WORLD T20: May 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

England humble Aussies to lift first ICC title

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Posted On : Sunday, May 16, 2010

BRIDGETOWN: England won a major limited overs international title for the first time in history when they defeated their arch rivals Australia by seven wickets in the final of the third World Twenty20 here at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 148 runs, England had little trouble in reaching the target as they got it in 17 overs for the loss of three wickets after putting Australia into bat.

Opener Craig Kieswetter top scored with 63 while Kevin Pietersen made 47 and both added 111 runs for the second wicket partnership after England lost Michel Lumb for only seven runs on the board.

Earlier, David Hussey struck an intelligent 59 as Australia clawed their way back from a dreadful start to make 147 for six.

Australia were in serious trouble at eight for three and made only 24 runs from the opening six over powerplay.

The stuttering start began when Shane Watson was caught by Graeme Swann at slip off Ryan Sidebottom after keeper Craig Kieswetter had spilled the ball.

Hard-hitting left-hander Dave Warner was run out after a hesitant call from skipper Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin was controversially ruled caught behind when replays showed Sidebottom's leg-side delivery brushed his hip.

After Clarke went, superbly caught by Paul Collingwood off the excellent Graeme Swann, Cameron White (30 off 21) and Hussey led the recovery with a 50-run partnership in 6.2 overs.

David Hussey had been dropped by Stuart Broad when on just 25 but Broad made amends by taking a fine catch to remove the dangerous White.

Mike Hussey, whose sensational 60 against Pakistan earned Australia their place in the final, joined his brother and the pair put on 47 from 22 balls to help take Australia, bidding for a unique treble of one-day titles, to a competitive score.

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British media lauds England victory at World T20

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Posted On : Monday, May 17, 2010

England's 'victory over the old enemy' at Twenty20

LONDON: British commentators on Monday savoured the England cricketers' "crushing victory over the old enemy" after they beat Australia in the World Twenty20.

England won their first major one-day title in a seven-wicket defeat of Australia in the final of the tournament Sunday, providing a pleasant surprise for Britain's cricket pundits.

"England gave one-day cricket to the world almost half a century ago and finally, after decades of international hurt, they have drawn a dividend from their invention," said the Times.

"They won their first ICC event with such ease that you had to wonder what took them so long."

The Daily Mail noted it had been "a ridiculously long wait for England's first one-day title since the World Cup."

"But they finally and gloriously lifted one at the 18th attempt yesterday with a crushing victory over the old enemy."

The Guardian hailed South African-born batsmen Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen, who starred for England.

The pair "had exposed how uncharacteristically timid the Australian batting had been, and all but sealed the match," said the paper.

England, chasing 148 to win, after reducing a previously unbeaten Australian side at this tournament to eight for three, saw Kieswetter (63) and Pietersen (47) put on 111 for the second wicket at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

As far as the Guardian was concerned, the win meant the team had finally arrived in the one-day game.

"Suddenly England feel like a force in international one-day cricket. Winning this tournament is a major achievement," it said.

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New British PM hails England Twenty20 win

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Posted On : Monday, May 17, 2010

LONDON: Britain's new Prime Minister David Cameron sent his congratulations to England's World Twenty20 winning team Monday.

Cameron said he hoped the seven-wicket victory over Australia in Barbados would be the "start of a great summer of sport for England", ahead of events including the football World Cup in South Africa, which starts in June.

"Congratulations to Paul Collingwood and the England Twenty20 team on becoming world champions for the first time with a magnificent victory over Australia," he said in comments relayed by his official spokesman.

"Let's hope this marks the start of a great summer of sport for England."

England cruised to victory with three overs to spare Sunday following a second-wicket stand of 111 between South African-born duo Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen.

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David Hussey stands firm against England

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Posted On : Monday, May 17, 2010

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: David Hussey’s 59 saw Australia to 147 for six against England in the World Twenty20 final after his side had collapsed to eight for three at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday.

Together with Cameron White, the only other batsman to get to 30, David Hussey — missed on 25 — put on fifty for the fifth wicket and then shared a stand of 47 with his brother.

David Hussey was run out in the last over, going for a second run, by Luke Wright’s throw from long-on to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, who made the early inroads, took two wickets for 26 runs from his maximum four overs and off-spinner Graeme Swann a miserly one for 17.

England had a sensational start after captain Paul Collingwood won the toss.

Sidebottom struck third ball when Shane Watson edged an intended cut, which was dropped by Kieswetter only for first slip Swann to hold the rebound.

Then two for one became seven for two when David Warner was run out having, like Watson, made just two.

Australia captain Michael Clarke pushed a good length Sidebottom ball to cover and set off for a single. Warner responded but was beaten by Michael Lumb’s direct hit.

The collapse continued when Brad Haddin (one) swung hard at a legside delivery from Sidebottom and was well caught by diving opposing gloveman Kieswetter. Australia, at the end of the six-over powerplay, were 24 for three.

Clarke was out for a run-a-ball 27 when, having chipped a flighted delivery from Swann, he was brilliantly caught by a diving Collingwood at short midwicket.

Australia had to wait until the 13th over for the first six of the innings, when David Hussey pulled left-arm spinner Michael Yardy high over midwicket.

White then struck a four, six and a four off successive balls as 21 runs came off the over.

In the 15th over, England missed a chance to dismiss David Hussey when the right-hander, on 25, skied Tim Bresnan high above mid-on only for a back-pedalling Stuart Broad to misjudge the chance.

However in the next over, Luke Wright’s first of the tournament, Broad, running back from cover point held an excellent catch to get rid of White and end a fifty stand to leave Australia 95 for five. White’s exit brought in Michael Hussey and he finished on 17 not out.

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Friday, May 14, 2010

Hussey the hero as Australia stun Pakistan

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Posted On : Saturday, May 15, 2010

GROS ISLET: Michael Hussey's latest rescue mission saw Australia beat defending champions Pakistan by three wickets with just a ball to spare to reach the World Twenty20 final here on Friday.

Set a huge 192 to win, Australia collapsed to 62 for four.

But, initially through Cameron White, who made 43, and Hussey's unbeaten 60, they recovered and will now face old rivals England in Sunday's final at Barbados's Kensington Oval.

Australia needed 18 to win off the last over, from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal. Mitchell Johnson took a single off the first ball and then Hussey took over.

The left-hander pulled Ajmal for six, struck him over long-on for six more, brought the scores level with a four and thumped another six for good measure as Australia finished on 197 for seven.

The man-of-the-match faced just 24 balls, but hit six sixes and three fours.

Brothers Kamran and Umar Akmal both scored fifties as Pakistan piled up 191 for six.

Opener Kamran's 50 and younger brother Umar's even more rapid 56 not out came against an Australia side, yet to lose at this tournament, which had thrashed them by 34 runs in a first round group match.

Australia, set a huge 192 to win, slumped to 23 for two.

Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who led the attack with three wickets for 35 runs, struck twice to remove Australia openers David Warner (nought) and Shane Watson (16).

And when wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal completed two neat stumpings off left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman and leg-spinner captain Shahid Afridi to dismiss Brad Haddin and captain Michael Clarke respectively, Australia were 62 for four inside nine overs.

David Hussey and White staged a brief revival before the former was caught and bowled by Rehman to leave his team 105 for five in the 13th over.

White though kept swinging away but when he drove an Aamer full toss straight to Mohammad Hafeez at long-off, to end a game innings of 43, featuring five sixes, Australia were 139 for six in the 17th over.

Australia though, thanks to Michael Hussey, kept going to seal a superb come-from-behind win.

Earlier, Warner was out second ball when he cut Aamer to Umar Akmal at backward point before Watson drove the bowler directly to Abdur Rehman at long-on.

Pakistan, sent in by Australia captain Michael Clarke after rain delayed the start, saw their innings start with a Dirk Nannes maiden.

But Kamran Akmal and left-hander Salman Butt (32) shared a first-wicket stand of 82 as Australia's pace trio of Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson failed to make an early breakthrough.

Pakistan then cashed in against Australia's second-string bowlers with all-rounder Watson's two overs costing 26 runs and leg-spinner Steven Smith conceding 23 from two.

Nannes's second over saw the match's first boundaries when Kamran Akmal, stepping away to leg, lofted him high over the covers. Next ball he drove straight down the ground for another four.

Smith's first over went for 15 runs, including a massive Kamran Akmal six.

The spinner was replaced by Watson but his first ball back was driven for another huge six by Kamran Akmal.

The keeper, giving himself room, then cover-drove the fifth ball for four and, off the last, cut the medium-pacer for another boundary to complete a fine fifty off just 32 balls with two sixes and six fours.

But he was out for 50 after Warner, running round from the extra-cover boundary, took a fine diving catch off Johnson.

Umar Akmal smashed Johnson for two enormous sixes, the second a crunching pull over midwicket that saw him to fifty in just 29 balls, with four sixes and two fours.

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Akmal Brothers set Australia huge target of 192

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Posted On : Friday, May 14, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: The Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, struck half-centuries as defending champions Pakistan set Australia an imposing 192 to win their World Twenty20 semi-final here on Friday.

The highest successful run chase in this tournament came on the same St Lucia ground when Sri Lanka eclipsed India's 163 in their final Super Eight game on Tuesday.

In an innings that began with a Dirk Nannes maiden, opener Kamran made exactly 50 before big-hitting younger brother Umar followed up with a blistering 56 not out as Pakistan Pakistan amassed a huge 191 for six to register the joint second highest total in this tournament..

Pakistan, sent in by Australia captain Michael Clarke after rain delayed the scheduled start and threatened to bring the Duckworth-Lewis system, thought to favour the side batting second, into play, made a fine start.

Kamran Akmal and left-hander Salman Butt (32) shared a first-wicket stand of 82 in 9.4 overs and then 19-year-old Umar Akmal lashed four sixes in his 56 from 35 balls.

At the end of the six-over powerplay, Pakistan were 40 without loss.

Kamran completed a fine fifty, his fifth at this level, off just 32 balls with two sixes and six fours. But he was out for exactly 50 after David Warner, running round from the extra-cover boundary, took a fine diving catch off Johnson.

At the halfway mark Pakistan were well-placed for a large total at 85 for one and it, seemed that, at the very least, this would now be a closer match than the first round group fixture between the side that Australia won by 34 runs on this ground.

After Butt was out, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and Khalid Latif both fell cheaply but it scarcely mattered as 106 runs came in the second 10 overs.

Umar Akmal smashed Johnson for two enormous sixes, the second a crunching pull over midwicket that saw him to fifty in just 32 balls.

Should no result at all be possible because of bad weather, Australia will be in the final as they have won more matches at the tournament than Pakistan.

Whoever wins this match will face England, who beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first semi-final, in Sunday's final in Barbados.

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Australia win toss and field against Pakistan

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Posted On : Friday, May 14, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Luci: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the World Twenty20 semi-final at the Beausejour Stadium here on Friday.

Australia were unchanged from the side that knocked hosts the West Indies out of the tournament with a six-wicket win here on Tuesday.

Defending champions Pakistan were also unchanged from the team that defeated South Africa by 11 runs, at Beausejour on Monday.

Rain delayed the scheduled 11am local time (1500GMT) toss by 40 minutes.

However, organisers have given themselves an additional two hours in which to complete this match, which means that not until approximately 1.30pm (1730GMT) will the fixture start being reduced from a 20 overs per side contest if the semi-final has not already started by then.

Should no result at all be possible because of bad weather, Australia will be in the final as they have won more matches at the tournament than Pakistan.

The teams have already met once in this competition, with Australia beating Pakistan by 34 runs in a first round group clash here on May 2.

Whoever wins this match will face England in Sunday's final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, after Paul Collingwood's side convincingly defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first semi-final at Beausejour here on Thursday.

Teams
Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Michael Clarke (captain), David Hussey, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi (captain), Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Khalid Latif Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman,
Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WI) and Ian Gould (ENG), TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

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Pak to take on Australia in T20 semi final today

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Posted On : Friday, May 14, 2010

SAINT LUCIA: The second semi final of T20 World Cup will be played between defending champion Pakistan and Australia today.

Geo Super will telecast this exciting encounter live from Saint Lucia for its viewers. The match will begin at 8:30 pm Pakistan Standard Time.

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England restrict Sri Lanka to 128-6

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: England made a fine start in the World Twenty20 semi-final as they held Sri Lanka to 128 for six at the Beausejour Stadium here on Thursday.

Only Angelo Mathews, with a maiden Twenty20 international fifty to follow his 46 in Sri Lanka's five-wicket win over India that saw the side into the last four, offered much resistance.

Mathews made 58 off 45 balls with a six and three fours before he was run out off the penultimate ball.

The next best score was 16, achieved by both captain Kumar Sangakkara, who won the toss, and Chamara Kapugedera.

Paceman Stuart Broad led the attack with two wickets for 21 runs off his four permitted overs.

Sri Lanka, last year's losing finalists, collapsed to 26 for three against England's pace trio of Tim Bresnan, Ryan Sidebottom and Broad.

Spinners Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy then ensured runs remained hard to come by with a combined eight overs that cost just 41 runs.

Sri Lanka were seven for one at the start of the second over when left-arm quick Sidebottom removed Sanath Jayasuriya for just one after the veteran fended outside off stump at a good length ball and edged straight to England captain Paul Collingwood at second slip.

New batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan on nine then miscued a hook off Bresnan and was well caught by a diving Luke Wright, running in from deep backward square leg, to leave Sri Lanka 20 for two at the end of the third over.

Sri Lanka's collapse continued when Broad, as Sidebottom had done, took a wicket first ball.

Mahela Jayawardene, the tournament's leading scorer with 302 runs, including a century against Zimbabwe, fell for just 10 when he edged a well pitched up ball outside off stump and was caught by wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Sangakkara couldn't break free, lofting off-spinner Swann to Kevin Pietersen, back in the side after returning from the birth of his son in London, running round from long-off as the ball held up in the breeze.

Now it was down to Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera, the batting stars against India, to see Sri Lanka to a competitive total.

Mathews drove Swann high over long-on for the only six of the innings and, next over, Kapudegera drove left-armer Yardy straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Boundaries though were becoming rare events as Broad and Sidebottom varied their pace, with the slow bouncer employed to good effect.

Kapugedera, whose last-ball six saw Sri Lanka beat India, holed out for 16 made off a slow 27 balls when he drove Broad straight to Bresnan at mid-off.

The winners of this match will play either defending champions Pakistan or Australia, who meet here on Friday, in Sunday's final in Barbados.

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Umar Akmal doubtful for semi-final

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

ST LUCIA: Young Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal has become unfit and his appearance in tomorrow’s semi-final against Australia is looking doubtful.

Geo News reporter Abdul Majid Bhatti, present in St Lucia, said that Umar Akmal after having back pain was taken to a local hospital where he will be going through an MRI test.

The final decision on his inclusion in the team for the semi-final will depend on his MRI report.

Meanwhile, Pakistan under-19 batsman Hammad Azam may be given T20 international cap in the semi-final if Umar Akmal does not

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England into World Twenty20 final

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: England beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets at the Beausejour Stadium here on Thursday to reach the World Twenty20 final.

England will now play either defending champions Pakistan or Australia, who meet here in Friday's second semi-final, in Sunday's final at Barbados's Kensington Oval.

After restricting Sri Lanka to 128-6, England achieved the easy target of 129 runs in just 16 overs.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 128-6, 20 overs (A Mathews 58)
England 132-3, 16 overs

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England restrict Sri Lanka to 128-6

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

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1st semi-final: Sri Lanka win toss, bat against England

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat against England in the first semi-final of the World Twenty20 here at the Beausejour Stadium on Thursday.

England made one change to the side that beat New Zealand by three wickets here on Monday to cement their place in the last four.

Star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who missed that match to attend the birth of his son in London, replaced stand-in Ravi Bopara.

Sri Lanka, last year's losing finalists, made one change from the team that knocked India out of the tournament in a five-wicket win here on Tuesday, with spinner Ajantha Mendis replacing seamer Thilan Thushara.

This match was the first time the teams had met in this tournament.

Defending champions Pakistan play Australia in Friday's second semi-final, also at Beausejour, with the final taking place at Barbados's Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Teams
England: Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (captain), Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Michael Yardy, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Simon Taufel (AUS), TV umpire: Steve Davis (AUS)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS).

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Sri Lanka aim to end KP’s fairytale

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

GROS ISLET, St Lucia: Kevin Pietersen will be hell-bent to ensure that the first game his newborn son witnesses has the KP trademark stamped on it. The out lander has single-handedly taken England to the semifinals and after missing the last game, he will be back to take the juggernaut further in the ICC World T20 Championships.

The England master blaster will be up against a buoyant Sri Lankan outfit, who blighted India ruthlessly in their previous game.

Kumar Sangakkara’s men have been one of the most impressive sides in the tournament and barring their match against Australia, have played the perfect game.

Their batting has been outstanding with the classy Mahela Jayawardene leading the pack. Jayawardene’s sublime form coupled with players like Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera makes them a formidable batting unit.

The slow St Lucia pitch will suit Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers. Though Muttiah Muralitharan will be missed, young Suraj Randiv has risen in the ranks and is making giant strides. Randiv troubled the Aussies and will be one of the key players England have to watch out for on Thursday. He will also be crucial in Keeping the in-form Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright in check during the middle overs.

To tackle Sri Lanka’s batting, England will turn to tweakers Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy, who have been terrific so far. But against strong players of spin like Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan, this will be the duo’s toughest test.

England’s most experienced bowler Ryan Sidebottom will have the responsibility of taking care of Jayawardene and Co. early in the innings. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would look to take early control by picking on Sidebottom.

Another lip-smacking contest will be between Pietersen and Lasith Malinga. Pietersen annihilated Dale Steyn and he will target Malinga as well to break the back of the Lankan bowling. The Lankan spearhead will look to send the champion batsman as soon as possible, in view of the destruction he caused against South Africa in a short span of time. Sangakkara has to be careful in rotating bowlers with Pietersen in the middle as apart from Malinga, they lack experience and Pietersen can make them bleed.

But for England it has not only been about Pietersen. Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter have finally sorted out England’s batting woes while Morgan and Wright have been the perfect finishers for them. Morgan has already won them two games on his own and is the ideal man to take over from Pietersen. Paul Collingwood’s low scores will be a worry but count the England skipper to come good in a crunch rubber.

The game promises to be a cracker with strong Lankans taking on a side that has suddenly found new vigour. It will be a battle of aggression against wit when Pietersen’s flamboyance clashes with Sangakkara’s acumen.

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Format experience fails to save India

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Posted On : Thursday, May 13, 2010

GROS ISLET: India has the money, the power and the experience in Twenty20 cricket but none of that could save them from a painful exit from the World Twenty20 after three defeats in the Super Eight stage.
After losses to Australia and West Indies left them with a slim chance of progress to the last four, India suffered a last-ball defeat to Sri Lanka on Tuesday that will add to the criticism they are likely to face on their return home to their cricket-mad country.
“We get appreciation and we get criticism, they are the two far ends and it is not something they haven’t seen. We have gone through a lot... we all know what is expected,” said Dhoni, who expected to receive some of the sharpest criticism himself.
“As captain you are always under pressure. I think it’s the responsibility of the captain to explain why the team didn’t do well because he’s the face of the team.
“He gets the credit when he goes well and he also gets the criticism. It shouldn’t reach into your private life but we are living in a country where cricket is a big sport and each time we go out we are expected to win.”
Those expectations had been raised even further by the success of the Indian Premier League with many predicting dominance for the Indians on the international stage — even without their top batsman Sachin Tendulkar who does not play internationally in the shortest version.
That optimism proved wishful thinking, while the IPL is played on flat wickets with big-hitting batsmen facing largely mediocre bowlers, at the international level it is a very different game.
In Barbados, India succumbed to the pace bowling of Australia and West Indies on a bouncy surface with the short ball being an old weakness of Indian players and one that Dhoni had little remedy for.
“I think most of us have that problem we come from a place where we don’t have bowlers bowling 145-150 (kph) plus and we don’t have wickets that bounce a lot.
“We are good players of spin bowling and that’s our strength. You shouldn’t be that ashamed of saying we don’t play short pitched bowling that well, especially in a format like this where you have 20 overs and you have to play your shots.
“I think we can always improve, but if we have a problem, we have a problem.”
Dhoni was similarly fatalistic when asked to analyse where his team had gone wrong in the Caribbean.
“We are not performing to our potential that’s for sure, apart from that I can’t really say much, we certainly didn’t come here to loss games that’s for certain.
“We gave 100 percent. At the end of the day we are the losing side, nothing much can be done because this is the best 15 you can get in India when it comes to the format.
“The boys have given what they can, they are practicing very well, preparing very well at the end of the day if you are outplayed and the opposition plays really well there is nothing much you can really do.”

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Media lashes pathetic India after T20 exit

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

NEW DELHI: India media lashed the team on Wednesday after their early exit from the World Twenty20, blaming captain Mahendra Sindh Dhoni whereas Indian supporters in Saint Lucia said that cricketers are interested more in outings and picnics instead of game.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men failed to qualify for the semi-finals after a five-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka on Tuesday, their third successive loss in the Super Eights round.

India, who won the title in 2007, failed to win a Super Eights match in the last two editions despite being the world's top-ranked side in Test cricket and number two in the 50-overs game.

Pakistan’s entry into semifinal is also one of the major reason of Indian media and India team’s disappointment.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Pak cricket lovers see T20 Cup home again

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

KARACHI: Cricket lovers across the country have expressed confidence that Pakistan team will win the T20 World Cup.

According to a survey,56 percent Pakistanis showed confidence that Pakistan will lift the cup,26 percent are least optimistic whereas 11 percent think team will not capable enough for wining the title.

Forty-five percent Pakistanis termed Pakistan as favorite for the victory in the final, 20 percent backed Australia whereas only seven and five percent favoured India and South Africa respectively.

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Australia humble Windies as hosts bow out

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Australia knocked hosts the West Indies out of the World Twenty20 and kept alive the possibility of an Anglo-Australian final with a dominating six-wicket win here on Tuesday.

West Indies, in a match they had to win by 24 runs to reach the semi-finals were bowled out for just 105 at the Beausejour Stadium.

Australia, in reply, lost two wickets on 31. But Brad Haddin (42) saw Australia to the verge of victory before he got out with two runs needed to West Indies captain Chris Gayle.

The occasional off-spinner then ended the match with a ball that went for five wides, a delivery that summed up his team's performance on the day.

Australia, who finished on 109 for four, won with 22 balls to spare.

Their win ensured Sri Lanka, last year's losing finalists, also went through to the semi-finals as Group F runners-up.

England will play Sri Lanka, who earlier Tuesday knocked out India with a five-wicket win, in the first semi-final here on Thursday.

The second semi-final will see Australia playing defending champions Pakistan, also at Beausejour, on Friday.

The final takes place at Barbados's Kensington Oval on Sunday.

West Indies, who saw Gayle win the toss, suffered a dramatic collapse.

From the relative safety of 52 for two, they lost their next five wickets for 25 runs as they slumped to 77 for five.

Only Ramnaresh Sarwan (26) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) made it past 20.

Australia leg-spinner Steven Smith, the man-of-the-match, took two wickets in two balls on his way to figures of three wickets for 20 runs as West Indies failed to sparkle under the Beausejour floodlights.

West Indies' star batsman Gayle was out second ball, clean bowled by left-arm quick Dirk Nannes, the tournament's leading wicket-taker.

Then the experienced Chanderpaul, having flicked Mitchell Johnson's second and fifth balls for four was out to the left-arm quick's sixth.

The left-handed batsman launched Johnson high over the bowler's head but didn't quite time his shot and David Hussey, running back from mid-on, took a superbly judged catch.

The slump really took hold in unlucky fashion when all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (six) was run out, backing up, after Johnson touched a Sarwan drive onto the stumps at the bowler's end.

Smith then got in on the act as recalled batsman Narsingh Deonarine holed out for a duck, caught by Michael Hussey at deep midwicket.

And he followed up with two wickets in two balls.

Kieron Pollard (13) tried to work the ball legside but was beaten by the turn and wicketkeeper Haddin completed a neat stumping.

Next ball Darren Sammy, in front of his St Lucia home crowd, chipped a simple return catch back to Smith. Jerome Taylor survived the hat-trick.

Sarwan, the last of the specialist batsmen, tried to clear long-off but simply holed out off part-time spinner David Hussey to David Warner.

In reply, Warner made a typically brisk 25 off 12 balls before he edged paceman Taylor to Gayle at slip.

And next ball 31 for one became 31 for two when Watson gloved an intended sweep off left-arm spinner Benn onto his stumps.

Clarke helped Haddin add 47 for the third wicket before he was brilliantly run out by Bravo, after an athletic stop and direct hit from short third man. But that was an all too rare highlight for the West Indies.

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Smith tips Australia as South Africa ponder changes

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, St Lucia: South Africa captain Graeme Smith said Australia were the favourites for the World Twenty20 title after his own side crashed out before the semifinal stage.

An 11-run defeat by defending champions Pakistan here on Monday sealed the Proteas’ fate after South Africa had lost by 39 runs to England in the second round Super Eights phase in Barbados last weekend.

“I think Australia are playing the most dominant cricket, they have beaten teams comprehensively throughout this tournament,” said Smith.

“England played positive cricket against us, if they can maintain that level of play I think they are probably the one team left that can challenge Australia’s pace attack,” the left-handed opening batsman added.

Turning to South Africa, Smith said a lack of preparation as a side was behind their failure to match their unbeaten run to the semi-finals in the 2009 World Twenty20 in England.

“Going into that tournament last year we had played a lot together as a team, we were coming off one of our most successful seasons and the confidence in the group was good, players were playing well, everyone knew their role,” Smith also told reporters.

“Here we have come out of eight weeks of not being together and haven’t really gelled in terms of performing our roles and the confidence doesn’t seem to be there.

“We seem to string one discipline together every game, not all three. Maybe it needs to be looked at in terms of the player group and maybe (we need) some fresh faces, some new energy... that’s something the selectors need to decide,” he added.

“The team is more important than any individual really and it is about getting the right players involved to be successful.

“On paper, South Africa had a powerful batting line-up at this tournament, including Smith himself, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel.

But only de Villiers (53) made much of an impression against Pakistan as South Africa were stymied by spin.

“Ultimately we kept losing wickets throughout and never found any flow or momentum to our innings, we never really changed the momentum at any stage,” Smith said.

“I think it’s a bit of a confidence game, if you can get a good score under your belt early on and get that confidence it allows you to play with some freedom.

“There is no real pattern in some games. Australia get off to flyers then yesterday (Sunday) they were four or five down and still posted 170 (against Sri Lanka),” he explained.

“It is the same with other teams, one day the top order comes off and then the other game the middle order posts the total.

“It’s about having a group of players with confidence that really believe and know the game very well and know their strengths, those teams that have been successful are doing that.”

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‘England ready for anyone’

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, St Lucia: England may well have avoided Australia in the semifinals of the World Twenty20 but captain Paul Collingwood is unconcerned who his side play in the last four.

Collingwood’s men beat New Zealand by three wickets on Monday to top their Super Eights group with a perfect played three, won three record.

Former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66 for four in the absence of star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was back home for the birth of his first child, a boy, which took place on Monday.

Meanwhile, Tim Bresnan chipped in with a solid all-round display.

Pietersen, who made fifties in England’s preceding wins over both Pakistan and South Africa, is due back in the Caribbean in time for Thursday’s (tomorrow) semifinal, also in St Lucia, where England will be up against the runners-up in Group F.

That’s unlikely to be Australia who seem set to top that pool.

England have never won a major international one-day competition and the last of their three losing World Cup final appearances was in 1992.

“We all know we haven’t won an ICC trophy,” Collingwood said. “In the semis, and if we get through to the final, I won’t be bothered who we’re playing.

“Winning would be an exceptional effort.”

Few backed England to get to the last four, given their recent record in one-day events, and Collingwood said: “I’m just absolutely delighted to get through to the semis. Who we play doesn’t really matter.

“All the teams that are in the semis now are very, very strong and we’ve got to keep this belief and momentum going.

“We’ve got two games and we could win a World Cup. The confidence is sky high and we’re all very excited to be in this position.”

As for winning without Pietersen, Collingwood added: “If we want to go all the way it’s going to take a team effort.

“We’ll all have to put our hands up at certain points.

“With Swanny (Graeme Swann) and Broady (Stuart Broad) coming in (to bat), even after Bresy (Bresnan), we’ve got a really strong line up.

“A special mention has to go to the two guys up front, Craig (Kieswetter) and Michael (Lumb) too, for the way they’re taking the game to the opposition and giving us that real kickstart.

“That really does take the pressure off the middle order.”

Even so, Collingwood was still looking forward to welcoming Pietersen back into the squad.

“It’s perfect timing in many ways,” he said. “I’m delighted for him. Everybody’s healthy so it’s fantastic. The great thing for the England cricket team is that he’s going to be back for the semifinals.”

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Australia, Sri Lanka reach semi-finals

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Australia and Sri Lanka both qualified for the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 after Australia beat the West Indies by six wickets in a Super Eights match here on Tuesday, a result that knocked the hosts out of the tournament.

Group E winners England will face Sri Lanka, the Group F runners-up at the Beausejour Stadium here on Thursday.

Meanwhile Group F winners Australia will play Group E runners-up and defending champions Pakistan at the same ground here on Friday.

The World Twenty20 final takes place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Sunday.

Brief scores
West Indies 105, 19 overs (S Smith 3-20)
Australia, 109-4, 16.2 overs
Australia won by six wickets

Remaining Fixtures
Thu May 13
1st Semi-Final - England v Sri Lanka
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Fri May 14
2nd Semi-Final - Australia v Pakistan
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Sun May 16
Final - TBC v TBC
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

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Sri Lanka eliminate India from World T20

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Sri Lanka beat India by five wickets in a World Twenty20 Super Eights match here on Tuesday, a defeat that knocked India out of the tournament before the semi-final stage.

Sri Lanka, who have two victories in Group F, will go through to the semi-finals if Australia beat West Indies later on Tuesday.

India made a challenging total of 163 with Suresh Raina hitting a sparkling 63 after winning the toss but Sri Lanka timed their run chase perfectly.

Chasing a rather difficult target of 164, Sri Lanka needed three runs from the final ball when Chamara Kapugedara hit a huge six off Ashish Nehra to achieve a marvelous victory.

Kapugedara smashed an unbeaten 37 from only 16 balls with three towering sixes after captain Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews made 46 each and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 33. Sangakkara and Mathewshit three and two sixes, respectively.

For India, debutant pacer Vinay Kumar claimed two wickets for 30 runs.

Earlier, Suraish Raina hammered 63 from 47 balls with seven fours and a six while opener Gautam Gambhir made 41 off 32 balls.

Among others, captain Mahendra Dhoni remained not out on 23 while opener Dinesh Karthik and Yousuf Pathan made 13 each. Yuvraj Singh could score only one run.

For Sri Lanka, fast bowler Lasith Malinga and Thilan Thushara claimed two wickets each while Thissara Perera took one wicket.

India made three changes from the side that lost to the West Indies by 14 runs in Barbados on Sunday. They brought in opening batsman Dinesh Karthik for Vijay Murali, Vinay Kumar for fellow quick Zaheer Khan and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla for left-arm slow bowler Ravindra Jadeja.

Sri Lanka also altered the line-up that suffered a heavy 81-run defeat by Australia in Barbados last weekend. Spinner Ajantha Mendis, batsman Dinesh Chandimal and pace bowler Chanaka Welegedara have been replaced by left-arm quicks Thissara Perera and Thilan Thushara as well as seamer Chinthaka Jayasinghe.

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Aussies bowl Windies out for 105

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: West Indies were on the verge of being eliminated from the World Twenty20 after they were bowled out for just 105 by Australia in their final Super Eights match here on Tuesday.

In a match they had to win by 24 runs to deny Sri Lanka a place in the semi-finals and so join Group F leaders Australia in the last four, the hosts suffered a dramatic collapse as they failed to bat out their 20 overs

From the relative safety of 52 for two, the West Indies lost their next five wickets for 25 runs as they slumped to 77 for five.

Only Ramnaresh Sarwan (26) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) made it past 20.

Australia leg-spinner Steven Smith took two wickets in two balls on his way to figures of three wickets for 20 runs as West Indies failed to sparkle under the Beausejour floodlights.

But having been 85 for nine, the West Indies did at least avoid the embarrassment of being bowled out for under a hundred thanks to a six from Sulieman Benn off Shane Watson.

But Watson bowled Benn (10) to end a last-wicket stand of 20 as the innings finished with an over to spare. Nikita Miller was 10 not out.

West Indies saw captain Chris Gayle out second ball after he'd won the toss.

Having struck the first legal ball of the innings from Dirk Nannes, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, for a four straight past the bowler, Gayle was bowled second ball by a delivery that jagged back off the seam.

Then Chanderpaul, having flicked Mitchell Johnson's second and fifth balls for four was out to the left-arm quick's sixth.

The left-handed batsman launched Johnson high over the bowler's head but didn't quite time his shot and David Hussey, running back from mid-on, took a superbly judged catch.

The slump really took hold started in unlucky fashion when all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (six) was run out, backing up, after Johnson touched a Sarwan drive onto the stumps at the bowler's end.

Smith then got in on the act as recalled batsman Narsingh Deonarine holed out for a duck, caught by Michael Hussey at deep midwicket.

Denesh Ramdin (one) then edged Johnson through to opposing wicketkeeper Brad Haddin before Smith struck twice in two balls in the 13th over.

Kieron Pollard (13) tried to work the ball legside but was beaten by the turn and Haddin completed a neat stumping.

Next ball Darren Sammy, in front of his St Lucia home crowd, chipped a simple return catch back to Smith.

Jerome Taylor survived the hat-trick but, at 77 for seven, the West Indies's semi-final hopes had all but disappeared.

Sarwan, the last of the specialist batsmen, tried to clear long-off but simply holed out off part-time spinner David Hussey to David Warner.

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Australia humble Windies as hosts bow out

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Posted On : Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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Two important matches in T20 WC today

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Posted On : Tuesday, May 11, 2010

ST. LUCIA: Two highly important matches would be played in Super Eight phase of Twenty20 World Cup at Gros Islet, Geo News reported Tuesday.

First face-off is set between India and Sri Lanka and in the second one, Australia will clash with West Indies.

Today’s matches are crucial for Sri Lanka, India and West Indies, as Australia is all but through to the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 semi-finals, having won two games in the Super Eight stage against India and Sri Lanka. What makes it even more interesting is that the side has won both the games with huge margins and that means that there is not much that can be done to stop them.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka needs to beat India to qualify for the semi-finals, especially given that West Indies will not only have to beat the Aussies in the last game but also by a good margin at that; something that looks almost impossible at this stage.

However, if Sri Lanka lose to India, they will need to first ensure that they lose by less than 20 runs or with less than 15 balls to spare. This way they will maintain their net run-rate over India. They, then have to hope that West Indies lose to Australia.

India not only need to beat Sri Lanka, but also by a margin of 21 runs or more and then hope that Australia beats West Indies.

The other semifinalists will be decided today. West Indies, Sri Lanka and India will need a victory and some permutations and combination on net run rate to qualify for the semis.

Geo Super will live telecast both the matches.

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Pakistan reach semis as England send Kiwis home

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Posted On : Tuesday, May 11, 2010

GROS ISLET: England proved there was more to their batting than Kevin Pietersen as they knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket win here on Monday.

Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66 for four at the Beausejour Stadium.

But, together with Luke Wright, who made 24, the former Ireland left-hander swung the game back England's way in a stand of 52 in just more than six overs.

Morgan got out just before the finish but man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan, unbeaten on 23 after taking one wicket for 20, finished the contest with five balls to spare when he pulled Kyle Mills for four.

England, already through to the semi-finals before this final Group E match even started, after defending champions Pakistan beat South Africa earlier in the day, ended the Super Eights with a perfect played three won three record.

They will now face the runners-up in Group F in the first semi-final here on Thursday.

England's victory also meant Pakistan went through as the second qualifier out of the group for the semi-finals as they edged New Zealand on superior run-rate.

England had won their previous matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the back of Pietersen fifties.

But they had to do without their star batsman after Pietersen, who expects to be back for the semi-finals, was given temporary leave to attend the birth of his first child, a boy, which took place in London on Monday.

England made a rousing start to their run chase with Craig Kieswetter, like Pietersen and Michael Lumb born in South Africa, launching Nathan McCullum's off-spin for a four and a huge six in successive balls as 13 runs came off the first over.

But England then lost Kieswetter when the wicketkeeper struck Kyle Mills hard but straight to Nathan McCullum at cover-point.

Lumb on drove the express pace of Shane Bond for a huge six and twice swept the left-arm spin of New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori for four.

Ravi Bopara, Pietersen's stand-in, made just nine before he was well caught in the covers by Ross Taylor off all-rounder Scott Styris for nine.

The 60 for two became 60 for three when Lumb was plumb lbw for 32, made off 21 balls with a six and four fours, after he missed a sweep against Vettori.

England's collapse continued to 66 for four when captain Paul Collingwood managed just three before he was deceived by a Styris slower ball and clipped straight to Brendon McCullum at midwicket.

However, Morgan struck an amazing one-handed six off Styris and Wright crashed a couple of boundaries off fast bowler Ian Butler.

Morgan's 34-ball innings ended when he pulled Bond and Vettori took a fine diving catch but it was too little too late for New Zealand.

Earlier Ross Taylor top-scored for New Zealand with 44 and put on 62 for the fourth wicket with Styris (31) after the Black Caps slumped to 65 for three.

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Monday, May 10, 2010

Pakistan reach semis as England send Kiwis home

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Posted On : Tuesday, May 11, 2010

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England knock out Kiwis, lucky Pakistan into semis

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Posted On : Tuesday, May 11, 2010

GROS ISLET: England knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket Super Eights win here on Monday, a result that ensured defending champions lucky Pakistan also qualified for the semi-finals.

Group E winners England were already through to the last four following Pakistan's victory over South Africa earlier on Monday.

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Pakistan knock Proteas out of World T20

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Posted On : Monday, May 10, 2010

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Defending champions Pakistan knocked South Africa out of the World Twenty20 with an 11-run Super Eights win at the Beausejour Stadium here on Monday.

The victory kept Pakistan’s own qualification hopes alive. The result meant England, who have won both opening Super Eight games, would qualify for the semi-finals regardless of the outcome of their final match against New Zealand later here on
Monday.

But, in order for Pakistan to progress to the last four, they have to hope England beat New Zealand by a sufficiently wide margin to go through on net run-rate.

New Zealand, also on two points, will go through with a win over England. Their victory would send them into the knockout stages.

Pakistan and South Africa both have two points from three matches but Pakistan have a superior run-rate.

Umar Akmal struck 51 from 33 balls as Pakistan recovered from a poor start to make 148 for seven.

In reply, South Africa were only 56 for three after 10 overs but a spirited 53 off 41 balls from AB de Villiers gave them a fighting chance which they were unable to make the most of as Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal took four wickets.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 148-7, 20 overs (U Akmal 51; C Langeveldt 4-19)
South Africa 137-7, 20 overs (AB de Villiers 53; S Ajmal 4-26)

Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs.

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Umar leads Pakistan recovery against South Africa

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Posted On : Monday, May 10, 2010

GROS ISLET: Umar Akmal struck 51 from 33 balls as Pakistan recovered from a poor start to make 148 for seven after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in their World Twenty20 game on Monday.

On a slow track, Pakistan struggled throughout the 'power play' overs stumbling to 19 for three at the end of the six overs of field restrictions.

Umar and his brother Kamran Akmal (32) then put on a 51-run partnership that got Pakistan's momentum going.

After Kamran departed, skipper Shahid Afridi (30 from 18) contributed to a 61-run partnership in just 5.3 overs.

For South Africa, Charl Langeveldt made the important breakthroughs taking 4-19 from his four overs.

The defending champions made one change from the side beaten by one run by New Zealand in Barbados on Saturday, with spin-bowling all-rounder Khalid Latif replacing fast bowler Mohammad Sami.

South Africa, who lost by 39 runs to England in Barbados on Saturday, also made one change with left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe replacing fast bowler Morne Morkel.

Pakistan have lost their opening two games in the three-match Super Eight stage while South Africa have one victory giving them two points and a chance to make the
semi-finals with a win.

Pakistan had to win this match to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals, although they also needed England beat New Zealand in the final Group E match later here on Monday.

Victory for South Africa would guarantee England's place in the semi-finals but leave the Proteas needing England to beat New Zealand to advance into the last four.

If New Zealand win, South Africa would most likely be out, unless they beat Pakistan by a huge margin and New Zealand only win narrowly.

Teams
Pakistan:Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi (captain), Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Khalid Latif Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher (wkt), Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Roelof van der Merwe, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt.

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Sunday, May 9, 2010

White the hero as Australia crush Sri Lanka

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Posted On : Sunday, May 09, 2010

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Cameron White gave Australia the chance to inflict a mammoth 81-run defeat upon Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 Super Eights at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 87, with more than three overs to spare, in reply to Australia's 168 for five from their full 20 overs.

But Australia themselves collapsed to 30 for four and 67 for five before White, who made an unbeaten 85, and Michael Hussey (39 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 101 that changed the course of the game.

Sri Lanka opener Mahela Jayawardene's previous scores this tournament were 81, 101 and 98 not out.

But his dismissal by fast bowler Dirk Nannes, this event's leading wicket-taker, for just nine sparked a dramatic collapse.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) and Dinesh Chandimal (19) were the only Sri Lankan batsmen to make double figure scores.

Victory left Australia firmly in charge of Group F and only an extraordinary combination of results in St Lucia on Tuesday will deny them a semi-final spot.

Australia
S. Watson b Mathews 1
D. Warner c Jayawardene b Randiv 9
B. Haddin c Jayasuriya b Mathews 15
M. Clarke b Randiv 14
D. Hussey st Sangakkara b Randiv 0
C. White not out 85
M. Hussey not out 39

Extras (lb2, w1, nb2) 5

Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 168

Did not bat: S Smith, M Johnson, S Tait, D Nannes

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Watson), 2-20 (Haddin), 3-30 (Warner), 4-30 (D Hussey), 5-67 (Clarke)

Bowling: Mathews 4-0-24-2; Welegedara 4-0-40-0 (1nb, 1w); Randiv 4-0-20-3; Malinga 4-0-40-0; Mendis 4-0-42-0 (1nb)

Sri Lanka
M. Jayawardene v Smith b Nannes 9
S. Jayasuriya lbw b Nannes 5
K. Sangakkara c Haddin b Tait 2
T. Dilshan c White b Johnson 20
A. Mathews c M Hussey b Johnson 8
D. Chandimal st Haddin b Smith 19
C. Kapugedera b Smith 12
S. Randiv run out (Nannes) 2
L. Malinga c Smith b Clarke 1
A. Mendis b Johnson 1
C. Welegedara not out 2

Extras (lb2, w4) 6

Total (all out, 16.2 overs) 87

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Jayawardene), 2-18 (Sangakkara), 3-26 (Jayasuriya), 4-48 (Dilshan), 5-49 (Mathews), 6-73 (Kapugedera), 7-83 (Randiv), 8-83 (Chandimal), 9-84 (Malinga), 10-87 (Mendis)

Bowling: Nannes 3-0-19-2; Tait 2-0-10-1 (2w); Watson 3-0-27-0; Johnson 3.2-0-15-3 (1w); Smith 4-1-12-2 (1w); Clarke 1-0-2-1

Toss: Australia
Result: Australia won by 81 runs
Man-of-the-match: Cameron White (AUS)
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Rudi Koertzen (RSA)
TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (WIS)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

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Gayle leads Windies to 14-run win over India

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Posted On : Sunday, May 09, 2010

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck a powerful 98 to lead his team to a 14 run victory over India in the Twenty20 World Cup in front of a wildly
celebrating home crowd on Sunday.

The win means West Indies can reach the semi-finals with victory over Australia on Tuesday but leaves India facing almost certain elimination after their second loss in the Super Eight stage.

Gayle produced a combination of prudency and power and his 66-ball knock only ended when he was run out in the final over of the innings, two short of what would have been his second century in a Twenty20 international.

The total of 169 for six was a challenging one and India were never up with the run-rate despite a good knock of 32 from Suresh Raina and an aggressive 29 from 18 balls from skipper M.S Dhoni.

Despite a passionate crowd roaring them on, West Indies suffered some late nerves when Kemar Roach bowled four wides and a no ball in the penultimate over.

But Dwayne Bravo kept his cool in the last over to set the horns hooting and the fists pumping in the stands.

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Gayle powers West Indies to 169

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Posted On : Sunday, May 09, 2010

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck a powerful 98 off 66 balls against India to lead his team to 169 for six in the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.

Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted with caution in the early stages on a dampish wicket that was turning but they went on to make an opening partnership of 80 before the latter went in the 12th over for 23.

Darren Sammy (19) and Kieron Pollard (17) made useful contributions in support of Gayle, who struck seven sixes and was run out in the final over, two short of what would have been his second century in a Twenty20 international.

Earlier, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to field against hosts West Indies in their second match in the World Twenty20 Super Eights here at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.

India were unchanged but West Indies have brought Denesh Ramdin in to replace fellow wicketkeeper/batsman Andre Fletcher.

Both teams are looking to recover from defeats in their opening matches in the Super Eights.

India crashed to a 49-run defeat to Australia last Friday, and on the same day, West Indies slumped to a 57-run loss to Sri Lanka.

Teams:
West Indies: Chris Gayle (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Wavell Hinds, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach, Sulieman Benn.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Vijay Murali, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Patham, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra

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Two crucial matches in Super8 today

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Posted On : Sunday, May 09, 2010

BRIDGETOWN: Two crucial matches are being played in Super Eight of Twenty20 World Cup today, Geo News reported Sunday.

The first match is set between two teams India and West Indies, that is do or die clash for both. After an inept fielding display, in which five chances went a-begging in Friday's loss to Sri Lanka, West Indies' semi-final hopes could hinge on the outcome of Sunday's Super Eight game against India.

West Indies succumbed to Sri Lanka by 57 runs on Friday, while India lost by 24 runs to Australia.

A loss for either team on Sunday could end their sojourn in the tournament, depending on the outcome of the group's other game between Australia and Sri Lanka.

West Indies Captain Chris Gayle says even though India has struggled with pace in past games, he is wary of relying too much on fast-bowlers.

"We can use the short ball but at the same time we have to be careful because it is a small ground and they have quality batters who can make adjustments. But it's certainly something we will put into our plans," Gayle said.

Gayle says the stakes make the game a much more interesting contest.

The second face-off is set between two teams that finished off their opponents rather ruthlessly in their opening Super Eight matches. The match between the two team could turn out to be a crucial clash for a place in the semi-finals of the third ICC World Twenty20 tournament when Sri Lanka meets Australia at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.

The winning team in today’s contest is assured of a place in the last four unless three of the four teams end with an equal number of points. Sri Lanka who swept aside West Indies by 57 runs on Friday is fully focused on what they have to achieve to earn a second successive semi-finals place in the World Twenty20 tournament having ended as finalist last year. In the other Group F game Australia demolished former champions India by 49 runs.

Sri Lanka’s performance was described as ‘clinically efficient’ by man-of-the-match Mahela Jayawardene whose unbeaten innings of 98 off 58 balls and his record second wicket stand of 166 with his captain Kumar Sangakkara (68 off 49 balls) formed the basis for their match-winning total of 195-3.

Their partnership was the highest for any wicket in an ICC World T20 tournament and the highest for the second wicket in a Twenty20 International.

“In the last two games we were not clinical in certain departments but today our fielding was much better so were the bowling areas and, we batted to a plan,” said Jayawardene.

“In a T20 format you have to get you’re all round game. The fewer mistakes you make the better for you because it is very difficult to come back into a game. It’s a short format and we don’t have many games. We have to make sure we get into some sort of a momentum. Hopefully we can continue to do that and execute the game plan.”

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Pak T20 survival chances grow slimmer

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Posted On : Sunday, May 09, 2010

BRIDGETOWN: Defending champions Pakistan were on the brink of elimination from the World Twenty20 after losing to New Zealand by just one run in a thrilling Super Eights match here on Saturday.

The chances of Pakistan survival in the event grew thinner, as it hinges on some ifs, as Pakistan could win only one match against Bangladesh.

Victory for South Africa over England in Saturday's other Group E match at the Kensington Oval would mean Pakistan no longer had a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Recalled New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler took an impressive three wickets for 19 runs as opener Salman Butt, who finished on 67 not out, so nearly saw Pakistan to victory after a top-order collapse.

Pakistan, chasing 134 to win, finished on 132 for seven in reply to the 133 for seven New Zealand made after losing the toss.

The title-holders began the final over, bowled by Butler, needing 11 to win.

Left-hander Butt couldn't make contact with the first ball but slashed the second down to third man for four.

He also missed the third delivery before crashing the fourth through point for another boundary.

Off the fifth ball, Pakistan ran a bye and that left Abdur Rehman, who'd earlier taken two wickets for just 19 runs in his first Twenty20 international for nearly three years, on strike with two needed off the final ball.

Rehman, also a left-hander, made good contact as he swung at a legside delivery from Butler but the ball flew straight to Martin Guptill to spark joyous celebrations amongst the New Zealand team.

The Black Caps, who lost their opening Super Eights match to South Africa as Pakistan went down to England, needed a victory every bit as much as the title-holders to revive their hopes of a semi-final spot.

Pakistan collapsed to 25 for three in the face of hostile fast bowling from Shane Bond and the recalled Kyle Mills.

Man-of-the-match Butler, selected along with Mills after fellow seamers Jacob Oram and Tim Southee were dropped, then struck twice to reduce Pakistan to 58 for five in his first match of the tournament.

Butler had Misbah-ul-Haq lbw for three and then, after digging in a short ball on a lively pitch, saw Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi caught pulling for 11 by a diving Nathan McCullum, running in from deep midwicket.

Replays were not conclusive as to whether the ball had carried but Afridi walked off and the catch stood.

Abdul Razzaq gave Pakistan renewed hope by driving New Zealand captain and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for a six and a four off successive balls.

Razzaq then finished a 15th over from Vettori that cost 16 runs with another huge six, this time lofted over deep midwicket, to leave Pakistan in the far more healthy position of 94 for five.

He then failed to connect several times against Bond before flat-batting the bowler for a massive six over long-on that landed on top of the pavilion.

However, when Razzaq holed to off-spinner Nathan McCullum for a 28-ball 29 it meant Pakistan were 111 for six and needed 23 off 13 balls for victory.

That became 22 off two overs and then Butt, giving himself room, drove Mills for a superb six over long-off.

Butt, only one of three batsmen in the Pakistani innings to make it into double figures, faced 54 balls for his undefeated 67, with a six and eight fours.

Vettori led the way for New Zealand with 38. Only opener Brendon McCullum (33) also made it past 30.

Pakistan complete their Super Eights programme against South Africa in St Lucia on Monday, when New Zealand face England.

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