Match tied Well well well. If it weren't for Munaf's short run from the last ball of India's innings India would have this game! Incredible match, Strauss's innings must rank as the best England ODI innings after Gooch's World Cup 115 in 1983. Fourth tied game in World Cup history. Breathless stuff, that game has twisted one way and another and again and another before ending up even. Ian Bell's Powerplay shot? India fluffing their last few overs with the bat? Misfields all round, all end up magnified.
What is left to say about it really. India were a bowler short, England a batsmen short and in the end it balanced to a perfect equilibrium. Zaheer's spell with the old ball in the batting Powerplay was remarkable. He is the absolute key to India's World Cup, more than Sachin or Sehwag I would argue. England will be gutted, Strauss led a chase like no other and deserved the win. Also Tim Bresnan, first with five wickets and then 14 runs to hold England together when they were doing their best to fall apart.
"The way they started I definitely am happy with a tie," says Dhoni. "When they were 2 down the way they were going the bowlers were finding it very tough. Zak changed it around for us he is a different bowler if you try and come at him it's very difficult. It could count as a win in the points table at the end."
Yes and no, really," answers Strauss to whether he is happy with the result. "We were in a great position and then had a shocking Powerplay. After that we were lucky and grateful for Swann and Shahzad to getting us to the tie. We're happy and devastated at the same time but privileged to play in a game like this."
Strauss is rightly named man of the match, "it's the best innings I've played." Indeed. Phew, that was immense fun. My nerves, not to mention fingers, are in tatters. Andrew Miller has somehow got to squeeze everything into a bulletin, when it's done it will be well worth a read. Might not get a better game all tournament. Not sure what that's done to the Fantasy standings but you should go and find out. The next game is, er, Canada v Zimbabwe tomorrow. Do join us for it.