Front foot folly and looking after Russell's knee... WORLD CUP TALKING POINTS

The Cricketer takes a look at some of the key topics to come out of the World Cup meeting between Australia and West Indies at Trent Bridge...

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Third umpires must be on the front-foot

Chris Gayle was the proverbial cat at Trent Bridge. The ironic cheers could probably be heard in the Caribbean when the opener was forced to jog to the boundary to retrieve the ball, and even when it came his way which fielding at leg slip.

That status continued into his batting display, which saw him survive twice being given out in the same Mitchell Starc over. The first as the ball shaved off-stump, the second coming when Chris Gaffney adjudged that a Start in swinger had trapped Gayle lbw. Both decisions were overturned.

It would be third-time lucky for Starc in his next over, wrapping the ball on Gayle's pads and surviving another review. Television replays however showed that the left-arm seamer had committed a front-foot no-ball, and that the wicket should never have counted.

Gaffney committed another blunder by missing the overstep - probably due to focusing on the other end after his previous errors. The reality is the technology should now take control of these kinds of decisions. The third umpire can inform the standing officials instantly whether a player has overstepped, to ensure illegitimate dismissals do not occur in mammoth games such as this.

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Andre Russell's knee gave him bother during the game

Knee-jerk decision needed on Russell

The West Indies allrounder was the outstanding playing at the Indian Premier League and as a result currently tops the T20 Player Index.

But it would be fair to say the 31-year-old is struggling to cope with the rigours and intensity of a 50-over World Cup.

Russell suffered a knee problem against Pakistan and immediately left the field, and was fortunately not required to bat as the target of 106 was knocked off without much alarm.

And that issue returned against Australia, forcing him off the field after bowling eight overs. The last delivery of his final spell saw him lumber up to the crease grimacing, before he finally left the field.

Granted, the Windies are not short of seamers nor of pinch-hitters in the middle of the innings but they must surely make a decision soon over his role in the team.

Currently, Russell is being merely nursed through matches - there were concerns over his general fitness before the tournament, and the West Indies must  either rest him or consider replacing him altogether, if he is to have a tangible impact on this tournament.

The upcoming game with South Africa - who are virtually eliminated - should hand them that opportunity before they face England and Bangladesh.

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Nathan Coulter-Nile impressed with the bat

Since when could Coulter-Nile do that?

Nathan Coulter-Nile's innings at Trent Bridge was a bolt from the blue.

The Aussie allrounder is no mug with the bat but his previous List A best was 62 and he had not previously passed 34 in ODIs when he decided all of a sudden he would take a liking to the Windies attack which had dissected his teammates at the top of the order.

His blistering knock - a flashbang 92 which turned a losing position into a potentially winning won - is now the highest by a No.8-11 in any men's World Cup innings.

It is also the joint second biggest in all men's one-day internationals. Only Chris Woakes, who made 95 not out against Sri Lanka three years ago, can claim to have more.

The trick for Coulter-Nile will be repeating the feat but Australia must take tremendous confidence from knowing their lower middle order can dig them out of a hole.

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England beware the short stuff

West Indies were at it against Pakistan and they were at it again against Australia.

The Thomas-Russell-Cottrell axis is finding gymnastic leap off these Trent Bridge surfaces and, given how the Southampton deck played during India's victory over South Africa, England are in for a difficult test when the sides meet in Hampshire next week.

Our coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is brought to you in association with Cricket 19, the official video game of the Ashes. Pre-order your copy now at Amazon.co.uk

World Cup 2019 | West Indies | Testing | 1Banner | Australia |
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