Tag: Cricket World Cup

Cricket World Cup: Day 24 Recap

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India won the battle of the ‘I’ nations with a one-sided victory over Ireland in Hamilton on day 24 of the Cricket World Cup.  India’s ninth win in a row made possible because of a fine opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.  See more on the action below:

Day 24 Results

India v Ireland

Ireland made it nine World Cup wins on the bounce with a comfortable eight wicket win over Ireland.

The defending World Cup champions made light work of Ireland’s 259, requiring just four of their batsman to pad up and 36.5 overs to get there.  Ireland’s 259 always looked 50 short on a pristine Hamilton surface, and that proved to be the case when Dhawan and Rohit combined to knock off 174 of them in the opening stand.  The win means India top Pool B, and keep their incredible run of victories from the 2011 tournament going.

Ireland had earlier started the day in exceptionally positive fashion.  Openers, William Portefield (67) and Paul Stirling (42) set Ireland on their way to a big total by adding 89 for the first wicket and seeing off India’s surprisingly effective seam bowlers.  However, the introduction of spin through Ashwin, Raina, and Jadeja slowed the European Champions momentum and cause more than a few rash strokes.  The wickets tended to arrive in clumps, and despite the best efforts of Niall O’Brien (75), the regular wickets meant Ireland fell well short of the 300 they were on track for earlier.  In fact, it took a giggly last wicket partnership to get to 259.

India will be grateful they could sneak in a full 10 overs from Raina – that shouldn’t happen in international cricket, but it did, and he took a bonus 1-40.

India’s run chase was a canter. Dhawan’s second hundred of the tournament flung him to second on the run scoring charts, and further outlined just how dangerous the Indian team are from 1-11.  He was dropped twice and the punishment went on to become a record opening stand for India at World Cups.  Rohit Sharma also made light work of the chase with a quick 64, before Kohli and Rahane finished off the win in style.  The Irish bowlers have always been the weak link in the side, and unfortunately they were too unthreatening on a docile Seddon Park pitch.

One more game each, India against Zimbabwe; Ireland a crunch potential qualifier against Pakistan.

India 260 for 2 (Dhawan 100, Rohit 64) beat Ireland 259 (N O’Brien 75, Porterfield 67, Shami 3-41) by 8 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Day 24 Preview

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Just when the World Cup was starting to follow script England go ahead and put in their worst performance of the tournament to gift the writer ammunition for today’s important World Cup questions.  We’ll also review today’s game featuring Ireland and India.

The Three Big Questions

Why were England so bad?

Where do we start.  We didn’t agree with their team selection for much of the Cricket World Cup, we don’t like their mindset, and their best two bowlers had bad tournaments.  Then there’s the focus on ‘data’ and the domestic competition featuring 18 counties which is simply too big.  Looking at the points individually, the team selection and game plan were the glaring errors.  England’s cautious approach is in stark contrast to the way the tournament frontrunners are playing.  Watch McCullum, de Villiers or Maxwell bat.  No one goes close to playing with that sort of freedom in the English set up (Ali and Buttler are the two closest), therefore they are always going to be behind the 8-ball in modern cricket.  You saw the ease their 309 was chased down by Sri Lanka.  Those scores don’t win games anymore.  They needed to give Hales more cricket, get him at the top and get Buttler up the order too.  It also would have helped if Stuart Broad didn’t go 35 overs without a wicket in the middle of the Cricket World Cup.

Where do they go now?

Moores and Morgan both have to go.  Moore showed just how dreadfully out of touch he is when he claimed he would “analyse the data” to determine where they went wrong.  And Morgan just can’t hold his place in the team as a batsman, so has to go.  Downton should probably join them on the heap; possibly James Whitaker (chairman of selectors) too.

They could turn to players like James Vince, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes are good enough to build a squad around.  Not KP though.

Any more upsets?

Still could be plenty, including today’s match previewed below. The quarterfinals are also the perfect chance for Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka or Ireland (depending on who gets there) to provide a shock.  If you love a cheeky outsider punt this could be your tournament.

Today’s Matchup

India v Ireland, Seddon Park (Hamilton – fine), starts 2:00pm local time.

India – $1.20

Ireland – $4.00

The stunning Seddon Park hosts unbeaten India against surprise packages Ireland in today’s only game.

Both sides are arguably stronger with the willow than with the leather, so today’s match could be a high scorer.  Having said that, India have surprised some with the improvement in their bowling since their time in Australia, and no teams have got away on them.

Ireland have had just one bad performance form their lot so far.  They should still be feeling pretty good about themselves and will take comfort from the fact that England’s exit makes them European Champions.

We’re sniffing an upset…

Today’s Bet

The upsets continue bet.  Ireland haven’t beaten India in a one-day international before but back them to do it today on a head to head bet at $4.00.

Odds taken from Unibet Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 23 Recap

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England were sent packing from the Cricket World Cup following an embarrassing 15 run loss to Bangladesh.  In the process, Bangladesh qualified for the knockout stages for the second time in their history and sent the nation into a state of total delirium.  Whereas, England will be on the receiving end of some hefty criticism.

Day 23 Results

Bangladesh v England

It began so promisingly for England.  They won the toss, the ball was swinging, James Anderson returned to form and took two early wickets and then they took their foot of the throat.  From 9/2, Bangladesh were able to recover through the promising Sarkar and Mohammad Mahmudullah.  The pair put on 8 to start the recovery, before Mahmudullah combined with captain, Mushfiqur, in the second signigficant partnership of the innings.  Mahmudullah went on to became the first Bangladesh batsman to score a World Cup hundred with a frantic single, and Mushfiqur thumped 89 from 77 balls to help his side reach a defendable 275.  The total was their best ever ODI effort against England and came without a notable contribution from Shakib.

If England’s bowling began promisingly, so too did their batting effort.  Despite the early loss of Moeen Ali, England were handily placed at 121/2 with Ian Bell and Joe Root looking well-settled.  However, a flurry of wickets instigated by the energetic Rubel Hossain took the wind from the sales and left the chase in tatters.  121/2 became 132/5 (and then 163/6) as the Bangladesh fielding and bowling unit created a cauldron type environment for the English to melt.

Asking too much of Jos Buttler (65) and Chris Woakes (42*), England fell 15 runs short to wrap up their most disappointing World Cup campaign of all time.  Ruben took four wickets including the final wicket of James Anderson to book the quarterfinal spot, and book an early flight home for England.

Bangladesh 275 for 7 (Mahmudullah 103, Mushfiqur 89) beat England 260 (Buttler 65, Bell 63, Rubel 4-53) by 15 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 23 Preview

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A weekend of Cricket World Cup action left plenty of unanswered questions.  Our day 23 preview covers three of the most important questions and previews today’s game.

The Three Questions

Is Maxwell more dangerous than AB?

On the analysis of his last two knocks, Maxwell is well and truly more dangerous than AB de Villiers.  They have similar skill sets and mind sets.  They are both fearless, creative, and have an uncanny knack of hitting the ball where the fielders are not (maybe calling it a knack does them a disservice, because it’s such a conscious decision).  But Maxwell’s dangerousness also comes from the platforms he’s getting from his side.  Coming in against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka with big runs already on the board has freed him up considerably and is likely to have him outscore de Villers in the tournament.

Is Sangakkara the best ODI batsman of all time?

You would have to think so. How’s this for a record – 402 matches, 14065 runs, 41.73 average, 24 hundreds, 93 fifties.  It’s the second highest aggregate in history (behind Sachin Tendulkar) but has often come while keeping wickets, often without the support of teammates, and in all conditions.  He is the complete batsman in all forms of the game and never gets the credit he deserves.  This piece will pay the dues however – he’s the best on history.

How are the quarterfinals shaping up?

Here are our predictions:

South Africa v Sri Lanka, Sydney
India v England, Melbourne
Australia v Pakistan, Adelaide
New Zealand v West Indies, Wellington

Today’s Matchup

England v Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide – chance of showers), starts 2:00pm local time

England – $1.24

Bangladesh – $4.00

The winner of this match will march towards the quarter-finals, the loser will be heading home.  It should never have come down to this for England, but their inconsistent form now sees them in a do or die encounter against the sometimes sub-continent surprise packages.

Bangladesh have some form and confidence from their win against Scotland, although they’ll be hoping they don’t concede 300 again.  On the other end, England have beaten Scotland too, but that’s the only win they have managed.

England should have too much quality in this one, but a close game could test their mettle.

Today’s Bet

The “captain delivers against the odds” bet.

Eoin Morgan to Top Score just when his team needs it.  He’s paying $5.50.

Odds taken from Luxbet.

Cricket World Cup: Day 22 Recap

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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

Cricket World Cup: Day 21 Recap

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Saturday’s cricketing action saw Betcirca come good on a number of bets.  We successfully predicted runs for Brendon Taylor and Seam Williams despite Zimbabwe falling a few runs short against Ireland.  In the other match, Pakistan caused a major shock by beating World Cup frontrunners South Africa.

Day 21 Results

1. Pakistan v South Africa

Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an unexpected win in their rain shortened World Cup match against South Africa overnight.  The win sees Pakistan move to third in Pool B and level with South Africa and Ireland on 6 points.

It came courtesy of their bowlers.  Seamers, Rahat Ali; Wahab Riaz; and Mohammed Irfan all took three wickets each in an excellent display of disciplined yet aggressive short pitched bowling.  South Africa’s batsman were reckless with their wickets, and gifted nine catches out of the ten wickets to fall.

Batting first, Pakistan made it to 222, largely thanks to another half century by Misbah ul-Haq (56) and a mature first World Cup knock form reinstated keeper Sarfraz Ahmed (49).  Useful contributions also came from Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi in difficult conditions of wind and rain.  The total was unusually small for Eden Park but was more than Australia almost managed to defend against New Zealand a week earlier.

It proved to be enough.  South Africa imploding to be all out for 202.  A spate of rash strokes gave them little chance of handling the total.  No one taking the requisite responsibility to see them through to their total or providing AB de Villers with support.

AB de Villiers commented after the match that “he had nothing good to say about his team”, but he probably had a few kind words for himself.  He was the South African side’s only hope as he smashed his way to 77 off 58 balls – in the process enjoying the small square boundaries at Eden Park.

Certainly a boil-over, one that was terrific for Pool B.  But not one that will affect the semi-finalists in our view.

Pakistan 222 (Misbah 56, Steyn 3-30) beat South Africa 202 (de Villiers 77, Rahat 3-40, Wahab 3-45, Irfan 3-52) by 29 runs (D/L method)

2. Zimbabwe v Ireland

The second Pool B match of the day featured too similar sides.  Ireland and Zimbabwe are not within the top echelon of world cricket teams, but they have both handled themselves nicely in this World Cup.  Competitive in most of their matches, just lacking a little bit of death bowling nous or luck to stop the huge totals against them.

Today’s game again featured huge totals.  Ireland made 331 for 8 form their allotment.  Ed Joyce and Andre Balbirnie were the mainstays of the innings – Joyce getting to a hundred, and Balbirnie narrowly missing out.

In response Zimbabwe looked on course for much of the game led by World Cup standouts Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams.  Taylor had 121 from just 91 balls before he tried one lofted shot too many.  However, with Sean Williams still going along nicely, Zimbabwe were a firm chance.  If Sean Williams had batted the 50 overs they might have got home.  Unfortunately, he was given out on 96, caught on the boundary by John Mooney in a moment of YouTube notoriety.  The controversy surrounded whether Mooney had touched the boundary rope when completing the catch.  Replays suggested some portion may have been touching the rope, but there was an additional complication from the shadow of the boot.

Who really knows?  And at the end of the day the newspapers reported a 5 run win to Ireland.

Ireland 331 for 8 (Joyce 112, Balbirnie 97, Chatara 3-61) beat Zimbabwe 326 (Taylor 121, Williams 96, Cusack 4-32) by five runs