2007 Cricket World Cup will remain as one of the worst world cup ever. Though India and Pakistan disappointed the fans, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Bangladesh entertained with their fine exhibition of all round Cricket. My Dream 2007 cricket world cup team: Captain: 1. Mahela Jayawardene – He played captaincy knocks in the vital games. He is the shrewdest captain in this world cup. He is slightly ahead of Ricky Ponting in the captaincy race. Openers: 2. Mathew Hayden – He is the best batsman in this world cup. 3. Sanath Jayasuriya – He is the match winner on his day. He can destruct any bowling attack to pieces on his day. Middle order: 4. Ricky Ponting – He is the best batsman on planet earth on current form. 5. Scott Styris – Most consistent batsman for New Zealand. 6. Kevin Pietersen – He is the lone warrior in the England batting Line up. Wicket Keeper: 7. Adam Gilchrist – How can I miss a keeper – batsman who can walk away into any team of any generation? Bowling Attack: 8. Shane Bond – My favourite fast bowler. 9. Glenn McGrath – Best bowler on the earth.10. Muttaih Muralitharan – He is an automatic selection like Hayden and McGrath. 11. Nathan Bracken – he may not have taken maximum number of wickets like Tait, he is the most controlled bowler in 2007 world cup. Sanath Jayasuriya and Scott Styris complete the remaining 10 overs. My dream missed a genuine all-rounder. Who missed selection by a split margin: 12. Michael Clarke – Future hope for Australia. 13. Shane Watson – … [Read more...]
Preview: 2007 Cricket World Cup Final
Most disastrous world cup in cricket history will end in Barbados today. Two best teams, Australia and Sri Lanka, will clash in the finals of the 2007 cricket world cup. Can Australia able to achieve Hat-trick cups? Can Sri Lanka able to repeat 1996 finals? Will this final become another dud as in 2003? Batting: Except Michael hussy, all the Australian batsmen are in roaring form. Mathew Hayden, leading run scorer, is creating shivers in the opposition bowlers. Ricky Ponting, world’s best batsman, is playing captaincy knocks at high strike rate. Michael Clarke is the most composed batsman in the world cup. He is the “Rahul Dravid of Australia”. Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson can increase run rate within a short span of time. If Hussey and Gilchrist fire to their potential, it is almost impossible to this Australian team. Sri Lankan batting is not looking as formidable as Australian lineup. It may brittle under pressure from Australian fast bowlers and finals atmosphere like their neighbours (Indians) in 2003 final. Except Mahela Jayawardene, no other batsman is looking as promising as Australians. Sanath Jayasuriya is inconsistent throughout this tournament. Though Chamara Silva is playing well in this world cup, his inexperience may cost him dear in the finals. Kumara Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga and Arnold are playing well throughout the tournament. If they play well, Sri Lanka may upset the world champions. Australia team was beaten in most of the matches by the individual brilliance of the opposition rather than team effort. Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara, Kevin Pietersen and Gibbs proved this fact in recent times. Can Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene repeat this feat? Batting … [Read more...]
2007 Cricket World Cup Videos
Cricket world cup 2007 turned out to be a damp squib. It is the worst organised world cup ever. Organisers spoil the party by not allowing musical instruments into the cricket stadiums thereby destroying the spirit of Carribeans. Death of Bob Woolmer and the investigational failures brought bad name to Jamiacan Government. Watch the official video of 2007 cricket world cup: Before the start of this world cup, no one thought about this cup in this manner. Exit of India and Pakistan in the first round made this one an economic disaster. Organisers, Sponsors, Advertisers, Local people and teams are unhappy even though it brought cheers to the fans of Bangladesh and Ireland. Failure of West Indies team made the things difficult for organisers. Watch the unpfficial video of world cup: When will this world cup end? … [Read more...]
Fallen stars from sub-continent in 2007 cricket world cup
2007 cricket world cup changed the fortunes of many super stars along with their teams. Some of these stars faced the wrath from fans in their countries. Cricket Gods from India and Pakistan became the most hated persons in their countries. TV channels stopped airing commercials of these stars. That is the power of failure. 1. Sachin Tendulkar: This is the first failure of Indian God in a world cup tournament. He is the highest scorer in 1996 and 2003 editions. For the first time, he faced charges on his attitude from an Indian coach. He became a pawn in the hands of seniors’ mafia. BCCI issued show-cause notice to this fallen star. If he will play in his natural style, we will again see the “Sharjah” Sachin. It’s all in the mind. 2. Injamam-Ul-Haq: He repeated his worst performance in 2007 world cup as in 2003 edition. After his superb performance in 1992 debut world cup, he failed to replicate his performance. These are inerasable black spots in the wonderful career of this Pakistan legend. 3. Sourav Ganguly: His low strike rate in the initial power play overs is another reason for India’s debacle in this world cup. He is never a team man and a selfish cricketer who always form a coterie of his favourites. As per media, he is the force behind the seniors’ mafia and leaked dressing room news to his favourite Kolkata journalists. His attitude is always a big problem.4. Younis Khan:It is the most unexpected failure in 2007 world cup. He went to the event on the back of stunning performances. He failed even against weak teams. No excuses please.5. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh: They played spoil sport with their attitude along with their play. Selectors should not even consider … [Read more...]
Sri Lanka- South Africa super 8 Match
Super 8 match between Sri Lanka and South Africa is the best match in 2007 cricket world cup after Zimbabwe and Ireland tied match. South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by just one wicket in this low scoring match. Lalith Malinga’s superb final spell (4 wickets in 4 balls) turned an ordinary one sided match into super hit suspense thriller. South Africans just escaped from their “Chokers” tag. If they want to win this world cup, they should overcome this psychological obstruction. Jacques Kallis once again proved why he is the most valuable cricketer in International cricket. Great cricketers play wonderful innings in crucial stage in vital matches. Best Delivery: Lalith Malinga’s slower ball to Shaun Pollock. Significant point: At the end of 32 overs, South Africans needed just 50 runs from 18 overs with 8 wickets in hand. South Africa won this match with the help of last pair. Do you believe it? It happens only in cricket! Highlights: 1. Lalith Malinga – 4 wickets in 4 successive balls. First time in International cricket. 2. Charles Langeveldt – 5 wickets in a single match. First time in this world cup. 3. Muralitharan’s bowling 4. Jacques Kallis – Carefully crafted superb innings. 5. Sri Lanka late recovery with fine half centuries from Dilshan and Arnold. 6. Graeme Smith Captain Innings. 7. Vaas and Ntini’s tight bowling speels. Failures: 1. South Africans ability to move from winning position to losing position in a suicidal manner. 2. Sri Lankan top order failure. 3. Shaun Pollock failure as strike bowler. 4. Graeme Smith’s fault to complete Makhaya Ntini … [Read more...]
World Cup Review: Sensational group stages
2007 world cricket world cup group stage matches created tremors in the cricket fraternity. Early exit of Pakistan and India, murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, superb performance from Ireland and Bangladesh are the major highlights in this world cup. 1. Death of Bob Woolmer: Suspicious death of Pakistan coach was overshadowed the wonderful performances from cricket stars. ICC failed to nullify the bookie’s control in fixing cricket matches. This resulted in the death of trend setting and passionate coach like Bob Woolmer. 2. Ireland and Bangladesh wins: Though over shadowed by match fixing allegations, fighting spirit of these two teams entertained cricket fans all over the world. Ireland performance is a revelation in this world cup. Bangladesh sent shock waves by defeating India in a pure professional manner. 3. India and Pakistan team disasters: Pathetic performance from the best sub continental teams. Disastrous batting performance from batting Gods like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Younis Khan, Md. Yousuf and Injamam-Ul-Haq. 4. Marketing failure: This world cup lost 60% of viewers market in the first round itself. With the exit of India and Pakistan, this world cup lost its sheen. 50% of group 8 matches will be one sided. 5. Organising failure: Most of the stadiums are empty during world cup matches. Organising committee failed to create cup fever among West Indies youth. Whoever murdered Bob Woolmer, it is the first time a coach was murdered during world cup. 6. Australian performance: Australian cricketers’ performance is the only shining grace in this world cup. Fastest world cup century by Mathew Hayden and … [Read more...]
Black day in Indian cricket history
India was demolished by inspired Bangladesh in the group B match of 2007 cricket world cup at Port of Spain. March, 17, 2007 will be remembered as black day in Indian cricket. On a day of major upsets, India was outplayed by Bangladesh while Pakistan was defeated by Ireland. India’s famous paper tigers displayed worst batting performance while Bangladesh cricketers performed clinical exhibition of finest cricket. Why India was demolished by Bangladesh: 1. Fine performance from Bangladesh cricket team. 2. Lack of fighting spirit in Indian cricketers. 3. Increased confidence in Bangladesh cricketers after their win against New Zealand in the warm up match. 4. Poor shot selection by Indian batsmen. 5. Selection of Virender Sehwag ahead of Dinesh Karthik. Rahul Dravid should be blamed for his obsession with Virender Sehwag. In spite of repeated failures, Dravid prefers Sehwag ahead of fighting cricketer like Dinesh Karthik. Dinesh Karthik saved India in crisis situations in the past. 6. Young cricketers of Bangladesh shamed their experienced counterparts with their superb play. Mushfiqur, the 18-year-old wicketkeeper, shamed his opposite 30 year old 10,000 run scorers. Bangladesh cricketers are no more minnows in international cricket. They proved the critics wrong by their finest play on the greatest stage of world cricket. Bangla! Keep it up. Indian paper tigers should concentrate more on their cricket instead of endorsements. Will Indian team also return from West Indies like Pakistan? Wait and watch. … [Read more...]
Sensational wins by Ireland and Bangladesh
Whoever wins 2007 world cup, this world cup will be remembered as “Minnows world cup”. Small teams entertained cricket fans with their fighting spirit, never say die attitude and sensational wins over big teams. Wins of Ireland and Bangladesh over Pakistan and India may have stunned cricket fans, but it is good news for ICC. These wins will increase awareness about cricket in associate countries. If Bangladesh, Ireland and Kenya can able to reach quarterfinals, it is tremendous boost to spread cricket in more countries. Ireland: This soccer mad country is the surprise story of this country. The way they played against Pakistan indicated the quality of their stars. The way they tied Zimbabwe match illustrated the fighting spirit of Irish cricketers. More teams should play frequently against this team to raise the quality of players to test level. Ireland cricketers silenced the critics who questioned their (associate countries) inclusion in this big event. Bangladesh: Bangladesh finally arrived on the big stage. They stunned their famed neighbours with finest exhibition of all round cricket. They defeated New Zealand in the warm up match. If they continue to play in this manner, they may reach quarterfinals. Their win against Pakistan in 1999 world cup was suspected as match fixing. Bangladesh win over New Zealand in the warm up match is rated by most critics as a fluke. They silenced their detractors with sensational win over India. They never lost control over the match. Kenya: They reached semi finals in 2003 world cup. If they can able to defeat England, they will reach Quarterfinals in this edition. If these minnows (no more) will reach quarterfinals, 2007 world cup … [Read more...]
Preview: India-Bangladesh cricket world cup match
World Cup favourite India will play with cricket mad country Bangladesh in the first round of 2007 Cricket world cup. India is one of the hot favourite to win this edition of world cup. Bangladesh created sensation by defeating New Zealand in the warm up match. India should not underestimate this Bangladesh team. They defeated Pakistan in the 1999 world cup. If Indian cricketers can able to play to their strengths, it is a cake walk for them. On present form, this match is no contest. Indian cricket team: Pros: 1. Strongest batting lineup in the world. 2. Mix of youth and experience. 3. Useful slow ball bowlers. 4. Exceptional watch winners. 5. Wonderful performance in the warm up matches. Cons: 1. Inconsistent batting performance. 2. Too much expectations back home. 3. Too many experiments in the team. Bangladesh Team: It is too much to expect any sensation in this match. India can easily win this match. … [Read more...]
Preview: England-New Zealand World cup match
This is a match between two teams of similar style of play. Both teams have high hopes in this world cup as they trounced World champions Australia in recent matches. Both teams are headed by astute captains. England won a tournament in Australia after a long time while New Zealand white washed Australia in the recent series. But, New Zealand was defeated by Bangladesh in the warm up match due to slow nature of West Indies pitches. England was convincingly thrashed by Australia in the warm up match. England cricket team: Pros: 1. Collingwood is in superb form. 2. Presence of world class all rounder Andrew Flintoff. 3. Michael Vaughan Captaincy. 4. Kevin Pietersen big hitting is very useful on small West Indies grounds. Cons: 1. Inexperienced team. 2. Inconsistent team. 3. Absence of Marcus Trescothick New Zealand cricket team: Pros: 1. Captaincy of Stephen Fleming. 2. Emergence of Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton. 3. Brendum McCullum is in scintillating form. 4. Jacob Oram’s all round abilities. 5. Presence of world class off spinner Daniel Vettori. 6. Shane Bond bowling. Cons: 1. Failure to play spinners. Crucial contests that will decide the outcome of this match: 1. Jacob Oram × Andrew Flintoff. 2. Daniel Vettori × Monty Panesar 3. Michael Vaughan × Stephen Fleming 4. Paul Collingwood × Ross Taylor 5. Kevin Pietersen × Peter Fulton, Brendum McCullum New Zealand is starting as favourite team to win this match despite their failure to beat Bangladesh. … [Read more...]
Connect & Follow world cup