Sri Lanka came on this tour with one goal and achieved it with a match to spare. By handing Australia a seventh straight defeat, Kumar Sangakkara's men delivered their maiden series win in Australia in 26 years of trying. When the hosts slipped over for 210 in the greasy conditions it gave Sri Lanka victory by 29 runs - and it had come more easily than expected.
There was much to like about Sri Lanka's play in a match regularly threatened by rain, but there was little to inspire the hosts as they head to Brisbane for Sunday's dead rubber. The only time the visitors struggled was in the first two overs of the match - when they didn't score - but once the openers Upul Tharanga, who held the innings together with 86 not out, and Tillakaratne Dilshan got going there was nothing that could stop them. Not even the weather.
The rain disrupted Sri Lanka's innings twice as it finished early at 3 for 213 in 41.1 overs, but Australia's target was quickly inflated to 244 in 39 overs under the Duckworth Lewis method. The calculations added more difficulty to what was already a tricky pursuit in a seamer-friendly environment, and they began needing more than a run a ball. A short rain break towards the end trimmed another over from the match and reduced the target to 240. It didn't help.
Mistakes came quickly, starting with Brad Haddin's flash at a Nuwan Kulasekara inswinger and the knocking back of his middle stump. Ricky Ponting (10) fell hooking, just as he did so often last summer, and when Michael Clarke's (25) attempted pull ended up with a lunging Muttiah Muralitharan at third man, Australia were 4 for 80 and the game was heading one way.
Murali then watched Michael Hussey tap a catch to deep mid-off, a wicket which came after Shane Watson had missed a sweep on 40 to be lbw. He finished with 2 for 30 off seven while Thisara Perera, Suraj Randiv and Kulasekara also claimed two victims. Cameron White (35) and Steven Smith (33) could not achieve the miracle, especially when Lasith Malinga was varying his pace superbly.
Sri Lanka were 2 for 161 off 34 overs when the weather intervened for the first time, chopping five overs from their original allocation, and they finished in a rush before the clouds reopened. Tharanga ensured Sri Lanka built on the high gained from their stunning victory in Melbourne on Wednesday as he put on 98 for the first wicket with Dilshan.
The 70-run stand between the captain Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga was starting to warm up when the rain arrived for the first time. Instead of acceleration, the ground received 90 minutes of saturation. Sangakkara (45) sliced Watson (2 for 45) to Clint McKay at third man before Angelo Mathews, the hero from the first game, provided a timely surge by swinging to 17 off 11.
Tharanga, who was comfortable chipping over the infield, was the slower partner alongside Dilshan, but he ended up in the lead role during his 112-ball stay. His half-century came up with two lofted boundaries to the legside off Nathan Hauritz and there were six fours in his display.
While his innings was highly worthy, Tharanga was dropped on 61 by Haddin and also survived a comical run-out attempt when stranded at the wrong end on 76. Haddin's throw flew over the bowler Watson's head before Clarke backed up and shied at the bowler's end. His on-target effort hit the leg of Watson, who was trying to get out of the way of the stumps, and Tharanga eventually regained his ground. It is a moment that will be replayed often until Australia can show they are a committed, unified and successful unit.
After Australia's bowling troubles in their awful loss in Melbourne, they demoted the spinner Xavier Doherty to 12th man despite his four-wicket debut, and also dropped John Hastings. The replacements didn't create a sudden shift in the team's fortunes.
McKay (0 for 42) came in to take the new ball and was steady, while Hauritz showed some useful signs in picking up 1 for 49 from nine overs. Mitchell Johnson gave away 11 runs in his first over while Peter Siddle was handy without being dangerous.
While there only 11,495 watching at the ground, Australia's seventh consecutive loss in all forms of the game will be noticed by everyone. England are in Perth, having started well in their tour opener, and can see a host of Ashes weaknesses. Over in Colombo there will be celebrations for the Sri Lankan team after their biggest obstacle ended up being the weather.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
UNSUNG HERO of SRI LANKAN SPORTS – R KARUNANANDA, 1964 OLYMPICS
We know Susanthika, Damayanthi Dharsha, Marion Jones, Michael Jordan but have we heard about R Karunanada. He represented Sri lanka (then Ceylon) in the 1964 Olympics, in the mens 10,000m event.
Karunananda did his best to win a medal to his country, one could see the effort he took to his boot from the beginning and right throughout the race despite the spectators shouts. Finally, he won his battle making the spectators to a standing ovation that exceeded the salutation that the spectators gave to any athlete, and completed the race.
The Sri Lankan media has forgotten about this great athlete who fought his best to win a medal for his country, a true heroes like Karunananda should be honoured for his efforts made at this race. most of your’l might had not seen the race i am talking about, watch it at the end of this post.
Here is an article i pulled out, that would give one more information about Karunananda; (i don’t know the source of this article
maybe daily mirror)
Those who unwittingly inhabit others’ versions of their realities might find Karunananda in a different way, I realized. If they scanned world cinema, the greatest or the most entertaining flicks, they might come across Ron Ichikawa’s ‘Tokyo Olympiad’ (Tokyo Orimpikku). They would no doubt be amazed to learn that a man who came last in the 10,000m race was also featured among the winners, including the incredible Ethiopian, Abebe Bikila who was the first Black African to win an Olympic gold medal and the first to win the marathon twice in a row. Karunananda didn’t compete in the marathon. He was placed 47th out of 52 in the 5000m race and started the 10,000 with a bad cold and a considerably weakened body. This was in 1964, when athletes didn’t chicken out if they were less than 100 percent fit, a time when athletes were not pampered with sponsorships, employment, vehicles, houses and other gifts.
Karunananda competed because he wanted his little daughter to be happy that he competed, from start to finish. He came last. He could have stopped at any point, it would not have changed anything. He didn’t. He was with the leaders when Billy Mills of the USA breasted the tape. That’s because he had been lapped four times by that time. When he continued, it surprised the spectators. When he came around they jeered. When he came around a second time, there was silence. And then there was cheering. Wild applause. He finished the race to a standing ovation that exceeded the salutation that the spectators gave Mills. Mills is reported to have said that the gold should have gone to Karunananda.
Days after the race he still received gifts from sympathetic Japanese. One housewife wrote, ‘I saw you on TV, running all alone and I could not keep back my tears’. He was the original ‘Marathon Karu’ (the subsequent Marathon Karu, better known, died with Jeyaraj Fernandopulle in a suicide attack). The Japanese remember. His story is related to schoolchildren to teach the virtue of determination and the triumph of the human spirit.
Karu was offered a job in Japan. A few days before he was to leave Sri Lanka, he died. Some say he died in an accident. Some say he was murdered. Some say he just disappeared. Years later a Japanese television crew arrived in Sri Lanka to do a documentary on this incredible man. No one knew him. They had been taken to the then ‘Marathon Karu’ by mistake and he had helped the Japanese find the man’s family. Karu’s wife had lost her mind when her husband ‘died’. The family was literally on the street until a kind relative had offered to take care of the children. This is how his own country has recognised him………….
‘We don’t have to look beyond our shores, ‘We are a nation blessed with our own heroes.’ There’s one in every body in fact. if we want to remember men and women who stood taller than the multitude, then let’s spare a thought for Ranatunga Karunananda.
Bloggers comments >> No wonder we live in Sri Lanka, we usually forget the people who were part and parcel of our lives and our country. So, the great Ranatunga Karunananda, i salute you on behalf of all the Sri Lankans as Sri Lankans will remain as Sri Lankans for many years to come.
Lesson learnt — People will drag you down, once your no longer an assert to them. Selfish indeed !
nb: Daily Mirror and The Sunday Island has some articles on Ranatunga Karunananda
Karunananda did his best to win a medal to his country, one could see the effort he took to his boot from the beginning and right throughout the race despite the spectators shouts. Finally, he won his battle making the spectators to a standing ovation that exceeded the salutation that the spectators gave to any athlete, and completed the race.
The Sri Lankan media has forgotten about this great athlete who fought his best to win a medal for his country, a true heroes like Karunananda should be honoured for his efforts made at this race. most of your’l might had not seen the race i am talking about, watch it at the end of this post.
Here is an article i pulled out, that would give one more information about Karunananda; (i don’t know the source of this article
maybe daily mirror)Those who unwittingly inhabit others’ versions of their realities might find Karunananda in a different way, I realized. If they scanned world cinema, the greatest or the most entertaining flicks, they might come across Ron Ichikawa’s ‘Tokyo Olympiad’ (Tokyo Orimpikku). They would no doubt be amazed to learn that a man who came last in the 10,000m race was also featured among the winners, including the incredible Ethiopian, Abebe Bikila who was the first Black African to win an Olympic gold medal and the first to win the marathon twice in a row. Karunananda didn’t compete in the marathon. He was placed 47th out of 52 in the 5000m race and started the 10,000 with a bad cold and a considerably weakened body. This was in 1964, when athletes didn’t chicken out if they were less than 100 percent fit, a time when athletes were not pampered with sponsorships, employment, vehicles, houses and other gifts.
Karunananda competed because he wanted his little daughter to be happy that he competed, from start to finish. He came last. He could have stopped at any point, it would not have changed anything. He didn’t. He was with the leaders when Billy Mills of the USA breasted the tape. That’s because he had been lapped four times by that time. When he continued, it surprised the spectators. When he came around they jeered. When he came around a second time, there was silence. And then there was cheering. Wild applause. He finished the race to a standing ovation that exceeded the salutation that the spectators gave Mills. Mills is reported to have said that the gold should have gone to Karunananda.
Days after the race he still received gifts from sympathetic Japanese. One housewife wrote, ‘I saw you on TV, running all alone and I could not keep back my tears’. He was the original ‘Marathon Karu’ (the subsequent Marathon Karu, better known, died with Jeyaraj Fernandopulle in a suicide attack). The Japanese remember. His story is related to schoolchildren to teach the virtue of determination and the triumph of the human spirit.
Karu was offered a job in Japan. A few days before he was to leave Sri Lanka, he died. Some say he died in an accident. Some say he was murdered. Some say he just disappeared. Years later a Japanese television crew arrived in Sri Lanka to do a documentary on this incredible man. No one knew him. They had been taken to the then ‘Marathon Karu’ by mistake and he had helped the Japanese find the man’s family. Karu’s wife had lost her mind when her husband ‘died’. The family was literally on the street until a kind relative had offered to take care of the children. This is how his own country has recognised him………….
‘We don’t have to look beyond our shores, ‘We are a nation blessed with our own heroes.’ There’s one in every body in fact. if we want to remember men and women who stood taller than the multitude, then let’s spare a thought for Ranatunga Karunananda.
Bloggers comments >> No wonder we live in Sri Lanka, we usually forget the people who were part and parcel of our lives and our country. So, the great Ranatunga Karunananda, i salute you on behalf of all the Sri Lankans as Sri Lankans will remain as Sri Lankans for many years to come.
Lesson learnt — People will drag you down, once your no longer an assert to them. Selfish indeed !
nb: Daily Mirror and The Sunday Island has some articles on Ranatunga Karunananda
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Spain won the 2010 FIFA world cup..!
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Andres Iniesta scores with four minutes left in extra time to give Spain their first World Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The greatest steps down with a smile…
Lankan Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is pictured here at a press briefing where he officially announced his plans of retiring from test cricket. Murali announced on Tuesday that he will retire from Test cricket after the first Test against India starting in Galle
also Champion offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan said he decided to quit international cricket at the end of the first Test against India at Galle to challenge himself to capture the eight wickets he needs to become the first bowler in cricket history to reach 800 Test wickets.
"Eight hundred wickets is just a number because I already have the world record," said Muralitharan addressing his first press conference since announcing his retirement on Tuesday. "I have taken it as a challenge to give me the motivation to take the eight wickets I need to reach that mark and also win the Test for my country. I hope we can achieve it. I have confidence that we have a good Test team and I hope we can win my farewell Test and hopefully the series."
Muralitharan was happy with the quality of spin bowlers in Sri Lanka, with Ajantha Mendis, Rangana and Suraj Randiv coming along well. "I thought the time is right to move out because we have three good spinners. I hope they also get a chance because as a youngster I got a chance to perform that's how I came to this level. They will also become good spinners in time to come."
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Puyol winner puts Spain in World Cup final
Puyol winner puts Spain in World Cup final
Carles Puyol is the hero as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to make their first ever World Cup final, where they will face the Netherlands.
Carles Puyol is the hero as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to make their first ever World Cup final, where they will face the Netherlands.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Australia steady after losing openers
Australia's batting struggles continued at The Oval before Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke steadied the innings and built a solid platform by the halfway mark. Shane Watson again fell after making a strong start and England's decision to send the visitors in looked well founded, but after 25 overs Australia had worked their way to 115 for 2 with Ponting on 33 and Clarke on 28.
England could have made it three wickets when Clarke was dropped on 5 by James Anderson, who watched the ball sail through his hands at cover from an uppish drive off Graeme Swann. It was a bad miss for one of the better fielders in the England side, and only time will tell how costly it could prove.
Ponting was in better touch than during his scratchy innings at Old Trafford on Sunday, and a perfectly timed and placed off-drive for four off Tim Bresnan was a positive sign. Ponting's desire for the batsmen to turn around their poor results was evident when he saw Watson's demise and gave his partner a stern and prolonged stare for his ill judgment.
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Chile salutes its new kids on the block
Despite defeat by Brazil, Chile has finally cast aside its jealousies and rivalries and found inspiration in its young footballers
"Thanks for everything kids!" blared the headline of La Cuarta, Chile's populist news daily yesterday. The national team may be out of the World Cup after a 3-0 thrashing by the five-time champions Brazil, but they will be welcomed home as heroes.
Known as "La Roja" (The Reds), Chile's team was the youngest in the competition, which showed in their passion, agility, and, unfortunately, mistakes on the field. As other teams were beset by scandal in the group stages, Chile were talked about for their action-packed attack, leading to solid victories over Honduras and Switzerland, their first World Cup victories since 1962, when they hosted the tournament.
If ever there was a year that Chile needed to shine on the international stage it is 2010. Following a devastating earthquake in February, the country was shaken, shattered, then united in a mission to rebuild before the winter rains. World Cup football became the glue that cemented this nascent sense of national unity.
In September Chile celebrates its bicentennial, but 200 years of independence from Spain has not provided a sense of national identity. Unlike neighbouring Argentina or nearby Brazil where national flags sprout from every third apartment window, in Santiago the signs of World Cup fever were reserved for match days. Chileans are not patriotic, often criticising their country to the extent of berating expats, "Why would you live here?"
Typically Chileans look to foreigners for a measure of self-worth and this World Cup was no different. Most of the attention given to the Chilean team was focused on an Argentinian – the coach, Marcelo Bielsa, aka El Loco or The Crazy One – who was regularly photographed contorting his face into wild screams, exhortations and hair pulling as his young superstars sparked but never quite took flight.
And yet, this World Cup provided a tunnel of focused optimism in which the nation's best characteristics were reinforced and the legendary jealousies, rivalries and envy were dumped aside. Chileans saw their nation's potential unleashed on the world in a young, intelligent group of players whose camaraderie screamed "team".
Unlike most of South America, Chile is not a football nation. Only Venezuela has less interest in football and their excuse is baseball – the national pastime. Chile has never been a sports nation, unless you include competitive parking at the supermarket or an hour a week of gym for schoolchildren who are often seen running around the block in blue jeans and rain boots.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Martin Keown - Upson and Barry must face Algeria
Five days on and everyone seems to have finally calmed down after England's disappointing 1-1 draw with the United States last Saturday.
Obviously it wasn't the result we had all been hoping for but there were some positives to take out of the performance.
England started very well, particularly during the first 15 minutes, with Steven Gerrard looking much more comfortable playing through the middle than being stuck out wide.
But after going ahead we started to look more exposed, particularly in the centre of midfield. Frank Lampard is not a natural holding player but that is the role he was forced to play with Gerrard continuously bombing on to support the two strikers.
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey both managed to find space in-front of the back-four on a number of occasions, with Dempsey scoring and Donovan coming close.
Emile Heskey did well up-front but he needs to be dropped so that Gareth Barry can return to protect John Terry and co. Barry has become an integral part of the England side under Fabio Capello and he needs to get games under his belt before we come up against a team of real quality in the knockout stages.
The other option is Michael Dawson, who had a fine season for Tottenham but is just too inexperienced at international level to be thrown into such an important game.
Upson has a bit more pace than Carragher and although he didn't have the greatest season with West Ham, he played well alongside Terry during the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Obviously it wasn't the result we had all been hoping for but there were some positives to take out of the performance.
England started very well, particularly during the first 15 minutes, with Steven Gerrard looking much more comfortable playing through the middle than being stuck out wide.
But after going ahead we started to look more exposed, particularly in the centre of midfield. Frank Lampard is not a natural holding player but that is the role he was forced to play with Gerrard continuously bombing on to support the two strikers.
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey both managed to find space in-front of the back-four on a number of occasions, with Dempsey scoring and Donovan coming close.
Emile Heskey did well up-front but he needs to be dropped so that Gareth Barry can return to protect John Terry and co. Barry has become an integral part of the England side under Fabio Capello and he needs to get games under his belt before we come up against a team of real quality in the knockout stages.
Another player I'd like to come into the team to face Algeria would be Matthew Upson.
I wasn't convinced by Jamie Carragher when he came on in place of the injured Ledley King on Saturday evening. His lack of pace makes the defence look vulnerable at times, as we saw when Jozy Altidore almost put the US in-front in Rustenburg. The other option is Michael Dawson, who had a fine season for Tottenham but is just too inexperienced at international level to be thrown into such an important game.
Upson has a bit more pace than Carragher and although he didn't have the greatest season with West Ham, he played well alongside Terry during the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Germany 0-1 Serbia - Match report
Most of the first half was little more than a stalemate as Serbia's back four, marshalled with authority by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic, held firm against a wave of controlled, steady attacks from a patient Germany.
Neither side were able to produce a shooting chance inside the penalty area, although a knock-down from Miroslav Klose after 35 minutes almost found Mesut Ozil who for once had worked his way into some space.
That would prove to be Klose's last touch of the ball as, two minutes later, he was given a second yellow card for a trip from behind. It was a bookable offence and, although his first yellow for a similar offence was more debatable, Klose should have been experienced enough to know when to let some tackles go.
Germany, shocked and disorganised by that decision, were made to pay only one minute later. Milos Krasic drove down the right to the byline and stood up an excellent cross under pressure to find the giant Nikola Zigic at the back post where the new Birmingham City striker had the sense to see Milan Jovanovic unmarked in the centre, allowing the 29-year-old to apply a simple finish.
The Germans didn't have to wait long for a chance to equalise as Serbia failed to control the match despite an extra man. Vladimir Stojkovic was at fault as the keeper weakly punched away a corner to Sami Khedira who struck a fierce half-volley against the underside of the bar.
For most of the second half Germany didn't look much like a team with one man short, with Lukas Podolski on the left and Thomas Muller on the right finding space on regular occasions.
It was a run from the left that provided Germany with their best chance of the half, when a cross from that flank looked to be going harmlessly over everyone in the area before Vidic inexplicably raised his arm to stop the ball.
Podolski stepped up to take the spot-kick but his effort was a weak one, low to Stojkovic's left. Germany, for the first time in over 35 years, had missed a regular time penalty in a World Cup.
From then on the Germans dropped off the pace and Serbia grew in confidence, hitting the crossbar through Zigic and the post through Jovanovic but in the end they were more than happy to be on the right side of a 1-0 result.
Neither side were able to produce a shooting chance inside the penalty area, although a knock-down from Miroslav Klose after 35 minutes almost found Mesut Ozil who for once had worked his way into some space.
That would prove to be Klose's last touch of the ball as, two minutes later, he was given a second yellow card for a trip from behind. It was a bookable offence and, although his first yellow for a similar offence was more debatable, Klose should have been experienced enough to know when to let some tackles go.
Germany, shocked and disorganised by that decision, were made to pay only one minute later. Milos Krasic drove down the right to the byline and stood up an excellent cross under pressure to find the giant Nikola Zigic at the back post where the new Birmingham City striker had the sense to see Milan Jovanovic unmarked in the centre, allowing the 29-year-old to apply a simple finish.
The Germans didn't have to wait long for a chance to equalise as Serbia failed to control the match despite an extra man. Vladimir Stojkovic was at fault as the keeper weakly punched away a corner to Sami Khedira who struck a fierce half-volley against the underside of the bar.
For most of the second half Germany didn't look much like a team with one man short, with Lukas Podolski on the left and Thomas Muller on the right finding space on regular occasions.
It was a run from the left that provided Germany with their best chance of the half, when a cross from that flank looked to be going harmlessly over everyone in the area before Vidic inexplicably raised his arm to stop the ball.
Podolski stepped up to take the spot-kick but his effort was a weak one, low to Stojkovic's left. Germany, for the first time in over 35 years, had missed a regular time penalty in a World Cup.
From then on the Germans dropped off the pace and Serbia grew in confidence, hitting the crossbar through Zigic and the post through Jovanovic but in the end they were more than happy to be on the right side of a 1-0 result.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal
One of the most exciting meetings of the group stages failed to ignite in Port Elizabeth with neither side able to bring a low-key game to life.
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on whether Didier Drogba would start for Ivory Coast just 11 days after breaking his arm. The Chelsea striker was named on the bench by manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and struggled to make an impact on the game after being sent on as a 66th minute substitute.
The other major star on display, Cristiano Ronaldo, started like he meant business with a string of strong runs at the Ivory Coast defence. He brought the match to life on 11 minutes when he crashed a 30-yard shot off the upright with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The world's most expensive player was then involved in a 21st minute flashpoint when he and Guy Demel squared up to one another amid suggestions that he had dived to win a free-kick. The result was a yellow card for both and the rest of the first half descended into a tetchy contest devoid of any moment of real quality.
Ivory Coast looked brighter after the interval and Gervinho mis-controlled in the box to waste a shooting opportunity, before Salomon Kalou side-footed an effort straight at the goalkeeper from 18 yards as the match threatened to burst into life.
Liedson directed a headed half-chance on target midway through the half but goalkeeper Boubacar Barry was able to pluck the ball out of the air.
Drogba came on soon after but was something of a bystander until he skewed a stoppage-time chance from a tight angle wide after being shadowed well by club-mate Ricardo Carvalho.
With the game 30 seconds over the allotted three minutes of stoppage time, Ivory Coast decided to take a short corner and the referee saw that as a fitting place to end a match short on quality and attacking inspiration.
Malinga helps super Sri Lanka survive Afridi
Sri Lanka survived Shahid Afridi's finest innings and Shoaib Akhtar on comeback through some desperate fielding and lovely bowling from Lasith Malinga. The batsmen before Afridi seemed either incompetent of or uninterested in the chase, the batsmen with him seemed intent on running themselves out, his cramp-induced groans could be heard through the stump microphone, he hobbled the last 17 of his runs, and he had taken Pakistan from 32 for 4 to within 39 of the target when Kumar Sangakkara produced a catch for the ages. Malinga, coming back into ODI cricket, then produced a lethal three-over spell inside the batting Powerplay to wipe the tail off much in the fashion Pakistanis are used to doing with others.
Afridi then reminded the crowd Pakistan were indeed trying to win the match. Just like that, he smacked the first two balls pitched up to him for sixes. Farveez Maharoof was at the receiving end, and learned his lesson fast: he hardly pitched anything up in the rest of his spell, and bowled some impressive cutters, but didn't court success.
You could sense Sri Lanka were now waiting for the inevitable mistake from Afridi. You could sense Afridi was not going to make that inevitable mistake. The deep fielders waited for catches, all they got was shots to their right or their left that got Pakistan couples. Umar Akmal joined in the process, and the pair began to use the big ground to their advantage. On nine occasions they managed to take couples during their 73-run fifth-wicket stand. In a further exhibition of calculated hitting, Afridi lofted Murali for four sixes in four overs, all over his head, all risk-free.
With cause for worry, Sangakkara brought Malinga back for the 25th over, and Umar set off for a suicidal single having defended straight to short cover. And Tillakaratne Dilshan is not the man to steal sharp singles off. Umar's brother, Kamran Akmal, way better with the batting gloves than the keeping ones, started another important partnership.
Afridi now took his innings to a level higher, finding gaps through the field for fours. Murali was welcomed back with a swept boundary in the 32nd over, taking Afridi to 74, and Pakistan to 154. Off the second ball, Kamran got run out. Still no impact on Afridi. He was not fazed even by a short ball from Malinga that he couldn't spot. A fantastic slower ball followed, which he was deceived by but still managed to glance it for four.
Monday, June 14, 2010
First test of Pakistan's unity
Pakistan cricket is in the spotlight, once again. Having endured a period of internal upheaval, they have zeroed in on a squad full of surprises. One former captain retired, while two others appealed successfully against their bans. One of those two - Shoaib Malik - returned to the side and will be playing under a new leader, Shahid Afridi, who not very long ago accused Malik of back-biting. Out of nowhere, the once spectacular Shoaib Akhtar was recalled. Even faithful fans struggle to keep track of the changes, while critics question the madness surrounding the method. But one thing everyone will acknowledge is that the selectors have hit upon a reasonably balanced ODI outfit.
Pakistan have traditionally under-performed at the Asia Cup, winning just one tournament, and their recent one-day record is miserable, but they have managed to lift their game in recent multi-team events. Admittedly, three of those four have been in the Twenty20 format, and there-in lies the danger Pakistan poses - both to their opponents and to themselves. They have the ability to go all the way with short and sharp bursts of inspiration, but are just as likely to combust.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Taibu, Coventry take Zimbabwe to 140
After paying for too many strokes too early in the first match, Zimbabwe seemed to have erred on the side of caution in the second, but Tatenda Taibu and Charles Coventry took Zimbabwe to their second-best Twenty20 total. Sweeps and reverse-sweeps from Taibu and a late cameo from Coventry took them to a mildly competitive total after an inexplicably slow start had them down at 64 for 3 in the 13th over.
There were 48 dot balls in the innings, five of them because Hamilton Masakadza shouldered arms to the first six deliveries he faced, one of them a wide. He was out to the first aggressive shot he played, hitting straight down mid-off's throat. Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha didn't try any big shots off the seamers, and Ashok Dinda and R Vinay Kumar got through the first five overs for just 16 runs.
In the sixth over, Chibhabha tried the expansive slog sweep and was bowled by Pragyan Ojha. Taylor managed a couple of lovely boundaries down the ground, but there weren't enough singles off his bat. When he was taken superbly at the long-off boundary by Yusuf Pathan, he had reached only 26 off 31.
Taibu, though, was playing a different game: sweeping, reverse-sweeping, running crazily fast, hitting the spinners off their lengths. He may have hit only two boundaries - a sweep of each variety - but had raced to 25 off 18 when Taylor got out. Coventry came out and made you wonder just why the top order batted so slowly. He reverse-swept R Ashwin for two boundaries in the 16th over, and between those two hits fit an exquisite six over extra cover. Vinay offered him length in the next over, and Coventry got another six.
In the 18th over, Dinda removed Coventry with a perfect yorker. Elton Chigumbura played a mini cameo, hitting Ashwin in the 19th over for six, six and four, but Suresh Raina took a blinder running behind from midwicket towards deep midwicket to control the damage. Taibu didn't manage any more boundaries, and his incredible running helped them get 10 runs in the last over.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Debutant Ervine seals terrific win to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe 289 for 4 (Taylor 81, Ervine 67*) beat India 285 for 5 (Rohit 114, Jadeja 61*) by six wickets
It wasn't really an upset. Zimbabwe were the stronger of the two sides, which showed in the assured manner of a tall chase, set up by Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza's fliers and finished off with ten balls to spare by a cool debutant, Charles Ervine. The return of high-profile cricket to Zimbabwe brought the spirited crowd much joy as the hosts meticulously beat a weak India side, whose only creditable spell came when Rohit Sharma scored 69 off the last 36 balls he faced to reach his maiden ODI century, and give India a fighting total on a flat track.
Full score card:-http://www.cricinfo.com/zim-tri2010/engine/current/match/452146.html
It wasn't really an upset. Zimbabwe were the stronger of the two sides, which showed in the assured manner of a tall chase, set up by Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza's fliers and finished off with ten balls to spare by a cool debutant, Charles Ervine. The return of high-profile cricket to Zimbabwe brought the spirited crowd much joy as the hosts meticulously beat a weak India side, whose only creditable spell came when Rohit Sharma scored 69 off the last 36 balls he faced to reach his maiden ODI century, and give India a fighting total on a flat track.
Full score card:-http://www.cricinfo.com/zim-tri2010/engine/current/match/452146.html
Saturday, May 22, 2010
1 st ODI S.Africa VS W.Indies watch live
1st ODI match
1 st ODI S.Africa VS W.Indies watch live
1.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
2.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
3.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
4.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
5.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
6.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
Friday, May 21, 2010
England tour pay dispute is settled
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England's players and the Rugby Football Union have reached an agreement to end the dispute over pay.
Team England Rugby and the RFU say they have "resolved all the outstanding tour issues" over payments for the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. The row had led to an independent third party being appointed to review the matter and their recommendations have been accepted.
The two parties say that details of the agreement will not be revealed.
A joint statement from Team England Rugby and the RFU read: "The Rugby Football Union and Team England Rugby are pleased to announce that they have resolved all the outstanding issues over tour payments for the elite player squad for the tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Lance Armstrong dismisses Floyd Landis doping claims
 Armstrong says he is "a little confused" by the claims |
Lance Armstrong has dismissed disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis's allegations that he saw the seven-time Tour de France winner use illegal drugs on a team bus.
Stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title for doping, Landis has admitted that he regularly doped as a rider. Landis also accused cycling boss Johan Bruyneel and Armstrong of paying off a cycling official over a failed test.
"We have nothing to hide. With regards to the specific claims, they're not worth getting into it," Armstrong said.
Armstrong has often been accused by his rivals and critics of cheating but has never officially failed a doping test and has always maintained his innocence.
"I'm not going to waste my time or your time. It's our word against his word. I like our word," added Armstrong, with his long-time coach Bruyneel standing next to him. "We like our credibility."
The 32-year-old Landis has sent a series of e-mails to cycling officials and sponsors acknowledging and detailing his long-term use of banned drugs, and accusing former team-mate Armstrong of doing the same, including once on a team bus during a race.
American Landis claimed Armstrong and Bruyneel paid an International Cycling Union official to cover up a test in 2002 after Armstrong purportedly tested positive for the blood-boosting drug EPO.
However, Armstrong won the Tour de Suisse in 2001, not 2002, prompting the cycling great to say: "We're a little confused, maybe just as confused as you guys. The timeline is off, year by year."
The UCI released a statement saying it had "never changed or concealed a positive test result."
Landis also alleged that Bruyneel had introduced Landis to practices including steroid patch use and blood doping.
Bruyneel led the US Postal team, which later became Discovery Channel, to victory in eight of nine Tour de France races from 1999, including Armstrong's seven successive wins between 1999-2005.
Landis joined US Postal in 2002, and teamed with Armstrong in three Tour de France campaigns before winning in 2006 riding for Phonak.
Landis also implicated other cyclists, including Armstrong confidant George Hincapie and former US Postal team-mate Michael Barry.
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of David Villa
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of David Villa after the striker passed a medical at the Nou Camp on Friday.
The Spain star has signed a four-year deal after the Catalan side agreed a £34.2m fee with former club Valencia. The 28-year-old is Barcelona's first summer capture, with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas also said to be a target.
"Anybody would be happy to come to a club like this - as everybody says, this is the best team in the world," Villa told Barcelona's website.
"I'm very happy and proud to be here."
Barcelona also have the option of extending Villa's contract by another 12 months as well as negotiating a huge buyout clause of 200m Euros (£174.39m).
The man from Asturias, in the north of Spain, is a regular in his country's first team and will be highly fancied to make a big impact at the World Cup.
New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Twenty20s, Florida ,An adventure breaking new ground
Match Facts
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The Big Picture
It is tempting to look at these matches - two Twenty20 internationals between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, being played in the USA - as precisely the reason why tournaments like IPL prosper. Twenty20 is the best vehicle for the globalisation of the game, which somehow - rightly or wrongly - seems to be a big concern for the administrators. The ICC sees the USA, with a team full of Asians and a country boasting enough immigrants to constitute a crowd for a match, as a prospective market. Since the two teams had been to the Caribbean, why not have them stop over on their way back. Yet, on another level, there is much to suggest that this series is yet another example of the ICC sanctioning an ill-timed series, one without context. It hasn't been even a week since the end of the World Twenty20, and the fatigue, even for the slam-bang format, was evident among the audience during the bilateral series earlier this week between West Indies and South Africa. It would have been foolish to expect anything but in the first place: there is only so much Twenty20 people can take.
In any event, it is going to be a huge weekend for cricket in the USA, especially as a venue. Already the series has been cut short because of poor floodlighting. It is the first time two Test teams are playing in America, and how the matches go from an organisational point of view will have a bearing on the future of international cricket in the USA.
There has also been concern over whether New Zealand and Sri Lanka, small countries with small diaspora, will be able to attract enough supporters, leave alone taking the game to the natives, which should be the real aim. The onus will be on the teams to play attractive cricket; it is not easy to make a pitching-obsessed nation fall in love with bowling. They can't turn up jaded, like West Indies and South Africa did, three days after the World Twenty20 final.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
South Arica VS West Indies 2nd T-20 live stream
Watch Live Live South Africa Vs West Indies T 20 match
ICC T-20 S.Africa VS W.Indies watch live
1.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
2.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
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5.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
6.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
Dilshan to lead Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe
Tillakaratne Dilshan will lead Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe in the absence of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, both of whom have been rested for the triangular series also involving India. Sanath Jayasuriya, who had a horrid World Twenty20, and Lasith Malinga also have been rested. Angelo Mathews, the allrounder, will deputise for Dilshan, who is on his first assignment as captain for an ODI series.
Muttiah Muralitharan, who was ruled out during the World Twenty20 due to a groin injury, also hasn't been picked. Sri Lanka have drafted in allrounder Jeewan Mendis, who's been in his country's domestic circuit for almost ten years but is yet to make a international appearance. Also featuring in the squad of 15 is left-handed batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who played for Sri Lanka in two ODIs in Bangladesh in January.
Returning to the squad are opener Upul Tharanga, middle-order batsman Chamara Silva and fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, who were not picked for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
The tournament gets underway in Bulawayo on May 28, with Zimbabwe taking on India in the opener.
Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Silva, Thissira Perera.
Crom:-http://www.cricinfo.com/zim-tri2010/content/current/story/460370.html
Charlton - England must win USA opener
The former Leeds man has warned Fabio Capello's men not to take the USA too lightly when the sides meet in their Group C opener in Rustenburg on June 12.
Charlton said: "At the moment, we have got top players there and it is up to the manager to decide who he plays, how he plays them and what type of game he wants to play. I am sure he is a very knowledgeable man and we have got a good start knowing we have got good players. I think the first game against America will be very difficult. If we win that, then we will win the group."
- World Cup home
- World Cup fixtures
Charlton knows exactly what it takes to succeed on the big stage having enjoyed World Cup glory as a player in 1996 and led the Republic of Ireland to the finals as a manager.
But where his Ireland team fried in the heat of the American sun in 1994, he is hoping the elements could provide England with a further boost this time around.
He said: "We are going there in the winter where we might get rain and it might get a bit chilly, which might suit the England lads.
"Ninety per cent of the times you play at European Championships and World Cups, you are playing in very, very warm, very hot temperatures, and that is very hard for the players.
"But this time it looks as if we might have an opportunity to play in conditions which might suit us."
Ref:-http://www.football.co.uk/england/charlton_-_england_must_win_usa_opener_rss799687.shtml
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ryan McLaren shines as South Africa beat West Indies
Ryan McLaren ripped through the West Indies batting line-up to take 5-19 as South Africa eased past the hosts in the first game of their Twenty20 tour.
Jacques Kallis had struck 53 off 45 balls to guide South Africa to 136-7 off 20 overs. The 34-year-old Kallis struck three sixes and one four in a second-wicket stand of 73 with captain Graeme Smith.
And, on a two-paced wicket, the West Indies were unable to build up any momentum as they lost by 13 runs.
Both sides made changes to their line-ups after disappointing World Twenty20 campaigns.
Visit More:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/8693551.stm
South Africa Vs West Indies T-20 Live Stream (wi vs sa)
ICC T-20 S.Africa VS W.Indies watch live
1.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
2.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
3.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
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5.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
6.Link S.Africa VS W.Inidies
England 'perfect' as World Cup host, says Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello says he believes England remains "the perfect country to host the World Cup" despite the recent controversy surrounding Lord Triesman.
Triesman quit as chairman of the 2018 World Cup bid after claims that he accused the Spanish and Russian football federations of bribery."My relationship with Lord Triesman was really good," England boss Capello told BBC Sport from the team's Austria base."I am sorry for what happened but now we are focused on what happens here."England's World Cup squad are training near picturesque Salzburg ahead of this summer's tournament, and captain Rio Ferdinand also took time out to support the 2018 bid. 2018 bid is more than one man - Ferdinand "The bid's bigger than any one individual. People come and go in the process but we'd still stage a great World Cup," he told the BBC. "I think this country has got all the tools to hold a tournament of that ilk. We will be great hosts."
Lord Coe, the mastermind behind London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics and a board member for the 2018 bid, insisted: "I don't think anybody in the world, including Fifa, doubts we have anything other than a great ability to deliver a fantastic World Cup. "This does not become a bad bid overnight.
"I understand campaigns. We were bidding to stage an Olympic Games for the best part of three years.
Hurst remains confident over 2018 bid "Campaigns are marathons, not sprints. There's rarely anything that is so serious or so great that you are permanently derailed or you jump across the line in one fell swoop.
"You have to be consistent with your messages. What is the consistent message that we will be punching between now until the vote in Zurich? That we have stadiums in place that are extraordinary, we have passionate fans, we have a marketplace for football.Visit more on:-http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8689913.stm
Boucher dropped, de Villiers to keep
AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa during the limited-overs leg of their tour of West Indies instead of Mark Boucher, whose place in the team is now uncertain. Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, said the new selection panel led by Andrew Hudson was trying out new ideas ahead of the 2011 World Cup, and having de Villiers keep gave him more options.
"AB will be starting with the gloves in the limited-overs matches," Smith said ahead of the first Twenty20 international in Antigua. "There is a new selection committee and a few new ideas. We only have something like 15 ODIs before we get to India for the World Cup, so we have to make every one of them count."
Boucher, 33, has been a near permanent fixture in South Africa's XI across formats since he made his debut in 1997 and has played 131 Tests, 291 ODIs and 25 Twenty20s. Smith said the absence of Boucher's experience in the line-up would have to be made up by the rest of the players.
Source:-http://www.cricinfo.com/west-indies-v-south-africa-2010/content/current/story/460183.html
Source:-http://www.cricinfo.com/west-indies-v-south-africa-2010/content/current/story/460183.html
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Foot ball:-Barcelona ponder move for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas
Barcelona are considering making a move for Cesc Fabregas after the Arsenal captain's admission that he would like to return to the Catalan giants.
Last week Fabregas, 23, who joined the Gunners from Barca in 2003, said he would only leave Arsenal for Barcelona. Barca president Joan Laporta said: "It is remarkable the player has said that. If we believe we must make an effort, we will and we will talk to Arsenal."
Meanwhile, Barcelona are close to signing Valencia striker David Villa.
The Spanish international is holding talks with the La Liga champions and Laporta said: "We are in the negotiating process and everything is going in the right direction.
"We hope it is resolved soon. We have set a specific date and will do what is best for the club."
Laporta's reign as the Catalan club's president comes to an end this summer and two of his potential successors, Sandro Rosell and Alfons Godall, have mentioned signing Fabregas as part of their election campaign.
More info-http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8690067.stm
Sri Lanka v New Zealand T20 Florida series cut to two matches
The Twenty20 series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Florida - the first international series between two full ICC members to take place in the USA - has been reshaped after the ICC declared that the floodlights at the Broward County Regional Park, the venue, were unfit for hosting international cricket. The schedule will now involve New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka twice over the weekend in addition to two Twenty20 games between USA and Jamaica, who also play a 50-over one-day game on May 21.
"Ideally the inaugural game in the Pearls Cup series would have been a night game on Thursday," New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said. "The lights at the stadium are fine for most levels of cricket, but they need to be of a higher standard for the playing and broadcast of international cricket.
"And added to this, there is a high probability of rain and thunderstorms in the region on Thursday which added weight to our decision. Because of these factors, we have decided, along with our partner USA Cricket, to focus all of the attention on the weekend with the two double headers as well a full one-day international between USA and Jamaica on Friday the 21st."
The original plan was for a three-match Twenty20 series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, which had been reduced to two back-to-back fixtures on May 21 and 22.
England T-20 World Cup win to be...
It seems incredible to say it, given the ineptitude of England's history in limited-overs cricket, but this was no fluke, far from it. At the moment of victory, there was only one man to whom the team gravitated, for Collingwood's grounded professionalism has transformed him into the most durable cricketer of his generation, and no one could be more deserving of all the accolades that will flood his way in the coming weeks. In his own unobtrusive manner, he's become England's heartbeat in all forms of the game, the unlikeliest heir imaginable to the last great English "talisman".
Remember Andrew Flintoff? Incredibly, no one this side of the St Lucia marina has given him a second thought in the past fortnight. Not only have England scaled unprecedented heights in his absence, they've done so with an ethos that makes you question whether he would ever have made the cut in the first place. "Who needs Fred when you've got Tim Bresnan?" is the message being projected by the Flower and Collingwood regime. It sounds absurd, but then, two weeks ago, so too was the prospect of England becoming world champions.
Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste has revealed they are close to signing David Villa and remain hopeful of landing Cesc Fabregas.
Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste has revealed they are close to signing David Villa and remain hopeful of landing Cesc Fabregas.
Newly-crowned Primera Liga champions Barca are keen on signing Valencia ace Villa and Arsenal schemer Fabregas as they look to strengthen their squad for next season.
A move for Villa has been mooted for some time with Valencia resigned to losing their star striker due to their financial problems.
Fabregas has been continually linked with a return to Barcelona with the midfielder admitting his desire to rejoin his former club at some point in the future.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Buy your World Cup Tickets
World Cup Tickets
Razorgator is your trusted connection for the complete World Cup experience! The FIFA World Cup is passion and rivalry at one of the highest levels in all sports. This prestigious tournament will be hosted by an African nation, South Africa, for the first time in 2010, and Razorgator is your connection for World Cup tickets! Do not miss your chance to experience the breathtaking goals, nail-biting penalty kicks, and intense competition, complete with the most rabid and vocal fans in the world. Be there for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with your World Cup soccer tickets to see which nation will earn the right to be crowned champion!Link:-http://www.razorgator.com/tickets/sports/soccer/world-cup-tickets/?c=20-0-0-0-0-0-0&gclid=CJX5rc_b2qECFdBA6wodLBUkIA
Banned Franck Ribery to miss Champions League final
Ribery was handed a three-game ban by Uefa for fouling Lyon's Lisandro Lopez
Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery will miss the Champions League final after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his appeal against a ban.
The 27-year-old France playmaker turned to Cas after Uefa imposed a three-match suspension following his red card for a tackle on Lyon's Lisandro Lopez. Uefa had already dismissed an appeal and on Monday Cas upheld the decision.
Saturday's final clash against Inter Milan in Madrid will be the second match of Ribery's European ban.
Cas said it would reveal the reasons for its decision "in a few days" but the court's secretary general, Matthieu Reeb, said that judges were reluctant to interfere in refereeing judgements.
fifth and final Ticketing Sales Phase opens today!
fifth and final Ticketing Sales Phase opens today! As of 9am CET, South African residents will be able to purchase tickets directly at the following locations: 11 FIFA Ticketing Centres and First National Branches. Online purchasing will open on FIFA.com at 6pm CET!
visit:-http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing/salesphases.html
Kevin rewards for his hard hittings..!
He had unfinished business against Australia after being forced to hobble out of the Ashes with his Achilles injury. His 47 in the final won't quite make up for it - that will have to wait until the Ashes in November - but it could well be another highly significant mark in his career.
"Incredible really," was how he summed the past week of his life. "It will only sink in in a few weeks' time or when I see my little boy to see and hold, everything will probably sink in. Right now in the dressing room we will celebrate as a team but things only seem to sink in a few days later or a week later. Hopefully the ash cloud will stay away and we can get back to our families on Tuesday because its one thing celebrating with the lads but you also want your families around you to celebrate such a successful time."
Australian Women won the T-20 Women's Final
Sara McGlashan's run out allowed the Australians to re-group in their defence of 106, Australia Women v New Zealand Women, Final, Women's World Twenty20, Bridgetown, May 16, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sri Lanka cricket team against New Zealand in USA in 2010
The New Zealand cricket team and the Sri Lanka cricket team will toured the United States in May. This will be the first time Full Members of the International Cricket Council will have met in an official match in the United States. All matches will be played at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.
1st T20I
| 20 May | New Zealand  | v |  Sri Lanka | Central Broward Regional Park, Florida |
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2nd T20I
| 22 May | New Zealand | v | Sri Lanka | Central Broward Regional Park, Florida |
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3rd T20I
| 23 May | New Zealand | v | Sri Lanka | Central Broward Regional Park, Florida |
FIFA-2010 Korea see off Ecuador
Korea Republic warmed up for the FIFA World Cup™ with a 2-0 win over Ecuador in Seoul courtesy of second-half strikes from Lee Sung-Ryeol and Lee Chung-Yong. Despite fielding a team made up only of domestic-based players, the South Americans proved a hard nut to crack.
Yeom Ki-hun almost broke the deadlock after 37 minutes but the Suwon Bluewings star headed Lee Dong-Guk's cross against the crossbar. Lee Dong-Guk went close on the hour as his low shot looked destined for the bottom corner before a diving save from Marcela Elizaga kept his team level.
Lee Sung-Ryeol had been on the pitch less than five minutes when he ran on to a header from Yeom to fire home from the edge of the area with 18 minutes left to play. Bolton winger Lee Chung-yong sealed the win 12 minutes later by shooting home from the edge of the six-yard box.
The friendly marks the start of the final phase of build-up for the Taeguk Warriors, who are next in action against Japan on 24 May. The team then travels to an Austrian training camp that includes a 30 May clash against Belarus and a 3 June game against European champions Spain.
England 148 for 3 (Kieswetter 63) beat Australia 147 for 6 (D Hussey 59) by seven wickets
Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen powered England to their first ICC global title with an irresistible 111-run stand for the second wicket, as Australia were outmuscled in a battle of the bowlers at Bridgetown. Despite a brave recovery led by David Hussey, who made 59 from 54 balls, Australia's hopes of claiming the only world title to have eluded them were devastated from the moment they lost three wickets in 13 legitimate deliveries in a stunning start to the contest. It was left to the captain, Paul Collingwood, to seal the victory with 17 balls to spare.
England ahead in first half....
Australia's nerveless middle-order overcame a dreadful start to the World Twenty20 final to haul their team to a competitive 147 for 6, as England's bowlers mislaid their intensity after a flying start to the contest. Once again, the Aussies had a Hussey to thank for reviving their prospects - David, this time - whose 54-ball 59 rebuilt the innings from rock-bottom following the loss of three prime wickets in the space of 13 legitimate deliveries.
With Cameron White clobbering 30 invaluable runs from 19 balls, and Michael Hussey chivvying 17 from 10 to follow up his masterful performance in the semi-final against Pakistan, Australia added exactly 100 runs in the final ten overs to put themselves firmly in the reckoning as they bid to capture the one piece of ICC silverware to have so far eluded them. Nevertheless, with the range of big-hitters that they possess, England will remain quietly confident of maintaining a run-rate of 7.4, as they seek to capture their first global title.
With Cameron White clobbering 30 invaluable runs from 19 balls, and Michael Hussey chivvying 17 from 10 to follow up his masterful performance in the semi-final against Pakistan, Australia added exactly 100 runs in the final ten overs to put themselves firmly in the reckoning as they bid to capture the one piece of ICC silverware to have so far eluded them. Nevertheless, with the range of big-hitters that they possess, England will remain quietly confident of maintaining a run-rate of 7.4, as they seek to capture their first global title.
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