A bumper weekend of quality cricket has seen a number of teams rip up the form book and reemerge as genuine World Cup threats. India and the West Indies both scored unexpected wins to again confuse punters as to who will make up the crucial semi-final spots of the lucrative tournament.
Although Cyclone Marcia prevented the favourites Australia from playing, New Zealand and Melbourne stayed dry to allow some cricket. Check out the weekend results below:
Day 8 Results
1. West Indies v Pakistan
The enigma that is West Indies cricket got the better the woefulness that is Pakistan cricket in a one-sided encounter in Christchurch. Fans wanting a more interesting World Cup will hope that the win will prompt a change in fortune for the men from the Caribbean, whereas fans supporting Pakistan will be drastically worried. The West Indies posted 300 batting first for the second game in succession. Handy contributions from most of their men precluded a dazzling Andre Russell finish who slammed 42 from just 13 balls. Earlier, Dinesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons both scored fifties in a crucial middle over partnership that solidified a precious position of 152/3, which could have initiated a wobble.
A middle order wobble may not have mattered anyway as Pakistan crumbled to just 160 in reply. Jerome Taylor’s fast start reduced Pakistan to a remarkable 1/4. Just to be clear, that is, 4 wickets down for a solitary run. There was no way back. Pakistan did get to 160 – Umar Akmal scored an overdue half centre as did Maqsood, but there was never a contest. Andre Russell also picked up three wickets to take man of the match honours.
The West Indies will be satisfied with their day’s work but await anxiously news on Darren Bravo’s injured hamstring.
West Indies 310 for 6 (Ramdin 51, Simmons 50, Russell 42) beat Pakistan 160 (Akmal 59, Maqsood 50, Taylor 3-15, Russell 3-33) by 150 runs
2. Australia v Bangladesh
Day 9 Results
1. Afghanistan v Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka overcame another minnow led scare in the Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Not for the first time, an associate nation looked to be getting the better of test playing nation before class, luck and composure got the Sri Lankans (in this case) home.
Afghanistan were at one stage 128/2 and looking good for a handsome first innings total. But before they could build any real momentum, Matthews, Malinga and Lakmal removed their key men before they could make the big scores that win games. Mohammad Stanikzai was Afghanistan’s best with a well made 54, but his wicket was the catalyst of the slide.
Sri Lanka made very hard work of the gettable total. At 18/3, with Dilshan, Thirimanne and Sangakkara all back in the pavilion, an upset looked possible. It looked likely even when Karunaratne also fell, in a wicket that had the Afghan’s doing cartwheels (literally). The fairytale wasn’t forthcoming mind you. The guile of Mahlea Jayawardene and the power of Thisara Perera steering Sri Lanka home to win by 4 wickets. Jayawardene scored an even hundred, while Perara made a brutal unbeaten 47 to wrap things up with 10 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka 236 for 6 (Jayawardene 100, Perera 47*, Hamid 3-45) beat Afghanistan 232 (Stanikzai 54) by four wickets
2. India v South Africa
Wow! We didn’t see this one coming. India gave a huge MCG crowd every reason to cheer by knocking over a strong South Africa in emphatic fashion. Cast aside at the start of the tournament after a disappointing tour down under, the Indians are now emerging as genuine title contenders after a pair of excellent wins. Led by Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a well-paced 137, full of hooks and pulls, India cruised along to 307. Virat Kohli contributed too, he scored 46, but Ajinkya Rahane’s 60 ball 79 was the real supporting act gem at the tail the innings.
South Africa struggled; they’ll be talk of the dreaded ‘choke’ term entering their minds / becoming a possibility. The case never really got going, and surprisingly, none of their big game players Amla, du Plessis or de Villiers have managed to score the expected big runs. Certainly not on the Dhawan scale. The scale that put bowlers under pressures and becomes the difference between 200 scores and 300 scores. Dhawan was the difference, and South Africa need confidence. (They’ll also monitor an injury to Vernon Philander.)
South Africa have gone out to $5.00 to win the World Cup at Bet365.
India 307 for 7 (Dhawan 137, Rahane 79) beat South Africa 177 (Du Plessis 55, Ashwin 3-41) by 130 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.
