After a tantalising wait the Cricket World Cup final got underway yesterday. Australia and New Zealand justified their favourites tag with huge victories on the back of 300+ scores. The two Australasian hosts sent an imperious warning to the rest of the teams vying to take out crickets’ most meaningful trophy.
Each day of the Cricket World Cup we’ll recap the results, here’s how day 1 panned out.
Day 1 Results
1. New Zealand v Sri Lanka
New Zealand displaced any concerns that nerves would get the better of them in their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. Batting first on a chilly, overcast morning, the audible sigh of relief from Black Cap fans when Brendon McCullum slammed his first ball through the covers for four was telling. McCullum’s boundary told of confidence, aggression and belief, while the sigh proved many New Zealanders were uncomfortable with the favourites tag, but relieved that it wouldn’t change New Zealand’s approach.
The Black Caps mustered 331 in their 50 overs. Corey Anderson put the icing on the cake after McCullum and Williamson had early contributed half centuries. Sri Lanka were sloppy in the field, and the seam bowling saving grace role that Lasith Malinga was expected to play didn’t eventuate as he was plummeted for 84 runs in 10 wicketless overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka made an excellent start and at 124/1 were a chance of running down the imposing total. However, regular wickets, share amongst the New Zealand bowlers, put paid to any chance and they eventually fell well 98 runs short.
New Zealand 331 for 6 (Anderson 75, McCullum 65, Williamson 57, Mendis 2-5) beat Sri Lanka 233 (Thirimanne 65, Anderson 2-18) by 98 runs
2. Australia v England
Australia got their campaign underway in front of a raucous 85,000 strong crowd at the MCG. Reinforcing their dominance over England at late and their favourites tag, the Australians scored a huge 342 from their 50 overs (despite at once stage falling to 70/3. Aaron Finch survived being dropped in the first over to make 135 and Glenn Maxwell finished things off briskly. The only joy for the Poms was a final over hat-trick from Steven Finn.
Things got worse for the English; they slumped to 92/6 and with it saw any chance of an unlikely victory slip away. Captain, Eoin Morgan continued his bizarre run of form – despite a century early in the summer he’s now registered 4 ducks in his last five innings. James Taylor added some respectability to the total. He’s was not out on 98* when James Anderson was incorrectly ruled run out after a DRS reversal. Mitchell Marsh thrived in taking over James Faulkner’s duties; he took five wickets with his medium pace.
Australia dominant, and on course for trophy number five it seems.
Australia 342 for 9 (Finch 135, Maxwell 66, Bailey 55, Finn 5-71) beat England 231 (Taylor 98*, Marsh 5-33) by 111 runs
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
