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

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has said his brother Greg’s decision to resign as India coach was the right one to make but probably left him with a tinge of regret.

“As much as it would seem that Greg is probably better off without all the angst that comes with one of the most demanding jobs in cricket, I doubt he’ll feel completely fulfilled,” the older Chappell wrote in his column in Mumbai tabloid Mid Day on Thursday.

“A perfectionist, even one who has mellowed, is never going to be happy with under-achieving on his expectations.”

Read the full text of Ian Chappell’s comments in his column at the Mumbai based Mid-day paper

Tags: Cricket News, India Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, World Cup Cricket 2007

In one of the most thrilling matches at the World Cup this year, Sri Lanka beat England in a crucial Super Eights match by two runs.

With this win Sri Lanka are now very close to making the semi finals of the World Cup, while England are probably on their way out. They have to play Australia next and given the current form of the Australians it is hard to see them getting through.

Kevin Pietersen scored 58 for England, chasing down Sri Lanka’s score of 235. He was outfoxed by Muttiah Muralitharan. Jayasuriya and Dilshan further restricted England during the middle overs.

Michael Vaughan’s batting slump continued, getting out cheaply at the top of the order.

A quick-fire seventh-wicket partnership of 87 between Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon gave England an unexpected chance.

Nixon was eventually out for 42 in the penultimate over and England needed three off the last ball.

Bopara was dismissed off the last ball of the match for a gallant 52, leaving Sri Lanka the victors by 2 runs.

Sri Lanka have now joined co-leaders Australia and New Zealand on six points in the Super Eights standings, while England are behind fourth-placed South Africa on two.

Tags: Cricket News, English Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Sri Lanka Cricket, World Cup Cricket 2007

Australia easily beat Bangladesh by 10 wickets at the World Cup today. In a rained shortened match of 22 overs each, Ricky Ponting had no hesitation in putting Bangladesh in to bat. The Bangladeshi batsmen came out swinging hard, but found the Australian attack did not really provide them with the liberties to do so.

Glenn McGrath was immaculate as always. McGrath picked up 3 wickets to become the bowler with the highest number of wickets at the World Cup, easing past Wasim Akram’s record.

Bangladesh scored 104 for 6 off their alloted 22 overs with Mashrafe Mortaza unbeaten on 25, Saqibul 25, and captain Habibul Bashar 24.

Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist then came out with a license to thrill and finished off the match by the 14th over itself. Gilchrist hit 59 off 44 balls, with 8 fours and a six. Matthew Hayden was undefeated on 47 off 39 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes, when the mayhem finally stopped.

Bangladesh have had a good world cup – until now, when they ran into a rampaging Australia showing no signs of slowing down.

Read the match report here

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

After India’s disastrous World Cup campaign, Ian Chappell, the brother of current Indian coach, Greg Chappell has suggested that it is time for Sachin Tendulkar to retire.

Ian Chappell who is always forthright and not known to mince his words, suggested in his column in the Mumbai based Mid-day news paper that “At the moment he (Sachin Tendulkar) looks like a player trying to eke out a career; build on a glittering array of statistics.

If he really is playing for that reason and not to help win as many matches as he can for India then he is wasting his time and should retire immediately.”

He also said that Sachin’s form was in direct contrast to that of Brian Lara, who was fleet footed and aggressive in his play. Age and injuries have appeared to take a toll on the Indian, whilst the West Indian has continued to play in the natural style that has been his trademark for long.

Read the full text of Chappell’s article here

Chappell’s comments have been slammed by former players in the Indian media.

Former Indian wicketkeeper batsman Chandrakant Pandit said Tendulkar has played the game for long to judge himself and decide on retirement.

“Sachin Tendulkar is good enough to know his ability and approach towards the game. He is an experienced player and knows how long he should carry on playing,” Pandit said.

“With his experience, he knows what is required at that level, he is very much aware. He can judge himself better than anybody else. I don’t think anybody should advice him whether to continue or not,” he added.

Read more about the reactions to Ian Chappell’s comments here.

Tags: Cricket News, India Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Test Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

England beat Ireland by 48 runs at the World Cup today.

However, it wasn’t an entirely convincing display. Winning the toss, England chose to bat scoring 266 for 7 in their 50 overs. The openers Ed Joyce and Michael Vaughan were both dismissed cheaply. Vaughan scoring a sumptous boundary before edging behind.

Vaughan probably needs to consider whether he should open or drop down to number 3.

Paul Collingwood was again the man for England, scoring 90 with three sixes before being run out.
Kevin Pietersen scored 48 and Andrew Flintoff 43, as England powered along to a reasonable, but not necessarily outstanding score.

Ireland scored 218 in reply in 48.1 overs. Andrew Flintoff took 3 wickets and Monty Panesar 2 wickets. Neil O’Brien was the top scorer for Ireland with 63.

So overall a win for England, but not convincing enough.

Read the full match story from the BBC here.

Tags: Cricket News, English Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, World Cup Cricket 2007

Australia completed a comprehensive 103 run victory over the West Indies in the delayed match today. Glenn McGrath and Brad Hogg were the destroyers in chief, each taking 3 wickets.

With this the West Indies suffered their first defeat of the tournament.

Chasing 323 against a bowling attack that boasts the variety Australia does is a tough ask at the best of times. Fortunately for the West Indians, the dampness caused by the overnight drizzle at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua did nothing to cause exaggerated assistance for the fast bowlers early on.

However, the West Indies had a disastrous start losing 3 for 20 by the 10 over. Brian Lara led the recovery with a typically sparkling 77 and wicket keeper Dinesh Ramdin hit a half century, but it was not enough.

Tags: Australian Cricket News, Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, West Indies Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

Matthew Hayden slammed 158 off 143 balls, with 14 fours and 4 sixes as Australia built a commanding total of 322 for 6 off their alloted 50 overs in their super eight clash against the West Indies. Brian Lara won the toss and put Australia in to bat.

The West Indies tasted early success with the wicket of Adam Gilchrist for 7 in the fifth over. Ricky Ponting was soon into his stride, before being run out for 35. Michael Clarke scored 42 and Shane Watson finished off the innings with his powerful hitting, remaining unbeaten on 33.

All the West Indies bowler took a bit of a hammering, with Darren Powell being the most economical at 5.3 runs per over.

The West Indies innings will commence later today, as rain washed out play before their innings could commence.

Australia are in a very strong position.

Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Brian Lara will need to fire in order for the West Indies to come close.

Will they make it? Let’s watch and see later today.

Tags: Australian Cricket News, Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, West Indies 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

New Zealand paceman Daryl Tuffey has unfortunately been ruled out of the World cup after injuring his right arm.

He is going home and will be replaced by right arm paceman Chris Martin.

New Zealand is already through to the second round and are thought to be the dark horses of the tournament. Stephen Fleming’s men have been highly impressive in opening games of the tournament.

Coming off a strong showing at home, when they comprehensively beat Australia, in the Chappell Hadlee trophy, they are very much looking the team to beat in this tournament.

Tuffey sent home with shoulder injury
Daryl Tuffey has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his right arm during New Zealand’s 114-run win over Canada and will be replaced by Chris Martin.

Tags: Cricket News, New Zealand Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, World Cup Cricket 2007