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Showing posts with label CWC15. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CWC15. Show all posts

Tuesday 24 March 2015

CWC15 LIVE - Rain Interrupts SA Onslaught vs NZ Semifinal

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#ABDevilliers has exploded at the #EdenPark vs NZ in their semifinal at #CWC15.
You cannot give him half a chance in the field, Kiwis have already given him two!
#KaneWilliamson on both occasions.  First he missed a direct hit to run AB out. In the very next over, he missed a regulation catch (by NZ standards) at short cover to give him another life. Since then ABD has let loose and smashing the Kiwis all over the park.

Just when they were about to run away with the game, rain has interrupted play.
Whats with SA and rain in semifinals? surely this is not going to hurt them right?
But, the longer the delay .. the advantage will lie with New Zealand since they will know exactly how much to get and plan it accordingly.

The match will be truncated now and SA will need to ensure they keep the momentum going! 
AB and Faf at the crease...

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 216 for 3, 36 overs
#FafduPlessis - 82*
#ABdeVilliers - 60*

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CWC15 LIVE - AB and Faf On The Charge vs NZ - Semifinal

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

After Rossouw and Faf duPlessis steadied their ship, #ABDevilliers has come in and shifted gears already. He is pushing the accelerator to post a big score to put any pressure on the strong NZ batting line up in the second innings. In the meanwhile, Faf duPlessis has completed a well composed 50 and looking good to go three figures.

New Zealand skipper #BrendonMcCullum is still trying to attack and get wickets. He's keeping fielders in attacking positions to snap the prized wicket of AB or Faf to get into their lower middle order.

Match on a knife's edge at the moment.
Who will seize the initiative? Will Boult and company stop the SA charge? or AB-Faf partnership will take it away from the Kiwis? 

Fascinating play coming up, especially the batting powerplay round the corner will make it really interesting!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 175 for 3, 34 overs
#duPlessis - 68*
#deVilliers - 33*

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CWC15 LIVE - SA Regain Foothold - duPlessis and Rossouw Partnership vs NZ

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#FafduPlessis and #RileeRossouw have steadied the SA ship.
After huge pressure upfront and quick wickets of Amla and deKock, SA had pulled things back with this partnership. 

Slowly and steadily, they have seized initiative from the #Kiwis and progressing well.
Platform is well set for the explosive middle and late order to take over (deVilliers, Miller and Duminy). 

Match on an even keel.
Who will blink first?

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 113 for 2, 26 overs
#Roussow - 39*
#duPlessis - 42* 

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CWC15 LIVE - Lighting Boult Strikes Twice - ODI or Test Match - SA vs NZ

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#TrentBoult bowling with 5 slips!! This has a test match feel

"Lightning" Boult has struck twice for New Zealand against South Africa.
His speed, line, bounce, swing has troubled all SA batsmen thus far.
After a couple of dropped catches, he has picked two wickets deservedly.

First he castled #HashimAmla through an inside edge on a delivery that swung sharply.

He had #QuintonDeKock hopping and edging around. Sensing immense pressure, deKock charged at Boult and spooned a simple catch to third man.

#FafDuPlessis and #RileeRossouw at the crease.
You can feel the intensity out there. Lot of needle. Not an inch given, not an inch taken ... fabulous start!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 43 for 2, 12 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - 3 overs, 2 drops, 1 wicket already - A lot of nerves - SA vs NZ

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

What a cracking "nervy" start to the first semi final!

3 overs into the contest, we've had everything
Aggressive fast bowling, nervous batsmen, edges flying all over, catches dropped and finally a wicket! Its all happening at the #EdenPark. Wow! Game on .. big time!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 21 for 1, 3.3 overs
#HashimAmla - b. #TrentBoult -10 
#QuintonDeKock - 11*

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CWC15 LIVE - SA Win Toss Elect to Bat First In First Semifinal

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

In a tense battle of nerves, South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Good toss to win for the Proteas. Bat first, get a score on board and put pressure on the other team.

One change in each side.

South Africa - #VernonPhilander comes in for #KyleAbbott (feel for him. He's bowled well in every game he's played) 

New Zealand -  #MattHenry comes in  #AdamMilne (surprising to put a completely new bowler in the fold. Something what Sri Lanka tried to surprise the opposition?)

History beckons both sides.
The winner will enter a world cup final for the first time ever in their history.
Does it get bigger than this?

Let the match begin!

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Monday 23 March 2015

CWC15 - Battle Of Big Game Chokers - NZ vs SA

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

Who will blink first? or who will choke?

The proverbial choker tag has been associated with South Africans for over two decades now.

Their tale of misfortune started with the (ironically) 1992 world cup semi final at #SCG (fortunately they are not playing there this time around .. that should be a relief!) when the idiotic rain rule robbed them a chance to advance to the finals (Remember the 22 runs of 1 ball scenario?). That was unfortunate and no fault of theirs. What followed after that has been inexplicable till date.

1996 - Starting as clear favorites to lift the title, they triumphed in all their league games before running into a rampant Brian Lara and West Indies in the quarterfinals. Chasing a moderate 264, they collapsed to 219 all out crashing out of the cup.

1999 - Once again, started as clear favorites to lift the trophy. What happened in the semi finals at Birmingham against Australia is part of cricketing legend. 1 run to win in 4 balls and Kluesener-Donald mixup botched their run chase and place in the world cup finals

2003 - At home and once again top contenders to win, they messed it up against Sri Lanka in their last group game. In a rain interrupted match, they needed one run to stay ahead of SL on the Duckworth Lewis method. What happened? They read the D/L scores incorrectly and played out the decisive delivery without scoring a run! Result? SA out, SL moved to super six stage

2007 - No choking here. They were strangled by Australia in the semis through a Matthew Hayden century and folded meekly.

2011 - Choking revisited. From a strong position chasing NZ score, they capitulated once again to lose the game.

What about New Zealand?
They are no less chokers. 
They have reached the World Cup semifinals on 6 ocassions losing each of them.
1975 lost to WI
1979 lost to Eng
1992 lost to Pak
1999 lost to Pak
2007 lost to SL
2011 lost to SL

This is going to be one hell of a contest considering their history at the World Cups.
One team will erase those past demons. Which one will that be? 
Will McCullum win at home? or AB Devilliers bring glory to SA cricket?  
Match begins in a short while..

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CWC - From 1992 to 2015 - The 50 Over Format Has Thrived Inspite of T20 threats



WHO WILL WIN THE CUP - 2015??

We travel through the journey of cricket world cups from 1992 (Australia-NZ) to 2015 (Australia-NZ). The circle is completed. 6 tournaments in between, 4 champions crowned (Pak in 92, SL in 96, Aus thrice in 99, 03, 07 and Ind in 11)

Its been one heck of a journey for cricket in itself.
From colored clothing in 1992, to subcontinent flavour in 96.

The Lords gallery back in 99 to Africa safari of 2003
The Carribean Calyso magic of 2007 to Indian hot curry of 2011.

The advent of T20 post 2007 did shake up the 50 over format and many predicted its demise soon but it has stayed. Its like the test cricket of one dayers. There are highs and lows, time to recover, replan and make a final charge at your target .. the game has it all. 

The powerplays, field restrictions, bouncer rules, technology, heavy bats, two white balls from both ends have really upped the excitement and enthisiasm of 50 over cricket. It is here to stay ... well done #ICC.

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Saturday 21 March 2015

CWC15 LIVE - NZ Beat WI To Complete Semifinal Lineup

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015


New Zealand have completed a clinical win against West Indies in their quarterfinal match at #CWC15. They will now face #SouthAfrica in the first semi-final at Auckland on 24th March 2015.

It was #MartinGuptill's show.
From Ball 1 to Ball 300, he was at the crease and scored an unbelievable 237* in 161 balls to catapult the New Zealand score to 393 for 6 in 50 overs. Truly sensational knock that knocked West Indies out of the game.

They tried. And hard.
Windies came out with purpose and threw caution to the wind.
Gayle, Samuels, Carter, Sammy, Holder came out and dished out some treatment to the Kiwi bowlers. But, the task was too daunting to overhaul.

For New Zealand, #TrentBoult captured 4 wickets while Vettori and Southee took 2 wickets each.  
Easy game for Kiwis, the action starts now with the top four teams taking their spots in the semifinals. The #CWC15 moving towards the grand finale!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 393 for 6, 50 overs
WI: 250 all out, 30.2 overs

Man of the Match: #MartinGuptill

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CWC15 LIVE - Lightning Boult Shocks Windies Inspite Of Gayle Storm

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015


As it is chasing 393 was going to be a very tough, loss of early wickets has made it impossible for Windies to comeback in this game.

This considering #GayleStorm is still at the crease and creaming bowlers all over the park. #TrentBoult has picked all 4 wickets to fall so far and bowling great lines.

The Windies came out with a purpose and started smashing from Ball 1 as needed. However, everytime they tried to string a partnership, Boult was there to sneak out a wicket.

#DanVettori's catch to dismiss #MarlonSamuels was one of the catches of the tournament!

Looks like we are in for some entertainment this evening if Gayle stays for an hour.
393 is way to far but as long as Gayle stays, Kiwis will not want to relax a bit.   

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 393 for 6, 50 overs
WI: 108 for 4, 13 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Guptill Double Ton Pulverises Windies

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015


#MartinGuptill has changed from 2nd gear to 6th past his century.
His first hundred was steady, controlled to lay out a platform.
His second one, is a city of skyscrapers
He has just exploded and taken the Windies by the scruff of their neck.

Poor Windies! they are getting used to this now.
The Proteas pummelled them for 400+ at SCG and the way Kiwis and Guptill are going, that didn't seem too far away either. But, they did fall short off that mark by 7 runs! 

Wellington crowd is having a gala time enjoying the super entertainment.
Magnificent performance from Guptill!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 393 for 6, 50 overs
Guptill - 237*
Vettori - 8*

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CWC15 LIVE - Guptill Century Drives NZ vs WI

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015


Riding his luck of a dropped chance early in his innings, #MartinGuptill has cashed in  big time (this has been a trend in this #CWC15 to score hundreds after dropped chances)

He's completed a superb century and looking good to take his bat through. He, along with Kiwi powerhitters (Taylor, Anderson, Ronchi), will now take centrestage at the backend of this innings to give this a big push towards 350.

The powerplay is already going NZ way. Guptill has unleashed big time with some awesome hitting against the seamers and spinners alike.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
233 for 3, 39 overs
#Guptill - 145*
#Anderson - 0*

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CWC15 - NZ bat first, In Strong Position At Halfway Stage

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015


New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in their quarterfinal clash vs West Indies at Welllington.

#BrendonMcCullum started off in usual fashion bludgeoning boundaries upfront but was short lived.
Trying one too many he spooned a catch

NZ 28 for 1

#MartinGuptill at the other end was dropped by Marlon Samuels. A huge opportunity missed by the Windies to strangle the Kiwis upfront.

#KaneWilliamson, the steady No.3, came in and calmed things down and took control along with #MartinGuptill, who had steadied by then and looking to bat through the innings. Both put on a steady stand before Williamson push one from #Russel towards cover to #ChrisGayle who juggled a bit but held on to the simple chance.

NZ 89 for 2

#RossTaylor, getting back in some form in last two innings, joined Guptill and they brought some urgency in scoring. Both have steadied the ship and looking to unleash at the back end of the innings.  

West Indies bowling, looks mediocre, but they are in the game.
Interesting second half of the Kiwi innings in the offing with pinch hitters #CoreyAnderson and #LukeRochi waiting in the wings.  

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
New Zealand: 155 for 2, 29 overs
#MartinGuptill - 82*
#RossTaylor - 24*

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CWC15 - Can Windies Stop The Kiwi Juggernaut?

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015

After three quarterfinals going according to predictions made, and fairly easy wins for South Africa, India and Australia, New Zealand look to seal their berth for a semi final against the Proteas at Eden Park in Auckland on 25th Mar 2015.

The Kiwis have been on a roll, winning all their matches in Pool A and topping it.
Their batsmen are in good shape , fielding as always electric but its their bowling that has undone most teams at this #CWC15 including the mighty Australians. They will look to carry forward their good form into the quarters and win this game easily against a side that can be best described as mercurial.

West Indies have been scratchy, shoddy at times (Ireland beat them), and just about managed to scrape through to the next stage courtesy a good game against UAE and yet had to wait for the outcome of the IRL v Pak match to decide whether they go through?

While Brendon McCullum has been in supreme attacking form for the Kiwis, Chris Gayle has struggled big time for the West Indies. Kiwi bowling has been terrific and all round, WI have been patchy at best.

The other day Windies captain #JasonHolder commented "if we play 25% better cricket than now, we will beat New Zealand". When is that performance coming Jason? and 25% better play isnt good enough against this NZ side. You need to play 200% better to defeat them.

All in all, a one sided affair in the offing, unless Gayle pulls out a rabbit out of the hat or Holder-Taylor bowl out of their skins to destroy the Kiwi batting.

Game starts shortly. 

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Friday 20 March 2015

CWC15 - Did Rahat Ali Drop The World Cup For Pakistan?

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Picture this!
Pakistan defending a small total of 213 against the might Aussies.
They have started wonderfully in their defence capturing top three wickets cheaply.
Shane Watson, under serious pressure to perform and stay in this Australian side at the crease
#WahabRiaz in midst of an unbelievable seam bowling spell has him ducking, hopping, poking and doing everything but middling the ball with the bat. A lip service in progress. Everyone in Watson's ears. 

Score precariously poised at 83 for 3.
Wahab, having Watson at his mercy, produces a peach of a bouncer that Watson hooks instinctively. 
Gone you think as the bowl soars up high in the air towards long leg and the fielder settles under the bowl. And Ouch ... bowl slips through his butter fingers ... Catch Floored! What a dolly!!!

All the pressure built over the past few overs evaporates. The Pakistanis are gutted and devastated. Reactions from players say it all. Wahab is distraught, Pak skipper Misbah cant believe it happened, Rahat Ali the fielder in question is utterly embarrassed. If he would have it, he would have dug a hole and buried himself. What a miss! A game changer event.

The opportunity missed. And Australia probably looking for that one moment to come back. They got it and went on to complete the run chase successfully. Shane Watson, ironically, remained unbeaten to guide his team through. Kudos to his courage fighting it out there and not throwing it away (he almost did)...

Steve Waugh had famously said to Herschelle Gibbs in the 1999 semifinals after spilling his catch at short midwicket, "You just dropped the World cup son...."

Did Rahat drop the World Cup for Pakistan?
Feel sad for him. He's a very good young bowler and must be groomed, not chastised back in Pakistan. Wahab was quick to support his colleague and did not put blame on him. Its just pressure of the situation, occassion and opposition that leads to events like these! 

If at all, the onus of this defeat rests with Pakistan batsmen completely.
Not only they missed a huge oppootunity to bat first and pile up a score, the way they got out to some really poor shots should hurt them  more.

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CWC15 LIVE - Wahab Heroics In Vain Due To Dropped Catches

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Its was case of two dropped catches as Pakistan tried to defend a low 213 against the mighty Australia at Adelaide.

At 89 for 3 and the match hanging in balance, Wahab was midst of a breathtaking bowling spell that would be the talking point for years to come. He had #Watson hopping, ducking and all over the place. Then he produced a superb bouncer forcing Watson to pull and the ball lobbed to long leg for an easy catch. And ... #Rahat Ali spilled a sitter! This was the moment ... had they grabbed it, the story could have been just a bit different.

Then again at 160 for 4, with #GlennMaxwell just in #Wahab again got him to play one of his inventive shots. The ballooned catch towards third man was dropped by another seamer #SohailKhan this time... a wicket there and Pak could have another crack at the Aussie lower order.

Game set match! No more chances after that. Maxwell and Watson then took the attack to Pak bowlers and crossed the line in style in 33.4 overs.

Australia stumbled for sure but their clinical execution came to fore yet again.
For Pakistan, it was a case of "Ifs and buts", another day four years from now maybe!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out
Aus: 216 for 4 (33.5 overs)

Man of the Match: #JoshHazlewood

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CWC15 LIVE - Wahab Stings Aussies With Wickets And Words

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

#WahabRiaz has stung the Aussies big time.
He is all over them .. with the ball and a few words too!

Brought one change into bowl, he's changed complexion through incisive pace bowling - speed, bounce, length .. all in one.

First he bounced Warner to hit down third man's throat
Then he bounced the skipper Michael Clarke to pop a simple catch at short leg.
Shane Watson was peppered with bouncers and some lip service, perhaps a taste of his own medicine.

Intensity at the Adelaide Oval has just gone up by 2 levels in the last 3-4 overs.
GAME ON....  

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 67 for 3, 13 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Steady Start But Openers Gone For Aus vs Pak

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Australia have started confidently in their run chase of 213 vs Pakistan.
These smallish totals can be nervy since it brings out indecision in approach scoring them.
But, the professional Aussies are masters at this.

#AaronFinch had yet another failure, trapped leg-before to #SohailKhan.
Aus 15 for 1

#StevenSmith walked in to join #DavidWarner and they started opening up scoring boundaries.

A bowling change brought about the fall of Warner. #WahabRiaz pitched one short that Warner tried to steer over third man but hit it straight down his throat. #RahatAli taking a very good catch.  

#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith at the crease now.

Can Pakistan turn it around? or Australia will walk away with the game?

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out
Aus: 52 for 2, 9 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Clinical Australia Restrict Pakistan to 213

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Pakistan batsmen have dug themselves a hole alright!
But, the clinical efficiency shown by the Australian bowlers and fielders ensured Pak never came back in the game. Everytime a partnership developed, #MichaelClarke found a bowler to snuff it out.

#JoshHazlewood led the attack with 4 wickets followed by #MitchellStarc and #GlennMaxwell with 2 each. #JamesFaulkner and #MitchellJohnson took a wicket each. Wickets shared around, fielding was superb and overall a thoroughly professional performance.

For Pakistan, it was again a case of unknown entity syndrome.
Today they just came into the game trying to belt everything out of the ground and dug a hole for themselves. Eerily similar to how Sri Lanka imploded against South Africa.

Now its on the Pak bowlers to defend 213.
Can they do it? or Australia will just finish this off in a hurry..

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out, 49.5 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Loose Shots Derail Pak After Steady Batting vs Aus

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

A good consolidation period by #Misbah and #Sohail where they steadied things and put Pak on track to a good score. Then suddenly things changed.

In search of wickets, #Clarke brought in #Maxwell for another over to lure #Misbah to go over midwicket (he had already deposited two sixes off Maxwell earlier). He fell to the bait and could not contain his urge to go for another one and holed out to mid-wicket. Surprising shot considering his experience, stage of the match and considering all hard work was done already to steady the ship.

After this dismissal, it was #HarisSohail who had to take responsibility to bat through having settled down. What does he do? He wafts at a harmless delivery outside off to be caught behind.

The poor shot display didn't stop here. #UmarAkmal came in, played some fabulous shots and then .... pulled a rank long hop from Maxwell down mid-wicket's throat. O dear!

From 97 for 2, they were reduced to 124 for 5 through poor batting.
Australia wont mind this one bit. They haven't looked incisive but theie gambles have paid off thus far. 

Boom Boom Afridi at the crease, made a statement through some lusty hitting. But with him you can always hope he stays there for the next ball. And he didnt. He too pulled one straight to mid-wicket.
158 for 6 now.

#SohaibMaqsood has #WahabRiaz for company. 
Can they take Pak to 250? They need that minimum to give their       

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 158 for 6, 34 overs

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