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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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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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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