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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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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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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