-- NEWS --

Tendulkar, Dravid, Zaheer nominated for ICC awards

11 August 2011

 

Dubai, Aug 11(ANI): Indian stars Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan have been nominated for the prestigious ICC 'Cricketer of the Year' (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy) and 'Test Player of the Year' awards, which will be presented in London on September 12.
Tendulkar and Dravid have previously won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
Tendulkar won it in 2010, while Dravid won it at the inaugural awards in 2004.
Zaheer has also been nominated for the 'ODI Player of the Year' award along with M.S. Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir Virat Kohli, Munaf Patel, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh.

This year's ICC Awards includes 10 individual prizes and also features the selection of the Test and ODI Teams of the Year and the award to the side that has adhered most to the Spirit of Cricket.
For the second time, this year's awards feature the category, the People's Choice Award.
This award will be chosen by cricket fans around the world, who will get a chance to vote for their favourite player online from a short-list of five cricketers.
Those five cricketers - Jonathan Trott, M.S. Dhoni, Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara and Hashim Amla - who were selected by the ICC selection panel and released to the public for voting earlier this month.
Cricket fans currently have the opportunity to vote for the cricketer of their choice online until August 25 at www.lgpeopleschoice.com.
'The LG ICC Awards presents a wonderful opportunity for the ICC, in association with FICA and a myriad of cricket fans, to acknowledge and reward the brilliant performances of the world's best cricketers," said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.
"It is also a chance to look back on some of the great cricketing feats witnessed in the past year, including from our flagship event, the ICC Cricket World Cup. This will be the eighth Awards edition and once again the voting academy will face a tough task in deciding the winners," he added.
The long-lists of nominations were made by a five-man ICC selection panel chaired by former West Indies captain and current chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd.
The panel also includes former international players Mike Gatting of England, Danny Morrison of New Zealand, Paul Adams of South Africa and Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas.
The individual player awards will be selected by an academy of 25 highly credentialed cricket personalities from around the world.
The academy includes a host of former players and respected members of the media, representatives of the Emirates Elite Panels of ICC Umpires and ICC Match Referees.
The ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).
ICC award nominees:
Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy):
Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Ian Bell (ENG), Stuart Broad (ENG), Alastair Cook (ENG), Rahul Dravid (IND), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Zaheer Khan (IND), Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Andrew Strauss (ENG), Graeme Swann (ENG), Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Chris Tremlett (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS)
Test Player of the Year:
Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Ian Bell (ENG), Stuart Broad (ENG), Alastair Cook (ENG), Rahul Dravid (IND), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Zaheer Khan (IND), Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK), Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Ishant Sharma (IND), Harbhajan Singh (IND), Dale Steyn (RSA), Graeme Swann (ENG), Sachin Tendulkar (IND), Chris Tremlett (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS)
ODI Player of the Year:
Hashim Amla (RSA), Michael Clarke (AUS), M.S. Dhoni (IND), Gautam Gambhir (IND), Mohammed Hafeez (PAK), Mahela Jayawardene (SRI), Zaheer Khan (IND), Virat Kohli (IND), Lasith Malinga (SRI), Munaf Patel (IND), Saeed Ajmal (PAK), Shakib Al Hasan (BAN), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Virender Sehwag (IND), Yuvraj Singh (IND), Tim Southee (NZL), Dale Steyn (RSA), Graeme Swann (ENG), Jonathan Trott (ENG), AB de Villiers (RSA), Shane Watson (AUS). (ANI)

crtsy : Yahoo! Cricket

---NEWS---

For Donald, aggression starts from the nets
20 June 2011
Donald, one of South Africa's most dreaded fast bowlers, wants the current and future crop of bowlers to be 'cocky and arrogant in all the right ways' even when they are training at the nets.

'The training ground is meant to be the most hostile,' Donald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

'That is where it must all happen so when the captain goes in the match, he will be absolutely sure of what everyone can give him.'

Donald, while talking about South Africa's pace spearhead Dale Steyn and his opening bowler Morne Morkel, said they technically might be as sound as anyone but there is always scope for working with the bowlers' mindset and that also includes the ones who are waiting in the wings.

'It starts with the A team. That's where the message must get across so that the players aren't scared and know what international cricket is about.'

Donald's first assignment will be the A team tour to Zimbabwe later this week. The team is scheduled to take part in the ODI tri-series which includes the hosts and Australia A. This means that Donald has started his work earlier than newly-appointed coach Gary Kirsten.

Donald gave the reason of hitting the ground running with the A team as he wants to create a wide pool of fast bowlers.

'I want the younger guys to punch a hole into the line up and not just sit and wait for their turn,' he said.

Donald was the coach of the New Zealand team before taking up the role in the national side. The 44-year-old said he was impressed the most with Tim Southee, who he thinks has the potential to become the best swing bowler in the world.

'He (Southee) is such a talented guy. We were working on some other variations to his bowling which I hope he develops. What people don't know about him is that he can hit a cricket ball a very long way. He has the skills to become a very good all-rounder,' he said.

Sources: Yahoo! Cricket

--NEWS--

AB-inspired Bangalore overcome Kochi fright
The South African, who came in to bat with the team reeling at 48-2, put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Tiwary to ensure Challengers got off to a winning start. Wicket-keeper batsman AB de Villiers struck a fine half-century as Bangalore survived some anxious moments against fighting Tuskers.
De Villiers impressed with his shot selection, patiently waiting for loose deliveries to punish Kerela bowlers - smacking five big sixes and a four. He stayed there till the end as Bangalore romped home in 18.4 overs.
Kerala's attack came under pressure for the first time when opener Mayank Agarwal (33) welcomed Muralidaran with a monstrous hit over deep mid-wicket off his first ball to bring up Bangalore's 50 in style. He and de Villiers comfortably gathered runs against pace and spin, much to the dislike of Jayawardena.
Murali was immediately replaced and Mahela brought in part-timer Ravindra Jadeja, who got the wicket of Mayank trying to go over long off.
Local lad Sreesanth did the early damage for Kochi, dismissing opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for 1 run as crowd erupted in joy. Youngster Virat Kohli (23), back from a World Cup high, played some lusty shots before being trapped by Vinay Kumar. Promising Kohli, only player retained by Bangalore for this edition, missed a menacing straight delivery form Kumar which would have taken out leg stump happily.
Earlier, opener Brendon McCullum's brisk 45 runs in 32 balls - which included four boundaries and two huge sixes - was the cornerstone of Kochi's 161 as the home team impressed with their batting after winning the toss against favourites Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Brendon McCullum loves playing against Royal Challengers doesn't he? It was against Bangalore in the opening game of the inaugural Indian T20 extravaganza where McCullum hammered 158 off just 73 balls. After that both Kolkata and McCullum had a horrible time in IPL. So, he changed the team, got a new jersey - violet and light orange - and gave debutant Kerala a dream start against his favourite opponents.
The home team made the most of winning the toss on an easy-paced pitch as McCullum and Laxman provided an explosive 80-run start off just 8.6 overs.
McCullum greeted Dirk Nannes with 4, 4 and 6 in the second over, much to the amusement of the crowd celebrating their only association with big time cricket. VVS Laxman too demonstrated his enduring class in the company of his aggressive partner and brought 50 runs for Kochi in just 5.3 overs.
After all the hic hic play in the first six overs, both openers started dealing in singles as Bangalore bowlers continue to struggle with their line and length. However part-timer Tillakaratne Dilshan provided the much-needed breakthrough in the 9th over when VVS tried to hoick one for a simple catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at deep mid-wicket.
Big-hitting New Zealand wicket-keeper McCullum soon followed Laxman trying to 'Dilscoop' a low full toss from Virat Kohli for an easy catch to Nannes at short third man. Sad ending to a promising innings...
The momentum suddenly shifted in Bangalore's favour after McCullum's wicket and their bowlers kept the pressure on with some good slower ones. However, Brad Hodge (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (23) propelled Kochi Tuskers to a competitive 161 - the score captain Jayawardena wanted.
The pick of the bowler for Bangalore was Daniel Vettori, whose 4 overs of spin yielded 1-17 while Nannes claimed one wicket at the expense of 31 runs in 3 overs.
In all, the Tuskers - under the stewardship of Mahela Jayawardene - impressed with their batting, fielding and to some extent their bowling - which needs improvement.

----Breakig NEWS---

Dhoni, Kirsten, Tendulkar make team world beaters
Four years ago, the team was in ruins after crashing out in the first round of the World Cup in the Caribbean, with fans baying for the cricketers' blood.
But the transition in the next four-year cycle has been outstanding, the picture completed with the six-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium, when Dhoni anchored the run chase with his knock of 91. The three characters who stand out for India in the transformation of the team's approach are Dhoni, low-profile coach Gary Kirsten and the indefatigable Sachin Tendulkar.
If Dhoni has marshaled his resources well, Kirsten has been the facilitator of systems and Tendulkar the biggest inspiration for younger players. These three have transformed the team into a powerful unit that has done well in different conditions around the world and also come back from the brink to achieve impressive victories.
Tendulkar, who has played with many top players in his 21 years of international cricket, said Saturday he was enjoying playing like never before. "This team shows a lot of self belief and is extremely consistent," Tendulkar said after the victory.
"It is a great honor to be part of this team."
The Indian team, already enjoying top ranking in test cricket, is now also atop the one-day table.
In the past few years, India has come back undefeated from test tours of Australia and South Africa, won a test series in New Zealand as well as one-day series in Australia and Sri Lanka, all considered difficult feats for any team. But the one event that triggered the cycle was the Twenty20 World Championship victory in South Africa four years ago, which offset the despair of the 2007 World Cup and refreshed the side.
Dhoni gave the first glimpse of his charismatic qualities as a leader of a young team and slowly took over as captain of one-dayers and test matches too. Dhoni conceded the other day that he does not believe in too much planning and likes to give players freedom as well as responsibilities.
"I don't even attend the bowlers' meeting. I'm happy to let them come up with strategies and keep that out of my mind," he said about the Zaheer Khan-led attack.
But Dhoni, like most others, accepts that South African Kirsten's contribution has been immense, specially in removing the insecurities that have dogged players in the past. "Everyone knows what he has done for the team. He knows our players very well and is probably the best thing to happen to Indian cricket," Dhoni said of him. Supporting Kirsten has been South African Paddy Upton, credited with the players' better mental conditioning.
The team management has also thought out of the box and been inspired by the likes of high altitude climber and Arctic explorer Mike Horn. "Mike is an adventurer and the stories that he tells of his experiences are simply outstanding. He has given us insight into what the human mind can do for us," Dhoni said of him.
India opener Virender Sehwag, like many of his teammates, said the team had been wanting to win the World Cup for Tendulkar and revealed that the team had been aiming for the win for over a year.
"For more than one year, we have been aiming to do this. It has been a team effort with even a 38-yer-old Tendulkar diving on the boundary line today," Sehwag said after the victory.

---Breaking NEWS---

Never known Tendulkar to walk when given out: Ponting

Participating in a Headlines Today interview with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday, Ponting said he had been very consistent in not walking way until the umpire had ruled him out.Ponting said that he was surprised when Tendulkar walked after the umpire had not ruled him out caught behind in a pre-quarterfinal match against the West Indies in Chennai on March 20.

"I've never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I'm not sure why he chose to walk the other day," Fox Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.

"If I get a nick behind to the 'keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision," he added.

"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I'm not sure he would have walked either," he said.

Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday's quarterfinal between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.

"Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," Ganguly said.

"At the end of the career, it balances. I think it's fair for everyone to wait for the umpire's decision, including Sachin Tendulkar," he added.

"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he's holding the key to India's success. I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out," Ganguly said.

"He needs to stick to the umpire's decision. Whether he does that consistently, we'll have to wait and see," he added.

---Breaking NEWS---

 Yuvraj ton powers India's win over Windies

See if this script seems familiar: One of the top four batsmen gets into the zone and plays out of his skin; at least one other puts his hand up for a best supporting actor nomination; the batting side cruises past the 30-over mark and looks set for a humongous score; one of the set batsmen falls and, like the nursery rhyme goes, they all fall down.

The script should surely be familiar to fans who have seen India go from 305/4 to 338 all out against England; from 268/3 to 296 all out against South Africa and, today, from 212/3 after 40 overs to 268 all out within the distance.

The last time this happened, skipper MS Dhoni had cuttingly remarked that batsmen needed to play for the team, not the crowd. Cricket has a way of coming back to bite you in the butt, and it happened today when Dhoni himself made a mess of an attempt to go down the track and helicopter Devendra Bishoo out of Chennai - the stumping that resulted triggered the all too familiar slide.

Badly as India messed up its batting in the final few overs, credit where due, Ravi Rampaul in particular, and Andre Russell some of the time, bowled superbly on a Chennai center pitch so rolled and sheltered from the elements that it offered spongy bounce. Both bowlers had at the start been so seduced by the spongy bounce that they overdid the short stuff, but in their final spell they bowled the full length, with a modicum of reverse, aiming constantly for the base of the stumps and ensuring that the tail end of the Indian innings yorked itself.

Amidst the ruins, two batsmen stood out. One was Virat Kohli, who came in to bat before the Chennai crowd had settled down, thanks to a brute of a bouncer that Sachin Tendulkar, for all his years and skill, couldn't evade. The ball touched something as it careened through; the umpire didn't see it but Sachin apparently felt it, for even as the official was shaking his head in negative response to the appeal, Sachin turned and walked through the stunned silence.

Kohli, getting his favored spot up the order back, settled into the kind of innings he builds so well - full of intelligent placements and sure calling and running, and punctuated by the occasional creamy strokes, mostly through the cover region, against pace and spin alike. Almost throughout his knock, his intent was to turn the strike over to his partner as quickly, and as often, as he could invent ways of doing it.

At the other end, Yuvraj started off a touch edgy particularly against pace, survived a chance when Sammy dropped him at backward point after he was squared up and found out by a Russell bouncer, but once he shook the fidgets out of his system, he remembered who he was in his prime and turned the clock back with a display as close to his best as we will likely ever see. It had everything - effortless drives characterized by immaculate timing; powerful pulls when the bowlers, particularly of the slow and/or spinning variety, dropped short...

His fitness - or lack thereof - no longer permits him to be the electric heeled runner between wickets that he was at his peak (in my book, it was when he combined with Kaif that India finally woke to the value of singles). But when he is on song, he has ability touched with that streak of genius, that allows him to convert almost any delivery into a hittable one, and he does that every time he seems in danger of slipping into a rut.

It was not the easiest knock to play on a two-faced wicket - and to add to the problems posed by the wicket, the Chennai heat and his own avoirdupois made the last quarter of his innings a labored affair, punctuated by a couple of periods of collapse, and one barf at the side of the wicket.

But he soldiered on, and India looked good for a 320-plus score as long as he and Kohli built the innings through the middle phase. But then came the first of Darren Sammy's good bowling calls - bringing Rampaul on in the 31st over, to take advantage of any reverse before the ball change. Raina got one that darted back in after swinging late; it didn't help that the youngster, till then all grace, aimed an ugly slog at it. Net result, the off stump went back - and India's troubles started.

Among the many mishaps that led to wickets, there was one that went under the collective radar - the power play.

Logic dictated its taking after 35 overs. Kohli and Yuvraj were set and batting smoothly; what they needed was the trigger to begin the acceleration and set it up for the much vaunted big hitters. But then Kohli got out, and the power play was delayed ostensibly so Dhoni could settle in. By the time he did, Yuvraj was close to his hundred, and the PP was delayed again. By the time that landmark was attained, Dhoni had gotten out. And shortly thereafter, Raina. And so on. All of which led to the incongruous situation of the PP being taken, mandatorily, in the 46th over for the likes of Ashwin and Munaf to exploit.

The Windies innings was a patchwork quilt of impressions. There was the sight of MS Dhoni, taking a page from his CSK playbook, tossing the ball to Ashwin for the first over of the innings. The lanky off spinner responded with a tight opening spell that saw him give away just 26 runs in seven overs for one wicket, before Darren Bravo got going.

At the other end, there was the rare sight of Zaheer Khan having an off day; forcing Dhoni to try Harbhajan as early as the 6th over. The senior off spinner, though bowling to attacking fields featuring slip and leg slip, lost his internal radar, sprayed it around, went for 23 and had to be hastily removed.

That set up Ashwin to bowl eight unchanged overs at one end, and for part timers to rotate at the other. It also produced the best period of the chase, when Devon Smith did a Kohli, rolling the strike over so Darren Bravo could dance.

And dance he did. The lad looks so much like Lara it is uncanny - and if his looks bear a striking resemblance, his batting is an even more accurate mirror of the Windies icon: the backlift with full flourish, the extravagant ease with which he hits through lines and creates seemingly impossible angles, an airy insouciance that suggests it is all too easy...

There was magic in the way he twice took on the hitherto tight Ashwin, creaming him for a lordly six over long on, predicting that the spinner would adjust the length next ball, waiting on it and smashing it square.

But then, youth and inexperience took over. Suresh Raina bowled as bad a ball as ever took a wicket: short, flat, outside off, and Bravo overhit it in his exuberance to put the ball down the throat of long on.

From then on, it was an implosion that shaded India's own effort earlier in the day. At the 30 over mark, the West Indies were 154/2 (India 160/2) and cruising, with Devon Smith anchoring brilliantly. 10 overs later, the Windies had slumped to 179/8, and India was thinking ahead to its quarter final game, next Thursday, against Australia.

The turnaround came with Dhoni borrowing from the Darren Sammy playbook. In the 31st over, he brought back Zaheer Khan for the same reason as the Windies captain - to see if there was any reverse swing to be had, before the mandatory ball change in the 35th over.

There was. Zaheer used it to send a couple to leave the well set Devon Smith. And as he has done with Graeme Smith time out of mind, he then produced the one that landed in the same spot, and darted in late - as with the South African Smith, the West Indian variety was also lured into playing down the wrong line, and his off stump pegged back.

The bigger blow came in the next over when Keiron Pollard had what can only be called an Afridi moment. Without even having had time to settle, he launched an almighty hit at Harbhajan Singh and picked out long on - and that rash wicket opened up the game for Yuvraj to work his magic. A beauty that had flight, loop and sharp turn lured Thomas out and had him stumped; another leg break foxed Russell into aiming a cut at it that put the ball in point's hands...

Long, painful story short, the West Indies lost its last 8 wickets for 34 runs in the space of 13.3 overs - and lost by a margin of 80 runs with eight overs left unplayed. In other words - they were bad.

On the two-paced Chennai pitch, each innings was neatly divided into two halves. In the first half, run making was relatively easy; in the second half, not. In the final analysis, India played the first half of its innings better, thanks to the Yuvraj-Kohli partnership - and won.

The win will paper over a lot of cracks, and deflect attention from what is now becoming a habitual collapse at the fag end of the innings. India has time between now and Thursday - but on that day, Australia awaits.

On current form, the reigning world champions are vulnerable - but India will need to be at the top of its all round game, for if there is one thing Australia is not, it is forgiving of lapses.

---Breaking NEWS---



SL vs NZ: Sri Lanka, New Zealand eye momentum on smallish ground
Seeing even the Sri Lankan tail-enders deposit balls deep into the stands during training on the eve of their final Group A World Cup clash against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, made one go back to what John Wright wrote in his wonderful book, Indian Summers.

In the book, he had mentioned about how the short boundaries at Indian venues ahead of an ODI, prompted the Indian spinners to sport long faces. Well, the spinners in both teams, if the captains opt to risk them that is, might have long faces again by the time night descends on Mumbai on Friday.

The straight boundaries are inviting to say the least and even mis-hits are likely to go the distance. Sri Lanka and New Zealand both depend on spinners in the middle overs and the smaller playing area will test their abilities to the fullest. Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis are the tweakers in the Lankan line-up, while New Zealand have Luke Woodcock and Nathan McCullum in their ranks. Regular skipper Daniel Vettori is injured and won't play the game on Friday.

Judging by that logic, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara would have to think twice about fielding more than one spinner in the line-up against a team that is suspect against quality spin. But for the southpaw, size doesn't matter. "Whether the boundaries are short or long, you eventually have to clear them and when guys hit sixes, they generally do that," he said.

He also wants his slow bowlers to look at the situation positively. "Sometimes when the boundaries are too short, it can actually work in the favour of the spinners as the batsmen try and do too much. At the same time, at the Wankhede Stadium, with the boundaries being this small, the scores haven't been too high in the past. Eventually, it's the skill of the players that matters and not the size of the boundary," he stressed.

The short boundaries also didn't seem to bother Kiwi spinner Nathan McCullum. And why should they? After all, some of the boundaries in the stadiums in New Zealand are smaller. McCullum endorsed that. "In comparison to some of the grounds in New Zealand, this seems to be good. The wicket may change slightly and may slow up a little bit in the second half. I'm excited to play on this ground again. It's always good to play on a ground that you have played on before," he said.

The offie may take some comfort from the past, but Sangakkara doesn't want to dwell too much on it. Even the 4-3 advantage that Sri Lanka enjoy in World Cups doesn't excite him too much. "If the past counts that much, then may be it would give us an edge. When you're playing in the World Cup, the past doesn't really matter. It's what you do when game day comes along that matters."

That said, both teams would want to win and finish on a high. That would give them momentum in the quarters.

Breaking News

India can't win World Cup: Dean Jones
Given their weak bowling and unimpressive fielding even the high quality batsmen cannot save India's World Cup campaign, feels former Australian batsman Dean Jones who says winning the coveted trophy will remain just a dream for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men. "The three main common denominators consistent with all World Cup champion teams are: Your top four batsmen must be of a high quality. They must have the technique to play the new ball, as well as have the power and stroke play during powerplays. Your top four bowlers must be of high quality, able to absorb pressure and bowl defensively in powerplays. If you can't field, don't bother turning up!" Jones said in his column for 'The Age'.
   
"All this taken into account, I do not believe India will win the World Cup with its current form. Tell Dhoni, he's dreaming," wrote Jones in his article.

Jones said that despite the presence of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in the team, who can rip any bowling attack to shreds, India cannot win the World Cup.

"Everyone here has a huge regard for the Indian team. They have the batsmen, no doubt. Tendulkar and Sehwag can rip any attack to shreds. But that alone doesn't win the World Cup for India. He is dreaming," he said.

The former Aussie cricketer said that Dhoni's bowling combination comprising Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh doesn't match the standards of any of the line-ups of the previous teams.

"Captain M S Dhoni has admitted some of his fieldsmen are very slow. But Dhoni believes he will win the World Cup with this bowling line-up: Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh. Dhoni must turn to history to see that this bowling attack will not win a World Cup."

"Dhoni wants seven specialist batsmen and four specialist bowlers. Having seven batsmen tells me that India doesn't trust its 'engine room' to make the runs required. By having four bowlers, it means that everything must go right or they are in deep trouble. What happens if one is injured? Or one gets smashed?" Jones questioned.

Jones pointed out that India's main weakness is the form of spinners Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh.

"Chawla is being smashed and was brought in by the strong backing of Dhoni after two years in obscurity. There are three leg-spinners who have won World Cups: Mushtaq, Warne and Brad Hogg. Is Chawla as good as those three? No, he isn't.
"The Indian skipper has other problems in Harbhajan's form. Harbhajan has struggled in all World Cups and has only take six wickets in eight matches against the Test countries at an average of 58. His 10 overs are going for around 50.

"Chawla must be replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin. Harbhajan needs to get in opponents' faces more," he said.

He added that India's best bowling line-up is Khan, Nehra, Harbhajan and Ravichandran Ashwin, with Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh splitting the fifth bowler's duties.

"The team needs the attitude to get wickets and not just defend. Getting wickets always stops the run-rate. Its fieldsmen must look for run-outs and want the ball in the field."

Source: HT  Twits:1 Likes:55

 

NEWS

Duminy powers South Africa into quarter-finals
15 March 2011

Kolkata, (AFP): South Africa rode on JP Duminy's robust 99 to storm into the World Cup quarter-finals with a crushing 131-run victory over Ireland on Tuesday. The Proteas were wobbling at 117-5 after a tight bowling and fielding show by Ireland, but Duminy played a responsible knock to help his team post a challenging 272-7 in the day-night match at Eden Gardens.

The target proved too big for Ireland who were bowled out for 141 in 33.2 overs, with Gary Wilson top-scoring with 31. South Africa currently top Group B with eight points from five matches, followed by India (7/5), the West Indies (6/4), Bangladesh (6/5) and England (5/5). Ireland, with two points in five games, are eliminated.
"We wanted to qualify. We've got one round robin game left against Bangladesh and hopefully three good games in the knockout phase. We've done the first part of it now," said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.
Ireland captain William Porterfield said: "We started off pretty well. We got couple of wickets up front. We thought it was important to get wickets to peg them back and I thought we did that pretty much throughout." "Chasing 270 was not out of our reach but we consistently lost wickets."
Ireland's chase under lights began on a shaky note when they lost openers Porterfield and Paul Stirling in the opening four overs, with Morne Morkel taking both the wickets.
Morkel ended the innings when he dismissed George Dockrell to finish with 3-33. Wilson and Kevin O'Brien (19) offered brief resistance with a 41-run stand for the fifth wicket before both of them fell to left-arm spinner Robin Peterson in the space of three balls. Peterson grabbed three wickets and seamer Jacques Kallis two.
Man-of-the-match Duminy earlier kept the Irish attack at bay with a commendable knock, adding 87 for the sixth wicket with Colin Ingram (46) and 65 for the next with Johan Botha (21 not out). Morne van Wyk was the other notable run-getter with a brisk 42.
Duminy looked set to complete his third one-day hundred before he fell in the last over, brilliantly caught by Kevin O'Brien at mid-on off seamer John Mooney. He hit one six and six fours in his 103-ball knock.
Ingram, playing his first World Cup game in place of injured batsman AB de Villiers, hit seven fours in his 43-ball knock before being bowled by fast bowler Trent Johnston.
The non-Test playing nation did not allow South Africa to settle after they elected to field, with paceman Boyd Rankin and spinners George Dockrell and Paul Stirling taking one wicket apiece.
The Irish bowlers were backed by their fielders, with skipper Porterfield and Mooney having a hand in the run-outs of Kallis (19) and skipper Graeme Smith (seven).
The South African batting problems began in the fifth over when Hashim Amla (18) fell soon after pulling Rankin for a six, upper-cutting the next ball to Dockrell, who took a superb diving catch at deep third man.
Van Wyk went for his shots from the beginning as he twice lofted Johnston for fours and then hit two successive boundaries off Rankin. He was lucky to survive on 23 when Stirling dropped a regulation slip catch off Rankin, but Ireland did not have to wait long for success as Smith was run out following a Mooney direct hit at the non-striker's end.
Van Wyk continued to play attacking shots as he smashed Johnston for two fours and a six in the same over before his flourish finally ended, bowled by left-arm spinner Dockrell while attempting to cut.

<<NEWS>>>

Pakistan into quarters after Zimbabwe win 

14 March 2011

Pallekele, (AFP): Former champions Pakistan sailed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a rain-affected Group A match at Pallekele stadium on Monday.

Pakistan, set a revised 162-run target in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula, successfully achieved that in 34.1 overs on the back of an unbeaten 78 by Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez (49).

The victory gave the 1992 winners eight points from five matches and a place in the last eight, sending Zimbabwe packing after the first round. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia make up the other qualifiers from Group A.

The final group standings will depend on the results of the remaining matches in the first phase. The top four teams will also qualify from Group B.

Pakistan's target looked tricky as Zimbabwe bowled a tight line and length. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price (2-21), opening the attack, dismissed opener Ahmed Shahzad (eight) in his second over.

Price and Utseya then bowled two maiden overs before Hafeez and Shafiq - playing his first World Cup match in place of injured Umar Akmal - opened up with some attractive drives.

Hafeez fell one short of his half-century, caught off Utseya after hitting six boundaries during his 65-ball knock. Shahid Afridi promoted himself to number four but managed just three runs. Shafiq and Younis Khan (13 not out) saw Pakistan home. Shafiq hit seven boundaries during his sedate 97-ball knock.

Earlier, seamers Umar Gul (3-36), Abdul Razzaq (1-24) and Wahab Riaz (1-21) removed Zimbabwe's top four for just 43 after Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions. Spinners Afridi and Hafeez, with a wicket each, further derailed Zimbabwe, who at the first rain break were 96-5.

Left-hander Craig Ervine fought a lone battle, hitting a patient 52 off 82 balls with five boundaries for his third ODI fifty, before Hafeez bowled him in his first over. Chigumbura (32 not out) and Prosper Utseya (18) added 48 for the seventh wicket.

Zimbabwe made a disastrous start, losing in-form Brendan Taylor off the fifth ball of the innings, caught off Razzaq by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Gul made it 5-2 when he dismissed Regis Chakabva off the last ball of the second over, before removing Vusimuzi Sibanda (five) shortly afterwards.

Ervine and Tatenda Taibu added 30 for the fourth wicket before Wahab Riaz, in for Shoaib Akhtar, had Taibu caught off a miscued drive at mid-off by Afridi for 19. Zimbabwe play their last match against Kenya on March 20.

NEWS

Bangalore: Michael Clarke's 93 helped Australia overcome a mid-innings wobble as the champions made 324 for six against Kenya, eventually beating them by 60 runs in a World Cup Group A match on Sunday.

For Kenya, Collins Obuya made an unbeaten 98 after Tanmay Mishra had made an impressive 72 to stretch their fight against the world champions.

With this win, Australia's unbeaten streak at the World Cup has stretched to 33 matches dating back to 1999.

Vice-captain Clarke and the returning Michael Hussey (54), in for dropped younger brother David, shared a stand of 114 after Australia had lost three wickets for just 16 runs to be 143 for four.

Clarke, on the ground where he made a hundred on Test debut against India in 2004, took 52 balls over his first fifty with only three boundaries.

But he then cut loose before he holed out off fast bowler Nehemiah Odhiambo, who took three for 57.

Victory for Australia would see the title-holders, unbeaten in 32 matches at the World Cup dating back to 1999, into the quarter-finals.

Left-hander Hussey, playing his first match of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring problem and getting a late summons to the subcontinent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger, once again demonstrated his coolness at the crease.

Odhiambo had opener Shane Watson (21) well caught by leaping wicket-keeper Maurice Ouma after Kenya lost the toss.

Next ball captain Ricky Ponting, walking across his stumps, survived an Odhiambo lbw appeal.

Opening batsman Brad Haddin, dropped twice off tough chances early in his innings, made 65 and helped Ponting add 89 for the second wicket.

Haddin completed his 50 off 63 balls with his eighth four, a late cut off Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande but going for a big hit off the same bowler he was caught at deep midwicket by Rakep Patel.

A score of 127 for two became 131-3 when Ponting was lbw on review to leg-spinner Collins Obuya for an unconvincing 36.

Kamande took two wickets for nine runs in eight balls with some sharply turning off-spinners on his way to two for 46.

But paceman Elijah Otieno's eight overs cost a colossal 75 runs.

Kenya's best total in four previous losing appearances at this tournament was the 198 they made in a five-wicket defeat by fellow non-Test nation Canada.

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Smith, Pollard punish Ireland, take Windies to 275

11 March 2011

 

Mohali: Opener Devon Smith hit a maiden one-day century and Kieron Pollard smacked 94 off just 55 balls as West Indies posted 275 all out against Ireland in the World Cup on Friday. 

 

Smith hit a 133-ball 107 and Pollard belted eight fours and five sixes to frustrate the Irish who won the toss and put the Caribbean side in to bat on an easy-paced track at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

Smith also shared 89 runs with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, opening the innings after Chris Gayle was ruled out on the morning of the match with an abdominal strain.

Kevin O'Brien, who struck World Cup's fastest hundred against England, showed he had the skills with the ball as well, grabbing a career-best 4-71.

A victory for West Indies will virtually assure them of a place in the quarter-finals while Ireland can keep their last-eight hopes alive if they manage to pull off an upset win.

"We wook the batting powerplay early because we had been slow at the start and we wanted to see what would happen," said Pollard.

"I came in during the 32nd over and tried to get runs quickly. I've been backing myself and the team was in a bit of trouble.

"I just wanted to see how long I could bat. Devon Smith batted superbly. My arm is a bit stiff but I'm looking to have a bowl. We didn't get as many runs as we wanted."

Ireland fast bowlers kept things tight in the first 15 overs and did well in the last seven overs, taking the last five West Indies wickets for 53 runs.

The Irish had to wait till the 25th over to pick their first wicket when Chanderpaul (35) chipped O'Brien to short extra cover where captain William Porterfield took a low catch.

O'Brien struck again three balls later in the same over when he uprooted the middle-stump of Darren Bravo before the promising left-hander could even get off the mark.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell, introduced into the attack late in the 30th over, had Ramnaresh Sarwan caught in the deep for 10 to reduce the West Indies to 130-3.

Ireland were left to rue missed chances against Pollard who was let off twice early in his innings with John Mooney messing up a simple run-out chance and Gary Wilson grassing a catch off Andre Botha.

Pollard punished the Irish, hitting O'Brien for two sixes in four balls to race to his third ODI half-century off 35 balls.

O'Brien returned to take two more wickets, again in the same over, to dismiss Smith and Darren Sammy while John Mooney sent back Pollard and Andre Russell in two balls.

 

<<NEWS>>>

Bangladesh tail-enders stun England, open up Group B

11 March 2011

Chittagong: Bangladesh's ninth-wicket pair of Mohammad Mahmudullah and Shafiul Islam hammered 58 runs to send England crashing to a two-wicket defeat in the World Cup on Friday.

The Tigers appeared down for the count when they plunged to 169-8 in the 40th over chasing a modest target of 226 in the day-night game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong.

But Mahmuddullah (21 not out) and Shafiul (24 not out) conjured an unlikely victory in front of 18,000 screaming home fans to resurrect Bangladesh's campaign in the tournament they are co-hosting with India and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh, who have four points from as many games, must still beat the Netherlands and power-packed South Africa in their remaining matches to ensure a place in the quarter-finals from Group B.

England remained on five points from five matches, a point behind the West Indies who have played a game less.

Opener Imrul Kayes top-scored with 60, adding 82 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Shakib Al Hasan (32), to lift the home side to 155-3 in the 31st over.

England hit back to take five wickets for 14 runs, before Mahmuddullah and Shafiul smashed pace and spin alike to seal a dramatic win with one over to spare.

England paid dearly for bowling 23 wides as the late evening dew made it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball.

Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan were the only England batsmen to defy Bangladesh's spinners, scoring half-centuries before their team was dismissed for 225 in the final over.

Trott hit 67 and left-hander Morgan, who arrived in Chittagong on Tuesday to replace the injured Kevin Pietersen, made an immediate impact with a fluent 63 off 72 balls.

The duo put on 109 for the fourth wicket after England, sent in to bat by Shakib on a sluggish pitch, slipped to 53-3 in the 17th over.

The partnership was broken by a brilliant catch from Kayes, who dived in front at deep square-leg to hold the ball after Morgan skied a sweep against off-break bowler Naeem Islam.

Morgan's dismissal triggered a collapse in which England lost their last seven wickets for 63 runs after being well-placed at 162-3 in the 39th over.

Naeem finished with 2-29 from eight overs, and left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak and Shakib also claimed two wickets each.

Matt Prior, England's new opener in place of Pietersen, made 15 when he was dismissed in bizarre fashion, stumped by his Bangladesh counterpart Mushfiqur Rahim off Razzak's first delivery.

Rahim removed the bails off a wide ball down the leg-side, but even though Prior had dragged his back foot in just in time, he again wandered out of his crease.

Seeing the batsman out of his ground, a quick-thinking Rahim pulled out a stump to ensure the decision, which was referred to the TV umpire, went in his favour.

Bangladesh next play the Netherlands in Chittagong on Monday, while England clash with the West Indies in Chennai next Thursday.

<<NEWS>>>

Dilshan guides Sri Lanka into quarterfinals

10 March 2011

 Together with fellow opener Upul Tharanga, who hit a career-best 133, Dilshan put on a new World Cup opening stand of 282 to guide Sri Lanka to an imposing 327-6 before a packed 30,000 crowd at Pallekele stadium.

Zimbabwe made a fighting reply with Brendon Taylor (80) and Regis Chakabva (35) through a solid 116-run start before the innings fell apart, as they lost their last their last nine wickets for just 63 runs.
Dilshan, who bettered his previous best of 4-29 against India at Dambulla in 2005, also became the 11th all-rounder, and the second Sri Lankan behind Sanath Jayasuriya, to score a hundred and take four wickets in an ODI.
The result meant Sri Lanka, with seven points from five matches in Group A, become the first side to enter the last eight.
New Zealand, with six points from four matches, Pakistan (six from four) and defending champions Australia (five from three) are virtually certain of filling the three other qualifying places from the group.
"Dilshan has that magic touch with bat, ball and on the field," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who also praised Muttiah Muralitharan who took 3-34 on his last appearance in his home town of Kandy.
"Murali is a champion, and that's why he is rated the best in the world. When the tough times come, he stands up."
Man of the match Dilshan said: "This is the best match of my career. I think everyone's performing well, we are in a good position."
Sri Lanka owed their total to Dilshan and Tharanga who set the ball rolling after they were put into bat on a batting-friendly pitch, just failing to beat the world record first wicket stand of 286 runs.
Tharanga, who also featured in a that stand, with Jayasuriya against England at Leeds in 2006, hit his 10th one-day hundred, while Dilshan notched his ninth, and second in the World Cup.
Their stand was also the fourth highest partnership for any wicket in ODI history.
Dilshan, 34, smashed one six and 16 boundaries during his attractive 131-ball knock, cutting loose as early as in the second over, hitting paceman Tinashe Panyangara for three boundaries and a six.
The 26-year-old left-hander Tharanga, whose previous best of 120 came against England at Lord's in 2006, hit 17 boundaries during his 141-ball innings, as both the openers batted without trouble.
Dilshan reached his hundred with a quick single towards cover off Elton Chigumbura, taking 95 balls to reach the three-figure as a capacity 30,000 gave him a standing ovation.
In the 33rd over, Tharanga hit Tinashe Panyangara for another boundary to create a new World Cup record for the first wicket, beating the 194 set by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti, against New Zealand at Manchester in 1999.
Tharanga soon joined Dilshan as century maker when he drove Raymond Price towards extra-cover to reach his first World Cup hundred.
Tharanga was the first to go, miscuing a drive off paceman Christopher Mpofu in the 45th over, while Dilshan fell to a lofted shot off spinner Prosper Utseya in the next.
Mpofu then chipped in with wickets of Mahela Jayawardene (nine), Angelo Mathews (nought) and Chamara Silva (four) to finish with 4-64 in an otherwise hapless Zimbabwean bowling show.
Sri Lanka now face New Zealand in their last match in Mumbai on March 18 which will decide where they finish in the group.
Zimbabwe, with two points from four matches, can still make it to the quarters (on better net run-rate) if they win their last two matches, the first of which is against Pakistan on Monday and the next against Kenya on March 20.
 

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India huff and puff over the line against Dutch

09 March 2011

India's game against the Netherlands is best viewed in context of this fact: After a superb start to their campaign with 292/6 score in the opening game against England, the Dutch crumbled for 115 in under 32 overs against the West Indies, and for 120 in 34.5 overs against South Africa.

Viewed from that perspective, the game today was never going to be competitive; the question always was not whether India would win, but what the Indians would take away from the game in the form of learnings.

Would we, for instance, try the likes of Ravichandran Aswhin and Ashish Nehra, to get an idea of their form and fitness ahead of the big games?

The answer was half and half --- India brought in Nehra for Munaf, but persisted with Chawla while leaving Ashwin on the bench (A wag on Twitter remarked the other day: "Ashwin is Dhoni's secret weapon. He is saving him for the IPL.").

"Compared to Ashwin, Chawla needs more practice," Dhoni said before the game --- a fairly bizarre statement to make. The Indian selectors and captain hadn't felt the need to play Chawla in the squad even once in the 12 months leading up to the World Cup. Which raises the question: Do you play your men into form in the run up to the World Cup, or do you use cricket's biggest stage to wet nurse your players and give them form and confidence?

Back to the game, where the Netherlands can actually pat themselves on the back for having lasted longer against the Indians than they managed in the previous two games (46.4 overs) and also that they managed to score more (189) than they got against the West Indies and South Africa.

Credit for this is owed to a solid if unspectacular start on a Firozeshah Kotla track that had very little in it for seam bowlers early on (MS Dhoni brought Yusuf Pathan on as early as the 4th over, after just one over from Nehra; Harbhajan came on in the 7th at the other end).

Eric Scwarczynski, making his first game, and Wesley Baressi had to work to make runs especially against the slower bowlers on a slow pitch, but the 56 runs they added at a decent 3.7 put a decent platform in place.

Once Piyush Chawla --- who in recent times appears to have become a googly bowler with leg spin as his surprise weapon, rather than the other way around --- struck with one of his googlies that Scwarczynski misread, staying back and making a mess of an attempted dab to be bowled through the gate.

From that point on it was a fairly dismal procession. The only real point of interest was whether the likes of Ryan ten Doeschate and Tom Cooper would manage to put a scare into the bowling side. They didn't. Yuvraj Singh foxed ten Doeschate by tossing one up a bit wider and giving it more of a tweak; the batsman drove as invited only to find the ball flaring off the outer edge for Zaheer Khan in the outfield to hold inches inside the line at long off.

Nehra, whose opening spell was one over, was brought back in the 30th to use any reverse possible with a ball by then scruffed by the hard Kotla outfield; he struck with his first ball, an off cutter outside the line of the stumps and going further that Cooper aimed a hit at and managed only to snick behind.

Once those two wickets fell, in the 29th and 30th overs, the procession resumed thanks to some amateurish running between the wickets, a fortuitous wicket to Chawla, and another guileful display by Yuvraj Singh who yet again was the best Indian spinner on view.

What saved Netherlands' blushes was a 38 run partnership for the 9th wicket between Peter Borren and Mudassar Bukhari at a hectic 9.9 runs per over. Borren began upping the ante in the 42nd over when he lashed the otherwise tight Yuvraj for ten runs including two fours.

In the next over, he did Dhoni's plan to give Chawla some confidence a bit of no-good when he carted the leg spinner for two huge sixes over long on and midwicket.

Bukhari got into the act as well, smashing two sixes off Nehra and one off Harbhajan, before Zaheer returned to enforce discipline, taking both batsmen out in the 47th over to ensure that India's bowling did not have to blush too furiously.

Chawla's day was best summed up by an incident in the 39th over. He started with a half-tracker so horrible schoolboys would blush to have bowled it --- it was dumped half way down the pitch, it was outside line of leg, it was a horror of a ball. Kervezee took a swing at a ball he could have left alone and gotten the wide, or swept behind square; all he managed to do was pick out Harbhajan Singh on the line at midwicket. As he saw his spin partner claim the catch, Chawla reacted with an embarrassed smile that stayed on his face as his mates came over to congratulate him.

It was that kind of day --- the spinner showed a palpable lack of control particularly on his leg breaks; on the few occasions when pressure was turned on, he reacted by losing even the little control he did have.

As for the other spinner, Harbhajan went another game without a single wicket to show for his efforts --- this despite a helpful track and mediocre opposition. 'Nuff said.

In sum, India's performance with the ball and in the field told us nothing we did not know --- the fielding remains full of holes waiting to be exploited; the bowling with the exception of Zaheer and, ironically, Yuvraj, remains club class --- and those are bad signs ahead of big games against South Africa and the West Indies.

All the excitement of India's chase was confined to the first ten overs, during which the combination of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Yusuf Pathan plundered 83 runs off the Dutch bowling.

Sehwag (39 off 26) was murderous, continuing his practice of hitting the first ball of the Indian innings for a four and blasting 4 more boundaries and two sixes with stroke-play bordering on the arrogant.

Sachin Tendulkar (27 off 22), in contrast, was imperious, stroking six silken fours on both sides of the wicket with little regard for the identity of the bowler or the line and length of the deliveries he chose to hit.

Sehwag was particularly severe on the slow left arm of Pieter Seelar, whom he took for 11 runs off 4 balls faced (one four, one six, one single, thank you) while Sachin picked ten Doeschate for special attention, hammering his right arm medium offerings for 20 runs off 9 balls faced in course of an innings that saw him become the first player in history to cross 2000 runs in World Cups.

Both openers, and the promoted Pathan(11 off 10), fell to their own exuberance rather than to any special excellence in Seelar's bowling. Sehwag moved outside the line and tried to thump Seelar over point but only managed a slice to the fielder there; Tendulkar skipped down the track to Seelar and only managed to hole out to long off; a predetermined Pathan misread a quicker one, his bat was poised already for a full swing and all he managed with a hurried defensive prod was to pat it tamely back to the bowler.

The rest settled down to huff and puff their way to the target, creating artificial excitement with the loss of more wickets. Kohli playing all around a straight Borren delivery to be bowled off stump; Gambhir, who survived a run out opportunity, giving it away by moving too far across to a Bukhari delivery to be bowled leg stump off his thigh pad.

Sanity returned with MS Dhoni (19 off 40) and Yuvraj Singh (51 off 73) --- weighing in with the bat yet again in a second successive Man of the Match performance -- combining in unhurried fashion to walk the team past the target, with a 52 run unbeaten partnership at a sedate 3.9

MS Dhoni has said that India's strength is batting, and that the unit feels more comfortable chasing targets rather than setting them.

Since that statement, the Indians have played two lesser-rated sides. And the assessment that sticks in the mind is that of former skipper Sourav Ganguly, who in course of a commentary stint today said, "I know Dhoni prefers to chase, but the Indian team has looked far more assured batting first than chasing."

Exactly.

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Taylor stars as New Zealand outclass Pakistan

 09 March 2011

Birthday boy Ross Taylor's unbeaten century helped New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 110 runs in a Group A match. Taylor celebrated his 27th birthday in grand style as he hit eight boundaries and seven huge sixes en route to his fourth one-day century as New Zealand amassed 302-7 in a Group A match against Pakistan at the new Pallekele Stadium.
Pakistan needed a positive start in their run chase, but Tim Southee and Kyle Mills ensured Shahid Afridi's team were never in the contest and reduced them to 45 for 5 inside 15 overs. Southee dismissed Mohammad Hafeez, who lost a review when he challenged a LBW decision, Kamran Akmal (who had a match to forget) and Misbah-ul-Haq; while Mills accounted for Ahmed Shehzad and Younis Khan. Jacob Oram then got into the act and clean bowled captain Shahid Afridi to leave Pakistan tottering at 66 for 6.
Umar Akmal showed glimpses of his immense potential in his 38, but just when he was looking comfortable at the crease, Nathan McCullum had him caught by Oram at deep midwicket. And, when Abdur Rehman, was also trapped in front by Nathan McCullum with Pakistan 125 for 8, it looked as though New Zealand could bowl out Afridi's team for less than Taylor's 131 not out. But, Abdul Razzaq (62) and Umar Gul (34*) gave Pakistan supporters something to cheer about with their 66-run partnership for the ninth wicket. During his innings, Razzaq became only the fourth player after Sanath Jayasuriya, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi to complete the double of 5000 runs and 250 wickets in ODIs.
While Razzaq and Gul were in the middle, Pakistan may have harboured hopes of an improbable win, but Scott Styris dismissed the veteran all-rounder and Shoaib Akhtar in the space of three balls as Pakistan was bowled out for 192. Southee (3-25) was the most successful New Zealand bowler, while Mills, Styris and Nathan McCullum took two wickets each as Pakistan slumped to their second heaviest defeat in the World Cup.
New Zealand was far superior than Pakistan in all departments of the game in a lopsided match. However, a major concern for New Zealand would be the knee injury to skipper Daniel Vettori early in Pakistan's innings which forced him to leave the field.
The win lifted New Zealand to the top of Group B with six points from four matches and a Net Run Rate of +1.848; while Pakistan, despite having the same points from as many matches are second with a NRR of +0.760.
Earlier, Taylor had two reprieves in the 14th over bowled by Akhtar when Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal failed to attempt a catch and then made matters worse by dropping a sitter in the same over. At the time, Taylor was on zero and eight respectively, and he made Pakistan pay dearly for the "birthday gifts" as he picked up the pace in the last five overs of New Zealand's innings.
At one stage, New Zealand appeared to be on course to score around 240-250, especially after the batting power play taken in the 42nd over saw the Black Caps score 37 runs for the loss of two wickets. But, Taylor, who had largely been kept in check until that point broke the shackles and took the Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners.
Taylor started the carnage in the 47th over, which was ironically bowled by Akhtar. He hit two boundaries and three massive sixes, two of those over deep midwicket, as Akhtar was hit out of the attack after conceding 28 runs. The third of those sixes brought up Taylor's century off 117 balls, and his first since October 2008. Taylor struggled early on in his innings, but was determined to see off the storm, and did so even if it meant appearing "ugly" at the crease. But, as he gained in confidence, Taylor started to look the world-class cricketer he is, and once he reached his half-century off 78 balls, the New Zealand vice-captain played more freely, the fruit of which was seen in the last four of the Black Caps' innings.
Taylor, who scored a career-best 131 not out off only 124 balls (his last 62 runs came in 16 balls), then hit three sixes and two fours in the 49th over bowled by Razzaq, which cost Pakistan 30 runs. Left-arm spin bowler Rehman (1-60), who shared the new ball with Akhtar and impressed in his first two spells, was taken to the cleaners by Oram, and conceded 34 runs in his ninth and 10th overs, as New Zealand scored 92 runs in the last four overs. Taylor and Oram (25 in 9 balls) added 85 runs in only 22 balls as the pair sapped the spirit and fight out of the Pakistani players.
Pakistan, though, had the ideal start to the match when Akhtar clean bowled Brendon McCullum in the fourth ball of the match after being hit for a six off the previous delivery, which happened to be one of the three front foot no-balls the 'Rawalpindi Express' bowled in his first spell. Jamie How, who replaced the unwell Jesse Ryder, found the going tough and scratched around for a 29-ball 4, before the impressive Gul trapped him plumb in front. Martin Guptill (57), who scored his second consecutive half-century and Taylor then repaired the early damage by putting on a 57-run partnership for the third wicket, but took more than 16 overs to do so, as Pakistan's bowlers controlled the flow of runs with commendable help from the fielders. Hafeez then trapped James Franklin plumb in front, which the batsman reviewed, but then had to walk back to the dressing room when the TV umpire upheld on-field umpire Daryl Harper's initial decision as NZ slipped to 113 for 4 in the 30th over.
Styris, who was also dropped by Kamran off Afridi and Taylor then added 62 runs for the fifth wicket with the veteran all-rounder scoring 27 before he was trapped in front by Gul, who also clean bowled Nathan McCullum after being hit for a six with New Zealand 210-6 in the 46th over. It was to be all downhill though for Pakistan from here on as Taylor and Oram had fun at the bowlers' expense.
Gul (3-32) was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers by a long mile; and while Afridi took his 15th wicket of the 2011 World Cup when he clean bowled Guptill conceded 55 runs. Akhtar (9-0-70-1) and Razzaq (4-0-49-0) had a match to forget with the ball.

 

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Irish skipper eyes end to player drain

Bangalore, March 2 (AFP): Ireland captain William Porterfield hopes one day that top Irish players will no longer feel the need to qualify for England in order to reach the highest levels of the game.

As an associate rather than a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ireland do not play Test cricket, the five-day format considered to be the pinnacle of the sport.
It also means they have fewer opportunities to play one-day internationals outside of major tournaments such as the World Cup.
As a result, the likes of former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan have qualified through residency to become England players after making their mark in English county cricket.
That was a path first trodden by Ed Joyce, now back in the Ireland set-up after being given special dispensation by the ICC to represent the land of his birth again after a brief England career ended following the 2007 World Cup.
Ireland and England go head-to-head in a World Cup Group B match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Porterfield said: "We want to get to a stage where we become a full member (of the ICC) ourselves and are part of the Future Tours Programme."
"We don't want to have players making that call (about whether to play for England)," added the opening batsman.
"We want to be in a position where we can contract 12-15 full-time Irish cricketers," he explained.
"We've got a good few lads involved in (English) county cricket which is developing our game. It's a financial thing, a fixtures thing. But we're now at the stage where this is where we want to be."
Asked if he saw Morgan, who would have been in England's World Cup squad but for injury, as a "role model", Porterfield said: "Anyone like him, Ed Joyce was one of the first to move across and became a high-profile player in county cricket. A lot of youngsters looked up to that, myself being one of them."
"Once Ed moved across and did well, there's a lot more Irish cricketers (who've done the same). They have goals and believe they can get there."
"Players playing for England has boosted Irish cricket in a roundabout way, Eoin Morgan is still getting publicity for Ireland."
"But in an ideal scenario we want a future of more full-timers back home playing more games and hopefully we'll be a full member ourselves."

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Hat-trick hero Malinga destroys Kenya 

Colombo, (AFP): Fit-again fast bowler Lasith Malinga took four wickets in six balls, including his second World Cup hat-trick, to dismiss Kenya for 142 in a Group A match in Colombo on Tuesday.

The 27-year sling-action bowler, who missed Sri Lanka's opening two matches due to a back strain, trapped Tanmay Mishra (nought) lbw with the last ball of his seventh over.
At the start of his next over he clean-bowled Peter Ongondo and Shem Ngoche in successive balls to complete his hat-trick.
Malinga then bowled Elijah Otieno to complete a career-best 6-38 in his 7.4 overs, improving on his figures of 5-34 against Pakistan at Dambulla last year.
Malinga's ferocious bowling derailed Kenya, who opted to bat, after they were on course for a total of around 200 following half-centuries from brothers David Obuya (51) and Collins Obuya (52).
Kenya, shot out for 69 against New Zealand and 112 in their match against Pakistan, started disastrously with Nuwan Kulasekara dismissing opener Morris Ouma (one) in the second over before Malinga had Seren Waters (three) lbw in the next.
Collins Obuya, whose five wickets helped Kenya upset Sri Lanka at the 2003 World Cup, hit four boundaries during his sedate 100-ball knock. His elder brother David hit three fours during his 106-ball innings.
But Malinga, who also took a World Cup hat-trick against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, dismissed Collins Obuya in his second spell before destroying the tail.
Malinga's hat-trick is the seventh in all World Cup matches and came just a day after West Indian Kemar Roach recorded a hat-trick against the Netherlands in New Delhi.

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Roach hat-tricks as West Indies crush Netherlands 

New Delhi: Kemar Roach grabbed six wickets, including a hat-trick, while Kieron Pollard smashed 60 off 27 balls to help West Indies thrash the Netherlands by 215 runs in the World Cup on Monday.

Pollard built on the platform laid by Chris Gayle, who made 80, as the Caribbean side posted 330-8 before bowling out their hapless opponents for 115 off 31.3 overs in the Group B game at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
The West Indies' total was the highest at the ground, which is coming off a 12-month suspension over a dangerous playing surface.
The Netherlands hardly posed any threat in the lop-sided encounter, crumbling to 36-5 by the 11th over after early strikes from Roach, who took 6-27, and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (3-28).
Roach, 22, returned to collect only the sixth World Cup hat-trick and the first of this tournament, sealing an emphatic win for the former world champions.
Dutch hope Ryan ten Doeschate, who scored 119 against England, failed to repeat his magic this time, trapped leg before wicket for seven by Benn.
Tom Cooper provided the only resistance with an unbeaten 55 off 72 balls.
Earlier, Gayle put on 100 runs for the opening wicket with Devon Smith (53) after the West Indies were put in to bat on a placid wicket in the day-night clash.
Pollard, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, hammered five fours and four sixes on his way to the third-fastest World Cup half-century before Ramnaresh Sarwan chipped in with a 42-ball 49.
Gayle overcame a subdued start to unleash seven fours and two sixes in his 110-ball knock, which was cut short by ten Doeschate (1-77) during a batting powerplay.
Smith scored at a quicker pace than his more famous partner, racing to his fourth one-day half-century off 45 balls with the help of nine fours.
Just when Smith looked set to go on to a bigger score, he edged behind off medium-pacer Bernard Loots to give the Netherlands their first breakthrough in the 17th over.
The promising Darren Bravo, with 30, then joined in the party briefly, dispatching Australian-born Cooper to the stands before hitting another six off left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar who finished with 3-45.
But Seelaar took his revenge in his very next over, tempting Bravo to charge down the pitch and offer a simple catch to Alexei Kervezee at long-on.
Kervezee also took two more catches which accounted for Gayle and captain Darren Sammy, who made just six, in an otherwise sloppy performance in the field by the non-Test playing nation.
The win put life back into the West Indies campaign after they lost to South Africa in their opener.
For Netherlands, it was the second defeat on the trot after the six-wicket reversal against England in Nagpur last week.