Aus | Ban | Eng | Ind | Ire | Net | NZ | Pak | Sco | SA | SL | WI
|
|
|
|
Home | News | Interviews | Columns | Toppers | Fixtures | Players | Position | Scores | Twenty20 WCs Aus | Ban | Eng | Ind | Ire | Net | NZ | Pak | Sco | SA | SL | WI |
||
|
South Africa seal low-scoring thriller by Andrew Miller South Africa 128/7 (Smith 33, Butler 2-13) beat New Zealand 127/5 (McCullum 57, van der Merwe 2-14) by one run South Africa's bowlers, led by the unhittable spin of Roelof van der Merwe, pulled an improbable victory out of the jaws of defeat as they successfully defended a meagre target of 129 and snuck home by a solitary run to secure the Group D bragging rights in a scrappy but compelling dead-rubber tussle at Lord's. At the halfway mark of the match, it seemed there could be only one winner, after South Africa had squandered a platform of 47 for 0 after their Powerplay overs to dribble to a disappointing 20-over total of 128 for 7. But New Zealand's response never emerged from second gear. A 54-ball 57 from Brendon McCullum set the platform, but his team-mates failed to dive in, and bizarrely they ran out of steam with six wickets still standing. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 9, 2009 |
|
|
Shoulder injury rules Sehwag out of World Twenty20 by George Binoy Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the ICC World Twenty20 in England after failing to recover from a shoulder injury he sustained during the IPL in South Africa. He will return to India after consulting specialists in England and will be replaced by Dinesh Karthik, who was in good touch during the IPL. Karthik, who last played a Twenty20 for India in January 2008, also doubles up as a reserve wicketkeeper, something the squad was lacking. A BCCI media release ended days of speculation over Sehwag's fitness - the opener has been a peripheral figure during Indian practice sessions. He wasn't present for India's optional training session on Monday at Lady Bay and didn't bat on the tour until Tuesday morning, often watching his team-mates go about their routines from the sidelines. The uncertainty over his injury led to reports of a rift between him and the captain MS Dhoni, which prompted the team to make a dramatic public show of unity and emphasise their team spirit through a statement read out by Dhoni. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 9, 2009 |
|
|
India look to hand Ireland first defeat by Sidharth Monga Big Picture: India and Ireland have both qualified for the Super Eights and their groups are decided so in terms of progression in this tournament nothing rides on this match. But India won't want to go to the next round with a shock defeat, nor will Ireland want to go without a fight after beating Bangladesh - which, by the way, they didn't consider an upset. At any rate they are yet to lose a Twenty20 international from the five they have played. India go into the tougher Super Eights group and will look at this game as a chance to iron out any flaws they feel exist. As it is they will probably be the least tested team in the Super Eights, with Bangladesh the third team in the weak Group A. India have been hurt by Virender Sehwag's return home with injury and will need to put that aside immediately. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 9, 2009 |
|
|
Afridi seals Pakistan's progression by Andrew Miller Pakistan 175/5 (Akmal 41, Younis 36) beat Netherlands 93/10 (Afridi 4-11) by 82 runs Shahid Afridi carried Pakistan into the Super Eights at the expense of a spirited but outclassed Dutch side at Lord's, as he ripped his top-spinning legbreaks through a succession of bamboozled defences to deliver his team a thumping 82-run victory with the superb figures of 4 for 11 from four overs. For the Netherlands, the end came with unseemly haste as they lost their last nine wickets for 52 in 10.2 overs, but they still left the tournament with their heads held high after last week's unforgettable floodlit triumph over England. Today, however, the greater class and knowhow of the Pakistanis came to the fore. They produced a chastened display after their error-strewn effort against England at The Oval on Sunday, and though their batting was kept on a tight leash by some determined Dutch bowling, the prospect of defeat was never seriously entertained. Netherlands were set 176 for victory, but thanks to their superior net run-rate going into this game, they could still have gone through with a score of 151 or more. In the end, the calculations were academic. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 9, 2009 |
|
|
Sangakkara, Ponting hail Mendis by George Binoy Sri Lanka began their World Twenty20 campaign by ending Australia's stay in the competition. Their captain Kumar Sangakkara, leading the side for the first time, remained unbeaten and secured victory but reserved special mention for Ajantha Mendis, who revelled in his first outing against Australia in any format. Ricky Ponting concurred, calling Mendis a "unique bowler" whom they had studied but failed to counter effectively. "We've all had an opportunity to see plenty of video footage of him, but when you're in a Twenty20 game and you've got to go out there and play a certain way, you've got to take the challenge up to the bowlers," Ponting, who was one of Mendis' victims, said. "Today he got the better of us. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Siddons disgusted with 'ridiculous' effort by George Binoy Bangladesh committed exactly the errors they knew they needed to avoid - the same mistakes they committed against India - and lost their must-win match against Ireland. The chaotic batting prompted a withering assessment from an incensed coach Jamie Siddons, who, with captain Mohammad Ashraful alongside him, called it a "ridiculous" effort. Siddons had insisted after the loss to India that Bangladesh's players were not lacking in skill anymore but were being undone by faulty decision-making while batting. Similar errors against Ireland, he warned, would be dangerous. His advice went unheeded - too many Bangladesh batsmen fell because of poor shot selection. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Sangakkara and Dilshan dump Australia out by Andrew McGlashan Sri Lanka 160/4 (Sangakkara 55*, Dilshan 53) beat Australia 159/9 (Johnson 28*, Mendis 3-20, Malinga 3-36) by six wickets Sri Lanka eliminated Australia from the ICC World Twenty20 with a six-wicket victory at Trent Bridge. Kumar Sangakkara played a captain's innings to lead them across the line, with an over to spare, as they chased 160 after Tillakaratne Dilshan sparked the pursuit with an innovative 53 off 32 balls. Australia were set back by a magnificent display from Ajantha Mendis, who bamboozled with his variations, and although the match went to the final over Sri Lanka always held the edge to book their Super Eights berth. Australia's stay in this tournament - the international title they don't hold - lasted three days and now they face two extra weeks in Leicester to prepare for the Ashes series. Make no mistake, they desperately wanted to win this event, and further stock their trophy cabinet, but were short on their skills for the second game running against a highly impressive Sri Lanka outfit. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Ireland storm into Super Eights by Jamie Alter Ireland 138/4 (Niall O'Brien 40, Kevin O'Brien 39*) beat Bangladesh 137/8 (Mortaza 33*, Johnston 3-20) by six wickets Ireland beat Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup and, pitted against the same side in a must-win clash in more familiar conditions, produced an encore to surge into the second stage of the World Twenty20. This will go down as one of the biggest moments in Ireland's cricket history - but another disappointment for Bangladesh, who were knocked out of the competition. The hungrier side was always going to come up tops and Ireland took a massive stride by keeping a reckless Bangladesh to 137. Bangladesh batted with the freedom of a team that believed they were already in the next stage and paid the price, stumbling after a shaky start. Mashrafe Mortaza's late heroics ensured at least a fighting total, which is where some self-discipline could have changed the outcome of this game. Ireland applied themselves to their chase and got home by six wickets - the O'Brien brothers again proving their worth - to yells and whoops from their dugout. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Sloppy Pakistan face litmus test by Osman Samiuddin Big Picture: Who'd have thunk it, that Pakistan and Netherlands would be taking on each other in a group game in which Pakistan might do and still die? Such has been the way with this strangest of groups but clarity has now emerged. Netherlands, to progress and thus consign Pakistan to a fate they seem worryingly resigned to, can afford to lose, but by no more than 24 runs. If Pakistan chase, then they must do so with roughly three overs to spare. The problems are Pakistan's. Not for a moment since they landed in England have they looked like a team that is playing in a World Cup. Younis Khan's bizarre, careless dismissal of the format and the tournament seems to have filtered through to the side. Anyway you'd think, given their lack of international games recently, that Pakistan would be itching to rip through a Ramadan 20/20 night tournament in Karachi's Pakistan Chowk, let alone a World Cup. The attitude is, however, only the most overarching concern: on the field, they are the worst fielding side, have an unsettled batting order and are rusty with the ball. Beyond that, they're fine. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Preparing for the pointy end Big Picture: While England and Australia suffered early shocks, there have been no such problems for South Africa and New Zealand. South Africa thumped Scotland by 130 runs on Sunday and New Zealand also wiped them aside, overcoming a slight scare when they gave up 89 runs in seven overs during Saturday's rain-reduced contest at The Oval. Both teams have already qualified for the next phase so this contest is reduced to a Super Eight warm-up, with no points being carried through from the group stage. New Zealand's bowlers will use the contest to fine-tune following their heavy punishment in the opening game while the batsmen on both sides will attempt to maintain their gargantuan hitting. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 8, 2009 |
|
|
Siddons wary of Irish threat by George Binoy The tables have been turned. Bangladesh, so often the underdogs in international matches, are now favourites. Being a Full-Member country with automatic qualification for the World Twenty20, they are expected to get past Associates Ireland and qualify for the Super Eights. Bangladesh had less to lose when they played India, but their campaign will be on the line at Trent Bridge on Monday. Bangladesh's coach Jamie Siddions believes that Bangladesh are not losing to the higher-ranked sides because of a difference in skill level anymore. The key, according to him, is errors in decision making and one or two moments of poor judgement which costs them the game. He considered the defeat to India a "missed opportunity" because he felt 180 was chaseable until Shakib Al Hasan and Junaid Siddique fell while trying to clear the boundary when the situation did not demand sixes. Similar errors, Siddons said, would be dangerous against Ireland. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 7, 2009 |
|
|
South Africa send the right message by Andrew Miller That's the way to dispatch a minnow side. It was sadly in keeping with Scotland's desperate year that they should be the first team to depart the ICC World Twenty20, but if it is of any consolation to Gavin Hamilton and his men (and it won't be), the fully focussed South Africans would have inflicted the same fate on both Netherlands, who stunned England on Friday, and Ireland, who have their own golden opportunity against Bangladesh tomorrow. South Africa are among the favourites for this tournament, and today they produced a myriad of reasons why. There was the calm but firm authority of their 87-run opening stand between Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis; the brutality of their lower-order power-hitting, with AB de Villiers hurtling along at more than two runs per ball, and then the pace and variety of a bowling attack, spearheaded by Dale Steyn, that looks as though it has a performer for all occasions. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 7, 2009 |
|
|
Resurgent England progress with huge win by Andrew McGlashan England 185/5 (Pietersen 58, Wright 34, Ajmal 2-23) beat Pakistan 137/7 (Younis 46*, Broad 3-17) by 48 runs England certainly like doing things the hard way, but kept their ICC World Twenty20 hopes alive with an impressive 48-run victory against Pakistan at The Oval which was so emphatic that they are through to the Super Eights. With the hosts' hopes hanging by a thread Kevin Pietersen returned and hit a sparkling 58 off 38 balls to lift England to a competitive 185 for 5, and Pakistan never got close against a team desperate to erase embarrassing memories. Pakistan, much like England the other night, were well short of their best especially in the field where they dropped at least four catches and produced countless more sloppy pieces of groundwork. They were terribly rusty during their warm-up games and are still a long way from settling, and maybe suffered from knowing they have a second chance against Netherlands on Wednesday, but this defeat was so heavy that even a win in that game might not be enough. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 7, 2009 |
|
|
Sri Lanka aim to finish what West Indies started by George Binoy Sri Lanka's campaign in the World Twenty20 will be the last to get underway when they play Australia in Nottingham on Monday. The contest is significant because it is Sri Lanka's first international since the players survived the Lahore terror attacks and it's Kumar Sangakkara first game as captain since he took over the leadership from Mahela Jayawardene. The biggest draw of the match, though, is the precarious position Sri Lanka's opponents are in for Australia are a defeat away from becoming the first major side to get knocked out of the competition. Australia have not been eliminated in the first round of a World Cup since 1992 but their disastrous defeat against West Indies on Saturday has not only left them needing to win at Trent Bridge, they need to beat Sri Lanka soundly to improve on a net run-rate of -2.413. Man to man Australia, who bat Brett Lee at No. 10, have an arsenal that appears more explosive that Sri Lanka's. They started the tournament as one of the favourites to qualify from the group of death but Sangakkara said that being tagged favourites counted for little in this format. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 7, 2009 |
|
|
de Villiers and South Africa crush Scotland by Will Luke South Africa 211/5 (de Villiers 79*, Kallis 48) beat Scotland 81 (Coetzer 42 Botha 2-17, van der Merwe 2-17) by 130 runs South Africa produced an ominously clinical performance to send Scotland packing in the ICC World Twenty20, beating them by the second highest margin in this format of 130 runs. AB de Villiers cracked a classy and authoritative 79 from just 34 in South Africa's 211 for 5, the highest total of the tournament so far, before Dale Steyn and Johan Botha tore through Scotland who were rolled for 81, the seventh-lowest Twenty20 total. This was a champion performance from one of the tournament favourites. Unlike England, who were out-thought and out-played by Netherlands in the opening match, South Africa asserted themselves from the outset to lay bare Scotland's technical flaws, not to mention their lack of experience. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 7, 2009 |
|
|
Desperate England face Pakistan test by Andrew Miller and Osman Samiuddin Big Picture: As Pakistan prepare for their return to the world stage after a traumatic period of exile, England find themselves staring into an abyss of their own making. A lip-smacking contest that, by rights, ought to have launched the ICC World Twenty20 has instead been turned into a do-or-die encounter. Netherlands' stunning victory at Lord's on Friday has blown the group wide open, and while England need nothing less than victory to keep their hopes alive, only two wins from two will guarantee Pakistan's qualification as well. England's attitude in the tournament opener was shameful and dismissive - they turned up without conviction and chose to rest their star players with an eye on bigger tussles. The impression they gave was one of indifference, which is an emotion that couldn't be further from the needs of Pakistan's hour. They need desperately to do well here, perhaps more than most other countries, given what they have and are going through. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 6, 2009 |
|
|
Yuvraj and Ojha fashion strong win by Sidharth Monga India 180/5 (Gambhir 50, Yuvraj 41) beat Bangladesh 155/8 (Siddique 41, Ojha 4-21) by 25 runs It took Yuvraj Singh 18 balls to undo 10 overs' hard work by Bangladesh that had pulled India back after another solid start from Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma. It took Pragyan Ojha five balls to undo their eight overs of keeping pace with a stiff total and eventually India became the first side in this tournament to successfully defend. The crisp sound from Yuvraj's bat resonated regularly at Trent Bridge, with sixes flying here and there as India managed 59 runs in their last four overs. Ojha came on and removed Junaid Siddique and Shakib Al Hasan in his first over, after which a promising chase stumbled. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 6, 2009 |
|
|
Gayle and Fletcher blast past Australia by Sidharth Monga West Indies 172/3 (Gayle 88, Fletcher 53) bt Australia 169/7 (Warner 63, David Hussey 27, Bravo 2-31) by seven wickets Don't call this an upset. Twenty20 is where it is at for West Indies, by their captain's admission, and they have copped a fair amount of flak for that comment and their subsequent poor performances in more traditional forms of cricket. So there was a sense of anticipation over how they would fare in their "preferred" format. Come match day in the Group of Death, and West Indies, and Chris Gayle, turned up for the first time in two months. They fielded pathetically but that characteristic trait was sandwiched between superb opening bowling and explosive batting. Australia ended the match as they entered it - yet to beat West Indies in this format. Their previous meeting was a similar comprehensive defeat, by seven wickets in Barbados. This, though, was a full 20-over contest on a belter of a pitch that was flat and fast. West Indies still had 4.1 overs to spare in the end. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 6, 2009 |
|
|
New Zealand blast their way past Scotland by Siddarth Ravindran New Zealand 90/3 (Ryder 31, Taylor 21*) beat Scotland 89/4 (Coetzer 33, Poonia 27, Watson 27) by seven wickets At the half-way stage of a match that rain reduced to a seven-over hitting contest, it looked as though there would be the second big upset of the tournament in two matches. Scotland had started in top gear and stayed there through their innings to set a challenging target, but New Zealand's array of big-hitters knocked off the runs in style with an over to spare. The hardy fans who endured a frustrating wait for more than two hours were treated to a barrage of clean-hitting from both teams, but what stood out was the high quality of cricketing shots played. While the batsmen were aware of the pressing need for big runs, the match didn't descend into a slogfest. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 6, 2009 |
|
|
'Biggest day in Dutch cricket' As if to rub it in, Netherlands celebrated their astonishing four-wicket victory at Lord's in the home dressing room as a little part of the home of cricket became forever Dutch. The moment the winning run was scored the entire squad sprinted onto the outfield as the orange kit lit up the ground almost as well as the new floodlights. There will be celebrations when the final is staged here in two weeks, but they will struggle to top the scenes of Friday night. "This result speaks for itself, doesn't it? It's a huge victory," said captain Jeroen Smits. "Without doubt, the biggest day in Dutch cricket history, and now we are looking to qualify for the Super Eights and maybe the semi-finals. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
de Grooth leads Netherlands to famous win by Andrew McGlashan Netherlands 163/6 (de Grooth 49, Borren 30, Anderson 3-23) beat England 162/5 (Wright 71, Bopara 46) by four wickets Cricket's rich history of thrilling upsets was given another chapter as Netherlands sensationally beat England by four wickets in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's. Needing seven off the last over Ryan ten Doeschate and Edgar Schiferli ran for their lives and with two needed off the last delivery Stuart Broad missed a run-out from his follow through and the resulting overthrow set off wild scenes of celebration. Tom de Grooth played the innings of his life to hit 49 off 30 balls and Netherlands paced their pursuit of 163 so expertly that they were always ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis when steady rain began to fall to add to the drama. But the game deserved to be played to a finish and crucially Netherlands had the experience of ten Doeschate, who plays professionally for Essex, up their sleeve as he didn't come in until No. 6. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Australia ready for life without Symonds Australia will draw on the lessons learned from Shane Warne's shock exit from the 2003 World Cup as they attempt to deal with the departure of Andrew Symonds on the eve of the World Twenty20. Ricky Ponting had barely commenced his international captaincy career when Warne, then at the height of his powers, tested positive for a banned diuretic and returned home from South Africa on the morning of Australia's opening match against Pakistan. On that occasion, Symonds blazed a tremendous century at the Wanderers to lift the spirits of the shell-shocked Australians and commence momentum that continued through to a victorious final against India. This time, others will be required to fill a void created by Symonds - he was ordered home following an alcohol-related incident during the week - and Ponting is confident he has the squad to cover. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Pietersen ruled out of opening match Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of England's opening ICC World Twenty20 match against Netherlands with a recurrence of the Achilles injury that forced him to miss the one-day series against West Indies. After appearing in both warm-ups against Scotland and West Indies he experienced further pain on Friday and the decision was taken to assess the injury ahead of the game against Pakistan on Sunday. The ECB said he will have scans and an injection before a decision is taken on his future participation. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Styris confident of strong showing Though few are backing New Zealand to win the World Twenty20, allrounder Scott Styris is optimsitic about the team's chances. They may have been excluded from the list of favourites, but New Zealand boast an impressive record at major tournaments, including reaching the semi-finals of the last three big international events - the 2006 Champions Trophy, the 2007 World Cup and the World Twenty20 played in the same year. "I think that's always going to be the case," Styris said. "New Zealand don't have that aura and that history to suggest we're always going to be strong. We've made the semi-final stage in all three of the last few tournaments, which suggests we're always going to be there or thereabouts. It's up to us whether we can take it a step further, but we're not too worried about what other teams think of us. We are aware, though, that if we play. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Dhoni denies reports of rift within team by George Binoy In a bizarre turn of events, the entire Indian team turned up at the pre-match press conference at Trent Bridge on Friday in a "show of unity" following media reports of a rift between senior players. Once the team had assembled, captain MS Dhoni read out a statement to "the people of India and Indian cricket fans worldwide". The team, he said, was unified, "as good as it has ever been with each individual supporting each other on and off the field". He called the reports, published in the Indian media on Friday, of a rift between himself and Virender Sehwag "false and irresponsible behaviour". To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Symonds broke CA ban on public drinking by Alex Brown A pledge to refrain from drinking in public will likely cost Andrew Symonds his international career. The clause, inserted into his personal contract with Cricket Australia, was breached when Symonds indulged in a late-night drinking session after Australia's warm-up match against New Zealand on Tuesday, and again when he and several team-mates watched the telecast of the State of Origin rugby league game at a west London establishment the following morning. Under the terms of his personally-tailored deal with CA, Symonds was permitted to drink with team-mates in the dressing room after matches and at team hotels. Drinking in public, however, was banned under the agreement, following a series of altercations at bars in Australia, South Africa and the Caribbean in recent years. No other player on CA's central contract list is bound by such an agreement. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 5, 2009 |
|
|
Smith and Kallis find their touch South Africa got off to a flier thanks to Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis who added 109 in 12 overs, before Smith retired having made 63 from just 41 balls. He hit seven fours and two sixes, being particularly savage on Alex Cusack, whom he struck for 24 in one over. Kallis was only slightly less severe on the Irish, smashing 57 from 40 deliveries. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 4, 2009 |
|
|
India's fingers crossed over Sehwag and Zaheer by Nagraj Gollapudi Despite their handsome victory against Pakistan on Wednesday evening, India are still sweating on the fitness of their two key players Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan. Sehwag, who is yet to bat on the tour, is suffering from a niggle to his right shoulder while Zaheer is on the recovery path from the shoulder injury to his bowling arm, picked up in the IPL. Captain MS Dhoni sounded ambiguous last evening when asked about Sehwag's fitness. "To be honest I don't know. He could be [fit] for the second game, but we will see." To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 4, 2009 |
|
|
White called up to replace Symonds by Alex Brown Cameron White has been confirmed as Australia's replacement for the ICC World Twenty20, after Andrew Symonds was sent home by the team management for an alcohol-related incident. White, 25, was a surprise omission from the original squad, seeing as Australia have long fancied his powerful middle-order batting in the 20-over game. He has previously played seven T20Is for his country, scoring a total of 152 runs from 102 balls, with a highest score of 40 not out. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 4, 2009 |
|
|
Team-mates rue loss of 'flexible' Symonds by Alex Brown Andrew Symonds is believed to be contemplating retirement after being ordered home from the ICC World Twenty20 for an "alcohol-related incident" that has thrown Australia's tournament plans into disarray. Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland announced Symonds' contract was under review, but Cricinfo understands the allrounder may jump before he is pushed. The developments come after the Australian team's leadership group - consisting of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Tim Nielsen and Steve Bernard - recommended to Cricket Australia's board that Symonds be withdrawn from the World Twenty20 for drinking while watching the State of Origin rugby league match on Wednesday morning. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 4, 2009 |
|
|
Wright and Bopara crush West Indies by Andrew McGlashan England have comfortably had the better of West Indies throughout their early-season exchanges and the theme continued at Lord's. They raced to a nine-wicket win with 32 balls remaining on the back of an electric opening stand of 119 between Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara. Wright finished with 75 from 38 deliveries after giving the stands a peppering, and confirming his position for the tournament opener, against Netherlands, on Friday. England's opening combination has never been settled in Twenty20s, but after this effort it's difficult to see these two being separated in the next couple of weeks. The team performance against Scotland was far from convincing, but here England hit their stride with the bowlers and fielders also doing their jobs to hold West Indies to 144. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 3, 2009 |
|
|
Ryder stays with team after family tragedy Jesse Ryder has declined the opportunity to return home from the ICC World Twenty20 following the death of his cousin in a car accident. Ryder was given the option of heading back to New Zealand to grieve but instead chose to stay with the team, whose campaign begins against Scotland on Saturday. Lucan Ryder was one of four people killed in a head-on crash in King Country on Saturday, along with his wife and daughter, while their two other children were injured. "[Team management] just talked to him about it," Ryder's manager Aaron Klee told the Dominion Post. "They discussed it and he's decided that he wants to stay with the team." To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 3, 2009 |
|
|
Ponting and Johnson see off New Zealand by George Binoy Australia executed a perfectly-paced chase to brush aside New Zealand by seven wickets in their warm-up match at The Oval. Ponting led the way with a brisk half-century and received support from his deputy Michael Clarke who remained unbeaten to ensure victory was secured in the final over. There was good news on the bowling front too with Mitchell Johnson taking 4 for 20 while Brett Lee bowled with hostility and took 1 for 9 off 3.5 overs. Their new-ball partnership left New Zealand's top-order in shreds at 21 for 5 and it needed a feisty recovery from Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan, who was playing Australia for the first time, to set a respectable target. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 2, 2009 |
|
|
Gayle marauds Ireland by George Binoy Chris Gayle took the opportunity against Ireland to showcase his power as he led West Indies to a comfortable victory in their warm-up match at The Oval. Chasing a below-par total of 130, Gayle hammered an unbeaten 88 off only 56 balls and West Indies achieved their target with nine wickets in hand and four overs to spare. Gayle treated the fans to seven sixes, most of which were smashed straight down the ground or over the leg-side boundary. He didn't bother much with singles, hitting six fours to go with his sixes, and the rest of the batsmen only had to stick around while the captain got the job done. Andre Fletcher was the only wicket to fall, top-edging his first ball against Kyle McCallan's left-arm spin to short third man. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 2, 2009 |
|
|
Pressure test for confident South Africa by Andrew McGlashan Show South Africa a World Cup and panic can set in. Their history in the 50-over variety includes ties, collapses and misread Duckworth-Lewis charts, while their stay at the inaugural Twenty20 event, which they hosted in 2007, ended with a batting demise that meant they couldn't even progress on net run rate. So can they set the record straight this time? Graeme Smith believes there is more confidence and belief in this South Africa side than ever before and their record over the last year and a half supports him. They have risen to the top of the one-day rankings and also secured Test-series successes against England and Australia. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 2, 2009 |
|
|
India-Pakistan warm-up to raise funds for Lahore victims India and Pakistan's eagerly anticipation clash at The Oval tomorrow has been designated as a "Catch the Spirit" match by the ICC, a fundraiser to help support families of the victims of the attack on the Sri Lanka team and officials in Lahore in March. Funds raised through a variety of initiatives during the match will also support the Peace and Sport projects across Asia. "The Board wanted to do something to assist the families of the victims of the terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team and match officials in March, and using this high-profile match with a sell-out crowd as a vehicle to do that makes excellent sense," said David Morgan, the ICC president. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 2, 2009 |
|
|
Slip-up in death overs cost India - Dhoni MS Dhoni blamed India's defeat in their first warm-up game at Lord's on their performance at the death in the New Zealand innings, where 31 runs were conceded in the last two overs. Ishant Sharma was India's stand-out performer with the ball, taking 4 for 25, and while the experiment of using him in the middle overs paid off, the tactic of holding back the length in the last few overs didn't. The penultimate over of the New Zealand innings, bowled by Irfan Pathan, was taken for 15, and RP Singh was clattered for two fours and a six by James Franklin in the final over as New Zealand put up a match-winning score. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 2, 2009 |
|
|
Lee, Watson closer to fitness by Alex Brown Australia have not tasted success in a Twenty20 fixture for four months so any victory, even in a practice match against Bangladesh, will not be sneezed at. But as encouraging as the batting segment of their 38-run win at Trent Bridge was, by far the more important development for Australia was the performance of Shane Watson and Brett Lee; a duo whose recovery from injury could go far to determining the tourists' fortunes in World Twenty20 and Ashes campaigns this summer. Watson was again withheld from bowling duties, but remains hopeful of fulfilling his all-round ambitions in the World Twenty20 proper. His batting, however, was from the very top shelf and provided further evidence that, after several unconvincing auditions, Australia have found the limited-overs opener they have sought since the retirements of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 1, 2009 |
|
|
Taylor and Vettori star in New Zealand win by George Binoy New Zealand's unbeaten record against India in Twenty20s continued today by beating the world champions by nine runs in their warm-up outing at Lord's. Several New Zealand batsmen chipped in with aggressive contributions to post an imposing total which their bowlers, led by the reliable Daniel Vettori, defended tenaciously against a powerful Indian batting line-up. The India team had faced questions regarding fatigue and fitness because of their players' involvement in the lengthy IPL and they took the field without Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan. Yuvraj Singh also did not play a part in the match although he was on the team sheet. However, it was because of the batsmen that performed in the IPL - Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja - that India challenged New Zealand's total of 170. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 1, 2009 |
|
|
Gayle must walk the talk by Brydon Coverdale Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, has made no secret of his enjoyment of Twenty20. In his own words, it "wouldn't be so sad" if Test cricket gave way to the 20-over version and he was considering giving up the longer formats to focus on Twenty20. The way his men played in the Tests and ODIs in England it looked as though he wasn't the only one whose attention span was suited to three-hour games. Expectations will therefore be raised that West Indies can lift for the World Twenty20. They are in a difficult group along with Australia and Sri Lanka - it's the only group that doesn't feature an Associate side - and therefore they must hit top form from day one. They beat Australia the only time the teams have met in a Twenty20 and they have never faced Sri Lanka. To read complete article CLICK HERE. |
|
Source: www.cricinfo.com, June 1, 2009 |
|
Powered by GET ATTACHED
and cricketer.50webs.com.
This page is validated by