Bangladesh proved that their presence in the super eights of the world cup was no flash in the pan, by beating the World’s number one ranked team South Africa by 67 runs in Guyana today.

South Africa won the toss and put Bangladesh in to bat. Opener Tamim Iqbal scored 39. Although they were reduced to 69 for 3, the middle order of Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Ashraful came good for Bangladesh. Ashraful was terrific scoring 87 off just 83 balls in his inimitable style with 12 boundaries. Aftab scored 35 and then there was a late flurry by Mashrafe Mortaza who was unbeaten on 25 off 16 deliveries with 3 fours and a six.

Bangladesh scored 251 for 8 off their 50 overs. For South Africa Andre Nel took his World Cup best figures for 5 for 45.

The pitch appeared to be getting lower and slower, resembling a pitch from the sub continent when the Proteas went in to bat.

The South Africans lost their wickets at regular intervals and never appeared in the hunt. Particularly after Bangladesh’s trio of left arm spinners Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Rafique and Safiqul Haque got into the game.

By the 27th over, the South Africans were 87 for 5, with Graeme Smith, A B De Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher all back in the hut. Herschelle Gibbs came out to bat at number 7 and remained unbeaten on 56.

South Africa were all out for 184 in the 49th over, giving Bangladesh their biggest victory in the World Cup.

Tags: Bangladesh Cricket News, Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, South African Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

The boys are back in town!

Move over all pretenders – the real thing is here. Australia showed today why they are still the real deal comprehensively outplaying South Africa in their Group A, first round match at St. Kitts today.

Batting first, the Australians scored 377 for 6 off their alloted 50 overs. Matthew Hayden was the star, scoring a World Cup record breaking century off 66 balls. The team was given a great start by Adam Gilchrist and Hayden who put on 106 in under 15 overs, before Gilchrist was out for 42.

Ricky Ponting hit a run a ball 91 and young batting star Michael Clarke 92 off 75 balls, with 7 fours and 4 sixes.

All the South African bowlers were taken to the cleaners, especially Shaun Pollock who went for 83 off his alloted 10 overs without taking a wicket

The South African riposte was spirited. A B DeVilliers and Graeme Smith pounded the Australian bowlers right from the start. Glenn McGrath’s first 3 balls all went for boundaries.

Smith and DeVilliers put on 160 for the first wicket in 21 overs, a terrific rate of nearly 8 runs per over. DeVilliers was unfortunately run out for 92 off 70 balls. Smith had to retire with severe cramps whilst he was on song – going at better than a run a ball in his innings.

This pretty much turned out to be the turning point in the match. Although Jacques Kallis chipped in with 48 it was too little, too late. South Africa were bowled out for 294, with Brad Hogg taking 3 for 61 and Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait taking two wickets each.

Read more about the match here from Rediff.com

Both the teams are through to the next round, with Australia of course taking the honours for the group.

Tags: Australian Cricket News, Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, South African Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

Andrew Symonds has been passed fit as the two heavyweights of the Cricket World Cup, Australia and South Africa get ready for a crucial match today at St. Kitts.

This will be Symonds first game since Feb 2, when he got injured.

There is a case for still keeping Symonds in cotton wool, after all Australia have already qualified for the second round.

Symonds return also means that Australia have dropped the man who came in to replace him, Brad Hodge, who was named Man of the Match after scoring a century in his last outing against Holland. “There’s an argument that Brad Hodge should be in the side,” said Symonds. “He’s played very well and is very unlucky to be dropped.

Read the full story from Cricinfo here

Tags: Australian Cricket News, Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, South African Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

Herschelle Gibbs smashed six sixes off one over to set an international benchmark as South Africa reached 353 for three in Friday’s World Cup match against Netherlands.

His six sixes off Dan van Bunge’s fourth over was a record for international matches.

Jacques Kallis scored 128 not out and Mark Boucher 78 not out, as the South Africans made mince meat of the Netherlands attack.

In reply, Netherlands scored 132 for 9.

Read the full story here.

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, South African Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

South Africa booked its place in the semi finals with a comprehensive 125 win over Pakistan at Mohali today.

On a pitch that offered pace, bounce & movement, South Africa lost two wickets in the first over itself.

They were is deep trouble before Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp hit sterling half centuries to guide them to a competitive total.

In reply, Pakistan were all at sea against the pace, seam and swing of the South African Bowlers.

Makhaya Ntini was the destroyer in chief with 5 crucial wickets in his first spell.

Cricinfo – Ntini’s five-for destroys Pakistan

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Pakistan Cricket News, South African Cricket News

South Africa seek speedy resolution of Gibbs’s case
As Herschelle Gibbs prepares to face Delhi Police’s questioning in connection with match-fixing allegations, South Africa has sought early disposal of the case, saying a ‘sword’ should not hang over the cricketer’s head indefinitely..

Tags: South African Cricket News

Kallis has been hampered by his elbow injury for quite some time now. He was also forced to cut short his visit to Australia last year due to his elbow injury.

Best that he gets it sorted as soon as possible – he has been in magnificient batting form over the last few years. The only criticism of his batting would be that although he makes runs, he does not often dominate the bowling in the manner of a Ricky Ponting.

Perhaps when he is fully fit, he may opt for a more aggressive style.

Here is is wishing him a successful operation and a quick recovery.

Kallis to undergo elbow operation
Jacques Kallis, South Africa’s leading allrounder, is set to undero surgery on the elbow problem that has troubled him since November. Kallis, 30, was forced out of last year’s tour of Australia because of the condition, and has been troubled by the injury since.

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, South African Cricket News, Test Cricket News

South Africa went on to win the 3rd Cricket Test Match against New Zealand by 4 wickets. South Africa therefore take the series 2-0.

Needing 217 to win, South Africa were given a bright start by their captain Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar. Smith scored 68. Ashwell Prince was unbeaten on 43 when the winning runs were scored.

South Africa stutter to 2-0 series win

Tags: New Zealand Cricket News, South African Cricket News, Test Cricket News

Ashwell Prince stuck it out for a slow, but very useful hundred for South Africa.

Prince grinds fourth Test hundred
A fine, dogged hundred from Ashwell Prince led the way for South Africa on the final morning of the second Test at Newlands, after James Franklin had struck two early blows for New Zealand.

Tags: New Zealand Cricket News, South African Cricket News, Test Cricket News

In an early warning for the New Zealand bowlers, Neil McKenzie & Duminy put together an unbeaten 248 run partnership for the 4th wicket for the Rest of South Africa on the first day of a four-day match against New Zealand.

McKenzie and Duminy punish New Zealand
Test veteran Neil McKenzie and promising youngster Jean-Paul Duminy punished the touring New Zealanders in an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 248 for the Rest of South Africa on the first day of a four-day match at Willowmoore Park on Friday.

Tags: New Zealand Cricket News, South African Cricket News