Cricket WC: West Indies rout toothless Tigers

Updated at: 1558 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

DHAKA: West Indies took a giant stride towards the World Cup quarter-finals by pounding lacklustre Bangladesh by nine wickets in a key Group B match on Friday.Lanky spinner Suleiman Benn grabbed 4-18, and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Darren Sammy claimed three each, to bowl out Bangladesh for their lowest one-day total of 58 in 18.5 overs. The West Indies surpassed the small target in 12.2 overs even before the lights came on for the day-night game at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. Chris Gayle remained unbeaten on 37 off 36 balls, while Darren Bravo was on nine after Devon Smith was bowled by off-spinner Naeem Islam for six. With only their second win in the last 11 one-day internationals, the West Indies have four points from three matches, the same as group leaders South Africa, who have played one match less. Bangladesh, with one win from three games, were left with a mountain to climb to stay in contention for the quarter-finals. The hosts must win their remaining league matches against England, South Africa and the Netherlands to ensure a place in the last eight.A sell-out crowd of 25,000 jeered the home team and threw paper placards on the field after Bangladesh fell below their previous low of 74 against Australia in Darwin in 2008.Bangladesh's reckless batting on a slow wicket saw them being bowled out for the lowest total in this World Cup after Kenya made 69 against New Zealand. It was also the fourth lowest total in World Cup history. Sammy's men took wickets at regular intervals after Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won his third successive toss and chose to bat. The home team lost hard-hitting opener Tamim Iqbal off the third ball of the match when the left-hander attemped a lofty cover drive off Roach and edged a catch to Sammy at second slip. Sammy, who handed the new ball to left-armer Benn for one over before coming on himself, forced Imrul Kayes to edge a catch to wicket-keeper Devon Thomas with his third delivery. In his next over, Sammy removed Mushfiqur Rahim for no score, the young batsman flicking a catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short-mid-wicket. Junaid Siddique hit a fluent 25 with four boundaries when he fell leg-before to Roach, a decision that was referred to TV umpire Asad Rauf. Benn, who replaced Roach after the fast bowler's five-over spell that cost just 18 runs for two wickets, bowled Shakib with his second ball. Sammy earned another success in his sixth over, the 14th of the innings, when Raqibul Hasan drove a slower ball to point where the towering Keiron Pollard took a low catch.Roach, replacing Sammy for his second spell, struck with his first ball when former captain Mohammad Ashraful edged a catch to the wicket-keeper after making 11. Benn then took the last two wickets in three balls to terminate the Bangladesh innings in quick time.Bangladesh take on England next in Chittagong on March 11, the same day when the West Indies play Ireland in Mohali.(AFP)

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New Zealand humble Zimbabwe by ten wickets

Updated at: 1548 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

AHMEDABAD: New Zealand recorded a 10-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in the World Cup on Friday, boosting their chances of making it to the quarter-finals.After bowling out Zimbabwe for just 162, the Kiwis rode on unbeaten half-centuries by Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum to canter to the target with 99 balls to spare in the Group A clash at the Sardar Patel Stadium.The opening partnership between Guptill (86) and McCullum (76) was the highest for the tournament.The victory, the second for New Zealand by a 10-wicket margin in the tournament, moved them up in the table with four points from three games. Pakistan lead the charts with three wins from as many matches.Guptill, named man of the match, launched New Zealand's chase with a bang, carting seven fours and two sixes off 108 balls on way to his 10th ODI half-century.McCullum was equally belligerent, hitting six fours and two sixes in his 95-ball knock.Earlier, seamers Tim Southee, Kyle Mills and Scott Styris shared six wickets after Chigumbura won the toss and elected to bat on a benign wicket.But it was not a start they would have wished for, losing their top five batsmen inside 15 overs to a combination of Kiwi pace and spin.Opener Charles Coventry was the first to go, run out with just two runs on the board as Hamish Bennett at mid-on threw the stumps down at the bowler's end.Tatenda Taibu, coming into the game on the back of a match-winning 98 against Canada, earned a reprieve when Vettori failed to pouch a sitter off Southee.But the bowler was rewarded off the very next ball when he had Taibu trapped leg before wicket for eight, a decision upheld after television replays showed Southee's ball would have hit the off-stump.Mills, back in action after missing his team's seven-wicket defeat to Australia, sent back Craig Ervine for 11 before Vettori dismissed Chigumbura and Regis Chakabva in his first over to leave Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 46-5.Opener Brendan Taylor (44) waged a lonely battle until he was struck on the pads against the gentle pace of part-timer Styris to be dismissed six runs short of a deserved half-century.

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Play with 'fire' to beat Aussies, says Wasim

Updated at: 1543 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

COLOMBO: Pakistan great Wasim Akram, the last captain to beat Australia in a World Cup match, says teams need a plan and "fire in the belly" to end the side's long run of success at the World Cup.Australia, who play Group A rivals Sri Lanka on Saturday, have not lost a match at the showpiece tournament since going down to Pakistan at Leeds in 1999, and have stretched their unbeaten run to 31 matches.The have won their past 25 World Cup matches since the tied semi-final against South Africa in the tournament held in England 12 years ago."You need a plan in the mind and fire in the belly to beat Australia," Wasim said. "Have a set plan and your body language should be like that of champions."Wasim, who took 4-40 in the 1999 win against Australia, said Pakistan's body language was worthy of winners as they downed Steve Waugh's men by 10 runs."We had a successful run in the group stages and I remember we planned well for the Australia match, but sadly we lost the final when it mattered the most for the World Cup title and the Australians were better," said Wasim.Pakistan lost a one-sided final at Lord's by eight wickets after being dismissed for just 132.Wasim said the toss would be important on a slow pitch in Colombo, where the co-hosts are planning to play all three of their spinners -- Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath."What I have noticed at R. Premadasa stadium is that the toss is crucial, so winning the toss will be crucial for Sri Lanka, even if they were planning to play three spinners," said Wasim."It will once again be difficult to chase for teams at the ground."Wasim said Australia, with three quality pacemen in Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson, look strong."Australia are still a force and with their three fast bowlers bowling over 145 kmh (90 mph), it's going to be difficult for teams scoring runs against them and keeping wickets in hand," said Wasim.Wasim, who took 414 Test and 502 one-day international wickets, praised Pakistan's performances."The way Pakistan are playing, it would be tough to beat them. I think Shahid Afridi is leading the side well, the sort of unity required for Pakistan team is brought by Afridi and it's good for them," said Wasim.Afridi, who has 14 wickets in the tournament as a leg-break bowler, has led Pakistan to three wins out of three and they top Group A with six points. (AFP)

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Imran Khan sees World Cup as most open yet

Updated at: 1543 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

KARACHI: Pakistan's former World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan has said this year's tournament is the most open he has seen.Imran, who skippered Pakistan to victory in 1992, said the opening matches in the Feb 19-April 2 tournament being held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had highlighted the fact that no team stood head and shoulders above the rest of the field."This is perhaps the most wide open World Cup I have seen and after the results of the India and England match and the way Ireland upset England I don't think there are any clear favourites," he said on Friday.Ireland pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the 36-year history of the event by beating England by three wickets on Wednesday in Bangalore after being set 328 to win. England and co-hosts India tied on Sunday."The pitches in all three countries will support the batsmen more as the month progresses and it is very hot and humid at this time of the year. So you need to have maximum wicket-taking bowlers in your side to do well," he said.PURE PACE"Teams which don't have variety and pure pace in their bowling and prefer to rely more on batting all-rounders are already facing problems," he added.The former cricketer-turned politician felt that Ireland were capable of causing more upsets in Group B before the quarter-finals. Kevin O'Brien scored the fastest ever World Cup century in 50 balls."The century by Kevin O'Brien was one of the best one-day innings I have seen in my life. The Irish are a fighting unit and I don't think you can rule them out of contention by any stretch of the imagination," Imran said."Teams which have the mental strength to chase down 300 plus totals have to be respected." He said Pakistan's shoddy performance against Canada on Thursday which they only won by 46 runs was a wake-up call for the players but still backed his compatriots to make the quarter-finals."To me the real contests will start from the knockout stage. I think the International Cricket Council (ICC) need to rethink the format for future World Cups."Imran said the ICC needed to help associate members build up domestic structures in their countries rather than just providing them opportunities to play in international competition."Unless these minnows don't have proper domestic cricket they can't come up," he said.The ICC said before the tournament started that it would reduce the number of teams playing from 14 to 10 for the next edition in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. (Reuters) He pointed out that India's bowling was exposed in their game against England.

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Bangladesh bundled out for 58 by West Indies

Updated at: 1524 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

DHAKA: Bangladesh were bowled out for just 58 in 18.5 overs against the West Indies in their World Cup Group B match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.It was the fourth lowest total in World Cup history after Canada (36) against Sri Lanka in 2003, Canada again (45) against England in Manchester in 1979 and Namibia (45) against Australia in 2003.Fans inside the 25,000-capacity ground reacted angrily to their team's capitulation by throwing placards onto the pitch.Captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first. This is Bangladesh's second defeat in this World Cup after they lost their first match by 87 runs to India before hitting back to see off Ireland by 27 runs.Bangladesh and the West Indies retained the same teams that beat Ireland and the Netherlands, respectively.

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Cricket WC: Bangladesh bat against W. Indies

Updated at: 1327 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat in the World Cup Group B match against the West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium on Friday. Both teams have one win each from two matches and the game could prove crucial in deciding quarter-final berths in a group that includes India, England and South Africa.Bangladesh and the West Indies retained the same teams that beat Ireland and the Netherlands respectively.Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam. West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach.(AFP)

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Zimbabwe 162 all out against New Zealand

Updated at: 1313 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

AHMEDABAD: Zimbabwe were all out for 162 in 46.2 overs against New Zealand in their Group A match here at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera on Friday.Opener Brendan Taylor (44) and all-rounder Prosper Utseya (36) were the main scorers for Zimbabwe after their captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to bat.For New Zealand, seamer Tim Southee was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 29 runs while captain Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills claimed two wickets each.New Zealand now require to make 163 runs to beat Zimbabwe for their second win from three matches in Group A.Zimbabwe made two changes from the side which defeated Canada. Regis Chakabva Tinashe Panyangara have been brought in for the injured Sean Williams and Christopher Mpofu.New Zealand, defeated by Australia in their last game, left out Jamie How in favour of seamer Kyle Mills.Each of the two teams has played two games, winning and losing apiece so far in the tournament.

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Cricket World Cup: Afridi feared repeat of 2007 shock

Updated at: 1012 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

COLOMBO: Captain Shahid Afridi admitted that the 2007 World Cup disaster against Ireland weighed heavy on his mind when Canada gave his team a major fright, saying it served as a good wake-up call for Pakistan. Pakistan, bowled out for a paltry 184, were indebted to Afridi's one-man show, whose leg-breaks earned figures of 5-23 and helped his team avoid the kind of upset they suffered against Ireland in the Caribbean four years ago.In the end Pakistan pulled off a 46-run win on Thursday, their third in as many matches to give the 1992 champions six points and top position in Group A, ahead of Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia. "Yes, that match in 2007 was on my mind," said Afridi, of Pakistan's infamous three-wicket defeat to Ireland in Jamaica which led to his team's first round exit from the last World Cup."I know what would have happened had we lost against Canada," said Afridi, of the possible backlash from the millions of fans back home."But I told the players we must play for a win, that we should not be negative and work hard irrespective of the result."Afridi blamed poor batting for Pakistan's difficulties."I think there was poor shot selection and very poor batting," said Afridi of Pakistan's innings which was wrapped up in 43 overs."If we want to play good cricket against quality teams then we must improve this and wake up."Afridi said the third pitch employed at the R. Premadasa stadium was difficult to bat on."I think the condition of the pitch was such that we needed to bat with patience, but we didn't do that," said the captain of Pakistan's batting in which only Umar Akmal (48) and Misbah-ul-Haq (37) showed resistance. "It was a totally different pitch from the match we played against Sri Lanka. There were clouds overhead and the ball was stopping and moving."Afridi explained his plan to put the brakes on the Canadian innings worked well after Jimmy Hansra (43) and Zubin Surkar (27) took Canada to 104-3."Their number three and five batted sensibly," said Afridi of the fourth wicket partnership of 60. "My plan was to bowl maiden overs so that the asking rate climbed and that worked."Afridi, who is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 14, said he was enjoying his bowling."I am doing my level best for the team and it is turning well for me," he said.Pakistan next face New Zealand at Pallekele on March 8. (AFP)

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Zimbabwe win toss, elect to bat against New Zealand

Updated at: 0841 PST,  Friday, March 04, 2011

AHMEDABAD: Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in their Group A match here at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera on Friday.Zimbabwe made two changes from the side which defeated Canada. Regis Chakabva Tinashe Panyangara have been brought in for the injured Sean Williams and Christopher Mpofu New Zealand, defeated by Australia in their last game, left out Jamie How in favour of seamer Kyle Mills. Each of the two teams has played two games, winning and losing apiece so far in the tournament.Teams today:New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (wk), Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Scott Styris, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori (captain), Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Hamish BennettZimbabwe: Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Tatendu Taibu (wk), Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (captain), Regis Chakabva, Greg Lamb, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Ray Price, Tinashe PanyangaraUmpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Marais Erasmus (SA), TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SL). 

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