Tag: ICC

Cricket World Cup: Australia v Pakistan – QF 3 Review

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There was a key moment in the third quarterfinal.  It occurred when Australia were 59/3.  Wahab Riaz was delivering the best spell he’ll ever bowl; an intimidating collection of head and throat seekers that had the Australians, particularly Shane Watson, ducking and fending for grim life.  He enticed a false hook shot from Watson, and the simplest of catches was put down my Rahat Ali.  The drop frustrated, exhausted Riaz and saw the wind exit the sails of the Pakistan challenge, and Watson would go on to hit the running runs.

Australia still had the batting power to reach the medium range target of 214 even if the catch, and another that was grassed when Glenn Maxwell was on 5, were taken.  But it would have made things very interesting, especially if Wahab could have continued to direct the short balls.

Ultimately, 213 wasn’t good enough against the best batting lineup in the competition.  The innings featured plenty of cameos but no lead role.  41 to Haris Sohail, 34 to Misbah, three 20’s and three teens made up unsatisfying effort.  After giving up three wickets to the threatening Mitchell’s, the Pakistani batsman sung wildly and gave up four wickets to Josh Hazlewood and unbelievably two to Maxwell.

It was another case of a disappointing effort from a quarterfinal side.  The losing sides in the three knockout games thus far have scored 133, 193 and 213.  Not the scores that win games, or even remotely threaten the winners.

The Australian chase survived the hitch at 59/3 largely thanks to Steven Smith.  He didn’t have the same troubles as Watson.  Instead cover driving his way to the games top score and reinforcing the excellent deacons to have him come in at 3.  He couldn’t quite see it out.  He was LBW in a lazy manner on 65, however Maxwell and Watson were able to book Australia the semifinal spot against India.

Watson finished 64 not out.  Maxwell was unbeaten on 44.

Australia roll on having impressed the punters enough to see their odds to win the tournament reduced to just $2.20.

Australia 216 for 4 (Smith 65, Watson 64*) beat Pakistan 213 (Haris Sohail 41, Hazlewood 4-35) by 6 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Australia v Pakistan – QF 3 Preview

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Australia v Pakistan duels are generally separated by home form and away form.  Very rarely does the touring team perform well in the home countries’ conditions.  This was true in the most recent test series the teams played where Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made a mockery of Mitchell Johnson and co.  However, the one day game is the ultimate leveller, and results in the ODI format have not been as intertwined with the conditions.

That said, we’re not giving Pakistan much of a chance against the most complete team of the World Cup.  Australia have every facet covered, including a bona fide spin option in Glenn Maxwell.  Even with that prediction we would prefer a close match that rewards the fans with the type of cricket that each is capable off.

The Last Time These Two Met

After blowing the Australian test team out of the water in October last year, the Pakistan ODI side suffered a reversal when they were completely outplayed to lose the one day series 3-0.  The Sharjah and Dubai hosted series became famous for the final one-dater when Glenn Maxwell bowled a double wicket maiden in the final over to see Australia home by 1 run.  Hopefully, today’s match is equally as exciting.

The Teams

Australia (likely): 1 Aaron Finch, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Shane Watson, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins/Josh Hazlewood

Australia are relatively well-settled now that Shane Watson performed in his new number 6 role.  His runs against Sri Lanka and wickets against Scotland have all but assured him of the nod ahead of Mitchell Marsh.  The decision between Cummins and Hazlewood might be the only one for the selectors.

Pakistan (likely):  1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 3 Haris Sohail, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Sohaib Maqsood, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Sohail Khan, 10 Rahat Ali, 11 Ehsan Adil/Yasir Shah

The loss of Mohammad Irfan is a big one for Pakistan.  His awkwardness might have posed a challenge for the Australian top order.  Ehsan Adil will play an important role in replacing him.

The Key Players

Steven Smith – The Australians have the most powerful batting line-up in the tournament.  Warner, Finch, Faulkner, Maxwell and Watson are all power hitters.  But the work of the more subtle Steven Smith is crucially important.  The glue of the middle order has flourished at number three and looks to be back to his pre Christmas form.  Amongst all the fanfare of the in your face Australians, we think it will be the quiet achieving Steven Smith that steals the show today.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.16

Pakistan – $5.50

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

We sense that all quarterfinals are going to follow the for guide and end up being awfully one-sided.  We see this one no differently to the two qaurter-finals thus far and are predicting a big Australian win.  By 7 wickets or 80 runs.

The Best Bets

As above, Steven Smith to Top Score @ $5.00

Mitchell Starc as Man of the Match @ $7.00

Cricket World Cup: India v Bangladesh – QF 2 Review

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India rolled on to the semi-finals with another Cricket World Cup win; this time over a lacklustre Bangladesh side in Melbourne.

India’s seventh consecutive win was reserved, responsible, yet dominant.  Opting to bat first in perfect conditions, India took their time, kept wickets in hand and later accelerated to a post an intimidating 302 for 6 from their 50 overs.  In form openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan took full advantage of the quick outfield to get India off to the perfect start – 75 without loss – mixing power with grace, and respect for the occasional good ball.

Two quick wickets threatened to derail their momentum, especially as Virat Kholi who previously averaged 120 against Bangladesh was one of them.  Not to be deterred was Rohit Sharma, who orchestrated the rest of the innings with a special 137.  Joined predominantly by Suresh Raina, who pitched in with 65, Sharma made sure India had wickets in hand to accelerate and that India had a total capable of being defended.

Bangladesh worked tirelessly in the middle overs to restrict the scoring but found it nigh on impossible to stop a late assault that also featured a cameo of 23 not out by Ravindra Jadeja.

In reply, Bangladesh needed a strong start, and ideally, runs to Tamin Iqbal.  That would have eased the pressure on double World Cup centurion Mohammed Mahmudullah.  Unfortunately, two wickets in tow balls ruined the chances of a fast start, and effectively set the tone for a massive struggle.  Bangladesh never got going, never got in the game, and ultimately fell short by a massive 109 runs.  None of their players standing up with the bat, and even though they have held themselves well in the tournament and defied expectations, a disappointing exit.

The Bangladeshi’s will understandably focus on the tournament as a whole, as their captain, Mashrafe Mortaza did in the after match press conference when he declared it was a “brilliant tournament” for them.

Conversely, India look on course for a final spot the way they are going.  Their remarkable Australia turnaround continues.  Purely on the numbers their bowling attack is now more potent than New Zealand’s (based on the Bangladesh scored alone), something that could not have been said prior to the World Cup.  Their campaign is evidence of developing a winning formula and sticking to it rigidly to get the results.

India 302 for 6 (Rohit 137, Raina 65, Taskin 3-69) beat Bangladesh 193 (Nasir 35, Yadav 4-31, Shami 2-37) by 109 runs

Cricket World Cup: India v Bangladesh – QF 2 Preview

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India have sailed through their six games at the Cricket World Cup thus far largely untested.  It’s a position of varying important depending on which way you look at it.  It’s either a sign of quality cricket, or its a sign that they haven’t been challenged enough, lack tough game practice and could slip up when the tournament gets interesting.

The opposite is true for Bangladesh.  Almost every game they have played has had the intensity of a knockout game.  In particular, their last two matches against England and New Zealand will have them well prepared for a tough Melbourne encounter against the tournament’s defending champions.

India look better in every department, however, Bangladesh will take solace from the fake they have already felled a giant in the 2015 World Cup, are relatively familiar with their Indian opponents and appeared comfortable outside of their home conditions for the first time in their short international playing career.

A semi-final in Sydney against the winner of the Pakistan / Australia quarter beckons for today’s winner.

The Last Time These Two Met

The BCCI rarely supports a series featuring their national team against Bangladesh, therefore, the teams haven’t met in an ODI for some time.  When they did, in June 2014, India ran out series winners by 2-0.

Tournament form may give a better indication of where the teams are at.  India are undefeated in six World Cup games; their biggest challenge coming from their final pool game against Zimbabwe.  Bangladesh won three of their Pool games with one match washed out.

The Teams

India (likely): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ajinkya Rahane, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Umesh Yadav

India are unlikely to disturb a well-settled and well-performed team unless absolutely necessity defines.

Bangladesh (likely): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Arafat Sunny/Nasir Hossain, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin Ahmed

Mashrafe Mortaza was rested / injured against New Zealand, but he should return to lead the side.  The only other question mark is over the number 8 spot between Arafat Sunny and Nasir Hossain.  Nasir grabbed two late wickets against New Zealand and would strengthen the batting.  He would be our pick.

The Key Players

Mohammed Shami – In a team full of world class batsman it seems strange picking a seamer as the key player.  Shami, though, has been a key component of India’s success in the tournament, taking 15 wickets.  Against Bangladeshi batsman that push hard at the ball early in their innings and get unsettled by steep bounce, Shami’s one-two, short ball / full ball combo might be too much.  The Bangladesh top order looked susceptible against the New Zealand quicks and we thing Shami will enjoy boring to them too.

Mahmudullah – His two back to back World Cup centuries were equally as impressive in their proximity to each other, as they were to the manner in which they were scored.  After waiting 16 years for a World Cup century from one of their batsman, Bangladesh suddenly had two in four days, and both courtesy of the Mahmudullah.  While the consecutive centuries were a novelty, the way they were composed was anything but.  Mahmudullah scored his runs maturely, responsibly and attractively.  His approach to holding an innings together is something the Tigers have missed for years, but a trait that could serve them well today.

The Match Odds*

India – $1.14

Sri Lanka – $5.75

The Prediction

India’s ability to bully Bangladesh in the past is well known.  The passive bowling attack is exactly the type of fodder the destructive Indian batsman love to feast on.  There’s no fear.  We think that’s the reason they’ll get the better of the Tigers.  India by 70 runs or 5 wickets.

The Best Bets*

Mushfiqur has been in decent form in the tournament but has been overshadowed by Mahmadullah.  He’s at $6.50 to Top Score and a big chance.

Suresh Raina is coming off a hundred against Zimbabwe.  How about hime to top score and India to win t $8.50.

Thinking left field, what if India win toss, send Bangladesh in and bowl them out (they have taken 60 wickets in 6 games).  In fact either team to be bowled out in the first innings is paying $5.40.  Could be down to pure luck, but great money.

*Taken from Sportsbet.

Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka v South Africa – QF 1 Recap

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South Africa managed to shake the most unlikeliest monkey off their backs by finally winning a knockout game at a Cricket World Cup and in the process resigning two off the modern greats to an early plane ride home.

The word choke was used on more than a few occasion in the lead up to the first Cricket World Cup quarterfinal of 2015, and it could have been used afterwards too, just not in the manner that many predicted.  The Heimlich manoeuvre was needed, but on the Sri Lanka batsman not the South African team, after Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbot, Morne Morkel, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir choked the life out of the Sri Lankan batsman and restricted them to just 134.  Bowled out in the 38th over; a total that was never going to be enough, and ultimately costing Sri Lanka their place in the tournament as Quinton de Kock rediscovered some form to see South Africa home by 9 wickets.

The loss is a sad way to farewell two exceptionally gifted cricketers and gentlemen of the game.  Kumar Sangakkar and Mahela Jayawardene played their final international matches in the defeat, leaving an enduring legacy on Sri Lankan and world cricket.  A partnership of two more elegant batsman will never be seen in the game.

Unfortunately the Sydney crowd, made up of predominantly Sri Lankan fans, didn’t see any partnerships of note, let alone one from their departing idols.  Kyle Abbot struck in the first over and South Africa didn’t look back.  Abbot removed the experimental opener, Kusal Perera – who bizarrely replaced Lahiru Thirimanne the incumbent opener who had made 261 runs in the top of the order in the tournament already – and when Steyn got Dilshan in the fifth over the writing was on the wall.

Sangakkara couldn’t find his record-creaking lead up form, instead scratching around for 6 off 42 balls at one stage in the face of accurate bowling from all of the South African bowlers.  The pressure told on all.  Thirimanne looked the best of the batsman and threatened to help Sangakkara out of his deep hole, but when he became the first of seven wickets to fall to spin the wheels came off and Sri Lanka were bowled out for the second lowest quarterfinal total in World Cup history.  Sangakkara was ninth man out for 45, taking his World Cup total to 541.

South Africa commenced the chase prior to the Dinner break.  They lost a wicket in that time, Amla falling to Malinga, but also ticked off 40 of the required runs.  Post break, de Kock dismantled the short pitched bowling plan and played himself into some much needed form.  He ended on 78* and justified the decision by the selectors to preserve with him at the top of the order (he had earlier taken two good catches with the gloves too).

The confidence of AB de Villers in the news conferences prior to the match was infectious and his public support of his beleaguered keeper-batsman has obviously done wonders for the individual and the team.  They have sent a real statement of intent to their fellow semifinalists, all of whom have much easier games to make it there.

South Africa 134 for 1 (de Kock 78*) beat Sri Lanka 133 (Sangakkara 45, Tahir 4-26, Duminy 3-29) by 9 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka v South Africa – QF 1 Preview

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The first quarterfinal of the Cricket World Cup is also likely to be the most competitive.  After four gruelling weeks (said with a hint of sarcasm in the direction of the teams that had eight days between games) eight quarterfinalists have been found to vie for the most coveted trophy in international cricket.

The first of those quarterfinals is played today in Sydney, featuring the runners up of the past two tournaments against a team that has never won a knockout match at a Cricket World Cup.

South Africa’s stumbling record is so underwhelming that its nigh on impossible to consider they won’t remedy it this time around.  They have posted 400 twice in the tournament, they have the best batsman in the world and a fearsome new ball bowling attack.

Sri Lanka on the other hand, thrive in knockout matches (barring finals perhaps), and have over 1100 ODI matches between just three of their players (Mahela, Kumar and Dilshan).  That is a strength, but it’s also a weakness as they often rely too heavily on those three names.  To book a semifinal date with New Zealand / West Indies they’ll need to extract performances out of Malinga, Matthews and Thirimanne, all who have at times played significant roles in this World Cup.

It should be an absolute cracker.

The Last Time These Two Met

Of the last six matches the two team have played (dating back to July 2013) the teams have won three games apiece.  Interestingly, none of the most recent matches have been close.  Each win has been by over 56 runs (with an average winning margin of 85.6 runs) or by more 8 wickets or more.  The most recent ODI – in July 2014 – resulted in South Africa winning by 82 runs in Hambantota.

Both teams lost twice during the Pool stage of this year’s tournament.

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Rilee Russouw/ Farhaan Behardien, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran Tahir

South Africa only have one selection decision to ponder.  It could have been two given Quinton de Kock’s horrific form, but AB de Villiers looks reluctant to keep and has thrown his weight behind the youngster.  That leaves a number seven decision between Rilee Rossouw, who has contributed nicely in the tournament thus far, and Farhaan Behardien.  Behardien’s ability to send down some overs might be enough to get him in (he also smoked it against the UAE in their last Pool game).

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Kusal Perera, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna/ Rangana Herath, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka has arguably had the most injury issues to contend with of the major tournament contenders.  Injury concerns remain over Herath in the only possible change to a settled side from the team that beat Scotland.  If Herath’s finger is no good, Seekkuge Prasanna will play (and face a heap of pressure).

The Key Players

Kumar Sangakkara – The tournament’s leading runscorer is in the type of batting nirvana that batsman very rarely visit.  Least of all at the age of 37.  Sanga has already set the record for the most consecutive ODI hundreds during the tournament, peeling off four in a row after failing against Afghanistan.  He’s scored them gracefully too, demonstrating textbook cricket shots still belong in the era of reverse paddles and scoops.  He’s obviously the vital cog in the batting order along with Tilakaratne Dilshan, and South Africa will be on their way to the semis if they can remove him early.

AB de Villiers – The third top run scorer of the tournament is also his side’s key player.  Throughout the tournament de Villiers has shouldered the hopes of a nation, and responded positively, confidently when probed about their form or ability to win the tournament.  It’s the type of belief that makes hime such a dangerous batsman.  His ability to score runs quickly is a frightening prospect for the Sri Lankan bowlers who have wilted in the face of such attacks from Maxwell and McCullum recently.  AB just needs a little help from his mates.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.45

Sri Lanka – $2.75

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

The biggest question mark hanging over this game is the dreaded c-word.  Not choke, but chase.  South Africa have not won a game at this World Cup when they have been asked to chase a target.  That of course leads to allegations of choking but the chasing is the bigger mental block at the moment.

Nonetheless, we’re backing the South Africans to display some better c-words today.  Class, composure, confidence to name but a few, and to win the game by 40 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Quinton de Kock is an obvious roughie to Top Score at $5.50, but his 53 tournament runs at 8.83 may put you off.

The Hashim Amla (Top Runs) / Morne Morkel (Top Wickets) double looks like great money at $16.00

Finally, a quick double up is on offer if a Sri Lankan batsman top scores in the game.  That is at $2.20.