Final sad worm

Lets all take a bow, now the dance is over.

Congratulations go to the West Indies for deciding to show up to the tournament at just the right time. Congratulations also go to Anna for better trade management and a big upset. We've all been Bazingaed.

Our little cricket party was a bit of a flop. Apparently the finals rated a showing on ESPN 2 not 3 like the other games, so we were unprepared. We did manage, after 3 hours or so, to catch the final 30 minutes of the game. Too bad Bob left because I suspect this would have been the perfect amount of cricket for him.

So what happened? Well, hard for me to say not having watched the game. But I will try. Seems like it was a game won in the field. The hitting on both sides seems to have been ho hum. The West Indies opened the batting and their two openers both fell pretty quickly. Gayle went out for a measly 3. But Samuels hung on for a whopping 78 - he must have been the key to Anna's pivot. Their final total 137 for 6. Not great, and certainly Sri Lanka must have felt pretty confidant going into the break. And their first 10 overs seemed OK other than Dilshan's duck. But once the 10th over hit so did the wickets. It was 1 wicket an over from there on out, most of the Sri Lankans put up single digit numbers. And in the end the came up 36 runs short.

So, what happened with us? Michael has put up the "final sad worm". The HoGs were given one last Bazinga, Balls to the Walls fell a little short of the boundry, The Winners certainly came on tough in the end knocking This Is My Boomstick out of the coveted 5th position. The Cantebury Strikers are gainfully employed while The Thought Pads seems to have taken a moment, Ashland beat the Balehouse Busters while The Fours and Sixes managed to hold off The Superheroes. Well done to everyone and thank you for another enjoyable tournament.

We'll be back when the next tourney rolls around, so until then keep plotting strategy and you might want to check out "PivotTable II: Swing into action with PivotTable reports"

Second to last worm

Shock and Awe

I really do not know what to say, and its difficult to speak anyway since I haven't pulled my jaw up off the floor. What the hell happened? The West Indies, who up until now have done squat, absolutely demolished Australia and any hope I had of beating James. They put up 205 runs for Australia to chase with 6 wickets to spare. Gayle alone earned 75 and was not out. He spent the entire game just smacking that ball to the boundaries. Then when Australia got up to bat Watson and Warner fell like matchsticks in the wind. The rest of Australia didn't quite seem to know what to do after that and they all fell in line. The only one who thought maybe he should still be playing cricket was Bailey. He earned a respectable 63 but without the support of the rest of the guys, well, it was just sad.

I also fell like a matchstick to the whiz of a Bazinga. Missy and Bob are both having late tournament surges. Michael is having an "Occupy 5th Street" protest. Finally, Sean made a surprise captain change to Ravi Rampaul who got him 3 wickets!

Finals on Sunday Sri Lanka v. West Indies. Whose coming over to watch?

I Cry Foul

Do they have fouls in Cricket? If they don't they should. I KNOW I changed my team in preparation for today's game but I just looked and its the same team as from the day before.........huh? I guess I didn't confirm the change or something. But wait, I know I did because I always write down my team from the green "your current team" box.....hmmmm......... anyway, no points for me today. I guess that just leaves me extra trades for the final. Watch out James here I come.

So today Sri Lanka knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. It didn't seem to be all that exciting of a game but admittedly I did not watch it. Sri Lanka opened strong with the pair of Jayawardene earning 42 and Dilshan 35 but then things became a little lackluster and they only got to 139 for Pakistan to chase - should have been doable for them. Hafeez and Nazir came out strong but then it just all went to pot. They lost by 16 runs.

Personally I was hoping Pakistan would advance - really it would be easier to field of team of Pakistanis because they have fewer A and B players. But, ooh well somehow we will manage. And truth be told I am mostly banking on Australia, if they lose tomorrow I am toast, stick a fork in me I will be done. But if they win, hope is alive. So, go AUSTRALIA!!! They are playing the West Indies who have yet to do anything super impressive.

I will try my hardest to get a worm out of Michael tonight, I mean we need to know where we are right?

Nearing the end

Well today held some excitement. The West Indies beat knocked New Zealand out of the whole thing in a super over - the second one or of the tournament. Then Malinga's 5 wicket haul helped Sri Lanka to knock out England. This is good for the Thought pads and I am guessing bad for The Fours and Sixes. Its the spin I tell you, its all about the spin.

Tomrrow we have the last two match ups in the Super Eight round. Australia is most certainly through unless they are handed their collective butts on a plate by Pakistan. The second spot in the semis is up for grab with everyone needing a win. It is most likely a battle between India and Pakistan to see who has the best run rate
but if Pakistan loses then South Africa still has a chance. So......... What we do know is that Sri Lanka will play someone on Thursday and then the West Indies willplay someone on Friday.

We also know that there will be a cricket viewing party at the Robinson casa on sunday. Festivities will begin at 11. Missy is bringing coffee cake, I'll make a fritatta and we'll all have lots of fun. I guess I better start cleaning...........