Buzzin Cricket

T20 World Cup 2010

England will be praying for a rain free game against Ireland tonight following the disappointment of losing out to the West Indies on the Duckworth-Lewis calculation after rain disturbed Monday’s match.

England had appeared to do everything right after being being asked to bat first by West Indies captain Chris Gayle. The England batsmen set an impressive 191 – 5, with an excellent stand of 95 from Eoin Morgan (55) and Luke Wright (45 not out).

In return the West Indies managed a quickfire 30 runs before rain stopped play, and on resumption of the game they were set a meagre target of 60 from 6 overs, managing that with a ball to spare.

West Indies were awarded the game on the Duckworth- Lewis rule, something that captain Chris Gayle had gambled on when winning the toss and putting England into bat.

“We knew that the weather was going to play a part -so the first five overs, obviously, can determine the game,” he said, “So we decided to go out and see what we could get out of the first five overs. The target was actually 43, I think, at one stage – and the updated calculation went in our favour. After the rain, we knew we were most likely to win the game from there on.”

The win means West Indies are through to the Super Eight stage, having seen off the challenge of Ireland on the opening day of the tournament and leaves England also needing a win against Ireland tonight to ensure they progress.

The result has left a bitter taste in the mouth for Paul Collingwood and the England team and the captain has called for a change in the D-L Formula in 20 over cricket, saying;

“We played a near perfect game, and lost. The only thing we are frustrated about is the Duckworth-Lewis equation. There’s a major problem with this Duckworth-Lewis in this form of the game.
I’ve got no problems with it in the 50-over form. But I know it’s made us very frustrated here. It certainly has to be revised for this form of the game. I’m no mathematician; I really don’t know what the equation should be. But you’re certainly backs against the wall when it works out like that.”

Collingwood added that they are praying for a 20 over game with no rain on Tuesday night, believing that if they get that they are capable of joining the West Indies in the Super Eights.