The knockout stage of the World Cup has started three games early for England. Lose to Bangladesh today and arguments about whether Flintoff should have a bash at the hard ball at the top of the order will be immaterial. We must win all three even to get the Semis and hope that South Africa don't win their final game so handsomely that our run rate doesn't trip us up. At the moment it's about the only thing in our favour...
It will also be a useful marker about the state of our one day cricket. Bangladesh have taken down India and South Africa at this world cup and many columnists more erudite than Wickman reckon that this side, growing up around the talent of Ashrafal, will be a force to be reckoned with in 4 years. But really England should be too strong for these guys, even with three spinners and a ropey ball to bat against. No one expects England to win this World Cup. They do expect that we can dispatch a "minnow". Even one that has, at times, looked a bit like a Barracuda...
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