35 years of wait..!!

Sunday, May 16, 2010 12:15 AM
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

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