Tag: ICC

Cricket: Cook still the focus of Colombo dead rubber

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The series may have already been lost but that hasn’t eased the pressure on England’s captain Alastair Cook.  Despite assurances from the England Cricket Board, Cook is under immense pressure to turn both his own form and that of his team around.  His own form is woeful, he’s scored just the 87 runs in the series thus far (interestingly, vice captain Eoin Morgan has only scored 86 as well) and his strike rate of juts 67 is worrying.  He needs runs or a win, preferably both.

Sri Lanka on the other hand have a settled captain and a settled middle order.  The evergreen pair of Kumar Sangakkar and Mahela Jayawardene are set to play their last one day international match at their home ground of the Premadasa.  A huge crowd is expected to farewell the two legends and it is only fitting that Sri Lanka deliver them a win for their troubles.  After all 4-2 sounds a lot more commanding than 4-3, and in truth, a more accurate reflection of the gulf between the sides.

The Last Time These Two Met

Kumar Sangakkara gave Sri Lanka the series win the las time the two teams played.  His scores have gradually increased throughout the series, but it would be difficult to expect more of the same from him this time around.  Instead a Jayawardene classic is in the script as he celebrates his last home appearance.

The Teams

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne/Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Seekkuge Prasanna, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Suranga Lakmal 11 Lakshan Sandakan

Sri Lanka need to find an opening solution quickly so will likely give either Dimuth Karunaratne or Dinesh Chandimal a go at the top.  Chandimal’s run in the previous match could give him the edge.

England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Alex Hales, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Ravi Bopara, 8 Ben Stokes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 James Tredwell, 11 Harry Gurney

England could use the dead rubber to give games to other members of their touring squad in a bid to find out more about them including Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Ben Stokes or Ian Bell, mind you, there’s little more they could find out about Bell.  That could see Moeen Ali and the impressive Chris Woakes miss out.

The Key Players

James Tredwell – The unheralded spinner does not elect much praise for his work but he should.  He’s building a nice reputation as an accurate and economical spinner, and his series numbers thus far stack up well.  His 4 wickets have come at an average of 42, but the impressive stat is the economy rate of 4.33.  An entire run per over better than the second cheapest England bowler (Moeen Ali).

Mahela Jayawardene – Whether he bats four or at the top the right hander is a dangerous prospect.  In this dead rubber he has an excellent chance to audition for a permanent World Cup opening spot, which will in turn solve a difficult conundrum for the Sri Lankan selectors.

The Odds*

Sri Lanka – $1.59

England – $2.36

*International Cricket odds courtesy of BetEasy.

The Prediction

England to steal a pride saving win by 2 wickets. Oh an Alastair Cook is paying $20 to score a century for anyone who is brave enough.

Cricket: Lyon’s 12 the difference in perfect test

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After five days of gripping test cricket Nathan Lyon’s seven second innings wickets were the difference between two teams desperate for a win in Adelaide in a match that has already been described as “perfect”.  For vastly different reasons the two supremos of World cricket needed a win.  In Australia’s case it was for their colleague, their friend and their inspiration, Phillip Hughes; four of their players, Brad Haddin, David Warner, Nathan Lyon and Shane Watson were all playing in the tragic game in which Hughes was hit.  India too had every reason to win this game.  Their horrid record in Australia needed remedying; their captain was missing and the stand-in was captaining for the first time; and they couldn’t take a backwards step against Mitchell Johnson.

The result of both team’s ambitious intentions was an amazing spectacle featuring tremendous individual performances and ebbs and flows befitting of a battle between two proud cricketing nations.  The match culminated in a final day where each of the three results were possible.  Chasing an unlikely 364 for victory India set about their task diligently initially, and then later aggressively.  Viral Kohli and Murali Vijay were the stars sharing a 185 run partnership that sent both sets of fans to the edge of their seats.  They were bought together after Shikhar Dhawan had been given out caught behind in what looked like only chest, and Cheteshwar Pujara had become Nathan Lyon’s first victim.

Criticisms of Lyon in the past have revolved around his inability to take big wickets in the fourth innings of matches, and as the monumental partnership continued those criticisms only strengthened, despite some blatant LBW calls that should have gone his way.  However, as a win started to look possible for the tourists, Vijay inexplicably missed a straight one on 99 to open the floodgates.  From there Lyon tore through the rest of the Indian line up through a combination of accurate bowling, poor umpiring decisions, and brainless batting.  His figures of 7-152 gave him 12 for the match and delivered the win Australia were desperately seeking.

India’s last session implosion was ambitious as it was reckless.  Kohl’s aggressive attitude during his 175-ball 141 clearly rubbed off on his team as the lower order tried in vain to get their side over the line.  Kohl’s knock (or knocks for that matter – he also scored 114 in the first innings) did not deserve to be in losing efforts, but he will rue his miscue off Lyon when shepherding the tail was the more sensible option.

The generous target of 364 set by Australia was predominantly due to the loss in overs from Wednesday’s rain, and David Warners match strike-rate.  The destructive leftie amassed hundreds in both innings’; striking at 88 and 61 to give Australia the time needed to bowl India out on the final day.  He was supported by old captain Michael Clarke (128), and new captain Steven Smith (162* and 52*) who both displayed supreme confidence at the wicket.  Michael Clarke’s knock was especially brave after he entered the game with an injury cloud and left the game under a much worse career threatening injury cloud.

The GABBA hosts the second match in the series and will test the fragile Indian batting lineup, whereas personnel changes may threaten Australia’s momentum.  Both Sportsbet Australia and Ladbrokes Australia have predicted an easy series win for Australia on the back of the first up win.  Their series betting odds are:

Sportsbet Australia Series Market

Australia $1.06

Draw $14.00

India $26.00

Ladbrokes Australia Correct Score Market

Australia 3-0 – $3.25

Australia 4-0 – $3.50

Australia 3-1 – $5.00

Australia 2-1 – $6.50

Australia 2-0 – $7.00

Draw 2-2 – $19.00

Draw 1-1 – $29.00

India 2-1 – $34.00

Australia 1-0 – $51.00

India 3-1 – $101.00

Australia 7 for 517 dec (Smith 162*, Warner 145, Clarke 128) and 5 for 290 dec (Warner 102) beat India 444 (Kohli 115, Lyon 5-134) and 315 (Kohli 141, Vijay 99, Lyon 7-152) by 48 runs

Cricket: Powerful Pakistan slam New Zealand

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Pakistan scored 221 from the last 25 overs; 125 off the last 10; 65 from the last five and amassed a total that was far too strong for the Black Caps in Sharjah today.  The imposing total of 364 was built around a superb century from opener Ahmed Shehzad (113), and a quick fire blast from captain Shahid Afridi (55).  Shehzad was the initial architect, picking up on a series of loose New Zealand overs to pull and slash his way to a sixth ODI hundred.  His innings was nicely orchestrated with an abundance of singles – 41 of them in total – and a4 neatly timed boundaries.  He was helped no end by New Zealand’s inconsistent bowling effort by their back-up seamers and friendly paced allrounders.  Of the New Zealand attack only Nathan McCullum went for under six runs-per-over, whereas most of the others went for plenty; Corey Anderson went for 96 from his ten – the third worst figure in one day cricket by a New Zealander.

Afridi’s blitz was something special.  He has found a level of consistency he rarely displays in this series and his contribution with bat, ball and in the field was an impressive example for his players to follow.  His response, along with most of the Pakistan line-up, to the short pitched bowling that had worked so well in the series thus far was combative.  The midwicket region was as productive as any as Pakistan admirably stood up to the barrage of short bowling.

New Zealand’s unlikely attempt at Pakistan’s third highest total in ODI cricket got off to a typically disappointing start.  On his return from injury Martin Guptill only succeeded in mistiming two pull shots, one of which was caught.  Devcich failed, and the Black Caps best players were asked to do it all, again.  Earlier in the week Brendon McCullum had explained to media that he would not swap his numbers 3 and 4 for any others in World cricket, and for a brief time it seemed entirely plausible that Taylor and Williamson could get NZ close.  But shortly after Ross Taylor had struck three 6’s in eight balls, he missed an attempted cut off Afridi to be bowled for 31, and New Zealand limped to 217 all out.

Williamson played nicely again for 46 before falling to indecision while Ronchi added 41 late runs to further outline his value down the order.  The big concern for New Zealand will be the double failing of all-round duo Jimmy Neesham and Anderson who continue to struggle in both skills.

The series heads back to Abu Dhabi where New Zealand need to win both to take out the series.  Sportsbet Australia don’t think they can; they have listed NZ at $4.50 to win the series.  They also have Series Score markets of: Pakistan 3-2 @ $1.91, and Pakistan 4-1 @ $2.50.

Pakistan 364 for 7 (Shehzad 113, Afridi 55, Henry 3-63) beat New Zealand 217 (Williamson 46, Afridi 3-37, Sohail 3-45) by 147 runs

Cricket: Sangakkara too good for awful England

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If Kumar Sangakkara’s scores in the four prior matches against England were anything to go by he was destined to eventually reach three figures in the series.  Scores of 67*, 63, 86 and 91 were just the precursor to a breathtaking hundred, scored at a rapid pace in game six of the seven match series.  His innings was at all times controlled, allowing him to effortlessly toyed with the England field and captain.  That he was dropped by the England captain in the midst of the manipulation when on 41 was as fitting as it was cruel.     His run a ball 112 the backbone of his sides impressive total of 292.  With an uncharacteristically controlled support hand from  Tillakaratne Dilshan (68) and a late contribution from the returning Dinesh Chandimal (35), Sri Lanka were able to register a total that asked England to be at their very best if the wanted to take the series to a Colombo decider.

England were not at their best.  Their chase never really threatened Sri Lanka’s total and none of their players could match Sangakkara’s heroics.  The chase started in the worst possible fashion when out of sorts and under-pressure captain Alastair Cook played around a straight one in the third over.  James Taylor arrival at the crease gave reason for England to be hopeful given his strong performances in the series thus far, but he too fell to the impressive Sachithra Senanayake after walking past one.  When Moeen Ali fell to a Dilshan ripper the series was all but over at 50/3.  Joe Root got some time in the middle with a circumspect 55, Chris Woakes blazed 41 – outlining his improving credentials as a handy limited overs cricketer – and Sangakkara also grabbed four catches behind the sticks.

Despite suffering his fourth successive defeat at the helm of the ODI team Alastair Cook remained staunch when his ability to lead the side was questioned.  While there are chorus’ for the man to give up the captaincy, it seems unlikely give the proximity to the World Cup, but coach Peter Moores offered less support than he usually does by suggesting, “It would be wrong of me as a selector and coach not to review things at the end of this series”.

Sri Lanka 292 for 7 (Sangakkara 112, Dilshan 68) beat England 202 (Root 55, Woakes 41, Lakmal 4-30, Senanayake 3-33) by 90 runs

Cricket: Confident England seek unlikely series decider

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Close to being written off after three games in the series England surprised everyone by winning game five easily.  The surprise win means they can take the series to a deciding game with a follow up win in game six.  That is a strong possibility given the form of the care bear kids, Joe Root and James Taylor.

Sri Lanka are still tinkering with their World Cup lineup and have introduced new players for this one.  While they do want to give exposure to a wide range of players and allow others time to get into World Cup form, they’ll be annoyed if they can’t close this one out.

Pallekele again should favour the English side.

The Last Time These Two Met

Game five saw England close the series gap to just one game.  Joe Root’s cool head saw England home in a chase that was delayed by an entire day due to wet weather.  The match was also significant for Sachithra Senanayake who returned superbly from an international bowling ban.

The Teams

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wkt), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Suranga Lakmal 11 Lakshan Sandakan

Kusal Perera and Ajantha Mendis have been dropped.  Perera is to be replaced by Dimuth Karunaratne, whereas Suranga Lakmal Lakshan Sandakan should be given a chance at Mendis and Prasad’s expense.

England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Moeen Ali, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jos Buttler (wkt), 7 Ravi Bopara, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 James Tredwell, 11 Steven Finn

No changes expected to their winning side.

The Key Players

Steven Finn – The obvious key player to spotlight would be Alastair Cook.  But he’s getting enough light from every other fan and critic of English cricket.  Therefore, we’ll leave him alone and focus on Steven Finn.  Finn is slowly regaining his form after overcoming a long held groin injury.  The quick achieved figures of 1-28 in his best bowling effort of the series.  Finn will be hoping to regain top form in game six and take early wickets.

Lahiru Thirimanne – Averages a whopping 116 in this series because of three not outs from four innings.  Equally impressive is the strike rate of 106 which seems to outline that the left hander is much more comfortable as a lower order closer than he is / was at the top of the order.  Thirimanne was in sublime form leading into this series too.  In the emergency games against India he posted back to back fifties.

The Odds*

Sri Lanka – $1.57

England – $2.40

*International Cricket odds courtesy of Unibet.

The Prediction

The cynic in all of us thinks this will go to a deciding game.  More money, more television viewers and more interest.  So England to win this one for us.  Jump on Unibet to take advantage of the generous price on England.

Cricket: Seamers and Williamson help NZ level series

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New Zealand broke their Sharjah duck overnight after defeating Pakistan by 4 wickets to square the one day international series.  Having lost their previous ten matches in Sharjah, the Black Caps needed a calm Kane Williamson – who scored his sixth half century in his last seven matches – to see them over the line.  Chasing 253 for victory the pursuit got off to the best possible start when Anton Devcich (58) and Dean Brownlie (47) eased the concerns hanging over the openers to put on 103 for the first wicket.  Despite the start, New Zealand still needed their captain Williamson’s nous to get them hoe in the 46th over.  Amongst a middle order collapse that saw Ross Taylor miss out on a fourth consecutive hundred, Williamson held firm and after watching several middle order colleagues throw wickets away, found able support from Luke Ronchi (36).  Ronchi’s rapid cameo helped to ease any lingering doubt in the New Zealand camp and quickly put the result beyond doubt as the gap between us needed and balls remaining widened.

Williamson shouldn’t take all the praise however.  The Black Cap’s seamers also played their part taking all ten wickets in Pakistan’s innings.  Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan were the chief destroyers albeit in different circumstances.  Henry (4-45) took the bulk of his wickets at the top of the order helping dismiss four of the top six and reducing Pakistan to 20/3 at one stage.  McClenaghan, notwithstanding the early wickets of Younis Khan (he got him twice, once off a no-ball) took his wickets at the end of the innings to finish with 3-56.

Pakistan will rue their inability to kick on from handy starts.  Of their batsmen to cross 14 (there were 7 of them) only Mohammad Hafeez (76) passed 50.  That left Shahid Afridi (27 from 14) with too much to do, and while he made a decent fist of it striking big blows off both Henry and Milne, he couldn’t sustain the attack and joined the others in failing to see out the allotted overs.

Haris Sohail was once again a big plus for the number four ranked ODI team with wickets and runs.  He made 33 and took 3-48 in another fine all-round display.  His efforts superseded Corey Anderson’s efforts as New Zealand’s all-rounder worries worsened, and helped mitigate the impact from Hafeez’s bowling ban.

A quick turnaround sees Sharjah host game three on Sunday.  Of particular note are the potential injuries to Umar Gul and Misbah-ul-Haq.

New Zealand 255 for 6 (Williamson 70, Devcich 58, Haris 3-48) beat Pakistan 252 (Hafeez 76, Misbah 47, Henry 4-45) by four wickets