[retired_kris10nicole]

Just checked the overnight score. A couple of reports i heard before the game suggested they expected Shah to play ahead of Bopara, as they said given the pitch his bowling was unlikely to be of much use. Is he just there as insurance in case of injury to one of the main 4 bowlers then, or is he likely to bowl much?

[retired_burnthefat]

So the Indian Cricket League is not going to fail because of the alleged repercussions of the Boards to the players, but because they have Tony Greig commentating.

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

They've got Inzi and Lara, it cannot fail

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

Boje stumped, 41/3 after 8.2 overs and Inzi is walking to the middle \o/

[retired_nini59]

Originally posted by mark g:
Just checked the overnight score. A couple of reports i heard before the game suggested they expected Shah to play ahead of Bopara, as they said given the pitch his bowling was unlikely to be of much use. Is he just there as insurance in case of injury to one of the main 4 bowlers then, or is he likely to bowl much?

I doubt he'll bowl much unless they get a big partnership going, plus we've always got Colly to do that job anyway. But in the warm up games Bopara did as well as Shah with the bat I think, plus he's more a long term option, whereas Shah is 29 now, and the selectors can't see him doing much better than any of the top 5 and dislodging them, so there's no point in having him except as a back up in case of injuries. Whereas Bopara can get some experience, then go away for a while if Freddie ever gets fit again, then come back in 2/3 years when say Vaughan/Flintoff are looking to retire.

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

Inzi wanting quick singles and trying to put the fielder under pressure but Rayudu is just refusing to run, lazy bastard

[retired_nini59]

Plus Shah has been given a few opportunities at ODI level and not took his chances, whereas Bopara has generally done better. I do think his bowling comes into it a little too. If we were going into the match needing only a draw then they may have gone for the "specialist" batsman in Shah, but I guess they'd want some form of allrounder in there just in case.

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

Rayudu stumped, get Razzaq out there

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

What a shot, according to the commentator that was "nonchalaaaaaaaance"

[retired_itsthewitchinme]

And again, Inzi :******)