ICC Cricket World Cup Thread

[TheStig]

Sri Lanka upping the tempo big time here. They could do this.

[TheStig]

Hmmm looks like DL might decide this which would be a great shame.

[TheStig]

A great shame this.

[TheStig]

WTF is this .

[lfc4ever]

It's dark o'clock and they are still playing!

Travesty of a WC Final match though.

[SouthAfricaRed]

A great shame this.

WTF is this .

What a Disgrace :whatever:

The umpires forcing the game to continue when even the Sri Lankans have conceded defeat. It's so Dark that you cant see anything through the Stump Cam

It's stupidity like this that will prevent this game ever becoming Internationally accepted and enjoyed

[TheStig]

What a Disgrace :whatever:

The umpires forcing the game to continue when even the Sri Lankans have conceded defeat. It's so Dark that you cant see anything through the Stump Cam

It's stupidity like this that will prevent this game ever becoming Internationally accepted and enjoyed

At least we had a great innings by Gilchrist to enjoy .

[SouthAfricaRed]

6.30pm Congratulations to Australia who were the best team from the first match and maintained their relentlessly high standard throughout. Sri Lanka gave them a game but on the day came up just short.

There's a certain irony that cricket's four-yearly showcase ended in farce ... Australia, Sri Lanka, the Caribbean and millions of spectators deserved more but given what has gone before today, it was almost inevitable. You can spin it all you like, this tournament has not done the game any favours and people at the top, if they had any decency, would be contemplating their futures. But we all know that won't happen.

The late start and finish at least means that the post-match waffle from the great and good of the game - the officials, not the players - will be mercifully curtailed. I imagine that Malcolm Speed is relieved given that he will hardly be expecting a reception accorded to a returning hero. Percy Sonn could set a record here ... he was booed in 2003 after his trouser episode, so could achieve a unique double.

Australia acknowledge their supporters as the lights from the stands dazzle out into the night.

Australia win by 53 runs Smiles all round as the two teams shake hands. They have given us good entertainment today. Adam Gilchrist: "We're thrilled. Great support, yeah. Amazing feeling. Really pleasing to do it [get a hundred] on an important day."

"Bit dark at the moment," deadpans McGrath, "but loving every minute."

The helpers are erecting the podium for the presentations ... in complete darkness.

All shake hands with McGrath as he heads off with a stump. He really deserved to go out on a high, and while he has in that he finishes with a winner's medal, the end has been so unsatisfactory.

Australia celebrate, as well they might. The ground is strangely quiet, as if the fans know they have again been sold down the river. Australia huddle again. Ponting's all a-beaming. We're getting a strange sense of deja vu.
35.6 Symonds to Vaas, no run, missed, a loud appeal, not out but mercifully it's all over


34.6 Clarke to Vaas, no run, sorry, no idea as we simply could not see
TV has just shown the stumpcam picture. It is pitch black, seriously, you cannot see a thing

6.17pm It's what is traditionally known as night. It is so dark but the umpires are now saying the match will continue. Heads should roll for this. The man is out putting the 30-yard circles back out. He needs a torch to do so. The batsmen are heading out to the middle accompanied by a guide dog.

6.15pmThis is a very unfunny joke, almost as if cricket was determined to show the world that it couldn't organise a whatsit in a brewery. The umpires are insisting the game is not over, everyone else thinks it is. Aleem Dar seems to be saying they can all come back tomorrow.

Steve Bucknor's looking quite embarrassed in the background, letting Dar lead the process. Jayawardene is now on the pitch to talk to Bucknor and Bowden.

6.12pmAnd the farce continues! Now the stands for the ceremony have been brought on... and are off again, as the umpires shoo them away. My word. Here's a man who can tell you more, it's Martin.

Now what's this? Aleem Dar is having a word with Australia, telling them they can't yet celebrate. Officially this match isn't over. You couldn't make it up. You don't have to.

In fairness, this doesn't stop Australia celebrating. McGrath's all of a beam and there's a thumbs up and a smile for the tv cameras.

The light's been offered and Sri Lanka have taken it - meaning Australia have won the World Cup again. They certainly deserve it and are huddling in celebration. A bit of a damp squib of an ending, which is of course fitting.

What a Shame. A Great moment for a Great Team Spoiled

[Shaggy]

That was an absolute shambles, although a pretty funny shambles. I could not believe how dark it was - that stump cam said it all. And look behind Gower et al now...pitch ****ing black!

[SouthAfricaRed]

That was an absolute shambles, although a pretty funny shambles. I could not believe how dark it was - that stump cam said it all. And look behind Gower et al now...pitch ****ing black!

They are actually having a closing ceremony that no one can see

[Shaggy]

800 dancers and musicians all ready to perform the closing ceremony...in total darkness!

[TheStig]

Speed et al get "mixed" responses from the crowd .

[SouthAfricaRed]

Speed et al get "mixed" responses from the crowd .

Yes only Everton Weekes and Garfield Sobers not getting booood

[TheStig]

What are the crowd singing?

[Shaggy]

What are the crowd singing?

'Hopelessly Devoted To You' by Olivia Newton-John.