15 March, 2015

World Cup - Group Phase

Following the group matches: New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh advance from Pool A. In Pool B: India, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies all advance to the next phase.

Not major surprises so far, other than how poor England played against those top four sides in their pool (A) and that their wasn't an Associate nation through...... West Indies pipping Ireland by 0.88 runs on net run rate. 









Game 42

A Will Porterfield 107 was the highlight of the penultimate innings of the World Cup group stage. But Ireland only managed to score 237 in their must win game against Pakistan.
First Associate captain to score
a century at a CWC - Will Porterfield
Pakistan had little trouble chasing down the required runs thanks to a opening stand of 120, Ahmed Sherzad 63 and Sarfraz Ahmed 101*. Pakistan won by 7 wickets.


Game 41

A comfortable win for West Indies over UAE at Napier.  UAE had recovered from 46/6 to score 175 but WI reached their target in the 31st over to win by 6 wickets.


Game 40

In Hobart, Australia squashed Scotland in a game of just 41 overs in total after Scotland were all out for a paltry 130.


Game 39

In Auckland, India overhauled Zimbabwe's 287, winning by 6 wickets. For Zimbabwe, new Notts signing Brendan Taylor scored 138 from 110 balls in his final match for Zimbabwe (for the next 3 years at least). Suresh Raina's 110* was sufficient to take India past the Zimbabwean mark.


Game 38

Two rain interruptions had hampered Afghanistan's progress  against England, that and England's bowlers. When the players retreated for the third time, Afghanistan were 111/7. After a lengthy delay, England were set 101 in 25 overs to win by the Duckworth Lewis calculator. Not even England could make a hash of that, reaching their target in 18.1 overs for the loss of Alex Hales for 37.


Game 37

Mahmudullah made it back to back centuries in Bangladesh's 288/7 against New Zealand at Hamilton.

New Zealand made heavy work of the chase but with  Martin the sheep Guptill scoring 105, they reached their target with 3 wickets in hand.



Game 36

99 from AB de Villiers, led South Africa to 341/6 at Wellington. UAE were dismissed for 195.



Game 35

In Hobart, Kumar Sangakkara made it four centuries in 4 games whilst on his dismissal for 124, Josh Davey found himself on a hat trick (which SL negotiated). Dilshan also paddled his way to a ton
Davey is now the the tournament's leading wicket taker.

Sri Lanka made 363/9

Scotland with 50s from Preston Mommsen (60) and Freddie Coleman (70) were all out for 215.



Game 34

Ireland were dismissed for 259 by India, Kevin O'Brien 75, Will Porterfield 67 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Ireland losing their last 6 wickets for just 32 after having an encouraging start.

A Dhawan 100 ensured India cruised to a 8 wicket win.




Game 33


The same mediocre fare from the English bowlers continued, as has been seen in this WC to date, allowing Mahmudullah to score Bangladesh's first World Cup century, 103, this after tne Bangladeshis were 8/2 then 99/4. Bangladesh eventually made 275/7. Mushifiqur Rahim 89. Stuart Broad showing no rhythm, took a wicket.

275 was 15 too many for the uninspiring England.as Rubel Hossain 4/53 put England out their misery and the competition in the process. 
Will this draw a line in sand and give the ECB the opportunity to make wholesale changes? Will the self preservation society, that is the 18 counties, block any major changes necessary to drag English cricket out of the 1980s?

I would imagine that the ECB's backer - Sky would be in favour streamlining the domestic T20 competition with franchises akin to the Big Bash or IPL, replacing the current marathon with too many games, over too many weeks with too many teams - but the turkeys won't vote for Christmas when T20 is the only thing, other than Murdoch, that is keeping  some counties afloat.

Game 32

At the SCG, Australia posted a healthy 376/9 against Sri Lanka. Maxwell 102, Smith 72, Clarke 68, Watson 67. Glenn Maxwell's 100 coming off 51 balls, an Australian fastest and Maxwell's maiden..

Sri Lanka, as always, heavily dependent on their experienced top order. Dilshan 62 and Sangakkara 104 kept them in the hunt until Chandimal on 52* pulled his hamstring and then the Australia pack of wolves rounded on the Sri Lankans, 281/4 quickly became 312 all out.





Game 31

Whilst not as emphatic as their victory over England, still another comprehensive thrashing by New Zealand; this time over Afghanistan by 6 wickets and with 83 balls to spare.


Game 30

Ireland posted their highest ever World Cup score against Zimbabwe in Hobart, thanks to an Ed Joyce 112 and Andy Balbirnie 97. Ireland 331/8

This target set up a thrilling chase and result in which both teams managed to getting into winning positions, only to lose grip and for the other side to look certain winners.

With one over to go Zimbabwe needed 7 runs with 2 wickets left; this represented a great fightback thanks to 121 from Brendan Taylor and 96 from Sean Williams after Zimbabwe had been reduced to 74/4. The last over went W 1 W as Ireland escaped with a 5 run win.

Having seen TV replays of the "dismissal" of Sean Williams, o'dear another umpiring cock-up! Fielder Mooney should have owned-up to stepping on the sponge boundary advertising-sleeve, he would have felt it, instead of calling it a clean catch. Williams took Mooney's word for and walked-off and by the time the TV companies could find the right angle to rumble the deception, the next man was taking strike. Poor play by the fielder and by the umpire in the Sky.




Game 29

In a rain interrupted game in Auckland, Pakistan pulled-off an unexpected win against South Africa by 29 runs under the Duckworth Lewis equation. Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan wicketkeeper taking 6 catches. Vernon Philander did not play.



Game 28

India bossed their contest with West Indies, beating them by 4 wickets. India never looked back after reducing WI to 71/6 and 85/7. But with some spirit from skipper Jason Holder (57) they eventually posted 182. New Outlaw signing Darren Sammy did not bowl in the match.



Game 27 Scotland out with two to play

Scotland's chances of progressing beyond Group A were killed off by their 6 wicket defeat to Bangladesh.

Kyle Coetzer's 156 gave Scotland a chance of victory but 95 from former Outlaw Tamim Iqbal, 95 and 3 other batsmen also making 50, made light work of the 319 set, against a mediocre attack.



Game 26 Minnow mauling

Australia followed Pakistan's lead and completely overwhelmed Afghanistan by 275 runs after posting 417/6 Warner 178


Game 25

The first minnow mauling of the day was Pakistan's 129 run defeating of UAE


Game 24 O'Heck

South Africa hoisted 411/4 against Ireland at Canberra. Tons grabbed by both Amla and du Plessis but the last ten overs belonged to Miller 46* from 23 and Rossouw 61* from 30.
Ireland were nudged out for 210 in 45 overs, to lose by 201 runs.

Game 23

Pakistan clung on to defeat Zimbabwe by 20 runs 

Game 22

A third defeat in four games for England; this time by nine wickets to Sri Lanka at Wellington.


A Joe Root 121 and contributions from Buttler, Bell, Taylor and Morgan allowed England to eke out 309/6. 

On a flat one paced wicket, the one paced England attack were easily picked-off by the experienced Sri Lankans and reached their target with 16 balls to spare.


Game 21

UAE were dispatched by India for only 102, Ashwin 4/25;  India took 19 overs to reach the paltry target for the loss of 1 wicket.



Game 20

Astonishingly, 151 was also Australia's score in Auckland, where Trent Boult 5/27 did much of the damage. New Zealand however didn't do what they did to England quite so well; reaching their target for the loss of 9 wickets. Mitch Starc 6/28 hampered the Kiwis but Kane Williamson 45* took them to the winning line.




Game 19

AB de Viliers ripped the West Indies bowling apart for the second time in a month. This time 162* was plundered from 66 balls. All of South Africa's top order had earlier chipped in with fifties only to be totally eclipsed by AB.

West Indies lost Gayle early in their chase and never looked like they would be capable of getting within even 150 runs of the 408/5 set by the Proteas. WI 151 Iram Tahir 5/45



Game 18

Sri Lanka completely bossed Bangladesh in aone side match at the MCG. SL set 332/1 and bowled the Tigers out for 240 to win by 92 runs



Game 17

Another thrilling finish laid on by the associate members; this time Scotland managed a wrestle defeat from the jaws of victory over Afghanistan. The Afghans winning by 1 wicket with 3 balls to spare.



Game 16

A century from Shaiman Anwar evened up the contest between UAE and Ireland at the Gabba, after Ireland had made light work of the Arabian's top order. UAE 278/9.

The Irish chase resulted in one of the most entertaining matches of this ICC World Cup so far. Ireland ultimately scampered home with 2 wickets and 4 balls to spare; Gary Wilson and Kevin O'Brien the heroes with fifties.



Game 15

The real Chris Gayle arrived at the ICC World Cup and Zimbabwe were at the reception.

Chris Gayle struck his first ODI ton since June 2013. Gayle didn't relent there; he went on to score his highest ODI score, then the first World Cup double ton and on to share the world record ODI highest partnership with Marlon Samuels 133*. Gayle was out off the last ball, looking to break the six hitting record, for 215. West Indies 372/2; a good recovery from 0/1.

In a rain revised chase, West Indies kept to the required rate but lost wickets and by the end were behind Duckworth and Lewis by 73 runs in the 45th of 48 overs,

Game 14

A Moeen Ali century ensured England never looked like slipping up against Scotland at Christchurch. With Ian Bell (57), Ali put on 172 for the first wicket on the way to setting 303/8. Josh Davey 4/68. Scotland were all out 184, Kyle Koetzer 71 Matt Cross 23 Steve Finn 3/26




Game 13

Alarm bells for Nottinghamshire Outlaws fans with Vernon Philander suffering his second injury in so many games. This injury, after bowling 4 overs, was to his left hamstring.

India, made 307/7 at the MCG, Dhawan 137. 

In spite of 55 from Faf du Plessis, South Africa fell an eye-watering 130 runs short




Game 12

Afghanistan gave a good account of themselves in their 4 wicket defeat to Sri Lanka. A team effort of 232, where 8 batsmen reached double figures, had a top score of 54 by Asghar Stanikzai. This was over turned in the 49th over thanks to a 100 by Mahela Jayawardene.


Game 11

Match abandoned - cyclonic rain at the Gabba. Australia share the points with Bangladesh.



Game 10

A Darren Bravo 49 retired hurt ( hamstring tear) and fifties from Ramdin 51 and Simmons 50, boosted by rapid late order runs from Russell 42* and Sammy 30 gave West Indies an unassailable 310 in Christchurch against Pakistan.



Pakistan were hurried out for 160.


Game 9

England were destroyed by cyclone Tim Southee at Wellington. In an innings showing little resistance of 33.2 overs to Southee Yorkers, England were bowled out for 123.

Embarrassingly, New Zealand whacked the required runs off just 12.2 overs, to win by 8 wickets.

Southee 7/33 was Man of the Match



Game 8

Zimbabwe avoided their own banana skin as they beat UAE by 4 wickets.


Game 7

Good use of the batting Powerplay by Bangladesh, accelerated their score against Afghanistan at Canberra.

The momentum gained, with fifties from Shahib al Hasan 63 and Mushfiqur Rahim 71, launched them to 267 all out.

Afghanistan were bowled out for 162 in the 43rd over to give the Tigers a 105 run win







Game 6

Scotland, having been put  into bat, were bowled out for 142 by New Zealand. The score represented a recovery as fifties from Matt Machan and Richie Berrington rescued the Scottish after being reduced to 12/4.

New Zealand lost wickets but quickly rattled off the runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 24.5 overs. Matty Cross 4 catches.



Game 5

A spirited Ireland produced the first shock of the World Cup, winning by 4 wickets against West Indies.......... but was it a shock? The motivated Irish over took the 304/7 set by their senior opponents in the 46th over.

Reports say the West Indies were antipathy of the Irish who celebrating wickets and boundaries through-out, high fives the order of the day and were up-for the game.

"The West Indies looked like they couldn't wait to get home"

Fifties from Stirling 92, Joyce 84 and Niall O'Brien 74* took the Irish passed the West Indies score, Simmons 102.




Game 4

The star studded India, thanks to 107 from Virat Kohli, stacked-up 300/7 against sub-continent rivals Pakistan at Adelaide, Sohail Khan 5/55. A total that should have been more had it been not for the fall of several wickets mid innings

Another mid innings collapse involving the loss of 5 wickets by Pakistan for little runs ensured India won by 76 runs. Mishbah-ul-Haq 76. Mohammed Shami 4/35

Game 3

Thanks to a brace of centurions, David Miller 138* and Jean-Paul Duminy 115*, South Africa amassed 339/4 against Zimbabwe at Hamilton, the pair's partnership and new world record for the fifth wicket..

Zimbabwe chased relatively well but lost wickets, the eventual defeat by 63 runs, future Outlaw, Vernon Philander, 2/30.






Game 2

England's bowlers suffered at the hands of Australia at the MCG as Steve Finn bagged a five-fer to forget 5/71, including a hattrick at the end of the innings. A century by Aaron Finch 135 and fifties by George Bailey 55 and Glenn Maxwell 66 propelled the tournament favourites to 342/9.


Predictably England slumped to 92/6 with Eoin Morgan out again for 0. Mitchell Marsh taking 5. Some slight resistance then followed by James Taylor and Chris Woakes before the return of the Mitchells, Starc and Johnson; Woakes 37, Broad 0 and Finn 1 then departed 195/9. Australia better with bat, ball and in the field by all reports.

 When final rites were said, confusion reigned. An Australian appeal for LBW against James Taylor 98*, given out but then immediately appealed by the batsman. The decision on review was over turned [at this point we had a dead ball situation] but then encouraged by Australian cries, umpire Dharmasena decided to check on a run out at the other end where Anderson was found to be short of his ground. Against the laws of the game Anderson was given out even though it was a dead ball. Umpires playing to the crowd? James Taylor was seen to being telling the umpire "it is a dead ball", but this fell on deaf ears.

England lost by 111 runs

England over all poor, officiating when it mattered poor too. James Taylor's 98* an England highest by a number 6 batsman, eclipsing KP's 91.





Game 1

A top of the order team performance from New Zealand disposed of Sri Lanka by 98 runs. Fifties for McCullum 65, Wiliamson 57 were added to Guptill's 49 and boosted by Corey Anderson's finishing of 75* from 46 balls to take the hosts to 331. 
Sri Lanka were clipped to 233 in the 47th over.

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