Aussies vow no let-up at World Cup

Updated at: 1112 PST,  Wednesday, March 16, 2011

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Australia have already qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals but are eyeing a thumping win over Canada on Wednesday as the race to top the group heats up.All four qualifiers from Group A are already decided with New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia safely through, but final positions are crucial because they determine opponents in the last eight.A win over minnows Canada, who have endured a miserable campaign, would take Australia to the top of the group on nine points and extend an unbeaten run that now stretches all the way back to 1999 -- 33 matches in all.A big win over Canada, which would boost run-rate, is crucial as Ponting's men round off their Group A campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday in what is expected to be their first major test of their Cup credentials.Ponting insisted the defending champions, bidding for a fourth straight World Cup and fifth in all, would not ease up now that qualification was assured."We want to win every game that we play and we want to continue to improve on each performance as we go through this tournament," he said."One of our great keys to success in previous World Cups is we've been able to build our way up through tournaments and when the semi-finals and final have come around is generally when we've been playing our best cricket."Ponting added the Canada match in Bangalore represented a last chance for Australia to fine-tune their plans."From now on, I don't think we can afford to be experimenting too much, we have to get down to playing a brand of cricket that's going to hold up in big games," the star batsman explained.Canada captain Ashish Bagai said the way his side performs against Australia could force a change in plans to cut the number of teams at future World Cups.The International Cricket Council aim to have only 10 nations competing at the 2015 World Cup, compared to the current 14."It's for us to put on a good show to give reasons to the ICC to rethink their decision," Bagai said.Wednesday's match will mark Canada veteran John Davison's final game of international cricket before retirement. Davison, 40, once held the record for the fastest World Cup century.Meanwhile, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said he was keen to keep up his side's winning momentum after they became the first side from Group B to book their place in the quarter-finals with a comprehensive win over Ireland."I don't think it really matters who you play in the quarter-finals as you've still got to win the game. We needed to win this game to qualify and it was all about winning for us," Smith said."We'll go to Bangladesh (for their last group game) with a mindset to win. Obviously, you want to keep up the winning habits and confidence within the group."Smith said their best is yet to come as there is still room for improvement after posting four wins in five matches, their lone defeat coming against England by a narrow six-run margin. (AFP)

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Sri Lanka players meet people living with HIV in Mumbai

Updated at: 2054 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Sri Lanka team took time out from its practice session on Tuesday in Mumbai to show its support for the Think Wise campaign.The players met 10 community members from the MSM and hijra communities, including female sex workers from Kamathipura, several of them HIV positive, to understand what it means to be living with homophobia, transphobia, gender violence and HIV and to broaden their understanding of the their issues, such as stigma and discrimination, facing people from high risk groups.Kumar Sangakkara, a Champion for the Think Wise campaign, a partnership between the ICC, UNAIDS and UNICEF, believes society must better understand what it means to be discriminated against because you are gay, transgendered or suffer the stigma of being a female sex worker and also living with HIV."It was interesting to have the opportunity to meet people who are infected by HIV and understand some of their issues that they face on a day-to-day basis," said Sangakkara."What came very clear to me during the interaction was that although the people I met may be very different from us in terms of their sexual or gender identity, and living a very different life to the one we do as players, we still have so much in common . These minority groups are no different to anybody else and they must not be discriminated against."The Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara believes that the Think Wise partnership is well placed to impact on attitudes towards stigma and discrimination among sexual minorities and sex workers and people living with HIV."The Sri Lanka team, through the Think Wise partnership, has always tried to support HIV awareness and the fight against stigma and discrimination."To be personally involved in this partnership is very important to me. Through my role I have been able to visit community groups across the world at ICC events and understand the varying challenges that face people living with HIV and the efforts being made to prevent discrimination and infection.""Using our profile as international cricketers, hopefully we can ensure that the Think Wise campaign not only eliminates stigma and discrimination against sexual minorities, sex workers and people living from HIV, but also encourages young people to have an open mind so they are better empowered to protect themselves from HIV."The Think Wise campaign encourages young people to be informed, take appropriate action to prevent HIV infection, and stand together against the stigma and discrimination often facing people living with HIV. Although UNAIDS announced that new HIV infections had fallen by 20 per cent between 2001 and 2009, more than 7,000 people were infected each day in 2009 and one out of every three of these was a young person aged between 15 and 24 years.Players will have a series of interactions with local community groups supported by UNAIDS and UNICEF throughout the three host countries. Teams will wear red ribbons on their shirts in key matches during the competition (in all quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) as a show of support for people living with HIV. In addition, HIV prevention messages will be promoted at venues on all match days, including during the national anthem ceremonies.Young adults taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup schools programme in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka have already received HIV education sessions as part of the Think Wise programme.

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Proteas into quarters, crush Ireland

Updated at: 2054 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

KOLKATA: South Africa have become the first country in Group B to qualify for the quarterfinals in the World Cup 2011 after they outclassed Ireland by 131 runs in day-night match here at the Eden Garden on Tuesday.Chasing a difficult target of 273, Ireland could not bat at ease as they were losing wickets at regular intervals and the whole team was out for 141 in 33.2 overs.Gary Wilson was the top scorer with 31 with four boundaries and a six as no other Irish batsman could reach even 20.For South Africa, Robin Peterson and Morne Morkel captured three wickets each for 32 and 33, respectively while Jacques Kallis claimed two for 20.Earlier, South Africa managed to score 272 runs for the loss of seven wickets despite tight bowling from the minnows.Sent into bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield, South Africa were facing difficulty in scoring fast against the minnows as they lost their top order batsmen for 117 runs in about 27 overs.However, Jean-Paul Duminy and Collin Ingram rescued the team and took the score to 204 before Ingram was bowled by Trent Johnston for 46. Then, Duminy found another good partner in Johan Botha (21) to add further 65 runs for the seventh wicket. But he was unfortunate to miss his third ODI century by just one run as he was superbly caught by Kevin O'Brien off John Mooney. He hit six fours and a six in his 103-ball innings.Among others, Morne van Wyk was the only significant contributor with a fluent 46 from 41 balls with seven fours and a six.South Africa made one change from the side which beat India by three wickets in Nagpur on Saturday, bringing in Colin Ingram in place of their most prolific batsman AB de Villiers, who suffered a thigh strain during their win against India.Ireland brought in fit again pace-man Trent Johnston in place of all-rounder Andre Botha, who was down with a stomach bug. This is the only change Ireland made from the team which lost to the West Indies by 44 runs.

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South Africa make 272-7 against Ireland

Updated at: 1746 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

KOLKATA: Despite tight bowling from Ireland, South Africa managed to score 272 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs in a Group B match of the World Cup here at Eden Park on Tuesday.Sent into bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield, South Africa were facing difficulty in scoring fast against the minnows as they lost their top order batsmen for 117 runs in about 27 overs.However, Jean-Paul Duminy and Collin Ingram rescued the team and took the score to 204 before Ingram was bowled by Trent Johnston for 46. Then, Duminy found another good partner in Johan Botha (21) to add further 65 runs for the seventh wicket. But he was unfortunate to miss his third ODI century by just one run as he was superbly caught by Kevin O'Brien off John Mooney. He hit six fours and a six in his 103-ball innings Among others, Morne van Wyk was the only significant contributor with a fluent 46 from 41 balls with seven fours and a six.South Africa made one change from the side which beat India by three wickets in Nagpur on Saturday, bringing in Colin Ingram in place of their most prolific batsman AB de Villiers, who suffered a thigh strain during their win against India.Ireland brought in fit again pace-man Trent Johnston in place of all-rounder Andre Botha, who was down with a stomach bug. This is the only change Ireland made from the team which lost to the West Indies by 44 runs.South Africa, with six points from four matches, can make sure of a quarter-final berth with a victory while Ireland, with two points from four matches, need to win the match to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

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Ireland win toss, elect to field against Proteas

Updated at: 1346 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

KOLKATA: Ireland captain William Porterfield has won the toss and decided to field against South Africa in their World Cup Group B match here at the Eden Garden on Tuesday.South Africa left out their most prolific batsman AB de Villiers, who suffered a thigh strain during their win against India, and replaced him with Colin Ingram.Fit again Trent Johnston replaced Andre Botha, who was down with a stomach bug, in the Ireland team.Ireland need to win the match to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.Teams:South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Faf du Plessis, Morne van Wyk, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.Ireland - William Porterfield (captain), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien, Alex Cusack, John Mooney, Trent Johnston, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin.

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Chigumbura blames poor batting for flop

Updated at: 1117 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

PALLEKELE: Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura singled out poor batting as the reason for his team's first round exit in the World Cup.Zimbabwe, who play their last group match against Kenya on March 20 in Kolkata, were sent packing following a seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan on Monday."Throughout the tournament we have fielded well and bowled superbly, but it can't be said about our batting. It was a big problem."Zimbabwe have managed only one total of more than 200 during the tournament, hitting 298 in their only win so far, against Canada. They are fifth in the seven-team Group A with two points from five matches."We batted first (against Pakistan) because in the games here before teams who batted first put big scores on the board but unfortunately we lost four quick wickets before rain came and in the end when we wanted to finish well rain again came," said Chigumbura.Zimbabwe lost their top four batsmen in Pallekele for just 43 runs before Craig Ervine (52) and Chigumbura (32 not out) lifted them to 151-7 when rain curtailed their innings after 39.4 overs.Pakistan, set a revised target of 162 in 38 overs, chased down the target with the help of an unbeaten 78 from Asad Shafiq and 49 from Mohammad Hafeez.Zimbabwe's English coach Alan Butcher also pinpointed batting as the weak area."Unfortunately that happened in the game before, and the game before and everybody in the dressing room, particularly the batters, are unhappy about the way things are," said Butcher."All the batsmen worked hard for this World Cup. None of our players tried to give their wickets away, they are all working hard and trying to improve.Everyone is disappointed because we prepared well but couldn't deliver," said Butcher. (AFP)

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Waqar wants Aussie scalp

Updated at: 1116 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

PALLEKELE: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said a win over defending champions Australia in their final group match would give his team enormous confidence heading into their World Cup quarter-final.The 1992 champions eased into the last eight with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Monday and play their last match against Australia, who are on an unbeaten 33-match streak in the World Cup, on Saturday.Waqar said victory over Ricky Ponting's men in Colombo would serve a dual purpose."They are such a big team, world champs, and haven't lost for ages," said Waqar of Australia, whose last World Cup defeat came at the hands of Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.He said topping Group A would mean playing the number four team in Group B "whose morale would be down, but for me the bigger thing is the momentum."Pakistan, with eight points from five matches, are second in Group A, behind New Zealand on net run-rate. Sri Lanka and Australia have also reached the quarter-finals.Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 151-7 before rain curtailed Zimbabwe's innings. Set a revised target of 162 in 38 overs, Pakistan won on the back of an undefeated 78 by Asad Shafiq.Waqar said Pakistan must carry on winning."If you beat Australia, you leave a mark, you can look at the next matches and teams will think twice about playing against you," said Waqar, whose country has reached the second round for the first time since 1999."It is pleasing, but the kind of team we had it was expected we would get to the quarters. To say that we have achieved a lot here because we didn't qualify the last two times would be wrong," said Waqar, captain of the team in 2003.Pakistan also exited in the first round of the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies.Waqar said the knockout stage would be a big challenge."The real game starts now, the game of nerves, the pressure game. Our next game is the most important game, because from there when you jump into the quarters we need to get some momentum."Waqar said his plan would be simple against Australia."The strategy will be very similar -- try to play 50 overs first, pile up a big total first, that's the key. And then, when you look at bowling sides around the world, I think we have a fairly good bowling side," said Waqar.Waqar said Pakistan's successful run chase against Zimbabwe -- their first in a World Cup match since beating New Zealand in the 1999 semi-final, was an achievement."I didn't know that we had never chased in the Word Cup since 1999. It is an achievement without a doubt. We played a lot more sensibly. Shafiq made a bit of a difference. He is very compact and a cricketer for the future," said Waqar of the 25-year-old. (AFP)

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SA eye win over Ireland to book quarters

Updated at: 0748 PST,  Tuesday, March 15, 2011

KOLKATA: On a high after snatching a moral-boosting three-wicket victory over India, South Africa will now look to seal their quarter-final berth when they take on a wobbly Ireland in their penultimate group B World Cup clash at the renovated Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday. The South Africans have some injury concerns ahead of the game with A B de Villiers down with a thigh strain and it remains to be seen whether the in-form batsman takes the field. Chasing 297, South Africa top and middle-order fumbled but Faf du Plessis and Robin Peterson down the order showed nerves of steel to shed their chokers tag for a thrilling three-wicket win in their previous match against India. After racing to 267 for one in the 40th over, India lost nine wickets for just 29 runs in an embarrassing way with pacer Dale Steyn returning with a five-wicket burst to skittle out the hosts inside 49 overs. The victory also gains significance because it brought their campaign back on track after their dramatic six-wicket loss to England in Chennai. It was more special for the Proteas who had to make it possible despite losing out on their most successful bowler Imran Tahir. The leg-spinner having sustained a fractured thumb is ruled out for 10 days and is certain to miss the match against Ireland but that should not pose a big problem for South Africa with their attack boasting of Steyn, Morne Morkel while Johan Botha will lead the spin attack. Smith, who had scored an unbeaten 134 to a 10-wicket win over India in their last ODI at Eden Gardens, would look to continue his fine form on the strip that promises to be batsmen-friendly. There is a hint of grass on the Eden 22-yard but curator Probir Mukherjee promised it would assist the batsmen even as he pointed out that there has not been much dew here since last few days. The wicket that will be used tomorrow will be the same that had produced 632 runs and only nine wickets in a match that saw India beat Sri Lanka by seven wicket in its last ODI on 2009 Christmas Eve. Smith and company will look to go for the final kill but at the same time they will be wary of the Irish who have showed their capabilities of producing upsets. The South African skipper Graeme Smith was highly impressed with the Irish team after they had stunned the Englishmen in Bangalore. "The good thing for us now is that we play a couple of games close together before the quarterfinals," Smith said. "We've got an opportunity now with a game every three or four days to really build up some momentum which is something that is important for us," he said. The bowling department of pacers Boyd Rankin and Alex Cusack and the spin duo of Paul Stirling and George Dockrell too has struggled after missing out on their main strike bowler Trent Johnston in two matches in a row. Johnston, who took two wickets during their loss to India in Bangalore before sustaining a bruised knee that ruled him out of the game, is likely to be drafted into the side as a desperate measures by the team thinktank. "I'll be playing at Eden Gardens, that's for sure," former captain Johnston, who did not bowl at the nets, tweeted on Sunday. In the likelihood of Johnston's inclusion, their South African-born allrounder Andre Botha seems certain to sit out. Botha hopes that South Africa will relax a bit after the Nagpur humdinger something that will give them a fine chance to go all out. "The way we are seeing it was that they still have to travel here after a big win, so hopefully they might just relax a bit and that will give us a big advantage. I think we've fallen short in a few games, now we have to win and we might play with a bit more freedom, like we used to and take away that last bit of pressure to get over the line," Botha, who was born in Johannesburg before coming to play cricket in Ireland at 18, said. Both the teams will also have to fight out the rising heat and humid index in the Eastern metropolis with the temperature set to be in the 30s. In the news for all the wrong reasons, the historic Eden Gardens will thus get to host its first match in the ongoing World Cup after losing out on the marquee India vs England clash as the International Cricket Council had ruled that the stadium was not ready for the February 27 encounter. Having failed to host an India match, the huge Eden Gardens may not generate a huge interest among the spectators for the World Cup fixture but certainly there will not be any lack of motivation for the Graeme Smith's men after their morale-boosting win over India in Nagpur.Teams (From): South Africa: Graeme Smith (c), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne van Wyk (wk), Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Imran Tahir and Colin Ingram. Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien (wk), Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien, Alex Cusack, John Mooney, Andre Botha, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Trent Johnston, Albert van der Merwe, Andrew White and Nigel Jones. (Online)

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