The tournament co-hosts both got the w on day 22 of the Cricket World Cup. Read our match repots on both of yesterday’s games below:
Day 22 Results
1. New Zealand v Afghanistan
Five from five and guaranteed top spot in Pool A for the Black Caps after their comfortable win against Afghanistan in Napier yesterday.
The win looked relatively comfortable on paper but was a little more protracted in reality. New Zealand, and many of their fans would have been hoping to bat first and give crease time to Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot. However, Afghanistan were probably reluctant to subject their bowlers to another possible 400 run humiliation, and batted first.
Immediately forced to regret the decision, Afghanistan were under all sorts of pressure at 59/6. Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult doing the bulk of the damage. Rather than collapsing in an almighty heap, Najibullah and Shenwari put together the only praetorship of note – one of 86. The two went about their work in different fashion. Najibullah was aggressive, a little lucky, but showed his potential by depositing Southee into the stands on two occasions. Whereas, Shenwari was calm and composed. He survived a nasty blow to the helmet to register a patient fifty.
Afghanistan kept New Zealand in the field for 47.3 overs – the longest of any side in the World Cup thus far. They also forced McCullum to bowl Elliot, something neither Australia nor England could do.
In reply, the Black Caps got to the target 4 down. Mccallum provided the usual powerplay aggression, and Martin Guptill made a much needed half century before being run out. Taylor and Elliot also got to the crease, but question marks will remain over Taylor’s form and mindset (he’s incredibly cautious at the moment) heading in to the rest of the tournament.
New Zealand 188 for 4 (Guptill 57, McCullum 42) beat Afghanistan 186 (Najibullah 56, Shenwari 54, Vettori 4-18, Boult 3-34) by six wickets
2. Australia v Sri Lanka
Glenn Maxwell was the difference between the two sides in an absorbing Sydney encounter. His hundred – coming from just 51 balls – trumped Kumar Sangakkara’s third consecutive hundred, to help Australia to a 64 run win.
Australia changed their side again, dropping Mitchell Marsh for Shane Watson, and brining in Xavier Doherty for his first run of the tournament. The changes did not affect the momentum as Steven Smith settled in to his work at number three again and captain, Michael Clarke retuned to Sydney in style. Smith made 72, Clarke 68; together they laid the platform for the likes of Maxwell Watson and Haddin to flourish. Maxwell reaffirmed his importance to Australia, and outline his billing as the most dangerous player in the tournament with a sublime hundred. He added 160 with Watson in just 13.4 overs to drive the total to 376.
Sri Lanka looked good for parts of the case. Dilshan and Sangakkara put together an excellent counter-attack to send them on their way, but clumps of wickets in the middle overs when the asking rate was all a bit too much stifled the chase.
Both teams will make the quarterfinals and both have match-winning individuals, therefore it will be interesting to see who goes further.
Australia 376 for 9 (Maxwell 102, Smith 72, Clarke 68, Watson 67) beat Sri Lanka 312 (Sangakkara 104, Dilshan 62, Chandimal 52 retired hurt, Faulkner 3-48) by 64 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.
