Scotland have very nice looking uniforms, unfortunately, they aren't going to do much in this tournament. As for Australia, this time they managed to make yellow actually look good for a change.
Posted on 03/14/2007 5:54:30 AM PDT by BaBaStooey
West Indies v Pakistan, Group D, Jamaica
Smith and Bravo come to the fore
The Bulletin by Will Luke
March 13, 2007
West Indies 241 for 9 (Samuels 63, Sarwan 49) beat Pakistan 187 (Malik 62, Smith 3-36, Bravo 3-42) by 54 runs
The West Indies shrugged off any early-tournament nerves with a convincing 54-run win over Pakistan in the opening match of the World Cup at Kingston in Jamaica, with a notable allround performance from Dwayne Smith.
It was an impressive win, not least for their ability to absorb the expectation of hosting their first World Cup. Furthermore, the total they were defending was by no means out of Pakistan's reach. Yet their bowlers - who admittedly are all much of a muchness - hunted in a pack and, unlike Pakistan's, never let the batsmen dismantle their confidence, or their lines.
That they took a wicket with the third ball of Pakistan's reply probably helped, too. Their pack leader for the day, Daren Powell - having been hit for a brazen six the ball before - induced a thick outside edge from Imran Nazir, destabilising Pakistan's fickle confidence. Younis Khan puffed out his chest, but only briefly, and Mohammad Hafeez spooned a catch to Brian Lara. At 39 for 3, Pakistan were throttled by Powell and Jerome Taylor, as Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf chose survival over attack: in one particularly asphyxiating period, a nine-over trough yielded just 13 runs.
The moment the bowlers' control waned Inzamam pounced, bashing three fours of the highest quality and injecting essential pace into an innings which was going nowhere. Enter Smith. His medium-pace infuriated Yousuf who was troubled with consecutive deliveries, before he fell to the sucker-punch in the third, edging him behind.
Inzamam fell soon after trapped lbw and Smith was on a hat-trick when he removed Kamran Akmal. Pakistan's hopes rested on Shoaib Malik, undoubtedly a gifted player but the task - 126 from 18 overs - required rather more than one man's hopeful slogging. Smith's partner in crime was his namesake, the uber-energetic Bravo who added a mouth-watering display of medium-pace, fielding and catching. After removing Iftikhar Anjum, he nonchalantly stuck out his left hand to catch Umar Gul in his follow-through to end Pakistan's hopes, and raise his side's own tournament aspirations.
If anything, their disciplined bowling performance masked a staccato effort with the bat. There were plenty of nerves from their top three - particularly Ramnaresh Sarwan, but if anything he thrives in adversity and deserved a fifty. Without Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's potent duet, Gul and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were Inzamam's strike bowlers but only Gul rose to the occasion, removing Chris Gayle and troubling the top five with a consistently good line.
Rana, whose death-bowling in previous seasons has been irresistibly cruel, was limp and inaccurate and Pakistan had to rely on Iftikhar who didn't disappoint. In fact, the West Indies were constricted to such an extent that even Brian Lara's 37 appeared pedestrian; it was Marlon Samuels who took on the bowlers, launching three magnificent sixes in his swift 63. But with his wicket came the feeling of inevitability, a feeling which morphed into dread when they slipped to 186 for 6.
But this was Smith's day and, with little care for the orthodox, he smashed 32 from 15 balls to the crowd's delight, edging the hosts' total to something resembling a challenge. Fortunately, their bowlers outdid themselves and Smith, in particular, ensured Pakistan didn't have a sniff of a chance. If they play like this for the next six weeks - regardless of how far it takes them - it will be a sight.
Will Luke is editorial assistant of Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
**Match updates**
Australia were 334 for 6 (50 overs) - Ponting 113, Hayden 60, Gilchrist 46, Hogg 40 not out
Scotland in response are 99 for 6 in 32 overs. You can basically consider this one to be in the bag for the Aussies, no surprise there.
In the more even matchup, Canada were 199 all out (50 overs) - Barnett 41, Dhaniram 34 not out, Billcliff 34.
Kenya are 143 for 3 after 33 overs, and are well on their way to victory, although not as commanding a victory as Australia.
Schedule:
March 13
West Indies v Pakistan - West Indies won by 54 runs
March 14
Australia v Scotland - Australia won by 203 runs
Canada v Kenya - Kenya won by 7 wickets
March 15
Bermuda v Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka won the toss and are batting first
Ireland v Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe won the toss and have sent Ireland in to bat
Ponting century sets up 203-run demolition
The Bulletin by Anand Vasu
March 14, 2007
Australia 334 for 6 (Ponting 113, Hayden 60) beat Scotland 131 (Smith 51, McGrath 3-14) by 203 runs
The Australia fast bowlers might have hogged a bit of the glory, blasting out the Scotland top order for not too many, but the 203-run victory was set up when Ricky Ponting carved out an authoritative hundred. Several others chipped in as Australia posted a virtually unattainable - for Scotland - 334 for 6.
Ponting came out to bat with a solid platform in place, the score reading 91 for 1, and the best of the bowling conditions were already gone. He did not go hammer and tongs early on. If anything, he was extra careful, but the ease with which he was picking off the runs off the full stuff egged the Scotland bowlers to slip in the odd short ball. The speed with which those disappeared to the midwicket fence, off trademark pulls from that meaty Kookaburra bat, matched Ponting's settling in at the crease.
From then there was only one blip, when Ponting played a forcing shot off Dougie Brown and the thick edge failed to stick in the gloves of Colin Smith, standing up to the stumps. After that, though, it was only a brief rain interruption that could halt Ponting's march to his 23rd ODI century. It certainly won't rate among his best, given the lack of quality of the opposition bowling, but the purity of his strokeplay was still a joy to behold for fans of batting.
After the century came a couple of powerful mows across the line - one of which landed far back into the stands, but it was not to last long. On 113, from only 93 balls, Ponting played one heave across the line too many, and the little offbreak that Craig Wright had sent down snuck under the bat and crashed into off stump.
Ponting's knock was helped along by the tone that Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden set. Scotland's opening bowlers kept the ball in the right areas as much as possible. Neither Paul Hoffmann nor John Blain was particularly quick, but they occasionally got the ball to kick off a good length. That extra bounce was just enough to keep Hayden and Gilchrist honest.
Gilchrist was playing well within himself, only attempting the big hits when the ball was there for the shot. An early streaky flash off Hoffmann flew just wide of the man at point, but after that came a crunched square-drive that was all along the turf, an extra-cover drive, a thick top-edge off a miscued pull ... there was plenty of action.
Hayden was different in that he played a lot straighter. He planted his foot down the ground and thumped the ball back over the head of the bowler in emphatic fashion. The six he hit off Hoffmann, shuffling down the track and tonking over long-on with something approaching arrogance, showed the kind of form he was in.
Against the run of play, with the score on 91, Gilchrist attempted to heave Brown and missed. The ball pitched in line, struck the back pad, and would have gone on to peg back the off stump. Gilchrist had made 46. Ponting joined Hayden, and the runs continued to come at an even clip. But, just as Gilchrist had fallen against the run of play, so did Hayden. Majid Haq, the offspinner, tossed one up from round the stumps, Hayden drove, missed and was trapped in front for 60.
When Ponting was dismissed the score was already 274, and Brad Hogg put the icing on the cake, hitting everything in sight to the boundary. He slapped the ball around for three fours and as many sixes, clubbing 40 off only 15 balls. Australia's total was well beyond Scotland.
Shaun Tait began enthusiastically, doing his best to knock over the batsmen with sheer pace, but his direction wasn't the best, and they managed to get him away. The first breakthrough came when Haq (16) attempted a third run off a misfield and was run out. Tait then got one right, spearing in a yorker that knocked over Navdeep Poonia.
Glenn McGrath, who came on to bowl first change, then showed that the zip was still very much around, running in with good rhythm and getting good pace and carry to the keeper. Fraser Watts chopped one on, Ryan Watson could not avoid the surprise bouncer and fended a catch and Gavin Hamilton was suckered into edging a fullish ball to the keeper. That was 42 for 5, and only a 47-run partnership between Brown and Smith brought a semblance of respectability to the batting card.
Smith was aggressive in his outlook, and took on anything that was loose. But it did not last as long as Scotland would have liked. With the score on 89 Brown tried to hit the part-time offspin of Brad Hodge and managed to hole out to long-on. Smith did play an entertaining hand, making the only half-century of the innings, but that was a case of too little too late. With Blain not batting because of an injury, Scotland were rolled over for 131.
Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
Tikolo stars as Kenya ease past Canada
The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
March 14, 2007
Kenya 203 for 3 (Tikolo 72*, Ouma 58) beat Canada 199 (Barnett 41)
Led by the allround efforts of their captain, Steve Tikolo, Kenya produced a display of controlled efficiency to dispatch Canada by seven wickets at St Lucia and in the process sent out warning signs to England and New Zealand that they shouldn't expect things all their own way in Group C. Tikolo and Maurice Ouma produced the match-winning batting performances, but the result had been set up by an impressive showing from Kenya's spinners.
The manner of the victory - intelligent bowling, sharp fielding and calm batting - would have pleased most sides in the tournament. Tikolo, the captain with four World Cups of experience, enjoyed a fine day as his clean strokeplay closed down the run chase, but it had been early in the match that he'd really earned his crust. He quickly reassessed the pitch, introducing his spinners inside the second Powerplay, and they chocked the Canada innings. The 29 overs from Jimmy Kamande, Hiren Varaiya and Tikolo cost just 78 runs and brought five wickets.
It left a target of 200 and Kenya were aware that they just needed to bat sensibly. Anderson Cummins found some bounce with the new ball but when Canada needed their bowlers to be right on the mark they sprayed the ball down both sides of the pitch. Cummins managed to remove David Obuya with one that moved away although Ouma was quickly into his stride.
Umar Bhatti, whose first three overs cost 21, returned with success when he trapped Ravi Shah leg-before with a delivery that shaped back into the right hander. But the required rate never spiralled too high. With the success of Kenya's spinners fresh in his mind John Davison, Canada's captain, brought his slow men into the action. The difference this time was that Kenya knew what they needed and didn't have to chase the game. Ouma worked the ball around with nimble footwork - reaching his second ODI fifty - while Tikolo used all his experience.
Ouma lost his focus after completing the half-century and located mid-off with an ugly heave, but Canada didn't have the firepower to claim further breakthroughs. Tanmay Mishra started skittishly, but a few quiet words from Tikolo calmed him down and the target came into view as Tikolo eased to his 19th ODI half-century off 56 balls. He is widely regarded as the best batsman not playing Test cricket and this was further proof.
Tikolo doesn't show too much outward emotion, even in victory, but earlier they'd been the distinct appearance of a frown as Canada - through Geoff Barnett's crisp 41 - moved to a comfortable 76 for 2 after 15 overs. The new-ball attack had been a mixed bag and Tikolo was quick to switch to plan B. Much of the pre-tournament talk had been about the role of spinners and the success of Kenya's trio - albeit against the less-than-dynamic Canadians - suggests they will play a key role.
Varaiya began the strangle with two maidens in his first five overs - then overs 20 to 25 brought just 11 runs - and shortly after the half-way mark removed the talented Ashish Bagai although Ouma needed to chances to complete the stumping.
Batting Davison in the middle order may require a re-think from the Canadians if they want to make the most of his hitting power. Here, he was far cry from the player who lit up the 2003 tournament with his record century against West Indies, struggling without pace on the ball. The innings really came off the rails when he and Ali fell in almost identical fashion to Kamande, playing round slow straight deliveries which clattered into the stumps.
Canada's last main hope for a total over 200 lay with their second Kiwi, captain Ian Billcliff, but he struggled to find momentum during his 63-ball innings. The end was rather limp as he tried to work Tikolo through the on side, but only sent a leading edge back to the bowler. Sunil Dhaniram did his best to marshal the tail, but three run-outs of varying suicidalness ended the innings at least 40 short of par.
Kenya have a taste for progressing at World Cups after their semi-final appearance four years ago, but that was given a helping hand by New Zealand's forfeiture. This time they'll have to do it for themselves and on this showing they won't go down without a fight.
Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
Let's go Kenya, let's go!
Given our tradition of causing upsets (beating West Indies in 1996 and defeating test sides Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh en route to the semi finals last time round), I'm hoping for the same against New Zealand on Tuesday or, preferably, England a week tomorrow...
Thrilling game between Ireland and Zimbabwe last night, in which the Zims choked more spectacularly than the South Africans have ever done. It ended in a tie. That appaling Mugaby floosy Chingoka must be proud!
Today it's England versus New Zealand. Given that I support England as test level, and that I am a Kenyan of British origin, I will be supporting the poms.
But not a week tomorrow!
Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!
We'll take you hope in a Kenyan ambulance.
Kenya tunaweza, Kenya tutashinda!
Steve Tikolo, our captain and perhaps the best batsman outside the test arena, in action.
Celebrating a famous win over the Sri Lankans in the 2003 World Cup. I was at the Nairobi Gymkhana ground to watch the game -- one of the happiest days of my life.
I don't know a lot about Kenyan cricket, so it is great to have your perspective.
Canada are the big cricket rivals to the United States, so anytime they lose, that's fun for us (especially after our horrible 10 wicket defeat to the Canada side last fall in the Americas Cup -- but we did finish ahead of Canada in the overall standings, so that is a plus).
I'm already tracking down video of Ireland-Zimbabwe, as it appears to be an instant classic (just like the record breaking Australia-South Africa ODI at The Wanderers from a year ago).
where are you getting the video from? Anyone know where we can tap into online streams of the matches?
Add me to the ping list. Please...
I know someone with a satellite dish.
As far as I know, the dish is the only way you can get these matches in the USA.
And you have been added to the list!
There are otherways...let me look...and then post...
Oh yes, I think you can watch online at www.willow.tv, but I'm not sure, I've never seen a match that way.
** Match Updates **
South Africa's batsmen demolished the Dutch bowling, as expected. de Villiers fell on the second ball, but after that, it was all green and gold. Smith the captain added 67, Kallis with an unbeaten 128, Gibbs with 72, and the wicketkeeper Boucher scored an unbeaten 75. South Africa were 353 for 3 wickets in 40 overs, and had this been a 50 overs-a-side match, they may have beaten their own world record.
In response, the Dutch are currently 48 for 4 in 20 overs and look to be on the losing end of a complete bloodbath.
The other match is much tighter. Kevin Pietersen, the free-swinging excitement man for England, scored 60, but most of his teammates did little, England were 209 for 7 in 50 overs.
New Zealand are 145 for 4 in 29.3 overs, and require 65 runs in the remaining 123 balls to win. The English bowling has been lousy, except for Flintoff (of course) -- 7 overs, only 14 runs; and perhaps Anderson, who has taken 2 wickets in 8 overs, allowing 39 runs.
You forget to mention the incredible $1 million winning feat of the day -- Gibb's six sixes in six balls off the hapless Van Bunge. Jonnie Walker has to donate $1 million to charity as a result...
Great of Gibbs to do it just as the England-New Zealand game broke for lunch, so we could all see it...
England were woeful. For us Kenyans that could be a good thing -- they come into our game with their confident in tatters. But sometimes a wounded England side can pull out all the stops. I prefer them when they are complacent.
The Netherlands whitewash, following hard on the heels of similar drubbings of Scotland and Bermuda, will fuel the argument of those who argue that the minnows have no place in the World Cup. I hope that Kenya can again prove that is not the case.
That said, I can no longer be so confident. Thanks to ICC miserliness with proper fixtures following Kenya's giant-slaying run last time round and the corruption-related scandals by the Asian Kenyans who ran the Kenya Cricket Association, my team has regressed dramatically since then. We are also missing Maurice Odumbe, one of our best batsman, who was banned for five years for contact with a bookmaker. He was stupid, but if the greedy KCA management had actually paid his paltry salary, maybe he wouldn't have done it. In the meantime they have got away scot free -- although they have at least all been dismissed by the Kenyan government, despite protests from the feckless ICC.
Please add me to your ping list by the way...
One more indulgence, if you will permit me. I don't want to hijack this thread by posting too much about kenya given that they are (at this stage at least) a sideshow.
But, given that most of the black Kenyans in the side are from the Luo tribe, I thought I would post the words for what has become the virtual Luo national anthem. The song, performed by band Gidi Gidi Maji Maji, also became the theme tune for the opposition's incredible march to victory in 2002 over the venal Kanu regime, personified by Daniel arap Moi, who misruled Kenya for 39 years. Sadly our hopes turned out in vain. To quote -- I think -- ex Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin: "We hoped for better, but it turned out as always."
Anyway, here is the chorus and first verse:
[Chorus]
Who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me
I am unbwogable
Who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me
I am unbwogable
What the hell is you looking for
Can a young Luo make money any more
Shake your feet baby girl enango
Majimaji nyakwar ondijo am a Luo but who are you?
What are you? Who the hell do you think you are?
Do you know me? Do I know you?
Get the hell out of ma face because hey
I am unbwogable I am unbeatable I am unsueable
So if you like ma song sing it for me I say
[Chorus]
Who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me
I am unbwogable
Who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me,who can bwogo me
I am unbwogable
Unbwogable (translate it as you will) has now passed into the Kenyan lexicon, despite the malaise that has settled over the country...
Great idea BaBa!! Proves that FR is truly one hell of a global place!!! Put me on this ping list!! I am 'game'!
I think the highest ODI score(50 overs) is held by Sri Lanka,also against the Dutch,established last year.
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