Part 5 - Top Moments Of CWC15

This one comes from another cliff hanger at the Eden Park, Auckland.
The #CWC15 final clearly belonged to Australia and #MitchellStarc.
This game also belonged to them ... well almost!

Game started on a normal note, with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat. After a stormy start, Finch was bowled by Southee. Warner and Smith continued in similar vein before Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum brought in the old Dan "the man" Vettori in to bowl.

His magic spell not just slowed down the run rate, but captured two crucial wickets of Warner (caught in the deep) and Smith (caught behind) to pull things back significantly for New Zealand.

Then began the "Lightining" Boult show. 
He just came, saw and conquered the Aussies in an exhibition of awesome swing bowling claiming 5 wickets for almost nothing. For 78 for 1, Australia crumbled to 108 for 8.

Some late inning heroics by Brad Haddin ensured Australia closed their innings at 150 all out. Paltry score considering their batting lineup and start they received.

Cake walk, you'd think for New Zealand?
McCullum starts in own belligerent style but Australia strike exactly like the Kiwis and put them under a lot of pressure. At 135 for 7 and 146 for 8 and 9 (Mitchell Starc's extra ordinary death bowling spell) Australia look all set to upset the Kiwis.

Trent Boult survives a hattrick ball and its all come down to #KaneWilliamson to see how he can farm strike and chase the remaining 6 runs.

Pat Cummins the bowler, Williamson on strike, in-out field to save twos and boundaries. Williamson goes for it ... and bang ... six over long on does it.

Extraordinary scenes at Eden Park, Kiwis rejoice, Australia stunned but hold their head high. They made 150 look like Mt. Everest and almost pulled it off until Kane hit that winning shot.

Glorius moments from Eden!
Cricket, winner all the way...

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Part 4 - Top Moments Of The World Cup

From the giants dominating key encounters and moments in cricket matches throughout #CWC15, the minnows weren't going to just fill up the numbers. They were here to compete and showcase their talent and how well they did! Afghanistan's stunning win over Scotland, Ireland's daredevil run in the Pool stages to defeat West Indies and run the other biggies close while Zimbabwe's wonderfully spirited display all throughout got everyone's attention.

However, it was Bangladesh that won every heart when they beat England to knock them out of the cup and enter the knockout stages for the first time in a World Cup ever! They really looked like a team on a mission to achieve the unthinkable that day.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, #Mahmudullah produced a fine century to lay a good foundation and eventually a strong score of 275 for the Banglas.

The score, although good, didn't seem to be big enough to threaten England and their batting depth. England started steadily with Bell scoring well to put England on course. Bangladesh kept of chipping wickets to stay in the hunt.

It was all advantage England when Shakib threw the ball to #RubelHossain in the mid stages.
Rubel obliged by claiming Root and England skipper Morgan in the same over, Even-Steven.

Although Jos Buttler took the attack to Bangladesh, they sensed something special as England kept losing wickets at key moments. Starting with Butler, followed by Taylor and  Jordan.

Needing 15 runs to win in the last over, Shakib again handed over responsibility to Robel. With 8 wickets down, England needed to gamble well. Stuart Broad, who had just come in, was facing while Chris Woakes, well set o 42, was at the non striker'e end. They needed him on strike.

What happens next? CRAAAASH ... Broad's off stick is disturbed by a lovely delivery that held its line. England 9 down. Last man Jame Anderson walks in, pressure writ all over his face! He needs to give strike to Woakes desparately. But Robel had other ideas as he bowls a perfect yorker that squeezes past his bat onto base of middle stump! CRAAASHHHH again! All over

England fall short by 15 runs. Woakes stranded.
Robel and Bangladesh celebrate in frenzy, the Adelaide Oval erupts in joy and a knock-out entry has been achieved! 

Robel, the man of the moment, take a bow!

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Part 1 - Top 5 Moments of CWC15

Wow... what a world cup! Simply exhilarating ...

For those who thought 50 over cricket was passe, this was a big surprise.
The intensity, battles, drama, emotions, skills and passion shown by teams, individuals defined success of this world cup played in Australia and New Zealand.

To top it all, it was an all host final as well.. what better way to celebrate cricket. Cricket was a big winner in this epoch tournament!

We've tried to pick some moments from this cup that truly defined this #CWC15. These moments have been arranged in random order. Every moment has its significance and X factor that makes it stand out from the rest!

Here are our top five
1. Shane Watson's dropped catch off Wahab Riaz' Spell against Australia, quarterfinal at Adelaide
2. Mitchell Starc wicket of Brendon McCullum, final at MCG
3. Grant Elliott winning six vs South Africa, semifinal at Auckland
4. James Anderson bowled by Rubeel Hossain at SCG
5. Sean Williams caught on the boundary vs Ireland in a tense run chase...

We start with the first one and our favorite.

1. Shane Watson's dropped catch off Wahab Riaz' Spell against Australia, quarterfinal at Adelaide

After winning the toss and batting first at Adelaide, Pakistan were in with the best chance to challenge the mighty Aussies in their quartefinal match. But, some reckless batting (as expected from this mercurial side over the years) and disciplined Australian bowling saw them skittled out for 213. A score way below par.

However, if there is one team you can imaging defending such a score it had to be Pakistan with their pace battery and their ability to do the unthinkable.

The Australians started well but were rocked by dismissal of Finch.

Warner was settling down while Steve Smith came in and started batting as if he was having a net!

Australia in command you'd say...

Misbah brought in Wahab Riaz as first change after 10 overs and boy! what happened after that was a treat to behold. With his pace, bounce and slingy left arm action, he started getting batsmen to hop around. 

His perfectly directed bouncer forced Warner to scoop aa catch towards deep point when Rahat Ali took a simple well judged catch to send him packing.

In walked Australian captain, Michael Clarke and he started hopping to Wahab's tunes from ball 1. Sensing the discomfort, Misbah pushed a short mid wicket for him. And voila... Wahab got Clarke to fend off a steeply rising delivery right down his throat!

Australia 59 for 3. Match in the balance. Pakistan fighting back in a manner only they can.

Wahab on fire.

That brought in a struggling Shane Watson to the crease.  

Knowing his out-of-form touch and penchant to pull, Wahab started peppering him with bouncers one after the other. Each one a beauty that had Watson hopping, skipping, jumping, ducking, edging balls over slips and everything but getting out. To add to that Wahab got under his skin by "sledging" hm almost every ball he missed or miscuded. That added drama to the already intense struggle in the middle.

Wahab's barrage had really softened Watson, Something was about to give in. And then it happened out of nowhere (again only Pakistan can manage to do this). With Watson at his mercy, Wahab pitched one short inducing Watson into a pull that took the top edge and flew towards long leg. The trap was set and Watto fell to it. The fielder, Rahat Ali, got under it comfortably. At 83 for 3, a wicket would have made the match very interesting with Maxwell and late order to follow.

Rahat steadied himself under the ball, took position and ... and ... and .. oh no! he spilled a dolly!

Absolute gimme catch dropped? unbelievable .... Wahab distraught, Misbah disappointed and Rahat embarrassed big time. It would have been 83 for 4 and wow that could have swing things Pak's way big time. Unfortunately not to be...Watto gets a life and Pak lose their spirit. They look shaken up by that dropped catch (that would eventually go on to take that match away from them). Wahab claps and goes back to his mark and starts sending more bouncers. But, the moment was lost and so was the match a little while later!

Huge moment that .. Pak dropped the world cup then and there. 

Wahab continued to bowl with venom after that almost claiming Maxwell too but his catch at third man was dropped by Sohail Khan (tough chance you had to say).

Australia went on to beat Pakistan by 6 wickets and book their place in the semifinal against India at the #SCG

Wahab's spell though was appauded by many including the legendary Shane Warne as one of the best spells ever! Truly a magnificent perfoemance from Wahab in that 6 over burst that almost had Australia on the ropes!!

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CWC15 LIVE - Australia Thump India, Meet NZ In Sunday's Final

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Australia have thumped India in the second semifinal at #SCG clinically.
India looked up for it in their run chase until the 13th over when Dhawan and Rohit were taking the Australian bowlers on... but once Dhawan went, it was a procession of wickets that pushed them back.

After that, it was downhill although #MSDhoni and #AjinkyaRahane strung a small partnership to raise some hopes but it was a big ask and they capitulated under immense pressure.

They didnt seem to have a Plan B, but their Plan A went horribly wrong losing the top 4 batsmen in a freak period after being 76 for no loss in 13 overs to go to 108 for 4 in 22 overs.

For Australia, it was #MitchellStarc yet again doing most of the damage along with #MitchellJohnson and #JamesFaulkner. It was the perfect game for Australia - bat first, pile score and put pressure on the opposition. India were not up for it today and their winless summer against Australia continued. Disappointing end to their campaign

Australia will now play New Zealand in the big Sunday final.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 328 for 7
Ind: 233 all out 46.3 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Aussies Move A Step Closer To World Cup Final

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Aussies have almost nailed the Indian coffin, but for MS Dhoni at the crease.
He has played a sedate knock so far, blocking and prodding or is he waiting to explode.

Too much to do you feel but if there is one guy who can dream of doing this, it has to be him Or has he left it for too late!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 328 for 7
Ind: 221 for 6, 42.3 overs

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CWC14 LIVE - Dhawan-Kohli-Rohit Wickets Put Australia On Top

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

From 76 for no loss, India have slumped to 91 for 3.
The Aussies have bounced back tremendously after the Dhawan-Rohit rock solid start.

#ShikharDhawan with the Aussies at his mercy, decided to smash #JoshHazlewood over the offside and found #GlenMaxwell with precision on the extra cover fence! A solid 45 but you would question that shot for sure...

#ViratKohli never looked in. He pushed, prodded and then just went for a non existent pull, top-edging behind the stumps off #MitchellJohnson.

#RohitSharma looked like he had got in and smashed Johnson for a six over mid-wicket but the very next ball.he was castled by Johnson to erupt into jubilant celebrations.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 328 for 7
Ind: 102 for 3, 22 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Aus Score 328, 20 runs many or 20 runs short vs Ind

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Late burst from the lower order put Australia on a good score of 328 in 50 overs.
#ShaneWatson, #JamesFaulkner and #MitchellJohnson added valuable runs towards the end to push the score to challenging levels. At one stage Australia were pushed back by a flurry of wickets but thats where their late order came to the fore to score those important runs needed to finish well.

So, what does the score look like?
328 for 7

- Australia will feel 20 runs short considering they were motoring along at one stage.

- India will feel 20 runs more considering they had pulled the game brilliantly around the 40th over.

Game on here with India's strong batting lineup.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 328 for 7
Ind: 15 for 0, 4 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Quick Wickets Evens The Match Once Again - Ind v Aus

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Quick wickets have brought India right back in their semifinal match vs Australia at the SCG.

Looking down the barrel at 197 for 1, with Smith and Finch setting stage for an explosive finish, the Indian bowlers and fielders hung in and have been rewarded handsomely with 4 key wickets.

First, #StevenSmith pulled one off #UmeshYadav to mid wicket. He scored a magnificent 105 but couldnt go all the way.

That brought #GlennMaxwell to the crease to push the innings into an orbit.
He started well smashing a couple of fours and big six over midwicket.

The battle everyone was talking about before the game started was Maxwell vs #RaviAshwin. They faced each other and Ashwin foxed Maxwell to slog sweep down long leg's throat. Huge this!!! could make a difference of 50-75 runs overall.

Finch who was scratchy throughout felt the pressure to push on the accelerator.
He half pulled a Umesh bouncer to short midwicket.

With two new batsmen at the crease #MichaelClarke and #ShaneWatson, India applied pressure and squeezed runs. With pressure rising, Clarke pulled one from #MohitSharma straight to midwicket. Another huge one.

Its all to play for in the last few overs.
Game on!  

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 258 for 5, 44 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Finch Smith Partnership Pushes Australia Ahead

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Contrasting half centuries from #StevenSmith and #AaronFinch have put Australia ahead in this contest vs India in the second semifinal of #CWC15.

After a shaky start, they have got in a great groove and setting up a great platform for their pinch hitters to take centrestage in the end stages of their batting innings.

Smith has been fluent, confident and brilliant with his placements, timing and run scoring. Finch has been scratchy, unsure but hung on there. A couple of close shaves have gone his way too. 

As we approach the batting powerplay, both teams will take stock and plan their endgames.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 155 for 1, 30 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Both Teams Feeling Each Other After First Powerplay - Ind v Aus

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

There are nerves, tension and you can sense both teams are feeling each other in the mandatory powerplay (overs 1 to 10). It was India that started with better sense of purpose bowling with pace, swing and great lines pushing the Aussies back. #UmeshYadav surprised #DavidWarner with a short bouncer that looped to mid-wicket where #ViratKohli taking a simple catch.

#StevenSmith walked in as if he restarted from the summer series vs India. Confidently playing his shots and steadying the innings. #AaronFinch is still not looking settled but has weathered the initial storm. 

4 Boundaries by Smith in Yadav's one over has gotten the Aussies going well.
They have picked up the pace now and seem to be upping the run rate.   

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
82 for 1, 15 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Aus Win Toss Bat First vs Ind At SCG

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

In a cracker of a semifinal at the SCG, Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Tosses have been funny in key games of this world cup. Teams that have won the toss, have generally elected to bat but havent gone on to win their games. So, it could just be a good toss to lose for India! Time will tell.

Both teams look all set to go!
Let the game begin...

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CWC15 - Ind vs Aus - Semifinal Ready To EXPLODE At SCG

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

If the first semifinal was battle between two nervous teams looking to get into a world cup final, this second one promises to be a bull fight between two seasoned world champs (Australia - 4 times champs while India - 2 times the winners). This is going to be massive!

Australia, playing in home conditions would be confident going into this one especially with their pace battery and strong batting lineup. India, on the other hand, have turned the corner quite remarkably after a tough summer in Australia. They have a sense of invincibility about them now.

No team will give or take an inch in this one. Their battles over the last few years have been fiery to an extent of being "ugly" at times. No love lost between opposing players. Most games these summer have been marred by these aggression between the two teams. That has slightly dampened the high quality cricket these teams have produced over these games.

So, who will win at the halo'd #SCG?

The rampaging Indians who have demolished all oppositions that have come their way till date or the might Aussies with its pace attack? Can spin be the decisive factor? If it is, then India will be the happier side big time and may edge ahead of the Aussies.

Will it be the Trans-Tasman rivalry in the final at the #MCG on Sunday or will NZ need to face the defending champions? 

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CWC15 - Elliott Heroics Pull Off Dramatic Win For NZ vs SA

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#GrantElliott couldn't have chosen a better day to demonstrate why he was picked up in the New Zealand squad for #CWC15. At 36, he was already on the wane when a surprise call up to the Kiwi squad had raised everyone's eyebrows and questions. Well ... all those questions were answered today.

When he walked in to bat NZ had just lost #MartinGuptill to a needless runout and SA sniffed half a chance to stage a comeback. Shortly after, #RossTaylor edged one behind off #JPDuminy to put further pressure on the Kiwi middle order. frankly they werent tested enough in the competition thus far. This was different though. World Cup semi final, a highly pumped SA super bowling attack made life very tough out there.

#CoreyAnderson joined him and together they set out task to rebuild the innings and buidl solid platfrom for a late dash at the target. They did it beautifully mixing caution with aggression to keep within touching distance. Their century partnership laid a solid foundation for the Kiwis to move ahead in the game.

As things got tense, Anderson holed out to square leg, #LukeRonchi holed out to midwicket, Elliott runout was missed, his skier was spilled on the deep square leg fence... thats it .. he may have felt. This was his day and he made most of it. 

In the end, with 5 in 2 balls, he planted #DaleSteyn over the long on boundary to complete an exhilarating, thrilling and ever-so-close win. New Zealand qualified for the finals (for the first time in 10 attempts) where they await either India or Australia (2nd Semifinal, SCG on 26th Mar 2015)

Extraordinary scenes of jubilation and sorrow.
SA gutted, NZ overjoyed .. 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 281 for 5, 43 overs
NZ: 299 for 6, 42.5 overs (target revised to 297 - D/L system)

Man of the Match: #GrantElliott

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CWC15 LIVE - NZ v SA - Quick Wickets Push Semifinal On The Edge

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

A couple of quick wickets has pushed this game on the edge.

#CoreyAnderson's skied one from Morkel where #FafDuPlessis hung onto a steepler of a chance.

#LukeRonchi then pulled one down mid wicket's throat to make things very interesting.

#GrantElliot, the mainstay of the NZ batting almost ran himself out but for a miss from the wicketkeeper to collect the ball.

Wow, this is a cliff hanger!
A game worthy of being a World Cup Semifinal... 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 24 runs to win in 14 balls
274 for 6

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CWC15 - Anderson Runout Missed By ABD, Match Swings NZ Way

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

The match on a knife's edge, both teams looking for the one opportunity to push forward and it comes South Africa's way.

What are #GrantElliot and #CoreyAnderson doing?
Have they not seen they horrendous Guptill-Taylor mixup?
And they try to repeat that and almost succeed!
Well, they failed in that attempt helped by SA skipper #ABdeVilliers.

A straight forward throw from David Miller with Anderson miles out his crease.
AB covered the stumps well, but in a rush of blood broke the stumps with his hands, ball on the ground. He could have also picked up the stump and ball in one hand but his momentum carried him forward and enabled to Anderson to jog back into his crease (he had given up...)

What an opportunity missed! 
Will they get another one? 
Its getting closer and tighter.. 
At the moment, its New Zealand's game to win or lose.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NA 219 for 4, 34 overs
Need another 79 runs from 54 balls

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CWC15 LIVE - Is Guptill Runout The Game Changer? SA Back With Purpose

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

How do you define self destruction?
Watch this piece from #MartinGuptill and #RossTaylor running between wickets.
Yes, No, No, Yes, Go .... OUT ..... Martin Guptill run out by over 2 metres!

Shoddy running and big miscommunication leads to an easy wicket for South Africa. Just when both of them had steadied the ship and looking to steady platform for the final push, this happened.

Ross Taylor, pushed this to point, called for a run, stopped. Then Guptill called and stopped. Finally, they decided to go for the run but too late. #HashimAmla swooped on the ball and passed onto #deKock who whipped the bails with Guptill miles out.

Amazing reactions
 - Ross Taylor distraught at the other end and under immense pressure to take his team through.
 - Tahir ecstatic
 - SA team swoop into a huddle and they are back big time in this game!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 148 for 3, 21 overs 

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CWC15 LIVE - NZ Ahead At The First Drinks Break In Chase Of 298

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

Inspite of losing #BrendonMcCullum and #KaneWilliamson in quick succession, the #Kiwis are ahead in this semifinal match vs South Africa.

McCullum's stunning 59 from 26 balls set the tone for the runchase.
But #MorneMorkel struck twice to dismiss both the skipper and his deputy to pull things back.

Double centurion from previous game #MartinGuptill and #RossTaylor are at the crease and steadying things for New Zealand.

A fascinating mid and end game in the offing.
Don't go anywhere! 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: (Chasing a revised D/L target of 298) 102 for 2 in 12 overs.

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CWC15 LIVE - Blazing Kiwi Start Evens The Contest vs SA

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

The start to a stiff run chase couldn't have been better!
#BrendonMcCullum has come out with a purpose and boy! has he started well?

He's just completed his 50 in 22 balls.
Just the kind of start needed to get that chase going...

He has torn into the world's premier fast bowler #DaleSteyn.
The 5th over bowled by him has gone for
6-0-6-4-4-0

#ABDevilliers needs to look at options.
How about #ImranTahir? or #JPDuminy?
Need to change the pace and speed of this game.
Currently, the Kiwis are using all the bowlers' pace. Need to slow it down... 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 281 for 5 (43 overs)
NZ: 71 for 0 (6 overs, Target: 298)

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CWC15 - David Miler Gem Pushes SA To Challenging Total vs NZ

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#DavidMiller has come, has seen and has conquered the Eden Park with an awesome innings that has propelled SA to a very challenging score against New Zealand in the first semifinal at #CWC15.

#FafduPlessis was out the first ball he faced after resumption and that pegged SA back.

But Miller walked in and walked out with a dominant innings of strokeplay and immense timing. So much so, that his skipper deVilliers let go a few running opportunities to keep Miller on strike!

A stunning 49 in 18 deliveries has just shifted the game in SA's favor a bit.

Kiwis need 298 (adjusted according to D/L method) to win this match and the Proteas' bowlers will go all out against them. Looks pretty interesting this and runs on the board for SA will make them slight favorites!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 281 for 5, 43 overs (43 overs a side)

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CWC15 LIVE - SA v NZ - Semifinal Resumes After Rain Break

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

After almost an hour of incessant rain pouring at the #EdenPark, the match resumes.
There has been a #DL calculation to account for lost time.
It will be a 43 overs a side match.

This seems advantage New Zealand on two counts:
 - the rhythm of SA batsmen will have broken and gives NZ a chance to regroup better
 - they will know exactly how many to score? SA's plan to attack at the end will have to be realigned.

South Africa will bat for another 5 overs and then we're back with the Kiwi run chase. Hopefully, there will be no further interruptions and we should have a cracking game on the cards! 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 216 for 3, 38 overs
#FafduPlessis - 82*
#ABdeVilliers - 60*

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