CWC 2015 LIVE - Australia Trample Afghanistan - Score 417

#Australia v #Afghanistan, #WACA, #Perth
4th Mar 2015

Australia have finally got hold off a team to really showcase their batting prowess they possess!

They literally trampled all over Afghanistan to set up a mammoth 417 for 6.
Afghanistan are all but out of this contest half way through the match.

The best they can is put up some resilience and allow some of their batsmen to get a hit in the middle against a world class bowling attack. This experience will do them a lot of good in the remaining games as well for their growth as a cricketing nation.

#DavidWarner smashed a typical belligerent 178 off 133 balls and looked well to score many more before he was out. #SteveSmith provided the anchor with a patient 95 while #GlennMaxwell once again went ballistic for a 39 ball 88.

At no stage did Afghanistan look to threaten the Aussies.
Probably they were just overawed by the oppostion, the WACA setup and #CWC15 stage.

#LIVE Score:
Australia: 417 for 6 in 50 overs

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CWC 2015 - Is Australia Unlucky Or Rusty So Far

#Australia v #Afghanistan, #WACA, #Perth
4th Mar 2015

Some say, they've had a rough time with weather, injuries and unlucky moments in matches thus far.
Their position in the table is a testimony to that thought. 

3 Matches - 3 points is certainly not something you'd look at as Australia's position especially given the quality of their side and being frontrunners to lift the #CWC15 trophy.

Game 1 - Thumped England comfortably at the #MCG
Game 2 - Washed out v Bangladesh at the #GABBA, #Brisbane
Game 3 - Lost narrowly to New Zealand at #EdenPark, #Auckland

Their batting against the Kiwis was far from convincing and clearly showed their unpreparedness in tough situations. This can be exploited by other strong teams in the competition. 

Bowling is plagued with injury scares, latest being the ankle twist of #PatCummins that has put him doubtful for the next games.

#MichaelClarke has to guide his team through this tricky phase and build momentum as they move towards knockout stages.

As for #Afghanistan, at their stunning victory over #Scotland few days ago will definitely lift their spirits. But, its too monumental a task to compete with the Aussies, let alone win a game against them. They can however give a good account of themselves by playing some aggressive and disciplined cricket.

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CWC 2015 - Pak Need To Make A Statement v UAE

#Pak v #UAE, #Napier
4th Mar 2015

After scraping through against #Zimbabwe two days ago and opening their #CWC15 account in Pool B, Pakistan need more than an emphatic win to harbour chances of progressing to the next round of the cup.

The victory against Zim was far from convincing but it should have given them some self-belief. The weight of expectations they're carrying back from Pakistan will now be somewhat lighter. However, unless they really dominate and crush UAE, they will not feel or will not be able to challenge the top teams in this fiercely contested competition.

For beginners, their batting has been absolutely lacklustre especially at the top.
Invariably, they have lost a wicket in the first 2-3 overs of every game played so far. That is putting immense pressure on the middle order and hence not able to push on to big scores.

#AhmedShehzad, #NasirJamshid, #HarisSohail, #YounisKhan must produce good batting starts for players like Misbah, Umar Gul, Maqsood and Shahid Afridi to capitalize later.

Bowling looks ok especially seam. #WahabRiaz, #SohailKhan, #MohamadIrfan have shown they can hurry batsmen with their pace and bounce. #ShahidAfridi remains a disappointment so far. He needs a solid outing to get back to spinning form. #YasirShah should support him well by taking wickets and not just containing runs.

For UAE, their performance against #India at #Perth should be forgotten quickly and enter the new contest with new energy and enthusiasm. They have some way to go to become a top cricketing nation but they have given a good account of them thus far.

All in all, Pakistan's game to win but they dont need a win, they need a winnnnnnn.... it has to be massive to improve thier #NRR and chances to progress!

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CWC 2015 - Rest Day For All Teams

#CWC15

 

2nd Mar 2015 is rest day at the World Cup 2015.

No matches are scheduled on this day.

A good break/holiday for all teams battling it out over the last two weeks.

 

There have been stunning performances - both individual and teams.

Matches have been lopsided and close but overall this has been very entertaining so far.

 

Most refreshingly, the minnows/associates have given a great account of themselves.

None of the minnows' games have been boring or just-another-match type. In fact, some of the most thrilling encounters have involved these teams. e.g. Ireland beating West Indies chasing 307, Afghanistan running Sri Lanka really close or Scotland troubling New Zealand in a small run chase.

 

Afghanistan's astonishing win against Scotland or Ireland's close shave against UAE are classic examples and proof that these teams need more exposure at world level. This has also sent a signal to #ICC to rethink number of participating teams at the next world cup from 14 to 10?

 

The New Zealand v Australia is arguably the best match of the tournament so far with that stunning Australian fight-back defending only 151.

 

India has surprised one and all with their dream run in the tournament beating two favorites, Pakistan and South Africa, pretty easily and topping Pool B easily.

 

West Indies have played the most games so far, 4.

They have been a mixed bag so far. Shocking defeat at the hands of Ireland, Stunning win against Pakistan, Gayle's brutal annihilation of Zimbabwe and getting equally annihilated by AB deVilliers' South Africa. They run into red hot India next followed by UAE. They need to win both games to stay afloat for qualification to next round.

 

New Zealand has been the team to beat with their audacious opener and captain Brendon McCullum showing ingenuine abilities to experiment and surprise the opponents. Sri Lanka, England and Australian batsmen have found that out facing the Kiwi quicks and spinners. They don't have heavy weight superstars in that side but boy do they click as a unit! simply outstanding.

 

Australia have been a bit unlucky thus far. They whipped England in their opening game and then had to wait 15 days before they could play another ball! (their game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain). No wonder their batting looked jaded against Kiwis.

 

All teams, with the exception of Ireland, have played already played 3 games atleast going into this break tomorrow. So, we are like at the middle stage of the tournament. Some teams are clear favorites to move ahead (NZ and Ind), some teams are peaking at the right time (Sri Lanka), some teams are stuck inspite of good performances (Aus and SA) while some have disappointed outright inspite of promise (Pak and Eng).  

 

The second stage of the league stage starts on 3rd Mar 2015 when South Africa take on Ireland, another spicy encounter important for both sides.

 

Look forward ....

 

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Eng v SL - Chase Is ON

#Eng v #SL, #Wellington
1st Mar 2015

#LahiruThirimanne and #TilakratneDilshan have setup a century stand in their chase of 310 against England at Wellington. Chase is on....

Score 100 for 1 in 20 overs.

Earlier in the day, a fluent #JoeRoot century set England on course to a healthy 309 for 6 in 50 overs.
He was ably supported by #IanBell and #JosButler with key innings' as well.

All Sri Lankan bowlers shared the 6 wickets to fall in the England innings.
But, dropped chances cost them dear as England set an imposing total.

Game ON here...

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CWC 2015 LIVE - India Complete Easy Win V UAE

#India v #UAE at #WACA, #Perth
28th Feb 2015

India completed a formal and professional win against minnows #UAE to remain atop Pool B at the #CWC15. They are the only unbeaten side alongside #NewZealand and #Ireland now at this World Cup edition.

Electing to bat, the UAE played like a team in immense awe of an Indian team that has taken the World Cup by storm. They were tentative, pokey and unsure of what they wanted to do really. #RavichandranAshwin capitalized on this opportunity and sliced through their batting line up with a career best 4-for-25 haul.

#RavindraJadeja claimed 2 wickets while the seamers picked one a piece.
#BhuvaneshwarKumar was slotted in place of #MohamadShami for some match practice and he seemed to hit the straps pretty well.

At one stage, UAE were 71 for 9, on course to register the first two digit team score of the world cup. But their last pair ensured they crossed the 100 run mark before folding for 102 all out in 31.2 overs.

Chasing 103 to win, Indian openers went about in the same way they have gone about in other matches -- steady. This seems to be their game plan for the tournament. #ShikharDhwan was out to a loose shot but #RohitSharma and #ViratKohli completed formalities and India won the game in 18.4 overs. A massive win that will help their #NRR just in case its needed.

India looking good to top Pool B throughout the league stages now.
UAE need to find some consistency and put on some fight against other teams they meet ahead.

Man of the Match: Ravichandran Ashwin

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CWC 2015 - NZ Win But Australia Take Bow - What A Fightback

#NZ v #Aus
#LIVE #Cricket #Score
28th Feb 2015

#EdenPark, #Auckland

You DO NOT take Australia lightly. You cannot nail them all the way in both innings of a one day match. They will not lose their belief. They will fight hard until the last ball.

Well, New Zealand just found that out today in the biggest Pool A match here at Eden Park, Auckland. 

Earlier in the day, the Kiwis had steamrolled the Aussies in an amazing burst of speed and spin bowling by #TrentBoult and #DanielVettori. Australia bundled out for 151. From 80 for 1, they slipped to 106 for 9 before #BradHaddin and #PatCummins hung around to take the score to something they could bowl at.

Boy, did they bowl well? and how well did #MitchellStarc bowl? 
NZ kickstarted their batting with #MartinGuptill smashing 11 runs of the first legitimate ball of their run chase. A boundary off the hip off a no-ball. The proceeding #Freehit was dispateched over long on fence for a towering six. #MitchellJohnson, the hapless bowler. 

#BrendonMcCullum continued in the same vein of form he has brought into this #CWC15 with a blistering 50 off 24 balls. His fall led to a mini collapse for the Kiwis triggered by #MitchellStarc.

Suddenly from 78 for 1, they were 79 for 4. Taylor and Elliot out off consecutive Starc deliveries.
#CoreyAnderson survived the hattrick ball but Australia sensed they could push through this Kiwi middle and lower order.

Anderson and #KaneWilliamson ensured there was no further damage and carried the score past 130 without too many hiccups. NZ victory in sight. 22 runs to win. 

Just as everyone looked relaxed and yet another big-team game going down a one-sided path, drama began to unfold. This is where the Aussies are so proficient and their tenacity and ability to bounce back from hopeless situations comes to the fore. 

A bowling change accounted for Corey. #GlennMaxwell got his man with his dibbly spinners.
131 for 5. Easy victory still in sight with Williamson settling down at the other end.

But, Starc had different ideas.

To begin with, he induced an edge from #LukeRochi
139 for 6

#PatCummins chipped in with the wicket of #Vettori shortly,
145 for 7

Things beginning to get uncomfortable for the Kiwis given their tail didnt have to bat much in this World Cup so far. In walked #AdamMilne to a crowded Australian field. They hustled up to the NZ batsmen knowing pressure was on.

Starc cashed in on that big time uprooting Milne's stumps for a blob.
146 for 8

The very next ball, #TimSouthee got a taste of his own medicine when his wickets were broken by a scorching Starc delivery for nought.
146 for 9

Dear o dear ....

Can New Zealand lose this one now?
Had Australia completed their Houdini escape?

Kane Williamson stranded at the other end watching  #TrentBoult walking in with the weight of the world on his shoulders (he had bowled beautifully for his 5-For to set up this easy run chase and now here he was needing to score 5 runs or atleast block a couple of deliveries from the rampaging Starc)  

Starc steamed in for a second time in the game on a #hattrick, but Boult survived pretty comfortably. Huge roar from the crowd. Another ball to survive though. 

#MichaelClarke made field changes for the last ball of Starc's over to avoid a boundary. Plan was set to trap Boult through a full ball but he sprayed the ball wide, a wasted delivery and chance to seal a famous win for Aus.

Over changed and so did NZ fortunes.
For starters, the well set Williamson was on strike but 5 runs was still an ask. He needed to farm the strike well. Pat Cummins the bowler. Field set inside out to avoid boundaries and doubles. Kane had a plan and Pat's inexperience at the death showed as he bowled a full length delivery. Williamson freed himself of the wickets, created room and smashed the bowl over the bowler's head straight down the ground for a SIX!

The Eden Park erupted, NZ batsmen ecstatic while Aussies disappointed. Amazing scenes.
NZ won by 1 wicket in hand and 161 balls to spare (just goes to show if Australia had scored another 15-20 runs more, the story could have been different)

Good game ... made extraordinary by Australia and their never-say-die spirit.
Take a bow! This is how you defend low scores. This is how you fight when the chips are down.
You may lose but you walk off head held high. This is the ultimate sports team!

Man of the Match: Trent Boult for his 5-For. If he had scored those 5 runs, am sure he'd have ranked them above the five wickets he took :)

NZ - 4 wins from 4 games - 8 points
Aus - 1 win from 3 games - 3 points

Opens up Pool A beautifully now.
Things hotting up for the QF berths at the #CWC15.

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Mayhem - Kiwis Rip Through Australia

#Aus v #NZ, #Auckland
28th Feb 2015

#DanielVettori has brought the Kiwis back in the game brilliantly.
Brought in to bowl in the opening #Powerplay to curb the rampaging #Aussies, he has produced a dream spell of control, guile and produced the much needed breakthrough. He had #ShaneWatson caught in the deep by Tim Southee.

Immediately after that, Southee trapped the very dangerous #DavidWarner #legbefore.
Warner and Clarke reviewed it but #hawkeye went with the umpire and out was the decision.

#DanTheMan was it again when he had #StevenSmith caught behind and the Kiwis were pumped up.

McCullum then brought in #TrentBoult in place of Southee with immediate results. His pace troubled #GlennMaxwell and he #playedon on his stumps.  

2 balls later, #MitchelMarsh .. #playedon in the same way as Maxwell. NZ pumped up!! 

News just in ... #MichaelClarke has been claimed by Trent Boult caught at short cover.

Boy ... Australia in big trouble now.

Two new batsmen at the crease
#MitchellJohnson
#BradHaddin

#LIVE #Score - 104 for 7 from 21 overs.

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CWC 2015 LIVE - 2 Quick Wickets Pegs Australia Back v NZ

#Aus v #NZ, #Auckland
28th Feb 2015

#DanielVettori has brought the Kiwis back in the game brilliantly.
Brought in to bowl in the opening #Powerplay to curb the rampaging #Aussies, he has produced a dream spell of control, guile and produced the much needed breakthrough. He had #ShaneWatson caught in the deep by Tim Southee.

Immediately after that, Southee trapped the very dangerous #DavidWarner #legbefore.
Warner and Clarke reviewed it but #hawkeye went with the umpire and out was the decision.

Two new batsmen at the crease
#MichaelClarke playing an international after almost 3 months
#StevenSmith

#LIVE #Score - 94 for 3 from 16 overs.

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Feeling the Buzz Already - Aus v NZ

#Aus v #NZ , #EdenPark, #Auckland
28th Feb 2015

The Australia v NewZealand game looks to be living to its reputation.
The game has just started but you can feel the buzz ... an intensity at a different level.
Hope it remains that way and match lives up to its huge billing.

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first.

After 11 overs, they are 70 for 1.
#DavidWarner and #ShaneWatson at the crease just getting their eyes in.

#AaronFinch bowled by #TimSouthee.

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CWC 2015 - Bowl Tracking Technology

#CWC15

Bowl Tracking Technology at this World Cup is yet another fascinating innovation.
Used to track how the ball leaves the bowler's hands, pitches and reaches the batsman to determine areas of strengths/weaknesses of batsmen, projected trajectory of deliveries and bounce variations, this technology is really wowing the fans and cricketers alike.

Teams are using it to study opposition batsmen (strong and weak areas, lengths to bowl on different pitches, etc) while batsmen are using them to plot their aggression/defence against fast, seam and spin bowlers.

This is one piece of technology that will stay for while in cricket for sure.

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CWC 2015 - NZ v Aus - Biggest Game In Pool A

#NewZealand v #Australia , #Auckland
28th Feb 2015

In whats the biggest game of the tournament probably, New Zealand take on Australia at Auckland in high voltage Pool A match. Australia were and are always firm favorites to win the cup based on their overall ability and form. The Black Caps probably have the best chance to win the trophy owing to home conditions and form of some of their key players. 

Its going to be a battle of nerves and the team that takes an initiative and innovates will come up trumps. So, whats is favor of each team then?

New Zealand
 - Home ground in Auckland. Australia will travel to New Zealand after a long time and need to adapt quickly
 - Home crowd support and conditions to suit the Kiwis more
 - Big chance to set the record straight against their neighbors (Aus have always been the better team)
 - Bowling and Batting clicking at the same time. The only worry is some of their middle and lower order players havent got a decent hit in yet. Same with the Aussies who have played on the opening day of the tournament and nothing after that. Thats 14 days ago. That should make them a bit rusty?
 - The fielding is at par but Kiwis seem to just have an edge there

Australia
 - Home or away, the Aussies are massively adaptive and aggressive in all environments. This is the reason why they have been so dominant over the years.
 - Man to man - skill wise - they are the better team no doubt. Kiwis don't have the superstar batting or bowling prowess but they are performing brilliantly as a unit.
 - All round ability is better and even under pressure they can stand up tall unlike most other teams who generally crumble, NZ being one of them.

Our judgment says its Aus 60 - 40 NZ.
We may be wrong and if we are, this World Cup is alive and kicking. 
Imagine Australia stuck on 3 points after 3 games battling it out with other teams in the group to qualify for the quarter finals! That would dent their pride big time.   

Players to watch?

Aus - David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (well finally he gets to play after a long injury layoff), Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc

NZ - Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori

May the better team win.
We just hope this is the first "heavyweights" game of this #CWC15 that goes down to the wire. Many of these games so far have been one-sided while the minnows have produced some cracking and thrilling results!  

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Windies Lose Steam Chasing Massive 408 v SA

#SA v #WI, #LIVE at the #SCG
27th Feb 2015

Stunned and Blown away by a batting masterclass from ABcD of cricket (#ABDevilliers), Windies have floundered miserably in their run chase of 408.

#KyleAbbott removed their biggest threat #ChrisGayle in his first over, crashing his middle stumps.
The celebrations by SA after that wicket just showed how much that meant to them.

He then induced #Marlon Samuels to hit one down DeKock's throat for nought.

#MorneMorkel had #JamesCarter caught by #ABD for 10 (can you keep AB out the game for long?)

#ImranTahir, then induced a double breakthrough, claiming #DwayneSmith for 31 and trapping #LendlSimmons for nought.

West Indies 63 for 5.
#DeneshRamdin and #DarrenSammy at the crease.
End doesn't seem far away.

Windies left to lick their wounds.  

As it stands (assuming a SA victory),
Pool B - 4 teams at 4 points each now. This is getting exciting. 

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CWC 2015 LIVE - AB Stuns Windies Again - Magical Innings

#SA v # WI, #LIVE, #SCG
27th Feb 2015

Wow ... Wow ... Wow is all you can say about the "Man" - #ABDevilliers.
Just don't know what he eats for breakfast when he goes out to bat against the West Indians? In a span of month or so, he has broken multiple one day records courtesy the men in red.

His outrageous batting explosion at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the late stages of the match had everyone spellbound and in awe. Take a bow AB, take a bow.

162 from 68 deliveries!!
Unreal or surreal stuff from the best cricket athlete in the world.

He was ably supported by Rilee Rossouw who smashed 62 in 36 deliveries to set the tempo in that innings after losing two quick wickets in the middle.

The West Indies bowlers' had nowhere to hide or were clueless, as AB tore them apart. The best example was the last over bowled by captain #JasonHolder. The over read
2-6-6-4-6-6 (30 runs).

80 runs were scored in the last 3.2 overs. 
Astonishing power hitting, ingenuine audacity and sublime batting skills by ABD. Hats off.

South Africa ended with 408 for 5 in 50 overs, highest score batting first in #Australia

West Indies have never chased 300 before. This is 400 ... Can Gayle storm it out once again. He has to match ABD otherwise it game-set-match SA already.

AB's records after this innings
 - fastest ODI 50 (Jo' burg)
 - fastest ODI 100 (Jo 'burg)
 - fastest ODI 150 (Sydney)
** all against West Indies

Whats next? fastest 200 maybe? or how about the first 300 in one dayers?
Teams yet to play against him are already shivering at those thoughts!!

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Gayle Stikes 2 Blows In One Over

#SA v #WI #LIVE at #SCG
27th Feb 2015

Just when South Africa seemed to be beginning to turn the heat on scoring, #ChrisGayle has struck twice in one over!

Firsr, he had #FafDuPlessis caught behind by #DeneshRamdin.
Two balls later, he trapped the well set #HashimAmla plumb in front of the stumps. Both set batsmen out makes it even-steven yet again!

Two new batsmen, #ABDevilliers and #RileeRossouw at the crease.
Need to rebuild their innings again. WI will look to attack and put more pressure on the SA middle and lower order

Score: 170 for 3 in 33 overs.

 

CWC 2015 LIVE - SA Off To A Cautious Start at SCG

#SA v #WI at the #SCG

SA off to a cautious start
90 for 2 in 21 overs.

#HashimAmla and #FafduPlessis at the crease steadily building an innings.
#QuintonDeKock is out for 12 off #JeromeTaylor.

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CWC 2015 LIVE - SA Win Toss, Elect To Bat v WI

#SouthAfrica v #WestIndies , #SCG
27th Feb 2015

#ABDevilliers, the SA captain has won the toss and decided to bat first at the picturesque #SCG. He talked about being embarrassed against India at MCG and took time away from the game.

AB also emphasized that the #toss isn't something in your control, you need to bat or bowl well first/second to win the World Cup.

#Jason Holder looked sad at losing the toss but mentioned bowling well upfront and capturing wickets to restrict the Proteas to a 250 odd score.

Let the game begin...

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CWC 2015 - SL Demolish Bangladesh To Regain Form

#SriLanka v #Bangaladesh, #MCG
26th Feb 2015

Touted as the #AsianBattle between the Lions and Tigers, the match did not live up to its expectations. SL clearly the better side and won the match comfortably by 92 runs.

#TilakratneDilshan and #KumarSangakarra stroked beautiful centuries to muster a mammoth 332 for 1 in their 50 overs. Dilshan being the more dominant partner of the two. All bowlers taken to the cleaners by these two outstanding batsmen.

The Banglas were never in the run chase really.
#TamimIqbal was bowled in the first over and they never really looked like being in the game after that. Some late order hitting by #ShakibAlHasan, #MushfiqurRahim and #SabbirRahman only delayed the inevitable for a while. #LasithMalinga came back to form with 3 wickets. Lakmal and Dilshan plucking 2 each.

An all round performance from Dilshan earned him the man of the match award.
Well done!

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Battle Of Nerves - SA v WI

#SouthAfrica v #WestIndies, #SCG
27th Feb 2015

In an exciting Pool A match, South Africa will take on West Indies at the classical Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in a short while. 

This game has attained far more importance than anticipated before start of the tournament.
The Proteas had a nightmare outing against India on Sunday at the MCG where they lost by a whopping 130 runs. Their first game win against minnows #Zimbabwe wasn't very convincing either. Being tagged as frontrunners for the world cup crown, their performance has been far from expected and hence they are under tremendous pressure to win this game and get their confidence back. Ireland's emergence as a #darkhorse in this group has made it even more interesting in this pool. 

West Indies on the other hand are on a upswing. #ChrisGayle's storm against Zimbabwe a couple of days ago will have brought renewed enthusiasm and vigour in the Windies camp. They also won comprehensively against #Pakistan before that. These two wins have overshadowed their shock defeat to #Ireland in their opening game.

The match promises to be a real big one and we should now start seeing the big teams pull out some thrillers in a bid to reach the next stages of the world cup. Coupled to that, the venue, SCG, is just right to deliver a cracker of a game.

All the best to both teams

Players to Watch
South Africa
 - A B Devilliers
 - Faf Du Plessis
 - David Miller
 - Dale Steyn
 - Imran Tahir

West Indies
 - Chris Gayle
 - Marlon Samuels
 - Darren Bravo
 - Jerome Taylor
 - Suleiman Benn

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CWC 2015 - Another Minnow Thriller - Afghanistan beat Scotland

#Afghanistan v #Scotland, #Dunedin
26th Feb 2015

Looks like the #minnows at the World Cup (the associate members of the #ICC) have decided to lighten up contests in what has seen many one-sided games between the top teams.

Yesterday, #Ireland pulled off a stunner against #UAE
Today it was #Afghanistan to repeat the dose on #Scotland.
What a fantastic game!!

On a beautiful Dunedin monring, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first.
The Zadrans decided to weave their magic around the #Scots. They captured 7 wickets between them to restrict Scotland to a meagre 210 in their 50 overs. 7 off the 11 Scotland batsmen got starts but none of them could capitalize and play a big innings to put up a respectable total.

The Afghanistan chase of the target began briskly with #JavedAhmadi tonking the ball around a bit. The Scots came back through 2 quick wickets. #AlasdairEvans claiming both wickets.

In walked #SamiullahShenwari to play the innings of his life. He and Ahmadi set out chasing the target with ease and were cruising at 85 for 2 in 18 overs. Simple.

This is when the tide began to turn and how?
#RcihieBerrington and #RossDavey combined in a brilliant spell of bowling to dismiss 5 Afghan batsmen for a paltry 12 runs. Suddenly the score card was reading Afghanistan - 97 for 7.
Game completely in favor of the Scots now. They had it in the bag.

Thats when Shenwari decided otherwise.
He first stitched a 35 run partnership with #DawlatZadran and then an invaluable 60 run partnership with #HamidHassan. At 192 for 8, it looked Afghanistan had the game in their grasp. Shenwari coasting to a well deserved century.

In a moment of madness though, he slapped a delivery from #MajidHaq to deep midwicket boundary where Josh Davey kept his cool and took a wonderful catch. The Scots were delighted. Their biggest thorn and in form batsman was gone with another 19 runs needed to win. Certainly, the win was theirs!

Nope said #ShapoorZadran as he smashed 12 in 10 deliveries and completed the Houdini escape for Afghanistan to win the match by 1 wicket and 3 balls to spare.

Delight and Despair all round. Wonderful scenes of ecstacy from Afghanistan and agony from Scotland. Their first win in a world cup game. Cricket was truly the winner today. Well played both teams ... are the big teams listening? can we get some of these nail-biters from you too?

Man of the Match: Samiullah Shenwari

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