T20 World Cup

Ian Butler (3-19) help out New Zealand with a thrilling wicket of the last ball and thrash Pakistan by 1 run in the must-win Super Eights match at the Twenty20 World Cup here on Saturday.

To chase a modest 134-run target, Pakistan fall flat on the ground as they lost half their side for 58 runs in 9.4 overs.

However, Pakistan player Salman Butt played pretty well as he produces 67 not out but didn’t impact much as game slip out on their hands. Though, he managed to build a good score as with his 8 fours and a six in his calmly 54-ball knock that adds up 53 runs with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who score 29 for the sixth wicket to revive the defending champion’s innings.

Mahela Jaywardene’s comprehensive victory gave Sri Lanka a 57-run win over the West Indies in the Super Eights match on Friday.

Scores

Sri Lanka: 195/3 (20.0)

West Indies: 138/8 (20.0)

Man of the Match: Mahela Jayawardene

Jayewardene gave an impressive innings with an unbeaten 98 off 56 balls that include 9 four and 4 sixes that cover up overall scores 195-3 off 20 overs, the highest in the tournament. Whereas, West Indies fall short as they managed to secure only 138-8 off 20 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangarkara – the duo’s partnership gave a brilliant score for sri lanka as captain Kumar Sangakkara, start off well and produce 68 off 49 deliveries which includes 5 fours and 3 sixes.

However, spinner Ajantha Mendis claimed 3-24 while pace ace Lasith Malinga snatched 3-28.

West Indies could not manage to stay on board as with Lankan’s player set the stage on fire with an impressive fielding and amazing scores. Though, Sangakkara was let off early by Captain Chris Gayle at slip and also had a let-off when Kieron Pollard floored a difficult return catch. Jayewardene, after producing 50 off 29, had a reprieve on 66 when a top-edged skier landed safely in between wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher and Wavell Hinds.

Bothe team, will soon meet on the same ground on Sunday – West Indies will have to  face India on whereas Sri Lanka will play with Australia on the same date.

Comments:

“Batting up the order suits my game, it’s always a challenge for me to be a better cricketer. Probably I took a bit of time to get used to the pace and bounce but once the ball gets older it comes on nicely. The trick is to bat through the innings if we get off to a start.” Says Jayawardene

“Mahela batted brilliantly again, his form has been crucial and the rest of the guys batted around him to get to a good total. It was fun batting with him and giving him the strike to watch him hit those boundaries. Mathews and Kapugedera have been in good form, just that they haven’t got the chances, even Dilshan has been hitting the ball well so it’s a positive for us.” Says Sangakkara

“We had our chances but we didn’t hold onto them. I thought 195 would have been difficult to chase. We are in a must win situation so we have to pick ourselves. Can’t really say why we dropped the catches, but we definitely have a lot of work to do. We have the right combination, just a matter of executing the plans. Sanga and Jayawardene played exceptionally well today.” Says Gayle

Teams

West Indies  - CH Gayle*, ADS Fletcher†, S Chanderpaul, RR Sarwan, WW Hinds, DJ Bravo, KA Pollard, DJG Sammy, SJ Benn, R Rampaul, JE Taylor.

Sri Lanka  - M Muralitharan, DPMD Jayawardene, KC Sangakkara*†, CK Kapugedera, AD Mathews, ST Jayasuriya, NLTC Perera, S Randiv, SL Malinga, BAW Mendis, KMDN Kulasekara.

Australian thrashed India by 49 runs, in the teams’ opening Super Eights match in the World Twenty20 at the Kensington Oval here on Friday.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 184-5 off 20 overs (S. Watson 54, D. Warner 72)

India: 135 off 17.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 79 not out)

MAN OF THE MATCH: David Warner

Opting to bat first, Australia set a 185 run target which India fails to keep the track moving as they loose the wickets at regular intervals.

Australian player, Warner puts an impressive innings that calculates a total of about 184 for five that builds around his first wicket stand of 104 in 11 overs in partnership with Shane Watson, who scored 54 runs. Read more »

Albie Morkel’s win a comprehensive match and comfortably placed a 13 runs victory in their opening Super Eights match against New Zealand in the World Twenty20 on Thursday at Kensington Oval,Bridgetown, Barbados.

Brief Scores:
South Africa– 170/4 in 20 Overs
New Zealand – 157/7 in 20 Overs

Man-of-the-match: Albie Morkel

New Zealand started off well, but failed to keep the pace on the ground as they swiftly lost the runs in the middle overs. Read more »

Indian fastest bowler, Praveen Kumar is no longer be a part of the World Twenty20 as he got an abdominal injury.

However, it all happen during the practice session which took place at the 3Ws Oval and after the injury, the Indian management team sent him for an MRI test that confirmed a tear in abdomen muscle.

The BCCI would soon be announcing the replacement of Praveen Kumar.  It has not finalized yet, but planning to an opportunity to Karnataka’s player R Vinay Kumar, who also happens good bowler.

Vinay Kumar, who played on a remarkable note and bagged with 53 wickets in the recent Indian premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

But, the final confirmation from BCCI is still on hold and the decision will soon be going to release.

“I wanted to hit the right areas and I am glad that I managed to do it today. It is quiet nice to have a run on this pitch. I think there is a special performance round the corner, but I feel that I have to do the basics correctly.” Says Morne Morkel

Man of the Match: Morne Morkel“It was great to see the guys bowl with such intensity. This pitch looks like the Wanderers and the guys thoroughly enjoyed it. If we can just keep improving and get our whole game together, we can be a force to reckon with in the tournament. There is good bounce and carry for the bowlers and we wanted to raise the standard of our play. It was great to see the enthusiasm from the Afghan players.” Says Smith Read more »

Fast Bowler Dirk Nannes took four wickets as Australia beat Bangladesh by 27 runs at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday

Michael Hussey: At the half way stage, I was looking at a target of 140, but fortunately Steven Smith came in and shared a wonderful partnership. I was just wanting to look busy and score the runs as they came by. We would like to carry our good performance against India in a few days time, as they are a very difficult side to beat in T20s.

Man of the Match: Michael Hussey

“The top order did not perform as we expected. The quicks really enjoyed this wicket but I would have expected the top order to score some runs. We are really gaining some momentum ahead of our match against India. We have got a really, talented bunch of guys and I need to score some runs.” Says Clark Read more »