LOW SCORER! - A highly anticipated clash between the two big forces of cricket turned out to be astoundingly low scoring as the Englishmen were bowled out for 171. The Proteas must have been hoping for a cakewalk in the dressing room but the Englishmen had different ideas! Bowling out the Proteas for just 165 meant England won by 6 runs and managed to keep themselves alive in the tournament. Imran Tahir emerged to be the surprise package as he cleaned the English tail cheaply and claimed 4 wickets for just 38 runs.
UNLIKELY BUT TRUE! - Most cricket fans would have expected the Pakistanis to give a real hard time to the Kiwis in the 24th clash of the tournament, especially considering the conditions in which the match was being played. But Pakistan, known for its inconsistent performances, was at its illusionist best as Kiwis won the match comprehensively by a huge margin of 110 runs in what turned out to be a completely one sided affair. Ross Taylor was the main protagonist who engineered this thrashing as he played an amazing and incredible knock of 131 in just 124 deliveries, studded with 8 boundaries and 7 sixes to push NZ beyond 300 and bat Pakistan out of the game.
THE SLEEPING LION! - Perhaps the weakest team in the tournament, Netherlands would have hardly expected to give Indians some jitters down their spine! But that's what happened in their fixture as India once again decided to just step over the line instead of racing towards it. Whether it was a plan to keep themselves subdued in the initial phases of the tournament to shed off the limelight or were the Indians actually struggling to make an impact is anybody's guess. Having bowled out Netherlands for a meager 189, India struggled to cross the target loosing 5 wickets in the process.The only positive sign for them was that it was Yuvraj Singh who spent some valuable time in the middle and saw them through.
CHECKMATE AT START! - In a complete reversal to the India-Netherlands game, Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabweans as they romped home with a 139 runs victory. Openers Tharanga and Dishan were involved in a mammoth opening partnership of 282 runs as they made short work of the Zimbabwean bowling attack, imposing a century each. Even though the Zimbabwean openers lead the fightback with a century opening stand, it was scripted to be Dilshan's day as he bagged incredulous bowling figures of - 3-1-4-4 !
POLLARD ANNOUNCES HIMSELF! - One of the better matches of tournament's league stages saw Pollard discovering his best. In a stunning, dazzling and devastating batting performance, he brushed off Ireland by scoring a 55 ball 94, hitting five sparkling sixes. Another positive for the Windies was that Devon Smith found some form as he paved his way to a sensible century. Ed Joyce and GC Wilson lead the Irish reply and kept their team in the hunt before the lower order crumbled and the Windies won by 44 runs.
BUNNY OF THE LESSER KNOWN! - In an unexpected turnaround of events in the 28th league match of the tournament, England lost to Bangladesh in what came to be their second loss to the so called minnows! After the shameful defeat against Ireland, England pounced back to defeat South Africa in a low scoring match only to follow it up by a "minnowic" performance against the co-hosts. Having lost their batting talisman, Kevin Peterson to an injury before the match, England failed to defend 225 (a low total by their standards) as Bangladesh hauled the target in 49 overs.
29 FOR 9!! - In a pathetic and grim batting display, after having lost 7 wickets for just 33 runs against England, India lost their last 9 wickets for a meager 29 runs against the Proteas. In a complete failure to capitalize on the solid platform laid down by the master and the Delhi-ites (Sehwag and Gambhir), the Indian middle and lower order ran through the motions to the utter bewilderment of the fans as India once again failed to play 50 overs and were restricted under 300 by the all fired up Dale Steyn.
Much was to follow as Dhoni had already decided to keep things interesting by selecting three seamers and a spinner instead of two each.Illogical bowling changes along with some nonsensical thinking on the part of the captain meant South Africans were always in the hunt. The brave efforts of Zaheer Khan, the go-to-man, and Harbhajan Singh were dusted by the Proteas spin pair of Botha and Peterson as they saw their team through by scoring at more than ten an over in the last three.
THE SAVIOR! - Avoiding another upset in the Group B, JP Duminy rescued the Proteas with a brilliantly crafted innings of 99. Duminy pulled his team out of the shambles after the Proteas were in a real soup at 117 for 5 at one stage. In a delightful lesson of how to anchor an innings, Duminy took Proteas to a respectful 272 while falling one short of his hundred. The bowlers, led by Morne Morkel ensured no further hiccups as South Africa cruised to a 131 runs victory.
OPENERS SHINE! - In what would come as a relief for their fans, the Aussie openers finally found some form as they made short work of the Canadian total of 212. The duo of Watson and Haddin, who came under severe scrutiny for their ultra slow start against Zimbabwe in the earlier league match,stringed together a 182 run partnership to bat Canada out of the game. The very fact the a team like Canada was able to bat out nearly 46 overs and cross the 200 run mark would have pricked R.Ponting right in his heart. Australia also have a lot to worry in the batting department as Ponting hardly seems to be a batsman these days!
OUT WITH A BANG! - Whatever the result of the tournament, the team that has impressed the maximum with its vast strides in improving the quality of cricket is none other then the "associate" nation, Ireland. The very belief that they could pull off a surprise and perform, the passion they reserve for the game, the commitment and sense of enjoyment in the field and the very attitude towards the game is what has come to define these free spirits on the cricket field.
Chasing a highly competitive 306 posted by Netherlands, Ireland overhauled the target in a "Stirling" performance! The very desire to perform and win in such a manner even though knowing that the result of this battle is not going to have an effect on the outcome of the war is quite appreciable.Ireland bow out of the tournament in style with every true cricket fan bowing to them.
RJ PETERSON - This cricketer from South Africa has been a revelation, both with the bat and the ball. Few would have expected Peterson to make such an impact as he has done in this tournament. Scoring quickly lower down the order and following it up with useful spells of miserly bowling along with grabbing wickets has meant that he has turned out to be an integral part of his team and one of the best bowlers in the tournament with 14 wickets in his kitty. In his last league match of the tournament, Peterson scored a quickfire 22 off 9 balls before blowing away the co-hosts Bangladesh by returning with figures of - 7-3-12-4 handing his team a huge and dominating 206 runs victory.
UV IS BACK AND THE TREND CONTINUES! - Three half centuries and a century in six matches. Add to it the 9 wickets in match winning bowling performances. Yuvraj Singh has certainly proved his worth in the Indian side. Whether he is
UNLIKELY BUT TRUE! - Most cricket fans would have expected the Pakistanis to give a real hard time to the Kiwis in the 24th clash of the tournament, especially considering the conditions in which the match was being played. But Pakistan, known for its inconsistent performances, was at its illusionist best as Kiwis won the match comprehensively by a huge margin of 110 runs in what turned out to be a completely one sided affair. Ross Taylor was the main protagonist who engineered this thrashing as he played an amazing and incredible knock of 131 in just 124 deliveries, studded with 8 boundaries and 7 sixes to push NZ beyond 300 and bat Pakistan out of the game.
THE SLEEPING LION! - Perhaps the weakest team in the tournament, Netherlands would have hardly expected to give Indians some jitters down their spine! But that's what happened in their fixture as India once again decided to just step over the line instead of racing towards it. Whether it was a plan to keep themselves subdued in the initial phases of the tournament to shed off the limelight or were the Indians actually struggling to make an impact is anybody's guess. Having bowled out Netherlands for a meager 189, India struggled to cross the target loosing 5 wickets in the process.The only positive sign for them was that it was Yuvraj Singh who spent some valuable time in the middle and saw them through.
CHECKMATE AT START! - In a complete reversal to the India-Netherlands game, Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabweans as they romped home with a 139 runs victory. Openers Tharanga and Dishan were involved in a mammoth opening partnership of 282 runs as they made short work of the Zimbabwean bowling attack, imposing a century each. Even though the Zimbabwean openers lead the fightback with a century opening stand, it was scripted to be Dilshan's day as he bagged incredulous bowling figures of - 3-1-4-4 !
POLLARD ANNOUNCES HIMSELF! - One of the better matches of tournament's league stages saw Pollard discovering his best. In a stunning, dazzling and devastating batting performance, he brushed off Ireland by scoring a 55 ball 94, hitting five sparkling sixes. Another positive for the Windies was that Devon Smith found some form as he paved his way to a sensible century. Ed Joyce and GC Wilson lead the Irish reply and kept their team in the hunt before the lower order crumbled and the Windies won by 44 runs.
BUNNY OF THE LESSER KNOWN! - In an unexpected turnaround of events in the 28th league match of the tournament, England lost to Bangladesh in what came to be their second loss to the so called minnows! After the shameful defeat against Ireland, England pounced back to defeat South Africa in a low scoring match only to follow it up by a "minnowic" performance against the co-hosts. Having lost their batting talisman, Kevin Peterson to an injury before the match, England failed to defend 225 (a low total by their standards) as Bangladesh hauled the target in 49 overs.
29 FOR 9!! - In a pathetic and grim batting display, after having lost 7 wickets for just 33 runs against England, India lost their last 9 wickets for a meager 29 runs against the Proteas. In a complete failure to capitalize on the solid platform laid down by the master and the Delhi-ites (Sehwag and Gambhir), the Indian middle and lower order ran through the motions to the utter bewilderment of the fans as India once again failed to play 50 overs and were restricted under 300 by the all fired up Dale Steyn.
Much was to follow as Dhoni had already decided to keep things interesting by selecting three seamers and a spinner instead of two each.Illogical bowling changes along with some nonsensical thinking on the part of the captain meant South Africans were always in the hunt. The brave efforts of Zaheer Khan, the go-to-man, and Harbhajan Singh were dusted by the Proteas spin pair of Botha and Peterson as they saw their team through by scoring at more than ten an over in the last three.
The only consolidation for the Indian fans was the masterful and artistic batting display by their beloved maestro, who cracked his 99th international century!
THE SAVIOR! - Avoiding another upset in the Group B, JP Duminy rescued the Proteas with a brilliantly crafted innings of 99. Duminy pulled his team out of the shambles after the Proteas were in a real soup at 117 for 5 at one stage. In a delightful lesson of how to anchor an innings, Duminy took Proteas to a respectful 272 while falling one short of his hundred. The bowlers, led by Morne Morkel ensured no further hiccups as South Africa cruised to a 131 runs victory.
OPENERS SHINE! - In what would come as a relief for their fans, the Aussie openers finally found some form as they made short work of the Canadian total of 212. The duo of Watson and Haddin, who came under severe scrutiny for their ultra slow start against Zimbabwe in the earlier league match,stringed together a 182 run partnership to bat Canada out of the game. The very fact the a team like Canada was able to bat out nearly 46 overs and cross the 200 run mark would have pricked R.Ponting right in his heart. Australia also have a lot to worry in the batting department as Ponting hardly seems to be a batsman these days!
OUT WITH A BANG! - Whatever the result of the tournament, the team that has impressed the maximum with its vast strides in improving the quality of cricket is none other then the "associate" nation, Ireland. The very belief that they could pull off a surprise and perform, the passion they reserve for the game, the commitment and sense of enjoyment in the field and the very attitude towards the game is what has come to define these free spirits on the cricket field.
Chasing a highly competitive 306 posted by Netherlands, Ireland overhauled the target in a "Stirling" performance! The very desire to perform and win in such a manner even though knowing that the result of this battle is not going to have an effect on the outcome of the war is quite appreciable.Ireland bow out of the tournament in style with every true cricket fan bowing to them.
RJ PETERSON - This cricketer from South Africa has been a revelation, both with the bat and the ball. Few would have expected Peterson to make such an impact as he has done in this tournament. Scoring quickly lower down the order and following it up with useful spells of miserly bowling along with grabbing wickets has meant that he has turned out to be an integral part of his team and one of the best bowlers in the tournament with 14 wickets in his kitty. In his last league match of the tournament, Peterson scored a quickfire 22 off 9 balls before blowing away the co-hosts Bangladesh by returning with figures of - 7-3-12-4 handing his team a huge and dominating 206 runs victory.
UV IS BACK AND THE TREND CONTINUES! - Three half centuries and a century in six matches. Add to it the 9 wickets in match winning bowling performances. Yuvraj Singh has certainly proved his worth in the Indian side. Whether he is
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