eat your words blogger he did well.

Plunkett - 5
sorry but why was he dropped for Mahmood???

Mahmood - 3
when the going got tough against South Africa he went to bits.

Panesar - 4
didn't have a great tournament

Anderson - 5
had his moments but they were moments.

3 out of 4?

Well England have 3 out of 4 of the European Cup finalists so that must be clear indication of the strength of British football then.

Uh well no as it happens.

A full strength Chelsea would have John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and perhaps Joe Cole. Manchester united is of course a much better proposition with Rooney, Scholes, Giggs, Ferdinand, Neville and Carrick in their first 11. Hard to know what Liverpools first 11 would be, don't think Benitez knows either! Shall we say Carragher, Finan (i'm stretching it), Gerrard, Bellamy and Crouch. Oh and if we throw Arsenal into the mix we add uh no one.

Of course Manchester United have a number of British Players but the reason they are top is one Christiano Ronaldo. And by far the best striker is one Didier Drogba.

I think that all goes to show that our football is not in rude health just that the game is awash with money and we can buy the best talent.

The World Cup again

Sigh. It is always the way with the England cricket team. Just when you think they are going to surprise you they blow it.

Ok will someone please explain the selection policy to me? Vaughan is in the team because he is a tactical genius of the level of a Bobby Fisher or a Garry Kasparov. Well it isn't is his batting! So why is he opening? His record in One Day Internationals is 82 matches 1851 runs at an average of 26.82 with a top score of 90 not out. That is rubbish! He may be worth his test place but ye gods he has never been worth a place in the one day team.

Now Bopara has been brought into the team as an all rounder and yet he doesn't get asked to bowl!! He batted excellently yesterday so why is he at 7? Fredalo Flintoff is bowling well but his batting is awful!

I will say Nixon has done well BUT he can't surely be the test keeper next summer!

I'm not going to get my hopes up over qualification. The selectors have now got to build for the future. We have promising young players methinks now is the time to pick them. Personally I don't see where Vaughan's place is in the test team. I think Strauss is the better bet. Bell has the makings of a decent test player, if he plays the one dayers he needs to open (oh boy do we miss Trescothick).

So how about a test 12 of Strauss (capt - his form improved with the responsibility last summer), Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Flintoff, Bopara, Prior (or Davies of Worcester with a bit more experience), Hoggard, Harmisson, Monty and Broad.