Bangladesh collapse after another Tamim century

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A dramatic batting collapse turned the second and final test England’s way at Old Trafford after Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal crashed his second exhilarating century in as many matches on Saturday.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 76 as Bangladesh, replying to England’s 419, slumped from 126 for nought to 216 all out.

England captain Andrew Strauss must now decide overnight whether to enforce the follow-on at the start of play on the third day on Sunday.

It was quite a turnaround after Tamim’s breathtaking 108 from 114 balls, his fourth test century, and Bangladesh now seem unlikely to grab the victory they need to draw the series.

“It was great to score a hundred but the team matters (more),” the swashbuckling 21-year-old left-hander told reporters. “We didn’t play well after a solid start so I’m not that happy.

“If we could have gone through the day with three or four wickets down it would have been a perfect day. When I walked off I didn’t expect that (collapse),” said Tamim who kissed his bat and waved it towards his team mates on reaching three figures.

Earlier, overnight batsman Ian Bell (128) notched his 11th test century for England and put on 153 for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (93).

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan produced a late burst of wickets to finish with five for 121.

SPARKLING KNOCKS

The day, though, belonged to Tamim again.

Following his sparkling knocks of 55 and 103 in the first test at Lord’s, the aggressive youngster cut, drove and slashed anything loose in an innings reminiscent of India’s fast-scoring opener Virender Sehwag.

He initially provided Strauss with a major problem as England’s four-man attack struggled in hot and sunny conditions.

Tamim skipped down the pitch and drove Swann over long-on for six to reach his 50 in 43 balls and went on to crack a total of 11 boundaries before he was caught behind off James Anderson trying to cut.

Earlier, he shared an opening stand of 126 with Imrul Kayes who fell for 36 when he hooked paceman Steven Finn to fine leg.

“When I started test cricket I was just trying to survive and when I tried to play a shot I was getting out,” said Tamim.

“I spoke to (coach) Jamie (Siddons) and he said when you are batting in the one-dayers, enjoy yourself, and I thought that’s the way I should play in test cricket.

“Some days I will look fantastic and some days I will look ugly but I think I need to keep going this way.”

After England resumed their first innings on 275 for five, Bell reached his century before being bowled by a sharply spinning delivery from Shakib.

Prior then seemed set for his own ton until he offered a catch off Shakib while reverse sweeping. (Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Gambhir sweats it out

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Amongst a bunch of kits strewn around at the Bharat Nagar Sports Complex, a blue tag with a World T20 logo, mentioning ‘Member Indian team’, was hanging out distinctly from the black kitbag. A closer look showed ‘Gambhir’ engraved on it. Team India, somehow, is still preoccupied with that tournament. A few of the players have just finished scribbling replies to a show cause notice following a pub brawl, while others are recovering from the trauma of a failed campaign.

Gautam Gambhir didn’t unpack his kit bag upon returning home from the West Indies. On Tuesday, he picked up that very bag and headed for a game ? one which will help him prepare for the Asia Cup and the Sri Lanka series. The met man marked his reading as 45.2 degrees for Wednesday, but that didn’t alter the Indian opener’s plan of venturing into the Delhi summer circuit.

“You want to know what am I doing here in this heat? I am here to get some good practice to play 50-over cricket to prepare myself for the Asia Cup,” said Gambhir, who turned up for employers ONGC in a quarter-final game of the Laxman Dass Chabbra cricket tournament against Rohtak Road Gymkhana. “Let the others rest. I am ok. Ten days are enough for me. I want to get a few one-day matches under my belt,” he added.

Gambhir has charted his summer circuit plan well in advance. The left-hander will be in action again in the semi-final of the tournament on Friday, and at the Lala Raghubir tournament on Saturday. Gambhir will spotted more often in the coming two weeks playing the summer circuit in the Capital and will be hitting the nets on non-match days.

Gambhir made 32 in his side’s victory on a wicket that assisted spinners. He began with a square cut off the backfoot, used his footwork admirably to play some delectable over-the-cover-region shots. Gambhir lost his wicket trying to heave leg-spinner Abhishek Sharma over deep mid-wicket but was caught inside the rope.

Earlier, Sharma scored a whirlwind 58 off 32 deliveries to take RR Gymkhana to a competitive total after put into bat on a wicket that was still damp despite an hour’s delay. Opener Gaurav Goel withstood an early probe with the new ball while ONGC skipper Amit Bhandari split open the middle order with a heavy dose of reverse swing that fetched him two wickets. Batting with a runner, Sharma hit clean to make the most of batting powerplay opted for in the last three overs of the 35-over game.

Though Gambhir was the star attraction, it was Radhey Shyam Gupta and Saleem Ansari with half-centuries to their credit, who guided their team home with six wickets to spare. Gupta scored an unbeaten 58 while Ansari was unbeaten on 56 as ONGC chased down 204.

Ansari was handed the man of the match, while Gambhir gifted a brand new bat to the other star of the afternoon.

At the end of it all, the heat did get to Gambhir. But it wasn’t on the field that Gambhir started to fret about the summer sun. Rather, the interiors of his car was so hot that the India opener had to wait a while before driving home.

Brief scores: RR Gymkhana 204 for 7 in 35 overs (Abhishek Sharma not out 58, Gaurav Goel 46, Praveen Gupta 2/24, Amit Bhandari 2/47 ); ONGC 208 for 4 in 32.4 overs (Radhey Shyam Gupta not out 58, Saleem Ansari not out 56, Sandeep Sharma 48, Gautam Gambhir 32, Abhishek Sharma 2/31)

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Air India register easy win in GG Dutt, enter quarters

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Air India beat South Delhi Colts by four wickets to enter the quarter-finals of the ongoing All-India Goswami Ganesh Dutt memorial cricket tournament on Tuesday. Set a target of 230, Air India completed the formalities with five balls to spare at the St Stephen’s ground.

At one point, Air India were in danger of losing the grip on the match, when they were three down with only 51 on the board. But the timely 125-run partnership for the fourth wicket between skipper Shafiq Khan and Reetinder Singh Sodhi got them closer to the target, before both the set batsmen were dismissed.

It was left to Naman Sharma, who struck 23 in quick time, to see the 11-time champions home. Khan made a run-a-ball 79, including nine hits to the fence, while Sodhi contributed 47 to the total. For South Delhi Colts, Manish Bhatia struck thrice and Gaurav Gambhir took two wickets, in a losing cause.

Earlier, put into bat, the Colts were reeling at 89 for 6 in only 22.2 overs. And only a late-order burst by Nischal Gaur and Gaurav Gambhir, ensured that they put on a fighting total of 228 after the end of their innings. They put on 140-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Gaur struck six boundaries and four sixes in his 57-ball 81, while Gambhir made 54. Mohammad Arif, who made 32 and Amarjeet Singh (23), also contributed to the South Delhi Colts total.

For Air India, Sachin Rana was pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/57), while Amit Bakshi, Iresh Saxena and Ajit Chandela shared a wicket apiece.

Brief scores: South Delhi Colts 229 for 8 in 40 overs (Nishchal Gaur 81, Gaurav Gambhir 54, Mohammad Arif 32, Sachin Rana 2/57, Amit Bakshi 1/22, Iresh Saxena 1/44, Ajit Chandela 1/41); Air India 233 for 6 in 39.1 overs (Shafiq Khan 79, Chandan Madan 27, Reetinder Singh Sodhi 47, Naman Sharma 23 not out, Manish Bhatia 3/50, Gaurav Gambhir 2/39, Parveen Thapar 1/40)

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Mohali take honours on Day One

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The encounter between two heavy weights-Chandigarh and Mohali- has always been mouth-watering. Both the teams have always called for high-intensity and action filled matches. It was no different on Tuesday when both the teams once again engaged in an exciting encounter during the third round matches of the Punjab State Under-22 Cricket Tournament played at the Sector 16 Cricket stadium. However, Mohali took the honours on the first day as their batsmen helped the team pile on a handsome total.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Mohali mustered a sound total of 377 in 94.4 overs. After losing the first wicket cheaply, Mohali batsmen Ankit Pursharthy and Sachin Sohal stitched 108 runs for the second wicket before Ankit was caught by Bawa off the bowling of Anshul Tripathi. He made 67 off 145 balls with the help of ten boundaries. Two quick wickets in succession put Chandigarh on top but Gurkirat Mann and Arshdeep Brar were involved in a century stand (101) for the fifth wicket that once again brought Mohali back into the match. Arshdeep returned back to the pavillion after a well-made 45 off 80 balls.

However, Gurkirat continued in the same vein and smashed a quick-fire 36 off 28 balls and was involved in a 93-run stand for the sixth wicket with Gunjot Singh. Gurkirat, who has been in good form, struck a superb 109 off 100 balls. Gurinder Singh and Anshul Tripathi took three wickets each for Chandigarh.

In reply, Chandigarh were 6 for no loss in five overs.

Brief scores:Mohali (1st innings): 377 all out in 94.4 overs (Gurkirat Mann 109, Ankit Pursharthy 67, Sachin Sohal 65, Arshdeep Brar 48, Gunjot Singh 36, Gurinder Singh 3 for 104, Anshul Tripathi 3 for 146); Chandigarh (1st innings): 6 for no loss in 5 overs (Amit Prashar 3 no, Manan Vohra 3 no).

Chawla saves the day for PatialaHolding on one side firmly as wickets fell regularly at the other end, Himanshu Chawla emerged as hero of the day for Patiala as he helped the team muster a competitive 308 in 82 overs in the match played at Jalandhar.

Opting to bat first, Patiala lost their first wicket cheaply before Jeevanjot and Amitoze got together and put on 91 runs in 110 balls for the second wicket. Thereafter, Patiala lost few quick wickets but then Himanshu and Vikramjit resurrected the visiting team’s innings by stitching 82 runs for the sixth wicket.

Himanshu who was looking good for a century, missed out on the feat when he holed a Yogesh Kumar delivery to the mid wicket where Maninder took an easy catch to send him packing on 95. He took 147 balls for his effort and struck 10 boundaries. Yogesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers as he completed a five-wicket haul (5 for 82), while Maninder bagged three wickets.

Jalandhar were 40 for 1 in 12 overs. They lost opener Nitish for 23 on the last ball of the match.

Brief scores:Patiala (1st innings): 308 for all out in 82 overs (Himanshu Chawla 95, Amitoze Singh 61, Jivanjot Singh 34, Vikramjit Singh 36, Yogesh Kumar 5 for 82, Maninder Singh 3 for 89, Manpreet Singh 2 for 51); Jalandhar (1st innings): 40 for 1 in 12 overs (Nitish 23, Robin Singh 15 no).

Ludhiana batsmen shineA Collective batting effort by Ludhiana batsmen helped the team finish the first day on a high during their match against Kapurthala at Ludhiana. Batting first, the hosts amassed 399 for 8 in 95 overs. Bharat Malhotra (108), Gitansh Khera (87), Sunny Pandey (59) and Akhil Aggarwal (48) were the run scorers for the hosts.

A second wicket partnership of 95 runs for the second wicket set the tone for Ludhiana innings. Then a fourth wicket partnership of 132 runs between Gitansh and Bharat helped the team build platform for a good total. Similarly, another fruitful partnership of 75 runs for the fifth wicket between Bharat and Deepak Bansal further swelled the team’s total. In the process, Bharat completed his century (108 off 159 balls) with the help of 11 boundaries and a huge six.

Gagan added a quick-fire 39 off 18 balls to help the team reach 399. Krishan picked up three wickets for 109 runs.

In reply, Kapurthala were reeling at 57 for 5 in 13 overs at the end of the day’s play. Baltej Singh scalped three wickets, while Deepak Bansal took two wickets to leave the team tottering. Four of the five batsmen failed to open their account. Mandeep Singh was batting on 42.

Brief scores:Ludhiana (1st innings): 399 for 8 in 95 overs (Bharat Malhotra 108, Gitansh Khera 87, Sunny Pandey 58, Akhil Aggarwal 48, Deepak Bansal 39, Gagan 39, Krishan 3 for 109); Kapurthala (1st innings): 57 for 5 in 13 overs (Mandeep Singh 42 no, Baltej Singh 3 for 26, Deepak Bansal 2 for 26).

Loomba helps team take leadRiding high on Sharad Loomba’s unbeaten 91, Amritsar took an unassailable 45-run lead over Mansa in the fourth match played at Amritsar. Batting first, Mansa were bundled out for 131 in 50.2 overs. Lakshay Seth took four wickets, while Shubham Khanna and Charanjit Singh bagged two wickets each.

In reply, Amritsar were 176 for 3 in 42 overs at the end of the day’s play. Loomba was batting on 91 off 109 balls. He was involved in a 63-run partnership for the third wicket with Amandeep Bawa. Aman Bharti took two wickets.

Brief scores:Mansa (1st innings): 131 for all out in 50.2 overs (Manpreet Singh 27, Aman Bharti 26, Lakshay Seth 4 for 28, Charanjit Singh 2 for 29, Shubham Khanna 2 for 35); Amritsar (1st innings): 176 for 3 in 42 overs (Sharad Loomba 91, Mohit Handa 14 no, Aman Bharti 2 for 52)

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Sri Lanka ease to win over NZ in Florida

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets, with more than four overs to spare, in a low-scoring Twenty20 international in Florida on Sunday.

The tied two-match series was the first time that two test-playing nations had met in an official game in the United States.

Hopes of introducing the American public to a format of cricket that usually brings big hitting and non-stop action were dashed, however, by a slow and low surface that made scoring difficult.

Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan supporters who had travelled from across North America to the only purpose-built cricket stadium in the States for the game enjoyed a rare chance to see their favourites perform.

Nuwan Kulasekara ripped through the New Zealand top order as he took three wickets in the second over, removing openers Brendon McCullum and Aaron Redmond and Rob Nicol with some excellent swing bowling.

“This wicket really was ideally suited to Kulasekera, there was a little bit of something in it early on and he took full advantage of it with some magical bowling,” said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

As in Saturday’s game, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori got to grips with conditions, making a stabilising 27.

Nathan McCullum’s unbeaten 36 took New Zealand to 81 before they were bowled out in the 18th over.

Vettori, who was full of praise for the weekend’s event, said the wicket was “not too far away” from what he would expect for an international but refused to blame it for his team’s performance.

“I think it was just very good bowling. Sri Lanka adapted to the conditions and bowled very straight and took wickets with some very good balls. Thirteen for five was always going to be difficult to come back from,” he said.

Sri Lanka, who had lost Saturday’s opening game of the series, were never in trouble, with Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 33 guiding his team to a comfortable victory.

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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South Africa thrash Windies by 66 runs in ODI

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

South Africa eased to a 66-run victory over West Indies thanks to centuries by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers and some aggressive bowling in the first one-day international on Saturday.

West Indies’ batsmen wilted to 215 all out from 44.1 overs as they chased the tourists’ total of 280-7 from 48 overs which was powered by Amla and de Villiers who both scored 102.

Amla registered his second career ODI century while de Villiers struck his third ODI ton on the trot as they put on 129 for the third wicket to lay the foundation for a big total.

Amla struck eight fours at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds from 109 deliveries while de Villiers hit five fours and two sixes off 101 balls.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo bowled with control to finish with figures of three for 40 from 10 overs.

In the run chase Chris Gayle top scored for the hosts with 45 from 39 balls including eight powerful fours while Kieron Pollard blasted 44 from 37 deliveries with five fours and a six.

Their efforts were not nearly adequate enough to threaten South Africa’s total as lanky pacer Morne Morkel captured three for 40 from eight overs. He was supported by Dale Steyn and Ryan McLaren (both two for 37) and Johan Botha (two for 47).

The second game in the five-match series will take place on Monday at the same venue before the teams move to Dominica for a double header and Jamaica for the final game.

(Editing by Ken Ferris and Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Clarke adamant about keeping Oz Twenty20 captaincy

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 20 (ANI): Twenty20 skipper Michael Clarke, whose tenure comes in for review over his poor batting in the shortest version of the game, is adamant about retaining the Australian Twenty20 captaincy.

Clarke has already conceded that his position might come under review following Australia’s seven-wicket loss to archrivals England in the final of the World Twenty20 Cup.

He finished with 92 runs in the tournament at 15.33. White on the other hand scored 180 runs at 45, with a strike rate of 146.34 compared with Clarke’s strike rate of 80.7.

“No doubt (I want to continue), I’m disappointed we couldn’t win the World T20, win the final, but I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity,” Clarke said on Wednesday.

“I’ve loved playing with the guys, I’ve had a lot of support from people back at home, the people who came and watched the games in the West Indies, and family and friends, so it’s been great and I’m enjoying it (the captaincy),” he said.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke as saying it might be time he re-acquainted himself with the aggressive and nimble-footed technique he first brought to the Australian team.

“Who knows? Maybe I need a little bit of that back,” said Clarke of his former, youthful approach.

“Everybody has a different role in our team though and that is one thing that players certainly are aware of, and you need to do your role to the best of your ability. For me my role is not the same as Dave Warner or Shane Watson.

“I always want to perform, I always want to score runs, it doesn’t matter what form of the game I’m playing, but like I said in this game, sometimes you can’t always make those runs,” Clarke added. (ANI)

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Clarke’s fate as T20 skipper to be decided next week

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 19 (ANI): Michael Clarke’s future as Australia’s Twenty20 captain will be decided next week, after his dismal performance with the bat during the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Victoria captain Cameron White, who led his side to the Big Bash title, is being tipped to be the new Australian Twent20 skipper after incumbent Clarke’s tenure comes under review over his suspect batting in the shortest version of the game.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch’s first job when he returns home from the Caribbean will be to hold a telephone conversation with his fellow selectors to pick Australia’s three teams for a tour of Britain, including the squad for two Twenty20 games against Pakistan.

That meeting is likely to be held at the weekend, The Age reports.

Clarke is sure to face further scrutiny of his tenure as a Twenty20 batsman and captain after his admission that the selectors “will have to have a look at my performances”, which he conceded were “not up to scratch”.

Clarke is favoured to assume the Test and one-day leadership when Ricky Ponting retires, but the issue of his Twenty20 form has become so sensitive that Cricket Australia officials have refused to discuss it until the selectors name captains for the England tour, which also includes two Tests against Pakistan and five one-dayers against England, the paper said.

Clarke has conceded that his position must come under review following Australia’s seven-wicket loss to archrivals England. He finished with 92 runs in the tournament at 15.33. White on the other hand scored 180 runs at 45, with a strike rate of 146.34 compared with Clarke’s strike rate of 80.7.

It is a difficult consideration for the selectors because of Clarke’s astute leadership and excellent winning record as captain. But his not holding his place in the Twenty20 team as a batsman is proving to be a critical weakness. (ANI)

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White being tipped to replace Clarke as Oz T20 captain

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 17 (ANI): Victoria captain Cameron White, who led his side to the Big Bash title, while winning four of the past five championships, is being tipped to be the new Australian Twent20 skipper after incumbent Michael Clarke’s tenure comes under review over his suspect batting in the shortest version of the game.

Clarke has conceded that his position must come under review following Australia’s seven-wicket loss to archrivals England. He finished with 92 runs in the tournament at 15.33. White on the other hand scored 180 runs at 45, with a strike rate of 146.34 compared with Clarke’s strike rate of 80.7.

It is a difficult consideration for selectors because of Clarke’s astute leadership and excellent winning record as captain. But his not holding his place in the Twenty20 team as a batsman is proving a weakness, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Clarke’s performances in the three World Twenty20s so far have yielded 108 runs at an average of 10.8, with a strike rate of 77.14. White, by contrast, has played only 20 games for Australia, but has more runs – 481, at a superior average of 43.72 and an excellent strike rate of 148.45.

“There is no doubt the selectors will need to have a look at my performances. I certainly know they haven’t been up to scratch and as good as I would’ve expected throughout this whole tournament, and probably Twenty20 cricket in general,” said Clarke.

“I’m sure the selectors will have a look and if I’m not the right person for the No.3 position and the captaincy of this team they’ll make that decision,” he said.

White was predictably diplomatic when asked about taking over the leadership in wake of Clarke’s comments.

“If that’s what Michael thinks, that’s what he’s thinking. I’m in no position to think about selection. All I can do is make sure I’m doing well and the team’s doing well and playing my part for the team and supporting Michael as vice-captain as well,” White said. (ANI)

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Uday ton assures Chandigarh win

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Being Punjab’s highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy (582 runs in eight matches), the attention was solely focussed on southpaw Uday Kaul. The 22-year-old had failed to come up with decent scores in the on-going Punjab Inter District Senior Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield. But on Saturday he cracked a polished century that not only put Chandigarh in a strong position but also signalled his return to form in the final match going on at the PCA stadium. His ton ensured Chandigarh a strong first innings lead of 91 runs.

Resuming from their overnight score of 135 for 2, Chandigarh suffered their first setback when their skipper Vishwas Bhalla perished after adding just five runs to his overnight score of 39 runs to return to the pavillion for 44 runs. At 144 for 3, Uday joined Gurkirat Walia and the duo stitched a healthy 78-run partnership to take the team’s total to 218 before Walia was dismissed by medium pacer Mohit Mohindra for 37. Instead of holding back their attacking instincts, Uday and new batsman Gaurav Gupta went after Patiala bowlers and raised a century partnership of 114 runs for the fifth wicket in 37.1 overs. Gupta stayed at the crease for 144 minutes and consumed 97 deliveries for his 31 runs. At that moment when Chandigarh were threatening to take the match away from them, Patiala’s Mohindra struck to give the team much needed breakthrough by dismissing Gupta. Still trailing by six runs at the moment, Chandigarh then took lead when Simrat Bawa and Uday took the team to a 48-run first innings lead. Then Gaurav Gambhir and Uday took the team’s total score to 410 when Uday’s scintillating knock of 177 run came to an end. His innings included 27 boundaries. At the end of the third day’s play, Chandigarh were strongly placed at 429 for 7 in 148 overs with Gaurav Gambhir and Amit Uniyal batting on 11 and 17 runs, respectively.

Brief scores:Patiala:1st innings: 338 for all out in 136.1 overs (Reetinder Sodhi 108, Amitoze 79, Kunwar Raina 53, Pankaj Dharmani 40, Amit Uniyal 6 for 71, Karanveer Singh 3 for 81); Chandigarh: 1st innings: 429 for 7 in 148 overs (Uday Kaul 177, Sarul Kanwar 75, Vishwas Bhalla 44, Gurkirat Walia 37, Gaurav Gupta 31, Amrinder Singh 2 for 101, Mohit Mohindra 2 for 119).

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Shock, disbelief in Pak after ouster

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

They were gearing up to celebrate a win when Michael Hussey turned the match on its head, leaving scores of fans in Pakistan shocked at their team’s ouster from the Twenty20 World Cup following the last-over loss to Australia.

A pall of gloom descended on the city of Karachi and in other parts of the country after Pakistan were stunned by Australia in the high scoring semifinal of the mega event last night.

Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by overhauling a 191-run target with a ball to spare, leaving Pakistani supporters in disbelief.

“It is shocking we were just getting ready for a feast and to distribute sweets and to just celebrate a great victory and that was just two overs back and now we are simply stunned and shocked,” former Test player Jalaluddin said.

Jalaluddin was among thousands of people in the city who had made special arrangements to watch the match with family and friends at their homes where people had set up barbecues and big television screens.

People thronged big hotels, private clubs and cafes, to watch the match and as a likely victory loomed large for Pakistan, the celebrations had already begun at most places with people dancing and cheering every Australian wicket that fell.

But it took just two overs to change the mood of the as they left disheartened after Pakistan lost despite coming so close to beating Michael Clarke’s men.

“It was just poor captaincy and nothing else, our players don’t have self belief, they don’t realise how much we pray for their success,” an angry student said in the Lines area.

In the Lines area, a lower and congested middle class locality of Karachi, people had set up giant screens on the roads for children and elders watched the match.

There were special arrangements to watch the match on generators due to the energy crisis in the country.

“I think we should accept defeat with grace, our team played like true champions but in sports one team has to lose and unfortunately it was not our day today but our players made us proud,” said Zeesh another student watching the match at Area 51.

If Pakistan had won, it would have been their third successive final in the Twenty20 World Cup.

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NZ eves set up clash with Oz in T20 WC final

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sara McGlashan starred with a 55-ball 84 as New Zealand beat hosts West Indies by 56 runs to set up a summit clash against traditional rivals Australia in the Women’s World Twenty20 here.

Riding on McGlashan’s blazing knock, New Zealand, who finished runners-up at the last edition of the event, made 180 for five in their 20 overs.

In reply, the hosts could only manage 124 for eight in stipulated 20 overs last night. McGlashan was declared player of the match.

The win sets up New Zealand against Australia in the final scheduled tomorrow in Barbados.

The Kiwi women were off to a rather wobbly start as they lost opener Suzie Bates (7) with just 18 runs on the board.

The other opener, skipper Aimmee Watkins (20) didn’t last long either, leaving New Zealand at a precarious 49 for two in eight overs.

In walked McGlashan and she quickly started rebuilding the innings. Together with Sophie Devine (27), McGlashan put on 93 runs for the third wicket, which pout New Zealand in a strong position.

McGlashan struck six fours and a couple of sixes in her fantastic innings before being run out by Shakera Selman. Devine’s 22-ball knock included a four and a six.

For West Indies, Selman was the most successful bowler picking up two wickets, conceding 27 runs in her four overs.

In reply, opener Stafanie Taylor was the lone West Indian batter to put up some resistance with a 33-ball 40 that included three fours and a couple of sixes.

Watkins was New Zealand’s star with the ball as she grabbed three wickets giving away just 26 runs in her four overs.

After playing a stellar role with the bat, McGlashan made an impression in the field as well when she ran out Taylor.

The West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never got a partnership going, which was crucial to the chase.

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Clash between old foes in World Twenty20 final

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 15 (IANS) Spurred by their come-from-behind victory against Pakistan, Australia will challenge the might of England in what in expected to be an engrossing battle between the two arch-rivals for the World Twenty20 crown here Sunday.

Australia and England are deserving finalists, being the most consistent performers in the 15-day tournament. For a while, it seemed Pakistan would overpower Australia Friday for the final berth, but Michael Hussey’s sensational unbeaten 60 off 24 balls, that included three sixes off the last over, helped them chase down a mammoth 192.

So far, the two teams were known to have made light of the shortest format of the game. The Test matches and Ashes rivalry holds more importance. But this time round, Australia and England have shown they can be equally good in the slam-bang version.

Australia, who have won the ODI World Cup four times, is still to lay their hands on the World Twenty20 trophy while for England it holds a different importance. The inventor the gentleman’s game is still to win any World Championship title.

Like the Super Eights, the wicket is expected to help the pace bowlers, and both sides are packed with quality bowlers.

It will, thus, be a test for the batsmen to show their skills on a bouncy Kenisngton Oval track which proved to be the burial ground for the sub-continental teams.

The Australian fast bowling trio of Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson can make life difficult for England batsmen. Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom and Tim Bresnan are equally capable of challenging the Australians.

Kevin Peitersen will be England’s trump card while Australia will look up to Michael Hussey.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has already said they would love to get rid of Peitersen as early as possible.

Pietersen, who returned after the birth of his son, led the way for England with 201 runs at an average of 67.

‘Kevin Pietersen’s coming back to form plays a huge part,’ Clarke said.

‘He (Pietersen) is a wonderful player in all three forms of the game. He’ll be a big part of the final. If we can get him out early it will hold us in good stead.’

But the sterngth of this England side is that they do not rely on one or two players. Their new opening combination of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb has given them quick starts and Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright have held the fort in the middle order. Paul Collingwood himself is in good touch.

Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Shane Watson is equally dangerous. The middle order has been bit shaky but Cameron White and Hussey have made up for their lack of runs.

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Aussies to target Pietersen during World Twenty20 final

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 15 (ANI): Australia has upped the ante against archrivals England ahead of the World Twenty20 final with skipper Michael Clarke saying his bowlers will try to get Kevin Pietersen’s wicket early.

Pietersen has led the way for England with 201 runs at an average of 67, including match-winning fifties in the Super Eights against defending champions Pakistan, and his native South Africa.

Pietersen returned for a brief break to London for the birth of his son and showed no signs of jet lag as he made an unbeaten 42 off just 26 balls in England’s seven-wicket semi-final win over Sri Lanka.

“Kevin Pietersen coming back into form plays a huge part,” The Herald Sun quoted Clarke, as saying after Australia beat Pakistan by three wickets.

“He (Pietersen) is a wonderful player in all three forms of the game. He’ll be a big part of the final. If we can get him out early it will hold us in good stead,” he added.

Pietersen was seen asking his teammates not to be lax during the match.

“There is a fine line between demanding high standards…and then stepping over that line into a petulant world, and a world that damages the team in any way,” England coach Andy Flower said. (ANI)

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New Zealand crush West Indies by 56 runs to enter ICC Women’s T20 WC final

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gros Islet, May 15 (ANI): Riding on Sara McGlashan’s superb 55 ball 84 run innings, New Zealand crushed West Indies by 56 runs to enter the final of the ICC Women’s World T20 Championship here.

The White Ferns’ would now clash with archrivals Australia, the side they”ve beaten six times in a row, in the final on Sunday (May 16) at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 180 for the loss of five wickets. The mainstay of the New Zealand innings was McGlashan’s exciting knock, which included six boundaries and two mammoth sixes.

McGlashan had two good partnerships with skipper Aimee Watkins (20) and Sophie Devine (27), which helped her steady the ship after a wobbly start.

New Zealand were 49 for two but a stand of 93 at nearly 11 an over between McGlashan and Devine took the game away from the home side.

In reply, West Indies never looked like they would overcome the highest total of the tournament and could only manage 124 runs.

Barring opener S.Taylor (40) none of the batswomen were able to stay on the wicket and followed each other to the pavilion at regular intervals.

Watkins also shone with the ball taking three wickets for 26 in her quota of four overs.

Speaking during the post match ceremony, an elated Watkins said she was delighted to have another chance at World Twenty20 glory so soon after last year”s disappointment.

“We”ve got to take each game as it comes. What we”ve done in the past doesn”t matter too much but we will take a lot of confidence into the game. We are lucky we”ve got two bites of the cherry, to have another crack at the Twenty20 World Cup. It”s not often you”ll have another one within 12 months of the last one,” Watkins said. (ANI)

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Indian eves lose to Australia in World Twenty20 semi-final

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St. Lucia (West Indies), May 14 (ANI): The Indian women’s cricket team has also ended its WorldTwenty20 campaign in the Caribbean, losing to Australia in the semi-finals by seven wickets on Thursday.

Australian captain Alex Blackwell led from the front in ensuring that her side advanced to the women”s World Twenty20 final.

Blackwell”s 61, her maiden fifty at this level, was the centerpiece of Australia”s successful pursuit of the Indian target of 120.

Her innings was all the more impressive as Blackwell, only leading the side because wicketkeeper/batsman Jodie Fields withdrew before the tournament with a hamstring injury, came in with the score at one for one.

But together with left-handed opener Shelley Nitschke (22), she shared a second-wicket stand of 74 that ended Indian hopes.

By the time Blackwell was stumped by Sulakshana Naik off leg-spinner Priyanka Roy, Australia were 101 for three and in sight of victory.

Blackwell faced 49 balls for her 61, which included eight boundaries.

Leah Poulton, unbeaten on 30, ended the match with seven balls to spare with a boundary.

Earlier, Australia restricted India to five 119.

Opener Poonam Raut made 44 off 51 balls, with three boundaries, before she became one of three wickets that fell in the 17th over.

Raut put on 57 with Harmanpreet Kaur, the best stand of the innings, before bowler Ellyse Perry’s ran her out.

India”s star batsman Mithali Raj was drawn out of her crease by experienced Australia spinner Lisa Sthalekar and stumped by Alyssa Healy, the niece of former Australia wicketkeeper Ian. (ANI)

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Players themselves to be blamed for semi-final loss: Sangakkara

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gros Islet, May 14 (ANI): Dejected after the seven wicket loss to England in the semi-final of the ICC World T20 Championship here, Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has said no one else but the players themselves are to be blamed for their shoddy performance in the all important match of the tournament.

Last year’s finalist, Sri Lanka could manage to put only 128 on the score board after Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat at the Beausejour Stadium here. For England, it was once again Kevin Pietersen who shone with the bat, showing no signs of fatigue after flying back from London following the birth of his first son. He remained unbeaten on 42.

Sangakkara, who himself made just 16, said losing wickets at regular intervals restricted the team from posting a fighting total.

“In the first six overs if we”d got 40 runs with wickets in hand we could have accelerated through the middle but we lost three wickets early. Angelo Mathews (58) played very well but we didn”t bat smartly today,” he said.

Commenting on the smart bowling tactics of England pacers, who used slow looping bouncers to good effect, Sangakkara said : “ Everyone has those sorts of deliveries these days but it”s how you use them that counts and I thought England did that very well.”

Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya finished the tournament with just 15 runs from six innings, but the Sri Lankan skipper avoided comments on whether it was the 40-year old batsmen’s last international outing.

“Unfortunately he didn”t have a great run but to his credit he stuck with the team through a difficult period and the team stuck with him. He showed a lot of support and we made sure he felt wanted, unfortunately he didn”t deliver but we still had more than enough quality to do better than we did today,” he said during the post-match presentation. (ANI)

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Pak must aim at wickets, not containment to win T20 title: Imran Khan

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 13 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has said that the Shahid Afridi led team should adopt a ‘wicket taking’ policy rather than just focussing on preventing other teams from scoring runs, if it has to move further in the ICC World T20 World Championship.

He said Afridi should adopt the same strategy which was adopted by the 1992 World Cup winning Pakistan squad, which was to look for wickets.

“This is what the Aussies have been doing and this has made them a great team,” The Nation quoted Imran, as saying.

Pakistan would be taking on Australia in the second semi-final of the T20 championship at St.Lucia tomorrow (Friday, May 14).

He also suggested that Pakistan should use fast bowler Mohammed Asif as an attacking bowler, and not as a ‘run stopper’.

Imran, one of Pakistan’s most successful captains, said that batting was Pakistan’s main problem in the on going tournament, as apart from opener Salman Butt none of the other batsmen have fired so far.

He said that since Pakistan’s batting has not been upto the mark, Afridi should always look to bat first rather than chasing.

He also suggested some changes in the batting order, saying Afridi should bring himself and Misbah-ul-Haq up the order so that they can accumulate maximum runs when the ball is new and hard. (ANI)

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