FIGHT CLUB's Fan Box
Friday, April 30, 2010
West Indies outplay Ireland by 70 runs
7:55 PM | 
Posted by
Unknown
| Posted On : Saturday, May 01, 2010 |
 PROVIDENCE: West Indies defeated Ireland by 70 runs in a low-scoring match on the first day of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday.The Irish team could not resist the West Indies pace attack whereas Gary Wilson was the only batsman to enter into double-figures with 17 runs. However, the top-scorer of the Irish innings was Mr Extras (19). Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul were the mist successful bowlers taking three wickets each for eight and 17 runs, respectively, while Dwayne Bravo claimed two for five. Earlier, minnows Ireland bowlers did a commendable job restricting hosts West Indies to 139 runs for nine wickets here in the second match of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Saturday. Batting first after winning the toss, none of the West Indies batsmen could make any significant contribution as the team lost nine wickets for 139 in the allotted 20 overs. Their main scorers were Darren Sammy (30) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (24). For Ireland, George Dockrell captured three for 16 while Andre Botha, Alex Cusack and Boyd Rankin took two wickets each. Dwayne Bravo is captaining the West Indies side in absence of Chris Gayle, who was injured with stiff neck West Indies went into this match without off-spinner Sulieman Benn and fast bowler Jerome Taylor as both had shoulder injuries, with Taylor also sidelined with a twisted ankle. Ireland, coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, had no injury problems. |
Kiwis beat Sri Lanka by two wickets in thrilling opener
| Posted On : Saturday, May 01, 2010 |
 PROVIDENCE, Guyana: A glorious six by Nathan McCullum handed over New Zealand a thrilling two-wicket victory with just one ball to spare in the opening match of the third ICC World Twenty20 here on Friday.New Zealand, needing three runs to win with two balls to spare, saw McCullum, better known as an off-spinner, loft fast bowler Lasith Malinga for six over long-off. McCullum's superb shot saw New Zealand finish on 139 for eight in reply to Sri Lanka's 135 for six. Chasing a modest target of 136 runs, New Zealand made 139 for eight in 19.5 overs before losing three wickets in the last two overs. Opener Jesse Ryder was the top-scorer with 42 from 27 balls. He hit two sixes and three fours as no other batsman could cross 20 in the innings. Muttiah Muralitharan claimed two wickets for 25. Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat after which his team could make 135 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s brilliant 81 from 51 balls. He smashed two towering sixes and eight boundaries and made 59 runs together with Dinesh Chandimal (29) for the third wicket partnership. No other batsman could make any significant contribution while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori tried six bowlers, all among wickets except himself. Fast bowler Shane Bond claimed two for 35 as others took one wicket each. Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Sanath Jayasuriya came down the order rather than play as an opener. He came at eighth number when only one ball was left. |
SLanka win toss, batting against NZ in World T20 opener
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
 PROVIDENCE , Guyana: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the opening match of the World Twenty20 here on Friday.Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Sanath Jayasuriya was listed to come down the order, rather than play as an opener. Meanwhile Chanaka Welegedara, the left-arm seamer, was included as the Sri Lankans, runners-up last year, looked to go one better in the Caribbean. New Zealand omitted pace bowler Kyle Mills and included Nathan McCullum, amidst speculation the off-spinner might take the new ball. Teams New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins (wkt), Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Shane Bond, Tim Southee Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wkt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welegedara Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Rudi Koertzen (SA), TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (WI) Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS). |
India, SA biggest threats to Pak in T20 WC: Inzimam
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
| KARACHI: First edition's winner India and South Africa are going to be the biggest threats to Pakistan's ambition to defend the Twenty20 World Cup title in the West Indies, feels former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. "India and South Africa, I think, are the greatest threats to Pakistan's ambition to win the T20 World Cup. I am very impressed with the disciplined way South Africans play, while the Indians have some dangerous players with plenty of flair," Inzamam said. Inzamam, however, said that the Pakistan squad is a balanced one and have the wherewithal to defend the title. "The way I see it this Pakistan team is well balanced and so strong for this format of the game. It shouldn't lose to any team unless they self-destruct with internal issues," said Inzamam, the country's most capped player. |
Waqar says Pakistan learning Australia lessons
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
 GROS ISLET: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes the slack approach that marred the team's winless tour of Australia has been replaced by a new spirit of determination ahead of the World Twenty20.Defending champions Pakistan face Group A rivals Bangladesh and Australia here at the Beausejour Stadium, on Saturday and Sunday respectively, and fast bowling great Waqar is adamant they will do so with a renewed professionalism. "I've seen the change from Australia to Pakistan," Waqar told reporters here on Thursday. "The boys have really started responding. In Australia I was part of the team and the boys were a little laid back, not really bothered." Pakistan's recent tour of Australia saw them fail to win in three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20. Even by the standards of Pakistani cricket, the fall-out was dramatic with former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan receiving indefinite bans for infighting. Meanwhile Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were both suspended for a year while Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's captain at the World Twenty20, and the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, were fined and put on probation for six months each. "I don't know if it's got anything to do with the bannings or what, but they have really started pushing themselves," Waqar said. "I wouldn't say they're scared but they've probably started thinking it's a professional game and they get paid for it and there's a country's (honour) at stake." Perhaps only in Pakistan could Afridi find himself captaining the national side after receiving a two-match Twenty20 ban for ball-tampering, caused by chewing on the ball, in a one-dayer against Australia in Perth. But there is no denying the dynamic batsman and dangerous leg-spinner's talent, especially in the Twenty20 format, and Waqar reckons Afridi is a reformed character. "I think so, he has probably realised and he wants to do more," Waqar said. "And I think he is the best choice as captain. He is an all-rounder and he leads from the front." Afridi took four wickets in Pakistan's 12-run warm-up loss to Zimbabwe on Thursday and Waqar added: "He is bowling superbly, he is a match-winning bowler. And with his quick 30-odd off 10 balls or whatever, that really puts the game in your favour." Former captain Waqar, brought in a bowling coach on the Australian tour, found himself promoted to the senior role in March. "It wasn't easy to take over this job," he said. "It was difficult but I'm managing it okay. The suspensions were done before I took the job, I couldn't do anything about it. "Whatever I've got, it's the best we've got in Pakistan, so we've got to make do with this." |
T20 cup: Zimbabwe’s upset wins air match fixing concerns
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
| ST LUCIA: Two consecutive wins for minnow Zimbabwe against defending Twenty20 Champion Pakistan and mighty Australia have raised many eyebrows about the mega event or the world champion has maintained its trademark style of displaying unexpected performances in the warm-up match. On one hand, Zimbabwe, which is being considered a weak team, has doubled the interest of fans in the tournament, while on the other hand, it has created doubts of match fixing. During the recently concluded IPL tournament, reports of match fixing allegations and financial irregularities got headlines. This has also increased fears about the Caribbean event too. The way Zimbabwe has defeated Pakistan and Australia shows that something is fishy. In the wake of match fixing threat, the International Cricket Council has alerted its anti-corruption unit to keep a vigil on every player. |
Afridi's praise of Hauritz unlikely to sway Aussies
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
 ST LUCIA: Nathan Hauritz may have received the support of Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi but he could yet miss Australia's opening World Twenty20 match against the defending champions. Early indications are that Australia will do without off-spinner Hauritz when they begin their tournament against Pakistan here on Sunday, a day after the title holders face Bangladesh in Group A at the Beausejour Stadium. Hauritz has not taken a wicket in either of the team's warm-up matches, although in Thursday's fixture against the Windward Islands he found himself bowling against Australia on the way to figures of none for 34 in three overs. Nevertheless, leg-spinning all-rounder Afridi said of Hauritz: "On these types of tracks he'd be very difficult for the opposition." But Australia look likely to field Steve Smith, himself a leg-spinning all-rounder, while getting any remaining slow bowling from specialist batsmen such as captain Michael Clarke and David Hussey, both well capable of contributing with bat and ball at this level. Outsiders Zimbabwe beat Clarke's men by one run here on Tuesday to revive memories of the Africans' five-wicket victory over Australia at the inaugural World Twenty20 in Cape Town in 2007. However, Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, told reporters at Beausejour here on Thursday: "We're in pretty good shape but it's going to be a big game for us (against Pakistan)." Australia have plenty of fast bowling options too in Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson. "We've obviously got a good pace attack and we're going to use that in these conditions and in Barbados (where Australia play Bangladesh on Wednesday) as well," Hilditch said. "We think we're pretty well placed with spin bowling," the former Test batsman added. "Steve Smith did a really good job, we got good spin out of Michael Clarke and David Hussey and of course Nathan Hauritz. When the conditions are spin-friendly we've got the opportunity to play more spinners." Ryan Harris, due to arrive in St Lucia on Friday as a replacement for injured fast bowler Brett Lee, out of the tournament with a forearm strain, is unlikely to be thrown straight in against Pakistan. |
NZ aim to have Lankans in a spin
| Posted On : Friday, April 30, 2010 |
| PROVIDENCE, Guyana: Brendon McCullum’s prowess as a Twenty20 batsman is well known but older brother Nathan could also have an important role to play in the upcoming World Twenty20. The Black Caps open the competition against Sri Lanka here on Friday (today) and, with warm-up matches suggesting pitches will take spin, off-break bowler Nathan is set for some key overs in an attack where New Zealand captain and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has been the mainstay for several years now. McCullum was given the new ball in New Zealand’s 40-run warm-up win over Ireland here on Tuesday, reviving memories of Martin Crowe’s ploy of using off-spinner Dipak Patel at the start of the innings at the 1992 World Cup - a tactic that helped the Black Caps get to the last four of that event. Against Ireland, McCullum took three wickets for 25 runs and Vettori, who went wicketless, said: “Nathan McCullum was outstanding with the ball. On a wicket like that you’ve got to be inch perfect because it’s so slow.” The Black Caps’ pace attack is led by fast bowler Shane Bond and it won’t just be Kiwi fans who will be hoping the former policeman, whose career has been blighted by injuries, can come through this tournament unscathed. New Zealand headed to the Caribbean with fitness doubts over several senior players but batsman Jesse Ryder suggested he was over the groin strain that forced his withdrawal from the Indian Premier League with a brisk 64 against the Irish. Together with Brendon McCullum he forms an explosive opening partnership with McCullum posting an unbeaten 116, one short of Chris Gayle’s world record, when New Zealand beat Australia in a Twenty20 match in February. McCullum is one of the most dangerous batsmen around in this format and Vettori was in no doubt of his value to New Zealand. “McCullum at the top of the order is the real key. If he has a good tournament I think the team will fire.” Sri Lanka, last year’s losing finalists, appear to have one of the best balanced squads for this form of cricket with the pace of Lasith Malinga to the spin of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis posing problems for most batsmen. Tillakaratne Dilshan, player of the tournament in England in 2009 and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya are just two of the island nation’s batsmen capable of fast scoring. The Sri Lankans lost by five wickets to South Africa in a warm-up match on Wednesday but did not have their strongest side out in a clash that, in any event, went to the last over. Whether the fact that most of the squad have been taking part in the lucrative Indian Premier League will catch up with Sri Lanka, remains to be seen but conditions, at least, should hold no fears for a side who reached the final of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Former captain Mahela Jayawardene knows Sri Lanka, now led by the experienced and talented Kumar Sangakkara, could have had an easier opening fixture. “New Zealand has got a really good all-round team which can be totally devastating,” he said. To back him up, New Zealand beat West Indies by seven runs in their second warm-up on Wednesday. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
