The two sides will be once again facing each other in a couple of hours at the opening match to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Both sides would look to play their best. Bangladesh would look to entertain the local crowd with a win and India would look to take revenge for their defeat in the 2007 world cup. The Indian fans do not have sweet memories of their last encounter. When the two sides met at Port-of-Spain and Dravid chose to bat first, no one would have expected that a team that had some of the world’s best batsmen would collapse like a pack of cards. Bangladesh, who has always been a tough opponent for the men in blue, played some fearless cricket as they had nothing to lose. Indian batsmen appeared to be more reckless than being ruthless in their approach. Before the fans could settle inside the stadium, Sehwag, Uthappa, Tendulkar and Dravid were back to pavilion contributing 2, 9, 7 and 14 respectively at the score of 72 runs. It was followed by a partnership of 85 runs between Yuvraj Singh and Ganguly who tried to reconstruct the derailed Indian track. But after Yuvraj fell at the score of 157, the next four wickets fell within four runs. Thanks to the 32 runs partnership for the last wicket between Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel that India helped India to reach a score of 191 runs. Mortaza ended his spell picking 4/38. The alarm bells had already rung. There was still some hope that Indian seam bowlers would try and make a match out of it. But Tamim Iqbal began Bangladesh innings in a way that it was hard to believe that he was playing his 5th ODI. In spite of facing a blow earlier in his innings off a short ball from Zaheer, Tamim Iqbal was still high on confidence. It has been four years since the match was played, yet it is difficult to forget the shot he played charging down the wicket to Zaheer Khan pulling him over midwicket for a six. Such was his dominance that when he fell as the second Bangladesh wicket at the score of 69, he alone had scored 51 runs at a brisk pace. It was a half century that Indian cricket fans would remember for long, though for wrong reasons. It has been four years. There have been several changes in both the teams. India is now led by Dhoni who has led India to several major wins under his captaincy both in India and abroad. Bangladesh is led by Shakib Al Hasan, who has proved to be a prolific all-rounder in recent times. Bangladesh has a lot of depth in their batting line up but once again when you look on papers, Indians are once again the favourites. Both the sides have met for 22 times, of which India has won 20 matches. There will be a lot of support for Bangladesh at their home ground at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and India would be very well aware of it. In case if India entertain any chances of beginning their world cup campaign with a win, they will have to score nothing less than 300 runs if they bat first. India won’t repeat the mistake of being under the impression of taking the match lightly and for sure the opening encounter of cricket’s biggest festival could guarantee massive entertainment for all! Author: Suyash srivastava (Delhi) … [Read more...]
Australia won 2007 Cricket World Cup
Hot favourites Australia won 2007 cricket world cup for 3rd consecutive time by defeating Sri Lanka by 53 runs in the final at Barbados. Sri Lanka won the hearts of cricket fans with their fighting spirit and never say die attitude. Worst world cup ended on the disastrous note. Rains spoiled the finals party and Sri Lanka hopes. Australian won the cup but Sri Lanka won the hearts. It is the third straight win for Sri Lanka after its success in 1999 and 2003 editions. Incidentally, Aussies defeated Sub continent teams in all the finals. Australia scored 281/4 batting first after electing toss. Sri Lanka was 215/8 at the ended of 36th over. Match was truncated to 38 overs due to delayed start. Sri Lanka lost the match due to Duckworth –Lewis system. Adam Gilchrist scored wonderful 72 ball century to lift the Australians to almost unachievable target. He scored fastest century in the finals of the cricket world cup. Despite mounting run rate, Sri Lanka is in the right direction till the end of 20th over due to positive start by Kumara Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya. Mounting run rate, fall of quick wickets and rain spoiled the hopes of fighting Lankans. Australians are worthy champions as they played exceptional cricket consistently. They are way ahead of other teams in all forms of cricket. Man of the series: Glen McGrath Man of the Final: Adam Gilchrist. … [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 Rating: Australia – 8/10. Sri Lanka – 6/10. Bowling: Glenn McGrath will try his best in the last of his glittering International career. If Sri Lankan batsmen able to play this legend well, match may be in the Sri Lankan kitty. Sri Lankans hammered Shaun Tait in the super 8 match. Nathan Bracken is another danger man. Sri Lankans can easily play Brad Hogg and Shane Watson. First 10 overs are crucial against Australians. They will try to exert maximum pressure in those overs. Sri Lankans are blessed with the most versatile bowling line up in this world cup. If Vaas and Malinga can able to take the top order wickets of Australians, Muralitharan will take care of the rest. Australians have not faced these 3 bowlers for the past 14 months. This is the most worrying aspect for the Australian team management. Bowling Rating: Australia – 7/10. Sri Lanka – 8/10. Fielding: Both teams are equal in this aspect. Rating – 8/10. Captaincy: Ricky Ponting already established his credentials as one of the great captains. Mahela Jayawardene has surprised everyone with his maturity, tactics and captaincy knocks. He is the captain of my “dream team”. He is slightly ahead of Ponting in captaincy aspect. Finals of the 1999 and 2003 world cups are ended on disappointing note with Australia ruthlessly crushed Pakistan and India. Can Australian able to repeat it against another sub-continental team, Sri Lanka? My Verdict: Australia is favourite as it is more balanced than Sri Lanka in all departments. Sri Lanka crushed Australia in 1996 world cup in Lahore (thanks to Aravinda batting and Ranatunga captaincy). Australia is waiting for revenge. … [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 bowling spell. Any way match between two teams of different style at Providence stadium, Guyana gave real entertainment to cricket fans. If Sri Lanka were won this match, it will remain as one of the greatest match in cricket history. … [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 fireworks by Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke added entertainment to this otherwise disastrous cup. 7. 6 sixers in an over by Gibbs and fine fielding by Bermuda cricketers, energetic performances from Irish cricketers, Shane Bond’s fast bowling are other highlights in the group stages of the 2007 cricket world cup. 8. Match fixing allegations: Match fixing allegation resurfaced again in this world cup. There are wide spread rumours on the fixing of the Ireland-Pakistan match. ICC should punish the culprits with severe punishments. As an Indian cricket ardent fan, 2007 world cup is a disastrous failure. Switch off your TV and enjoy life. Good times will come. … [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...]
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...]
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