ICC T20 World Cup: May 2010

35 years of wait..!!

Sunday, May 16, 2010 12:15 AM

England gets another chance to redeem themselves from the tags of 'also-rans' as they take on Australia .

England and Australia have been best teams in World T20 tournament and will go head to head to decide who are crowned champions as England seek to win their first ever world competition in 35 years.

England have been outstanding throughout and after Australia's sensational semi-final win against Pakistan on Friday today's game has all the ingredients of being something very special.

Paul Collingwood and his men have played each game without fear and have been able to express themselves as both individuals and a united team knowing that they have belief in one another's skill levels and execution of plans while being totally adaptable to every situation.

This is without doubt the most relaxed yet confident England side I have seen and the way they have responded to the pressure has been a joy to watch.

Every player has played their part in reaching the final and it now needs one last massive effort to secure a victory all England fans have been waiting for - it's 35 years since the first one-day World Cup and England's name does not appear on any of the trophies. All that could change by tonight.

However, it won't be easy as Australia have shown that they have come to terms with this form of the game having struggled previously. Their pace attack of Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson is a handful, especially on what should be a quick and bouncy pitch.

How England's top order cope with the 90mph thunderbolts will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the game. Also, Australian bowling attack seemed vulnerable in their last game against Pakistan.

For England, the opening pair of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter have proved a huge success as they have been prepared to take the attack to the opposition and it's vital they continue in the same way today.

The excellent form of Kevin Pietersen and Morgan has bred confidence and adds a cutting edge to their play.

It is apparent Collingwood and the coach Andy Flower have instructed the team to play with freedom and take the attacking options knowing they have their total support even if it doesn't always come off.

It isn't just with the bat either as the bowling has been of the highest class with great variety and control and all the plans expertly executed.

The innovations of the slower ball and slow bouncer have proved hugely successful while the spin twins of Graeme Swann and Mike Yardy have worked exceptionally well. Australia too has great depth to their batting and with Michael Hus-secoming in at seven they will always believe that they will score enough runs to ensure victory as proved in their thrilling semi final win.

It really is too close to call but England's greater all -round variety in batting and bowling will hopefully tip the scales in their favour. It's been a long time, but today could be the day when England can finally be called world champions.

ENGLAND'S WORLD FINALS HEARTACHE

1979 World Cup: WEST INDIES beat ENGLAND by 92 runs
England reduced the Windies to 99-4 but 86 from Collis King set up an easy World Cup final win for Clive Lloyd's team.

1987 World Cup: AUSTRALIA beat ENGLAND by 7 runs
This is the closest England has ever got to winning the world title. They were set for World Cup final glory until Mike Gatting's reverse sweep sparked a collapse that gifted it to the Aussies.

1992 World Cup: PAKISTAN beat ENGLAND by 22 runs
England had looked impressive on the way to the World Cup final, but even Ian Botham could not inspire his team as much as Imran Khan inspired Pakistan.

2004 Champions Trophy: WEST INDIES beat ENGLAND by 2 wickets
A Marcus Trescothick ton was not enough in the Champions Trophy final as a ninth wicket stand saw the Windies home.

Mike Hussey 6-6-4-6, Australia in final of World T20

Saturday, May 15, 2010 5:40 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 World Cup , 2010 World Cup semi-final , Australia , 0 comments

Mike Hussey has single-handedly bludgeoned Australia into the World Twenty20 final against England with a miracle final-over performance in the semi-final against Pakistan at Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Needing 18 off the final over the match chasing Pakistan's 6-191, Hussey belted three sixes and a four off spinner Saeed Ajmal as Australia won with one ball to spare.

After storming through the tournament undefeated, it was a victory that never seemed possible after slumping to 4-62 at one stage but Hussey's 60 from 24 balls saved their day.

Australia will now meet England in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday.

Captain Michael Clarke's decision to bowl after winning the toss looked to be a costly call, with brothers Kamran and Umar Akmal blasting half centuries as Pakistan set-up an imposing total.

Australia rarely seemed in the hunt during their chase, especially after lethal David Warner was caught off the second ball of the innings.

Earlier, Pakistan openers Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt (32 from 30) had got their team off to a cracking start in posting the highest total against Australia in the tournament so far.

Morning drizzle had delayed the start by more than half an hour and there were thoughts that the game would not be played at all - which would've seen Australia through to the decider because of their form throughout the tournament.

When Clarke won the toss, he elected to bowl, probably solid in the belief that the Duckworth-Lewis Method favours the side batting second in Twenty20.

But it was a decision that initially proved costly. Akmal and Butt tore into Australia's much-vaunted pace attack of Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson.

When all-rounder Steve Smith was introduced sixth over to bowl leg-spin, they duly whacked him for 15 runs. Two overs later, they belted Shane Watson for 16, with Akmal scorching one into the second tier of the players' pavilion. At 0-82 from nine overs, Pakistan were positively on fire.

Then David Warner took a spectacular diving catch at deep over when Akmal tried to bite off more than he could chew. Two overs later, he took an easier one to dismiss Butt and Pakistan had slowed to 2-89.

It was only a temporary loss of transmission. Umar Akmal then came to the fore, belting 56 runs - including three sixes off the one over from Johnson in the 17th - to put Pakistan firmly in the box seat.

Australia started its reply in disastrous style when Warner was caught off the second ball of the innings. Watson got the party started, rattling Mohammad Aamer and Abdul Razzaq for boundaries, but when he holed out for 16 Australia were staring down the barrel of defeat at 2-26.

When Clarke and Brad Haddin were stumped in the space of consecutive overs off the bowling of Rehman and then Afridi, they slipped further into the mire.

Vice-captain Cameron White bravely attempted to rescue the match but when he was caught for 43, Australia's promising World Cup had all but collapsed until Hussey's final-over heroics.

England vs Australia: The final showdown

2:16 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 England , 2010 World Cup , 2010 World Cup Final , Australia , England , 0 comments

With its alluring blend of powerful batting and disciplined bowling, Andy Flower and Paul Collingwood have constructed England’s finest one-day outfit since they reached the 50 over World Cup final in 1992.

England are the only one of the eight major international teams without a major limited overs victory and despite their excellent form will have their work cut out against Australia.

Typically, Michael Clarke’s Australians are producing some awe-inspiring cricket to coincide with England’s overdue resurgence.

Australia's miraculous victory over Pakistan in the semi-final was described as the finest ending to a cricket match ever by experts, as Mike Hussey smeared 22 off just four balls to knock out the hosts.

The finale was a perfect illustration of how T20 has altered pre-conceptions about what is possible from a short period of time as well as underlining Australia’s immeasurable bloody-mindedness.

But with Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan lighting up the England middle order Australia are taking on the team most likely to prevent them lifting a first T20 World Cup.

Gone are the days of dithering in the powerplays and ineffective accumulation against spin, this England side bats with almost nerveless gusto.

True, the top five contains four players brought up outside of the UK, but such facts can be swept under the carpet if they combine to bring home a first ever ICC trophy.

Perhaps more essential however have been the performances from the five man attack of Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy.

Sidebottom and Broad have rewarded the selectors faith in leaving out test match talisman Jimmy Anderson while Yardy and Bresnan could both make cases for being the tournaments surprise package.

Collingwood has barely needed to call upon Luke Wright or himself as a 6 or 7th bowler and the control exerted early on by Bresnan in particular has been a highlight of the tournament.

Australia’s top order has been their weakest link so far and England will undoubtedly be looking for a strong start on what will almost certainly be a true, bouncy track at the Kennington Oval.

That will suit both sides better than the sluggish strips prepared in Guyana and St Lucia but how England cope with the rapid trio of Dirk Nannes, Mitch Johnson and Shaun Tait could determine the fate of the trophy.

Openers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb should continue to play positively and will feel more at home against pace than spin.

If they find a way to cope with the hostility and give the likes of Pietersen and Morgan a platform on which to build then maybe we will see England’s name on a trophy for the first time.

India's performance: The post-mortem

Friday, May 14, 2010 12:19 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 World Cup , editorial , India , 0 comments

Indian team had done bad enough in first 2 Super8 matches to draw criticism from media back home. However, their performance against Lanka ensured that the daggers will not only be out but will seek blood of whomsoever is associated with Indian Cricket. Hundreds of discussions have been sparked by Indian overzealous media over India's exit. The final words on this are yet to be written as this will be the hottest topic to increase TRPs as Indians love cricket more than anything else.

Frankly, the 2007 champions did not look like, or play like, the world-beaters, and lost badly to Australia and the West Indies at Barbados, before losing to the Lankans off the last ball in a do-or-die match at St. Lucia. Here are seven of the most stated reasons that we have picked up:

The IPL effect: M.S. Dhoni had the guts and the plain-speaking-ability to state the facts as they stood at the post match conference after the loss to Sri Lanka. He blamed the IPL, not for the amount of cricket played, but for the post-match parties and the excessive travelling involved in the 45 day extravaganza, that left the players jaded and stale. All other teams played practice matches, while India rushed into their campaign with none.

Selection errors:Those who saw Robin Uthappa, Virat Kohli and S. Badrinath bat during the IPL, would wonder why they were not picked for Team India. Uthappa in particular has the ability to take on pacy short pitched bowling and score at a rapid pace while doing so. With Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag not in the team, India needed Uthappa to bat up the order in the West Indies. Pragyan Ojha was the highest wicket taker in the IPL but was not on the flight with Team India either.

Waning form:Unfortunately for the team, two of its main batsmen, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh were woefully out of form. Yuvraj was unlucky to see one or two good hits go straight to the fielders on the boundary, but Gambhir looked totally out-of-sorts. Coupled with the disastrous performances of Murali Vijay and Yusuf Pathan, this meant that India’s batting firepower was greatly diminished.

No preparation:By not practising together as a team between matches since 'the players were tired' and by not sending an advance party of the coach and players who were free from the last stage of the IPL they had little time to acclimatise

The J factor:Ravinder Jadeja may be one of the most talented all-rounders in the country but he has been found wanting in the last two World Cups. Sent in at number three at Lords last year, he lost his team precious time by scoring at less than a run a ball. In the Caribbean he was woefully short on confidence and was hit for several sixes. He dropped crucial catches and once again scratched around with the bat. Also, his off-field antics resulting in one year ban from IPL also doesn't inspire great amount of confidence about his mental make-up.

Non-existent pace attack: India's pace spearhead Zaheer Khan bowled well below his penetrative best and cost India extra runs. He went for over 40 runs in most matches. Ashish Nehra was more effective in the death overs but ploughed a lone furrow. Praveen Kumar bowled impressively in the only two matches that India won. His injury left the team without a genuine swing bowler who could make crucial early breakthroughs.

Short-pitch ball:The Indian team were unable to handle shot-pitch stuff from the quickies. India capitulated against fast bouncy deliveries and lost key wickets. They did not realise that with only two bouncers per over permitted they should have waited for length balls to hit.

Dhoni got it wrong..!!

Monday, May 10, 2010 12:55 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 World Cup , editorial , India , 0 comments

India is hanging on but barely in the World T20. In all probability, they won't make it to the semi finals and will have to fly back home.

It was their failure to counter short pitched ball that is being seen as a reason for a possible early exit. True, the team was found wanting while facing leather up close. Also, it was lack of application and pitches in Wonderland (read IPL) that may have also contributed to inability to play short balls.

There is one more aspect that has been a big contributor to Indian failure in Super 8 stage. The signs were there in preliminary rounds as well. India won against South Africa in preliminary round and in post match conference, Dhoni credited the performance to their spinner. While, India has come to the tournament clearly with the strategy to have primarily spin attack, however it has not really paid off.

Consider this, against South Africa, spinners bowled 15 overs and gave away 139 runs. However, Dhoni missed the trick and found their performance up to the mark. Missing the point here led to failure to do the correction, and in next match againsts Australia spinners performed equally badly and gave away 108 runs in 12 overs. Oppositions have clearly come up with a strategy to play Harbhajan respectfully and not to take risks against him. This is proved as he has not taken a single wicket in last 3 matches. If we take out Harbhajan's performance, then spinners gave away 93 runs in 8 overs. Clearly, not the signs of a great bowling attack.

The dismal bowling performance continued against West Indies with spinners except Bhajji gave away 78 in 8 overs.

With the format of the game needing precise analysis and real time corrections, Indian strategy of spin attack has back-fired. In post match conference Dhoni suggested that batsment did not click. However, team India need to look at their bowling if they hope to improve the performance in the last game.

No comments: Pakistan selectors

Sunday, May 9, 2010 7:06 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Pakistan , Afridi , Afridi unhappy , Pakistan , 0 comments

Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan on Sunday refused to react on T20 skipper Shahid Afridi's outburst against the selectors as they face exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.

Afridi had said that he and the coach were not consulted by the selectors while picking the squad.

Mohsin said he will speak on the issue only after the tournament is over.

"Let the tournament finish then I will speak in detail about the team's performance and team selection," Khan said.

Sources close to Mohsin said he was not happy with the remarks made by Afridi as he (Mohsin) had unofficially consulted Afridi while finalising the 15-member squad for the World Cup.

"At that time the Pakistan Board had not announced the captain or coach but Mohsin knew Afridi would be captain and had discussed the selection of the team with him so he is obviously surprised by the remarks made by Afridi," one source said.

Pakistan's poor performance has evoked sharp reactions in the country with former players saying all is not well with the team.

"I don't know what has happened but the team has just not shown the commitment and flair. They are capable of doing and they have looked under pressure in this tournament," former captain Rameez Raja said.

Former captain Moin Khan said the players appeared to play with the fear of defeat on their minds.

"I don't know but the fearless approach of our players that we saw in the first two World Cups is missing, they seem to be subdued and not excited about doing well," he said.

Another former captain Rashid Latif said maybe the recent punishments handed out to the players and the leakage of the inquiry committee's report during the World Cup had put more pressure on the players.

Australia does India a favor, thrash Lanka

4:12 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , Australia , Sri Lanka , 0 comments

The Australians showed their resilience once again in the manner the side picked itself up from the mat at the Kensington Oval on Sunday. In the process, they did pass on some hope to India who looked completely down and out after their defeat to West Indies.

Seemingly down for the count at 67 for five in the 11th over, Australia, following a remarkable turnaround, outplayed Sri Lanka by a massive 81 runs in a Group `F' Super Eights match of the ICC World Twenty20.

Man of the Match Cameron White (85*) and the left-handed Michael Hussey (39*) orchestrated the Aussie revival with the willow with an unbeaten 101-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Australia finished at a challenging 168 for five.

Then, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson bounced out the Sri Lankans on a typical Barbados surface with pace and lift.

With two victories in as many games and backed by a healthy net run-rate, Australia is virtually through to the semifinals. Sri Lanka, with a win in two games, may have to endure some moments of anxiety against India.

When the Sri Lankans chased, the Australian quicks were on fire. The in-form Mahela Jayawardene could not connect a pull off left-arm speedster Nannes properly and was held in the deep. Kumar Sangakkara fell to the hook trap laid by Tait and soon Sanath Jayasuriya swung across a fullish delivery from Nannes, missed, and was adjudged leg-before.

Tillekaratne Dilshan, waded into Shane Watson but his uppish cut off left-arm quick Johnson was sensationally held by a diving White at point. Sri Lanka was struggling at 48 for four. Australia closed out the match ruthlessly.

Australia gathered a whopping 81 runs in the final six over as White, supported splendidly by Michael Hussey, put his foot on the accelerator.

Perhaps, White's most memorable stroke was an effortless off-drive for a six when Mendis flighted one. And left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedara was muscled over the sightscreen by the imposing White.

At the other end, the canny Michael Hussey rotated the strike with deft placements – the right-left combination disrupted the line of the bowlers – and the runs began to flow. The smart left-hander can clobber the ball as well and on one occasion got under a low ball for a fierce straight hit for a six off slinger Lasith Malinga.

The Sri Lankans missed the experience and craft of off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the second half of the innings. Muralitharan has flown home after aggravating a groin injury.

India lose to West Indies

12:01 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 West Indies , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

India are all but out of ICC World Twenty20 tournament here on Sunday. West Indies tharshed India by 14 runs to keep itself in the contest.

Chaisng a total of 170, India managed to reach just 155/9 in 20 overs. Chris Gayle was adjudged 'Man of the Match' for his splendid knock of 98 runs.

Short deliveries once again proved to be nemesis for Team India as almost every batsmen looked out of sorts against some sharp pace bowling.

Put into bat, West Indies scored a challenging 170 for five against India in the Group F Super Eight stage match of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

Skipper Chris Gayle was the top scorer for his side with 98 runs. He smashed seven sixes and five fours in his 66 deliveries innings.

Chenderapul (23) and Sammy (19) also made vital contributions for his side.

Kerron Pollard’s blitzkrieg also helped home team to post fighting total on field. He made 17 runs in just 11 deliveries.

Team India were performed poor on field as they dropped two catches and gave away extra runs.

Afridi questions team selection

12:01 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 World Cup , Afridi , Pakistan , 0 comments

With Pakistan's Twenty20 World Cup title defence in complete disarray, captain Shahid Afridi has criticised the selectors for not consulting him before naming the squad.

"We are coming out from a very difficult time after the New Zealand and Australia tours. The selection committee picks the team for us and first they announce the team before naming the captain and coach. To do well in Twenty20 cricket, we need to have some good Twenty20 players in the side," Afridi said after the heart-breaking one run-loss to New Zealand yesterday.

Pakistan are on the brink of elimination after losing their first two Super Eight matches and the all-rounder conceded his side was passing through a difficult phase after the Pakistan Cricket Board had sacked, banned and fined players for their below-par performance and indiscipline in Australia earlier this year.

Tale of 2 Pakistani teams

Saturday, May 8, 2010 11:54 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 World Cup , editorial , 0 comments

Defending champions Pakistan have again pulled up a dismal performance in their Match against New Zealand and have virtually thrown in towel during 2010 World T20.

Any level of scrutiny of their performance so far will be waste of time, because the purspose of any scrutiny is to unearth a discernable trend and identify the future plan. However, the way Pakistan play gives an indication that there can be no action plan possible or roadmap can be prepared to improve the performance. However, they still come up with some outrageous results which indicate that there are always 2 Pakistani teams and you never know which one will take the field on any given day or during a tournament. Physicists might be interested as Pakistani performances might be the best proof yet of existence of parallel universes. The evidence exists and we can focus on their performances in T20 World Cups till date.

The first memory of the not so good Pakistani team dates to 14-Sep-2007 when they played against India in the first World T20. After restricting India to 4-36, Pakistan allowed India to reach a total of 141. A modest score by current standards, it was a good score then because World Cup was just taking wings and no one had the knowledge or experience of the format. After a not so bad bowling performance, Pakistan followed India to the end of the match loosing wickets looking disinterested in chase and failing to croos the target. It took a great effort from Misbah to reach the target and the match went into a bowl-out. It was clear that both Pakistani teams were on the ground and have outdone each other during various stages and India were mere participants. However, the not so good Pakistani team took control and failed to hit the stumps in 3 attempts while India scored all 3. It was their own undoing as the bowlers had to simply hit the stumps with no batsman taking guard.

After disastrous performance, the good Pakistani team took field and defeated Australia, Lanka, Bangladesh and NZ to reach final of first World T20.

The final match was a cliffhanger with fortunes swinging one way and the other throughout the match. Just when Pakistan looked out of the match came out Misbah again and smashed bowlers all over the ground. Finally, the good Pakistan team was on the ground and was taking the world cup home... but wait, the second team kicked in and when it was impossible for them to win, Misbah scooped a catch to very thankful Sreesanth who held it and thus accepted the World cup as a gift from Pakistan.

During second edition of World Cup, both Pakistani team took the pitch alternatively. One won the matches with ease against Netherlands, New Zealand and Ireland with ease; while other was shameful in loosing to England and Sri Lanka till they reached semi-finals.

No one knew which way the camel will sit but Pakistan defeated SA during semi-final and avenged their Super 8 defeat against Sri Lanka in final to lift the cup.

This year, not so good Pakistani team has dominated their better counterparts and have pulled one miserable performane after other against Australia, New Zealand and England.

It remains to be seen which team takes field against South Arfica in their last Super 8

The cracks will appear in the team and management. Blame game will begin till scape goats are identified and reprimanded. However, both the Pakistani teams are here to stay because both exist in mind and heart of each Pakistani cricketer.

Black caps, Pak fight to stay alive in World T20

3:12 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group E , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , New Zealand , Pakistan , 0 comments

New Zealand and Pakistan both suffered massive defeats in their first matches of the super 8 stage. The team that loses this match will be packing their bags and going home. Pakistan who is the defending champions should be more worried after a string of bad performances that saw them lose convincingly against both Australia and England. The cracks are beginning to appear in the team which has been ever so fragile in its composition.

Pakistan will have some hope as they have a 100 % record against New Zealand in T20 cricket. They have won 4 out of 4 matches against New Zealand and would love to make it 5 in 5 and improve their chances of going into the semi-finals.

Pakistan was brushed aside by England by six wickets, in which the batting totally fell apart, managing meager 147. However, given Pakistan’s history of comebacks, one cannot help but still give them a good chance against the Kiwis. The first thing on the agenda for Pakistan should be plugging the holes in the fielding department which saw them drop no less then 6 catches against England. Then they should aim to stabilize their batting, especially in the middle order so that they can post a total that Pakistani bowlers can defend.

New Zealand on the other hand started the tournament with two wins on trot against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However, the Kiwis lost a crucial match against South Africa, falling short by 13 runs.

The Black caps will be hoping that Brendon McCullum gains his form. He is believed to be the most destructive batsman for the Kiwis but has had a relatively quite time in the world cup so far. He has scored 0, 22, and 6 in first three knocks so far.

For Pakistan Umar Akmal has been a shining light with his brief but promising knocks against England and Australia. If he can deliver the goods, it will be a boost for the Pakistani team. The team is desperately looking for someone in there battling lineup to inspire the rest of lot.

New Zealand's bowling has been lackluster in the event to say the least. We may see Kyle Mills making his way into the playing eleven in the place of Tim Southee who was smashed for 3 sixes in an over by Albie Morkel in the game against South Africa. On the other side, Southee can be a potent weapon at the death of an innings with his accurate yorkers. Nevertheless, if the team is to go for experience, Mills may be the choice.

Muhammad Sami, who was disappointing to say the least in his first two games, has had huge shoes to fill as he replaced the injured Umar Gul just before the world cup. Muhammad Asif, who replaced Sami in the game against Australia, failed to impress, and with the bounce and carry at Kensington Oval, Sami may be brought back for one more go.

Shane bond and Muhammad Aamer are to be watched out for, as both bowlers have the form and pace to pin down the opposition. Both are blessed with raw pace and the uncanny ability to make the ball talk.

Clash of resurgent teams: England vs South Africa

2:30 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group E , 2010 South Africa , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , England , South Africa , 0 comments

Boosted by their emphatic win against Pakistan and Kevin Pietersen’s return to form, a confident England side will line-up against hot on form South Africa in the Super Eights of World Twenty20 here Saturday.

Both teams produced clinical fare in their first Super Eights matches after not so good preliminary round matches. While England outsmarted defending champions Pakistan by six wickets, South Africa saw off a brief New Zealand challenge to win by 13 runs.

Both teams will rely on their strong pace attack to notch-up the decisive edge for a semi-final berth.

England were unlucky to start their campaign with a loss against West Indies despite a good batting display as rain and Duckworth-Lewis calculations conspired against them. They were given a fright by Ireland in their must-win match before rain came this time to their rescue and England moved into the Super Eights on the basis of superior run rate.

Against Pakistan, England excelled in all departments. The new opening combination of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb has looked good while Eoin Morgan has been brilliant with the bat. They badly wanted Pietersen to fire and he did against Pakistan. It is certainly their best batting line-up in limited overs cricket in a long time.

“Every single bloke from one down to nine or 10 can hit sixes. That’s brilliant, a great improvement and great for English cricket,” said Collingwood.

However, the captain sounded a note of caution ahead of the match against South Africa.

“There are a few areas to improve on, we were a bit sloppy at the end, but I was pleased with how we took the momentum back in the middle of Pakistan’s innings.”

The pacers Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, and Tim Bresnan have performed well while the slower bowlers Michael Yard and Graeme Swann have been equally to the task.

Collingwood is happy that Pietersen is among runs. “It was a great knock by KP against Pakistan. We all know what KP can do, and when he’s in that kind of form he’s very dangerous.”

England beat South Africa by five wickets in a warm-up match in Barbados. South African captain Graeme Smith believes his team is peaking at the right time

“Every game in this competition is now crucial,” Smith said.

“They (England) will have confidence but we faced them in a warm-up game so we have a pretty good idea how we’d like to play against them.

“If we can improve five or ten percent, then we will push England hard.”

South African put on a challenging total of 170 for four against New Zealand with big-hitting Albie Morkel hitting five sixes in his 40 off 18 balls.

South Africa boast of a strong batting line-up and the shuffle up the order is showing good results. Smith opens the batting with veteran Jacques Kallis who had been in exceptional form in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel, the middle order looks formidable and the team can always fall back upon Jean Paul Duminy.

The bowling department has a sharp four-pronged pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Charl Langeveldt and Jacques Kallis with variety and depth.

Super 8: Sri Lanka thrash West Indies

Friday, May 7, 2010 6:54 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group F , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 West Indies , 2010 World Cup , Sri Lanka , West Indies , 0 comments

Mahela Jaywardene's superb form at the World Twenty20 continued as he made an unbeaten 98 in Sri Lanka's 57-run win over the West Indies in the Super Eights on Friday.

The opener's innings at the Kensington Oval was the centrepiece of Sri Lanka's total of 195 for three - the best by any side this tournament.

But the West Indies helped last year's losing finalists greatly by missing six chances during a wretched fielding display as they lost for the first time this tournament.

Jayawardene, given two reprieves, faced 56 balls with four sixes and nine fours as he followed up his 81 against New Zealand and 100 against Zimbabwe with another dominant innings. Jayawardene's average for the tournament is 139.5.

Jayawardene was joined in a stand of 166, the second best in all Twenty20 internationals by captain Kumar Sangakkara, who made 68 after being dropped on 0 and then again on 27.

West Indies lost two wickets early on as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and hard-hitting captain Chris Gayle both fell cheaply, with Sri Lanka holding their catches as the hosts slumped to 23 for two.

The innings never really recovered from that double blow and West Indies limped to 138 for eight off 20 overs.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (28) and Dwayne Bravo (23) were the only batsmen to pass 15 in an innings where extras was the third-best contributor with 17.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis took three wickets for 24 runs from his four overs and paceman Lasith Malinga three for 28.

Senior spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, back in the side after recovering from a groin injury which officials feared might end his participation in this tournament, took none for 26 from four overs but his presence in the team was a huge boost to Sri Lanka regardless of his figures in this match.

After Sanath Jayasuriya fell cheaply, having being promoted back to his old opening slot, Gayle set the tone for what followed by dropping rival skipper Sangakkara, on nought, when he grassed a slip chance, despite getting both hands to the ball after an edge off paceman Jerome Taylor

Left-hander Sangakkara, who won the toss, was given another let-off when Kieron Pollard failed to hold a tough caught and bowled chance.

Sangakkara eventually holed out having faced 49 balls with three sixes and five fours.

Jayawardene, enjoying a new lease of life as a Twenty20 opener, showed his class early on when he advanced to loft fast bowler Taylor for six over long-on.

But he too was given a couple of lives, with left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn the unfortunate bowler on both occasions.

Jayawardene, on 65, was well beaten by a Benn delivery, only for occasional wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher to miss the stumping.

And, in the same over, Jayawardene had added only one to his score when a top-edge was skied behind but neither Fletcher nor short third man Wavell Hinds went for the catch and the ball fell safe.

No-one has yet made two Twenty20 international hundreds but the unselfish Jayawardene refused to hog the strike in the last over as Tillakaratne Dilshan ended the innings with a four.

Both teams are back here on Sunday, with the West Indies playing India and Sri Lanka facing Australia, who thrashed the Indians by 49 runs earlier Thursday.

Australia keep promise, thrash India

12:40 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Group F , 2010 India , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , Australia , India , 0 comments

Australia crushed India by 49 runs on Friday in the strongest sign yet that they are extremely focussed on winning World T20. In the process, they also want to prove a point as they are seeded 9th for the T20 Cricket event.

Australia's opening pair of David Warner (72 from 42 balls) and Shane Watson (54 from 32) hammered India's bowling attack, their 104 run partnership setting up a total 184 for five in their Super Eight game at a sun-drenched Kensington Oval.

Michael Clarke's side struck more than half of their runs from sixes - smashing 16 in total - before the Australian pace attack, relishing the fast and bouncy track, ripped through the Indian top order. Clarke had already given warning to Indians that his bowlers will make Indians smell leather, and they did. India could have prepared better but their arrogance and then indifference led to their fall.

Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait, who took three wickets each, generated some real speed as Australia reduced India to 50 for seven after 10.3 overs.

Although Rohit Sharma struck a magnificently entertaining unbeaten 79 , including 6 sixes, it was an innings that only served to add respectability to the magnitude of India's defeat.

It was a display from Australia, with some outstanding fielding to compliment the endeavours with bat and ball, that will make them, for many, favourites for the title in the Caribbean.

"I think our performance was really good today, if we continue to make totals like that, with our bowling and the way that we are fielding, it is going to be hard for opposition teams to beat us," said skipper Clarke.

The damage was done early by Warner and Watson who meted out particular punishment to Indian slow left-armer Ravinda Jadeja.

Jadeja was hit for three sixes in a row by Watson at the end of his first over. When he was brought back Warner promptly hammered him for three consecutive sixes.

Jadeja's misery was partially self-inflicted -- he had dropped Watson when the Australian opener was on just seven.

David Hussey made 35 but after Australia were 150 in 15.2 overs they will be disappointed not to have become the first team to break the 200 barrier at this tournament.

India though were simply blitzed by short pitched pace bowling on a responsive surface that exposed an old weakness of Indian batsmen against the rising delivery.

Rather than try to battle their way through the difficult spells of pace, the Indians tried to go on the attack with miserable results.

"The adrenalin sometimes get the better of you. You try to fight fire with fire and it doesn't always work and this was an example of that," said skipper MS Dhoni.

"If somebody bowls 150kph short stuff then you have to be really good at pulling which isn't our natural strength.

"Maybe we could have played through the first few overs because we saw as the ball got a bit older it didn't come on as quickly."

India, Aus lock horns in battle of egos

6:04 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Group F , 2010 India , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , India , 0 comments

India will start its Super 8 campaign with the match against Australia tonight. Both teams will lock horns and eye for an outright victory to try and make a dash to semi-final berth. The match is sure to spring surprises and will be a tense affair. India has proven its dominance in T20 format of the game in recent years. Australia, who has had a patchy run in last couple of years looks to be on a mission. Surprisingly, Australia has not indulged in mind games in run up to World T20. They have been uncharacteristically quite but have given focussed performance in their matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Clarke did revert to old habbit of barking before the match stating they they will try to bounce India out of the match. However, Australians have lacked bite in this format of the game and on big stage.

On paper, India is considered stronger and better than Australia in T20 cricket. But cricket is a game of uncertainty and T20 is completely unpredictable.

While India won the first edition of ICC Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, it failed to reach the semifinals in the second edition in England.

On the other hand, Australia never reached the semifinals of T20 World Cup. It crashed out in Super 8 in the first edition. The Aussies could not even qualify for the Super 8 in the second edition.

India received a jolt by losing pacer Praveen Kumar ahead of their Super 8 matches. The team will rely on Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni on batting.

Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan will be the bowlers to watch for in bowling. Australia will rely on Shane Watson, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes and David Warner.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan,Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ranganath Vinay Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla.

Australia: Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.

2010 ICC T20 World Cup: Group F (Super 8) schedule

3:13 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Group F , 2010 GroupF Schedule , 2010 India , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 Super 8 Schedule , 2010 West Indies , Super 8 , 0 comments

Fri May 7 13:30 GMT 15th Match, Group F - Australia v India

Fri May 7 17:30 GMT 16th Match, Group F - Sri Lanka v West Indies

Sun May 9 13:30 GMT 19th Match, Group F - India v West Indies

Sun May 9 17:30 GMT 20th Match, Group F - Australia v Sri Lanka

Tue May 11 13:30 GMT 23rd Match, Group F - India v Sri Lanka

Tue May 11 17:30 GMT 25th Match, Group F - Australia v West Indies

Each team will get 2 points for a win and 1 point for NR.

In case of a tie (i.e. both teams score exactly the same number of runs at the end of their respective innings), a super-over decides the winner. This is applicable in all stages of the tournament.

The ranking in a groupd will be decided based on following criteria:

Higher number of points
If equal, higher number of wins
If still equal, higher net run rate
If still equal, lower bowling strike rate
If still equal, result of head to head meeting.

Top 2 teams from the group will qualify for semi-finals.

All for a good cause

Thursday, May 6, 2010 10:05 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 South Africa , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , Dhoni , Graeme Smith , Sangakkara , 0 comments

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, South Africa’s Graeme Smith and Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara have joined the ICC-promoted AIDS awareness campaign in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.

An ICC statement read, “Leading cricketers including Kumar Sangakkara, Graeme Smith, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Stafanie Taylor have united during the ICC World Twenty20 2010 to show their support for cricket's global efforts to combat HIV.”

The ICC, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Global Media AIDS Initiative have initiated the Think Wise partnership for promotion of AIDS awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination. Under this a series of community activities have been organized during the T20 tournament.

S Africa fined for slow over rate

7:40 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group E , 2010 South Africa , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , South Africa , 0 comments

South Africa have been fined for a slow over-rate during their 13-run win against New Zealand in the World Twenty20 Super Eights, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.

Match referee Alan Hurst imposed the fines after South Africa were ruled to be be one over short of their target at the end of the match, at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday, when time allowances were taken into consideration.

Teams are allowed an hour and 20 minutes to bowl their full 20 overs in a Twenty20 international although officials will allow some leeway for stoppages caused by incidents such as balls being hit way into the crowd and players who require on-field treatment for injuries.

South Africa could be seen rushing towards the end of New Zealand’s innings, seemingly aware a fine might be looming, but they failed to escape punishment from former Australia fast bowler Hurst.

Under ICC regulations, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

Consequently, South Africa captain Graeme Smith was fined 20 percent of his match fee and his players received 10 percent fines.

If Smith, as captain, is guilty of two further similar over-rate offences in Twenty20 internationals over the next 12 months he will, under the ICC’s code of conduct, receive a one-match suspension.

Thursday’s penalty was, said the ICC, accepted by South Africa without contest so there was no need for a hearing.

Waqar frustrated with Pakistani fielding

6:23 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group E , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , fielding , 0 comments

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis is a frustrated man after watching the pathetic fielding performance by his team during the six-wicket loss to England in their first Super Eight match of Twenty20 World Cup here.

"It can be very frustrating, the way we dropped the catches and the way we fielded," said Waqar after the match.

Pakistan fielders put up a poor show as they dropped as many as five catches in the match, with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal putting down three himself.

Ajmal dropped an easy catch off England opener Craig Kieswetter when he was yet to add anything to the board.

Waqar, also a former Pakistan pace bowler, however, felt that all is not lost for the team but they have to the improve performance in the coming matches if they were to defend the title.

Pravin Kumar out of World T20, Yadav as replacement

5:50 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 World Cup , India , injuries , Pravin Kumar , 0 comments

List of Asian players who have been injured in last one month got longer with Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar being ruled out of the remainder of the World Twenty20. He suffered an abdominal muscle tear during a practice session at the Oval in Barbados this week and an MRI scan confirmed the extent of the problem.

The Bangalore bowler played in both of India's group matches in St Lucia, but bowled just one over in Sunday's victory over South Africa.

Delhi Daredevils seamer Umesh Yadav has been selected as Kumar's replacement, and will fly to the Caribbean on Friday. He was not part of India's initial 30 probables for the World Twenty20 but that is not expected to prevent his inclusion being ratified by the tournament's technical committee.

Yadav took six wickets in the seven IPL matches in which he played at an average of 30, and improved markedly under the watch of Delhi's assistant coach Eric Simons, who is also India's bowling coach.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary N Srinivasan said: "Praveen Kumar has sustained a side strain and has been ruled out of the ICC World T20 2010 as a result. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Umesh Yadav as his replacement."

The 22-year-old was at his home on the outskirts of Nagpur on Thursday when he got the call from the Vidarbha Cricket Association, and admits it came as a surprise.

"I am shocked, I don't know what to say. Performance in the IPL did boost my confidence, but selection in the national team never crossed my mind. And that, too, for a World Cup." said Yadav.

"I really find it hard to believe. But I have been enjoying my bowling, especially in the last year, so it is bearing the fruits now."

"To be honest, this came as a bolt from the blue. This is a dream come true for me," he told the Times of India.

In the meantime Vinay Kumar could make his international debut on Friday against Australia as a replacement for his injured namesake.

Although Australia are expecting a trial by spin, the Kensington Oval pitch has had pace and bounce which is likely to encourage India to include three seamers in their side, with Vinay joining Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan in the fast bowling ranks.

Pakistan take on England in first Super 8 match

3:17 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group E , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , England , Pakistan , 0 comments

The T20 world cup in West Indies today enters into the Super 8 stage. The first match between Pakistan and England will be played today. The match will surely be an exciting one with mercurial Pakistan taking on England who has been unpredictable in this format of the game. One paper, teams look absolutely similar and it is difficult to pick a winner.

The match will be played at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Pakistan had an easy match against Bangladesh. Australia defeated Bangladesh yesterday to ensure that Pakistan goes through. There were certain anxious moments in yesterday's match as Australia was 6 down at one stage with not even 70 runs on board. In the end, Australia's experience and venomous bowling was enough to overcome Bangladesh's charge.

England have had a rough tournament so far as they lost to West Indies by D/L method in match interrupted by rain after a solid batting performance. Rain came to their rescue next day when they could manage only 120 against Ireland. However, a torrential shower ensured that the match got abandoned early into Ireland's innings handing England one point, good enough to scrape through to next stage on better run rate.

Pakistani will have to really improve their bowling and fielding to match up to England. Australia plundered Pakistani bowlers in their last encounter. On the other hand, England has bowled well in the earlier stage with the pace attack in particular well settled. The English batting has also been consistent with Collingwood, Pietersen, Lumb and Kieswetter, the team has solid performers in both in the opening as well as middle order.

2010 ICC T20 World Cup: Group E schedule

1:12 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group E , 2010 GroupE schedule , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 South Africa , 2010 Super 8 Schedule , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

Thu May 6 13:30 GMT 13th Match, Group E - England v Pakistan

Thu May 6 17:30 GMT 14th Match, Group E - New Zealand v South Africa

Sat May 8 13:30 GMT 17th Match, Group E - New Zealand v Pakistan

Sat May 8 17:30 GMT 18th Match, Group E - England v South Africa

Mon May 10 13:30 GMT 21st Match, Group E - Pakistan v South Africa

Sat May 10 17:30 GMT 22nd Match, Group E - England v New Zealand

Each team will get 2 points for a win and 1 point for NR.

In case of a tie (i.e. both teams score exactly the same number of runs at the end of their respective innings), a super-over decides the winner. This is applicable in all stages of the tournament.

The ranking in a groupd will be decided based on following criteria:

Higher number of points
If equal, higher number of wins
If still equal, higher net run rate
If still equal, lower bowling strike rate
If still equal, result of head to head meeting.

Top 2 teams from the group will qualify for semi-finals.

Group A points table

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 5:02 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Australia , 2010 Bangladesh , 2010 Group A points table , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 points table , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

Team	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	NRR
Australia	2	2	0	0	4	+1.525
Pakistan	2	1	1	0	2	-0.325
Bangladesh	2	0	2	0	0	-1.200

Group B points table
Group C points table
Group D points table

Group C points table

11:08 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Afghanistan , 2010 Group C , 2010 Group C points table , 2010 India , 2010 points table , 2010 South Africa , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

Team	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	NRR
India	2	2	0	0	4	+1.495
South Africa	2	1	1	0	0	+1.125
Afghanistan	2	0	2	0	0	-2.446

Group A points table
Group B points table
Group D points table

Rain spoils match# 4. England through to Super 8

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 6:07 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group D , 2010 Ireland , 2010 World Cup , England , Ireland , 0 comments

For the second consecutive day, rain played spoilsport in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup bringing curtains to two sides that had the will but not the luck to succeed. After Zimbabwe bowed out mainly due to rain, it was Ireland’s bad luck that saw them being edged out despite restricting the spirited English for mere 120 runs at Guyana on Tuesday. While Ireland failed to live up to their promise, England qualified for the Super Eights following the no-result washout.

It was a bad day for Ireland, who on their last trip to the Caribbean stunned Pakistan in the World Cup and were on their way to achieve a similar victory by restricting England to 120 for eight. The day once again belonged to former Irish cricketer and current English batsman Eoin Morgan who once again top-scored for his team with 45 valuable runs. For the second time in as many days and innings, Morgan found support at the other end in the form of Luke Wright while rest of the side failed to reach double figures. Wright made 20 runs and besides the openers was the only one who crossed 10. England will now have to worry more about their batsmen’s form as both Kevin Pietersen and skipper Collingwood fell cheaply.

In a stand of 41 with Wright, former Irishman Morgan revived England’s fortune with some typically innovative shots before being dismissed in the final over. His 37 ball stay featured five fours and gave England total the respectability it lacked t one time.

For Ireland, opening bowlers Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnson were the top bowlers. Not only did they apply breaks on their opponents scoring but also motivated the other bowlers to do something out of the ordinary, and they did just that. They tamed the English team mainly due to calculated bowling by their Australia-born pacer Trent Johnston who took one wicket for 14 runs. Kevin O'Brien also chipped in with2 wickets for 22.

The tension reached the English camp even in the second innings as they feared a second dose of Duckworth-Lewis misery as soon as rain disrupted play early in the Irish innings. But as luck was with the men in blue, the downpour and the rules worked in their favour, making the match a no-result affair and providing England the one point they required to qualify.

The same Duckworth-Lewis method, that was criticized after England lost to the West Indies despite scoring 191 runs, saved England as they went through on superior run-rate. Ireland, who also lost to the hosts in their opening match paid dearly for their 70-run defeat where they were bowled out for a record tournament low of 68.

For the second consecutive day, rain was the winner and cricket the loser as continuous downpour meant the match failed to reach the five-over limit after which the run rates are compared to decide the winner. Instead, Ireland managed just 14 for one off 3.3 overs, taking the game towards eventual abandonment.

It was a cruel end for Ireland's Twenty20 World Cup as they deserved better treatment after forcing England to scrap for each and every run. They would have been set a target of 61 in nine overs had rain stopped but it didn’t happen. England inched into the Super Eights despite winning a single match and now look forward to starting their Super Eight campaign against either defending champions Pakistan or Australia in Barbados on Thursday. The eventual opponent will be decided after the crucial match between Australia and Bangladesh today.

New Zealand sink Zimbabwe in rain

11:13 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 World Cup , 2010 Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Scott Styris and Nathan McCullum took three wickets each as New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by seven runs under Duckworth/Lewis method in a farcical rain-marred Group B match to qualify for Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup here today.

Both Styris and Nathan McCullum capitalised on some inept batting by Zimbabwe as they took all their wickets from a single over. All of McCullum's scalps came in the ninth over while Styris took his three wickets in the 13th over.

Chasing 85 for a win, New Zealand made 36 for one from 8.1 overs before rain interrupted play with Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill at the crease on 22 and six respectively.

At that time, New Zealand were seven runs ahead of par score unedr D/L method.

Rain stopped after around one hour but confusion prevailed as the target was revised twice as players were out to resume play only to end it abruptly.

After the first revision, the target for New Zealand was 45 from 11 overs but had to be changed to 40 from 10 overs.

But all of a sudden, the match ended apparently because the ground was not ready for resumption of play after the heavy rain.

With today's win, New Zealand topped Group B after winning both their matches and qualified for the Super Eight along with Sri Lanka, who finished second with one win.

Zimbabwe lost both their two group matches to crash out of the tournament. They had lost to Sri Lanka by 14 runs yesterday.

New Zealand made a slow start in their run chase and they were pegged back by the loss of Jesse Ryder (2) in the third over. Ryder ended his miserable stay at the crease, top-edging Prosper Utseya delivery while trying for a slog sweep for wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu to pouch it easily. Ryder consumed 11 balls for his two runs.

New Zealand made 19 for one after five overs and they were 36 for one in 8.1 overs when rain interrupted play.

Earlier, Zimbabwe batsmen collapsed in a heap after a steady start as they were bundled out for a paltry 84.

Openers Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza put on 36 runs in 4.4 overs and were 58 for two in 6.4 overs.

But after that Zimbabwe batsmen fell in a heap, losing eight wickets for just 16 runs by slumping from 58 for two in 6.4 overs to be all out for 84 in 15.1 overs.

After the opening stand of 36, Zimbabwe lost five wickets in 15 balls as they slumped from 57 for one in 6.4 overs to 63 for six in the ninth over.

Later, three wickets fell in the 13th over bowled by Styris as Zimbabwe lost eight wickets for just 16 runs.

Taibu top-scored with a breezy 14-ball 21 which included four boundaries while his opening partner Masakadza contributed run-a-ball 20. Greg Lamb (14 not out) was the only other batsman who reached double figures.

New Zealand opening bowlers Shane Bond and Tim Southee bowled a lively spell but Taibu was not the one to remain quiet. He hit two fours each off Bond and Southee.

Southee though had the last laugh as he removed Taibu with a slow bouncer and the wicketkeeper-batsman holed out to square-leg fielder Jacob Oram while trying a pull shot.

Zimbabwe were at a healthy 41 for one after five overs but five wickets in 15 balls put them in serious trouble.

First, Masakadza was run out in the seventh over while trying for a single. Oram, at deep midwicket, released the ball quickly and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins threw the wicket down before Masakadza could reach the crease.

Four balls later, Blignaut (8) fell to Daniel Vettori. He went for a slog sweep but completely missed it and the ball hit the stumps after kissing the gloves.

Three batsmen fell in the ninth over bowled by McCullum.

Elton Chigumbura (3) went for a big shot only to find Martin Guptill. Charles Coventry offered a tame catch to McCullum in his follow through for a duck while Craig Ervine (1) was stumped by Hopkins after he was foxed by the flight of the delivery.

There was lull for a while and Zimbabwe added 10 runs from 21 balls before Timycen Maruma (4) fell in the 13th over.

That led to another collapse as his two team-mates Graeme Cremer and Prosper Utseya fell in the same over. Both of them failed to open their account.

Ray Price (2) was the last man out LBW to Vettori as Zimbabwe folded at 84, the second lowest total in the tournament so far.

England, Ireland in play-off for Super 8

6:29 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group D , 2010 Ireland , 2010 World Cup , England , Ireland , 0 comments

England are in dire straits as they have lost their yesterday’s encounter against West Indies. They are also not in a good shape mentally as rain played a big part in England's loss.

They will have to overcome their disappointment as they locks horn with Ireland in a winner takes all encounter. Both the team have to win today in order to qualify for the next round and though England are the stronger opponent going into this match but I still feel Ireland can surely stun them.

What England doesn’t need today is the rain disrupting their run again. If the rain gods didn’t played a part in yesterday’s match then England was looking like a winner even after West Indies started their proceedings well.

The team needs to put that same performance today. Michael Lumb and Craid Kieswetter were impressive and England crowd will love to see him blasting the Irish attack today.

Kevin Pietersen and Collingwood may not have to come down today if the opening pair gets their act right. Youngster Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright had a great match against the host and I hope they continue with their good form against their neighbors. The England bowling couldn’t do much in the last game and I hope the likes of Sidebottom, Swann and Broad would turn the things around for their team. I would have loved to see Jimmy Anderson playing today but i think England will play with an unchanged squad.

Meanwhile Ireland has got nothing to loose and they should play their heart out to win this match. They have slay big giants like Pakistan in the last World Cup and they can surely do it today going by the fact that both the neighbors play in a pretty similar style and knows each other well.

Niall O’ Brien is again my bet for this match along with his brother Kevin and Captain William Porterfield they needs to get their act right. The likes of Alex Cusack, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson are still left to prove their mettle and hope they do it today. Ireland has to attack their neighbors through their bowling. They did well against West Indies and I am sure that the likes of Boyd Rankin, George Dockrell and Andre Botha will play an important part as they are the ones who can make a big difference in today’s match.

New Zealand vs Zimbabwe: Match preview

6:01 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 Zimbabwe , New Zealand , Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Zimbabwe will have a lot to play for today when they take on New Zealand in their 2nd encounter of ICC World T20 campaign.

Zimbabwe had lost to Sri Lanka yesterday and somehow the rain added insult to their injury and today New Zealand can very easily put them in the grave when take on Taibu's team in Guyana. If Zimbabwe can beat New Zealand without rain affecting the match then Sri Lanka can have a tough time as the run-rate may play a big poker game to favor Zimbabwe.

New Zealand is surely the dominant team going into this match. They have defeated Lanka in tournament opener. Jesse Ryder is in a good form and he will surely look to exploit the Zimbabwe attack. The likes of Ross Taylor, Scott Styris and Jacob Oram are yet to score some big runs in this tournament and hope today they does it to entertain their fans. Wicket Keeper Brendon McCullum also needs runs to get his form back but it will be interesting to see how their opponents bowl at them.

The likes of Ray Price, Greg Lamb and Prosper Utseya had a decent match yesterday and I hope they can repeat the same performance today. But Zimbabwe batsmen’s will face an uphill task facing the Kiwi bowling attack as Shane Bond is in good form and Captain Daniel Vettori is also looking very dangerous.

It will be up to the likes of Hamilton Masakadza and co. to make the difference. The Zimbabwe batsmen have to do it for their team. The likes of Taibu, Charles Coventry, Brendon Taylor has a lot of talent and today is the day to unleash it. Andy Blignaut may play in today’s match. He is a good all-rounder and will be a big boost for his team.

Lanka refusing to give up on Murali

6:00 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

Muttiah Muralitharan could still feature for Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20, according to captain Kumar Sangakkara, after officials said he'd been ruled out with a groin injury.

A statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket in Colombo earlier yesterday said the star off-spinner had been "advised to rest for two or three weeks" following a groin problem he suffered during the team's two-wicket opening match defeat by New Zealand here on Friday.

That would rule him out of the rest of the World Twenty20.

But Sangakkara, speaking after Sri Lanka's 14-run, rain-affected, win over Zimbabwe here yesterday, said Muralitharan - whose place against the Africans was taken by 25-year-old off-spinner Suraj Randiv - would be given a chance to prove his fitness.

"We haven't ruled him out completely," Sangakkara told reporters. This stance signifies that even this late in his career, Murali is still very much part of Sri Lankan plan.

Gayle sympathises with England

Monday, May 3, 2010 10:13 PM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 England , 2010 Group D , 2010 West Indies , 2010 World Cup , Chris Gayle , England , West Indies , 0 comments

West Indies captain Chris Gayle was a happy man yesterday afternoon, following his side’s eight-wicket victory over England and their qualification for the Super Eight phase of ICC World Twenty20.

However, he was in sympathy with his English counterpart Paul Collingwood over the manner of England’s defeat--on the Duckworth/Lewis method of calculation.

The system came into play in both matches at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday. Earlier, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in Group B by 14 runs on the D/L.

Zimbabwe needed to be 43 at the end of five overs but were unable to get there. And then the West Indies, their innings interrupted at 30 without loss after 2.2 overs chasing 192 to win, were given a revised target of 30 runs in 22 remaining balls after the rain. They got them with one ball to spare.

Afterward Collingwood, commenting on the loss, suggested that the D/L method be adjusted for the T20 game.

Gayle had no objection to this. "I will support what Collingwood has said" he told the media afterwards. "It’s something that can be adjusted so it can be even for both teams."

"It was a good game. It was unfortunate for England to actually lose in this manner."

The Windies always had their eye on the skies once the target had been set for them.

Gayle mentioned that they knew weather was going to play a part, so the first five overs can determine the game, so we decided to go hard and see what we could get out of the first five overs. The target was actually 43 at that particular stage and it actually went in our favour. But after the game was reduced, we were most likely to win the game from there.

This time, there was no miscalculation of what was required as occurred last year in the one-day series between these same two teams.

Darren Sammy was named Man-of-the-Match for his economical figures of 2/22 in 4 overs.

It was the second straight game in which he had picked up the accolade and he said he was just happy to be playing his part.

Group D points table

6:53 PM

Labels: 2010 Group D , 2010 Group D points table , 2010 points table , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

Team	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	NRR
West Indies	2	2	0	0	4	+2.78
England	1	0	1	0	0	-0.452
Ireland	1	0	1	0	0	-3.50

Group A points table
Group B points table
Group C points table

England left frustrated by D/L

5:54 PM

Labels: 2010 England , 2010 Group D , 2010 West Indies , 2010 World Cup , England , West Indies , 0 comments

England were left frustrated by a Twenty20 Duckworth-Lewis result for the second time in under a year against West Indies.

This time, they saw the hard work they had put into their 191 for five come to nought as their hosts successfully chased a revised target of 60 in six overs between the rain breaks at the Guyana National Stadium.

"There's a major problem with this Duckworth-Lewis in this form of the game," said captain Paul Collingwood.

"I've got no problems with it in the 50-over form. But I know it's made us very frustrated tonight (Monday).

"It certainly has to be revised for this form of the game."

He added: "I'm trying to take the emotion out of that defeat. But I think 95% of the time when you get 191 for five on the board you are going to win the game.

"Unfortunately, Duckworth-Lewis seems to have other ideas - bringing the equation completely the other way.

"It's the second time it's happened to us now against West Indies, so it is very frustrating - because we've played a near perfect game but we've lost."

Eoin Morgan (55) and Luke Wright (45*) earlier shared a brutal stand of 95 to help England set the Windies a tough target.

But Chris Gayle had chosen to field first, in anticipation perhaps of history repeating itself after the West Indies had notably got the better of England in similar circumstances to knock them out of last year's World Twenty20 at The Oval.

Group B points table

10:08 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B points table , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 points table , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , 2010 Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Team	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	NRR
Sri Lanka	2	1	1	0	0	+0.355
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	2	+0.258
Zimbabwe	1	0	1	0	0	-2.80

Group A points table

Group C points table

Group D points table

Lanka win rain curtailed match, Zim caught napping

10:01 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , 2010 Zimbabwe , Sri Lanka , Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Zimbabwe's inexperience got exposed in rain today, as they squandered a chance to go through to Super 8 group of World T20.

In the end, it may seem that Zimbabwe did not have luck, but they knew what they had to do. However, Zimbabwe's batsmen never seemed to realize that they are standing on a pot of gold. All they needed was to have a mad dash to 44 but in the end fell short by 15. It was senseless sweeps by Taibu and company to fine short leg for singles that frustrated everyone except Lankans and Zimbabwe players. Taibu in particular should not have been there in the center purely on merit. It's been Chigumbura who has done the damage in their warm up games and was fit to try and achieve the target. Taibu seemed unaware of the task and was simply going through the motions (of a test match).

Credit must go to Mahela who scored maiden century in World T20 to take Lanka to 173. Zimbabwe came out to bat but the innings lasted only 1 over when rain forced suspension of play. When Zimbabwe came out again, the match was shortened to 11 over, and Zimbabwe had to score less than 100 in remaining 10 overs. However, they should have realized that the match can end with minimum 5 overs bowled in the innings.

It started raining again towards end of 3rd over, but Zimbabwe never made an attempt to reach target of 45, nor tried to ensure that 5th over of the match is not completed. In the end, Sri Lankan players were already running towards dressing room as last bowl of 5th over was being bowled. For Zimbabwe, it was "Baby's day out".

Mahela scores century, Lanka post challenging total

8:19 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 Zimbabwe , Sri Lanka , Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Mahela Jayawardene continued his fine form in the Twenty20 cricket with an outstanding century as Sri Lanka made 173 for seven against Zimbabwe in their final Group B match here Monday.

Jayawardene, who made 81 in the islanders' opening two-wicket loss to New Zealand, scored exactly 100 in a match they had to win to stay in the tournament. He is now the tournament's leading scorer.

Jayawardene's hundred was only the fourth in all Twenty20 internationals but the second in this competition in as many days after India's Suresh Raina scored 101 against South Africa in Saint Lucia on Sunday.

Stylish right-hander Jayawardene faced 63 balls with 4 sixes and 10 fours.

Zimbabwe, who stunned both defending champions Pakistan and Australia in the warm-up matches, kept taking wickets at the other end but could do little about opening batsman Jayawardene.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, player of the tournament at last year's World Twenty20 in England, has not looked anything like the same player at this edition and he made just two before a miscued drive off Elton Chigumbura went straight to mid-off.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandinal and Angelo Mathews all failed to get going but Jayawardene, looking as if he was on a different plane, kept going serenely before he was finally caught at long-on off left-arm spinner Ray Price.

Lanka nervous before their game with Zimbabwe

6:51 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , 2010 Zimbabwe , 0 comments

Sri Lanka will be looking to avoid becoming the first high-profile casualty of the 2010 World Twenty20 when they play Zimbabwe in Guyana today.

Runners-up at the 2009 tournament in England, Sri Lanka started their Caribbean campaign with an unexpected loss to New Zealand, and what should have been a straightforward group for Kumar Sanggakara’s team has suddenly become a little tricky.

Perhaps Sri Lanka can count themselves a little unlucky to find themselves in the current predicament after Blackcap’s batsman Nathan McCullum carted Lasith Malinga (pictured) for six with one ball of the innings remaining to seal the upset win for New Zealand in the first Group B match.

In a double blow for Sri Lanka, off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan sustained a groin injury during the match and has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.

So, without one of their spin lynchpins, and with their backs against the wall, Sri Lanka cannot afford to let this one slide against Zimbabwe, who today play their first match of the World Twenty20. What makes the outcome of the match all the more unpredictable is that Zimbabwe has defeated defending champoins Pakistan, and Australia in warm-up to the competition.

There’s no doubt the African side will enter this match with their tails up, yet without the pressure of expectation that may be starting to weigh on Sri Lankan minds. Quite simply, Zimbabwe have absolutely nothing to lose; Sri Lanka everything.

If the warm-ups are any guide, Elton Chigumbura is proving to be the danger man for Zimbabwe. The 24-year-old took just 35 balls for his 76 against Australia, and the same number of deliveries for his 49 against Pakistan in the warm-ups.

Chigumbura has not played a lone hand in Zimbabwe’s batting so far either, and though Tatenda Taibu barely got started before he was run-out against Pakistan in his sole warm-up innings the former Zimbabwe captain is another who could cause headaches for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s batting card, on paper at least, is more than a match for Zimbabwe’s. Opener Mahela Jayawardene is fresh from a 51-ball 81 against New Zealand, and we all know how exciting Tillakaratne Dilshan is at his best.

That’s the problem for Sri Lanka though, Dilshan hasn’t reached the heights of 2009 either in the recently concluded IPL or in their first match of the World Twenty20 this year. Along with the skipper, Dilshan will be looking to lift against Zimbabwe. Muralitharan’s absence will also be felt by Sri Lanka, although they’ve still got Ajantha Mendis to call on among their slow bowling options.

In England during 2009, it was Australia who were held winless and made an embarrassing group stage departure from the World Twenty20. Sri Lanka will need to lift against what will be a confident Zimbabwe outfit to ensure they don’t suffer that fate in 2010.

World T20 out of bounds for host island

6:09 AM

Labels: 2010 Host nation , 2010 World Cup , telecast , 0 comments

It seems that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not learnt from the mistakes of the disappointing 2007 World Cup. Many locals cannot watch their own team compete in a global tournament they are hosting because the local broadcaster, chosen to show live matches, is barely available to residents.

Instead, the dwindling number of cricket fans here have switched on the good old radio to follow the West Indies.

ICC could have got a readily available station for coverage to building a hype for the tournament. But the local channel that is broadcasting matches free-to-air is not even available in the breachfront resorts.

Even the demand for tickets have gone down, and taxi drivers, shop keepers and men on the streets generally show interest in this tournament only if given a free ticket.

This is despite the fact that Darren Sammy is the only St Lucian in the Windies side. He produced one of the all-time great individual shows - 30 runs off 17 balls, 3-8 off three overs, and four catches - to lead the hosts to victory over Ireland in their first match Friday night.

The island was completely oblivious to Sammy’s star performance as many flocked to see a famed preacher giving a sermon, while others let loose at the infamous Gros Islet street party.

And with a jazz festival also happening, it is almost impossible to believe that a cricket world cup was being held in the tiny island if not for the recent influx of some uniform-clad sub-continent supporters.

Even the participating teams are having problems.

“Our computer analyst was distraught when it wasn’t on TV because he was going to be coding all the matches,” Australia’s assistant coach Matthew Mott was quoted as saying by the daily.

“It took us all by surprise, I’m not quite sure what that’s all about, it is disappointing.

“I know in the IPL the best thing was if you had a day off you could go out and have dinner, come back and watch the other games, fall asleep in your bed. It built the tournament up, it’s a shame we can’t get to watch those other games.”

Murali out of World T20

4:13 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group B , 2010 Sri Lanka , 2010 World Cup , injuries , Muralitharan , 0 comments

Sri Lanka's campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup today suffered a blow with off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan being ruled out of the entire tournament due to a groin strain.

Muralitharan sustained the injury during his side's two-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener here on April 30.

Team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan has sustained a grade one strain on his right adductor muscle and will need up to three weeks' rest.

No replacement for 38-year-old spin wizard has been named by Sri Lankan team management. He took two wickets for 25 runs against New Zealand.

Muralitharan has more international wickets than any other cricketer with 792 in 132 Tests and 512 in 334 ODIs. He has 13 wickets in 10 Twenty20 Internationals.

Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe today in a must-win encounter to have any chance of advancing to the Super Eight stage.

Australia beat Pakistan by 34 runs

Sunday, May 2, 2010 6:05 PM

Labels: 2010 Australia , 2010 Group A , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 World Cup , Australia , Pakistan , T20 , 0 comments

Australia made an impressive start to their World Twenty20 World campaign with 34 run victory over defending champions Pakistan. Australians were helped by Shane Watson who hammered 81 from 49 balls.

Despite a lively 41 from Misbah-ul-Haq and 33 off 24 balls from Shahid Afridi, Australia never offered them more than a glimmer of hope.

There was some good bowling, with three wickets each for pacemen Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, and outstanding catching from Australia which ensured they kept the upper hand, bowling out their opponents with the final ball.

Along with the resounding display from Michael Clarke's team, the game will be remembered for a remarkable final over to Australia's innings, in which left-arm pace bowler Mohammad Aamer picked up three wickets while Mike Hussey and Steven Smith were both run out.

After skipper Clarke was dismissed cheaply, David Hussey pulled up a 98 run partnership with Watson, who went on to score 84 runs. Australia ended up with a massive 191 on the board. Australia's innings ended in bizarre fashion with a five-wicket maiden but their total of 191 was always going to be tough for Pakistan. Aammer scalped three and the precision in his bowling produced two run-outs. Incredibly, the final over was a five-wicket maiden.

Dirk Nannes, former Netherlands player, teamed up with express pace-man Shaun Tait to give Pakistan early jolts. Kamran Akmal scored a golden duck opening the batting for the defending champions. Both Shaun Tait and Nannes ended up with 3 wickets each. Shaun Tait especially impressed with an economy rate of 5.0 an over.

Even after an attempt at resurrection by skipper Afridi and ace batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan team was always going to fall short. This defeat means that both Australia and Pakistan are likely to progress to the Super 8’s with only one game in the group to be played. Shane Watson was declared the Man of the Match for his explosive 84 and a neat bowling performance.

Brief score:
Australia: 191 (S Watson 81, D Hussey c Fawad Alam b Saeed Ajmal 53, Mohammad Aamer 3/23)
Pakistan: 157 (Misbah—ul—Haq 41, Shahid Afridi 33,S Tait 3/20 D Nannes 3/41)

India beat South Africa, through to Super 8

10:17 AM

Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group C , 2010 India , 2010 South Africa , 2010 World Cup , India , South Africa , 0 comments

India qualified for the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup after defeating South Africa by 14 runs in a group C match at Beausejour stadium.

Suresh Raina became the first Indian batsman to hit a Twenty20 International hundred and powered the team to 186 for five against South Africa in Group C World Cup match here today.

Raina is only third batsman to score a hundred in T20 internationals with the first two centuries coming from Chris Gayle, WI and Brendon McCullum of New Zealand.

India had made 2 changes from the squad that played against Afghanistan yesterday. While, Gautam Gambhir had to sit out due to upset stomach, Zaheer Khan was rested for the match. India had a bad start as they lost in form Murali Vijay in first over itself. The team were in the woods at 32 for two in the sixth over, before Raina (101) and Yuvraj Singh (37) reconstructed the staggering innings.

An Indian surrender seemed imminent but Raina and Yuvraj rose to the challenge, smashing the ball around the park, occasionally scattering the crowd in the mid-wicket stands with huge sixes.

Diminutive Raina matched Yuvraj's power, clearing the boundary with effortless ease. He hit clean and hard and found the gaps in the outfield with uncanny precision.

The third-wicket pair had raised 88 runs when Yuvarj, who had struck three fours and two sixes in his 30-ball 37, was snared by Graeme Smith off Rory Kleinveldt.

Raina stepped on the gas pedal during his brief association with Yusuf Pathan, accounting for 18 of the 25 runs that Kleinvedlt conceded in the 18th over. He hit the Protea bowler for three fours and a six in that over.

He lofted Albie Morkel over mid-wicket to complete his superb century. He got out next ball trying to take the score further.

Skipper MS Dhoni finished the innings in style hitting six in the last ball.

Proteas failed to build momentum in early part of their innings and never looked in hunt for the target. Infact, the score card doesn't give a correct picture as India never was threatened by South African batsmen. A late flurry of shots made sure that match result looked closer than it actually was.

Brief Scores:
India: 186 for five in 20 overs.(Suresh Raina 101, Yuvraj Singh 37; Rory Kleinveldt 2/48).

South Africa: 172 for five in 20 overs. (Jaques Kallis 73, Greame Smith 36; Yusuf Pathan 2/42).

Raina rains runs, first Indian to score 100 in T20 international

8:00 AM

Labels: 2007 India , 2010 , 2010 India , 2010 South Africa , 2010 World Cup , century , Raina's century , Suresh Raina , 1 comments

Raina confimed his dominance in T20 cricket as he became first Indian to score a century in T20 International match.

He is third overall to crack a Twenty20 international century as he made 60-ball 101 against South Africa in a World Cup match. The timing of the knock was perfect as it may take India to Super 8s ahead of South Africa. At the time of writing this article, South Africa are about to begin their chase of 186 runs to defeat India.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum of New Zealand are the other two batsmen to have scored a century in the shortest format of the game.

Gayle's 57-ball 117 against South Africa had made him the first to achieve the rare distinction in 2007 and then the Kiwi joined the West Indian after hitting an unbeaten 116 off 56 balls against Australia earlier this year.

Rainahet nine 4s and five 6s in process to make his century.

"It's a nice feeling. So far this has been a good year for me, I am hitting the ball well. We had a good partnership (with Yuvraj Singh)," Raina said after the innings.

"I was looking to hit the ball straight but was not playing any pre-planned strokes. If you play 40 to 50 balls and you can score 80 to 85 runs.

"I had batted well in the IPL and knew that number three is crucial (position) and if you bat well, sure you can get a hundred," he said.

Raina is also the only player to have scored more than 400 runs in all 3 editions of IPL.

Twenty20 international century-makers:
117 Chris Gayle WIS v RSA, Johannesburg, Sep 11 2007
116* Brendon McCullum NZL v AUS, Christchurch, Feb 28 2010
101 Suresh Raina IND v RSA, Gros Islet, May 02 2010

Pieterson may fly back to England

1:27 AM

Labels: 2010 England , 2010 Group D , 2010 World Cup , Kevin Pieterson , Pieterson , 0 comments

English batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that if his wife goes into labour then he has to leave the Caribbean tour for ICC Twenty20 World cup. Pietersen's wife Jessica is expecting their first child.

Kevin has informed to the team management and Board that he will be available for the team till the birth of the baby. After that he has to move back to London. He has also said that no matter which tournament is on or where it is being played, he has to fly back his country when his family needs him.

He has also added that he is playing continuous cricket throughout the entire winter. Then it was the IPL where he has spend almost 4 weeks of continuous cricket. He has not been able to get any time to spend with his family.

In the past Matt Prior, Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss have also returned home back from any ongoing tours before due to family responsibilities.

Match 5: India vs South Africa: Preview

Saturday, May 1, 2010 11:32 PM

Labels: 2010 Group C , 2010 India , 2010 South Africa , 2010 World Cup , 0 comments

India and South Africa will go into the match hoping to win and thus to firm up their claim to World T20 title. Expect lot of guile and tactics being played out when South Africa is on field. On the other hand, Indians have become more flamboyant with their cricketing success in last few years.

On the evidence available so far, the pitches are not the batting-fests that people got used to during most of the IPL, and the boundaries are over 80 m. That has, so far, provided for a compelling battle, where 140 is a good score, and 160 a match-winning one in all probability.

India did win against Afghanistan less than 24 hours before they will take on South Africa, but they will not bank too much on that win, though it would have been good for them in terms of easing into the tournament. However, all easing is done with and dusted, with South Africa being anything but easy opponents.

From India's point of view, amongst the positives from the Afghanistan match was that Yuvraj Singh spent some time at the crease and remained undefeated. A free-flowing Yuvraj is essential to India's fortunes, and the only way he will regain his touch is by spending time at the crease. The bowling was not too inspiring, even though Afghanistan were restricted to 115/8, but considering that India got to bowl first on an early morning pitch that had something in it for the bowlers, India should have been aiming to keep them below 100. Against the likes of Albie Morkel in the death overs, loose bowling will be severely punished.

South Africa have been traditionally better on faster pitches, so the slow ones in the West Indies won't be wholly to their liking, but they are no mugs on slow surfaces. The fact that the game will require less outright hitting from the start, should suit Jacques Kallis, who showed in the IPL that he is at his best when allowed to construct an innings at a reasonable strike-rate in Twenty20s. Of their top-order batting though, not too many impressed in the IPL. AB de Villiers was strangely off-colour, JP Duminy was decent enough in the chances he got but not outstanding, and Herschelle Gibbs was disappointing. Graeme Smith, of course, did not take part in most of the tournament, while Boucher and van der Merwe had to watch from the sidelines. Dale Steyn was impressive though, as was Langeveldt in the limited chances he got. The Indians had come a cropper against the short ball in the last Twenty20 World Cup, and Steyn is certain to pepper the batsmen with the short stuff. Since South Africa have both Kallis and Albie Morkel who can bowl at decent pace, they will consider including both Roelof van der Merwe and Johan Botha in the line-up, which would mean that Rory Kleinveldt and Morne Morkel would miss out.

Both teams carry big expectations with them, and both are part of the pre-tournament front-runners pack. Although this match is not likely to have any impact on qualifying for the next round, there is no question that both teams will want the confidence of a win against a major opposition before the Super Eights.

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