India Pull One Back Finally, Australia Take ODI Series 4-1

#India v #Australia 
5th ODI, #SCG

Finally, India pulled one back against Australia in the current ODI series after being thumped on four occasions. Manish Pandey along with Rohit Sharma steered India's run chase beautifully to see their first win in the last ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Set a massive target of 330, Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan started solidly putting on a century stand. Quick wickets of Dhawan and Virat Kohli meant India were on the backfoot yet again in this series.
Manish stepped on to... the scene and in Rohit's company blossomed India's innings. Just when Rohit looked like getting a 3rd hundred of the series, tragedy struck. He edged one behind on 99!

The woefully out of form, M.S.Dhoni joined Manish and India started to fall behind the required run-rate but Manish's aggression and Dhoni's composure set the game up for a thrilling finish.
In the final over with 13 to win, Dhoni slammed a six over long off but was out the very next ball. However, Manish kept his cool and smashed the winning runs alongside completing his maiden ODI century. He was adjudged Man of the Match.

Earlier in the day, riding on David Warner and @MitchelMarsh tons, Australia piled on the agony for India yet again. Although their bowlers did better by capturing 4 early wickets, the same old story of inexperience surfaced. Debutatnt Jasprit Bumrah impressed with a two wicket haul and excellent death bowling.

We now move to the 3 match ‪#‎T20‬ series starting early next week and India will take a lot of confidence from this win although ODI series has been pocketd by Australia 4-1.

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CWC15 - SA Crush SL, Break Hoodoo Of Being KnockOut Chokers

#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015

In what can be termed as the most commanding and comprehensive performance of #CWC15 considering the stakes of a knockout match, South Africa literally crushed Sri Lanka mercilessly at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a large gathering of Sri Lankan supporters who were subdued for most part of the contest .. well if you can call it a contest?

The only right thing that happened for Sri Lanka today was the spin of the coin going in their favour. They promptly elected to bat considering the big match situation, SA's struggles chasing scores against India and Pakistan and belter of a Sydney pitch. Put runs on the board, loads of them and put the opposition under pressure was the overall plan.

And then it went haywire. Partly due to their own "surprise moves" that badly backfired on them and mostly due to an outstanding spell of seam and spin bowling from the Proteas.

#DaleSteyn, criticized for not being upto the mark in this world cup, showed why he is the best in business with very incisive pace bowling that strangled SA batsmen. #KyleAbbott reaped rewards for nagging line and length bowling while #MorneMorkel's bounce troubled all batsmen, mostly the Sri Lankan skipper #AngeloMathews.

When #ImranTahir and #JPDuminy came onto ball, you sensed Lanka would crawl back into the game but all that was negated by Tahir's brilliant opening spell claiming #Thirimanna (the best Lankan batsman on view today) and #Jayawardena (the champion was literally made to look like a rookie unable to read Imran's guile and spin).

Duminy, then joined the act claiming a first ever #hattrick for South Africa at a world cup and the celebrations were amazing. With the back broken, the only superstar of Sri Lankan batting in this cup, #KumarSangakarra could do nothing but go for his shots and lost his wicket too. He scored 45 in 96 balls .. an indicator of how well the Springboks bowled to keep a man (in supreme form) quiet.

Sri Lanka annihilated for 133 in 37 overs.
Game over!

The only hope for Sri Lanka was their other "surprise" of the day. #ThirmanduKaushal, an off spinner (in the Murali mould) to expose SA's frailty against spin. But, the SA batsmen would have nothing of him and they completed a near perfect victory in just 18 overs. #QuintonDeKock, the most persisted with SA batsman, finally came good and scored a much needed 78*.  

Bitter farewell for Sanga and Jaya, the two stalwarts of Sri Lankan cricket.
They will hang their boots shortly. All the best to them for their personal lives.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Sri Lanka - 133 all out, 37 overs
South Africa - 134 for 1, 18 overs

Man of the Match: Imran Tahir - 4 wickets

South Africa now await winner of the 4th quarterfinal (New Zealand or West Indies) for their semi-final clash.

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CWC15 - Confident Start From SA Openers vs Sri Lanka

#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015

No one expected the first innings to end so soon and the other team would need to bat for some time before the dinner break. Its just happened at the SCG.

Sri Lanka bowled out for 133 in 37 overs meant South Africa need to bat for some time.

The SA openers #QuintonDeKock and #HashimAmla have started confidently.
That will ease some nerves in that SA dressing room.
Time running out for Sri Lanka.

Can #TharinduKaushal deliver a magical spell on his ODi debut?
Huge ask but what a stage to do it if he does?

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
South Africa: 37 for 0, 6 overs.

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CWC15 - Duminy Hattrick Sinks Lanka

#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015

#JPDuminy was the weakest bowler in this SA lineup.
Sri Lanka would have looked to launch into him to propel their score.
Instead he has done the unthinkable .... by claiming a #hattrick with is right handed off spin bowling.

Sri Lanka were pegged back by the relentless pace attack of SA followed by a superb spell from #ImranTahir. But, it was Duminy who provided the spell of a life time to claim his hattrick.

His hattrick scalps
#AngeloMathews - c. DuPlessis at short mid wicket
#Kulasekhara - c. deKock behind the stumps
#Kaushal - lbw

Amazing scenes at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

SA all over Sri Lanka.
Game over ... well almost .. unless the #weather or #SriLanka spinners can repeat the dose back to the SA batsmen.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
127 for 9, 36.2 overs (match stopped due to rain)

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CWC15 LIVE - Tahir Double Strikes Strangle Sri Lanka

#SriLanka vs #SouthAfrica
#SCG
18th Mar 2015

Just when Sri Lanka were looking to crawl back into the game, #ImranTahir has struck a key blow. He's forced #Thirimanna to pop a return catch and his celebrations are a joy to watch. he runs a 100 metres dash with his facial antiques. Treat to watch.

#MahelaJaywardena, the new man in, never looked IN.
Tahir had a very close LBW decision turned own against him (after a third umpire review). However, in his next over he push a faster one that Mahela pulled straight to mid wicket duPlessis.

The onus will now ofcourse be on #Sangakarra.
He is joined by skipper #AngeloMathews

Match in an exciting stage yet again!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Sri Lanka: 87 for 4, 25 overs
Sangakarra - 22*
Mathews - 3*

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CWC15 LIVE - SA Strike First, SL Openers Back In The Hut

#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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CWC15 LIVE - SL Win Toss Elect To Bat vs SA

#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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CWC15 - Will SA Choke Or Prevail vs Sri Lanka - QF1

#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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CWC15 - Four More Years - England Have To Wait For Next World Cup

#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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CWC 2015 LIVE - Australia Overcome Spirited Sri Lanka

#Aus v #SriLanka, #SCG

In a fantastic run chase spearheaded by a record breaking #KumarSangakarra century and cameos from #Dilshan, #Chandimal and #Mathews kept them in that chase for a long time. But the run pressure was too high and they fell short by 64 runs.

For Australia, it was #MitchelStarc once again to their rescue with a lion hearted bowling performance. He was supported well by #JamesFaulkner with his speed changes to keep things tight.

Overall, a tight game for both teams to learn from before they head into the quarterfinals. Looks like SL will take on South Africa in that quarter final. Australia may face Pak or WI or Ireland (i.e 3rd placed team in Pool B)

#LIVE #SCORE
Aus: 376 for 8
Maxwell - 102, Watson - 67, Clarke - 68, Smith - 72
Malinga and Perera - 2 wickets each

SL: 312 for 9 (Dinesh Chandimal - retired hurt)
Sangakarra - 104, Dilshan - 62, Chandimal - 52*, Mathews - 35
Faulkner - 3 wickets, Starc and Johnson - 2 wickets each

Man of the Match: #GlennMaxwell

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Sanga Goes But Heroic Chase Is On

#Aus v #SL, #SCG
8th Mar 2015

The #Sanga masterclass has ended but he has inspired the middle order to take this chase head on.

Sangakarra scored a brilliant century earlier in the innings.
The first batsman to score three consecutive centuries in #CWC.
His innings was pure delight of touch and artistic batsmanship.

#Live #Score
Sri Lanka: 261 for 4, 39 overs
#DineshChandimal - 37* 
#AngeloMathews - 29*

GAME ON....

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Dilshan Blitz Gets Sri Lanka Going vs Australia

#Australia v #SriLanka, #SCG

#TilakratneDilshan has exploded at the #SCG.
The Sri Lankans have decided to take the Aussies ON in their chase of huge target of 376.

Dilshan has smashed 6 fours in one over off #MitchellJohnson
4-4-4-4-4-4

This shot play rubbed on #KumaraSangakarra as well.
He's opened up and hit a few boundaries as well. 

The onslaught caught the Aussies off-guard and they got back to their "gamesmanship" ways of "talking ot the batsmen" :). Dilshan gave it back to them. Umpires intervening to cool things down.

Chase on...

#LIVE #Score
Sri Lanka 69 for 1, 10 overs
Dilshan - 42*
Sangakarra - 26*

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Australia Setup A Massive 376 vs Sri Lanka

#Australia v #SriLanka, #SCG

Wow ... Australia have piled it on big time against Sri Lanka in a Pool A game at #CWC15

In the midstages, it looked like 300 would be a good score but a #GlennMaxwell blinder followed by #ShaneWatson blitze ensured they really drove it in and reached 376 for 9 in 50 overs.

#StevenSmith and #MichaelClarke steadied the innings after an even start in the first 10 overs. Sri Lankans looked like they had plans for the Aussies and scalped two danger wickets (Warner and Finch).

But, once the Smith-Clarke steadied things, Maxwell and Watson took it over and skyrocketed the Australian innings to an amazing level.

Sri Lankan bowlers pummelled into oblivion.
#Malinga, the only bright spot in that bowling line up. 

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CWC 2015 LIVE – Maxwell Blinder Pushes Australia Ahead Vs Sri Lanka

#Aus v #SL, #SCG

Australia seemed to be pulling away with the contest through a superb stand between #MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith. Just when they seemed to really pile it on, Sri Lanka has a double strike.

Clarke, trying to up the ante, was cleaned up by a Malinga #yorker. Timber broken. Smith who looked fluent tried to smash #TillaktratneDilshan out of the ground but skied one to long off. Excellent catch by #ThisaraPerera.

But, strokemakers, #ShaneWatson and #GlennMaxwell, have unleashed mayhem in SL ranks. #LasithMalinga and co have their work cut out.

#LIVE #Score
Australia: 253 for 4, 40 overs

Maxwell going helter-skelter ....

 

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Even Steven After First Poweplay - Aus Batting v SL

#Aus v #SL, #SCG
8th March 2015

Australia won the toss and elected to bat at the SCG.

The first 10 overs have seen a very even contest between the two sides.
Sri Lanka used spin at one end to start proceedings on this dry pitch and cut off pace on deliveries. It was also a ploy to curb #DavidWarner and #AaronFinch to smash deliveries coming on to the bat.

It was #LasithMalinga, the Slinga, who came up with a breakthrough though.
A brilliant change of pace and the dangerous Warner was foxed into spooning a simple catch to cover. Lankans over the moon.

#SeekugePrasanna, brought in as replacement for #RanganaHerath, then bowled a beauty to beat in the air. Finch trying to dominate him, danced down the track and was beaten down the leg side. #KumarSangakarra did the rest, flicking the bails. Finch yards out of his crease.

The two best batsmen at the crease for Australia now. 
#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith

#LIVE #Cricket #Score
Australia: 82 for 2, 18 overs
Clarke - 16*
Smith - 32*

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Aus v SL - Position 2 For Grabs In Pool A

#Aus vs #SL, #SCG
8th Mar 2015

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat on dry SCG pitch vs Sri Lanka.

In a battle of position in Pool A, these two teams will jostle to finish second in that group.
A 2nd position in a group would mean they will play 3rd placed team in Pool B (probably Pakistan or West Indies or Ireland)

Interesting one this ...

Let the game begin! 

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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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