Good morning and welcome to The Roar‘s coverage of Match 14 of the 2015 Cricket World Cup featuring Scotland up against England at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
You can follow the live scores and coverage from 9:00am (AEDT) and leave your comments below.
It’s last versus second last at Hagely Oval today – and would you believe it, it’s England and not Scotland at the bottom of the table in Pool A.
Coming off two losses, the latter of which has been described as pathetic, humiliating and by some as the worst day in the history of English one-day cricket, England need a win.
And some people don’t think it will be as easy as turning up against Scotland, especially if England loses early wickets. The team’s mental game leaves little to be desired at the moment.
Eoin Morgan and his team showed huge signs of weakness against NZ, who bullied the motherland into submission with the ball and bat.
Apart from Joe Root, not one English player stayed at the crease long enough to make an impact, with experienced players, such as Stuart Broad, throwing their wickets away cheaply.
If England play as poorly as they did against NZ, Scotland will win.
Scotland’s Captain, Preston Mommsen, has spoken about the confidence his team has in their game, as well as the advantage that they have with coach Paul Collingwood on their side.
Collingwood, who previously captained the English ODI team, has disseminated files outlining the weaknesses in each individual English player’s game.
But will England suffer another humiliation? Especially after the media beat up they have received over the past two days?
Surely not.
While Scotland are no pushovers, England have a cricket history so deep and so proud that I cannot fathom them losing their third game in a row.
Prediction: England will bounce back and win against a valiant Scotland, who won’t give up on their first win at any World Cup.
Sarah Olle
Expert
No problem.
Sarah Olle
Expert
WRAP UP - Result: England defeats Scotland by 119 runs. England comes away with the points today. That’s all that really needs to be said. It wasn’t an outstanding performance from the English team, but after two successive losses to Australia and NZ, England finally has a victory under their belt. Moeen Ali was the star of the day and deservedly won Man of the Match honours. His 128(107) was a return to his fluid best and he was a joy to watch, smashing 17 boundaries, including 5 sixes. He was also handy with the ball – bowling 10 overs and taking 2 wickets. He could not have done more for his team today. Captain Eoin Morgan found some form with the bat, making 46(42) and Steven Finn some with the ball, taking 3 wickets. But the experiment with Gary Ballance batting at 3 may be over – his 10(18) unconvincing again. Scotland got off to a shaky start with the ball and at one stage it looked like England was on target to make a big 350+ score. But to give credit to the Scots, their bowlers turned things around and restricted England, in the end, to 303 runs. And this is where you have to question how good of a win this was for England. Yes, they won. Yes, they batted for the full 50 overs. But were they ruthless? Did they make a statement? No. There is still a big gap between England and sides like Australia, NZ, South Africa and India. If this is to be the start of England’s recovery at the World Cup they will need to continue to improve to challenge the top sides. For now, they can be content knowing that tomorrow’s newspapers won’t have headlines such as, “worst day in English ODI history”.
JimmyB
Guest
Thanks Sarah.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Scotland is all out for 180 runs, with England claiming their first victory of this 2015 World Cup.
Sarah Olle
Expert
WICKET - Haq is caught by Ballance off the bowling of Woakes. THAT'S IT - ENGLAND BEAT SCOTLAND BY 119 RUNS
Sarah Olle
Expert
WICKET - A little edge from Evans and he is caught behind by Buttler off the bowling of Anderson. England only needs 1 more wicket to win now. Wardlaw will join Haq at the crease.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - I'm not sure if Evans knew where that one was either, but he makes contact with the ball and it flies over the slips and toward the boundary for 4. Scotland 183-8 Evans 9* Haq 14* Anderson is back in to the attack from the CIty End. Can he wrap things up for England?
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - Evans didn't know where that ball was. But he gets lucky, as the ball goes down leg side for 4.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Woakes is back in to the attack for England. He already has one wicket.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - the Finn delivery is short and wide and Haq cuts it for 4. 12 runs from a No. 10 batsmen in that over. This is when England let themselves down - they have this match in the bag, but they need to be more ruthless. Scotland 175-8 with 10 overs to go.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - this time a deliberate shot from Haq, who sends the ball back over Finn's head.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - Finn starts his ninth over and finds the inside edge of Haq's bat. The ball races away behind the keeper for 4.
Sarah Olle
Expert
At the end of the 39th over, Scotland is 163-8. Evans 1* Haq 2* Broad was unlucky not to get a wicket there.
Sarah Olle
Expert
UMPIRE'S CALL - Decision stands. Haq is not out.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Broad continues his spell. The Barmy Army are in full voice now. An ambitious shout from Broad on his 4th ball, appealing for the LBW of Haq. The decision is being referred.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Scotland 160-8 with 12 overs to play. Haq 1* Evans 0* Another good over from Finn, who was in need of some confidence coming into this match. A wicket maiden for him.
Sarah Olle
Expert
A shout from Finn, Buttler and the slips but Evans is no where near the ball.
Sarah Olle
Expert
WICKET - Steven Finn gets his third wicket. Cross plays the ball off the face of the bat as if it's a training drill. He is caught by Root at second slip. In comes Evans.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Scotland requires a run rate of 10+ to win the game from here. England looks set to win their first match of the tournament. Scotland 160-7 Cross 23* Haq 1*
Sarah Olle
Expert
Broad comes back on from the Port Hills End.