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CricFan: India power past Sri Lanka to Cricket World Cup tr... 0 comments
CricFan: India power past Sri Lanka to Cricket World Cup tr...: "India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in a pulsating final to deliver World Cup glory to their cricket-mad population for the first time since..."
England crashed out of the World Cup 0 comments
England crashed out of the World Cup as Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga hit centuries to guide Sri Lanka to an emphatic 10-wicket quarter-final win.
Jonathan Trott's stubborn 86 provided the spine as England battled to a seemingly competitive total of 229-6.
But Tharanga and Dilshan made quick progress in the run-chase to take the game away from a tired England.
Dilshan ended with 108 and Tharanga 102 as Sri Lanka consigned England to only their fifth 10-wicket one-day loss.
This was an even more decisive quarter-final defeat than the one they inflicted on England 15 years ago, when another opener - Sanath Jayasuriya - clubbed 82 from 44 balls to set up a five-wicket win in Faisalabad.
However, in contrast to the 1996 tournament and the subsequent three global events, England can take something positive away from this World Cup.
"We've always been hopeful of showing up on the night, there's never been a clear plan. There's been confusion and a feeling of not knowing what our best XI is. We won the Ashes 3-1, brilliant. Now they have to admit they got the situation for the World Cup completely wrong. I remember in 2003 we complained about the schedule, in 2007 it happened again. In 2011 it happened again. It wasnt professional, The Ashes was."
Test match Special's Michael Vaughan
While they failed to consistently reach the standards expected of them - no more so than in Colombo - they were always worth watching.
For better or worse, Andrew Strauss' side have been the tournament's entertainers - participating in the kind of tense, narrow encounters the competition desperately needs to maintain public interest.
But unlike England's previous games this was disappointingly lacking in tension as openers Tharanga and Dilshan set about pursuing a target that appeared competitive at the break, but was soon shown to be inadequate.
No opening pairing has performed better at this World Cup than the two Sri Lankans, who added 282 against Zimbabwe in the group stage and were in similarly aggressive mood.
They had a few slices of luck on a surface that certainly offered some purchase to the spinners, but as the innings wore on rarely looked like being parted as they carried their side through to a semi-final showdown with New Zealand at the same ground on Tuesday.
Defeat brought an end to England's long winter, which peaked with victory over Australia in the Ashes in January but had been in steady decline since and a physically and mentally tired squad were unable to raise their game as the Sri Lankan batsmen drove relentlessly towards the finishing line.
Tharanga and Dilshan had 50 on the scoreboard before nine overs had been bowled and 100 up by the end of the 18th, whereas it took England until the end of the 27th over of their innings to reach three figures, by which time they had also lost three wickets, such was the gulf in class between the two sides.
Earlier, Trott had been the stand-out batsman for England with a defiant 86, while Eoin Morgan had chipped in with a typically busy 50, but both of these paled in comparison to the innings played by Sri Lanka's dynamic opening pair.
England made an uneasy start to their innings, with Strauss clearly uncomfortable against the off-spin of Dilshan, and it was no surprise when he was bowled for five, playing attempting an ugly swipe to leg.
Tharanga and Dilshan were the architects of Sri Lanka's victory
Ian Bell made a more promising start in his first match as an opener since 2008 but was back in the dressing roon after his captain following a mis-timed on-drive that was caught by Thilan Samaraweera off Angelo Mathews.
Trott and Ravi Bopara steadied the ship by adding 64 in 18 overs, but their partnership was ended by Muttiah Muralitharan, who trapped Bopara trapped lbw as he attempted to sweep a full delivery.
Trott though continued in typically stubborn fashion to elevate himself to the top of the tournament's high scorers list by passing the 400-run barrier, before being caught in the deep off Muralitharan in the penultimate over.
Prior to this, the South African-born batsman shared a stand of 91 with Morgan, who benefitted three times from dropped catches and also Sri Lanka's decision to eschew referring an lbw appeal that replays showed to be clear-cut.
However, the curse of the powerplay did for Morgan as Mathews made amends to catch him off the bowling of Mendis, who with his very next ball brought an immediate end to the experimental elevation of Swann to number six in the order.
A 22-run cameo from Matt Prior helped England to 229-6, but the total proved woefully short of what was required.
Jonathan Trott's stubborn 86 provided the spine as England battled to a seemingly competitive total of 229-6.
Dilshan ended with 108 and Tharanga 102 as Sri Lanka consigned England to only their fifth 10-wicket one-day loss.
This was an even more decisive quarter-final defeat than the one they inflicted on England 15 years ago, when another opener - Sanath Jayasuriya - clubbed 82 from 44 balls to set up a five-wicket win in Faisalabad.
However, in contrast to the 1996 tournament and the subsequent three global events, England can take something positive away from this World Cup.
"We've always been hopeful of showing up on the night, there's never been a clear plan. There's been confusion and a feeling of not knowing what our best XI is. We won the Ashes 3-1, brilliant. Now they have to admit they got the situation for the World Cup completely wrong. I remember in 2003 we complained about the schedule, in 2007 it happened again. In 2011 it happened again. It wasnt professional, The Ashes was."
Test match Special's Michael Vaughan
While they failed to consistently reach the standards expected of them - no more so than in Colombo - they were always worth watching.
But unlike England's previous games this was disappointingly lacking in tension as openers Tharanga and Dilshan set about pursuing a target that appeared competitive at the break, but was soon shown to be inadequate.
No opening pairing has performed better at this World Cup than the two Sri Lankans, who added 282 against Zimbabwe in the group stage and were in similarly aggressive mood.
They had a few slices of luck on a surface that certainly offered some purchase to the spinners, but as the innings wore on rarely looked like being parted as they carried their side through to a semi-final showdown with New Zealand at the same ground on Tuesday.
Defeat brought an end to England's long winter, which peaked with victory over Australia in the Ashes in January but had been in steady decline since and a physically and mentally tired squad were unable to raise their game as the Sri Lankan batsmen drove relentlessly towards the finishing line.
Tharanga and Dilshan had 50 on the scoreboard before nine overs had been bowled and 100 up by the end of the 18th, whereas it took England until the end of the 27th over of their innings to reach three figures, by which time they had also lost three wickets, such was the gulf in class between the two sides.
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| Andrew Strauss was left frustrated and powerless to stop England's slide out the tournament |
Earlier, Trott had been the stand-out batsman for England with a defiant 86, while Eoin Morgan had chipped in with a typically busy 50, but both of these paled in comparison to the innings played by Sri Lanka's dynamic opening pair.
England made an uneasy start to their innings, with Strauss clearly uncomfortable against the off-spin of Dilshan, and it was no surprise when he was bowled for five, playing attempting an ugly swipe to leg.
Tharanga and Dilshan were the architects of Sri Lanka's victory
Ian Bell made a more promising start in his first match as an opener since 2008 but was back in the dressing roon after his captain following a mis-timed on-drive that was caught by Thilan Samaraweera off Angelo Mathews.
Trott and Ravi Bopara steadied the ship by adding 64 in 18 overs, but their partnership was ended by Muttiah Muralitharan, who trapped Bopara trapped lbw as he attempted to sweep a full delivery.
Trott though continued in typically stubborn fashion to elevate himself to the top of the tournament's high scorers list by passing the 400-run barrier, before being caught in the deep off Muralitharan in the penultimate over.
Prior to this, the South African-born batsman shared a stand of 91 with Morgan, who benefitted three times from dropped catches and also Sri Lanka's decision to eschew referring an lbw appeal that replays showed to be clear-cut.
However, the curse of the powerplay did for Morgan as Mathews made amends to catch him off the bowling of Mendis, who with his very next ball brought an immediate end to the experimental elevation of Swann to number six in the order.
A 22-run cameo from Matt Prior helped England to 229-6, but the total proved woefully short of what was required.
Pakistan Crush West Indies 0 comments
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi led from the front again to inspire his team to a 10-wicket victory over West Indies in the first World Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
Afridi took four for 30 as West Indies collapsed to 112 all out from 43.3 overs to take his total to 21 for the tournament and overhaul Imran Khan’s Pakistan record at a single World Cup.
Man-of-the-match Mohammad Hafeez, who had taken two cheap wickets with his off-spin, then scored his maiden World Cup half-century with 61 not out as Pakistan reached their victory target from only 20.5 overs.
They will face the winners of Thursday’s match between defending champions Australia and co-hosts India in the second semi-final in Mohali on March 30.
Nothing went in West Indies’ favour who, after a pathetic batting display, were also poor in the field with Kieron Pollard dropping Kamran Akmal on six before wicketkeeper Devon Thomas grassed Hafeez on 17. Kemar Roach was the unlucky bowler on both occasions.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the only batsman to defy the Pakistan attack, scoring an unbeaten 44 from 106 balls.
West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 champions, never recovered after losing their first three wickets with only 16 on the board.
After Darren Sammy had won the toss and elected to bat, Chris Gayle (8) struck Umar Gul straight to Afridi at mid-off.
Devon Smith (7) and Darren Bravo (0) both fell lbw in the space of four balls to Hafeez, who had shared the new ball.
The experienced Guyana pair of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chanderpaul took the total to 58 before Sarwan was caught by Umar Akmal off Afridi for 24.
Afridi then dismissed Pollard (one) and Devon Thomas off consecutive balls Sammy was dropped by Younis Khan at slip off Saeed Ajmal on one but lasted only one more ball before he was lbw to the off-spinner. Two balls later, Ajmal bowled Devendra Bishoo for a duck.
Roach recorded his best one-day score of 16, helping Chanderpaul to add 30 for the ninth wicket.
Man-of-the-match Mohammad Hafeez, who had taken two cheap wickets with his off-spin, then scored his maiden World Cup half-century with 61 not out as Pakistan reached their victory target from only 20.5 overs.
They will face the winners of Thursday’s match between defending champions Australia and co-hosts India in the second semi-final in Mohali on March 30.
Nothing went in West Indies’ favour who, after a pathetic batting display, were also poor in the field with Kieron Pollard dropping Kamran Akmal on six before wicketkeeper Devon Thomas grassed Hafeez on 17. Kemar Roach was the unlucky bowler on both occasions.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the only batsman to defy the Pakistan attack, scoring an unbeaten 44 from 106 balls.
West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 champions, never recovered after losing their first three wickets with only 16 on the board.
After Darren Sammy had won the toss and elected to bat, Chris Gayle (8) struck Umar Gul straight to Afridi at mid-off.
Devon Smith (7) and Darren Bravo (0) both fell lbw in the space of four balls to Hafeez, who had shared the new ball.
The experienced Guyana pair of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chanderpaul took the total to 58 before Sarwan was caught by Umar Akmal off Afridi for 24.
Afridi then dismissed Pollard (one) and Devon Thomas off consecutive balls Sammy was dropped by Younis Khan at slip off Saeed Ajmal on one but lasted only one more ball before he was lbw to the off-spinner. Two balls later, Ajmal bowled Devendra Bishoo for a duck.
Roach recorded his best one-day score of 16, helping Chanderpaul to add 30 for the ninth wicket.
ICC WC 2011 Cricket World Cup Quarter Final Teams 0 comments
The minnow’s have all returned home and the big boy’s have been left to fight it out amongst themselves for the big prize in one day cricket. Who will be the men who play the key roles in the tournament from here?
By Dev, Sportskeeda.
Pakistan. In a very odd result Pakistan have somehow manged to top group A. On paper they lack in both batting and bowling but thus far have been better than the sum of their parts. You just never know what you are going to get with Pakistan and as a result they are both unbackable and difficult to write off. As much as a contradiction as that may seem
Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka were my pre-tournament favorites and little I’ve seen has shaken that view. They have good strong top order batting and bowlers who will worry all of the other teams. Will also have the backing of a partisan home crowd and the advantage of home conditions up until the final
Australia. The Aussies have gone about their business with a minimum amount of fuss and effort. Having gone against conventional wisdom and relied on the pace bowlers on the spin friendly pitches of the sub continent. It may well pay dividends yet.
New Zealand. The kiwi’s, as ever, have done what’s expected. Always a certainty for the quarter finals in any tournament. They are capable of progressing further but need to have all of their first choice players available as the squad lacks depth.
South Africa. Topped group B and have already succumbed to there traditional choking moment against England. Lack lower order batting but if the top 5 fire will be more than competitive.
India. The best batting line up left in the tournament and arguably the weakest bowling attack. Really should learn from the tie against England and defeat to South Africa and bat 2nd at every available opportunity.
England. Thus far the most entertaining team in the tournament. If the batting and bowling department’s happen to come together on the same day could beat anybody.
West Indies. The Windies, like England, have stumbled from the sublime to the ridiculous at various point’s in the group stages. A propensity to panic at key moment’s underpin’s the natural talent and flamboyancy of the team.
By Dev, Sportskeeda.
Pakistan end Australia's run to finish top 0 comments
Pakistan defeated defending champions Australia by four wickets on Saturday to take top spot in World Cup Group A.
The win brought to an end Australia’s 34-match unbeaten run at the World Cup, a streak stretching back to the 1999 tournament.
Earlier, reigning champions Australia were shot out for 176 runs in 47 overs.
Australia, who have won the last three World Cups during the run and were unbeaten in five matches in Group A in this tournament, were skittled out for 176.
Pakistan overhauled the total with 54 balls to spare.
Australia had already qualified for the quarter-finals but will now finish third in the group rather than top, a place now occupied by Pakistan.
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| Umar Akmal guided Pakistan to victory against Australia with an unbeaten 44 |
The win brought to an end Australia’s 34-match unbeaten run at the World Cup, a streak stretching back to the 1999 tournament.
Earlier, reigning champions Australia were shot out for 176 runs in 47 overs.
Australia, who have won the last three World Cups during the run and were unbeaten in five matches in Group A in this tournament, were skittled out for 176.
Pakistan overhauled the total with 54 balls to spare.
Australia had already qualified for the quarter-finals but will now finish third in the group rather than top, a place now occupied by Pakistan.
Dominant Pakistan restrict Australia for 176 0 comments
A devastating bowling and fielding display by Pakistan saw Australia dismissed for just 176 in Colombo on Saturday – their lowest World Cup total since 1992.
Pacemen Umar Gul (3-30) and Abdul Razzaq (2-8) exposed the untested Australian batting after Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat on a seemingly flat pitch, which had traces of grass.
All the other bowlers chipped in with one wicket apiece as only Brad Haddin (42), Michael Clarke (34) and Steve Smith (25) offered resistance in a match where the winner will top Group A.
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| Razzaq, left, celebrates the dismissal of Australia's batsman Michael Clarke. -Photo by AP |
Pacemen Umar Gul (3-30) and Abdul Razzaq (2-8) exposed the untested Australian batting after Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat on a seemingly flat pitch, which had traces of grass.
All the other bowlers chipped in with one wicket apiece as only Brad Haddin (42), Michael Clarke (34) and Steve Smith (25) offered resistance in a match where the winner will top Group A.
Kayes guides Tigers to victory 0 comments
Imrul Kayes scored an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh crushed Holland by six wickets in their World Cup Group B match in Chittagong.
Opener Kayes scored 73 off 113 balls to complete Bangladesh's domination of the match after their bowlers bundled out Holland for a paltry 160.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with three for 29.
Batting first after winning the toss, Holland had a pedestrian start although Eric Szwarczynski and Wesley Barresi hung around for nine overs.
Shakib al Hasan provided the breakthrough by trapping Barresi lbw and Razzak soon saw off pinch-hitter Mudassar Bukhari.
Shafiul Islam was luckless in a probing opening spell that read 6-3-7-0, but the seamer set the stage up for the spinners to skittle out Holland.
Szwarczynski scored 28 off 63 balls before Shakib ran him out and Holland's innings from thereon revolved around Ryan ten Doeschate (53 not out), who eventually ran out of partners.
In reply, Kayes and Junaid Siddique put Bangladesh in the hunt after the early loss of Tamim Iqbal, who was dismissed by Bukhari.
The second-wicket stand added 92 runs before a loose shot caused the downfall of Siddique, who made 35, but by then Kayes had completed his eighth one-day half-century.
Tom Cooper's double strike soon saw off Shahriar Nafees (37) and Shakib, but Kayes and new man Mushfiqur Rahim (11 not out) guided Bangladesh home with 8.4 overs remaining.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with three for 29.
Batting first after winning the toss, Holland had a pedestrian start although Eric Szwarczynski and Wesley Barresi hung around for nine overs.
Shakib al Hasan provided the breakthrough by trapping Barresi lbw and Razzak soon saw off pinch-hitter Mudassar Bukhari.
Shafiul Islam was luckless in a probing opening spell that read 6-3-7-0, but the seamer set the stage up for the spinners to skittle out Holland.
Szwarczynski scored 28 off 63 balls before Shakib ran him out and Holland's innings from thereon revolved around Ryan ten Doeschate (53 not out), who eventually ran out of partners.
In reply, Kayes and Junaid Siddique put Bangladesh in the hunt after the early loss of Tamim Iqbal, who was dismissed by Bukhari.
The second-wicket stand added 92 runs before a loose shot caused the downfall of Siddique, who made 35, but by then Kayes had completed his eighth one-day half-century.
Tom Cooper's double strike soon saw off Shahriar Nafees (37) and Shakib, but Kayes and new man Mushfiqur Rahim (11 not out) guided Bangladesh home with 8.4 overs remaining.
Pakistan clinch quarter-final place with Zimbabwe win 0 comments
Pakistan sealed their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after sinking Zimbabwe by seven wickets in a rain-shortened match on Monday.
Chasing a Duckworth/Lewis target of 162 off 38 overs, a half-century from Asad Shafiq (78 not out) and a solid knock by Mohammad Hafeez (49) steered Pakistan to an easy win with 23 balls to spare (164-3).
The result meant the 1992 champions joined Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka from Group A in the knock out stages of the competition.
With the exception of Craig Ervine (52) and captain Elton Chigumbura (32 not out), the Zimbabwean batsmen struggled to come to terms with the stop-start nature of the contest due to three rain delays.
They finished on 151-7 after 39.4 overs but the victory target was adjusted according to the projected score the Africans would have reached had they been able to bat out their full quota of overs.
South Africa Clinches Cliffhanger. 1 comments
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