England v Sri Lanka

11pm: Another word for what happened today (see lower down): gosh.

Never mind that England lost, and that they came one hit away from winning. The fact is that they played like a different side for much of this match and - hallelujah - this World Cup finally had its third exciting match. There are still concerns - Vaughan and Joyce look horridly out of nick, Pietersen is incapable of getting out for a small score or making a really big one, Ian Bell just has bad luck. But what about Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon? The one I have taked up a bit too much, the other I have talked down a bit too much. But they both came off today and almost - dammit - took England to a surprising win.

I still feel Rav the Chav has a big future in the game and at this tournament (he is batting far too low at No 7). I am growing to respect Nixon (maybe I'd warm to him more if he didn't wear a gumshield while keeping). Bring back Strauss and suddenly this side look as if they can do things. They probably have to beat two of Australia, South Africa and West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals. But I'm starting to think they might do it.

7pm: One word for the past few hours: crikey.

What's gone wrong with England? They suddenly look as if they believe themselves, bowling with control, purpose and vigour and, in the main, fielding sharply. Let's hope they bat with just as much discipline and belief. 236 is a smallish target, but still will take some getting if Vaas, Malinga and Murali hit their straps.

Some sections of the crowd almost look half-full as well, and there have been some joyous clips of people frolicking in a small swimming pool at the edge of the ground. They look as if they are having fun. Is that allowed?

The only downer is that Jon Lewis, who oddly had not featured in the World Cup so far, has gone home today to look after his wife, who is having pregnancy complications. Stuart Broad, as tall as Ireland's Boyd Rankin but not so ginger, gets the call-up

Comments

[H.Goodchild]

Am i the only one to think thatlast ball wicket of Bopara was totally down to gamesmanship at least and cheating at worst.The bowler had managed to make all his previous deliviers without any problems, so why the last ball of the innings and a win or lose situation at that. Any physiologist out there will tell you that Bopara's adrenalin would have been flowing high and the advent of the non-delivery will have left a massive flat, the previous high could not be repeated on the following delivery.Making response times slower etc. I know it required an accurate delivery to take the wicket but i believe it was contrived

[Patrick Kidd]

Peter, as ever you are right. Chasing 236 is not a big ask, not on those pitches, and England ballsed up.

I guess most of us are just so relieved to get a close game of cricket after five weeks of mismatches, even when two good teams come up against each other.

[Peter McGuinness]

It is actually - logically - ludicrous that so much Pom press is lauding England's loss to Sri Lanka. They didn't chase down 236.

That was a win-able game. In fact, given conditions in the Carribean, it should have been won by England.

There should be an expectation of success under the circumstances. Great - Nixon (finally) performed his basic function and Bopara has potential. However, defeat is not triumph. Particularly in context with the target. A gallant effort against 300+ may be cause for optimism.

Certain Pom reports of the game have been quite jubilant (not you Patrick, in fairness). It's confounding. While it's a relief to have had a close game in the formulaic 'vanilla' of the World Cup, there are still profound questions to be answered by England's top order.

Sri Lanka are a better One Day team than England, and in better form - given. But 236 odd should have been achieved by any team with real claims upon the Cup.

Of course, anything can happen in the 'hit and giggle'. It might. If Sri Lanka can win the Cup (in 96), then so can England in '07. But they really needed to win that SL game, to have a decent shot at it. So why the breast beating? Seems to me to be a celebration of the adequate. Aim higher lads...

Looking forward to our game in a couple of days. At last....some interest!