ICC announces public ballot process for CWC tickets

Updated at: 0925 PST,  Monday, February 28, 2011

The ICC today announced the process for the public sale of tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-finals in Colombo and Mohali on 29 and 30 March, respectively and the final to be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April. When the tickets were initially programmed to go on sale on 21 February the demand was so great that the website was overloaded. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, announced today in Bengaluru that there will be a public ballot system similar to that which is used in the majority of global sporting events. The ballot will open on Monday 28 February. Mr Lorgat said: "It was most unfortunate and no blame should be directed at Kyazoonga, the ICC's official ticketing partner, as no one could have anticipated that tens of millions people would be trying to access the site an hour before it went live. In truth Kyazoonga have been an innocent third party in all the issues we have had with ticketing. "In conjunction with the hosts, we have now agreed that a ballot system is the best means of releasing any available tickets for the semis and final. The high demand clearly proves the massive attraction of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and format of 50 overs cricket." In dismissing media perceptions about a letter addressed to ICC President Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr Lorgat added: "To help resolve our ticketing challenges we have also engaged the offices of the ICC President Mr Pawar to assist us as he has done with several other issues related to World Cup planning." Mr Lorgat also reflected on the fact that two contractors had been arrested in Sri Lanka for selling tickets on the black market. Mr Lorgat said: "We will support and encourage the actions of Sri Lanka Cricket in having such persons arrested for black market selling. It must serve as a warning that we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who abuses the system and sells tickets illegally." The ballot process is as follows: STEP ONE

You may apply for the ICC CWC 2011 Ticket Public Ballot from 28 February 2011 to 6 March 2011.

You need to fill in a the Public Ballot application form at http://cwc2011ballot.kyazoonga.com A ticket limit of two tickets per applicant applies. Only one application per person. Please do not submit more than one form: Kyazoonga will void your applications. STEP TWO You will receive a Ballot Confirmation Number once you complete and submit your application. No up-front payment is required at this stage.STEP THREE Please read and follow the instructions carefully before completing the form. If you break any of the rules all tickets you may be offered will be cancelled. All Ballot applications must be submitted no later than 6 March 2011. STEP FOURThe draw will be made by computer on 10 March 2011 and successful applicants will be informed by email on 11 March 2011. If you have not heard from Kyazoonga by 12 March 2011, please assume that your application was not successful in the ballot. STEP FIVESuccessful applicants will be able to pay for their tickets through Kyazoonga's secure payment processing website where they will be shown the transaction amount and asked to pay online using credit card/debit card/net-banking. If your transaction is not successful, your place in the draw will be offered to the next polled applicant from the draw. STEP SIXU pon successful payment completion, you will receive a confirmation page and email. Please print the page and keep the email. You will receive your tickets from the third week of March 2011.

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Qualifying begins for World Twenty20

Updated at: 0925 PST,  Monday, February 28, 2011

While Associate nations ponder a future that may not include being part of the World Cup, some of the game's least well-known nations take their first steps towards what they hope can ultimately be a place at the expanded 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.Although the 2015 World Cup is set to be trimmed to 10 teams this has been balanced to some degree by the expansion of the Twenty20 event which will increase from the 12 sides that took part in 2010 to 16 for the next tournament.However, it is highly unlikely that the seven countries who begin the qualifying campaign on February 24 will reach the showpiece event next year. Cameroon, Gambia, Lesotho, Mali, Morocco, Rwanda and the Seychelles will play in an initial qualifier in Ghana at the end of this month.Sixteen teams will take part in the final global qualifier in UAE in early 2012 to decide the final places at the World Twenty20. The six Associate and Affiliate members with one-day international status - Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Scotland - have automatically qualified for the UAE event.Three teams from the Asia region, two teams from Africa, Americas and Europe, and one team from East Asia-Pacific will play in the global qualifying event.In 2010 in the Caribbean the two Associate and Affiliate nations involved were Ireland and Afghanistan. Although neither progressed to the Super Eights, Ireland caused England problems in Guyana and Afghanistan performed with great credit during their first global tournament.

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Butt, Amir file appeals against bans

Updated at: 0925 PST,  Monday, February 28, 2011

Butt, Amir file appeals against bans Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have filed appeals against their bans from the game with the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.Butt and Amir, along with Mohammad Asif, were found guilty of orchestrating three pre-planned, deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England last August. The trio, who were provisionally suspended by the ICC in September, were given sanctions ranging from 5 to 10 years by an independent tribunal headed by Michael Beloff QC after a full hearing in Doha, Qatar in early January, with the verdicts being handed down on February 5."Today my legal team served a statement of appeal upon The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) to appeal against the Tribunal's findings in relation to the Lords Test and the sanctions imposed at the recent Hearing in Doha. Full Grounds for the Appeal will be lodged in due course," a statement from Butt's lawyer, Yasin Patel, said.As captain at the time, Butt received the stiffest sentence, though the ban comes with a suspended sentence of five years. On the day the verdict was announced, Patel had indicated that the tribunal's recommendation to the ICC to revisit sanctions in their code was encouraging. "The tribunal's hands were tied by the ICC's code to a five-year minimum," he said. "Mr Butt is encouraged that the tribunal advised the ICC to change the code or revise the minimum term."Butt also confirmed that he would appear at a London court on March 17th for a hearing into the criminal charges he faces - along with Asif and Amir - into the same incident.Amir was given a straight five-year ban with no suspended sentence and had indicated his intention to appeal on the day the judgments came. "We have filed an appeal against the ban [on Friday]," Shahid Karim, Amir's lawyer, said. "The process is now set into motion. We have challenged the judgment on various grounds."Asif has so far not said whether he will file an appeal.

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Zimbabwe win toss, bat against Canada

Updated at: 0903 PST,  Monday, February 28, 2011

NAGPUR: Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura won the toss and decided to bat in the World Cup Group A game against Canada on Monday.Both sides lost their opening matches, Zimbabwe going down by seven wickets to Australia here while Canada suffered a 210-run mauling in Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura (capt), Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Tatenda Taibu (wkt), Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Greg Lamb, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Raymond Price, Christopher Mpofu. Canada Nitish Kumar, John Davison, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Ashish Bagai (capt/wkt), Jimmy Hansra, Zubin Surkari, Tyson Gordon, Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan, Harvir Baidwan, Balaji Rao Umpires: Asad Rauf (PAK) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS) TV umpire: Steve Davis (ENG) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).(AFP)

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Afridi, his team fined for slow over rate

Updated at: 1848 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and his team mates will lose 10 percent for their slow over rate in Saturday's 11-run win against Sri Lanka, the ICC said on Sunday.Match referee Chris Broad imposed the fine after Pakistan were one over short of their target at the end of the match in Colombo when time allowances were taken into consideration, the International Cricket Council said in a statement.According to the ICC Code of Conduct governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fail to bowl in the allotted time while the captain is fined double that amount."The penalty was accepted by Pakistan without contest so there was no need for a hearing," the ICC statement read.Having beaten Kenya and Sri Lanka, Pakistan take on Canada in their next Group A fixture on Thursday.

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High-scoring India-England match tied

Updated at: 2213 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

BANGALORE: India and England tied a thrilling World Cup clash here on Sunday in a high-scoring match which yielded 676 runs and was adorned by blistering centuries from Sachin Tendulkar and Andrew Strauss here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.Chasing a huge target of 339 runs, England finished on 338 for eight having scored 13 off the last over when 14 were needed for victory. Captain Andrew Strauss was declared Man-of-the-Match who led from the front to steer England near to a certain victory with his career-best 158 from 145 balls with 16 fours and a six But Zaheer Khan's dramatic three-wicket burst turned the match back in India's favour when England needed 56 runs in 44 balls with eight wickets in hand.Earlier, India great Tendulkar's record-breaking 120 saw him become the first man to score five World Cup hundreds. Zaheer took three wickets for one run in six balls, including two in two, as England slumped from 281 for two to 285 for five.Tim Bresnan (14) revived England's innings before he was bowled by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla to leave his side 325 for eight and needing 14 off the last over from Munaf Patel.But Ajmal Shahzad launched Patel for six to leave England needing five from three balls in front of a frenzied crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.Shahzad and Graeme Swann ran a single to make the target four from two. They ran two more to leave England requiring two for victory off the last ball.But they managed just a single to produce only the fourth tie in World Cup history. Strauss and Ian Bell (69) put on 170 for the third wicket before Zaheer had Bell holing out.Next ball he had Strauss lbw with a brilliant yorker to end the left-handed opener's 145-ball innings featuring a six and 18 fours that beat his previous one-day best of 154 against Bangladesh last year.Strauss's was the first hundred by an England captain at the World Cup and the highest score by an England batsman, beating the 137 made by Dennis Amiss against India in the competition's inaugural match at Lord's in 1975.England then needed 58 off 43 balls with two fresh batsmen at the crease but they were in the first over of the batting powerplay.Zaheer then bowled Paul Collingwood and finished with three for 64.There had been controversy when Strauss and Bell's partnership was worth just 52. Left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh thought he had Bell lbw on review for 17, with replays showing the ball would have hit the stumps. Bell had started to walk off but because New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden's verdict was not out, the decision was returned to him by Australian replay official Rod Tucker and the Kiwi deemed Bell to be too far down the pitch.But he enraged India fans who had seen Bell 'dismissed' on the giant replay screens.An unruffled Strauss advanced to drive Yuvraj for a superb six before Bell completed a 45-ball fifty with a six when he swept leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. Bell was reprieved again on 68, with England 278 for two in the 42nd over, when he was dropped by slip Virat Kohli off Chawla.Earlier, Tendulkar had faced 115 balls with 10 fours and five sixes.Yuvraj ensured there was no respite for England with a quickfire 58.James Anderson conceded 91 runs in 9.5 overs to give the paceman the most expensive analysis by an England bowler at the World Cup, beating Derek Pringle's none for 83 against the West Indies at Gujranwala in 1987.But Bresnan picked up several late wickets to finish with career-best figures of five for 48.

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India plunder 338 against hapless England

Updated at: 1802 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

BANGALORE: Indian batsmen ruthlessly punished England bowlers to amass 338 runs in 49.5 overs in their crucial Group B match of the ICC World Cup here at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.Winning the toss, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to bat first on an easy batting wicket.Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opened the innings in style and made 46 in 7.5 overs before Sehwag got out for 35 made off 26 balls.Then, Tendulkar joined by Gautam Gambhir took the charge and thrashed England bowlers for a 134-run second wicket stand. Gambhir was bowled by Graeme Swann for 51 but it was Tendulkar who showed great stroke-play. The master-blaster, who had made 28 against Bangladesh in the opening match of the tournament, completed the much awaited hundred off 103 balls, hitting four towering sixes and seven marvelous boundaries.This was his fifth hundred in the World Cup, a record, and second against England. He along with Yuvraj Singh added another 56 runs before making an exit from the field, making 120 from 114 balls.Later, Yuvraj and Dhoni blasted 69 runs in 46 balls and both were dismissed off two successive deliveries from Tim Bresnan. Yuvraj went for 58 (50 balls) and Ddhoni 31(25 balls).However, India managed to set an difficult target of 339 runs for England and in this process lost three more wickets.Bresnan was the most successful bowler for England taking five wickets for 48 runs.

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Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka need Murali and Malinga to hit ground running

Updated at: 1652 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

COLOMBO: If Sri Lanka are to have any chance of becoming the only Asian team to win two World Cups in the sub-continent, they need their two chief weapons, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan, to find their form -- fast.The co-hosts were one of the pre-tournament favourites to win the showpiece but Saturday's 11-run defeat by Pakistan exposed some glaring weaknesses in their bowling armoury.Muralitharan should have been trapping rival batsmen with his mystifying powers of flight and spin but has instead been leaking runs to rank outsiders such as Canada. In the first match he was the most expensive of the Sri Lankan attack.The off-spinner's figures of 2-38 at the cost of 4.22 against a bunch of part-timers in Hambantota was hardly the kind of stats the world's most prolific wicket-taker would want to shout about.He was the most economical of the Sri Lankan bowlers against Pakistan but having picked up only one wicket, his success rate would have hardly set Sri Lankan pulses racing.But at least Muralitharan is playing a part in all the action as the same cannot be said of Malinga.The 27-year-old, who made his name in the 2007 World Cup by claiming four wickets in four balls against South Africa, has not even tested one run-up to the pitch.SORE BACKHe was sidelined with a sore back against Canada but had been declared fit for the contest against Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was not prepared to gamble on his fitness and chose to rest him for "the more difficult matches we have ahead" -- a strategy that backfired on Saturday.With showdowns against world champions Australia now less than a week away, the Sri Lankans know they can no longer waste time experimenting with their line-ups and plan to draft Malinga into action in their match against Kenya on Tuesday."We will consider him for the next game because we need to get him into his rhythm ahead of the game against Australia next Saturday," Sri Lanka's team manger Anura Tennekoon said."Malinga was rested as a precautionary measure. We don't want to take any chance with him because he is our key bowler.Malinga is fit but we don't want to take that extra one percent (risk with his fitness) and play him."Sangakkara acknowledged the presence of Malinga could have tipped the match in their favour, as in the end they lost by a fairly narrow margin after Pakistan amassed 277-7."We can say that we missed Lasith a bit. He is going to be back with us very shortly," he said.Luckily for Sri Lanka, one defeat is unlikely to dent their chances of progressing in the tournament, especially since Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada are expected to be the teams that fall by the wayside in Group A.Its round-robin format means four teams from Group A will qualify for the knockout stages.While the bowling has been the obvious weak link, Sangakkara was also concerned with his team's batting even though they scored 332-7 in their first match and came very close to overhauling Pakistan's total.Going forward, Sangakkara wants to learn from their mistakes and said he wants his bowlers to pay more attention once on the field."A few things we can learn, maybe bowling a better line and length is important all the time," he said. "On a pitch like this, had we played better cricket and done basics especially in batting, we could have changed the result."If we had kept building partnerships, when we had that great start, I think it would have been a different story."It's pretty disappointing to be 10 (sic) runs short at the end." (Reuters)

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Tendulkar smashes 47th ODI century

Updated at: 1643 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

BANGALORE: Sachin Tendulkar smashed 47th century in his One-day International career, while playing against England in a Group B match of the ICC Cricket World Cup here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.Tendulkar who had made 28 against Bangladesh in the opening match of the tournament, completed the much awaited hundred in 103 balls, hitting four towering sixes and seven marvelous boundaries.This was his fifth hundred in the World Cup and second against England.

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India win toss, bat against England

Updated at: 1343 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

BANGALORE: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bat against England in their crucial Group B match of the ICC World Cup here at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.India made one change from the team that beat fellow co-hosts Bangladesh by 87 runs in Dhaka, bringing in leg-spinner Piyush Chawla for wayward fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.That gave India a second spinner alongside off-break bowler Harbhajan Singh.England made two switches from the side that scraped a six-wicket win over the Netherlands after fast bowler Stuart Broad was ruled out with illness, bringing in fellow seamer Ajmal Shahzad.They also dropped all-rounder Ravi Bopara and, like India, opted for a second spinner in left-armer Michael Yardy on a pitch expected to take turn. This match had originally been scheduled for Kolkata but was switched to Bangalore after International Cricket Council officials said work still needed to be done on the Eden Gardens ground to make it tournament ready.India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wk), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Piyush Chawla, Munaf Patel England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior (wkt), Michael Yardy, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Ajmal Shahzad, James Anderson Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZ) and Marais Erasmus (SA), TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SL)

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Pakistan win crucial match against Sri Lanka

Updated at: 2218 PST,  Saturday, February 26, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan after a tough fight defeated Sri Lanka by 11 runs in their crucial Group A match in the ICC World Cup here at the Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.Shahid Afridi came up with another superb bowling performance after taking his first World Cup five-wicket haul in the previous match against Kenya. He captured four for 34 runs which included his 300th one-day international wicket when he dismissed Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara for 49.Sri Lanka, chasing Pakistan's total of 277-7, replied with 266-9. They have now lost seven times to their sub-continental neighbours in the World Cup, falling in 1975, 1983 (twice), 1987 (twice) and 1992.After captain Shahid Afridi won the toss, Pakistan stalwarts Younus Khan (72) and Misbah-ul-Haq (83) not out) shared a century partnership to set co-hosts Sri Lanka a challenging target to chase under lights.But Pakistan spinners strangled the Sri Lankan batsmen, capturing six of the nine wickets to fall. Sri Lanka got off to a good start with openers Upul Tharanga (33) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (41) putting together 76, but got bogged down in the middle overs and despite a late spurt towards the target fell agonisingly short.Chamara Silva led a late onslaught with a top score of 57 and Nuwan Kulasekara hit a quick 24 off 14 balls, but Sri Lanka had left their run chase a little too late.Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga provided a sound start of 76 runs but Sri Lanka lost four quick wickets for 20 runs, reeling at 96 for four.Then, captain Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera took the score to 167 before Sangakkara departed. They added 71 runs for the fifth wicket Other batsmen could not resist the accurate Pakistan bowling despite fielding lapses. But Chamara Silva batted aggressively to become top scorer for Sri Lanka with 57 off 78 balls.Pakistan stalwarts Younus Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq shared a century partnership after Afridi had won the toss and chose to bat first.The pair came together after Pakistan were reduced to 105 for three and they provided a solid foundation for Pakistan's eventual testing target.

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Pakistan send out warning with Cup win

Updated at: 0003 PST,  Sunday, February 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: Pakistan beat a powerful Sri Lankan side on Saturday for their second World Cup win, sending out an ominous statement of intent to their rivals as Bangalore geared up for the India-England showdown.
A sell-out crowd of 35,000 packed the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo to witness the much-anticipated Group A clash between 1992 winners Pakistan and 1996 champions Sri Lanka, who both enjoyed convincing opening victories.Pakistan, seeking to keep intact their record of never having lost a World Cup match against Sri Lanka, made a bright start and were indebted to an unbeaten 83 from Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and 72 from Younis Khan.Sri Lanka made a good start to their reply but slipped to 96 for four and fell behind the run-rate, finally coming up 11 runs short on 266-9,"That was a big game and the boys all knew how big that game was," said skipper Shahid Afridi, who picked up the man-of-the-match award for his 4-34."I think it's a great message for other teams that we will come harder and harder game by game."Disappointed Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakarra said: "I think we made it a bit difficult for ourselves by losing wickets but we got a good start. We needed a couple of blokes to just kick on and keep batting for a longer time."

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Pakistan set 278-run target for Sri Lanka

Updated at: 1755 PST,  Saturday, February 26, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan set a target of 278 runs for hosts Sri Lanka in their crucial Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday.Batting on an easy wicket, Pakistan plundered 277 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss.The main architects of the innings were veteran batsman Younis Khan and experienced Misbah-ul-Haq who steered Pakistan from 105-3 to 213 runs, adding 108 runs for the fourth wicket partnership.Both completed half-centuries – Younis from 56 balls and Misbah in 65 deliveries. They had also made fifties in their previous match against Kenya on Wednesday.Younis made 72 off 76 balls while Misbah top scored with 83 not out from 91 balls.Earlier, openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez made 13 and 32, respectively while Kamran Akmal scored 39.Later, Umar Akmal and hahid Aridi scored 10 and 16, respectively while Abdul Razzaq remained not out on 3For Sri Lanka, Rangana Herath and Thisara Perera claimed two wickets each.Sri Lanka left out slinger Lasith Malinga who failed to fully recover from a back strain which forced him to miss the match on Sunday.Chamara Kapugedera and Ajantha Mendis made way for Chamara Silva and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. Both teams are seeking their second win in the tournament as they have already enjoyed convincing opening victories: Pakistan defeated Kenya by 205 runs and Sri Lanka beat Canada by 210.Pakistan have never lost a World Cup match against Sri Lanka in six previous attempts, but the last time they met was in 1992, before Sri Lanka became one of the game's global powers.

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Pakistan win toss, elect to bat against Sri Lanka

Updated at: 1337 PST,  Saturday, February 26, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in their crucial match in Group A of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Both teams are seeking their second win in the tournament as they have already won one match each by a huge margin: Pakistan defeated Kenya by 205 runs and Sri Lanka beat Canada by 210.Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga was left out of the team as he was being rested for the later games. Teams:Pakistan - Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, A hmed Shehzad. Sri Lanka - Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath.

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Waqar hopeful to win against Sri Lanka

Updated at: 1121 PST,  Saturday, February 26, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis played down the threat from Muttiah Muralitharan ahead of their crucial World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday, saying their batsmen had coped with him in the past. A capacity 35,000-crowd is expected to fill the Premadasa stadium in Colombo for the Group A match -- the first big test for both teams after Sri Lanka easily rolled over Canada and Pakistan crushed Kenya. "In the past if Muralitharan had plans for us, we have played really well against him in this country. "I don't think we should worry about him that much, he is not 28 anymore," said Waqar of the 38-year-old off-spinner, who has 521 wickets in 342 one-day internationals -- a world record. "It is not going to be easy for him any more. We are prepared not only for him but the entire team because we know it's an important match for us and we need to keep the momentum going." Waqar admitted Sri Lanka would be tough to beat in home conditions. "Sri Lanka on their home ground are very good, very difficult to beat. Here the conditions and weather help them, but the way we have played and trained and with our momentum, I am hopeful we can beat them," said the coach. Waqar said he was looking to Abdul Razzaq to boost his tally of runs. "I think Razzaq has done really well with the ball, but he hasn't delivered the goods with the bat apart from one game in Abu Dhabi. "No doubt he is our striker in both batting and bowling," said Waqar of the all-rounder, who hit a quickfire century against South Africa last year."It's right he comes in at eight, but then again we have five batsman, our keeper (Kamran Akmal) is more of a batsman and then there is (Shahid) Afridi, so he doesn't really fit in at the moment. But if we need to send him up the order, if runs are required, we might push him." Waqar also admitted wicket-taking off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was unfortunate not to win a place in the eleven. "We are just going to go with the best combination, what we probably had in the last match, just the best team with which we can win and it's unfortunate that Ajmal is not fitting into it," said Waqar of the 33-year-old off-spinner.(AFP)

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Jubilant Pakistan hope to down hosts today

Updated at: 0504 PST,  Saturday, February 26, 2011

COLOMBO: In Hambantota last Wednesday, it was child’s play for Pakistan as they toyed with minnows Kenya on their way to a 205-run triumph But fun time is over for the Greenshirts. They will have to raise their game to a higher level as they look to conquer Sri Lanka, one of the serious contenders for World Cup 2011.In a way, it’s not really a do-or-die match for either team. Even the side that loses the game on Saturday (today) would most likely be progressing to the quarter-finals.But then it’s also quite an important game as its outcome could impact the quarter-final line-up, as Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach aptly pointed out here on Friday.“It’s an important game of course. In this tournament, for momentum it is important and to get to the quarter-finals and in which stage, position you get there, in that sense it’s very important. If you want to go ahead, you have to build momentum,” said Waqar.Waqar admitted that Sri Lanka will be a tough team to beat. “Sri Lanka in their home ground is very good. It’s very difficult to beat them because the conditions and weather here help them. But the way we’ve played and trained and with the momentum, I am hopeful we can beat them.”Sri Lanka have a much-touted bowling attack with spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan being one of their most potent weapons.But Waqar is confident that his batsmen have the ability to tackle Murali.“We’ve played really well against him in this country. I don’t think we should worry about him that much, he is not 28 anymore. It is not going to be easy for him anymore. We’re prepared not only for him but the entire team,” he stressed.Both teams began their World Cup campaigns with a bang with Sri Lanka thrashing Canada by 210 runs and Pakistan recording a 205-run win over Kenya. Both know it’s going to be much more serious business as they clash here at the R Premadasa Stadium in front of over 30,000 spectators.Pakistan have won all their six World Cup games against Sri Lanka but Kumar Sangakkara is confident that his team has the firepower to reverse the tide. “I wasn’t really aware of that history so yeah maybe it’s time to change that now, hopefully tomorrow if we can do our basics better than Pakistan I think we have a pretty good chance,” the Sri Lankan captain told reporters here on Friday.But Sangakkara admitted that his team is wary of the dangerous Pakistanis. “I think they’ve got a team all 11 players are capable of doing that they’ve got a great batting line-up well balanced — good pace and good spin, so against them you just got to be mentally strong and absorb as much pressure as you can and keep competing with them because you can make them crack under pressure at certain situation so you got to be in the game until those situations come up,” said the seasoned batsman.Sangakkara believes that both teams are almost evenly-matched in the bowling department. “I think both the sides have good pace and good spin. I think that’s been a vast improvement for us actually to have good fast bowlers in our squad, we have guys who bowl over 140, wehave guys who could swing and seam as well so I think it’s going to be a battle between two teams who are looking forward to a very keen contest and whichever side can do whatever their discipline is better than the other will probably come out on top.”Teams:Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar.Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Matthews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath.

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Exciting win for Bangladesh against Ireland

Updated at: 2117 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

DHAKA: Bangladesh stung flat-footed Ireland to resurrect their World Cup campaign with a 27-run victory in front of some 25,000 boisterous home fans on Friday.Bangladesh, bowled out for 205 after taking first strike in the day-night match, hit back to dismiss the leading non-Test nation for 178 in 45 overs at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium.Former captain Mohammad Ashraful, who scored just one run, turned an unlikely hero with the ball by claiming two top-order wickets with his part-time off-spin.Skipper Shakib Al Hasan also picked up two wickets with left-arm spin before seamer Shafiul Islam polished off the tail in quick time with 4-21 from eight overs.Bangladesh, who had lost their first match to India last week, lapped up the pressure in a game they had to win to stay in contention for the quarter-finals from Group B.But the co-hosts, who play all their league matches at home, must still beat the Netherlands and at least one of the established teams among England, South Africa and the West Indies.The win helped Bangladesh avenge two successive defeats by Ireland in major events, having lost during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and again in the 2009 World Twenty20 in England.Shakib turned to spin after just one over from Shafiul, bringing on left-armer Abdul Razzak in the second over and off-spinner Naeem Islam in the third.The move paid immediate dividends as Paul Stirling was stumped off Razzak for nine, before Irish captain William Porterfield fell to Shakib's first delivery for 20.Ed Joyce and Niall O'Brien carried the score from 36-2 to 75 when Ashraful struck with the first delivery of his second spell.Joyce, the former England batsman, made a fluent 16 when he was beaten in the air by a flighted ball and gave a delighted Ashraful an easy return catch.Ashraful then bowled Andrew White for 10, while Shakib claimed his second wicket when Niall O'Brien fell to a diving catch by Tamim Iqbal at deep mid-wicket after making 38.Kevin O'Brien slammed three fours and a six in 37 during a sixth-wicket stand of 41 with Andre Botha when he pulled Shafiul to mid-wicket to reduce Ireland to 151-6 in the 37th over.Shafiul, who had recovered in time from a shoulder injury to play the key match, claimed three of the last four wickets to send Ireland crashing.Earlier, seamer Andre Botha picked up three wickets and George Dockrell and Trent Johnston claimed two each to bowl out the hosts in 49.2 overs.The hosts made a blistering start, racing to 49 without loss by the end of the fifth over, 37 of those runs coming from the blade of Tamim.But the advantage was soon lost as four wickets fell for 33 runs in the next 10 overs.Man of the match Tamim, who top-scored with 70 against India, began by taking 10 runs in Boyd Rankin's opening over and stroked seven boundaries in his 44 off 43 balls.Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan lifted the hosts with a 61-run stand for the fifth wicket, before tailender Naeem Islam boosted the total with a defiant 29 towards the end.

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Aamer appeals to Arbitration Court for Sport

Updated at: 1932 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Aamer has appealed against the ICC ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport Aamer had been banned for five years in spot fixing case by the ICC anti-corruption tribunal in Doha Talking with Geo News, Aamer told that he has sent an appeal against the ICC verdict, through his lawyer Shahid Karim to the Court of Arbitration for Sports and he hoped it would be received by the Court tomorrow. Aamer said that this case would also be fought by Shahid Karim.An International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal in Doha on February 5 handed out longer bans to former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, seamers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif for the roles they played in bowling deliberate no-balls during last year's Test against England at Lord's.Aamer is the first player to appeal to the Arbitration Court for Sports against this verdict.

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Ireland bowl out Bangladesh for 205

Updated at: 1734 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

DHAKA: Ireland bowled out Bangladesh for a modest 205 runs in their Group B clash on Friday as a sell-out home crowd of 25,000 looked on in stunned silence.Seamer Andre Botha picked up three wickets and George Dockrell and Trent Johnston claimed two each after the home side elected to take first strike on a slow pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.Wickets tumbled at regular intervals in a match Bangladesh had targeted as a must-win after they lost their first match to India by 87 runs at the same venue last week.The hosts made a blistering start, racing to 49 without loss by the end of the fifth over, 37 of those runs coming from the blade of Tamim Iqbal.But the advantage was soon lost as four wickets fell for 33 runs in the next 10 overs.Imrul Kayes was stumped brilliantly by Niall O'Brien off a John Mooney wide, Junaid Siddique was run out by a direct throw from Ed Joyce and Tamim holed out to point off Botha.Tamim, who top-scored with 70 against India, began by taking 10 runs in Boyd Rankin's opening over and stroked seven boundaries in his 44 off 43 balls.Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan had made a fluent 16 when he patted the ball back to bowler Botha after being dropped by his Irish counterpart William Porterfield at point in the previous over.Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan lifted the hosts with a 61-run stand for the fifth wicket but Bangladesh then suffered twin blows at the hands of left-arm spinner Dockrell.The 18-year-old dismissed Rahim (36) and former captain Mohammad Ashraful (one) in successive overs, both batsmen falling to catches by Andrew White at fine-leg with ill-timed sweepshots.Ashraful, Bangladesh's most successful one-day batsman with 3,360 runs in 164 matches, had been brought in to bolster the batting after being omitted against India.Raqibul ran himself out for 38 to reduce the hosts to 159-7 in the 39th over, but Naeem Islam boosted the total with a defiant 29 towards the end.

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Aussies record easy win against Kiwis

Updated at: 1618 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

NAGPUR: Defending champions Australia overpowered New Zealand by seven wickets for a 25th straight World Cup victory in a dominant display here at the Vidarbha Cricket Ground on Friday.Australia's fast bowlers, with Mitchell Johnson taking four wickets, led the way as New Zealand were bowled out for just 206 with nearly five overs of their innings left.Left-armer Johnson finished with four for 33 and Shaun Tait three for 35.That New Zealand even had the remotest chance was down to a battling fifty from Nathan McCullum and skipper Daniel Vettori's 44 with the duo combining well in an eighth-wicket stand of 54.The Black Caps had earlier been in dire straits after their top order collapsed to 73 for six against the quicks from 66 for two. Australia finished on 207 for three with a mammoth 16 overs to spare with Michael Clarke (24) and Cameron White (22) the not out batsmen as Australia also won the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.Australia openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were rarely troubled during a century first-wicket stand.However, Watson, on 10, did successfully challenge an lbw appeal from seamer Tim Southee, originally upheld by Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena, after replays showed the ball would have missed leg-stump.Haddin, a fluent strokemaker, brought up his fifty in 39 balls with eight fours while Watson went to the landmark in 52 balls including a six off a Nathan McCullum off-break.New Zealand's day appeared to be summed up when substitute Kane Williamson, at deep mid-wicket, dropped Watson on 59 off left-arm spinner Vettori.But the Black Caps gave themselves a glimmer of hope when 133 without loss became 136 for two when fast bowler Hamish Bennett removed both openers in the space of three balls in the 19th over.Haddin (55) hooked a looping bouncer to James Franklin and then Watson (62) inside-edged an intended square-cut onto his stumps.Australia captain Ricky Ponting meanwhile could only manage 12 before he was brilliantly stumped down the legside by Brendon McCullum off Southee. In a match played out against the backdrop of the Christchurch earthquake, Ponting won the toss and chose to field in overcast conditions.Tait, following the economical Brett Lee, was erratic but removed dangerman Brendon McCullum for 16 when an attempted carve over the covers flew straight to Jason Krejza at third man.Jesse Ryder hit six forceful fours but Johnson took two wickets in four balls in the 14th over to have the left-hander and Franklin edging to wicketkeeper Haddin as they both pushed limply at good length deliveries.Tait then had Scott Styris caught behind for a duck and yorked Ross Taylor, who struggled to make seven off 22 balls.One concern for Australia coming out of this match though would have been the way Nathan McCullum milked rival spinners Krejza and Steven Smith -- whose combined 18 overs yielded just one wicket for 91 runs.Nathan McCullum top-scored for the Kiwis, completing a 72-ball fifty including three fours before he was lbw to Johnson for 52.

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Bangladesh bat against Ireland

Updated at: 1412 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat in the World Cup Group B match against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium on Friday.Bangladesh made one change from the side that lost their first match to India last week, bringing in experienced middle-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful in place of all-rounder Mohammad Mahmudullah.Ireland, playing their first match in the tournament, went in with two slow bowlers in off-spinner Andrew White and 18-year-old left-armer George Dockrell.Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam.Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Paul Stirling, Andre Botha, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien, Andrew White, John Mooney, Trent Johnston, Boyd Rankin, George Dockrell.Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Rod Tucker (AUS), TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SL) 

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Aussies dismiss New Zealand for 206

Updated at: 1300 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

NAGPUR: New Zealand batsmen could not resist the pace attack by Australia and were all out for 206 runs in 45.1 overs in a World Cup Group A match here at the Vidarbha Cricket Ground on Friday.Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and invited New Zealand in the daytime match overshadowed by the devastating earthquake in Christchurch.At least 113 people have been killed as a result of tremors in the New Zealand city and the teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before the start of play.New Zealand were in trouble right from the start and all their top order batsmen were gone before the 15 overs were completed. They were 73-6 in 17 overs.Later, Nathan McCullum and captain Daniel Vettori tried to make some recovery and both added 54 valuable runs for the eight wicket.However, Nathan fell after scoring 52 from 76 balls when New Zealand were 175 Vettori then fought the battle against Aussie pace bowlers but could notcontinue it long and was after making 44 off 43 balls For Australia, Mitchell Johnson captured four wickets for 33 runs and Shaun Tait claimed three for 35.Both defending champions Australia and New Zealand won their opening matches following comprehensive wins over Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively.Australia were unchanged for the game at the VCA Ground but New Zealand brought in batsman Jamie How for all-rounder Jacob Oram in a tactical switch.
 

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Australia win toss, put New Zealand into bat

Updated at: 0843 PST,  Friday, February 25, 2011

NAGPUR: Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand in a World Cup Group A match over shadowed by the devastating earthquake in Christchurch At least 113 people have been killed as a result of tremors in the New Zealand city and the teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before the start of play.Both defending champions Australia and New Zealand won their opening matches following comprehensive wins over Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively.Australia were unchanged for the game at the VCA Ground but New Zealand brought in batsman Jamie How for all-rounder Jacob Oram in a tactical switch.Teams Australia: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, David Hussey, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Jason KrejzaNew Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Scott Styris, Jamie How, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WI) and Kumar Dharmasena (SL), TV umpire: Asad Rauf (PAK)Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

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Ten Doeschate's all-round show in vain

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ryan ten Doeschate's all-round show went in vain as Netherlands went down by six wickets to England in a Group B match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday.Riding on ten Doeschate's 119 (110b, 9x4, 3x6), Netherlands posted 292 for 6 in its 50 overs. In its chase, England overhauled the target in 48.4 overs to finish at 296 for 4.Earlier ten Doeschate shared a crucial 78 run stand with Tom Cooper (47) for the third wicket. He then added a further 64 runs with Tom de Grooth (28) for the fifth wicket. To finish things off ten Doeschate added 61 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Peter Borren (35 not out).For England, James Anderson (0-72), Stuart Broad (2-65) were expensive with the ball.In its reply, England got off to a confident start with skipper Andrew Strauss (88: 83b, 9x4) and Kevin Pietersen (39) adding 105 for the opening wicket.Later, Jonathan Trott (62: 65b, 4x4) held the innings together. Ian Bell contributed a useful 33 as England held its nerves to script a win.Ten Doeschate performed well with the ball as well picking up 2-47.

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South Africa players support young people affected by HIV

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ahead of their opening ICC Cricket World Cup match against West Indies in New Delhi, South Africa captain Graeme Smith and teammates took time out from training to interact with young people affected by HIV on Tuesday.As part of the global Think Wise partnership between ICC, UNAIDS and UNICEF which is raising awareness and reducing stigma about HIV and AIDS throughout the cricket world, the youngsters spent an hour with Smith, Johan Botha, J.P.Duminy and Wayne Parnell on the field of the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.After a fun-filled catching and throwing session, all of the participants gathered on the outfield to discuss issues relating to HIV and AIDS, including the role that cricket players can play in reducing stigma and discrimination around the disease."It was a wonderful experience for the young participants. The South African players showed excellent awareness of the issues relating to HIV and AIDS and displayed a passionate commitment to helping address these important issues," said UNICEF?s Geetanjali Masters who accompanied the young people.The visit was part of a programme of activities taking place at the ICC Cricket World Cup that includes similar interactions with other teams and a communications campaign featuring a Public Service Announcement recorded by Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara, two of a group of Think Wise champions that also includes Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shakib Al Hasan.

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Swann wants England to silence Indian crowd

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

Graeme Swann wants to silence the passionate home crowd when England face World Cup co-hosts India in Bangalore on Sunday.
The Ashes-winning off-spinner returned to international action for the first time since the birth of his son with an impressive two for 35 during England's tournament-opening six-wicket win over the Netherlands on Tuesday.But the 31-year-old's bowling was one of the few highlights in a lacklustre display in the field littered with dropped catches and wayward fast bowling on a good batting pitch.India launched their campaign with an 87-run victory away to fellow co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka and are strongly fancied to add a second title to their 1983 World Cup trophy in front of their adoring fans."The fact it's against India in India is going to make it a huge game," said Swann after England saw off the Dutch with eight balls to spare."We had a very poor time of things in the one-day series here a couple of years ago, so that's certainly something we want to turn around because there is nothing better than silencing an Indian crowd.""You don't want them to be screaming all day because its ear-shattering. Come Bangalore it will be a huge game and one we will need to raise our standards for, particularly in the field because, let's face it, we were like a bunch of schoolboys (against the Netherlands)."The worst moment was when Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, who went on to make a century, skied Swann on 47 only for James Anderson at long-on and Kevin Pietersen at long-off to leave the chance to each other as the ball fell safely between them."They both got the glare," Swann said. "When it goes 80 yards in the air and two of your best fielders stand and watch it land between them, it's never great as a bowler but I can't really complain because I dropped that high swirler near the end. Everything evens itself out."Swann was England's lone spinner in a match where the frontline quicks, especially Anderson, whose 10 wicketless overs cost 72 runs, proved expensive.England do have another slow bowler in left-armer Michael Yardy who, like Swann, performed well in the team that won the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean last year.Swann though warned it was a mistake to think Indian pitches offered excessive help to spinners."I think it is hit or miss in India with spin. People always say that spin plays a massive part and wickets turn square over here. They don't and there was a little bit of spin (against the Netherlands) but it wasn't huge."Swann, who had been struggling with a knee injury, was pleased by the way he bowled upon returning to international cricket "I'm delighted because I've let the team down a couple of times before after a bit of a break and promised I wouldn't do it this time, so I'm glad I lived up to my word."Swann joined up late with the squad following the birth of his son, Wilfred, and he admitted: "Within two days of the little fellow coming into the world I'm saying a teary goodbye. That's our lot as international cricketers.""On the plus side, I get to come here to play in a World Cup so in 18 years' time when he is giving me grief for not being there for the first six weeks I'll be able to say but I had to go and beat Holland."

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Bangladesh mull Ashraful option

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bangladesh are considering playing former captain Mohammad Ashraful in the key World Cup game against Ireland that could make or break the co-hosts' campaign.The right-hander, Bangladesh's most successful one-day batsman, was a surprise omission for their opening match last Friday which India won by 87 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka.Coach Jamie Siddons said the free-stroking Ashraful stood a good chance of playing against Ireland even as the Bangladeshi media reported the batsman had already been told he will take the field."There's a chance, but it's one of a few options we have," the Australian said. "We will consider all our options, one of which is also sticking to the same team and give everyone another chance."Ashraful has played 164 one-day internationals since his debut in 2001, scoring 3,360 runs with three centuries and 20 fifties.But his less than impressive average of 23.33 suggests Ashraful has not done justice to his immense talent, often frustrating supporters by getting out to rash strokes when he had the bowling attack at his mercy."I am an Ashraful fan and of course I'd like to see him play," said Siddons. "He has all the shots and could be effective during the powerplay overs.""He generally bats two down but we are thinking of using him in the number seven position if he plays."Ashraful could replace off-spinner Naeem Islam, or even seamer Rubel Hossain if Bangladesh prefer to attack Ireland with spin on the slow track.Bangladesh must beat both the non-Test nations, Ireland and the Netherlands, and one of the established sides from England, South Africa and the West Indies, to progress to the next round.Siddons admitted victory over Ireland would be the key to his team's progress in the tournament."It's a huge game, if we lose we are almost out," he said. "We didn't pencil in the India game, we wanted to give them a go, but we have pencilled in the Ireland game and West Indies as well.""We are confident and we think we can win."Bangladesh know only too well that Ireland, the leading non-Test side, are no pushovers.The gritty Irish defeated Bangladesh by 74 runs in the Super Eights round in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and then won by six wickets in the World Twenty20 in England in 2009.

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Ponting reprimanded for ICC Code of Conduct breach

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his team's ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 match against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad.Ponting accepted the Level 1 charge and the proposed sanction from Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after an incident was brought to the ICC's attention through the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Gujarat Cricket Association.He was found to have breached clause 2.1.2 of the code which relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match". The charge was brought by the chairman of the Event Technical Committee David Richardson on behalf of the ICC Chief Executive, in accordance with the regulations.The incident occurred shortly after Ponting was run out in the match when he caused some damage to a television set in the team dressingroom. The damage occurred when he threw down a piece of equipment which bounced off his kit bag and hit the corner of the television."Ricky knows that his action was in breach of the code, involving a brief moment of frustration. That said, it was clear that the damage he caused was purely accidental and without malice, he apologized shortly after the incident at the ground and immediately agreed to pay for the damage," said Mr Mahanama.As Ponting accepted the offence and the proposed sanction, there was no need to convene a formal hearing. Level 1 offences carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

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De Villiers, Smith guide Protease to easy win

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

NEW DELHI: AB de Villiers and captain Graeme Smith guided South Africa to an easy seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in a World Cup Group B match here at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on Thursday.Chasing a modest total of 223, South Africa lost two early wickets for only 20 runs. Kemar Roach got Hashim Amla caught behind for 14 and Sulieman Benn dismissed Jaquis Kallis for four.However, opener Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers rescued the Proteas, making together 119 runs for the third wicket partnership Smith’s patient innings ended when Kieron Pollard bowled him for 45, made from 78 balls. De Villiers was joined by Jean-Paul Duminy and both cruised South Africa to a comfortable win with 44 balls remaining but not before de Villiers completed his tenth ODI hundred from 97 balls.He remained unbeaten on 107 while Duminy was 42 not out.Earlier, leg-spinner Imran Tahir snared four wickets on debut as South Africa bundled out the West Indies for 222 off 47.3 overs despite a fine 73 by Darren Bravo.Tahir (4-41) was well supported by off-spinner Johan Botha who opened the attack and gave the Proteas key breakthroughs in the spin-dominated day-night clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.The duo justified the decision of captain Graeme Smith to field three specialist spinners on a ground which is hosting its first international in a year after being banned for a dangerous playing surface.Darren Bravo led the West Indies charge with his 82-ball knock while his older half-brother Dwayne chipped in with a 37-ball 40 with three sixes and a four after the Caribbean side were put in to bat.Bravo also shared 111 runs for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith after the early dismissal of Chris Gayle.Botha, sharing the new ball with fast bowler Dale Steyn, struck off the third ball of the innings to remove Gayle who tried to play on the leg-side but edged it to first slip where Jacques Kallis took a low catch.Botha (2-48) struck again in the 24th over, just when Bravo and Smith were threatening to put up a huge partnership.Bravo tried to flick the bowler but missed the shot and was rightly adjudged leg before wicket. He hit eight fours and a six.Tahir, 31, picked up his first wicket in one-day internationals in his third over when he caught Smith (36) off his own bowling and celebrated it by kissing the South African badge on his shirt.The Pakistan-born bowler picked up another wicket in his next over when he had the veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan (two) trapped lbw.Sarwan asked for a review of the decision but replays showed the ball would have hit the top of the middle stump.Tahir was unlucky not to collect a third wicket just three balls later, grassing a return catch off Dwayne Bravo despite a spirited attempt.He was not to be denied for long though, removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Devon Thomas with his guile and precision before Steyn (3-24) sent back Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn in a quick three-wicket burst.

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Debutant Tahir restricts West Indies to 222

Updated at: 1751 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

NEW DELHI: Leg-spinner Imran Tahir snared four wickets on debut as South Africa bundled out the West Indies for 222 off 47.3 overs despite a fine 73 by Darren Bravo in a World Cup Group B match on Thursday.

Tahir (4-41) was well supported by off-spinner Johan Botha who opened the attack and gave the Proteas key breakthroughs in the spin-dominated day-night clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.The duo justified the decision of captain Graeme Smith to field three specialist spinners on a ground which is hosting its first international in a year after being banned for a dangerous playing surface.

Darren Bravo led the West Indies charge with his 82-ball knock while his older half-brother Dwayne chipped in with a 37-ball 40 with three sixes and a four after the Caribbean side were put in to bat.Bravo also shared 111 runs for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith after the early dismissal of Chris Gayle.Botha, sharing the new ball with fast bowler Dale Steyn, struck off the third ball of the innings to remove Gayle who tried to play on the leg-side but edged it to first slip where Jacques Kallis took a low catch.Botha (2-48) struck again in the 24th over, just when Bravo and Smith were threatening to put up a huge partnership.Bravo tried to flick the bowler but missed the shot and was rightly adjudged leg before wicket. He hit eight fours and a six.Tahir, 31, picked up his first wicket in one-day internationals in his third over when he caught Smith (36) off his own bowling and celebrated it by kissing the South African badge on his shirt.The Pakistan-born bowler picked up another wicket in his next over when he had the veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan (two) trapped lbw.Sarwan asked for a review of the decision but replays showed the ball would have hit the top of the middle stump.Tahir was unlucky not to collect a third wicket just three balls later, grassing a return catch off Dwayne Bravo despite a spirited attempt.He was not to be denied for long though, removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Devon Thomas with his guile and precision before Steyn (3-24) sent back Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn in a quick three-wicket burst.The West Indies opted for just one specialist spinner in Sulieman Benn for the day-night clash.South Africa, three-time World Cup semi-finalists, have won their last 11 matches against the West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979.

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South Africa win toss, put Windies into bat

Updated at: 1342 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011
NEW DELHI: South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and elected to field in the World Cup Group B match against the West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on Thursday.South Africa went in with three specialist spinners in Johan Botha, Robin Peterson and the uncapped Imran Tahir.The West Indies opted for just one specialist spinner in Sulieman Benn for the day-night clash.South Africa, three-time World Cup semi-finalists, have won their last 11 matches against the West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979.South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Devon Thomas, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Amish Saheba (IND), Third Umpire: Asoka de Silva (SL)
Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ) 

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First worth-watching match as SA take on WI

Updated at: 0225 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

NEW DELHI: South Africa and West Indies are seeking to shed the weight of past foibles and forge new ground in this World Cup. For days now, both camps have been kept busy denying the pressure of expectation. For Graeme Smith's men, it has been a constant attempt to talk down the tag of being nervous wrecks at the crunch. They seem aware that unless they can win a title now, that tag will be an uncomfortable part of even future South African lineups. For the West Indies, a motley crew led by a young skipper, it is all about breaking free from unjustified comparisons with the great teams of the past. Their path to redemption begins with the first encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Thursday, on a new surface which hasn't really been tested and might bring all their pluck and application into play. The Kotla too is looking to break free from past imperfections and ensure an even playing field which will restore the ground's dimmed reputation. Although South Africa go in as favourites and are a more complete and dynamic line-up on paper, the West Indies have, time and again, proven a stumbling block for them in World Cups and other ICC events. Last time around in the subcontinent back in 1996, a sublime Lara and Roger Harper put paid to their campaign in the quarters. At home in 2003, a three-run loss to Carl Hooper's men in the group stage again raised questions about lack of steel. In that other major event, the Champions Trophy, the Windies have had the last laugh twice. When it hasn't been Australia (2007 World Cup semis and in 1999) or India (2007 World T20) or bizarre rain rules, the West Indies have been SA's bugbear. Smith is aware the team can do little if one of the game-changers like Chris Gayle has a good day: "I think consistency-wise, they haven't been as good. But they have match-winners and that's why playing them in a one-off game makes them dangerous. They have guys who on their day can really punish you and take the game away. That's why in Cup competitions, they are a very dangerous opponent to come up against." That said, the South Africans have had the best preparation they could have asked for, a batting lineup to die for, a formidable pace battery and even a trio of spinners with Imran Tahir providing the surprise package. Given the scenario, only tactical mistakes with the playing XI need to be avoided. WI skipper Darren Sammy, on the other hand, is hoping his team will at least get through to the quarters without embarrassment. His team, which hasn't beaten a top side in almost 18 months, will slip to ninth in the rankings if they lose so it's really all about saving face. Sammy, to many a skipper by default following internal fissures, is hoping the seniors will come to the party. "We just want to see West Indies play like they did in the 1980s. We need to play to our full potential. I would rather have consistency than flamboyance." (Online)

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RSA v WI Pak v Ken Eng v NED

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First worth-watching match as SA take on WI

Updated at: 0225 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

NEW DELHI: South Africa and West Indies are seeking to shed the weight of past foibles and forge new ground in this World Cup. For days now, both camps have been kept busy denying the pressure of expectation. For Graeme Smith's men, it has been a constant attempt to talk down the tag of being nervous wrecks at the crunch.They seem aware that unless they can win a title now, that tag will be an uncomfortable part of even future South African lineups. For the West Indies, a motley crew led by a young skipper, it is all about breaking free from unjustified comparisons with the great teams of the past. Their path to redemption begins with the first encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Thursday, on a new surface which hasn't really been tested and might bring all their pluck and application into play. The Kotla too is looking to break free from past imperfections and ensure an even playing field which will restore the ground's dimmed reputation. Although South Africa go in as favourites and are a more complete and dynamic line-up on paper, the West Indies have, time and again, proven a stumbling block for them in World Cups and other ICC events. Last time around in the subcontinent back in 1996, a sublime Lara and Roger Harper put paid to their campaign in the quarters. At home in 2003, a three-run loss to Carl Hooper's men in the group stage again raised questions about lack of steel. In that other major event, the Champions Trophy, the Windies have had the last laugh twice. When it hasn't been Australia (2007 World Cup semis and in 1999) or India (2007 World T20) or bizarre rain rules, the West Indies have been SA's bugbear. Smith is aware the team can do little if one of the game-changers like Chris Gayle has a good day: "I think consistency-wise, they haven't been as good. But they have match-winners and that's why playing them in a one-off game makes them dangerous. They have guys who on their day can really punish you and take the game away. That's why in Cup competitions, they are a very dangerous opponent to come up against." That said, the South Africans have had the best preparation they could have asked for, a batting lineup to die for, a formidable pace battery and even a trio of spinners with Imran Tahir providing the surprise package. Given the scenario, only tactical mistakes with the playing XI need to be avoided. WI skipper Darren Sammy, on the other hand, is hoping his team will at least get through to the quarters without embarrassment. His team, which hasn't beaten a top side in almost 18 months, will slip to ninth in the rankings if they lose so it's really all about saving face. Sammy, to many a skipper by default following internal fissures, is hoping the seniors will come to the party. "We just want to see West Indies play like they did in the 1980s. We need to play to our full potential. I would rather have consistency than flamboyance." (Online)

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Cricket World Cup: Pakistan grapple with Sri Lanka M-factor

Updated at: 0930 PST,  Thursday, February 24, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan will look to blunt Lasith Malinga and wily off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in their Group A encounter against Sri Lanka on Saturday, with captain Shahid Afridi confident of a win.

Co-hosts Sri Lanka, champions in 1996, and 1992 winners Pakistan are off to flying starts in the tournament with convincing wins against minnows Canada and Kenya, and are primed for their first big match."I am confident that we are up to the Sri Lankan challenge and ready for anything they throw at us, whether its Malinga or Muralitharan," said Afridi.Muralitharan, who has a world record 521 wickets in 342 one-day internationals, has a tally of 95 against Pakistan in 64 matches, and is even more dangerous in home conditions."In Sri Lankan conditions and pitches, he (Muralitharan) is always very dangerous and he could probably turn the ball on the marble as well. He has so much experience and knows conditions well and that's why he is the best," said Afridi.Afridi said Malinga, renowned for his slingy action, would find it tough after missing the Canada match due to a back strain."Malinga is a very good bowler but he is coming back from an injury, so let's see how strong he is and how much he can adjust to the conditions," said Afridi.Malinga has just ten wickets in nine matches against Pakistan including a best of 5-34.Pakistan have also handled spinner Ajantha Mendis well. He has ten wickets against them in six matches.Afridi hoped the sell-out match would be entertaining in a World Cup that needs a blockbuster clash between two of the big guns."It will be a good game. If we bowl well, bat well and go with positive body language and show more readiness for the game and willingness to win, I am sure we can pull it off," said Afridi.Pakistan have never lost a World Cup match against Sri Lanka in six previous attempts but they were all before Sri Lanka became one of the top sides in the world game."The last match Sri Lanka played against us their fast bowlers did really well and they have a very good team combination. They've got good new guys in the side so we will have to play with our full strength and to win against them we need to give more than 100 percent effort," said Afridi.Pakistan will look to improve on their starts -- both in batting and bowling -- at the match in Colombo."We are not short on motivation and our energy levels are good," said Afridi, looking to restrict the in-form Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a match-winning hundred during the team's 210-run win over Canada.Besides Jayawardene, captain Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are in good form with the bat.Jayawardene acknowledged Pakistan were a dangerous side."They (Pakistan) are a very good side, so we look forward to playing Pakistan. The boys showed great attitude in the match against Canada," said Jayawardene.Sri Lanka will likely bring Malinga into the side in place of Thisara Perera, who took three wickets in the Canada match.Pakistan will try to squeeze in off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has not played since his father's death in January this year. (AFP)

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Pakistan crush Kenya to make flying start in WC

Updated at: 2049 PST,  Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan outclassed Kenya by a huge margin of 205 runs in their opening World Cup Group A match here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday.Set an improbable target of 318 runs, Kenya were bundled out for a mere 112 runs in 33.1 overs.Captain Shahid Afridi was the main destroyer capturing five wickets for only 16 runs while Umar Gul claimed two for 12 and Mohammad Hafeez took one for 26.Collins Obuya was the main scorer for Kenya with 47 as only three other top order batsmen could enter into double figures.Earlier, captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat but Pakistan made a disastrous start losing both their openers in seven overs.Mohammad Hafeez was the first to go, failing to keep a drive down as a diving Seren Waters picked up a beautiful catch at short mid-wicket.Two overs later, Ahmed Shahzad, who scored his first run after 13 deliveries, was caught by skipper Jimmy Kamande off Odoyo to leave Pakistan struggling at 12-2. However, wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan came to rescue and revived the innings through a solid 98-run stand.Kamran made 55, his ninth ODI fifty and Younis scored 50, his 40th ODI fifty.Later, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal gave the innings the final flourish with a rapid fire 118-run stand for the fifth wicket adding 118 runs for the fifth wicket partnership.Misbah hit 65 from 69 balls with two sixes. This was his 13th ODI half-century. Umar Akmal, playing his first World Cup match, reached his seventh ODI fifty. He top scored with a 52-ball 71 with eight fours and a six.This was the fourth half century in Pakistan innings.Afridi made just seven runs and was dismissed lbw by Odoyo who finished with 3-41, conceding 20 in wides in a total of 46 extras.

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Sri Lanka eye return to Pakistan

Updated at: 1528 PST,  Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan's cricketing isolation could end in October if Sri Lanka, who were targeted in a deadly terror attack in Lahore two years ago, agree to tour the troubled country Sri Lankan officials said Wednesday they were in talks with the International Cricket Council's Pakistan Task Team (PTT) to explore the possibilities."We are still discussing the option with the ICC and with all the other board members," said Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Somachandra de Silva."There are still some security concerns in Pakistan but if things improve, and Pakistan is a brotherly nation, we can consider it - all depends on the ICC's clearance," De Silva said.Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour Pakistan in October this year under the Future Tests Programme.According to reports in the Pakistani media, the governments of both countries are already in talks to hold the series in Pakistan.The attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus on March 9, 2009, killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players as well as their assistant coach, leading to the suspension of all international cricket in Pakistan.Barely a month later, the ICC stripped Pakistan of its share of World Cup matches, forcing the team to play all their Group A matches in Sri Lanka, co-hosts with India and Bangladesh.The suspension also meant Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in the United Arab Emirates, England and New Zealand for the last two years.The ICC formed the Pakistan Task Team (PTT) with England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke to find ways of reviving international cricket in Pakistan and to help improve the disciplinary situation. Even before the Lahore attacks, Pakistan was a no-go area for international teams because of security fears sparked in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the United States which sparked a "war against terror" in and around the country.Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing Pakistan to play their home series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah in 2002 and in England last year.Pakistan was also stripped of the right to host the 2008 Champions Trophy after Australia, South Africa and England refused to tour, forcing the ICC to move the tournament to South Africa, held in 2009.Meanwhile, De Silva said he hoped Hambantota will become a major cricket venue in Sri Lanka."It was only Colombo for the last two decades, but with Hambantota coming up for the World Cup matches we have brought cricket to the poor people and we will develop this," said the 68-year-old former Sri Lanka international.De Silva said the stadium - which became one-day cricket's 177th venue when Sri Lanka played Canada on Sunday - will also host a Test against Australia."We have decided to stage a Test in Hambantota against Australia when they tour in July this year and also one or two one-dayers in the same series. There is an option of staging World Twenty20 matches next year," said De Silva.Sri Lanka will host the fourth edition of World Twenty20 next year. (AFP)

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Kamran, Younis fight for Pak recovery

Updated at: 1604 PST,  Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HAMBANTOTA: After losing two early wickets for just 12 runs, Pakistan are fighting hard for recovery in Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the Mahinda Rajapakse stadium on Wednesday.Wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan are batting on 41 and 28, respectively as Both the experienced batsmen have taken Pakistan out of trouble.Now, Pakistan are 87-2 after 20 overs.Earlier, captain Shahid Khan Afridi won the toss and decided to bat but their start was disastrous as both openers fell early to Kenyan pace-bowlers.Both Kenyan opening bowlers dominated the scene in early overs to keep Pakistan in pressure.First, Elijah Otieno removed Mohammad Hafeez, caught by Waters for nine when Pakistan were 11 on the board and in the next over, Thomas Odoyo dismissed Ahmed Shahzad for one.However, Kamran and Younis handled the situation and soon took their team out of trouble.In Group A, all teams except Pakistan have so far played one match each as Pakistan are going to play their first match in the tournament today.Pakistan chose left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman in addition to their three-man seam attack of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq.Kenya, who crashed to New Zealand in their first match by 10 wickets after being shot out for 69 on Sunday, left out opener Alex Obanda and brought in Tanmay Mishar as the only change in their side.

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