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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#411

Lara wins toss, puts Australia into bat

Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:21 PM IST

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ST JOHN'S, Antigua (Reuters) - West Indies skipper Brian Lara won the toss in their opening Super Eights match with holders Australia on Tuesday and put them into bat.

Australia stuck with the 11 who beat top-ranked South Africa convincingly on Saturday in their final Group A match, giving them a 100 percent record from their three matches.

West Indies made one change, swapping Ian Bradshaw for fast bowler Corey Collymore, from their comfortable win over Ireland.

The conditions were overcast and windy and Lara told reporters he thought the pitch would be of help to the seamers.

Teams:

Australia - Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.

West Indies - Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Brian Lara (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=sport sNews&storyID=2007-03-27T190731Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_Indi a-292420-2.xml

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#412

FOR TWO days, we had nothing better to do. Our very own "in- vincible" Team India and its mil- lions of fans were waiting anx- iously for Bermuda to perform a miracle against Bangladesh to take us to the Super 8. This agonising wait will cer- tainly go down in history as one of the classical ironies of Indian cricket. As an aftermath of the early exit, no amount of logical expla- nation given by the team or even their honest admittance of failure will be able to impress anyone in this cricket-mad nation. Team skipper Rahul Dravid and more so Greg Chappell, a coach partial to rhetoric, will have to undergo severe soul-searching before they make any further statements on the team or its performance. From a cricketing point of view, Indian cricket has hit a new low and will surely now have to ask itself some difficult questions. The very fact that we had a team that left India as among the favourites and were promptly put on a flight back home even before the tourna- ment could gain momentum, is a bit too much to digest The team management might find suitable philosophical inter- pretations about this early exit. "That's the way this game is played" and "the best teams have bitten the dust or the greatest of players have failed the conquest of time". But deep down, are Greg and Rahul ready to see and accept a real picture of Indian cricket these past two years? For the team, the coming time will be quite testing. At the same time, the reactions back home are simply unimagin- able. Similar outbursts were wit- nessed in the initial stages of the 2003 World Cup. But this time, the level of sentiment expressed and the venting of frustration from all corners of society assumed dan- gerous proportions. With such a high emotional and passionate at- tachment to the game, the fans of Indian cricket surely deserve to get something back. And I for one, while empathising with their ut- ter disappointment, have to also condemn the extreme reactions that we have witnessed in the last few days. What is really disturbing to me is the growing trend of vio- lent protests after every defeat. It poses serious security threats to the players and their families. The practice of burning effi- gies of the players on the streets and pelting stones at their hous- es has become a kind of neo-rit- ual in the wake of every defeat. To rub more salt into their wounds, these unruly incidents were religiously telecast and printed in various channels and newspapers. These unhealthy news items become potentially contagious when watched by millions of dis- enchanted fans throughout the country Spare a thought for those thousands of aspiring cricketers at all levels, who want to represent India in the future. I wonder what kind of impres- sion these acts would leave on young, impressionable minds. If such heinous acts of ex- pressing disappointment are al- lowed to continue without being checked with proper laws in place, I am sure that there will be a day when a player or a player's family member will suffer some- thing unthinkable. And by then, it will be far too late for regrets.

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@WillSmith456

Inactive

+ 2

Posted: 18 years ago

#413

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Aus-WI match to resume on Wednesday

A persistent drizzle forced the umpires to call off the play for the day in the first Super 8s encounter of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 between Australia and West Indies being played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The covers were brought on as soon as Australia finished their inning on 322/6, a total powered by Matthew Hayden's astonishing 158.

No further play was possible after that. West Indies will now resume their innings on Wednesday.

http://cricketworldcup.indya.com/DisplayArticleDetails.asp?x f=news,Cricket,2007,March,News_20070328_337

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@Sara_DONT_ASK

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+ 4

Posted: 18 years ago

#414

'Bob had thrown out an Indian bookie'

KINGSTON - The night before his murder, Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer had a heated argument with an Indian bookmaker in his hotel room, according to Press Trust of India.
Quoting a senior government official, London's Guardian newspaper reported that two Pakistan players told Jamaican police that Woolmer had a heated argument with a bookmaker based in Mumbai on Saturday night.
"Bob Woolmer said he had just thrown a bookie out of his room. He didn't give any reasons," the official said.
Pakistan has asked to send a detective to Jamaica to investigate what it claims were links between an Indian bookmaker and the murder, the report said.
However, Shields, the former Scotland Yard superintendent who is No 2 in the Jamaican Police force, said he was unaware of any bookmakers having stayed at the Pegasus, or any suggestions of Indian involvement.
Indian cricket officials also dismissed the allegations as "speculation and stories", the newspaper wrote.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/28/sports1.php

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Posted: 18 years ago

#415

Hayden hammers Windies

ST JOHN'S (Antigua) (AFP) - Matthew Hayden's record-breaking 158 was the backbone of reigning champions Australia's 322 for six against the West Indies in the first Super Eight clash of this World Cup here Tuesday.
Hayden's hundred, his second in as many matches, was the highest score by an Australian at the World Cup, surpassing the 143 not out made by Andrew Symonds four years ago against Pakistan in Johannesburg.
This innings came after Hayden's 101 in Saturday's 83-run win against South Africa, in what was the first major match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
It was also the 35-year-old left-handed opener's third hundred in as many one-day internationals against Test nations following his Australian record 181 not out against New Zealand last month in Hamilton.
And yet for all his bludgeoning hitting later on, Hayden struggled at the start of his innings with the Queenslander taking 18 balls to get off the mark.
However, West Indies may take some heart from the fact the four highest totals to win batting second in one-day internationals have all been made against Australia since the 2005/06 season.
Shane Watson was 33 not out and Brad Hogg unbeaten on five.
It was no surprise when West Indies captain Brian Lara decided to field first in overcast conditions on an outfield slowed by early morning rain.
Australia lost Adam Gilchrist for seven when he was caught behind by opposing wicket-keeper Dinesh Ramdin off an inside-edge against Daren Powell.
It was not until the last ball of the seventh over, when captain Ricky Ponting hooked paceman Powell for six, that Australia started to up the rate. Hayden then drove the next two deliveries, from Powell's fellow quick Jerome Taylor, for fours past mid-off.
Ponting had looked in good touch on his way to making 35 off 36 balls before having survived one attempt on 16, ran himself out when he went for a non-existent single off Taylor and Ramnaresh Sarwan at extra-cover hit the stumps at the bowler's end.
Australia, now 76 for two in the 15th over, almost lost Clarke in similar fashion as the innings entered a jittery phase.
And Hayden himself would have been out for 28 if Lara's throw from mid-on had hit after he'd been sent back by Clarke.
Clarke found his form before Hayden reached fifty in typical fashion, advancing down the pitch to drive the off-spin of Chris Gayle, bowling in a cap, down the ground for four.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA, Innings:
A. Gilchrist c Ramdin b Powel l7
M. Hayden c Samuels b Bravo 158
R. Ponting run out 35
M. Clarke lbw b Bravo 41
A. Symonds c Ramdin b Samuels 13
M. Hussey b Powel l9
S. Watson not out 33
B. Hogg not out 5
EXTRAS: (b1, lb9, w8, nb3) 21
TOTAL: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 322
Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Gilchrist), 2-76 (Ponting), 3-174 (Clarke), 4-208 (Symonds), 5-234 (Hussey), 6-297 (Hayden)
Did not bat:
N Bracken, S Tait, G McGrath
BOWLING:
Powell 10-2-53-2
Taylor 10-0-67-0 (3w)
Collymore 10-0-56-0 (2w)
Gayle 4-0-29-0 (2nb)
Bravo 7-0-49-2 (2w)
Samuels 9-0-58-1 (1nb, 1w)
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Brian Lara (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Ramdin (wk), Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Corey Collymore
Toss: West Indies
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Asad Rauf (PAK) TV umpire Billy Bowden (NZL)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
Reserve umpire: Rudi Koertzen (RSA).

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/28/sports4.php

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Posted: 18 years ago

#416

No fun without Pakistan, India

COLOMBO (AFP) - The World Cup has been shorn of its fun by the early exit of crowd-pullers India and Pakistan, former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga said on Tuesday.
Ranatunga, who had tipped India to win the showpiece event, said he was shocked to see the two former champions knocked out in the first round.
"I was shocked the way India played, especially against Bangladesh," Ranatunga, who was captain when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, told AFP.
"Guys like Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly), Rahul (Dravid) and (Anil) Kumble will be disappointed as they might not play another World Cup."
Ranatunga said the tournament's new format, which had 16 teams divided into four groups with the top two in each advancing to the second round, contributed to the ouster of 1983 champions India and 1992 winners Pakistan.
"The format was such that one bad game was enough to send a team out," he said. "India had a bad day against Bangladesh while Pakistan were not up to their best against Ireland.
"Earlier, teams had an opportunity to bounce back. For instance, Sri Lanka were beaten by Kenya in 2003 but still we went on to qualify for the semi-finals.
"In the previous World Cup where 14 teams were divided into two groups, we had six first round matches, but here it's just three games."
Ranatunga praised the Sri Lankan team, which cruised through with three straight wins against India, Bangladesh and Bermuda.
"The Sri Lankans have played smart cricket," he said. "They have not only created opportunities but grabbed those opportunities as well.
"There's enthusiasm in the squad. Look at Muttiah Muralitharan, he's 34 now, but his exuberance is the same as that of a 20-year-old."
Ranatunga also said he hoped the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer would be solved soon.
"Bob was a great man, I had lot of respect and regard for him" he said.
"At the moment, people are pointing their fingers at the betting mafia. I am surprised at the things the betting mafia can do to have their way.
"Officials and governments must take the initiative to safeguard the sport, but I wonder if the best efforts are being made to stop these people."

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/28/sports6.php

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Posted: 18 years ago

#417

Pitch mystery for South Africa and Sri Lanka

GEORGETOWN (Guyana) (AFP) - South Africa and Sri Lanka will be entering new territory when they meet in a World Cup Super Eight match at the Guyana National Stadium Wednesday.
The match is the first of any consequence to be played at a new stadium, outside the capital Georgetown, where workers are still battling to get everything ready for Wednesday.
Rain prevented both teams from practising Monday and the pitch remained under cover, so the players could not make any assessment of it.
South African coach Mickey Arthur said he hoped the pitch would have more pace and bounce than Guyana's old international ground, the Bourda in Georgetown, which was notoriously low and slow.
"We have been told by (International Cricket Council pitch consultant) Andy Atkinson that it should have reasonable bounce," said Arthur.
More rain was predicted for Tuesday but it is expected to clear Wednesday, although there may be scattered thundershowers. It is a crucial match for South Africa, who were beaten by Australia in their group decider in St Kitts on Saturday, whereas 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka carried two points through to the Super Eight phase after defeating fellow qualifiers Bangladesh.
The previous World Cup meeting between the two sides was dramatic.
When rain ended play in Durban in 2003 the scores were tied on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
South Africa needed to win and for the second time in successive World Cups were eliminated after a tied match. It was an ignominious ending for the Proteas who failed to reach the second round in their own country. South African captain Graeme Smith said his team would not be haunted by the memories of 2003.
"We haven't discussed it but we haven't forgotten about it either. It has not been a major issue in the team since I have taken over the captaincy."
The pitch could play a crucial role. If it has pace and bounce, South Africa will be confident that they can overpower their opponents with their seam-based attack. But if it helps the slow bowlers in any way it will be Sri Lanka who will fancy their chances.
Although South Africa have dominated home matches against Sri Lanka, they have won only one out of 11 matches in Sri Lanka, with their batsmen often getting tied down by the spinners.
Both teams have won eight times in 16 matches on neutral territory, the most recent when South Africa gained a convincing 78-run in an ICC Champions Trophy match in Ahmedabad, India, last October.
The overall record shows both teams have won 21 times against each other, which gives Sri Lanka a better record against South Africa than any team other than Australia. South Africa, who need to win to maintain their ranking as the world's top one-day international team and claim a 175,000-US dollar bonus for leading the rankings on April 1, batted well in their group matches in St Kitts.
Openers Smith and AB de Villiers and top order batsmen Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs showed good form.
But their bowlers were hammered by Australia, with key player Shaun Pollock conceding 83 runs in ten overs as Australia piled up 377 for six.
Pollock is likely to be put under pressure again by Sri Lanka's aggressive veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, who made a rapid century against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka's batting has been solid all down the order, with Chamara Silva hitting quick-scoring half-centuries in each of his team's first three matches.
Their bowlers have yet to be mastered and were impressive in the win over India which consigned the Indians to an early flight home. Champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took three for 41.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/28/sports9.php

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Posted: 18 years ago

#418

Jayawardene tells Sri Lanka to be ruthless

GEORGETOWN (Guyana) (AFP) - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has warned his World Cup opponents, saying his team are keen to maintain their ruthless streak in the Caribbean.
Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Eights with an all-win record in group matches, showing no mercy to former champions India, Bangladesh and debutants Bermuda in Trinidad.
Jayawardene says his team's ability to compete hard is the main reason for their doing remarkably well in away one-day series in recent times. "We win pretty well at home and we have that ruthless instinct, but we never seemed to have that kind of edge when we travelled. Over the last 15-16 months, we have developed that," he said. Sri Lanka, who open their Super Eights campaign against South Africa here on Wednesday, won 5-0 in England last year before sharing a one-day series in New Zealand.
"We have now managed to take that ruthlessness when we are playing abroad as well. This was something we wanted to do and now it has come into our game," said the Sri Lankan skipper.
"We always had the talent to perform well, but we just could not win that many matches abroad. As a team we have realised that we have to compete harder and we have to be ruthless."
Jayawardene said his team now had the talent and confidence to win matches from tight situations.
"At home, you feel you can win a match from any situation. If you can take that when you are playing away from home and believe that you can win from any situation and that's what ruthlessness is. It's that self-belief," he said. "You just have to focus harder. Once you have the opposition down, you have to finish off the games. If we can do it at home, I am sure we can do it away from home as well."
Jayawardene said coach Tom Moody had played a big role in making the side a highly competitive unit. His team looked the most impressive in group games, giving no chance to India, Bangladesh and Bermuda. "Tom has brought something new to the table for us," he said. "He has pushed us from our comfort zones and pushed us to be better players. Mentally he wanted us to be much tougher as a group."
Sri Lanka have already carried two crucial points in the second round, but Jayawardene said his team were aiming to win more than half of their matches to ensure a place in the semi-finals.
"In group matches, we wanted to win every game. It's the same here. You have to win every game you play and that will give you a lot of confidence and it will give you a lot of momentum," he said. "It's tough to say how many wins we need in the Super Eights to make it to the semi-finals. The top six teams are battling for four places. I reckon you have to win at least half of those games, but that's minimum.
"If we win more, we can be in a comfort zone. The earlier you get those wins under your belt, the easier for you going forward. We have to make the most of the opportunities we get because things like rain could be a factor." When asked whether it was possible to win 11 games in a row - three in the group stage, six in the Super Eights, the semi-final and final - the Sri Lankan captain said: "Yes, it's possible if you play good cricket.
"I am sure most of the teams who are unbeaten till now will be thinking of that. That's the only way because the more games you win, the better for your confidence. The opposition also fears you. It's all about momentum."
Sri Lanka may have lost to South Africa in the Champions Trophy in India last year, but Jayawardene said his team were looking forward to earning points against Graeme Smith's side.
"We do carry points (in the Super Eights), but we are not taking them into account," he said.
"Taking early points against South Africa will definitely benefit us, so it's a very big game for us. This is probably our turn now to win now."

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/28/sports10.php

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#419

IT WAS with total amazement and horror that I road the last line of this report in the BBC about the impact of india's first round exit. Sony's Kunal Dasgupta says the format of the tournament is flawed. "In a 48-day tour- nament, if India and Pakistan are out for playing bad cricket in two matches, there is something really wrong. We were against this format and told the ICC to reconsider it," he said. It's been pretty obvious that television runs most things in cricket, including scheduling. It is perhaps time to congratu- late the ICC for sticking to their schedule instead of kowtowing to the demands of sponsors, rights owners, etc. Apparently the ICC had framed up this schedule after getting feedback from play- ors and boards that the previous edition, which had two groups of six teams each, had the potential to have too many games involving minnow teams. I think the weaker teams should play in the World Cup, but they should also get enough games against stronger opposition in the year leading up to the maga-event. At the same time, we ought to ensure that the World Cup isn't a tournament where half of the teams have no chance of getting anywhere near the knock-out stage. cricket24x7.hlogspot.com

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