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...]
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