And Who Could Blame Them

 ... but there is one more game to play fellas.

In Your Face

This great shot seems to sum up the bi-polar nature of the sub-continental stoush that is about to take place. Who knows what might happen, but it is likely to leave a lot of people wide eyed.

Tired Old Thing

Danny, if the sad old pitch is the biggest challenge you end up having it will be a good day out. You only win this with a positive attitude and more aggression than is good for a man over 30. No whining, just grab the chance by the throat and strangle the shit out of it.

Staying Loose

Yuvraj Singh is a cool dude. Even in a hot shirt he can stay loose and limber, albeit with a little help from the staff.  He may well need all that Zen calm when it comes to facing the Crazy Green Men, 'cause who knows what they might bring to the game.

Contrary To Which Spirit?

There is more than a touch of irony in Mills and Vettori being fined for actions "contrary to the spirit of the game". If they and their team hadn't fired up and got so bloody minded about things they would have been stepped on and over by the Saffers. It might not be a good look for the ICC but I want to see the fire in Ross Taylor's eyes just a little more often.

South Africa Implodes

We have said it many times before - "that's why they play the game". All Black supporters can tell you in great detail how a tournament is essentially a series of one off opportunities - get it wrong and your gone.

Great result for the Black Caps, but what really cheered me up was the fact that they showed some spine and aggression.

Yuvraj Explodes

And in the end, blows away the Aussie challenge. It now seems the biggest danger might be that India beats itself.

What I Like About Shoaib Akhtar

"Just give me the ball and let me bowl as fast as possible."

*!@#!*! That Hurt

Now that is a very obvious headline - any one got a more subtle or subversive caption?

Sultry And Serious

Yuvraj Singh is leaving no one in any doubt that the job is not done.

Qualifying is just the start and you better believe it, or else.

Either that or he is threatening someone who has been messing with his hair products.

A Little Off Colour

Punter appears a little bemused by his team's defeat, but then it hasn't happened that often. It might just be something he has to get used to though.

Life In The Old Dog

38  years and a sore leg are not enough to weigh Murali down.

4 wickets when they matter is more than enough to lift the old fella and his team.

Something To Yell About

 Devon Thomas celebrates a very important catch, but sadly for him his lower order could not capitalise on the advantage they created. The England had the last laugh, which always trumps the loudest shout.

World Cup Colour (Grumpy Gold)

Mr Grumpy teaches the newbie Smith a sharp lesson in fielding - the guy running forward has priority (especially if he is the boss). Judging by Ponting's (over)reaction to a fairly minor incident the pressure must be building in the green and gold camp.

Such A Nice Boy

So respectful and kind to his mother. It is a pity he isn't so kind to opening batsman

Beware the Ides Of March...

... and any cricketer wearing green with a gold star.

Steve Smith Gets High

Now that I have your attention, it is of course just another big shot being played at the world cup of sixes.

I didn't get to watch the game, so don't know if it went "maximum", but I hope so,  for the sake of any poor fielder who had to stand under it and wait for gravity to do its' thing.

Mutual Support

When things aren't going well and you are under real pressure, it is important to keep your mates close and ensure that you all stay tight.  Virat Kohli seems a little less convinced of this strategy than Harbhajan Singh. 

Sticks And Stones ...

... may break your bones, but they also sharpen the mind and the will to win.

Bangladesh deserved all the joy their victory brought them.

Watching the Ball

Devon Thomas showing Kamran Akmal how to do it - Just keep you gloves open and your eye on the ball. Not sure if the big glasses add anything other than a cool reflection.

Welcome Back Rossco

... and about bloody time! Not that Oram The Accident Prone can be too patronising, it was the first time in a while he lived up to his reputation. But what they hell am I grumping about, they won. I should get over myself.

A Kiwi Type Of Fast Bowler

Hamish Bennet is the most recent in a long line of slightly off beat Kiwi fast bowlers.

Yes, Richard Hadlee was classical, but Bennet follows in the long established tradition of  Dick Motz, Lance Cairns, Ewan Chatfield, Chris Pringle et al.

They were hard arse toilers who won't make a coaching manual but will always hold up their end. Well, I am hoping Bennet maintains the tradition anyway.

Game Changer

Jimmy Anderson showed once again why being able to move the ball in the air is so important.

No swing, he looks average - ball starts to move and he can change the game.

He's got that whole after wicket celebration thing working as well.

Blue, Green, Gold and Wet

These ladies are happy to take whatever nature throws at them in a good natured way. The young fella behind them is just a little less resigned and a touch pissed off.

So was I. It was shaping as a game worth watching.

A Fractured Team?

Nothing like playing a world cup at home to ramp the pressure up to breaking point. It would seem the players cracked first but were closely followed by the home spectators, but far be it from me to cast the first stone.

World Cup Colour (Maple Leaf Red)

Yes I know they got beat, and the whole thing could be played in half the time without them, but it would be hard to deny the "minnows" the joy they get from being at the big dance.

Never Heard Of Kevin O'Brien?

Well you, and everyone else, have now. Just another example of the glorious uncertainty of competitive sport.

Blaaaaah!

Yep Nathan, that's just how we feel.

Bang.Bang.Bang.

Kemar Roach takes them down. Not content with three wickets with three balls he added another three victims to pad his figures. Thank heaven he was only armed with deadly fingers and an attitude.