#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015
South Africa have started with purpose and really unleashed their seamers at Sri Lanka.
Steyn, Abbott and Morkel are getting their swing, pace, bounce absolutely right to unsettle the Lnakan batsmen.
They have been rewarded for their disciplined bowling.
#KusalPerera, a surprise opener sent in to whack the bowl around, was trying to hit too hard against an attack very potent and lethal. #KyleAbbott got him to edge one behind for 3.
#Dilshan who was tied down for 10 balls without scoring, had to get himself away. He chose a steaming #DaleStryn to attack. Bad choice. Steyn got him to edge to second slip where DuPlessis took a wonderful catch.
At 4 for 2 in 4 overs, Sri Lankans were really pegged back.
#KumarSangakarra, who's batting like a dream in this #CWC15 and #LahiruThirimanna are at the crease now. Thirimanna has opened up and hit a few boundaries to up that scoring rate.
Its pretty intense out there.
This is certainly the best quarterfinal in terms of a contest and intensity.
Both teams equally matched and its about who seizes the moments?
#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Sri Lanka: 42 for 2, 12 overs
Sangakarra - 5*
Thirimanna - 29*
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#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015
Sri Lankan captain #AngeloMathews has won the toss and elected to bat first.
A very good toss to win in a big game.
Two changes for Sri Lanka
#KusalPerera comes in for #DineshChandimal
#Kaushal comes in for #RanganaHerath (he's their mystery spinner waiting to be unleashed against SA)
South Africa have made two changes as well.
#KyleAbbott replaces #VernonPhilander
#FafDuPlessis comes back in place of #FarhadBehardien
Let the game begin ...
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#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015
As Sri Lanka and South Africa open the quarterfinal stages of this exciting #CWC15, all eyes are set on battles within battles
#Sanga vs #Steyn
#Malinga vs #ABDevilliers and #HashimAmla
#Tahir vs #Mathews
Some superb contests within the main one will add super spice to this match. While Sanga vs Steyn duel is going to take the cake and effectively determine outcome of this match probably, would love to see how Devilliers tackles the Lankan spin battery!
The "C" tag continues to haunt South Africa and this is a big pressure game tomorrow. They have dug a hole for themselves at critical junctures in world cups and luck has deserted them at times too.
1992 - lost to England by the farcial rain rule in semifinals (ironically at SCG i.e venue for tomorrow's game)
1996 - ran into a rampaging Brian Lara and his innings outclassed the Proteas
1999 - in the greatest ODI of all time, they tripped at the last moment when Kluesner and Donald couldnt communicate and complete the winning run vs Australia in a semifinal at Birmingham.
2003 - poor calculation of the D/L numbers meant they allowed Sri Lanka to qualify for the next stage by tying that game at Port Elizabeth. Boucher actually played a defensive shot when all they needed was one run to win that game on D/L system
2007 - ran into a rampaging Aussie side and Matthew Hayden's blistering century blew them away.
2011 - one of the clear favorites, they literally choked against the Kiwis in their quarterfinal.
2015 - Such has been their CWC history. Will tomorrow be different?
Sri Lanka seem to have mastered the art of reaching final rounds of top cricket tournaments so they can handle pressure but have not won anything in the 50 over CWC for some time.
1992 - Minnows of the game but beat South Africa in a stunning game
1996 - World Champs led by inspirational Arjuna Ranatunga
1999 - Blown away in England in league stage
2003 - Semi finalists but lost to Australia in a keen contest
2007 - Finalists, but again ran into a rampaging Australian side and Gilchrist's stunner century blew them away.
2011 - Finalists yet again and best chance to win the cup, but MS Dhoni's inspirational innings and captaincy snatched victory from their grasp.
Going by this history, SL seem to have a better chance in this contest, although on paper, South Africa is much stronger of the two teams man to man.
Tomorrow will tell. Stay tuned....
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#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015
Sarafaraz brilliance was the deciding factor between a disciplined Ireland bowling and Pakistan's run chasing uncertainty. He produced a superb innings of showing patience, curbing natural instincts to attack and bat through to take Pakistan home.
However, to sour things he took too much time to get to his century and Umar's blocking to give him opportunity to score his hundred didnt go well with captain Misbah. He was seen waving to the batsmen to get it done!
Ireland tried their best but their skill limitations were exposed and it looks they need some more time to challenge the full ICC members. but kudos to them for providing such entertainment and fun. They had their moments but this was asking too much off them.
Pool B standings after this result
India - 12 points
South Africa - 8 points
Pakistan - 8 points
West Indies - 6 points
Pakistan will play Australia in the third quarterfinal at Adelaide Oval on 20th Mar 2015.
What a cracker!!!
#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Ireland: 237 all out
Pakistan: 241 for 3 (46.1 overs)
Sarfaraz - 101*
Umar Akmal - 20*
Man of the Match: Sarfaraz Ahmed
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#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015
Pak openers #AhmedShehzad and #SarfarazAhmed have partially snuffed out Irish bowling challenge in their chase of 237.
Both batsmen started slowly but once they had their eyes in, they started dominating the bowling.
Shehzad, who's been criticized for a lot of dot balls early in his innings putting pressure on others, has been very good so far and upped the ante ahead of Sarfaraz.
He has reached his 50 and now needs to go on to score a century (the first for Pakistan in this world cup). Just goes to show why they aren't performing in the batting dept. Their opening stands haven't been good at all. Thats why, this is so encouraging to see.
Sarfaraz meanwhile has completed his fifty too.
He's curtailed his aggressive instinct to steady down and score responsibly.
#LIVE #SCORE
Pakistan: 115 for No loss (21 overs)
Shehzad - 58*
Sarfaraz - 53*
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#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015
Excellent #death #bowling once again from the #leftie #quick #army of Pakistan have pulled the match away from Ireland. They have restricted Ireland to 237 all out and given their batsmen a very manageable total to chase. Mind you Pakistan don't chase well, so this is going to be very interesting in the evening under floodlights.
For Ireland, skipper #WilliamPorterfield produced a magnificent century (107) but others were not able to support him with cameos as Pak bowlers snuffed them out as soon as they got in to play a big innings.
#WahabRiaz, #RahatAli and #EhsanAdil (the left handed battery) alongside #SohailKhan choked them into submission.
Now, its upto the Pakistan batsmen. Can they deliver and chase this target?
Ireland have to play out of their skin to challenge them.
Its 70-30 advantage Pakistan at half time.
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#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015
Both teams are into a no-holds-barred contest trying to get on top of the other in a do-or-die contest at the picturesque #AdelaideOval to decide 3rd and 4th positions in Pool B.
Just when one team looks to get on top, the other one strikes.
Pakistan started confidently with #EhsanAdil trapped dangerous #PaulStirling leg before but a partnership between #EdJoyce and #WilliamPorterfield pulled it back for Ireland. Then against run of play #WahabRiaz got Joyce to top edge a pull and Pak back in it.
#NiallObrien then joined Porterfield to steady the ship once again with a 30 run partnership and were beginning to steady their sights on a big one. Then again, #RahatAli produced a short one that Obrien push to short midwicket. Game on even keel yet again.
Looks like it is going to be a game like that all through.
Its just a knockout game now. Unless its a tie or abandonment, West Indies seems to have qualified for the next stage.
Its all to play for here in Adelaide though
#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Ireland: 115 for 3 after 25 overs
Poerterfield - 75*
Balbirnie - 9*
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#WestIndies vs #UAE, #Napier
West Indies have done their part of the job.
Needing to score the required target in under 36.2 overs, they have completed their run chase in 30.3 overs and 6 wickets in hand.
The win ensures they qualify for the next stage of knockouts.
Whats still not sure is what position they will finish in Pool B?
That will be decided by result in the Pak vs #Irl match.
#JohnsonCharles and #JonathanCarter fifities ensured Windies cantered to their third win in the league in desired manner. In absense of Gayle, they needed to fire and they have done that!
#LIVE #SCORE
UAE - 175 all out
WI - 179 for 4 (30.3 overs)
Man of the Match: #JasonHolder
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#Ireland vs #Pakistan
15th Mar 2015
It couldn't get bigger than this.
Both teams need to win to qualify .. as simple as that ... the knockouts have begun already!
On a fabulous afternoon in #Adelaide, Ireland captain #WilliamPorterfield has won the toss and elected to bat first. A good move considering batting is their bigger strength. They will also be aware that Pak dont chase very well.
Ireland - Same team that played India few days ago.
Pakistan - Two changes - Mohd. Irfan replaced by while #YounisKhan replaced by #HarisSohail
Let the game begin... its all to play for!
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#WestIndies vs #UAE
15th Mar 2015
After a stunning start in their must win game, the West Indies have suddenly gone off the boil.
As if to suggest, they are not interested in winning this game with a handsome margin ... their body language is hopeless. On field spats between #DarrenSammy and #JasonHolder hasnt helped cause. Someone needs to wake them up!!
Earlier in the day, #JasonHolder and #JeromeTaylor tore through the UAE top order to envision a quick finish to he game and strengthen their Pool B position. Holder was superb with his line, speed and bounce. Holder bowled himself in one spell. 10-127-4. Fabulous figures.
At 46 for 6, it was a matter of time but #AmjadJaved and #NasirAziz dug deep.
Coupled with that some really insid bowling and attitude by the Windies in the field allowed them to build a 100 run partnership to bring some respectability to their score.
#AndreRussell coming to bowl at the back end of the innings has broken that long stand by castling Javed. He also knocked off the new batsman #Naved in his next over. #MarlonSamuels has just removed Aziz followed by Taylor castling #Tauqir to wrap up the UAE innings.
#LIVE #SCORE
UAE: 175 all out
#JasonHolder - 4 wickets
#JeromeTaylor - 3 wickets
#AndreRussell - 2 wickets
Playing without #ChrisGayle, Windies need to win this game by a big margin to entertain chances of progressing in the tournament.
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#Zim vs #Ind, #EdenPark, #Auckland
#SureshRaina and #MSDhoni's record partnership stand ensured India overcame initial hiccups to chase a competitive 288 vs Zimbabwe in a Pool B match at #CWC15
At 92 for 4, they were in serous trouble and an upset threat loomed large.
This is where #MSDhoni has transformed this India team into believing they can come back from any situation. This is the power and belief of this man. And to top it all, he shows how it is to be done!
Raina and Dhoni battled initial nerves and tests thrown by the Zimbabwean bowlers at them.
Once in, they dug in and went about chasing down the required target in a clinical fashion with an over to spare.
Along the way, Raina collected his first World Cup ton. A great memory this.
Dhoni was his usual self. Restrained and mature all throughout before exploding towards the end.
Raina's 110* meant he took the Man of the Match award ahead of #BrendanTaylor, whose innings was once in a lifetime stuff.
#LIVE #SCORE
Zim: 287 all out, 49 overs
Ind: 288 for 4, 48.4 overs
Man of the Match: Suresh Raina
India now move on to the #MCG to play their quarter final match against the in-form and spirited #Bangladesh outfit raring to go. They will need to get their bearings right for that one because in the knockouts you don't have second chances!
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#Zim vs #Ind, #EdenPark, #Auckland
Things looked iffy when India bowled.
They seemed to be off color the moment #BrendanTaylor and #SeanWilliams attacked their spinners.
As a result, Zimbabwe went on to score a very good 287 all out in 50 overs.
As if to complement the bowlers, the batsmen started in similar fashion - no purpose.
Both #RohitSharma and #ShikharDhawan were completely clueless about their running between the wickets. TO back it up they were confused whether to go at the bowling or stay put.
In all that messy thinking, both lost wickets to poor shots in one over from #Panyangara putting India under pressure at 21 for 2. Rohit skied a mistimed flick to point while Dhawan dragged a delivery onto his stumps. Outright poor shots.
This brought #AjinkyaRahane and #ViratKohli at the crease to consolidate things. They looked unsure too but soon got into their groove and produced a 50 runs stand. Then out of nowhere Rahane went for a suicidal run and was run out needlessly. 71 for 3
Virat was gaining confidence driving straight and steadied himself for a long innings. but then from nowhere #SikandarRaza produced a delivery that spun from behind his legs to bowl him for 33. Zimbabweans were delighted. India 92 for 4 and reeling.
#SureshRaina was thoroughly tested by the seamers with bouncers (his clear uncomfort zone) but he's settled into his innings. Mr. Finisher #MSDhoni has joined him and both have put on a 50+ run stand
to steady the ship somewhat.
The upcoming #batting #powerplay is going to hugely decisive in this match to decide who gains the upperhand in the contest. Zimbabwe sitting on top at the moment though.
Game ON.....
#LIVE #SCORE
India: 158 for 4 (35 overs)
#SureshRaina - 48*
#MSDhoni - 26*
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#Australia v #Scotland, #BelletiveOval, #Hobart
14th Mar 2015
#Australia look to complete their league action with an easy win against Scotland.
They would love some match practice before the big knockout games start next week.
They have to win this game as a formality to officially take that second spot in Pool A.
#LIVE #SCORE
Scotland - 130 for 8
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#Zim vs #Ind, #EdenPark, #Auckland
For the first time this #CWC15, the India bowlers were put under the hammer big time and shook them up. They looked rattled, a lot of on-pitch discussions followed and overall they looked out of sorts as long as #BrendonTaylor was at the crease.
The spinners (very surprisingly) took most of the beating at the hands of Taylor and Williams. The batsmen attacked them from the word go and forced them into defensive lines. Ashwin and Jadeja didnt bowl very badly though. They kept the bowl up and gave good air but just that Taylor was in the "mood" to dispatch them all over Eden Park.
At one stage, it looked as if India would be chasing 320+ but once Taylor went for a blistering 138, the tail didn't push it on and got out for 287. This is still a competitive score and will give their bowlers something to try and put Indian batting under pressure.
Lot of thinking for India before the knockout games.
Bangladesh is watching this!!
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#Zim vs #Ind, #EdenPark, #Auckland
#BrendanTaylor has turned it on against India.
Backing up #SeanWilliams' counterattacking innings, he has launched a scathing attack on the Indian bowlers .
For the first time in the #CWC15, the Indian bowlers looked rattled and out of sorts.
Taylor in company of Williams steadied the innings after initial setbacks.
Once Williams departed after his cameo, he's taken charge and shaken the Indians big time!
A upper cut six off #Shami over thirdman brought his century in style giving rise to wild celebrations from him and his players in the balcony. Please note he is playing his last ODI for Zimbabwe. He has signed a three year deal with the England county league. Shame ... he's not going to play in RED anymore!
#LIVE #SCORE
Zim: 233 for 4 in 41 overs
#BrendanTaylor - 138*
#SeanErive - 38*
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#India v #Zimbabwe, #EdenPark, #Auckland
14th Mar 2015
In their last Pool match, India have won the toss and put Zimbabwe into bat on a lovely day at Eden Park, Auckland.
After losing three quick wickets to India's seamers, #SeanWilliams and #BrendanTaylor have decided to take the Indian spinners on and rebuilding well.
They have unsettled both #RaviAswin and #RaviJadeja by employing #reverse #sweeps galore and collecting boundaries and sixes.
#LIVE #SCORE
Zimbabwe: 117 for 3 in 26 overs
#BrendanTaylor - 48*
#SeanWilliams - 47*
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#England vs #Afghanistan, #SCG
13th Mar 2015
In an inconsequential game in Pool A, England (badly bruised and depressed from their loss to #Bangladesh from a few days ago) took on Afghanistan in #dead #rubber at the #SCG in #CWC15.
To add to their miseries, the game saw a lot of #rain #interruptions and stoppage of play throughout.
Eventually under the #Duckworth-Lewis method, England finally won the game by 9 wickets.
#LIVE #SCORE
Afghanistan - 111 for 7 (36.2 overs)
England - 101 for 1 (18.1 overs - revised under Duckworth Lewis system)
Man of the Match: #ChrisJordan for his wonderful spell of seam bowling.
With 4 points (against Scotland and Afghanistan, the two associates in this group) in 6 games, England were truly outplayed by the other top teams. They were outright poor throughout.
They have "4 more years" (the famous #BarackObama tweet after winning the US elections a second time) to ponder and get back to a world cup tournament better prepared and ready to fight.
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#NewZealand v #Bangladesh,
13th Mar 2015
New Zealand just about managed to hold their nerve against a highly spirited Bangladesh team in their Pool A match at #SeddonPark in #Hamilton to lead Pool A without losing a game. They take the full 12 points from this group.
Bangladesh, on the back of a stunning victory over England a few days ago, produced yet another gutsy display, first with the bat through a superb #Mahmudullah century and then followed it up with dogged discipline in their bowling ranks, to take the match right down to the wire.
For New Zealand, they faced a real stiff test before the knockouts and that will do them some real good. A tough game, some changes in personnel, a rare BrendonMcCullum failure and most importantly good batting practice for the middle and late order batsmen.
New Zealand will now face either of #Pakistan / #WestIndies / #Ireland (the fourth placed team in Pool B) at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Bangladesh in all probability will now face defending champions #India (toppers in Pool B) at the #MCG.
All in all a cracker of a game.
#LIVE #Score
Bangladesh - 288 for 7
#Mahmudullah - 128*
#SowmyaSarkar - 51
New Zealand - 290 for 7 (48.5 overs)
#MartinGuptill - 105
#RossTaylor - 56
#ShakibAlHassan - 4 wickets
Man of the Match: Martin Guptill
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#Bangladesh v #NewZealand, #Hamilton
13th Mar 2015
Bangladesh and New Zealand conclude theit league games facing each other in an interesting Pool A match at #SeddonPark in Hamilton.
Both teams have already qualified for the #Quarterfinals of #CWC15.
NZ have been dominant winning all their 5 games and top Pool A.
Bangladesh are currently placed 4th and thats where it gets interesting ...
Lets look at the Pool standing
New Zealand - 1st Position - 10 points
Sri Lanka - 2nd Position - 8 points (they have played all their games in the league stage)
Australia - 3rd Position - 7 points
Bangladesh - 4th Position - 7 points
Australia play #Scotland in Hobart on 14th Mar 2015 and are expected to thump the minnows to take second spot in the group at the end of all league games in Pool A like below
New Zealand - 1st Position - 10 points
Australia - 3rd Position - 9 points
Case 1 - Bangladesh beats New Zealand (very remote but the victory over England will have given them plenty of confidence to take on other full members of the ICC)
That will mean, Bangladesh will have 9 points as well, but since Aus has better #NRR, they will be second and Bangladesh would be third placed in the group above Sri Lanka.
That would mean, they will face second placed #SouthAfrica (from Pool B) in the quarters at #SCG
Case 2 - New Zealand beat Bangladesh
Bangladesh stays on 7 points and fourth placed in the group.
This would mean, they will face table toppers #India (from Pool B) in the quarters at #MCG
Case 3: A Tie or Adandoned Game
They would still end fourth and face India at #MCG.
What would be their choice?
#Rampaging Indians (who Bangladesh beat famously in 2007 to oust them in league stage)
OR
#Ruthless Proteas (who tend to crumble at crucial stages in World Cups)
Do they have a choice?
They should go out there and make a statement.
Whoever they face .... they have already created history...
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#KumarSangakarra - you champion!
He has been the story of the #CWC15 so far.
From announcing his retirement from international cricket around Aug 15 to producing one of the most amazing and consistent display of batting acumen, Sanga has done it all at this World Cup tournament.
After starting poorly against New Zealand and missing out on big opportunity against Afghanistan, he has just piled it on...
Starting with Bangladesh, followed by England, Australia and Scotland he's scored a century in every game. The situations were different, conditions different, bowling attacks were varied but oe thing remained constant .... A #Sanga #ton!
While tons against Bangladesh and Scotland can be termed as easy ones, the one against England came when they were chasing 309 to win. He walked in at a crucial moment in the game and seized it big time to overhaul the total. Against Australia, he took to a completely new level. The Australian attack and aggression were at a much higher level than the others. But he just transcended that competition to the next level with a stunning assault on the famed Aussie quicks. Although Sri Lanka eventually lost the game, they were in it for a long time and will do them a lot of good as the #knockout stage looms....
#World #Record For Consecutive Tons in Onde dayers as well as CWC
v Bangladesh - 105* - Melbourne
v England - 117* - Wellington
v Australia - 104 - Sydney
v Sco - 124 - Hobart
Who's next?
From the draw that might shape up after the league stages, Sri Lanka will most likely meet #SouthAfrica in the quarterfinals. Will Sanga continue his form there with a 5th hundred or the SA quicks have an answer? Stay tuned.....
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