*Cricket Articles Archive-No Comments*

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

BOWLED OVER!

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Sri Lanka clinched an emphatic 69-run victory last night that pushed India to the brink of humiliating first-round elimination from the World Cup.

Put in to bat first, Sri Lanka overcame a tentative start to post 254 for six in 50 overs as opener Upul Tharanga (64) and Chamara Silva (59) slammed half-centuries.

India's famed batting lineup then crumbled for 185 in 43.3 overs, suffering its second defeat in the preliminary round that opened the passage for Bangladesh to advance to the Super 8s.

Sri Lanka topped the Group B standings with wins in all its three matches, while Bangladesh has one win - over India - in two matches and just needs to defeat rank outsider Bermuda tomorrow to knock India out of the tournament.

India finished its three matches with just one win and only an improbable victory for debutant Bermuda, the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, can revive the hopes of the team with the biggest fan following in the world.

Sri Lanka carries two points into the Super 8s, where it will play against the six teams advancing from other pools.

The top four from there will progress to the semifinals.

This was a must-win game for India, World Cup winner in 1983 and finalist in 2003, after its five-wicket defeat by Bangladesh on Saturday.

But its batsmen failed to chase a modest target.

Captain Rahul Dravid's 82-ball 60 was the only resistance faced by Sri Lanka's accurate bowlers after a brisk 48 from Virender Sehwag.

Sri Lanka avenged its defeats by India in the past two World Cups. India had won eight of the previous 10 matches against Sri Lanka, which bounced back to clinch this crucial game between the subcontinental rivals.

India's innings was rocked by two blows from paceman Chaminda Vaas (2-39), who removed openers Robin Uthappa (18) and Sourav Ganguly (7) before seamer Dilhara Fernando clean bowled star batsman Sachin Tendulkar for a third-ball duck to leave India tottering at 44 for three.

Sehwag hit one six and five boundaries off 46 balls, but edged spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (3-41) to skipper Mehela Jayawardene at slip. India's challenge faded away after Yuvraj Singh (6) got run out and Mahedra Dhoni fell lbw to Muralitharan before getting off the mark.

Dravid's resistance ended as he miscued left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya to Muralitharan in the deep.

Sri Lanka's recovery from a bad start featured Silva's third successive World Cup half-century.

Continuing from his two unbeaten half-centuries in previous outings against Bermuda and Bangladesh, Silva played a key role in accelerating Sri Lanka's run-rate after opener Tharanga had steadied the innings that began with cheap dismissal of seasoned batsmen Jayasuriya and captain Jayawardene.

Playing in his first World Cup, Silva hammered six boundaries off 68 deliveries, while Tharanga's 90-ball knock contained six hits to the fence.

Silva figured in two innings-building partnerships with Tharanga and Tillekeratne Dilshan, who contributed a brisk 38 to the fifth-wicket partnership of 83. That ended with both batsmen dismissed in the space of three balls.

Tharanga struck some handsome square drives, but Jayasuriya top-edged an intended square-cut against Zaheer to be snapped by Ajit Agarkar at third-man and skipper Jayawardene (7) was dismissed by wickekeeper Dhoni's leg-side diving catch off Agarkar.

Kumar Sangakkara batted patiently for 15 before sending a lofted straight-drive against seamer Ganguly to Munaf Patel, who ran across from long-off to take the catch in front of the sight screen.

Tharanga's composed knock ended when he was trapped lbw by part-time leg-spinner Tendulkar.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=174067& Sn=SPOR&IssueID=30004

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#342

India all but crash out of World Cup

Reuters | Saturday, 24 March 2007

UPDATED REPORT: PORT OF SPAIN: India virtually crashed out in the first round of the cricket World Cup after they suffered a shattering 69-run defeat in their crunch Group B match against Sri Lanka on Friday.

A stunning batting collapse on a good Queen's Park Oval pitch condemned India to a total of 185 all out and allowed Sri Lanka to top the group with a maximum six points. The 1983 champions were skittled in the 44th over as they failed miserably in their attempt to chase Sri Lanka's challenging total of 254 for six. India's slim hopes of progressing now hinge on an unlikely defeat for Bangladesh in Sunday's final group game against debutants Bermuda. The team, who have won just one out of their three games in Trinidad, paid the price for a shock defeat against Bangladesh last Saturday and look set to join Pakistan on an early flight out of the Caribbean. Both openers Robin Uthappa (18) and Saurav Ganguly (7) threw away their wickets by hitting out against experienced paceman Chaminda Vaas before India were reduced to 136 for 7. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dismissed the well-set Virender Sehwag (48) and the dangerous Mahendra Dhoni, for a first ball duck, to kill any Indian hopes of a fightback. Sachin Tendulkar was out for a third ball duck in possibly his last World Cup innings after playing fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on to the stumps. Skipper Rahul Dravid, batting with a runner in the late stages due to a calf injury, top-scored with 60 before being the eighth batsman to be dismissed. The Indian defeat somewhat took away attention from Sri Lanka's magnificent showing in the World Cup so far. They will carry two points into the Super Eights for beating a fellow qualifying side. The result left millions of fans dejected in cricket-mad India as well as thousands of supporters in the stadium. Muralitharan took three for 41 and Vaas 2-39. Sri Lanka's authoritative batting display was in start contrast to India's meek surrender. Opening batsman Upul Tharanga (64) and Chamara Silva (59) struck fifties to guide Sri Lanka to 254 for six after being asked to bat first in seaming conditions by Dravid. Silva struck his third successive fifty before he was dismissed for the first time in four matches. The 27-year-old, who had scored 107, 55 and 52 without being out before Friday's match eventually fell, nicking Zaheer Khan behind the stumps in a bid to step up scoring. Tharanga steadied the innings by scoring his sixth one-day fifty after pacemen Zaheer and Ajit Agarkar removed the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya (6) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene cheaply. He hit six fours in his 90-ball knock. The seven-week event concludes with the final in Barbados on April 28. Scoreborad Sri Lanka U Tharanga lbw b Tendulkar 64 S Jayasuriya c Agarkar b Zaheer 6 M Jayawardene c Dhoni b Agarkar 7 K Sangakkara c Patel b Ganguly 15 C Silva c Dhoni b Zaheer 59 T Dilshan c Dhoni b Patel 38 R Arnold not out 19 C Vaas not out 19 Extras (11lb, 14w, 2nb) 27 Total (for 6 wickets – 50 overs) 254 Did not bat: M Muralitharan, L Malinga, D Fernando Fall: 33, 53, 92, 133, 216, 216 Bowling: Zaheer Khan 10-0-49-2 (1nb, 5w), A Agarkar 8-1-33-1 (3w), M Patel 10-1-46-1, Harbhajan Singh 10-0-53-0 (3w), S Ganguly 4-0-22-1 (1w), S Tendulkar 8-0-40-1 (1nb, 2w) India A Uthappa c & b Vaas 18 S Ganguly c Muralitharan b Vaas 7 V Sehwag c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 48 S Tendulkar b Fernando 0 R Dravid c Muralitharan b Jayasuriya 60 Y Singh run out 6 M Dhoni lbw b Muralitharan 0 A Agarkar c Arnold b Malinga 10 Harbhajan Singh not out 17 Zaheer Khan c Malinga b Muralitharan 1 M.Patel c Vaas b Dilshan 10 Extras (1lb, 7w) 8 Total (all out – 43.3 overs) 185 Fall: 25, 43, 44, 98, 112, 112, 136, 159, 161

Bowling: C Vaas 8-1-39-2, L Malinga 8-0-39-1 (1w), D Fernando 6.2-0-32-1 (2w), M Muralitharan 10-0-41-3 (4w), S Jayasuriya 9-0-31-1, T.Dilshan 2.1-1-2-1

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4004372a10133.html

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#343

Sri Lanka dominates India

< = =text/ ns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" ns:cmarelationship="http://tvnz.co.nz/cmarelationship/elements/1.1#" ns:cmacontent="http://tvnz.co.nz/cmacontent/elements/1.1#" ns:cmacontent="http://tvnz.co.nz/cmacontent/elements/1.1#" ns:xsp="http://apache.org/xsp" ns:xspdoc="http://apache.org/cocoon/XSPDoc/v1" ns:esql="http://apache.org/cocoon/SQL/v2" ns:msxsl="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xslt" ns:zoo="http://tvnz.co.nz/zoo/1.0"> document.write('< ="" src="http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/adj/tvnz.co.nz/;sz=1x1;ord=' + ord + '?" ="text/"><\/>'); < = src="http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/adj/tvnz.co.nz/;sz=1x1;ord=3982450960710894?" =text/>


Related Articles India v Sri Lanka scoreboard Tuffey's World Cup over Symonds back for SA clash Dutch roll over Scots Irish cricket fever Vincent breaks duck in NZ win
Related Links Tournament standings

Mar 24, 2007

India virtually crashed out in the first round of the World Cup after they suffered a shattering 69-run defeat in their crunch Group B match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

A stunning batting collapse on a good Queen's Park Oval pitch condemned India to a total of 185 all out and allowed Sri Lanka to top the group with a maximum six points.

The 1983 champions were skittled in the 44th over as they failed miserably in their attempt to chase Sri Lanka's challenging total of 254 for six.

India's slim hopes of progressing now hinge on an unlikely defeat for Bangladesh in Monday's final group game against debutants Bermuda.

The team, who have won just one out of their three games in Trinidad, paid the price for a shock defeat against Bangladesh last Saturday and look set to join Pakistan on an early flight out of the Caribbean.

Both openers Robin Uthappa (18) and Saurav Ganguly (7) threw away their wickets by hitting out against experienced paceman Chaminda Vaas before India were reduced to 136 for 7.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dismissed the well-set Virender Sehwag (48) and the dangerous Mahendra Dhoni, for a first ball duck, to kill any Indian hopes of a fightback.

Magnificent showing

Sachin Tendulkar was out for a third ball duck in possibly his last World Cup innings after playing fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on to the stumps.

Skipper Rahul Dravid, batting with a runner in the late stages due to a calf injury, top-scored with 60 before being the eighth batsman to be dismissed.

The Indian defeat somewhat took away attention from Sri Lanka's magnificent showing in the World Cup so far. They will carry two points into the Super Eights for beating a fellow qualifying side.

The result left millions of fans dejected in cricket-mad India as well as thousands of supporters in the stadium.

Muralitharan took three for 41 and Vaas 2-39.

Sri Lanka's authoritative batting display was in start contrast to India's meek surrender.

Opening batsman Upul Tharanga (64) and Chamara Silva (59) struck fifties to guide Sri Lanka to 254 for six after being asked to bat first in seaming conditions by Dravid.

Silva struck his third successive fifty before he was dismissed for the first time in four matches.

The 27-year-old, who had scored 107, 55 and 52 without being out before Saturday's match eventually fell, nicking Zaheer Khan behind the stumps in a bid to step up scoring.

Tharanga steadied the innings by scoring his sixth one-day fifty after pacemen Zaheer and Ajit Agarkar removed the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya (6) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene cheaply.

He hit six fours in his 90-ball knock.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1034865

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#344

India all but crash out of World Cup

< id=AdPlaceholder-tool name=AdPlaceholder-tool marginWidth=0 marginHeight=0 src="http://ffxcam.smh.com.au/.ng/cat=breakingnews&c=ffxnewsstory&domain=smh.com.au&adspace=tool&cat2=premiumbreakingsport&site=smh&cat1=sport&is=yes" Border=0 width=115 scrolling=no height=25 BORDERCOLOR="#000000"></>
Email
Print
Normal font
Large font

March 24, 2007 - 6:24AM

India virtually crashed out in the first round of the World Cup after they suffered a shattering 69-run defeat in their crunch Group B match against Sri Lanka on Friday.

A stunning batting collapse on a good Queen's Park Ovalpitch condemned India to a total of 185 all out and allowed Sri Lanka to top the group with a maximum six points.

The 1983 champions were skittled in the 44th over as they failed miserably in their attempt to chase Sri Lanka'schallenging total of 254 for six.

India's slim hopes of progressing now hinge on an unlikely defeat for Bangladesh in Sunday's final group game against debutants Bermuda.

The team, who have won just one out of their three games in Trinidad, paid the price for a shock defeat against Bangladesh last Saturday and look set to join Pakistan on an early flight out of the Caribbean.

Both openers Robin Uthappa (18) and Saurav Ganguly (7) threw away their wickets by hitting out against experienced paceman Chaminda Vaas before India were reduced to 136 for 7.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dismissed the well-set Virender Sehwag (48) and the dangerous Mahendra Dhoni, for a first ball duck, to kill any Indian hopes of a fightback.

Sachin Tendulkar was out for a third ball duck in possibly his last World Cup innings after playing fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on to the stumps.

Skipper Rahul Dravid, batting with a runner in the late stages due to a calf injury, top-scored with 60 before being the eighth batsman to be dismissed.

The Indian defeat somewhat took away attention from Sri Lanka's magnificent showing in the World Cup so far. They will carry two points into the Super Eights for beating a fellow qualifying side.

The result left millions of fans dejected in cricket-mad India as well as thousands of supporters in the stadium.

Muralitharan took three for 41 and Vaas 2-39.

Sri Lanka's authoritative batting display was in start contrast to India's meek surrender.

Opening batsman Upul Tharanga (64) and Chamara Silva (59) struck fifties to guide Sri Lanka to 254 for six after being asked to bat first in seaming conditions by Dravid.

Silva struck his third successive fifty before he was dismissed for the first time in four matches.

The 27-year-old, who had scored 107, 55 and 52 without being out before Friday's match eventually fell, nicking Zaheer Khan behind the stumps in a bid to step up scoring.

Tharanga steadied the innings by scoring his sixth one-day fifty after pacemen Zaheer and Ajit Agarkar removed the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya (6) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene cheaply.

He hit six fours in his 90-ball knock.

The seven-week event concludes with the final in Barbados on April 28.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/India-all-but-crash-out-of- World-Cup/2007/03/24/1174597925969.html

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#345

INDIA WERE 136 for six in the 35th over, chasing Sri Lanka's 254 on Friday A win here in the final group match, which would have taken them to the Super Eight stage, looked remote at the time of going to press. India got off to a poor chase, losing their first wicket in the 7th over Chamin- da Vaas took a stinger from Robin Uthap- pa, who had started looking for big hit- ting, off his own bowling. Two quick wickets followed: Souray Ganguly fell to Vaas, trying to accelerate the scoring, and Sachin Tendulkar edged a nipping ball from Dilhara Fernando onto his wicket. Ganguly scored 7; Tendulkar got a duck. A partnership between skipper Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, who hit a few lusty shots, was looking good when Muttiah Muralitharan struck. Sehwag (48) was caught at slips, flirting with a floater outside the off-stump. Earlier, skipper Rahu1 Dravid, after winning the toss, backed his batsmen to chase when he opted to field first. On a wicket, which had something in it for the bowlers early on, Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar troubled the Lankan openers with a testing line. Sanath Jayasuriya fell to Zaheer, slap- ping a wide one high in the ah: but straight into the hands of Agarkar at wide third-man. Neither Mahela Jayawardene (7) nor Kumar Sangakkara (15) could get going, falling to Agarkar and Ganguly, respectively India's fifth bowler slot was more than ably filled up by Ganguly and Sachin Ten- dulkar, both picking up a wicket each. Tendulkar scalped Upul Tharanga, who top-scored for the Lankans with 64. IF INDIA LOSE, PRAY FOR A BERMUDA WIN AGAINST BANGLADESH SHOULD INDIA LOSE We just have to pray Bermuda beat Bangla, even by 1 run. Bangla's net run rate is far lower than India's, so even if India lose by 100 runs to Sri Lanka, and their net run rate drops to 0.99, it will be tough for Banglato lose, and still catch up with india. SHOULD INDIA WIN We go through along with Lanka, unless Bangla make history against Bermuda NUMBERS GAME Lanka made 254 in 50 overs. If India pull off a win off the last ball, making 255, they would have 859 runs off 149.5 overs (run rate 5.753); conceded 602 runs in 148.3 overs (economy rate 4.059) NRR: 1.694 So here's the miracle Bangla have to perform then: Their current NRR: -2.01. Needed: NRR of 1.70. To get that, they need to bat first, make 536 in 50 overs, and restrict Bermuda to under 100 off 50. And if Bermuda bat first, Bangla have no hope. Here's what it would take for Bangla to better india's NRR: Bermuda would have to score 780 in 50 overs; then Bangla would have to chase it in 9.4. At 1.55 am, India 136/6 in 34 overs

TOP

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#346

became very emotional. He was all praise for Hansie Cronje, the man who was banned for life for match fix- ing, and who later died in a plane crash. Woolmer was the coach of the South African team that Cronje led, which toured India in 2000. It was just after that tour that Paul and his team cracked cricket's biggest scandal. Woolmet: it was obvious, did not believe that Cronje was guilty. And that was his main objective in meet- ing Paul: to "clarify" certain doubts in his mind. The meeting lasted for about an hour There were times when Paul lost his cool, especially when Woolmer began defending Cronje. Paul told him that the evidence and their investigation was foolproof and, at one stage, ticked off Woolmer for defending a wrong. Paul asked Woolmer how he, as coach and as someone close to the captain, did not ever know or suspect that his players were on the payroll of bookies. Cronje, who admitted his wrongdoings to the King Commis- sion set up by the South African gov- ernment in 2000, had, on the eve of a one-dayer in Mumbai, held three team meetings to discuss a bookmak- er's offer to throw the match. Paul asked Woolmer how it was that he hadn't been aware of those meetings. At that point, Woolmer became de- fensive, and said he had come to know of those meetings much later Another argument they had cen- tered around Woolmer's controver- sial move to communicate with Cron- je from the dressing room via a ear- piece during a 1999 World Cup match against India at Hove. The ICC had banned the innovation immediately Paul, an ardent follower of the game, got somewhat worked up and told him, "How could you do such a thing? Do you know what Cronje was up to? That he was a fixer?" During the conversation, Woolmer made some vague accusations - dra- matic but unsubstantiated insinua- tions - against a top Pakistani play- er who, he said, could be in- volved in match-fixing. But this seemed more in the na- ture of a reaction to provo- cation than an accusation. During the drive back to the hotel, Woolmer and I spoke at length. Woolmer told me he was writing a book on corporate corruption in cricket, espe- cially in the selling of TV rights, and about the way money is made from it by those connected with the game. I did not take him seriously then. To- day after his murder, who knows what evidence he had collected? On Friday morning (around 7.30 p.m. in India), I called Paul from here to tell him I was writing this piece. He sounded a bit worried, somewhat irritated; he was being inundated with calls from reporters on this. "What is there to write?" he asked. "I don't understand why people are raking it up now and linking it with a murder that happened in Jamaica." I replied that Ihad to put the events on record - after all, it was murder He finally said "okay", adding, "It has been two years, I don't remember anything about the Pakistani player" I said it was okay, and requested that he should say as much to the re- porters who were calling him. pmagazine@hindustantimes.com Pak coach was murdered, police con- firmed on Friday. He died of asphyxia caused "by manual strangulation" More than one killer probably, said Mark Shields, deputy commissioner of police, given that Woolmer was a "big man" No sign of forced entry into room, suggesting Woolmer knew killer(s) Afridi questioned, players' DNA sam- pies taken, said unconfirmed reports. Police were not ruling out the involvement of the betting mafia Police planned to spread net wide. "With that many people in the hotel, it's no doubt somebody saw some- thing," Shields said

TOP

www.bodhtree.com

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#347

became very emotional. He was all praise for Hansie Cronje, the man who was banned for life for match fix- ing, and who later died in a plane crash. Woolmer was the coach of the South African team that Cronje led, which toured India in 2000. It was just after that tour that Paul and his team cracked cricket's biggest scandal. Woolmet: it was obvious, did not believe that Cronje was guilty. And that was his main objective in meet- ing Paul: to "clarify" certain doubts in his mind. The meeting lasted for about an hour There were times when Paul lost his cool, especially when Woolmer began defending Cronje. Paul told him that the evidence and their investigation was foolproof and, at one stage, ticked off Woolmer for defending a wrong. Paul asked Woolmer how he, as coach and as someone close to the captain, did not ever know or suspect that his players were on the payroll of bookies. Cronje, who admitted his wrongdoings to the King Commis- sion set up by the South African gov- ernment in 2000, had, on the eve of a one-dayer in Mumbai, held three team meetings to discuss a bookmak- er's offer to throw the match. Paul asked Woolmer how it was that he hadn't been aware of those meetings. At that point, Woolmer became de- fensive, and said he had come to know of those meetings much later Another argument they had cen- tered around Woolmer's controver- sial move to communicate with Cron- je from the dressing room via a ear- piece during a 1999 World Cup match against India at Hove. The ICC had banned the innovation immediately Paul, an ardent follower of the game, got somewhat worked up and told him, "How could you do such a thing? Do you know what Cronje was up to? That he was a fixer?" During the conversation, Woolmer made some vague accusations - dra- matic but unsubstantiated insinua- tions - against a top Pakistani play- er who, he said, could be in- volved in match-fixing. But this seemed more in the na- ture of a reaction to provo- cation than an accusation. During the drive back to the hotel, Woolmer and I spoke at length. Woolmer told me he was writing a book on corporate corruption in cricket, espe- cially in the selling of TV rights, and about the way money is made from it by those connected with the game. I did not take him seriously then. To- day after his murder, who knows what evidence he had collected? On Friday morning (around 7.30 p.m. in India), I called Paul from here to tell him I was writing this piece. He sounded a bit worried, somewhat irritated; he was being inundated with calls from reporters on this. "What is there to write?" he asked. "I don't understand why people are raking it up now and linking it with a murder that happened in Jamaica." I replied that Ihad to put the events on record - after all, it was murder He finally said "okay", adding, "It has been two years, I don't remember anything about the Pakistani player" I said it was okay, and requested that he should say as much to the re- porters who were calling him. pmagazine@hindustantimes.com Pak coach was murdered, police con- firmed on Friday. He died of asphyxia caused "by manual strangulation" More than one killer probably, said Mark Shields, deputy commissioner of police, given that Woolmer was a "big man" No sign of forced entry into room, suggesting Woolmer knew killer(s) Afridi questioned, players' DNA sam- pies taken, said unconfirmed reports. Police were not ruling out the involvement of the betting mafia Police planned to spread net wide. "With that many people in the hotel, it's no doubt somebody saw some- thing," Shields said

TOP

www.bodhtree.com

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#348

< id=selZoom = value=100 name=selZoom>

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#349

Cricket-Chappell hopes India will take Cup loss in right spirit

Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:05AM GMT

By N.Ananthanarayanan

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, March 23 (Reuters) - India coach Greg Chappell hopes the team's latest defeat at the World Cup will not spark violence in the cricket-crazy country.

India virtually crashed out in the first round after a shattering 69-run defeat to Sri Lanka in a crunch Group B match on Friday. Their slim hopes of progressing now hinge on an unlikely defeat for Bangladesh in Sunday's final group game against Bermuda.

Indian fans resorted to violence after the team's shock defeat to Bangladesh last week.

"In the light of recent incidents, you've got to be concerned," Chappell told a news conference.

"Again, when India wakes up tomorrow they will be disappointed. There will probably be many of them who will be angry with what has happened. (But) I hope people realise that it is just a game.

The former Australian skipper refused to lay the blame at anyone's door for India's poor performances.

"It is a very emotional time for a lot of people and in the light of recent incidents I'm not going to be making any comments on what is wrong with anything or anybody," he said.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_CRICKET/idUKSP6753920070324

Reply

Quote

43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#350

Ireland's Historic Success at the Cricket World Cup

Cricket: Despite Ireland's historic success at the cricket World Cup, the game is still a mystery to most of the country's sports fans.

At 2.30pm today, as Ireland's opening batsmen stood to face the West Indies on the sun-baked pitch in Kingston, the television in Kiely's bar in central Dublin was showing the racing at Lingfield.

Despite the extraordinary success of the Irish team in the World Cup, cricket remains a minority sport in the Republic.

"I don't understand the game," said a youth who was admiring a fresh pint of Guinness and busy texting on his mobile. "There's too many rules. It's hard to follow."

Paul Barry, a barman, had enjoyed the "great buzz' on St Patrick's Day when Ireland beat Pakistan. "There was an Australian who tried to explain the rules to us. Without him it would have been difficult to know who was winning the match," he admitted.

Ireland's qualification for the World Cup has nonetheless triggered a new found enthusiasm for the sport. An Post, the Irish postal service, is offering to deliver letters to the squad free of charge; Kenny Carroll, one of its postmen, is in the team.

'Cricket virgins' have been spotted in bars assimilating cricket's arcane rules and such terms as "silly mid-off" and "Yorkers". At least 1,500 fans have flown out to Jamaica to follow the national side.

The unexpected victory over Pakistan means members of what has been dubbed the "Blarney Army" may now have to stay in the West Indies for several extra weeks.

Many of the team, who are all amateurs, will have to hope their employers are understanding when the squad heads off to Guyana for the next stage of the World Cup tournament.

Cricket, like rugby, is played on an all-Ireland basis; several of the Irish squad come from Belfast. Brought over by English regiments in the early 19th century, the game was initially taken up in garrison towns.

The first England v Ireland match was held in Dublin as long ago as 1855. Cricket's popularity suffered, however, during the "land wars", when the Gaelic Athletic Association was formed and banned members from playing "foreign games".

Relaxation of those rules has allowed more people in the Republic to come into the game and helped it lose its reputation as an "English" sport.

Ireland's record against the West Indies is by no means one-sided.

Twice before - in 1969 at Sion Mills, Co Tyrone, and three years ago at Stormont - Irish teams have triumphed against the cricketing superpower.

In Balrothery, north of Dublin, the game never lost local support. The Balrothery Inn has a Merry Cricketer's bar where the walls are covered in team photographs dating back to the 1950s.

"We've had the Irish team in here. They're great crack," said the owner, Brendan McCormack. "They didn't behave like Flintoff, but they know how to work hard and play hard.

"We are in the Pale here, where the English taught the poor Irish so they would have someone to play against. Hopefully, the tide will turn and we will beat them in the super eight competition.

"At least 100 people have gone from the village out to Jamaica, including several of my bar staff. Personally, I like watching motor racing but the enthusiasm for cricket has got everyone going. I watched the whole match last Saturday and it was riveting."

Across the road is the North County Cricket Club, where four of the Irish team play. Its new indoor nets are where the national side practised throughout the winter.

"Around here they eat, drink and sleep cricket," explained the caretaker, Eddie Whelan. "All the towns around here - Malahide, Skerries, Balbriggan - have teams. But now people who never previously watched it are screaming and shouting at the television screen."

Mary Uzell, the club secretary, said: "I moved out here 11 years ago and the game just grows on you. A lot of overseas players have moved to Ireland recently and that's improved the skill levels."

One club member in the Irish team is Andre Botha, originally from South Africa.

Aidan Gaffney, who used to be the club team's wicketkeeper, said the game had been preserved for a long time by local families, passing it down the generations.

"The father of the Mooney brothers - Paul and John, who are in the Irish squad - dropped dead of a heart attack on a local cricket pitch," he said. "There's dedication to the game here."

Reply

Quote