World Cup Updates For India, Pakistan and other Teams

[usman_mugal89]

Cricket: Shattered Inzamam announces one-day retirement

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/inzyretires230.jpg
Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq announces
his retirement from one-day
internationals at a news conference.
Photo / Reuters

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's shattered leader, has announced his retirement from one-day cricket and resigned as Test captain. The match against Zimbabwe, Pakistan's last of this World Cup, following their shock defeat against Ireland on Saturday, will be his valedictory appearance in that form of the game.

"I have talked with my father on the phone," he said, "and have decided to retire from one-day cricket after the Zimbabwe match." Inzamam will, however, remain available for selection in Test cricket, a form of the game in which he has made 8813 runs in 119 Tests, with a highest score of 329 against New Zealand at Lahore.


The announcement was made on the same day that Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, tragically collapsed and died at the team hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Inzamam, visibly distraught at the news, told reporters: "I am shocked and badly hurt. We have lost a good coach and a good person."


Inzamam's one-day career was legendary. He played 377 matches over a 15-year career, scoring 11702 runs at 39.53 including 10 hundreds and 83 fifties. He shot to fame as a 22-year-old in Pakistan's triumphant World Cup campaign in 1992, belting his side into the final with a blistering 60 from 37 balls in the semi-final against New Zealand at Auckland.


He went on to contribute a vital 42 in the final itself, at Melbourne against England, but subsequent World Cup campaigns have been less impressive for him and his side. After losing in the final in 1999, he made just 19 runs in six innings in the 2002-03 tournament in South Africa, and made just 36 and 1 in Pakistan's two defeats this time around.

SourCe: CricInfo



Another News Company Says


KINGSTON, Jamaica - Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq announced his retirement from one-day internationals and that he was standing down as test captain today.

On the same day that Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer died, Inzamam told Reuters that his team's last World Cup group match against Zimbabwe on Thursday (NZ time) would by his final appearance in international limited overs cricket.

"I will be retiring from one-day internationals," said the 37-year-old.

"I feel it is the right time for me to go from the one-day scene but I would still like to play test cricket.

"I still feel I have some more cricket in me yet as far as tests go."

He played 377 one-day internationals and scored 10 centuries and 83 fifties with an average of 39.53. He was a member of the 1992 squad which won the World Cup in 1992.

Inzamam revealed he had planned to discuss his future with Woolmer today and was left shattered by the Englishman's sudden death following the team's shock World Cup exit.


Woolmer died aged 58 after being found unconscious in his hotel room less than 24 hours after debutants Ireland had knocked out one of the tournament favourites.

"After the press conference was the last time I talked to him. He asked me on the bus when we were coming back to the hotel 'what are your future plans? Can we discuss them tomorrow?,'" Inzamam was quoted as saying on bigstarcricket.com.

"After that he was in his room and I was in my room. Tomorrow never came."

Woolmer, the former England batsman, was made coach of Pakistan in June 2004. The job of coaching the national team of the cricket-crazy country is considered one of the most pressurised in the sport.

"The first time I knew of Bob's illness was when our assistant manager rang me Sunday morning and said the coach is not feeling well and maybe he is upset," Inzamam said.

"When I went to see him he was lying on the floor and it was shocking for me.

"I will never forget him. He was a very good coach and a super human being."

Although the team took their early exit from the World Cup badly, Inzamam said Woolmer had put the defeat into perspective with a pep talk on Saturday evening (local time).

"After the match against Ireland he was upset but he said to me and to all the players that these things happen in cricket," said the 37-year-old, who also announced his retirement from one-day internationals today.

"He told us about the '99 World Cup when his South African team was knocked out in the semi-final after a tie. He was brave and knew how to handle the situation when everybody was feeling down.

"Bob was very close to me because I am the captain. He was a very positive man. Whenever somebody is in trouble, not in good touch or good form, he was always helpful and his feelings were with them. He was friendly with the players.

"I've enjoyed working with him and I have learned a lot from him. He had a big role in the team... he has been involved with cricket for the last 40 years and he has passed on that experience to us."

- REUTERS

[usman_mugal89]

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/73100/73102.jpg
Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq are in shock after hearing of Bob Woolmer's death,
Kingston, Jamaica, March 18, 2007



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Mushtaq Ahmed gets emotional on hearing of Bob Woolmer's death, Kingston, Jamaica,
March 18, 2007


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Mohammad Yousuf, Mushtaq Ahmed and Younis Khan listen to Inzamam-ul-Haq calling it quits from one-dayers, Kingston,
Jamaica, March 18, 2007

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"It's St. Patty's day!" An Irish fan lets himself go during the rain delay, Ireland v Pakistan,
Group D, Jamaica, March 17, 2007

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Bob Woolmer and Inzamam-ul-Haq chat after Pakistan's shock defeat against Ireland,
Jamaica, March 17, 2007


http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/inline/content/image/286051.jpg
Inzamam-ul-Haq took responsibility for his team's World Cup exit as he announced his one-day retirement
© Getty Images


http://img.cricinfo.com/cricinfo/furniture/quote-left_11x8.gifAfter the match, Bob and I
talked a little about it.
I told him that we'd discuss
it tomorrow, but tomorrow never camehttp://img.cricinfo.com/cricinfo/furniture/quote-right_12x9.gif

[someshyechury]

thnx for the insight information..
may his soul rest in peace..

[usman_mugal89]

What Could Be More Worse For Pakistan....... READ THIS



Woolmer OD'd on drugs & booze


The British paper the Daily Mirror today reported Bob Woolmer died last night of a suspected overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol.

Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica and died less than an hour later.

The paper said that the local police are investigating whether he died of an accidental overdose.

Pakistan team officials revealed he was diabetic and had breathing problems in his sleep.

Woolmer's wife Gill and sons Dale, 27 and Russell, 24, were told of his death at their home in South Africa last night.

According to the paper Gill said her husband had been depressed over Pakistan's shock defeat by Ireland on Saturday. "His job coaching there has been incredibly stressful," she said.

The paper, however reported, that a friend said Woolmer told him a few days ago: "Don't worry about me mate, I'm the last person to die of a heart attack, I've seen it all."

In 1999 was approached for the England job but turned it down, saying he need a rest after the stress of coaching South Africa.

Kent all-rounder Woolmer played 19 Test matches for England between 1975 and 1981. Retired umpire Dickie Bird said: "His death is a great tragedy. I'm stunned."

[usman_mugal89]

I Think The Worst for Pakistan Cricket Has Come..... READ THIS


Dr. Nasim Ashraf, resigns as chairman PCB

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ISLAMABAD: Dr. Nasim Ashraf, chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has resigned from his post after Pakistan cricket team’s pathetic performance and shock defeat to cricket minnows Ireland in the 2007 World Cup.

According to Geo News report, he faxed his resignation to President’s House
Dr. Ashraf’s resignation came a day after the tragic death of Pakistan cricket team coach Bob Woolmer, and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s announcement of retirement from ODI cricket and resignation from captaincy..

All these events mounted great pressure on Dr. Nasim Ashraf.

Besides, various social and sports circles were demanding immediate resignation from him accepting the responsibility of Pakistan cricket team’s ouster from the World Cup.

[usman_mugal89]

so i need your debates on what has happened in the history of cricket in past fews days............. IRELAND Was the team which came to cricket because of bob woolmer. but the defeat of pakistan against unranked team WAS a great Shock to Bob Woolmer. Some Say that Australia Also Lost To Bangladesh...... I Will say dont say that again cause australia lost to ranked team AND THAT WAS NOT WORLD CUP. But..... This was world cup where pakistan is out now..... Who in the world could have thought that pakistan will be out of world cup by losing to UNRANKED team......


Please Debate on It.....

[usman_mugal89]

Pakistan cricket selectors resign after World Cup exit

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LAHORE: Pakistan's cricket selection committee has resigned in the wake of the team's disastrous World Cup campaign, chief selector Wasim Bari said on Tuesday.

A series of resignations of top cricket officials continued in Pakistan after the national team’s ouster of the cricket World Cup at Caribbean.

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq had earlier announced his resignation from the team’s captaincy and retirement from one-day cricket.

PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf had also submitted his resignation yesterday.

The cricket selection committee has resigned in the wake of the team's disastrous World Cup campaign, chief selector Wasim Bari said today.

The three-member committee's tenure was to be reviewed after the World Cup, but Bari said they had decided to quit and shoulder some of the blame for the poor performances.

Bari said he along with two members of the committee Iqbal Qasim and Ehtishamuddin have tendered their resignations.

SOURCE: GEO TV

[usman_mugal89]

I Dont Know What Will Be The Future Of Pakistan Cricket.


Maybe It Will Be Like Zimbabwe. :):):):)

[usman_mugal89]

Woolmer's death 'suspicious' - police



http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/inline/content/current/image/286442.jpg



Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy
police commissioner, addresses
the media regarding the death of Bob Woolmer
© Getty Images



Police are now treating Bob Woolmer's death as suspicious, Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner of police, told a news conference in Jamaica. A full-scale investigation has been ordered.

"We have already informed the Woolmer family of these developments," Shields said. "Having met with the pathologists, our medical personnel and investigators, there is now sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious."

However, unconfirmed reports suggested Woolmer might have been murdered because marks were found around his neck.

Shields said the police had been in close contact with the Pakistan team management, the Cricket World Cup committee and the ICC, but he would not speculate on the cause of Woolmer's death. "It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment at this stage as we have still not got the final official report from the pathologists," he said.

Talat Ali, the Pakistan team manager, told Geo TV they had not been given full details by the police. "They have not made any reference to poisoning or anything yet, as some reports are suggesting," Ali said. "There is no information at all that this poison could be involved. Investigations will carry on so we cannot come to any conclusions right now."

Ali denied Pakistan were not allowed to travel. "There are no police restrictions on the team," he said. "As planned for now, we are flying back on Saturday."

Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday and pronounced dead shortly after at a Jamaica hospital. Woolmer's family said after speaking to doctors they expected his death came from a stress-related heart attack.

His wife Gill told CNN-IBN, an Indian news channel, he did not complain of any chest pain after the match. An autopsy completed on Tuesday was inconclusive, but investigators were waiting for the results of toxicology tests to see if they helped determine the cause.

[usman_mugal89]

So long, Inzy


There has already been one goodbye this week. Another today makes it two too many, but life moves on. Like Bob Woolmer, this is not the way Inzamam-ul-Haq should have bid adieu to cricket, or at least ODI cricket, stumbling out of the World Cup disastrously.

In recent months, an essentially amiable, lumbering giant has become a figure not so pleasant. He has been accused of becoming too authoritarian, picking his own teams, stubbornly demanding certain players, not listening to anyone and generally proving how power can change men.

Age and his back have feasted hungrily on his batting and the last calendar year was an indifferent one. Last August, he was the country's poster-boy, defending a nation's pride at the Oval, and yet last weekend his posters were being stomped on and burned, so quickly feelings have changed.

But in one instant, as he skied Tawanda Muwaripa to Sean Williams and began the last ride to the pavilion one last time, emotions switched again. Brisker than usual on departure, the walk stalled as every Zimbabwe player rushed to shake his hand.

And briefly, as life is supposed to flash before your eyes in the instant before you die, as he hurried, teary-eyed, into an emotional guard of honour from his team, all that was good and great about Inzi flashed before us; the yo-yoing weight, the clean-shaven cherubic chubby giving way to the patriarchal beard, the brain ticking over impassively calculating run chases, the bendy flick off his hips over square leg, the hunched, shuffling drives, those violent cuts.


If you squinted hard enough through coloured eyes, you glimpsed the impudence of the 1992 semi-final 60, the grace of the Karachi hundred against India and the scheming behind the Ahmedabad 60. In a week of tears, here came another sly one: once he was up those dressing room stairs, who would bring that calm, that solidity that you sensed in the middle order, even when he was out of form, every time he walked out?

His last knock ended exactly 2.52 runs short of his career average. It also came exactly 15 years to the day since his 37-ball 60 gazumped the Kiwis on the way to Pakistan's 1992 triumph. It appeared mostly to be an innings of release: from the immense pressure he has been so good at handling and from the traumas of the last few days and months. He swung his bat greedily and merrily, as he had all those years blago as an ODI whipper-snapper. It didn't last though that wasn't really the point.


Who can gauge what sort of pressures he has been under just in these last few days? Maybe the announcement of his resignation was mistimed but there are no certainties to how a mind reacts to the worst defeat of an international career followed swiftly by a tragic death. As Kamran Abbasi noted, the decision to resign and retire itself was the right one. It was also a rare one in Pakistan cricket.

So then, so long Inzy. We may see you again in whites come September but the way Pakistan cricket works there is an equal chance we might not. If we don't, thanks for the dry humour at the pressers; the calm; the slip catches; the running and, of course, the batting. Thanks also for the captaincy reign, which at over three years was one of the longest uninterrupted reigns in this country (which amounts to something) and contained enough memorable moments in it. Thanks even for opening all your post-match presentations, shambolic loss or euphoric win aside, with the same, "First of all, thanks to..." They say change is inevitable but in turbulent environments, sameness can be precious.

Don't mind the anger at the Irish loss. In time, I suspect we will come to look over the last eight months and remember instead all that went before for over 16 years.

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo
© Cricinfo

[usman_mugal89]

Five of the best of INZAMAM

Since making his entrance with a bang, hitting two centuries and two fifties in his first six innings, Inzamam ul Haq has been Pakistan's middle-order backbone, combining some of the most elegant cricket seen in recent times with the steel necessary to bail his side out. Here, in no particular order, are five of Inzi's best one-day innings.


60 vs New Zealand, World Cup semi-final 1992 (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC92/NZ_PAK_WC92_ODI-SEMI1_21MAR1992.html)
Coming into bat with 123 runs required and the tail to follow (due apologies to Akram and Moin), Inzamam chose the occasion to announce his entry. New Zealand, who had been beaten only once in their previous eight matches in the tournament, were faced with a whirlwind. Inzamam's 60 came off only 37 deliveries and included seven fours and a massive straight six. Inzi finally departed - run out, of course - with 36 still needed but his reputation firmly established.

122 vs India, Karachi, 2003-04 (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2003-04/IND_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/IND_PAK_ODI1_13MAR2004.html) The first match of the historic series saw India bludgeoning the Pakistani bowling attack (including Shoaib, Sami and Razzak) for 349. Pakistan's openers were dismissed within the first half hour; then, enter Inzamam who, pacing his innings superbly, formed valuable partnerships with Mohammed Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhanna) and Younis Khan. His running between the wickets was equally impressive as he allowed Yousuf and Younis to attack before cutting loose himself. In all, he smashed twelve fours and two sixes, scored his 122 of only 102 deliveries and was adamant he would take Pakistan home before succumbing to the left-arm spin of Kartik with a further 72 required off eight overs. In the end, Moin was unable to do a Miandad (6 required off the final ball) but the Karachi crowd went home stunned by a superb innings.

60* vs India, Ahmedabad, 2004-05 (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/PAK_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/PAK_IND_ODI4_12APR2005.html) In a match reduced to 48 overs, India put up 315, inspired by a Tendulkar 123. For a change, Pakistan's reply saw contributions from the entire top order (Salman Butt, Afridi, Razzak and Shoaib Malik) but each fell victim to rash stroke-play when patience was required. It was left to Inzamam to keep one end up and the runs flowing and, with three needed off the last over, he shepherded his team to Pakistan's fourth-highest successful run-chase. That last over was tense - he blocked the first five deliveries before driving the last one for a four. His response when asked why he left it till the last delivery: "I wasn't thinking anything on the last ball. I was just praying to God to help me."


81* vs England, Rawalpindi, 2005-06 (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/ENG_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/ENG_PAK_ODI4_19DEC2005.html) This was a must-win game to ensure Pakistan get something out of the miserable winter. Yet things looked gloomy when Pakistan, batting first, lost the first four wickets for only 58. Inzamam, though, was around, and held one end, nudging around for quick singles and twos, while Afridi and Rana Naved hit a few around towards the end. Inzamam's patient and responsible 81* off 113 deliveries included seven fours and a six (he was left stranded as the last three wickets went down for only two runs) and took Pakistan to a mildly respectable 210 that proved to be enough. Just.

116 v Sri Lanka, Kimberley, 1997-98 (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/OD_TOURNEYS/SBIODS/PAK_SL_SBIODS_ODI3_07APR1998.html) For a veteran of 378 one-day internationals, Inzamam-ul-Haq has hit precious few centuries. This, his fifth, was one of the best, coming overseas while chasing a huge total and remaining unbeaten. Pakistan were chasing 296 against the Sri Lankans, reigning world champions and still a strong outfit. Inzamam began his innings in the tenth over with Pakistan on 46 for 2. Though he lost partners steadily, he proved impossible to dislodge and moved Pakistan steadily towards their target. He finished unbeaten on 116 off 110 balls, an innings that included only four fours and as many sixes. So perfect was Inzamam's pacing of the chase that Pakistan cantered home with two overs and four wickets to spare.


SOURCE: CRICINFO
LINKS ALSO ADDED

[usman_mugal89]

Another Bangla run-fest for Jayasuriya


Bangladesh had pulled off a fantastic upset win against India, but versus the Sri Lankans they were completely outclassed, beaten by 198 runs. A look at the stats highlights from the game.


Sanath Jayasuriya has always enjoyed shredding the Bangladesh attack, and it was no different at Port-of-Spain. Jayasuriya blasted an 87-ball 109, his third hundred against them in 14 innings (http://statserver.cricket.org/guru?sdb=player;playerid=1988;class=odiplayer;filter=basic;team=0;opposition=BDESH;notopposition=0;season=0;homeaway=0;continent=0;country=0;notcountry=0;groundid=0;startdefault=1989-12-26;start=1989-12-26;enddefault=2007-03-15;end=2007-03-15;tourneyid=0;finals=0;daynight=0;toss=0;scheduledovers=0;scheduleddays=0;innings=0;result=0;followon=0;seriesresult=0;captain=0;keeper=0;dnp=0;recent=;viewtype=bat_list;runslow=;runshigh=;batposition=0;dismissal=0;bowposition=0;ballslow=;ballshigh=;bpof=0;overslow=;overshigh=;conclow=;conchigh=;wicketslow=;wicketshigh=;dismissalslow=;dismissalshigh=;caughtlow=;caughthigh=;caughttype=0;stumpedlow=;stumpedhigh=;csearch=;submit=1;.cgifields=viewtype). He now averages 60.08 against Bangladesh.


This was Jayasuriya's 24th ODI century, which puts him in second place in the list of all-time centurions. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 41, has scored more hundreds, while Ricky Ponting is in third place with 23. (Click here (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BATTING/ODI_MOST_100S.html) for the list of highest century-makers in ODIs.)


Along the way, he also set the record for the most number of sixes in ODIs. Tied with Shahid Afridi at 224 before the game began, Jayasuriya smashed seven sixes in his hundred today to take his tally to 231. Shahid Afridi, on the other hand, managed just one six in his innings against Zimbabwe. (Click here (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BATTING/ODI_BAT_MOST_6S.html) for the full list.) Twenty of those sixes have been struck in World Cup matches, which makes him the leading six-hitter for Sri Lanka in all editions of the tournament. Aravinda de Silva comes in next with 15. Jayasuriya's seven in an innings is also the second-highest in a World Cup innings. Ricky Ponting hammered eight sixes in the 2003 finals, a feat equalled by Imran Nazir in today's match against Zimbabwe.


Sri Lanka's opening partnership, which has been such a strength in recent times, came to fore again. They were put in on a pitch which offered some early seam and swing, but Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga neutralised the advantage Bangladesh had at the toss with a superb 98-run stand. They now average 53.40 for the first wicket in the 27 innings in which they have opened together, with nine fifty-plus partnerships.


Sri Lanka and Pakistan both scored more than 300 today, which takes the tally of 300-plus totals in this World Cup to eight. In the entire 2003 edition, only nine such totals were scored.

Sri Lanka and Australia have both scored more than 300 in successive matches in this tournament, making it the first World Cup in which two teams have managed this feat. Only twice has this happened in the eight previous tournaments - England managed it in 1983 (against New Zealand and Sri Lanka), while India repeated it in 1999 (against Kenya and Sri Lanka).


While Sri Lanka had plenty to celebrate, nothing went right for Bangladesh. Most of their bowlers suffered, but the one who felt the heat the most was Abdur Razzaq, one of three left-arm spinners in the Bangladesh side. While Mohammad Rafique and Saqibul Hasan conceded less than 50, Razzaq was thrashed for 86 in his ten overs, which is the most expensive ten-over spell by a Bangladesh bowler. The earlier record was with Nazmul Hossain, who leaked 83 against England at Trent Bridge (http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/211579.html) in 2005.


The only Bangladesh batsman who resisted was Mohammad Ashraful, who remained unbeaten on 45 and scored 40% of his team's runs. It's the highest percentage of runs scored by a No.7 batsman in a World Cup match.



Source: Cricinfo
Link Also Added

[jith!]

Pakistan team is looking more like an Zimababwian team - all are quitting, sure the team is going to erase forever! Very pathetic!

[usman_mugal89]

World Cup should be scrapped: Donald


LONDON, March 23: Cricket's World Cup should be called off following the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, retired South African bowling great Allan Donald said on Friday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Donald, who played under Woolmer at county and national level and was a close friend, said that he disagreed with the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to push ahead with the tournament in the Caribbean.

"I just don't know how this World Cup can continue under the shadow of what's happened," he said. "World Cup 2007 will be forever remembered for this."

Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room in the Jamaican capital Kingston on Sunday, a day after Pakistan had been knocked out of the World Cup by Ireland, and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

Police announced on Thursday that the 58-year-old had been strangled to death and have opened a murder investigation.

"My personal opinion would have been to stop, but knowing Bob he would have wanted this to go ahead," Donald acknowledged.

"I think everyone will continue this World Cup but, at the back of their minds, know that a tragedy took place."

"I just hope the individuals or individuals are brought to justice because Bob was a great man and would never go to the lengths to put his life in danger."

[usman_mugal89]

Bob Woolmer knew it all?




Former Pakistani paceman Sarfraz Nawaz has little doubt that the "death" of Bob Woolmer has been a conspiracy hatched by the underbelly of cricket, the betting mafia operational in the sub-continent.

Sarfraz drags everyone in the net: From Pakistan Cricket Board to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, fellow Pakistani cricketers and even International Cricket Council (ICC) whom he describes as the fountainhead of betting mafia.

"I urge upon cricket nations to stop taking part in the ICC-held events. They are havens for match-fixers. ICC is actively promoting it," said Sarfraz.

However, what Sarfraz had to say on Woolmer's death probably overshadowed everything else.

"Bob must have seen how Pakistan team went about its business against West Indies. You could sense it from their body language that something was amiss. I believe he was writing a book and he would have come off with sensational disclosures.

"I surely feel that he has been bumped off. It was the betting mafia which eliminated Hansie Cronje. It was the same betting mafia which killed "Cadbury" the well-known bookie from Pakistan who later settled in South Africa. "Cadbury" body was cut into pieces. Now that has been the fate of Woolmer."

Sarfraz openly claimed that captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, along with Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik were involved in betting.

"Rana Naved is being regularly promoted even though he doesn't deserve a place because of his recent poor performances. When Mushtaq was reappointed I straightaway went to PCB and questioned how they could keep a "dubious character" in seat. Shoaib, everyone knows, is in league with bookmakers."

Sarfraz said, so powerful were the bookmakers that they were actually helping appoint coaches, managers, selectors and even board officials in different countries.

The former Pakistan pacemen then targeted the ICC, the seat of international cricket.

"You look at pitches played in the Champions Trophy last year in India. All of them were unduly favouring the bowlers. The same has happened in this World Cup: bowlers have a field day in the initial phase of matches.

"ICC is actually tampering with the pitches so that even a minnow can upset a top team on their day. That's what exactly happened when India and Pakistan played first against Bangladesh and Ireland."

Former Pakistan leg-spinner and captain Abdul Qadir came out in support of Sarfraz and said it was time the charges laid by the tall former medium-pacer were seriously investigated.

"Every time he makes these charges, people tend to make fun of him. I don't think that's the right thing to do. Authorities should investigate the charges laid by Sarfraz because most of the time, he is able to predict things in advance. He had said before the tournament began that Pakistan could lose to West Indies and Ireland.

"That's exactly how it happened. Authorities should investigate it thoroughly: if Sarfraz is spreading wrong stories, he must be booked. Otherwise, his leads should be carefully followed by authorities."

[usman_mugal89]

Sri Lanka thump hapless India



Sri Lanka continued their impressive form in the World Cup with a crushing 69-run win over an Indian side miserably low on confidence. Defending 254, Sri Lanka wasted little time in wreaking havoc, with the two crafty veterans, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, ripping the heart out of a brittle batting order. Virender Sehwag hit a few lusty blows in a 46-ball 48 and Rahul Dravid prolonged the inevitable with 60, but found zero support and India collapsed for 185 in 43.3 overs.




Sri Lanka's bowlers used their characteristic drip technique to choke India, reducing them to 105 for 4 and pushing them close to World Cup elimination. Having posted 254, exactly the same score that they managed in the semi-final of the 1996 edition, they dismissed India's top four, including the dangerous Virender Sehwag for 48, and were clear favourites at the halfway mark.

Chaminda Vaas wasn't going to give anything away while Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando troubled with pace. They set the stage for the spinners, who were gradually beginning to take control of the choke in the middle overs with Muttiah Muralitharan striking the crucial blow of Sehwag just when Sri Lanka needed a wicket. In the 23rd over, Murali's third, he missed a doosra down the leg side but was completely baffled by another that pitched on off and turned away, giving Mahela Jayawardene a regulation catch at first slip.

Sehwag's second successive 50-plus score, after enduring a barren period before, was an innings reminiscent of the batsman at his best. He was solid against the faster men, working the percentages and waiting for the width to exploit. There was hardly any wild swinging outside off - barring one moment on 39, when Kumar Sangakkara couldn't latch on to a full-length dive off a fierce slash off Fernando - but a game built on assessing the situation and the bowlers. He treated Vaas with the respect he deserved but didn't miss out on three wayward deliveries, all of which were dispatched for four. He would have loved to finish it off but Murali's variety had him in knots.

India couldn't get their innings off to a flier, even though the fiery Robin Uthappa was in the middle. The first ten deliveries he faced were dots, with Vaas offering him no room to free his arms, and a number of ambitious strikes were mistimed. He drilled three confident fours but was never far from danger - he was lucky that a cross-batted smear landed just short of Murali at mid-on but could only watch amazed as Vaas forced him to straight-drive uppishly and pulled off a stunning reflex catch on his follow-through.

Sourav Ganguly was Vaas's next victim, being nagged out by a drip-drip technique. He couldn't summon a boundary in his 23-ball stay and fell trying to launch him over mid-off. His walk down the ground wasn't assured and the thickish edge ballooned over mid-off, where Muralit ran back, dived full length and pulled it off. Sachin Tendulkar let his first two deliveries go before being castled by the third - Fernando nipped a speedy ball in from outside off and Tendulkar could only inside edge it onto the stumps. It was a moment that prompted a question: will this be his last World Cup innings? Dravid and the rest would want to ensure that it isn't.

[usman_mugal89]

Will India Come Back???




I Know It Is Not Possible..... But Also Not Impossible. If Bangladesh Is Beaten Be Bermuda In Last ODI Then India Might Get A Chance To Qualify For Second Round.... Cause They Still Are Not Very Bad At Run Rate.... Here Are The Latest Runrates...



India Net RR : +1.206
Bangladesh RR : -2.002


So Bangladesh Have To Win To Qualify for Second Round.....
They Cannot Rely On Bowling But Batting. They Have Good Fielding and Batting. But "WILL BERMUDA BEAT BANGLADESH????"

It Will Be A Miracle If India Qualifies.......


Your Comments.........

[usman_mugal89]

Musharraf honours Woolmer with Sitara-i-Imtiaz



The Pakistan president, Pervez Musharraf, has honoured Bob Woolmer with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, a posthumous civil award, for his services to Pakistan cricket. Woolmer died in the team hotel in Jamaica on Sunday, a day after Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Ireland by three wickets.

"Pakistan cricket shall, forever be indebted to his services and this nation will always remember him for the joys he brought into the lives of millions of Pakistanis," Musharraf said. "The sudden passing away of the much respected and loved coach of Pakistan deeply grieved me, just as it did the entire Pakistani nation."

The Sitara-i-Imtiaz, which translates to English as "Star of Excellence", is one of the highest honours awarded to a civilian in Pakistan.

"We shall all greatly miss him," Musharraf said. "The cricketing world and Pakistan, in particular, will find it extremely difficult to fill the void Bob's death has left behind. I must add that he did his job with great distinction and commitment. Pakistan cricket shall forever be indebted to his services.

"Bob's reputation as a great cricketing mind, an excellent player and a trainer par excellence preceded him when he was brought in to coach the Pakistan cricket team."

Investigations by Jamaican police find the cause of death are ongoing, with two local newspapers citing unnamed police sources as saying that that Woolmer may have been strangled.

Source: Cricinfo

[usman_mugal89]

Will Cover All Important News From My Last Post to Now.



India lacked muscle and hustle






The magnitude of this match, it was said, could have rivalled a World Cup final. The tournament could ill afford India, cricket's cash cow, to crash out so early. Some reckoned there was so much at stake that India, which contributes close to two thirds of the game's revenues, would remain in the competition, even if it involved arm-twisting behind the scenes.

Where these arguments come apart is that they go against the unique power of sport, in embracing passion and fervour, to transcend such petty issues as money power. The advertisement hoardings at the Queen's Park Oval, or for that matter any ground in the world, may have endorsed Indian brands but it was always the effort of the 11 men that would ultimately count. Sri Lanka's 11 men came in with a plan and, crucially, executed it efficiently. They had already made it to the Super 8's but, going by their attitude, energy and desire, one would have thought they were on the brink of elimination.

India weren't outclassed for two-thirds of the match, as they were on this day four years ago when Ricky Ponting trampled them with sheer class in what was a World Cup final. For a clear understanding of the rhythm of this match, one will have to probably rewind a little earlier to the never-to-be-forgotten India-Pakistan clash at Centurion. The first innings was played out on an elastic band and every time one team nudged ahead, the other came back to restore parity. For a steady hundred from Saeed Anwar, you had plucky half-centuries from Upul Tharanga and Chamara Silva; for Younis Khan's urgent 32, you had a busy 38 from Tillakaratne Dilshan; for Pakistan's 273, you had Sri Lanka's 254.

There the similarities end. Such games need an enforcer, someone who can overcome the strong forces of tension, impose himself on the big stage and steer the match in one direction. At Centurion, that man was Sachin Tendulkar; on Friday, it was Muttiah Muralitharan. It's one of the hardest roles to play, one that requires a touch of genius, but it's for that reason alone that these players are special. Today Tendulkar couldn't play that role - one can argue that he received a very good ball but the fact is he couldn't. Sourav Ganguly couldn't, Rahul Dravid couldn't. They weren't allowed to.


Sri Lanka's recent record against India is nothing short of woeful (winning just two of the last ten completed games) but on the day it mattered, they were on the ball. Chaminda Vaas taunted - his reflex caught-and-bowled off Robin Uthappa was exactly the early inspiration that Sri Lanka needed - before Dilhara Fernando, a late replacement, and Lasith Malinga hustled. Sri Lanka possess the most varied attack in the tournament - the hard graft from Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya combining explosively with the exotic offerings from Malinga and Murali. India were bogged down by Vaas and pegged back by Fernando before Murali arrived, went round the wicket, unveiled offspinners, topspinners and doosras, made them spin at vicious angles, and took centrestage.

For Dravid, a nightmare was played out in front of him. Yuvraj Singh's run-out encapsulated India's panicky state and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's attempted slash simply left him pale-faced. Sehwag's dismissal was probably the most crucial - he was batting more confidently than he's done in recent memory and should have made the start count - but he too was mired by the Murali menace.

Dravid watched in shock as partners came and left before deciding, with the run-rate soaring, to go for broke. The four successive fours he crashed off Malinga stemmed from frustration, anger and hopelessness. He'd taken over a side and harboured hopes of turning them into hard-as-nails professionals; he'd ended with a most ignominious World Cup elimination.

Several questions need to be asked, including serious ones of Dravid and coach Greg Chappell, but the most galling aspect is that there doesn't seem to be any long-term vision, any honest appraisals. Indian cricket needs a massive overhaul (if a first-round exit doesn't instigate it, nothing will) but the fact that it's unlikely to happen is even more disturbing. It's not the Indian board's motto yet, but as someone once famously said, "Money can't buy happiness but it can give you the kind of misery with which you can live comfortably."

[usman_mugal89]

Joyce and Pietersen take England home




England cruised into the Super Eights with a seven-wicket win over Kenya in St Lucia as Ed Joyce and Kevin Pietersen made light work of the run chase through a stand of 103. Joyce struck his second half-century of the World Cup while Pietersen enjoyed an extended net against the gentle Kenyan attack. Steve Tikolo had been the only one to stand up to England's bowlers as the pacemen put in a strong effort.

Michael Vaughan had been more than happy by Tikolo's decision to bat after a two-hour delay, due to heavy morning rain, reduced the contest to 43 overs per side. Being in the field first allowed England to settle any early nerves and overall this was a very competent performance in the manner the team needed. James Anderson struck with the new ball, Andrew Flintoff was fiery on his return to the ranks and Paul Collingwood's medium-pace wobblers were productive.

Ideally, chasing 178, England would have wanted a nice confident start from Joyce and Vaughan. But Kenya bowled tightly with the new ball, Peter Ongondo extracting some tennis ball bounce to undo Vaughan for just 1. Collins Obuya made excellent ground to his right, dived and held an impressive catch to complete another failure for the England captain.

Joyce, though, was quickly into his stride and showed excellent timing. He waited for the ball and worked the gaps on both sides of the wicket, while also remaining aware to punish the loose balls. His cover driving was in fine order and a Graham Thorpe-style pull shot was also in evidence.

Ian Bell made a steady start, keen to use his feet to the medium-pacers, but after doing the hard work lazily lofted a drive to mid off as Thomas Odoyo was rewarded for a persevering spell. But Joyce latched onto Lameck Onyango, *****ing him off the back foot before swivelling onto a pull which went into the stand at deep square-leg, to keep the innings on track.

Pietersen imposed himself immediately with an elegant straight drive off his first ball, but Kenya missed a chance to keep themselves in the match when he edged Hiren Varaiya's first ball only to watch Maurice Ouma shell the chance. From then on it was one-way traffic as Pietersen used his innings as a useful sighter ahead of the next stage and Joyce went to a calm 62-ball fifty. Pietersen's half-century took 54 deliveries and included a glimpse of some of his power and craft as he milked the spinners. When Joyce was bowled by Tikolo's doosra England were home and hosed and completed the job with 10 overs to spare.




Kenya appeared to hand themselves a disadvantage when they batted first and Anderson exploited the early conditions to remove both openers in his first spell. Tikolo responded with a rush of boundaries - some off the middle and others the edge - and Kenya's run rate remained a healthy four-an-over.

But Sajid Mahmood struck with a well-disguised slower ball to remove Tony Suji and Tanmay Mishra dragged Collingwood into his stumps as the innings stumbled to 74 for 4. With his main men back in the pavilion the onus was on Tikolo to carry the innings, and his fifty came off 58 balls. But he continued to lose partners at the other end and had a hand in Obyua's run out when, after playing a sweep against Monty Panesar, he was more interested in the appeal rather than Obuya racing up the pitch. By the time Tikolo sent him back it was too late and a furious Obuya trudged back to the pavilion.

Flintoff finally got his first wicket of the tournament when he trapped Odoyo in front, although his shout was so half-hearted it nearly passed everyone by. He could have had a second next ball but Jimmy Kamande escaped a close lbw shout. All the while Tikolo soldiered on, was dropped on 52 by Joyce at mid on, and showed his class with a couple of late deflections and deft sweeps off Panesar. He was eventually cleaned-up by Flintoff, who produced a rapid yorker and offered Tikolo a pat on the back, while England's late-innings bowling and fielding was on target.

It wasn't a faultless performance from England but after a week to sweat on this match they'll just be glad to have come through unscathed. Next up is the home nations clash with Ireland; what a day that promises to be in Guyana.

[usman_mugal89]

Hayden muscles Australia to victory



The first-round match between South Africa and Australia threatened to be a repeat of the epic at the Wanderers, but St Kitts' Warner Park is no Wanderers, and history steadfastly refused to repeat itself. Australia comfortably defended their 377 for 6, which was set up by Matthew Hayden's fastest World Cup century, and South Africa finished 83 runs adrift.

Adam Gilchrist and Hayden put on a century opening stand in less than 15 overs, setting up a launching pad from which the middle-order could wade into the bowling. South Africa's innings started in a similar same way and it was AB de Villiers who ignited the run chase of 378. He stated his intentions emphatically in the first over by crashing a boundary and then following it with an audacious short-arm jab that sailed over midwicket for six.

Ricky Ponting began with Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait, and the first five overs yielded a dangerously high 40 runs. Glenn McGrath then replaced Tait, and even the miserly metronome didn't know what hit him, being welcomed into the attack with a hat-trick of crisply struck fours. After ten overs South Africa were still well on course, having scored 73 and still not lost a wicket. Thoughts of Johannesburg last year, when Australia failed to defend 434, started to emerge.

While de Villiers was blitzing in exciting and attractive fashion, Graeme Smith was matching him, in efficacy if not in style. Belligerent as ever, Smith reached his half-century off only 41 balls. By the 20th over, the run-scoring pattern was still loaded in South Africa's favour, with 154 on the board and nothing in the wickets column.

As is so often the case in situations like this, when a batsman is on fire, it took a run out to force the breakthrough. de Villiers flicked Andrew Symonds to long leg, wide of Shane Watson, who sprinted around, half slid and fielded. Recovering quickly, Watson fired the throw in at the striker's end, where de Villiers was diving desperately to regain his crease, and the direct hit left him well stranded. de Villiers' electrifying 92 had come off only 70 balls, and included 14 fours and two sixes.

If the de Villiers dismissal was unusual and somewhat uncalled for, it was again a non-standard sequence that did for Smith. Having reached 72, Smith was cramping up so badly that he had to receive on-field treatment from Shane Jabbar, the physio. But even then he could not go on, leaving Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs in charge of proceedings.

Kallis, as ever, batted as though in a bubble, impervious to what was happening around him and the ever-increasing demands of the mounting required run rate. Gibbs, fresh from pasting Daan van Bunge for six sixes in an over, got to 17 at almost a run-a-ball, but was deceived by a beautiful piece of bowling. Gibbs was drawn forward by a loopy wrong 'un from Brad Hogg, and as he shaped to drive, the ball spun past the bat and thudded into Gilchrist's gloves, and the stumping was effected.

Mark Boucher biffed a few, and by the time he was cleaned up by a Tait yorker, in the 39th over, the game was slipping away from South Africa. Kemp was similarly nailed, albeit lbw, by Tait for only 1, and this brought Smith back out. However, the pressure to score quickly got to Smith (74), and an attempted slog sweep speared off the top edge to Gilchrist.

The game was well and truly buried soon after when Kallis gave Hogg the charge, only for the bowler to adjust his length. The batsman could not do the same with his stroke and the ball went straight down long-on's throat. Kallis had made 48 off 59 balls in an innings where South Africa needed to score at 7.56 overall. From then on it was only a matter of tying up the loose ends, and Australia did that, bowling South Africa out for 294.





The power hitting capability and the depth of the South African batting line-up kept the game alive for as long as it did, but, in all fairness, Australia had done more than their fair share towards winning this game when they were put in to bat. Even after Gilchrist was dismissed for a run-a-ball 42 Hayden continued in his typically bullyboy way.

He muscled the bowling around the park for 101 off just 68 balls, with 14 fours and four sixes, to record the tournament's quickest hundred. Hayden reached three figures off only 66 deliveries, beating the mark of 67 set by John Davison of Canada against West Indies in 2003. His forceful strokes back down the pitch were enough for the bowlers to adjust their line and length, but when the ball was short or a bit wide it was merrily biffed through point.

Throughout the innings it rained fours and sixes and the South Africa attack became a tad predictable. Gilchrist and Hayden gave way to Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, and a second pair of Australians dismantled the bowling.

The third-wicket partnership, which came in good time, was worth 161, and by the time it was broken Ponting had helped himself to 91. Clarke would fall 19 runs later for an energetic 92, which included four sixes. South Africa were unable to match the hitting for the full fifty overs and Australia succeeded in the battle of the heavyweights

[usman_mugal89]

South Africa punished for failing to adapt


Just as Australia were beginning to re-establish control of the South African innings, Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, poked his nose into the press tent. He was inspecting the facilities and pressing the flesh, and generally making all the right noises about the tiny Warner Park venue that has surpassed itself in terms of organisation and amenability over the past two weeks. As the hacks circled around him, eager for his thoughts on the latest developments in Jamaica, he turned simply to the middle, and suggested that, for today, we should all just watch the cricket.


This was the match that could help salve the wounds of the past week. The world No. 1 versus the world No. 2, the best two outfits on the planet providing the sort of spectacle that could at least remind us all why we are in the Caribbean. And for 75 breathless overs, they did just that. The boundaries poured in and the Party Stand throbbed in appreciation. "It was a different sort of spectacle," the beaten captain, Graeme Smith, said, "but I think people enjoyed their day."


It was, for as long as South Africa remained in the hunt, entertainment as rich as any yet witnessed in this tournament. After all the mutterings about the size of the ground, the big-hitting was about as much of a surprise as a Christmas present in a wrapping-paper drought, but given the events of 12 months ago, when Australia posted 434 and lost at Johannesburg, it seemed almost like watching an inverted form of the game.


Let's face it, how often in world cricket has a side won the toss and fielded, with the vain ambition of limiting their opponents to 350? Not even The Netherlands and Scotland had been that pessimistic when given a similar chance to use the early "conditions", as they are euphemistically known in these parts. During the opening stage of Australia's innings, while Matthew Hayden was bringing out the bully in his strokeplay, South Africa's bowlers seemed to be indulging in rope-a-dope tactics. Taking as many hits as possible to draw the sting out of the onslaught.


Up to a point it worked because, having clubbed his tournament-record century, Hayden gave his wicket away cheaply, as did Adam Gilchrist before him, and by Ricky Ponting's own admission later, he and Michael Clarke were unexpectedly ponderous at the start of their 161-run stand for the third wicket. "I thought we could have got a few more, but we just couldn't get the ball to the boundary," Ponting said. It was a strange failing seeing as even the most delicate nudges through the gaps were hurtling across a billiard-table outfield.

The end result looks like an old-fashioned Australia v South Africa hammering, not least the capitulation of the tail, but the reality was anything but. South Africa's demise was set in motion by two freakish set-backs - firstly when AB de Villiers was run-out from the boundary's edge by Shane Watson's direct hit; and secondly when Graeme Smith, on whose willpower so much of South Africa's momentum rests, was forced from the crease with cramp.


"It was a cricket reason, nothing else," Smith said when asked whether South Africa had bottled it again on the big stage, and to be fair it was hard to disagree. They did, however, aid and abet their downfall with what their own journalists admitted was intransigence typical of their countrymen. There seemed to be no flexibility of thinking, no adaptation to meet the demands of the chase.





When de Villiers the boy racer fell with Smith still standing solid on 65 not out, they sent in Jacques Kallis instead of Herschelle Gibbs. Kallis is a man who is renowned for killing momentum so as to re-establish it in his own image, while Gibbs is a man who not only thwacked six sixes in an over on this very ground last week, but who creamed the Australians for 175 of the very, very best in Johannesburg.

And when Gibbs came and went with 158 still needed, out came Ashwell Prince to partner the stonewalling Kallis, instead of Mark Boucher, a man with a 21-ball fifty under his belt already in this tournament. The batting order that the captains signed up to when exchanging team-sheets in the morning was not a legally binding document, but the team think-tank did not seem to grasp that.


Ponting said afterwards that he hadn't been surprised by the way that Kallis had compiled his 48 from 63 balls. "That's pretty much the tempo of most of his one-day innings," he said. "He's more of a worker and a grinder of the ball than a lot of the other players in his side. He's a class player in both forms of the game, but the tempo of his innings probably wasn't what they needed."


It was as close to a damning indictment as he was willing to get, although Ponting didn't spare himself from criticism either. "I was a bit slow getting off the mark and moving today as well," he said, having made a strangely sluggish 91 from 91 balls. "Some guys made it look easy, others had to work."


Ponting would not admit it, but he was a relieved man at the end of it all. In Australia's last two matches against meaningful opposition, they had failed to defend scores of 336 for 4 at Auckland and 346 for 5 at Hamilton, and since December 2005, when they posted 331 for 7 against New Zealand at Christchurch, they had been involved in all four of the highest run-chases in one-day history, including of course the Wonder at the Wanderers - and they had lost the lot.


Now, instead, they have won their 20th consecutive World Cup match out of 21 (a run that includes one rather memorable tie) and done so in a manner that will imbue them with confidence for challenges to come. Clarke, their least settled batsman, overcame a ponderous start to bristle into top form, but it was the fillip given to the bowlers that will really stand them in good stead. They survived the early onslaught and emerged with their figures intact, not least Shaun Tait, who showed what sheer pace can do on the most placid of surfaces, and Brad Hogg, who was targeted by the South Africans but snuck through without damage.


And neither will Smith be too downcast by the turn of today's events. "It's disappointing to lose but we still had opportunities to win the game, which is good to know," he said. "Three-hundred-and-fifty was a gettable total out there, but we lost our way at times. But there's still so much cricket to be played in this tournament. The key is to win enough games to get into the semi-finals, and take it from there. We still know what we need to do."


The No. 1 and No. 2 in the world might just have swapped their positions for today's encounter, but with the exception of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, no other sides look such sure bets for those semis.

[usman_mugal89]

'This is just the start' - Ponting


Ricky Ponting said Australia would not be getting too carried away after their emphatic 83-run victory over the world No. 1 South Africa, adding that his team's bid for a third consecutive World Cup was only just building up its momentum.


"It was a big win for us," Ponting, whose team now travels to Antigua for the Super Eight stage of the competition, said. "Taking those two points with us and a pretty healthy run-rate as well - it's an ideal start to the tournament. But that's all it is for us, it's one of the games down and we've got to focus and turn things round pretty quickly for the big game against West Indies on Tuesday."


Tuesday's match will be the inaugural fixture at the new Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua, and Ponting said his side had to be wary when facing West Indies on home soil. "They're a very dangerous team, and they should know these conditions very well," he said. "They have great crowd support from all over the Caribbean, and once again it's one of our biggest games in this World Cup. Every step you take in this tournament becomes more and more exciting.


"Right at the moment things are going really well," Ponting said, as Australia have won three matches out of three in the group stages in St Kitts. "We just wanted to go out there and play a great game today. This win is no more satisfying than any other against South Africa. They're a good side so whenever we beat them it's a good achievement."


Though South Africa eventually slumped to a sizeable defeat, it was not until Australia's bowlers had been given a fright in the opening 25 overs of the run-chase that they began to take control. "To get through that challenge today will be great for us," Ponting, whose bowlers failed to defend consecutive scores of 330-plus against New Zealand last month, said. "The last few times we've been challenged that way, we haven't performed at our best, but today we really kept in there and waited for something special."


That something special came courtesy of a brilliant run-out from the boundary's edge by Shane Watson, and Ponting admitted that the throw had probably changed the course of the game. "The way we executed today after that first breakthrough was terrific," he said. "We just hung in there, our fielding was good, and once we got a bit of a sniff we were all over them and went in for the kill.


"Whenever a side is chasing a total like that, if they have one little slip-up or one brilliant piece of fielding from us, then it puts them on the back-foot pretty quickly and that's what happened today. It's always hard work chasing big totals like that. South Africa have done it reasonably well in the past, but in this big game they weren't able to do it."


Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, was proud of the effort that his side had put into the chase, but admitted that they had "lost their way" at crucial moments of the match. "We bowled well at times at the death, for little bursts, and even with the bat, going into the 35th over, we were ahead of our targets," he said. "But we just left ourselves too much to do in the last ten. We had opportunities to win and we move on with confidence to our next game against Sri Lanka."

[usman_mugal89]

Exocets from square-leg and butterfingers Gibbs



Shot of the Day

This is like trying to pick the haystack that's surrounding the needle. There were so many shots on offer today, some sublime, some brutal, some merely average. Matthew Hayden bludgeoned Shaun Pollock into the stands twice in two balls, and later did the same to Graeme Smith to bring up his World-Cup record fastest hundred from 66 balls. But the most smokin' stroke was Michael Clarke's on-drive off Jacques Kallis. A low full toss sailed clean over the pavilion and into the neighbouring basketball courts.


Ball of the Day

Much had been made of Shaun Tait's tendency to spray the ball to all parts, and during a leaky first spell, those doubts were quadrupled. But he pulled things back in a tidier second, and when he returned in the 39th over with the required rate up past ten, he shattered Mark Boucher's wicket with a perfect 140kph inswinging yorker. When you've got that weapon in your armoury, the fact that the pitch is a road is of little consequence.

Drop of the Day

Herschelle Gibbs has held on to some screamers in his time as South Africa's point fieldsman, he even snaffled two more today - his 82nd and 83rd in 201 matches. But like the best umpires and wicketkeepers, it's only his howlers that stick in the memory, and today he dropped a sitter when Clarke had made only 56. Steve Waugh at Headingley it was not, but it wasn't exactly the super-sharp out-cricket that South Africa had been lauded for earlier in the group.


Throw of the Day

For that you needed to look at the men in canary-yellow. Much ado had been made of the viability of Andrew Symonds' throwing arm, but it was his fellow allrounder, Shane Watson, who produced the most incredible fling of the day. After sliding round the boundary's edge to cut off another four (a rare enough feat in itself), he picked himself up and, with one stump to aim at from square-leg, dead-eyed AB de Villiers with an exocet.

Impact of the Day

Seeing as the aforementioned press box is situated invitingly at long-off, most people were braced for a barrage of sixes landing in their laps (or laptops). Instead the only impact came from a drunken pigeon (of the feathered variety) which bounced off three panes of glass in a row before flying up and over the scoreboard.

Hat-trick of the Day

When the runs are coming at a torrent, even the unusual breaks start going your way. Take the moment that Smith inside-edged a drive off Watson, for instance. With Adam Gilchrist standing up to the stumps, the ball eluded his gloves and instead clattered into his hat which had been dumped inopportunely behind him. For a brief instant umpire Benson was so bemused he was about to signal dead-ball, but a roar of disapproval from Smith and a quiet word in his shell from Steve Bucknor, and five penalty runs were rightly signaled.




Throb of the Day

The massive great stack of subwoofing amplifiers in the Party Stand next to the press box. Every time a four or a six was struck (and there were rather a few of those), these burst into earth-shuddering life for ten deafening seconds. One journalist genuinely feared for his fillings as the vibrations buzzed their way up from the floor to the roof of his mouth.

Double-teapotter of the Day

Today wasn't the day for being a lanky, ageing, seaming great. With the conditions and the boundaries stacked against them, Shaun Pollock and Glenn McGrath would rather have been anywhere else in the world. Pollock was spanked for 83 in ten overs - his most expensive analysis of all-time - while McGrath was greeted with three fours in a row. The greatest indignation came in his fifth over, when de Villiers twice mistimed loose drives over the head of mid-on. On each occasion they scuttled away to the fence unchallenged.

Untimely injury of the Day

Smith's full-body meltdown in the 26th over was the moment the match changed beyond all recognition. At that point, South Africa were 184 for 1, needing a further 194 - in other words they were cruising. But an attack of cramps in his back, legs and arms decimated his team's momentum, and gave Australia the sniff of a get-out they needed. From that moment on, nine wickets tumbled for 109 in 23 overs.

[usman_mugal89]

Pawar comes down hard on India


Sharad Pawar, the Indian board (BCCI) president, says that India's defeat to Sri Lanka at Trinidad has "disappointed him and the nation", and has promised to take "harsh" decisions in future team selections. Pawar, who recently accused the Indian media for provoking unrest after India's loss to Bangladesh, said that coach Greg Chappell's contract will be reviewed.

"The Indian board is the only board which provided maximum facilities to the players, expectations from the team were quite high," he said. "[India's] performance against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was not at all up to the mark, especially the batting and the fielding".

While many sections of the media have criticised Chappell for India's dismal showing in the World Cup, Pawar said the coach shared only a part of the responsibility. "Definitely, there is a responsibility to train properly. But at the same time, one can show water, but cannot compel him to drink. The contract with the coach was up to the World Cup and now the World Cup is over. The board has to take a fresh look on the matter."

Pawar, 66, said the BCCI would now concentrate on the next World Cup with a focus on the selection process and more opportunities to youngsters . "We are going to meet after getting a report from the team manager and would give a serious thought to the future course of action. Our future approach will be to concentrate for the 2011 World Cup," he said. "We also have plans to encourage younger players. They will be given more opportunities to play international matches."

Pawar said that although the BCCI did not interfere with the selection process, it would adopt a new approach, perhaps based on that of Cricket Australia's. "They [CA] do not go by emotions and past performances, but by current performance and there are a number of instances in Australian selection that a harsh decision has been taken on non-performers."



Pawar also cancelled a yacht party that he had planned to give the Indian team on April 3 in anticipation of their entry into the Super Eight stage.

Security has been beefed up at the residences of certain Indian cricketers, as disappointed fans have reacted with aggression. Some burned posters of Indian players and beat the pictures with sandals while police protected the homes of key Indian players. In the central Indian city of Indore, dozens marched in what they described as "a funeral for Indian cricket". Similar protests were held in the northern Indian cities of Allahabad and Varanasi, Aaj Tak television news channel reported. Others threw rocks at a restaurant owned by Zaheer Khan, the fast bowler, in Pune, the channel said. Police officers took up positions outside the homes of Rahul Dravid in Bangalore, Mahendra Dhoni in Ranchi and Sachin Tendulkar and Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai

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ICC approve Martin as Tuffey's replacement


The ICC's Technical Committee has approved Chris Martin as the replacement for injured New Zealand bowler Daryl Tuffey in the New Zealand squad for the World Cup.

Tuffey injured his right arm during New Zealand's Group C match against Canada and was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after an ultrasound revealed the problem. The injury is in the same shoulder that forced Tuffey out of international cricket for two years.

Martin last played a one-day game in January 2006 against Sri Lanka at Napier. But he did get nine games in New Zealand's domestic one-day tournament and took 13 wickets at 24.53 as Auckland won the State Shield. In the final, Martin took his season's best figures of 3 for 7.

The ICC has so far approved replacements for five players during the World Cup. Apart from Martin, Stuart Clark replaced Brett Lee, ruled out with an ankle injury, in the Australian squad while Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq were replaced by Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat.

The Technical Committee includes David Richardson, an ICC representative, Michael Atherton and Rameez Raja, as independent nominations, as well as Chris Dehring, the chief executive of the World Cup organisation.

New Zealand's next match is against West Indies in Antigua on March 29 - the first of their Super 8 matches.

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Tait given 'big confidence boost'


Shaun Tait believes his successful fightback against South Africa after leaking runs early has set him up well for the remainder of the World Cup. Tait was rested after his first two overs went for 19 but he returned to remove Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp with inswinging yorkers.

He finished with 2 for 61 from his ten overs and said the results had shown him he could be a handful for any opposition. "If you can perform in important stages against teams like South Africa then there is no reason why you can't do it against any other side," Tait told The Age. "It's a big confidence boost."

His ability to find the right length with his yorkers - he had Boucher bowled and Kemp lbw - should have Ricky Ponting smiling ahead of the Super Eights. Tait has five wickets from Australia's three group matches and his economy rate is 5.40.

He appeared not to be in Australia's World Cup plans until late in the CB Series in February, when he was called in and tested against England and New Zealand. Tait hoped he had justified the selectors' decision to take a chance on him.

"You find out a bit about yourself playing for Australia in conditions like this, and being able to fight back was a big learning curve for me," he said. "It was really important for me to come on and take a few wickets for my future in the team."

Tait said even though he was a shade more expensive than he would have liked, that was sometimes inevitable for a bowler like him. "I struggled early, to be honest," he said. "I just couldn't quite find my line and I was a bit erratic. But I fought back.

"I had no choice basically. Playing against South Africa when you're posting 350-type scores, you know you are bound to go for a few, but there is still that air of confidence you've got to have about you to back yourself to knock them over."

Tait will remain a key element of Australia's attack for the next phase in the tournament. They begin their Super Eights campaign when they face West Indies at Antigua on Tuesday.

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Pietersen jumps to top of ODI rankings


Kevin Pietersen has become only the third England batsman to top the ICC ODI player rankings, after his solid start to the World Cup. Pietersen made half-centuries against New Zealand and Kenya to take a narrow four-point lead from Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey.

He is the first England player to head the list since Marcus Trescothick, who had a brief one-match stay there in 2005. Allan Lamb was the only other England batsman to achieve the feat and that was in 1989.

The success of Australia's top order has cost Hussey, who dropped from No. 1 down to third spot. The earliest Hussey has made his way to the crease in the first three matches was in the 44th over against Scotland, and he has not yet reached double-figures.

Shaun Pollock remains a long way ahead of the pack in the bowling rankings, despite his costly performance against Australia. Shane Bond and Muttiah Muralitharan shot to equal second from seventh and ninth places respectively.

South Africa need only to beat Sri Lanka on Wednesday to secure top position in the team rankings for the April 1 cut-off date, when the No. 1 side is awarded US$175,000. Australia could overtake South Africa, however, if results fall their way

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Lara upbeat ahead of Australia clash



The West Indies captain Brian Lara says his team will not crumble when they face the defending champions Australia in the opening match of the World Cup Super Eights in Antigua on Tuesday.

Both teams have had confident starts to the tournament, winning all three opening games, and they set up a mouth-watering opening to the second stage. Lara intends to fight fire with fire when the two sides meet at the new Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

"I know it is a different class of opponents in the game on Tuesday, but we've played well against Australia in the recent past and we expect to do well if we play to our strengths," Lara said. West Indies beat Australia in the group phase of the Champions Trophy and also upstaged them in one match in the DLF Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Australia, though, did not stumble in the finals of both those tournaments.

However, Lara felt West Indies, buoyed by home support, were a better side now. "We are very consistent," he said. "We're building to the point where we want to get on to the bigger games, the Australians, the South Africans, the biggest teams in the tournament. So far we've performed really well. I'm proud of the guys."

The Australia captain Ricky Ponting was equally upbeat ahead of the clash. "The West Indies are a very dangerous team, they are on home soil, they should know these conditions very well and they have great crowd support from all over the Caribbean," Ponting said. "But it starts now. Every step you take in this tournament becomes more and more exciting."

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Dream remains unfinished for Indian super four





Indian batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar may be the world's leading one-day scorer, but his dream of winning the ICC Cricket World Cup is unlikely to be realised.

His future as a ICC CWC player appears uncertain after India were pushed to the brink of elimination after suffering defeats against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the four-team group here.

Ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble, and batsmen Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid also may not get a chance to win the Cup for India as all of them are in their mid-30s and one more tournament will be one too many for them.

Tendulkar turns 34 next month and may not be there when the Cup arrives in the sub-continent in 2011. But he will be disappointed with the way he performed in his fifth ICC CWC.

He hardly did justice to his stature in important group matches, scoring seven against Bangladesh and a duck against Sri Lanka in a must-win game.

His team expected a lot more from a batsman who was the highest scorer in the 2003 edition in South Africa with 673 runs in 11 matches.

It is not yet certain whether Tendulkar will follow Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and West Indies captain Brian Lara in quitting one-day cricket and concentrating on Tests alone after the ongoing ICC CWC.

What is certain is that it will be impossible to replace Tendulkar, who has been dominating the bowling on all surfaces with his exciting stroke-play since his international debut in 1989.

He is the top scorer in one-day internationals with 14,847 runs in 384 matches with a record 41 centuries and the fourth-highest in Tests with 10,688.

Stylish left-handed batsman Ganguly and Dravid are the other batsmen in the 10,000-club, who have been serving the team remarkably well for more than a decade in the shorter version of the game with their consistency.

Ganguly has solved India's major problem of finding an effective opener as he has given sound starts on a number of occasions with his shrewd shot-selection, while Dravid has provided solidity to the middle order with his sound technique and temperament.

Kumble has won many matches for his team in both forms of the game with his intelligent bowling. He is not a big turner of the ball, but has the accuracy and subtle variations to test the best on any surface.

Like Tendulkar, Kumble also had a forgettbale ICC CWC having figured in one of his team's three games, against debutants Bermuda. He is seventh-highest wicket-taker in one-dayers with 337 in 271 matches.

India will shed much of their bowling strength when Kumble quits international cricket, but they have the batsmen for the future.

It will be impossible to find the replacements for Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid for the next ICC CWC, but there are some talented batsmen who have proved they can serve India for a long time.

Yuvraj Singh, 25, has been fast emerging as an excellent finisher in the shorter version of the game with his ability to win matches for his team from tight situations. He has the shots to dominate any attack when on song.

Wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni, 25, is another explosive batsman who can alter the course of a match in a few overs with his breath-taking shots. He rose to fame with a blistering century against Pakistan at Visakhapatnam in 2005.

Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik, both 21, are other batsmen for the future, having the temperament to excel in the tough international arena.

With hard-hitting opener Virender Sehwag, 28, having plenty of cricket left in him, India will have the batting to compete with the best in future, but they will have to find match-winning bowlers soon.