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...]
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 them for at least 2 years. Along with Harbhajan and Ganguly, they are trying to form a coterie in the team. Sack them and save cricket.Dravid’s biggest mistake is his belief in Virender Sehwag. Inclusion of Sehwag and Ganguly changed the batting line up and team spirit. Indian selectors decided to send a youth team under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. Youth should grab these opportunities and replace those ageing stars. … [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...]
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 will be remembered as a watershed year in cricket history. … [Read more...]
5 Wicketkeepers are crucial in 2007 world cup
5 Wicketkeepers are going to play a crucial role for their team’s fortunes in 2007 Cricket world cup. When wicketkeeper is a batting all rounder, it adds depth to batting lineup. Those 5 wicket keepers are: 1. Adam Gilchrist. 2. Mahendrasingh Dhoni. 3. Kumara Sangakkara. 4. Brendon McCullum 5. Mark Boucher 1. Adam Gilchrist: He is the most destructive batsman in the world cricket today. Gilchrist can single handily change a match course. He is the all time great wicket keeping all rounder. If Adam Gilchrist will play in his style, it is difficult to contain the rampant Australian cricket team. 2. Mahendrasingh Dhoni: He is the rising Indian star who can play according to the situation of the match. His batting ability added depth to the already strong Indian lineup. He played crucial role in the recent Indian success story. 3. Kumara Sangakkara: He is the most consistent player in the inconsistent batting lineup of Sri Lankan cricket. His experience and ability to play well in crisis situations will be very useful in the tense world cup matches. In my opinion, he will be among the top 10 batsmen in 2007 cricket world cup. 4. Brendon McCullum: He is the most in form batsman in the New Zealand cricket team. If he failed to play up to his potential, New Zealand may not even reach quarterfinals. Along with Jacob Oram, he played crucial knocks in the recent New Zealand success story. 5. Mark Boucher: His experience and all round ability may be crucial for South Africa to win 2007 Cricket world cup. Along with Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and Adrian Prince, he should play well for South Africa to lift its maiden trophy. These 5 wicketkeepers should play crucial knocks for their countries to lift 2007 cricket world cup. … [Read more...]
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