URN

I got together with some of the Cricket Team ahead of Monday’s deciding game against Trent. The game starts at 12.30 on Monday at Clifton Campas at the Trent Campus. Have a listen to their build up of the game.

After the defeat against Ireland the England players hoped they would perform better against one of the favourites South Africa. Having won the toss and electing to bat England were hoping to set a decent total to defend. However Captain Strauss was out on the third bowl without troubling the scorers, England managed to score just 171 runs with Bopara top scoring with 60. England going into the break were defiantly looking like a team which wouldn’t make it to the knock out stage. South Africa’s first wicket stand of 63 gave them a great platform to go win the game. However Anderson and Broad managed to skittle South Africa out for 165 and England won by 6 runs. Anderson whose previous figures include 0-72 and 1-91 bowled a fantastic spell ending on 6-0-16-2, Broad’s figures were also good as he ended on 4-15. Hopefully England can maintain this momentum going into the Bangladesh game.

In other news Kevin Pietersen who bowled 8 overs against South Africa has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hernia injury which will require surgery. Eoin Morgan has been called up as his replacement, and was in good form before he picked up an injury prior to the world cup. Will Matt Prior return to opening the innings?

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Nimitray Joshi

England suffered an incredible loss against the cricket minnows Ireland yesterday. Having set Ireland 327 England looked in the hot seat going into the break with Trott getting 92 and Bell 81 England must have thought they had it in the bag. Having got Ireland to 111-5 with Swann getting a few quick wickets and Ed Joyce already back in the pavilion, one would assume the England players were cruising and thinking about what to have for supper that evening. However the pink haired Kevin O’Brien pulled of a magnificent innings, breaking the record for the fastest world cup centaury of just 50 balls getting the last of those 50 runs of just 20 balls. He was finally run out for 113 of 63 balls, however the damage was already done with Mooney hitting the final runs of the first ball of the final over, to win by 3 wickets.

Jubilant Ireland players celebrate a historic world cup win: photo courtesy of BBC Sport

England hold the psychological edge as we look into the build up of this Second test at Adelaide.

England’s batting heroics in the second test have left the Australian selectors questioning if they have the correct bowling formula. Already they have recruited in pace bowlers Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger into the squad and on the eve of this second test it looks highly likely that the so called strike bowler Mitchell Johnson who finished with figures of 0-170, may well be dropped for the second test in favour of Bollinger. Ben Hilfenhaus’s place in the second test is also doubtful as Australia look to change up their bowling line up.

England batsman Trott is being a bit more down to earth about the first test. We will take a lot of good things out of that, but I wouldn't say there's any advantage on either side," Trott said.

Kevin Pietersen not wanting to be left out the limelight has gone on one of his twitter rants this time about the grounds-man at Adelaide. “What should a groundsmen make sure he does 2days out from a test match???? Cover the nets when it rains maybe???” He later followed up with: "PATHETIC!” A few months ago he also went on a twitter rampage when he was dropped from the England team.

Ashes: Can England pull this off?

If ever there was a chance to beat Australia on their home turf it is now. England’s last attempt at winning the Ashes in Australia ended in a humiliating 5 -0 defeat. However with the aging Australian team, bowling legends such as Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Brett Lee now gone, it is left to players such as Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger and the inexperienced spinner Xavier Doherty -who was selected ahead of the more experienced Nathan Hauritz - to be the strike bowlers for Australia. England’s bowling line up can rely on the experience of Grame Swann and Jimmy Anderson who will aid their quest in attempting to hold the Ashes on foreign soil. Australia however boast the experience of Ricky Pointing who has the ability to produce great match winning innings under pressure.

England's barmy army will be hoping they can end a run of 24 years without an Ashes victory in Australia