Day 28 Results
1. India v Zimbabwe
Brendon Taylor’s final game for Zimbabwe almost followed the script. The final innings hundred was there – an incredible collection of reverse sweeps, powerful lofts, and cheeky ramps – and at 93/4 the victory looked a possibility too. Unfortunately, India’s powerful middle order covered over the top order cracks and completed victory by 6 wickets and 8 balls remaining. The crux of the chase was an unbeaten 196 run partnership between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. The pair rescuing a dire situation for the unbeaten Indian side, after the top order had collapsed to 93/4.
Earlier, Taylor had thrilled a large Auckland crowd with a final international innings of the highest quality. He scored 138, including 70 from his final 29 balls. He was supported by Sean Williams in the most significant partnership of the innings, before Sikandar Raza added a quickfire 28 just as the momentum threatened to collapse.
Eden Park is always a difficult ground to defend totals on, and it proved too tricky for the Zimbabwe bowlers as Raina and Dhoni maturely saw India to their sixth World Cup win.
India 288 for 4 (Raina 110, Dhoni 85) beat Zimbabwe 287 (Taylor 138, Williams 50, Yadav 3-43, Mohit 3-48, Shami 3-48) by 6 wickets
2. Australia v Scotland
Australia comfortably beat Scotland and the rain to wrap up second spot in Pool A.
Opting to bowl first to beat the rain, Australia quickly gained the ascendancy with quick wickets to all of the bowlers. In fairness, the Scottish batsman, who have struggled all tournament, contributed to their own demise with a host of rash shots and an unusually aggressive mindset. In all, Scotland made just 130, with a brief break in the play for weather not able to save them from somewhat of a humiliation.
Mitchell Starc took 4 wickets to leap to the top of the wickettaker charts, Cummins had three, and Watson, Johnson and Maxwell all got in on the action.
Australia then used the chase to give Michael Clarke an extended bat. He opened and made 47, and Finch, Watson, Faulkner and Warner all pitched in with handy efforts at better than a run a ball. The win sets up a quarterfinal against the winner of todays Ireland v Pakistan match.
Australia 133 for 3 (Clarke 47) beat Scotland 130 (Machan 40, Starc 4-14, Cummins 3-42) by seven wickets
Day 29 Matches
1. West Indies v UAE, McLean Park (Napier – cloudy, windy, chance of rain), starts 11:00am local time
West Indies – $1.04
UAE – $11.00
West Indies must beat the UAE today and then await the result of the Pakistan / Ireland game from Adelaide. Task number one will be tricky given the cyclone from Vanuatu threatening to bring adverse conditions to the East Coast of New Zealand. It might also be tough if Chris Gayle is passed unfit to compete; his back still a big worry.
The final chance for UAE to register a win comes at the familiar location of Napier where they have based themselves for much of the tournament. They’re coming off a relatively poor showing against South Africa, so they’ll need to improve if they are to crash the West Indies party.
2. Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide – partly cloudy), starts 2:00pm local time
Pakistan – $1.27
Ireland – $3.82
Ireland’s most important Cricket World Cup game in history will settle a tense Pool B. Ireland need a win to make it through to the knockout stages for the first time (they have previously made the Super 8’s in 2007). They could also hope for an abandoned game in Napier, but they would much prefer to be the masters of their own destiny.
Irelands’s poor net run rate is their major issue heading into the final match. They’ve done commendably to beat UAE, West Indies and Zimbabwe but need to muster every ounce of skill and self-belief to do the unthinkable.
Day 29 Multi
The “Gayle Force Upset” Multi
Chris Gayle loves McLean Park, a test 197* springs to mind as evidence of his love of the small ground, but he’s also doubtful with a bad back. If he plays we’re backing him to perform amongst the cyclone.
Gale To Top Score at $2.88 + Ireland winning Head-to-Head at $3.82 = $11.00
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.
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.
