World Cup is almost half way through the league stages and cricket world has already been treated to some amazing and memorable play! Here are some of the highlights, the highs and lows of this World Cup so far.One wishes the tournament performance charts extrapolate and that the fans are left spell bound by some more memorable moments :-
THE MARAUDER - First century of the tournament came off the flashing blade of Virender Sehwag as Bangladeshies were left ball watching! A fabulous mix of unbelievably subtle aggression and pleasing application saw Sehwag creating an epic as he smacked 175 off 140 deliveries flecked with 14 boundaries and 5 sixes.Once he got India off to a flier, he settled down with Kohli, dealing in singles in the middle of the innings.There was no stopping him once India took the batting powerplay and even as he fought cramps, he batted Bangladesh out of the game.
TWO TEN WICKET WINS! - The black caps completely dogged the fixtures against the minnows, Kenya and Zimbabwe, as they handsomely chased the meagre totals of 70 and 163 respectively. Cricket is a funny game and even though one expects the team batting second to win such games comfortably, its not always with such ease that the toal is overhauled. Yet, with NZ, one can never be sure of such a performance and they shall do well to continue this good work against better oppositions instead of playing against them like minnows themselves.
UNNATURAL! - 29 off 66 balls! By any means, this is an exceedingly slow start for a batsman in one day cricket, especially if the batsman is an Australian. Add to that the weak opposition in Zimbabwe that Australia faced, many eye brows were raised on this extra sedate start from Brad Haddin.Though ICC anti corruption unit is looking into the matter, from the cricketing point of view, such a start hardly made any logic. Given the fact that the tournament is being held in the sub continent, where runs can be as easy to find as sipping through a cup of coffee, this slow start appeared to be nonsensical.
RN TEN DOESCHATE - Not many cricket fans would have known this Dutch player before he struck a welcome century against England. Even as his teammates spooned catches, many of which were spilled by the buttery hands of Englishmen, Doeschate made a name for himself with a chanceless and impressive 119 0ff 110, smacking 9 fours and 3 sixes.
BATSMAN TURNED BOWLER - 8-3-16-5 against Kenya
10-0-34-4 against Sri Lanka
10-0-23-5 against Canada
A look at these bowling figures is bound to leave most cricket fans bewitched. Considering the fact that the last two of them came in tight situations, handing his team the victory, the significances of these achievements is increased manifold. Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain for the World Cup, has already contributed much to the consistent run of his team so far in the tournament. Known to hit the ball a mile when on song, a win by 11 runs against Sri Lanka and an embarassment saving victory against Canada by 46 runs were largely a result of Afridi's exploits with the ball.
THE MAESTRO, THE LONER AND A TIE! - Grace, elegance, subtlety, commitment and application personified! In one word, a masterful batting display by Sachin Tendulkar saw India post a commanding total of 338 against England.A brilliant mix of aggression and the longing to stay till the end is what has come to characterize the legend off late and he paved his way to his first century of this tournament as he scored 120 off 115 balls, thwacking 10 fours and 5 sixes.
The game was far from over as Andrew Strauss and the Indian bowlers decided to give the fans their money's worth! Even though others fell around him (except Ian Bell), Andrew Strauss engineered a lone battle, proving to be the only and the most prickly thorn in India's quest of a second victory in as many matches. A well grafted and a mammoth 158 off 145 deliveries, sparkled with 18 fours and a six meant England were always in the hunt and infact, were voyaging comfortably before a marvelous bowling burst from Zaheer.
A fantastic chase against the home side in alien conditions would certainly have boosted the morale of every Englishmen.The match ended in a tie even though England would consider themselves the psychological winners.
A DOUBLE BOMBARDMENT! - Not many hit the ball as effortlessly and cleanly as this Giant from West Indies does! In almost a reversal show to that of Brad Haddin's against Zimbabwe, Keiron Pollard decided to bombard Netherlands as he breezed his way to 60 off just 27 deliveries in a stunning display of merciless batting. Off late, West Indies has put up a miserable show in all the forms of cricket. But thanks to players like Pollard and Gayle, the legacy of the 1980's is atleast breathing if not rocking the cricket world!
Later, Kemar Roach decided to come into his own as he captured the first hat-trick of the tournament, increasing the misery of the Dustch manifold. 8.3-0-27-6 were the bowling figures Roach ended with after his annihilation of the Netherlands.
FAST BOWLERS CUP?? - In a complete turnaround of what everyone expected of the tournament played in the subcontinent, Lasith Malinga grabbed the second hat-trick the very next day after Kemar Roach's exploits in a ravishing and dazzling display of fast bowling. Producing yorkers at will, Malinga destroyed the Kenyan batting, ending up with figures reading 7.4-0-38-6! After Zaheer almost won the game for India against England and Roach teared through the Dutsch batting line up, this performance from Malinga would have lead everyone into believing this to be Bowlers Cup!
PURE MAGIC! - In what shall be remembered as one of the greatest matches in the world cup history ever, Ireland beat England much to the rejoice of the cricket world adding some flair and interest to the initial stages of the tournament. In a completely unbelievable turnaround, Ireland scaled up the huge total put up by England to create history by chasing down the highest ever total in World Cup history.
KJ O'Brien was the soul of this chase as he hit a thoroughly sensational, scintillating and captivating century, the fastest of the World cup history, to give his team a dream victory.Even as the lower order rallied, almost nervelessly, around the big man, Brien smacked the Enlgish bowlers all around the park in an excellent show of his range of shots.113 off 63 balls, studded with 13 fours and 6 sixes meant that Irish team won even though being 5 down for 111 at one stage, chasing a mamoth 328.One hopes that teams like Ireland continue to entertain and perform in a similar manner in future as well. They might well have set an example and opened the lock on the door to the recognition of the hidden talents for other teams considered minnows as well.50 over cricket was provided a new life!
POWERPLAY! - Netherlands were once again at the recieving end as South Africa cruised to a massive victory in their limited overs fixture. JP Duminy found his best as he blasted a 15 ball 40 studded with 2 fours and 4 sixes propelling the Proteas score to just over 350, giving them that added advantage of 20-30 runs (as if they needed any!)
OUT OF ORDER! - Co-hosts Bangladesh surprised one and all with their dismal all round play against the West Indies in th 19th match of the tournament.West Indies cake walked through the Bangladeshi batting lineup as the latter were bundled out for a meagre 58, a target West Indies overhauled without much fuss.
Such was the effect of this saddening show that the discipline barriers of the Bangladeshi fans were breached and enraged, they stones the team buses of both the teams and also threw placards and their own players.
THE MARAUDER - First century of the tournament came off the flashing blade of Virender Sehwag as Bangladeshies were left ball watching! A fabulous mix of unbelievably subtle aggression and pleasing application saw Sehwag creating an epic as he smacked 175 off 140 deliveries flecked with 14 boundaries and 5 sixes.Once he got India off to a flier, he settled down with Kohli, dealing in singles in the middle of the innings.There was no stopping him once India took the batting powerplay and even as he fought cramps, he batted Bangladesh out of the game.
TWO TEN WICKET WINS! - The black caps completely dogged the fixtures against the minnows, Kenya and Zimbabwe, as they handsomely chased the meagre totals of 70 and 163 respectively. Cricket is a funny game and even though one expects the team batting second to win such games comfortably, its not always with such ease that the toal is overhauled. Yet, with NZ, one can never be sure of such a performance and they shall do well to continue this good work against better oppositions instead of playing against them like minnows themselves.
UNNATURAL! - 29 off 66 balls! By any means, this is an exceedingly slow start for a batsman in one day cricket, especially if the batsman is an Australian. Add to that the weak opposition in Zimbabwe that Australia faced, many eye brows were raised on this extra sedate start from Brad Haddin.Though ICC anti corruption unit is looking into the matter, from the cricketing point of view, such a start hardly made any logic. Given the fact that the tournament is being held in the sub continent, where runs can be as easy to find as sipping through a cup of coffee, this slow start appeared to be nonsensical.
RN TEN DOESCHATE - Not many cricket fans would have known this Dutch player before he struck a welcome century against England. Even as his teammates spooned catches, many of which were spilled by the buttery hands of Englishmen, Doeschate made a name for himself with a chanceless and impressive 119 0ff 110, smacking 9 fours and 3 sixes.
BATSMAN TURNED BOWLER - 8-3-16-5 against Kenya
10-0-34-4 against Sri Lanka
10-0-23-5 against Canada
A look at these bowling figures is bound to leave most cricket fans bewitched. Considering the fact that the last two of them came in tight situations, handing his team the victory, the significances of these achievements is increased manifold. Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain for the World Cup, has already contributed much to the consistent run of his team so far in the tournament. Known to hit the ball a mile when on song, a win by 11 runs against Sri Lanka and an embarassment saving victory against Canada by 46 runs were largely a result of Afridi's exploits with the ball.
THE MAESTRO, THE LONER AND A TIE! - Grace, elegance, subtlety, commitment and application personified! In one word, a masterful batting display by Sachin Tendulkar saw India post a commanding total of 338 against England.A brilliant mix of aggression and the longing to stay till the end is what has come to characterize the legend off late and he paved his way to his first century of this tournament as he scored 120 off 115 balls, thwacking 10 fours and 5 sixes.
The game was far from over as Andrew Strauss and the Indian bowlers decided to give the fans their money's worth! Even though others fell around him (except Ian Bell), Andrew Strauss engineered a lone battle, proving to be the only and the most prickly thorn in India's quest of a second victory in as many matches. A well grafted and a mammoth 158 off 145 deliveries, sparkled with 18 fours and a six meant England were always in the hunt and infact, were voyaging comfortably before a marvelous bowling burst from Zaheer.
A fantastic chase against the home side in alien conditions would certainly have boosted the morale of every Englishmen.The match ended in a tie even though England would consider themselves the psychological winners.
A DOUBLE BOMBARDMENT! - Not many hit the ball as effortlessly and cleanly as this Giant from West Indies does! In almost a reversal show to that of Brad Haddin's against Zimbabwe, Keiron Pollard decided to bombard Netherlands as he breezed his way to 60 off just 27 deliveries in a stunning display of merciless batting. Off late, West Indies has put up a miserable show in all the forms of cricket. But thanks to players like Pollard and Gayle, the legacy of the 1980's is atleast breathing if not rocking the cricket world!
Later, Kemar Roach decided to come into his own as he captured the first hat-trick of the tournament, increasing the misery of the Dustch manifold. 8.3-0-27-6 were the bowling figures Roach ended with after his annihilation of the Netherlands.
FAST BOWLERS CUP?? - In a complete turnaround of what everyone expected of the tournament played in the subcontinent, Lasith Malinga grabbed the second hat-trick the very next day after Kemar Roach's exploits in a ravishing and dazzling display of fast bowling. Producing yorkers at will, Malinga destroyed the Kenyan batting, ending up with figures reading 7.4-0-38-6! After Zaheer almost won the game for India against England and Roach teared through the Dutsch batting line up, this performance from Malinga would have lead everyone into believing this to be Bowlers Cup!
PURE MAGIC! - In what shall be remembered as one of the greatest matches in the world cup history ever, Ireland beat England much to the rejoice of the cricket world adding some flair and interest to the initial stages of the tournament. In a completely unbelievable turnaround, Ireland scaled up the huge total put up by England to create history by chasing down the highest ever total in World Cup history.
KJ O'Brien was the soul of this chase as he hit a thoroughly sensational, scintillating and captivating century, the fastest of the World cup history, to give his team a dream victory.Even as the lower order rallied, almost nervelessly, around the big man, Brien smacked the Enlgish bowlers all around the park in an excellent show of his range of shots.113 off 63 balls, studded with 13 fours and 6 sixes meant that Irish team won even though being 5 down for 111 at one stage, chasing a mamoth 328.One hopes that teams like Ireland continue to entertain and perform in a similar manner in future as well. They might well have set an example and opened the lock on the door to the recognition of the hidden talents for other teams considered minnows as well.50 over cricket was provided a new life!
POWERPLAY! - Netherlands were once again at the recieving end as South Africa cruised to a massive victory in their limited overs fixture. JP Duminy found his best as he blasted a 15 ball 40 studded with 2 fours and 4 sixes propelling the Proteas score to just over 350, giving them that added advantage of 20-30 runs (as if they needed any!)
OUT OF ORDER! - Co-hosts Bangladesh surprised one and all with their dismal all round play against the West Indies in th 19th match of the tournament.West Indies cake walked through the Bangladeshi batting lineup as the latter were bundled out for a meagre 58, a target West Indies overhauled without much fuss.
Such was the effect of this saddening show that the discipline barriers of the Bangladeshi fans were breached and enraged, they stones the team buses of both the teams and also threw placards and their own players.
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