World Cup Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals, Final

Sunday Final

Australia v New Zealand

On an MCG surface much favourable to the Australian pace attack, New Zealand could only muster 183. Heroes of the Kiwi tournament: Guptill, McCullum,
Williamson and Anderson all falling flat at the final hurdle. Grant Elliott again showed good composure with 83 and with Ross Taylor's 40 they gave the Kiwi score some respectability and the Kiwi bowlers something to work with.

Kiwi hopes were briefly raised when Aaron Finch was Boulted out for a duck but that was as close as it got. Michael Clarke led from the front scoring 74. Warner 45 and a Steve Smith 56* took Australia over the winning line with 101 balls and 7 wickets to spare.

Thursday SF2

Australia v India


A Steven Smith 105, bolstered by 81 from Aaron Finch was the backbone of the Australian innings of 328/7. 

The record books said that in a World Cup semi final, no team had chased down 300 and that India hadn't beaten Australia at the SCG since 2007 - and so those record still remain intact.  India falling 95 runs short, 233 all out, MS Dhoni 65.


Tuesday SF1

New Zealand v South Africa

With Vernon Philander playing; South Africa set their innings up nicely, only to see the expected climax lost as rain descended on Auckland.


Some lusty blows by David Miller (49) and AB de Villiers (65*) had taken South Africa to 281/5 from 43 overs. Duckworth and Lewis failed to reflect the expected major assault that NZ were saved from with a revised total being just 298 from 43 overs.

Brendan McCullum set about the South African quicks, as if they were Derbyshire Academy rejects, flying to 50 inside 50 overs. Tahir bowled a maiden to Guptill in over 6. Over 7 started with McCullum's wicket - caught at mid-on.

The momentum started by McCullum proved crucial; but it wasn't until the penultimate ball that Grant Elliott (84*) finished it off with a six in a thrilling game................................................................... Wednesday

South Africa v Sri Lanka
No Vernon Philander for the Proteas. 

Already in a dire mess, Sri Lanka then were subjected to a J-P Dumimy hat trick, spread over two overs..  81/3  became 116/8 but crucially Sangakkara was still there for SL.

At 127/9, on Sangakkara's fall for 45, the players went off for rain.

On their return following the brief break, Sri Lanka 133 all out, Imran Tahir 4/26, J-P Duminy 3/29. No sign of South Africa choking at this point of the game and so it continued past the "dinner" break. Quinton de Kock (78*) top gun in the nine wicket win for the Proteas

Thursday

India v Bangladesh

A Rohit Sharma 137 set India up for 302/6. Umesh Yadav 4/31 restricted Bangladesh to 193.
Friday

Australia v Pakistan

The Australian bowlers had the better of Pakistan at Adelaide. Josh Hazelwood 4/35 Pakistan 213 all out

Australia raced to victory inside 34 overs to win by 6 wickets. Shane Watson 64* finishing after Steve Smith 65.

Saturday

New Zealand v West Indies

A World Cup record breaking 237* by Martin Guptill, batted West Indies out of the last quarter final, New Zealand 393/6. West Indies scoring at the necessary 8 rpo lasted 30 overs, 250 all out