World Cup 2007

27th Mar 2007

2007-03-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Australia's Hayden hammers West Indies

St John's: Matthew Hayden's record-breaking 158 was the backbone of reigning champions Australia's 322 for six against the West Indies in the first Super Eight clash of this World Cup here Tuesday. Hayden's hundred, his second in as many matches, was the highest score by an Australian at the World Cup, surpassing the 143 not out made by Andrew Symonds four years ago against Pakistan in Johannesburg.
This innings came after Hayden's 101 in Saturday's 83-run win against South Africa, in what was the first major match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. It was also the 35-year-old left-handed opener's third hundred in as many one-day internationals against Test nations following his Australian record 181 not out against New Zealand last month in Hamilton.
And yet for all his bludgeoning hitting later on, Hayden struggled at the start of his innings with the Queenslander taking 18 balls to get off the mark. However, West Indies may take some heart from the fact the four highest totals to win batting second in one-day internationals have all been made against Australia since the 2005/06 season. Shane Watson was 33 not out and Brad Hogg unbeaten on five. It was no surprise when West Indies captain Brian Lara decided to field first in overcast conditions on an outfield slowed by early morning rain.
Australia lost Adam Gilchrist for seven when he was caught behind by opposing wicket-keeper Dinesh Ramdin off an inside-edge against Daren Powell. It was not until the last ball of the seventh over, when captain Ricky Ponting hooked paceman Powell for six, that Australia started to up the rate. Hayden then drove the next two deliveries, from Powell's fellow quick Jerome Taylor, for fours past mid-off.
Ponting had looked in good touch on his way to making 35 off 36 balls before having survived one attempt on 16, ran himself out when he went for a non-existent single off Taylor and Ramnaresh Sarwan at extra-cover hit the stumps at the bowler's end. Australia, now 76 for two in the 15th over, almost lost Clarke in similar fashion as the innings entered a jittery phase. And Hayden himself would have been out for 28 if Lara's throw from mid-on had hit after he'd been sent back by Clarke.
Clarke found his form before Hayden reached fifty in typical fashion, advancing down the pitch to drive the off-spin of Chris Gayle, bowling in a cap, down the ground for four. But a stand of 98 in 16 overs which moved Australia onto 174 for three ended when medium-pacer Dwayne Bravo had Clarke lbw for 41 off just 42 balls. Hayden completed his ninth one-day international hundred in 110 balls with one six and eight fours.
Hayden then opened up, driving Taylor for six over long-on, lofting him wide of long-off for four and driving him high over long-on again for a six into the upper tier of the stands for three boundaries in as many balls. Finesse followed force when Hayden late cut Samuels down to third man only for the next ball to be slammed over long-on for six by the Queenslander.
The onslaught was halted briefly when rain, which had been falling steadily, stopped play with Australia 286 for five in the 47th over and Hayden unbeaten on 153. But the first ball back saw Hayden thrash Corey Collymore for four past the fumbling Dwayne Smith on the long-off boundary before his innings ended when he chipped Bravo to Samuels at long-off having faced 143 balls with four sixes and 14 fours

Rain takes match to reserve day
St John's: Matthew Hayden's commanding innings of 158 left world champions Australia in a strong position against hosts West Indies before rain forced the opening Super Eight match of this World Cup into a second day.
Hayden's record-breaking display was the centrepiece of Australia's 322 for six after they'd lost the toss. But rain, which had been falling steadily during the Australia innings, meant the West Indies' reply never got started in the first major match staged at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The match will be resumed at 0930am local time (1330GMT) Wednesday with the hosts chasing 323 to win off 50 overs. Earlier, Hayden produced one of the great World Cup innings, providing a master-class in how to pace a big score after taking 18 balls to get off the mark following West Indies captain Brian Lara's decision to field first in overcast conditions.
His hundred, his second in as many matches, was the highest score by an Australian at the World Cup, surpassing the 143 not out made by Andrew Symonds four years ago against Pakistan in Johannesburg, and the ninth best in the history of the tournament.

25th Mar 2007

2007-03-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Bangladesh, from whipping boys to giant-killers

Port Of Spain, Trinidad: When Saqibul Hasan lofted Bermudian spinner Dwayne Leverock for a winning four here on Sunday, Bangladesh had plenty of reasons to smile. With victory achieved in the semi-darkness of the Queen's Park Oval, Bangladesh completed a seven-wicket win to qualify for the World Cup second round for the first time since making their Cup debut in England in 1999. Such was the enormity of the achievement that India, the 1983 champions and one of the favourites this time round, were knocked out as a consequence. Considered the whipping boys of international cricket in their initial years, Bangladesh had never gone past the first round as they won two matches in England and none in the next edition in South Africa in 2003. It was also a big day for coach Dav Whatmore, who has transformed Bangladesh into a highly competitive unit. It was a tribute to his skill that his side exceeded expectations in the four-team group. Bangladesh turned the form-book upside down with a five-wicket win over India in their opening match before defeating debutants Bermuda in their last. Whatmore has already done wonders with Sri Lanka, playing a crucial role as coach to help Arjuna Ranatunga's team clinch the 1996 World Cup. But he said the Sri Lankan title-triumph was something "different." "It is very significant for us (to reach the Super Eights). We had the potential to do well and we also needed a little bit of luck to get results," said Whatmore. "This game was the most difficult as we had to win it to qualify. To play 20 overs in such conditions and chasing that score was not easy. It was the most difficult situation to qualify." The match was reduced to 21-overs-a-side due to rain before Bangladesh successfully chased a target of 96 with 21 balls to spare for their second win. The victory also condemned India, the financial superpower of the sport, to an early exit. Only a Bermudian win could have helped India advance to the next round after they suffered defeats against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

24th Mar 2007

2007-03-27T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hayden's record ton sets up Australia's thumping win
Basseterre (St Kitts): Australia showed who's the real number one by crushing South Africa for a 83-run victory in the World Cup Group 'A' cricket one-dayer here on Saturday.
Three-time champions Australia, who recently lost their status as world's top one-day team to South Africa, put up a commanding performance to round off their group engagements and move into the Super Eight with an all-win record.
Put in to bat, the Australians rode on a record-breaking hundred by Matthew Hayden to post a mammoth 377 for six before containing the Proteas to 294 in 48 overs at Warner Park. Hayden led the Australian run-fest with a 68-ball 101 while skipper Ricky Ponting (91) and Michael Clarke (92) sustained the assault with aggressive half-centuries.
The Australian total was the third highest in World Cup matches, after India's 413-5 against Bermuda earlier in the tournament and Sri Lanka's 398-5 against Kenya in 1996. Hayden brought up his century off 66 balls, one less than what Canada's John Davison needed against the West Indies in South Africa four years ago, for the fastest hundred in World Cup history.
South Africa, who last season successfully chased Australia's 434 for 4 at home, were set for an encore when they were placed at 220-1 in the 32nd over. Captain Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers gave the world's top side the perfect launchpad with a 160-run opening stand but the rest of the batting failed to stand up to the task.
Both the teams had already booked their berth in the Super Eight but Australia will now carry two points into the second stage while South Africa none. Hayden hammered 14 fours and four sixes as he bludgeoned the South African bowling.

Tikolo pleads for more matches as Kenya exit World Cup

Gros Islet, St Lucia: Kenya captain Steve Tikolo said it was vital the Africans played more major international matches if they were to progress as a cricket nation after they went out of the World Cup with a seven-wicket defeat against England. Whoever won Saturday's clash at the Beausejour Cricket Ground were assured of joining Group C winners New Zealand in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. But although the experienced Tikolo scored 76, after winning the toss and batting, no other Kenyan made more than 17 as they were bowled out for 177 in a match reduced by rain to 43 overs per side. "We need more games. I've been saying this since time immemorial," a frustrated Tikolo told reporters. "You can't come here without playing at this level consistently. "If you look at our calendar now we have the Twenty20 World Cup (in South Africa) in September. But between now and September there's nothing for us. You can't compete like that." Tikolo said the Test nations had to make room in their own schedules, drawn up in response to the International Cricket Council's 10-year plan if the likes of Kenya were to improve their standards. "I think our board has been talking to the ICC but the excuse we always get is that the Test countries are busy with their 10-year calendar. But if you want the other countries to come up you need to give them more games." Tikolo, asked if he would play in a fifth World Cup in 2011 when the tournament will be staged in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, said: "That's a tough one. We'll see how my body goes. "But I still want to play for Kenya for the next few years and see this team grow into a good unit." And he insisted he took little personal satisfaction from his innings against England, his 20th fifty in 94 matches at this level.

23rd March 2007

2007-03-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

India's defeat--a tale of incredible incompetence

Port of Spain, Trinidad: The bottom line is India bowled in favourable conditions, batted in equally opportune circumstances, yet they lost to Sri Lanka. It's a tale of incredible incompetence. Even after seven years of international exposure, Zaheer Khan cannot bowl a correct line on big occasions. Harbhajan Singh, who was wrongly picked--Anil Kumble should have selected--typically, failed to capture any wickets. He was, moreover, the most expensive Indian bowler.
Robin Uthappa established he was unripe for the big stage. Saurav Ganguly can be excused for failing after a conspicuously consistent trot following his return to the ODIs. But he overlooked the fact that mid-off had been stationed deeper than usual to attend to his penchant for the lofted drive.
Sachin Tendulkar was, admittedly, beaten by a beautiful delivery. But would he not have blocked this in his prime? Yuvraj Singh attempted a suicidal run, but these things transpire under pressure.
The Indians should not have allowed the pressure to accumulate in the first place. Mahendra Dhoni was for the second time in three innings caught napping going back and across, this time trapped plumb in front.
At least Rahul Dravid got one thing right--that Virender Sehwag is a man for the big occasion. As long as the latter and the skipper were at the crease, the target against Sri Lanka looked achievable. But the Delhiite ought to have been vigilant about the conjurer's "doosra".
And while, it was a lost cause, Dravid unnecessarily ventured into a lofted off-drive off the back foot in such a considerable outfield, like the one at the Queen's Park Oval. Besides, as captain, he should have put Sri Lanka in and set a more aggressive field with the new ball against Sri Lanka.

West Indies on course, says Lara

Kingston, Jamaica: Brian Lara is thrilled with the momentum West Indies are carrying into the Super Eights of the World Cup. West Indies completed an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in their final Group D match on Friday at Sabina Park which gave them a perfect record of three wins out of three in the first round and a maximum six points.
"We are heading into the second round feeling very comfortable and we will be picking up some momentum," Lara told reporters. "We considered this game a Super Eight game. The win was important as well as ensuring that we had a very good run-rate at the end of it." "I know it is a different class of opponents in our next game on Tuesday, but we've played well against Australia in the recent past and we expect to do well if we play to our strengths."
Shivnarine Chanderpaul stroked his sixth one-day international hundred, an undefeated 102 from 113 balls, to guide West Indies over the line against the Irish. "It's coming together, and everyone has had an opportunity," Lara said. "There have been teams where players haven't had an opportunity because they were so good. All of our batters had a hit. We got our seven bowlers having an opportunity. It is good for us, but it is now for us to go out there and be more convincing."
"It is now for us to take hold of the situation, like Chanderpaul did in this match with the bat. I'm really comfortable with the guys in the field. We just need to up the ante a little bit with the bat in hand." Both West Indies and Ireland had already secured their passes to the Super Eights, but the outcome of the match was vital, since it allows the World Cup hosts to carry a two-point bonus into the next stage.
"I thought we played solid cricket throughout the three games, Lara said. "It was a pretty tough group. Ireland played good cricket. Zimbabwe thought they had a chance at some point. We were very consistent."
"We're building to the point where we want to get onto the bigger games, the Australians, the South Africans, the biggest teams in the tournament. So far we've performed really well. I'm proud of the guys." West Indies will feature in the opening match of the Super Eight stage of the competition, when they face defending champions Australia on Tuesday at the new Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

22 Mar 2007

2007-03-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

Scotland skittled out for 136

Scotland was skittled out for 136 in 34 overs after being put in to bat by Netherlands after stand-in skipper Jeroen Smits in their Group A at St Kitts on Thursday.
Billy Stelling, who returned with the match figures of 8-3-12-3, was the pick of the bowlers for Netherlands who put up a clinical performance on the field.
MBS Jonkman and Mohammad Kashif picked up two wickets each as the Dutch displayed a disciplined bowling performance to bowl out the Scots.
Crucial contributions by Glenn Rogers (26) and John Blain, who remained unbeaten on 18, towards the end saved Scotland the blushes after being reduced to 39 for five.
Stelling got Netherlands off to a superb start as he had the Scot opener, NS Poonia caught behind on his second delivery for a duck to trigger a top order batting collapse.
Darron Reekers struck soon after to uproot Majid Haq for 6 runs to leave Scotland struggling at nine for two.
Stelling did further damage as he trapped Gavin Hamilton in plumb in front for four runs to take his wicket tally to two.
He again struck on his next delivery to scalp Dougie Brown leg before wicket for naught leaving the Scots tottering at 15 for four.
Tim de Leede then took a blinder of a catch off his own bowling to dispatch RR Watson - who toiled hard for his 16 runs - sending Scotland into a tailspin.
Neil McCallum and Colin Smith then got together to do some repair work and put up a 38-run stand for the sixth wicket before MBS Jonkman packed off the latter for a well accumulated 19 runs which came off just 23 deliveries and consisted of four boundaries.
Netherlands have dropped their captain Luuk van Troost. Jeroen Smits, the wicketkeeper, will lead the side.
It's the first dead rubber of the World Cup with both teams already out of the tournament. However, it's an even contest between minnows and could turn out to be rather exciting.

Vincent ends drought as New Zealand overpower Canada

Gros Islet: Lou Vincent found his form after two noughts with a hundred as New Zealand made it three World Cup wins out of three in Group C with a 114-run success against Canada at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here Thursday.
Vincent's 101 was the centrepiece of New Zealand's World Cup record score of 363 for five.
The innings also saw Brendon McCullum (52 not out) score the fastest World Cup 50 of all-time, off 20 balls with five sixes and one four, as Canada's attack wilted.
Canada captain John Davison, who four years ago scored the fastest World Cup hundred, off 67 balls, counter-attacked by making 52 before he was caught and bowled by paceman Michael Mason.
New Zealand's total was also a Beausejour ground record in one-day internationals, coming just two days after they'd posted the previous best here of 331 for seven against Kenya.
Davison went on the offensive against an attack missing rested fast bowler Shane Bond.
Off the fifth ball, from Daryl Tuffey, playing his first match of the tournament, Davison pulled a six and he later weighed in with four succesive fours off Mason. Left-hander Geoff Barnett then got in on the act with four off Tuffey.
By then Davison had been bowled off a Mason no-ball and there was further frustration for the Black Caps when Barnett, on 15, was dropped by a diving McCullum off Tuffey.
Canada's 50 came in just 30 balls before, with the score on 76, they lost their first wicket.
Going for another boundary to add to his six and 10 fours, Davison miscued the ball straight up in their air and Mason made no mistake.
Davison had faced a mere 31 balls.

21 Mar 2007

2007-03-21T00:37:00.000-07:00

Pakistan win by 93 runs

Chasing 193 (20 overs) for a win after the target was revised under the Duckworth-Lewis method due to rain, Zimbabwe was bundled out 99 runs in 19.1 overs at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Wednesday.
Both sides, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, have been eliminated and from Group D, Ireland will join West Indies in the Super Eights.
Shahid Afridi, who returned with the match figures of 4-0-20-3, spinned Pakistan to a 93-run victory along with Danish Kaneria, who bagged two wickets.
After posting 349 on board, Umar Gul struck on his second delivery of the innings to send Sibanda packing for a duck and give Pakistan a breakthrough upfront.
Zimbabwe could not recover form the early jolt as Gul struck again to dismiss Chibhabha for 3 runs leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 12 for two.
Mohammad Sami then made further inroads into the Zimbabwe line-up as he snared F kasteni for 9 runs in the following over.
Rain then halted play for about two and half hours due to which the target had to be revised.
Kaneria struck immediately upon resumption of play as he send Taylor back 13 runs who was caught on the mid wicket boundary by Younis Khan.
On the very next delivery, S Matsikenyeri was on his way back to the pavilion as he was run out for 18 runs.

Jayasuriya fires Sri Lanka to easy win

Port of Spain: Sanath Jayasuriya hammered a blistering century to set up Sri Lanka's crushing 198-run win over Bangladesh in the World Cup here on Wednesday.
The left-handed opener scored an 87-ball 109 for his 24th hundred as Sri Lanka posted a challenging 318-4 after being put in to bat on a good pitch at the Queen's Park Oval.
He also became the second-highest century-maker, behind only Indian Sachin Tendulkar who holds the world record with 41 hundreds.
Sri Lanka's total proved too big for Bangladesh, who were bowled out for 112 chasing a rain-revised target off 311 off 46 overs to suffer their first defeat in two matches.
Bangladesh still have a chance to qualify for the Super Eight stage as they meet debutants Bermuda in their last Group B match, while Sri Lanka boosted their hopes with a second successive victory.
Mohammad Ashraful top-scored with an unbeaten 45. Skipper Habibul Bashar (18) and Aftab Ahmed (12) were the others to reach double-figures in a dismal Bangladeshi batting performance.
Bangladesh were rocked by Lasith Malinga, a fast bowler with deceptive round-arm action and a gold-tinted hairdo, who grabbed two wickets in his four incisive opening overs. Malinga eventually finished with three wickets.
Sri Lanka's victory was set up by Jayasuriya who went on the rampage in the morning, smashing seven sixes and as many fours in a magnificent display of aggressive batting.
Sri Lanka's batting flourished, with Kumar Sangakkara (56) and Chamara Silva (52) making their second successive half-centuries and skipper Mahela Jayawardene chipping in 46.
They will now clash with India in their last match here on Friday. India are in a must-win situation after posting just one win in two matches, their victims being Bermuda.

20 Mar 2007

2007-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

New Zealand cruise into Super Eights

Gros Islet: New Zealand booked their place in the World Cup Super Eights with a 148-run win over Kenya here Tuesday.
Victory left New Zealand with two wins from its first two matches, assuring the Black Caps of one of the two qualifying spots out of Group C.
Kenya and England, the only other teams that can win two games in this group, play each other on Saturday.
New Zealand's total of 331 for seven was a record score in the 12 one-day internationals played at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
In reply Kenya, who collapsed to 29 for four, were bowled out for 183 although they took the match to the last over.
Ross Taylor's 85 led the way for the Black Caps while Craig McMillan hammered 71 off just 48 balls with five sixes and three fours to take the team past the 300 mark.
There were fifties too from Scott Styris (63) and skipper Stephen Fleming (60).

Inzamam ready for final curtain

Kingston: Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq faces his last one-day international on Wednesday in a mood of deep despondency over Bob Woolmer's death but optimistic for the team's future.
Inzamam has been a central figure in the Pakistan side ever since he starred with a blistering 60 from 37 balls in the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup against New Zealand at Auckland.
Since then, he has played 377 matches, scoring 11,702 runs at 39.53, including 10 hundreds.
"Every player has to go some day, and I've had my innings, but you can't really choose the way you leave," said Inzamam ahead of Pakistan's final World Cup outing against Zimbabwe.
"In my view, my resignation won't affect things much. There are senior players who might be even better than me at doing this job. With God's grace, they'll be even more successful."
Pakistan have endured a miserable World Cup.
A shock defeat to Ireland on Saturday, which condemned them to an early exit, was followed on Sunday by the death of Woolmer.
"We'll do our best for Bob, but whatever we do, it won't be enough," said Inzamam.
"He was a good man. Whenever any of the boys had a problem, he'd sit with them, and we were very attached to him.
"After the game (on Saturday), he went to all the boys and cheered them up. He told them that these things happen in life. That was his greatest quality. Even in the bad times, he would think positive."

Post mortem "inconclusive" on Woolmer's death

Kingston: A post mortem into the sudden death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was inconclusive, Jamaica police said Tuesday.
Deputy commissioner Mark Shields said the preliminary autopsy was inconclusive and authorities were waiting for a comprehensive report from doctors.
Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday, hours after Pakistan's upset loss to Ireland. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital of the West Indies soon after.
The Pakistan team's media manager, Pervez Jamil Mir, said the squad would remain in Kingston until Saturday and then make a decision about when to leave.
Pakistan plays Zimbabwe on Thursday in its last World Cup match. After two losses, Pakistan has no chance of reaching the second round.
At a news conference in Kingston, Mir pleaded with media not to ''try and spread rumors'' about Pakistani players being forced to stay in Jamaica as part of police investigations.
''It's painful for Mrs. Woolmer and the players too,'' he said.
Gill Woolmer has asked two trusted colleagues of her husband to make arrangements to transport his body to Cape Town, South Africa.

19 Mar 2007

2007-03-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

West Indies beat Zimbabwe for Super Eight spot

Kingston: West Indies became the second side to book a place in the Super Eight quarterfinals of the World Cup after beating Zimbabwe by six wickets in their Group D match here Monday.
Chasing 203 runs from their allocation of 50 overs, West Indies struck gold with 13 balls to spare when captain Brian Lara lofted Elton Chigumbura over wide long-on for a six.
The victory gave West Indies their second straight win in the competition, following their 54-run triumph over Pakistan in the World Cup opener last Tuesday at the same venue.
The win puts West Indies in the lead of Group D with four points, one more than giant-killers Ireland, and three ahead of Zimbabwe, leaving Pakistan at the bottom of the table with no points.
West Indies and Ireland complete the group phase on Friday, two days after the Pakistanis and Zimbabweans contest their final match on Wednesday.
Lara, unbeaten on 44, and Dwayne Bravo, not out on 37, shared 75, unbroken, for the fifth wicket to take West Indies over the line.
The World Cup hosts had wobbled to 129 for four, after openers Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had put on 73.
Both Chanderpaul and Gayle were caught at slip off Chigumbura Anthony Ireland held a return catch to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan for 12 in the 25th over, and Tawanda Mupariwa had Marlon Samuels caught at backward point for 28 in the 33rd over to send a few jitters through the West Indies' dressing room, but Lara and Bravo made it safe.
Earlier, Zimbabwe, sent in to bat on a hard, true Sabina Park pitch under partly cloudy skies, were indebted to half-centuries from Sean Williams and Brendon Taylor, as well as a late cameo from Chugumbura for getting them to a respectable total.
Left-hander Williams hit an undefeated top score of 70 from 88 balls and Taylor gathered 50 from 121 balls in a vital stand of 83 for the fifth wicket to lead a Zimbabwe recovery.
When Taylor backed up too far and was run out by Bravo's throw from point to bowler Samuels in the 41st over, Chigumbura arrived and gave the Zimbabweans a late boost.
He collected five fours in the closing overs to gather 30 not out from 29 balls and share an unbroken stand of 60 with Williams.
West Indies had early success, when new ball bowlers Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell bowled both Zimbabweans openers Friday Kasteni and Vusimuzi Sibanda inside the first three overs.
Taylor added the wicket of Justice Chibhabha also bowled for 12 in the 10th over before Dwayne Smith had Stuart Matsikenyeri caught at mid-on for 16.

India post incredible 413/5 against Bermuda; create WC record

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Bermuda was left thinking what hit them. Needing a big victory under their belt after Saturday's upset loss to Bangladesh, India plundered Bermuda to post 413 for five in their Group B match at Trinidad on Monday. This the highest total ever in World Cup history and betters the 398 that Sri Lanka hit against Kenya at Kandy in 1996. Barring opener Robin Uthappa, all the Indian batsmen tore into the Bermuda bowling. Virender Sehwag played an imperious knock to bring up a one-day hundred after a gap of almost three years. Sourav Ganguly played patiently before launching himself. Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh also made full use of the opportunity - bringing up smashing fifties. Yuvraj also hit seven sixes, one short of Ricky Ponting's record of eight sixes in a World Cup innings. Uthappa fails again Put in to bat by Bermuda skipper Irvine Romaine, India lost the wicket of Uthappa for just three. The opener poked nervously at a Malachi Jones delivery and the heavyweight Dwayne Leverock leapt to his right at first slip to hold on to the catch.

18 Mar 2007

2007-03-19T21:13:00.001-07:00

England win but fail to impress

England beat minnows Canada by 51 runs in their Group C encounter at St Lucia on Sunday, but it was nowhere near a convincing victory. Chasing 280 for a win, Canada finished at 228 for seven after 50 overs with DR Chumney unbeaten on 27 and GR Codrington 7 not out. The English bowling attack looked blunt in the absence of star all rounder Andrew Flintoff who has been left out of the playing XI and stripped of vice-captaincy. Plunkett's early strike Canadian chase suffered early blows as Plunkett struck in his first over to uproot Barrett for just seven runs. He then packed off Bagai for six runs, who was caught by Pietersen at the third man boundary. JM Davison and IS Billcliff then got together to do repair work with a 29-run stand for the third wicket before Anderson dismissed a well set Davison for 21 runs. It was not long before the next fell as Bopara, after doing a great job with the bat, shone with the ball too as he bowled out Billcliff for 20 runs leaving Canada tottering at 65 for four. But respite came in the form of Mulla and Samad, who revived the chase with a 96-run partnership and were looking good, although the required run rate kept going out of their reach. Mulla, in particular, was the more aggressive of the duo as he reached his fifty in just 54 deliveries. But he was done in by a Bopara delivery and a fine piece of stumping by wicket-keeper Nixon saw him back in the hut for 58 runs, which included seven boundaries and one six. Collingwood then trapped the set man Samad plumb in front for 36 runs to end all hopes of a late Canadian surge. Put in to bat by Canada John Davison, England finished at 279 for six in their stipulated 50 overs, thanks to a fine batting effort by Paul Collingwood, who remained unbeaten on 62. Some useful contributions by Bopara and Nixon towards the end ensured that England reach to a respectable total in their must win game.

Hodge hits maiden ton as Australia rout Netherlands

Basseterre, St Kitts: Brad Hodge hit a maiden one-day hundred and Michael Clarke scored an unbeaten half-century to help Australia achieve a thumping 229-run World Cup win over Netherlands here on Sunday. Australian middle-order batsman Brad Hodge scored 123 and shared an invaluable 204-run fourth wicket stand with Michael Clarke (93 not out) to help Australia reach 358-5 after electing to bat. The Netherlands were then unable to cope with the Australian bowling attack and were dismissed for 129 in 26.5 overs. Dan van Bunge topscored with 33, while Darron Reekers (25) and Peter Borren (24) were other notable scorers. Left-arm spinner Brad Hogg was the pick of Australian bowlers with 4-27. Paceman Glenn McGrath finished with 2-33, to complete fifty wickets in the World Cup. The 37-year-old paceman now need another six wickets to overhaul Pakistan's left-arm paceman Wasim Akram's World Cup best of 55. Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken finished with 2-33 to seal an emphatic win for Australia whose final group match will be against South Africa on March 24. South Africa and Scotland, the two other sides in Group A, meet each other on Tuesday with the top two advancing to the Super Eight stage. Australia owed their total to Hodge who rescued Australia from a precarious 116-3 in the company of Clarke as the two benefitted from five dropped catches by the Dutch fielders. Hodge was finally dismissed in the 48th over, bowled by Peter Borren. He hit eight boundaries and seven sixes during his enterprising 89-ball knock. His previous best one-day score was 99 which came against New Zealand at Melbourne during the tri-series last month. Clarke missed his hundred by seven runs, hitting six boundaries and three towering sixes during his 85-ball knock.

PCB chief resigns after World Cup debacle

2007-03-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Karachi: Accepting moral responsibility for the team's shocking early elimination from the World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Naseem Ashraf has offered his resignation.
According to PCB sources, Ashraf has submitted his resignation yesterday to President General Pervez Musharraf, who is also the chief patron of the board."Ashraf spoke to an official of the Presidency and told him he wished to resign in the wake of the team's poor performance. He told it was entirely his decision what he wanted to do," the source added.
"Whether the President has accepted his resignation is not known as yet," one source said. Naseem Ashraf had taken over as the PCB Chairman last October after the resignation of Shaharyar Khan and the local media today launched a scathing attack on him, demanding his resignation for Pakistan's World Cup exit following their humiliating defeat to Ireland.
Initially, Ashraf had said that he would not resign as he had been in the board only for six months and would announce a new action plan for the future.But the PCB chief today told reporters in Mirpurkhas that he was disturbed with the team's performance and wanted to apologise to the nation for letting them down.
General Musharraf, in a recent television interview, had made it clear that there would be a massive overhaul of the cricket administration following the World Cup debacle.

Pakistan consider future after Inzamam and Woolmer

2007-03-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Basseterre, St Kitts: Bob Woolmer's tragic death, Inzamam-ul-Haq's retirement as a one-day player and the team's disastrous World Cup has left Pakistan with a host of problems as they seek to regain their place as a serious cricket force. The squad arrived in the Caribbean against a background of turmoil. Last August's infamous forfeited Test match against England and the doping scandal which engulfed Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif had already eaten away at Pakistan's credibility. The humiliating World Cup exit at the hands of Ireland's part-timers and the sad loss of Woolmer have left the game's rulers with plenty to ponder. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Naseem Ashraf, whose job is also on the line, has promised a complete overhaul of the sport. "We maintained a short-term option for the World Cup, but now a comprehensive new structure and plan will be launched for the development of Pakistan cricket," Ashraf said. However, Ashraf, a former first-class cricketer who took over in October last year, has been accused of failing to come up with a new PCB constitution. "Pakistan cricket has been run on an ad-hoc basis since 1999 and an ad-hoc set up is a cancer for any set up. We had a ad-hoc body when we fared poorly in the last World Cup and now we see abysmal results in 2007," said Sirajul Islam Bukhari, secretary of the Karachi Cricket Association. Former captain Imran Khan has been critical of a process which allows the Pakistan president, who is also the patron of the PCB, to appoint the head of the cricket body. "The recent mess in Pakistan cricket is to be blamed on the patron who appoints the cricket chief," said Khan.

17 Mar 2007

2007-03-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Exuberant Bangladesh humiliate India by 5 wickets Port of Spain, Trinidad:

Teenager Tamim Iqbal and Mashrafe Mortaza turned giant-killers to script Bangladesh's dream five-wicket victory over India in their opening World Cup match here on Saturday. Left-handed opener Iqbal, who turns 18 on Tuesday, smashed a rapidfire 51 for his maiden half-century as his team successfully chased a 192-run target on a good batting track at the Queen's Park Oval. Iqbal was not the only teenager to play a big role in Bangladesh's second win over India in 15 one-dayers, as Saqibul Hasan (53) and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (56 not out) put on 84 for the fourth wicket.

Bangladesh boosted their chances of qualifying for the next round. They will play Sri Lanka and debutants Bermuda in their next two games, while India need to win their remaining two matches in Group B stay in the contention. The stunning triumph was set up by Mortaza, who grabbed four wickets in a superb exhibition of fast bowling to rattle the famed Indian batting line-up. India were dismissed for 191, their lowest total against Bangladesh. Only Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) managed to keep their batting reputation intact on India's first day in the tournament, which eventually ended in a nightmare.

Ireland dump Pakistan out of World Cup

Kingston, Jamaica: Ireland pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time on Saturday when they defeated mighty Pakistan by three wickets to send the 1992 champions, and one of game's undisputed superpowers, crashing out of the tournament.
The win for Ireland, made up mostly of part-timers and foreign imports, was secured when skipper Trent Johnston hit a huge six off Azhar Mahmood off the fourth ball of the 43rd over.
The sensational outcome also came on St Patrick's Day and put Ireland on course to qualify for the second round Super Eights on their debut appearance in the World Cup.
Pakistan needed to win the Group D match after losing their opening clash to West Indies while Ireland had already picked up a point from a dramatic last-ball tie against Zimbabwe.
But Ireland triumphed after a tense finale which had seen them lose three wickets for five runs in seven balls as Pakistan threatened to pull off a great escape.
Earlier, Johnston won the toss and put Pakistan into bat and the decision paid rich dividends as Inzamam-ul-Haq's side were dismissed for 132 in 45.4 overs.
Boyd Rankin was the most successful Irish bowler with three wickets for 32 runs from nine overs, Andre Botha supported with the flattering figures of 8-4-5-2, and Kyle McCallan collected two for 12 from 5.4 overs.

Woolmer under incredible stress: Wife
London: Bob Woolmer's wife revealed Monday the "incredible stress" that her husband had been under as coach of Pakistan.
Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica on Sunday morning and later pronounced dead.
His death came less than 24 hours after Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup following a shock defeat to Ireland - an experience Woolmer described as one of the worst of his career.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the ex-Warwickshire coach's wife, Gill, revealed the pressures placed on her husband as coach of the cricket-mad Pakistan. "His job coaching there has been incredibly stressful," she said.
No official cause of death has yet been revealed, with Pakistan's media manager Pervez Mir saying: "We are waiting for medical reports."
But according to reports Monday, the former England batsman suffered from diabetes and had recently experienced breathing difficulties.
Former Kent team-mate and the county's current chairman of cricket Graham Johnson told BBC Radio Five Live: "Bob left a huge legacy before he moved on to the international scene. Nothing can express our words of loss.
"The sad thing is that there was so much more to give."
Johnson believes Woolmer would have relished the chance to coach England. He added: "I'm sure he would have loved to. But he was very realistic and probably felt his best opportunity to do that would have been a few years ago.
"But he would have loved it. He had a huge belief in the ability of the England team."
Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed revealed Woolmer's closeness to his squad means his death has hit them hard.
"He was a great man, a great human being and one of the best I had come across because if his humbleness, he was very close to the guys, had so much passion about the game.
"The guys are still crying and talking about it."

Former Pakistan cricketers criticize Inzamam for 'belated' retirement

2007-03-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Islamabad: While the cricket fraternity in Pakistan mourned on Monday the death of coach Bob Woolmer, former players fiercely criticized captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, saying he should have quit sooner from one-day internationals.
''He should have quit before the World Cup, the damage has already been done,'' said outspoken former test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz.
Inzamam announced his retirement from limited-overs games on Sunday, hours after coach Woolmer died in Jamaica and one day after Ireland registered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by eliminating Pakistan with a three-wicket victory.
Nawaz said the death of Woolmer, a former England test batsman and one of the international game's most respected coaches, would mute anger over Pakistan's loss, which prompted some local cricket fans to burn Inzamam's effigy.
''With the death of Woolmer, the defeat of Pakistan will die down,'' Nawaz said.
But he slammed Inzamam's decision to keep playing Test cricket, if selected, saying the 37-year-old batsman's aging legs would struggle to carry him through five-day matches.
''He is not physically fit enough to play even one-day cricket so how could he play test cricket,'' Nawaz said. ''(But) it's our history that players do not retire themselves, they were always shown the door.''
Intikhab Alam, who coached Pakistan to World Cup triumph in 1992, supported Nawaz's views.
''Inzamam should have thought about quitting long ago,'' Alam said.
''He either hits a boundary or runs a single in one-day cricket which shows that age is fast catching in on him,'' he said.
Inzamam needs another 22 runs to surpass Pakistan's highest test scorer, Javed Miandad (8,832), in Test matches with 8,813 runs from 119 test matches.

Woolmer's death silences Pakistan protests

2007-03-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

Karachi: Grief replaced anger on the streets of Pakistan Monday as the country reeled from the death of cricket coach Bob Woolmer a day after the national team's humiliating exit from the World Cup.
On Sunday protesters in the city of Multan had shouted slogans against Woolmer and skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq after Saturday's loss to Ireland, while others in Hyderabad city reportedly held mock burials for the team.
But by Monday supporters had changed their tune and were saying that Woolmer's huge commitment -- and his disappointment about the team's World Cup failure -- may have led to his death in Jamaica at the age of 58.
"Bob Woolmer's death has saddened us. He took the responsibility for the team's defeat very seriously and that led to his death," cricket fan Munir Akhtar Langah told AFP in Multan. The president of Multan Cricket Club, Maulvi Sultan Alam Ansari, said Woolmer was not responsible for Pakistan's defeats at the World Cup and instead blamed internal politics.
"He was a very good coach and was recognised at international level. He had no role in Pakistan's defeats. He performed his duties with devotion and honesty," Ansari said. Private television channels meanwhile deleted the vitriolic text messages left by viewers on Sunday before news of Woolmer's death had come through.
"We have deleted all the earler SMS and public reaction after Woolmer's death," Ather Viqar Azeem, a producer for a sports programme on HUM TV, told AFP. "Pakistanis are emotional people," said Irfan Ahmed, a cricket fan and a student of University of Karachi's Mass Communication department.
"They were very angry at the weekend and were passing all kinds of SMS messages against Woolmer and Inzi, but they have changed their view within 24 hours," he said. An earlier SMS message which spread like wildfire here said: "Pakistan cricket has died. Maulana (prayer leader) Inzamam-ul-Haq will lead the funeral prayers after Pakistan's last match on March 21 against Zimbabwe."

A Tribute to Bob Woolmer

2007-03-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

A Tribute to Bob Woolmer

Kingston: Pakistani cricketers Monday joined the cricket world in mourning the death of their coach Bob Woolmer, remembered as a fatherly figure by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and his team-mates. "Woolmer was a fatherly figure to all of us and we have lost our greatest supporter," said Inzamam of the 58-year-old coach who died on Sunday after being found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica.

Since joining the Pakistan team in July 2004, Woolmer had dug deep in transforming an inconsistent and split Pakistan team into a united fighting unit. "We owe him a great salute and would like to do anything his family wants from us," said Inzamam, who also pledged to carry the coffin of the late coach to South Africa where his last rites will be held.

Pakistan were dumped out of the World Cup after losing their second match to outsiders Ireland by three wickets on Saturday, a defeat which badly hurt Woolmer. "We had two tragic events in the last two days. We had yet to cope with the defeat and our ouster from the World Cup - then a bigger tragedy came about," said Inzamam. Inzamam on Sunday announced he would retire from one-day cricket after the one-dayer against Zimbabwe on Wednesday -- a match dedicated to the coach -- before Pakistan team head back home.

Vice-captain Younis Khan told AFP he had a friendly relationship with Woolmer.
"He was a friend of all the players. I used to call his wife, Gill, mom so he used to tease her that I am their third son," reminisced Younis, who in the last 18 months has lost his father, sister and two brothers in a series of tragedies.
"I know how it feels when you lose your close ones. Bob used to help each and every player and he has left a big void in Pakistan cricket," said Younis, who is now expected to take over as captain from Inzamam.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi, banned from the first two matches for violating the ICC (International Cricket Council) code of conduct, said Woolmer was like a father to him.
"Bob always treated me and other players as his sons. He would help any player who was in difficulty and he was the best coach under whom I have played," said Afridi.
Another all-rounder Azhar Mahmood said Bob was accessible to all players.
"He used to follow my county performance even when I was not in the Pakistan team. I owe him a great deal and we can never repay his help and services to us," said Mahmood.
Pakistan's assistant manager, Asad Mustafa, said players had been left shell-shocked by the news of Woolmer's death. "I used to deal all his travel arrangements, so he was close to me and would talk with a big smile all the time. We will not be able to overcome this loss," said Mustafa.

World Cup 2007 Latest Update

2007-03-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Kiwis ground England
Pre-tournament favourites New Zealand registered a six-wicket victory over England in a Group C match at Beausejour, St Lucia on Friday.
Chasing 210 to win, the Kiwis overcame some initial hiccups to comfortably cruise to the target with nine overs to spare.
Scott Styris and Jacob Oram put on an unbeaten stand of 138 runs. Styris, who earlier in the day shone with the ball, scored 87, while Oram was not out on 63.
The Kiwis had made heavy weather of the chase at the start of the inning. Lou Vincent was caught behind by Paul Nixon off the bowling of James Anderson for zero in the very first over.
In the next over, Andrew Flintoff plucked the ball out of thin air at slip to send back Ross Taylor for a golden duck. The bowler was Liam Plunkett.
Anderson struck again to remove New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, who holed out to Ed Joyce in the deep for seven. Craig McMillan and Scott Styris put on 53 runs before spinner Monty Panesar scalped McMilllan, caught by Jamie Dalyrymple for 27.
The Kiwis were then 72 for four in the 16th over. Styris and Oram took on the English attack and in the absence of a daunting total, took the team home with fair ease.

EnglandvsNew Zealand Scorecard

England

EC Joyce c McCullum b Franklin 0

MP Vaughan b Franklin 26

IR Bell c McCullum b Oram 5

KP Pietersen c Franklin b Bond 60

PD Collingwood c McCullum b Styris 31

A Flintoff c Styris b Bond 0

JWM Dalrymple c McCullum b Styris 3

PA Nixon not out 42

LE Plunkett not out 29

Extras (lb 2, w 4, nb 7) 13

Total 209/7 in 50 overs
Fall of wickets1-1 (Joyce, 0.1 ov), 2-30 (Bell, 8.5 ov), 3-52 (Vaughan, 15.3 ov), 4-133 (Collingwood, 34.6 ov), 5-133 (Pietersen, 35.3 ov), 6-134 (Flintoff, 35.6 ov), 7-138 (Dalrymple, 38.2 ov)

Bowling
JEC Franklin 9 0 43 2 SE Bond 10 1 19 2 JDP Oram 6 0 25 1 JS Patel 8 0 42 0 DL Vettori 10 0 53 0 SB Styris 7 0 25 2

New Zealand

L Vincent c Nixon b Anderson 0

SP Fleming c Joyce b Anderson 7

RL Taylor c Flintoff b Plunkett 0

SB Styris not out 87

CD McMillan c Dalrymple b Panesar 27

JDP Oram not out 63

Extras (b 2, lb 11, w 11, nb 2) 26

Total (4 wickets; 41 overs; 167 mins) 210
Fall of wickets1-1 (Vincent, 0.6 ov), 2-3 (Taylor, 1.2 ov), 3-19 (Fleming, 4.6 ov), 4-72 (McMillan, 15.2 ov)
Bowling
JM Anderson 8 0 39 2LE Plunkett 7 0 43 1A Flintoff 8 1 17 0PD Collingwood 3 0 20 0MS Panesar 10 0 47 1JWM Dalrymple 4 0 29 0KP Pietersen 1 0 2 0

SA trounce Netherlands, records tumble

Basseterre: South Africa registered a thumping 221-run victory over Netherlands in a Group A encounter at St Kitts on Friday. This was their highest victory margin ever in ODIs. Chasing 354 for a win, Netherlands finished at 132 for nine in 40 overs.
Disastrous start
After facing South African fireworks, the Dutch made a disastrous start with their chase as they lost opener Darron Reekers to a tragic run out for four runs.
Bas Zuiderent was the next to return to the hut as Shaun Pollock uprooted his stumps for just one run and the Dutch score was six for the loss of two wickets.
Alexei Kervezee and Ryan ten Doeschate then came together to put on a 27-run partnership for the third wicket before Langeveldt did further damage by packing off the former for toiling 17 runs.
Following that, Hall trapped Daan van Bunge plumb in front for five runs and the Dutch top order was back in the pavilion.
Ryan ten Doeschate and Eric Szwarczynski trudged along and brought up a 25-run stand before the latter perished to Smith for 12 runs.
Doeschate then made a gritty half-century and Tim de Leede at the other end gave him good company.

South Africa vs Netherlands Scorecard

South Africa
AB de Villiers c J Smits b B Stelling 0

Graeme Smith (c) c D van Bunge b P Borren 67

Jacques Kallis not out 128

Herschelle Gibbs c E Szwarczynski b L van Troost 72

Mark Boucher (wk) not out 75

Extras: w - 8, nb - 1, lb - 2, b - 0 11
Total: 353/3 in 40 overs Fall of Wickets 1/0 (AB de Villiers, 0.2 ov.) , 2/114 (Graeme Smith, 18.6 ov.) , 3/219 (Herschelle Gibbs, 30.5 ov.)

Bowling
Billy Stelling 8 1 43 1Darron Reekers 5 1 35 0Ryan ten Doeschate 7 0 58 0Tim de Leede 4 0 48 0Peter Borren 8 0 52 1Daan van Bunge 4 0 56 0Luuk van Troost 4 0 59 1

Netherlands
Bas Zuiderent b S Pollock 1

Darron Reekers run out (A Prince) 4

Alexei Kervezee c S Pollock b C Langeveldt 17

Ryan ten Doeschate run out (A Villiers) 57

Daan van Bunge lbw b A Hall 5

Eric Szwarczynski lbw b G Smith 12

Tim de Leede b J Kemp 21

Peter Borren run out (G Smith) 2

Luuk van Troost (c) c G Smith b J Kemp 5

Billy Stelling not out 1

Extras: w - 1, nb - 2, lb - 4, b - 0 7
Total: (132 for 9 in 40 overs) 132

Run Rate: 3.30

Fall of Wickets 1/5 (Darron Reekers, 2.2 ov.) , 2/6 (Bas Zuiderent, 4.1 ov.) , 3/33 (Alexei Kervezee, 14.2 ov.) , 4/47 (Daan van Bunge, 19.2 ov.) , 5/72 (Eric Szwarczynski, 26.5 ov.) , 6/114 (Ryan ten Doeschate, 35.1 ov.) , 7/124 (Tim de Leede, 37.3 ov.) , 8/131 (Peter Borren, 39 ov.) , 9/132 (Luuk van Troost, 39.6 ov.) BowlingShaun Pollock 6 3 4 1 Andre Nel 6 1 19 0Charl Langeveldt 6 0 22 1Andrew Hall 6 0 16 1Graeme Smith 8 0 32 1Jacques Kallis 4 0 19 0Justin Kemp 4 0 18 2

World Cup 2007 15th March

2007-03-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

First match pivotal for England and New Zealand
Gros Islet: England and New Zealand know their first World Cup match on Friday is the most important of the group and could shape the rest of the tournament.''We're desperate to win it and set the standard for the tournament,'' New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. ''Looking at the Super 8s you've probably got to beat every side to win this tournament at some stage and if we beat England now, it may help in the long run.''England captain Michael Vaughan says he's ready to open the batting and field for 50 overs after recently returning from a hamstring problem that came after a year out with knee problems.While he batted in both of England's warmup matches, he only fielded for a total 27 overs in two matches.''Hopefully I'll prove on Friday that I can get through a game,'' Vaughan said. ''I've trained every single day and I've had nothing go wrong with the hamstring and nothing go wrong with the knee and I'm just looking forward to playing cricket now.''There is absolutely nothing to suggest I won't play a full part in this World Cup.''New Zealand's curse of the injured finger spread to England on Wednesday, with seamer Jimmy Anderson fracturing the little finger of his right hand during catching practice. The England Cricket Board said scans confirmed the break and Anderson will be reassessed by medical staff on Thursday.Losing Anderson would be a blow as he and Flintoff are the two most experienced members of the England attack.

Ireland draw Zimbabwe in a nail-biting finish
Kingston: The Group D encounter between Zimbabwe and debutants Ireland ended in a thrilling draw at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Thursday.
Chasing a victory target of 222, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 221 on the last ball of the innings. This is the third tie in a World Cup.
Stuart Matsikeneyri, who remained unbeaten on 73, failed to connect with the last ball after having taken his team to the brink of victory as wickets fell like pins at the other end.
No 11 Ed Rainsford was run out and Ireland made a memorable debut at the World Cup.
Positive start
Zimbabwe Openers began the chase on a positive note as Duffin smashed a cracking drive off the second delivery of the innings.
Duffin and Sibanda put a 26-run opening stand before Rankin snared the former for 12 runs to give Ireland their first breakthrough.
Sibanda then partnered Chibhabha to stabilize the innings with a 50-run stand for the second wicket.
Sibanda, who played the sheet anchor, cracked a fluent fifty, which included 8 fours to put Zimbabwe in a comfortable position.
Skipper Johnston then dismissed a scratchy looking Chibhabha for 12 runs. The new man in, Williams could not hang in for long and he was sent back by McCallan for 14 runs.

Sri Lanka crush Bermuda by 243 runs

Port of Spain: Debutants Bermuda found life at the top extremely uncomfortable as they crashed to a massive 243-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their opening World Cup match here on Thursday.
It was the second-biggest defeat by run-margin in the tournament history after Namibia's 256-run loss to defending champions Australia at Potchefstroom in South Africa in 2003.
Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jawardene (85), Kumar Sangakkara (76) and Chamara Silva (55 not out) feasted on a mediocre Bermudian attack to help their team post a challenging 321-6 after electing to bat.
Bermuda were then clueless against Sri Lanka's seamers before being dismissed for an embarrassing 78 in just 24.4 overs, the sixth lowest ever World Cup total.
Farveez Maharoof finished with 4-23, while Lasith Malinga grabbed three wickets with his deceptive round-arm action. Off-spinner Muttiah Murlitharan took two wickets.
Lionel Cann (28) and David Hemp (14) were the only batsmen to reach double-figures in a dismal Bermudian batting performance.

Srilanka vs Bermuda scorecard
Sri Lanka

U. Tharanga c Minors b Hurdle 30

S. Jayasuriya c Pitcher b Mukuddem 22

M. Jayawardene c Hurdle b Cann 85

K. Sangakkara c Tucker b Leverock 76

C. Silva not out 55

T. Dilshan c Tucker b Hurdle 12

F. Maharoof c Hemp b Mukuddem 9

R. Arnold not out 2

Extras (lb3, nb14, w13) 30
Total 321 for 6 wkts in 50 overs
Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Jayasuriya), 2-78 (Tharanga), 3-228 (Sangakkara), 4-267 (Jayawardene), 5-305 (Dilshan), 6-316 (Maharoof).
Bowling: Hurdle 9-1-61-2 (10nb, 5w), Mukuddem 10-0-50-2 (3w), Tucker 10-0-50-0 (2nb), Leverock 10-0-67-1, Borden 3-0-27-0, Cann 5-0-34-1 (3w), Romaine 3-0-29-0 (1nb)

Bermuda
C. Smith lbw b Vaas 0

O. Pitcher b Maharoof 6

S. Mukuddem c Sangakkara b Malinga 0

D. Hemp c Jayawardene b Malinga 14

I. Romaine lbw b Malinga 0

J. Tucker b Muralitharan 4

D. Minors c Sangakkara b Maharoof 4

L. Cann c Sangakkara b Maharoof 28

D. Borden c sub (Kulasekara) b Maharoof 6

K. Hurdle not out 6

D. Leverock lbw b Muralitharan 1

Extras (lb6, w3) 9
Total 78 all out in 24.4 overs
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Smith), 2-2 (Mukuddem), 3-20 (Hemp), 4-20 (Romaine), 5-25 (Pitcher), 6-29 (Minors), 7-39 (Tucker), 8-64 (Borden), 9-77 (Cann).
Bowling: Vaas 6-3-11-1, Malinga 5-2-10-3 (1w), Maharoof 7-1-23-4, Muralitharan 6.4-2-28-2 (2w).

Moody tells Sri Lanka to forget India defeat

2007-03-14T23:07:00.000-07:00

Port Of Spain, Trinidad: Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has told his team to forget all about their recent series defeat to India when the World Cup rivals clash in what will be a crucial Group B match on March 23. Moody said the result of that one-day series, where India won the four-match contest 2-1, will have no bearing on their clash here. "It is another game of cricket in the Caribbean. Playing India in India, as every cricketing person knows, is different from playing India outside India, so we are looking forward to playing them at a neutral venue," he said. "We are in the Caribbean now. The conditions and the environment here are so different. This is what counts and not what had happened in India." The India-Sri Lanka clash on March 23 is crucial as the winners will carry forward the two points into the Super Eights. Bangladesh and Bermuda, who Sri Lanka were facing on Thursday, make up Group B. Moody, part of the Australian squad who won the last World Cup in 2003, also believes the non-Test playing nations will stretch some of the top sides in the World Cup. Six non-Test-playing countries are in the fray in the Caribbean with Bermuda and Ireland making their Cup debuts. Others are Scotland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada. "There are pretty good teams out there. Bangladesh are a side that have beaten top teams, including us, in the past," said Moody. "Scotland, Ireland and Kenya are decent sides, so I am sure every nation that considers itself in the top bracket will be very much on its toes when it plays these minnows." Moody believes that versatility would be the key and teams having more options would have an advantage in the "open" World Cup "There are a number of teams that can win it (Cup) and we feel we are one of them. It's up to us now to executive our plans as best as we can under pressure and make sure we don't make as many mistakes as the opposition," he said. "I think depth and versatility will be the key. The teams having ability to throw the ball to a number of different options on the field and take advantage of different conditions have an advantage. "A team that bats deep is going to have an advantage as well, but again there may be a completely different view in a week's time when we have seen some more cricket."

World Cup 2007 Schedule

2007-03-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

        In Red (Lost the Match)      In Green (Won the Match)
Date                    Teams and Match                        Venue
Tue,Mar 13       West Indies vs Pakistan        Sabina Park,Kingston
Wed,Mar 14        Australia vs Scotland           Warner Park,St Kitts
Wed,Mar 14           Canada vs Kenya              Beausejour Stadium
Thu,Mar 15        Bermuda vs Sri Lanka            Queen's Park Oval
Thu,Mar 15         Ireland vs Zimbabwe          Sabina Park, Jamaica
Fri,Mar 16     NetherLands vs South Africa     Warner Park, St Kitts
Fri,Mar 16        England vs New Zealand         Beausejour Stadium
Sat,Mar 17          Bangladesh vs India              Queen's Park Oval
Sat,Mar 17          Ireland vs Pakistan            Sabina Park, Jamaica
Sun,Mar 18      Australia vs Netherlands        Warner Park, St Kitts
Sun,Mar 18          Canada vs England              Beausejour Stadium
Mon,Mar 19          Bermuda vs India                 Queen's Park Oval
Mon,Mar 19     West Indies vs Zimbabwe       Sabina Park, Jamaica
Tue,Mar 20      Scotland vs South Africa      Warner Park, Basseterre
Tue,Mar 20        Kenya vs New Zealand           Beausejour Stadium
Wed,Mar 21     Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka           Queen'sPark Oval
Wed,Mar 21      Pakistan vs Zimbabwe          Sabina Park, Jamaica
Thu,Mar 22      Netherlands vs Scotland         Warner Park, St Kitts
Thu,Mar 22      Canada vs New Zealand          Beausejour Stadium
Fri,Mar 23            India vs Sri Lanka               Queen's Park Oval
Fri,Mar 23         Ireland vs West Indies          Sabina Park, Jamaica
Sat,Mar 24       Australia vs South Africa        Warner Park, St Kitts
Sat,Mar 24           England vs Kenya                Beausejour Stadium
Sun,Mar 25       Bangladesh vs Bermuda           Queen's Park Oval
Tue,Mar 27                 D2 vs A1               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Wed,Mar 28                A2 vs B1                      Providence Stadium
Thu,Mar 29                 D2 vs C1               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Fri,Mar 30                   D1 vs C2                     Providence Stadium
Sat,Mar 31                  A1 vs B2               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Sun, Apr 01                 D2 vs B1                      Providence Stadium
Mon,Apr 02                 B2 vs C1               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Tue,Apr 03                  D1 vs A2                      Providence Stadium
Wed,Apr 04                 C2 vs B1               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Sat,Apr 07                   B2 vs A2                      Providence Stadium
Sun,Apr 08                  A1 vs C2               Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Mon,Apr 09                 D1 vs C1                      Providence Stadium
Tue,Apr 10                  D2 vs A2                National Cricket Stadium
Wed,Apr 11                 C2 vs B2               Kensington Oval, Barbados
Thu,Apr 12                  B1 vs C1                National Cricket Stadium
Fri,Apr 13                   A1 vs D1               Kensington Oval, Barbados
Sat,Apr 14                  A2 vs C1                National Cricket Stadium
Sun,Apr 15                  B2 vs D1               Kensington Oval, Barbados
Mon,Apr 16                  A1 vs B1               National Cricket Stadium
Tue,Apr 17                  A2 vs C2              Kensington Oval, Barbados
Wed,Apr 18                 D1 vs B1               National Cricket Stadium
Thu,Apr 19                  D2 vs B2              Kensington Oval, Barbados
Fri,Apr 20                   A1 vs C1               National Cricket Stadium
Sat,Apr 21                  D2 vs C2               Kensington Oval, Barbados
Tue,Apr 24                   2 vs 3                    Sabina Park, Jamaica
Wed,Apr 25                  1 vs 4                    Sabina Park, Jamaica
Sat,Apr 28         Win SF1 vs Win SF2       Kensington Oval, Barbados

ICC denies stopping Pakistani players from speaking Urdu

2007-03-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

Basseterre: The International Cricket Council(ICC) has denied it has stopped Pakistani players from speaking in Urdu in post-match press conferences during the World Cup, an official said Thursday.
"At no point did the ICC say it cannot allow the Pakistan team management to hold press conferences in Urdu. The ICC doesn't tell the participating teams in which language they have to speak," an ICC spokesman told AFP.
There have been reports in Pakistan claiming that the ICC asked Pakistan to avoid holding media conferences in their native language.
"The issue of Pakistan players speaking in Urdu was discussed with the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Naseem Ashraf in Kingston earlier this week and he agreed with the ICC that for all media events happening inside the playing field players will speak in English.
"While for all media events outside the playing field, Pakistan players will talk in Urdu," added the ICC spokesman.
Pakistan last week announced that its players would speak Urdu in order to stop them being misquoted.
The team's media manager Pervez Mir has been acting as an interpreter.
Pakistan lost their first match in Group D to the hosts West Indies by 54 runs in Jamaica on Tuesday. They next play Ireland on Saturday. The top two teams will qualify for the next round of Super Eights.

World Cup 2007 14th Mar 2007

2007-03-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Ponting fires Australia to crushing win over Scots
Ponting on his way to a century against Scotland. (Action Images / Tim Wimborne) . ...by Shahid Hashmi

BASSETERRE (AFP) - Ricky Ponting hammered his 23rd one-day century and Glenn McGrath took three wickets to give Australia a thumping World Cup 203-run win over Scotland here on Wednesday, the second biggest win in the tournament's history. The Australian skipper notched a 93-ball, 113 to propel the defending champions to 334-6 before the Aussie pace attack proved too hot for the minnows who were bowled out for 131 in 40.1 overs.
"It was a good game and a good hit out today. We beat England last week, we've been playing some good cricket in recent weeks," said man-of-the-match Ponting.
Scotland skipper Craig Wright said he was proud of his team.
"We competed well for the first 45 overs of their innings, but the last five of theirs and the first 10 of ours killed us," said Wright after Australia had plundered 50 runs off the last 22 balls.
"But we stuck at it. It wasn't easy on a small ground against a top-class outfit."
Ponting, who shrugged off a 35-minute rain delay, was eventually out in the 46th over.
He reached his century in 85 balls hitting nine fours and five sixes -- his fourth in the World Cup.
The Scots then lost half of their side within the first 16 overs, with McGrath taking three of the wickets.
The lanky 37-year-old paceman had Fraser Watts in his second over, then accounted for Ryan Watson in his third and Gavin Hamilton in his fourth to leave the Scots reeling at 42-5 by the 16th over.
Colin Smith (51) and Dougie Brown (19) shared 47 for the sixth wicket to give the Scots' total some respectability.
Australia recorded the biggest World Cup victory when they defeated Namibia by 256 runs at Potchefstroom in 2003.
McGrath, who started the tournament ten wickets short of equalling Pakistan's Wasim Akram's all-time World Cup record of 55 victims, finished with 3-14 off his six overs.
Earlier, Ponting, dropped on 23 by wicket-keeper Smith off paceman Brown, took full advantage of the lapse and added 54 runs for the third wicket with Michael Clarke (15) and another 63 for the fourth with Brad Hodge (29).
Ponting never lost his rhythm as he broke Indian Sourav Ganguly's previous World Cup record of 23 sixes and became the sixth man to reach 1,000 World Cup runs.
Ponting is playing in his fourth World Cup.
Opener Matthew Hayden hit a solid 60, while Brad Hogg hit a fiery unbeaten 15-ball 40 with three sixes and as many fours to deliver the final blow after Craig Wright had won the toss and put Australia into bat on a brownish pitch.
Hayden set the foundation for the total by putting on 91 for the first wicket with Adam Gilchrist who made 46.
Hayden hit six boundaries and a six before he fell leg-before to off-spinner Majid Haq who was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 2-49.
Gilchrist hit seven boundaries before he was trapped leg-before by Brown who bowled well before conceding 24 runs in his final over to Hogg.
South Africa and the Netherlands, the two other teams in the Group, meet on Friday. The top two teams advance to the next round Super Eights.

Australia vs Scotland_scoreboard
Australia

A. Gilchrist lbw b Brown 46

M. Hayden lbw b Haq 60

R. Ponting b Wright 113

M. Clarke b Haq 15

B. Hodge c Hoffman b Rogers 29

M. Hussey st Smith b Hoffman 4

S. Watson not out 18 B.

Hogg not out 40

Extras (b1, lb2, nb1, w5) 9
Total 334 for 6 in 50 overs
Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Gilchrist); 2-139 (Hayden); 3-193 (Clarke); 4-256 (Hodge); 5-274 (Ponting); 6-276 (Hussey)
Bowling: Hoffmann 10-0-57-1 (2w); Blain 4-0-29-0 (1nb, 1w); Wright 10-0-58-1; Brown 9-0-86-1 (2w); Rogers 10-0-52-1; Haq 7-0-49-2

Scotland
F. Watts b McGrath 9

M. Haq run out 16

N. Poonia b Tait 1

R. Watson c Bracken b McGrath 6

G. Hamilton c Gilchrist b McGrath 3

D. Brown c Watson b Hodge 19

C. Smith b Hogg 51

C. Wright lbw b Tait 4

G. Rogers run out 6

P. Hoffman not out 0

T. Blain did not bat - hurt 0

Extras (lb9, nb1, w6) 16
Total 131 in 40.1 overs
Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Haq); 2-27 (Poonia); 3-32 (Watts); 4-37 (Watson); 5-42 (Hamilton); 6-89 (Brown); 7-104 (Wright), 8-131 (Rogers), 9-131 (Smith)
Bowling: Bracken 6-1-12-0; Tait 8-0-45-2 (3w), McGrath 6-1-14-3 (1nb); Watson 7-1-18-0 (1w); Hogg 7.1-1-16-1; Hodge 6-0-17-1

Tikolo on top as Kenya beat woeful Canada
...by Julian Guyer

GROS ISLET (AFP) - Kenya captain Steve Tikolo led from the front as his side beat fellow minnows Canada by seven wickets in the opening Group C World Cup match here Wednesday.
With Test nations England and New Zealand lying in wait, this fixture appeared to represent both the Africans' and the North Americans' best chance of a victory.
In the end Kenya, the shock semi-finalists of four years ago, won decisively. Chasing 200 to win, they finished on 203 for for three with 40 balls to spare.
Experienced skipper Tikolo was 72 not out after opener Maurice Ouma had made 58. Tanmay Mishra was unbeaten on 35.
Tikolo had already had a good day in the field.
After winning the toss, he was one of three Kenyan spinners who between them took five wickets for 78 runs in 29 overs as Canada's innings slowed to a crawl after a solid start.
"All in all it was a good game," Tikolo said.
"Up front we gave away too many runs but the spinners pulled it back in the middle to restrict them. Then when we batted, Maurice Ouma batted brilliantly. Then myself and Mishra just finished off the game."
Canada captain John Davison, who said aspects of his side's play were "embarrassing" and labelled the running between the wickets that led to three late run-outs "village", was understandably downbeat.
"There weren't too many positives for us. Once Geoff Barnett (41) was out, I don't think we competed for the rest of the game. That pretty much sums it up. It didn't click."
Canada bowled 18 wides and two no-balls and Davison added: "I don't think we've bowled that many extras in a game for a long time. Maybe the pressure of the occasion got to us."
Ouma started positively, pulling 40-year-old former West Indies fast bowler Anderson Cummins for four.
Kenya's key partnership was a third-wicket stand of 67 between Ouma and Tikolo which took Kenya into three figures from 52 for two.
Ouma completed a 71-ball fifty with one six and six fours. But his stand with Tikolo ended when he chipped former Guyana left-arm spinner Sunil Dhaniram to Ashif Mulla at mid-on.
However, Tikolo, in his fourth World Cup, was untroubled as he made a typically stylish fifty off 56 balls with one six and five fours - his 19th one-day international half-century.
Tight slow bowling from Kenya - featuring Tikolo's two for 34 off nine overs - had earlier restricted Canada to 199 all out.
Off-spinner Jimmy Kamande was the pick of the attack, taking a superb two for 25 from his full 10 overs.
Left-armer Hiren Varaiya was also impressive with one for 19 from 10 on his World Cup debut.
Canada were looking good while opener Barnett was at the crease but their innings became bogged down when he was out.
However, Dhaniram added impetus late on with an unbeaten 34 off 35 balls, including a six and three fours, to give Canada's bowlers hope.
Left-hander Barnett, who played first-class cricket during the 2006-07 season for New Zealand's Central Districts, had stroked five fours off the 14th over, bowled by first change Nehemiah Odhiambo, with the pick a straight drive down the ground.
Barnett was in sight of a fifty when he holed out.
Going for a big pick-up off paceman Peter Ongondo, Barnett was well caught on the long leg boundary by Mishra.
Barnett faced 50 balls with nine fours.
Davison, who scored the fastest World Cup hundred of all-time, off 67 balls, against the West Indies at Centurion during the 2003 tournament, was bowled for eight by Kamande's off-breaks.
Canada are in action again on Sunday when they play England with Kenya's next match on Tuesday against New Zealand.

Kenya vs Canada_scoreboard

Canada
G. Barnett c Mishra b Ongondo 41

A. Samad c Tikolo b Odoyo 15

A. Bagai st Ouma b Varaiya 19

I. Billcliff c and b Tikolo 34

J. Davison b Kamande 8

Qaiser Ali b Kamande 6

A. Mulla c Ongondo b Tikolo 25

S. Dhaniram not out 34

U. Bhatti run out 1

A. Cummins run out 1

H. Osinde run out 1

Extras (lb5, w3, nb6) 14 Total (all out, 50 overs) 199
Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Samad), 2-73 (Barnett), 3-102 (Bagai), 4-115 (Davison), 5-127 (Ali), 6-146 (Billcliff), 7-175 (Mulla), 8-185 (Bhatti), 9-187 (Cummins), 10-199 (Osinde)
Bowling: Odoyo 8-1-32-1 (2nb); Ongondo 10-0-51-1 (3nb, 2w); Odhiambo 3-0-33-0 (1nb, 1w); Varaiya 10-3-19-1; Kamande 10-1-25-2; Tikolo 9-0-34-2.

Kenya
M. Ouma c Mulla b Dhaniram 58

D. Obuya c Bagai b Cummins 4

R. Shah lbw b Bhatti 6

S. Tikolo not out 72

T. Mishra not out 35

Extras (b1, lb2, w18, nb2, pen 5) 28 Total (3 wickets; 43.2 overs) 203
Fall of wickets: 1-28 (DO Obuya), 2-52 (Shah), 3-119 (Ouma)
Bowling: Bhatti 9-0-44-1 (4w), Cummins 8-0-32-1 (2nb, 6w), Osinde 5.2-0-31-0 (6w), Davison 9-0-31-0, Samad 3-0-23-0 (2w), Dhaniram 9-1-34-1

New Zealand's McMillan injured

GROS ISLET (AFP) - New Zealand suffered an injury setback ahead of their World Cup opener against England when batsman Craig McMillan was hit on the foot by a yorker from fast bowling team-mate Shane Bond during practice here Wednesday.
McMillan was taken to hospital where he had an x-ray which revealed no breaks but severe bruising.
His injury came two days before the Black Caps first match of the World Cup against fellow Test nation England here Friday.
Earlier Wednesday, England suffered a fresh injury problem of their own when fast bowler James Anderson fractured the little finger of his right hand during fielding practice.

McGrath edges closer to Cup wickets record

BASSETERRE (AFP) - Glenn McGrath moved closer to becoming the most successful bowler in World Cup history on Wednesday with three wickets in Australia's 203-run demolition of Scotland.
The 37-year-old McGrath took 3-14 in his 10 overs coming on as first change and dismissed three of the top five in the Scottish batting order.
He now has 48 World Cup wickets, seven short of Pakistan's Wasim Akram who ended his career on top of the list with 55 wickets.
"I had the perfect start today taking a wicket with the third ball of my first over so I can't complain," said McGrath who clean-bowled opener Fraser Watts.
"We are all getting used to the wickets in the Craibbean now. We had two good practice matches in St Vincent last week and two wins there, that was perfect.
"We feel we are improving all the time and we want to keep it going for the rest of the tournament."
Captain Ricky Ponting threw the new ball to Nathan Bracken (0-12) and speedster Shaun Tait (2-45), but McGrath, the long-standing Australian spearhead, was content to come on when required.
"All the guys know their roles. Shaun's is to blast a few out, that's his job. It's all going well with the fast bowlers."
McGrath added that there was another advantage to seeing his team rack up 334-6 in their 50 overs.
"It's my goal to never have to bat again," he smiled.

Indian computer 'forecasts' World Cup scores
by Kuldip Lal
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) - Who says cricket matches are unpredictable? A business solutions company in Mumbai has devised a computer model that forecasts cricket scores with apparently astounding success.
The company, Fractal Analytics, scored a major hit by predicting West Indies' underdog victory over Pakistan in the opening game of the World Cup on Tuesday.
Amazingly, it even forecast the exact scores of rival captains Brian Lara of the West Indies and Inzamam-ul-Haq of Pakistan.
Tuesday morning's edition of the Mumbai-based Daily News and Analysis newspaper carried the predictions, based on what what the company said was scientific analysis of players' past performances.
The forecast said: "West Indies will win in a tight finish and will put up a low score if they bat first."
The West Indies, batting first, managed a moderate 241-9 after being 183-6 at one stage.
Pakistan lost the game by 54 runs but were cruising at 99-3 and fought until the end through Shoaib Malik's aggressive 62.
The prediction correctly said Lara would make 37 and Inzamam 36.
Fractal Analytics, which specialises in predictive analysis of customer behaviour for clients such as Visa and Citibank, devised the model to forecast cricket results just for fun.
"We started this a few months back and found that the predictions actually came out true," Mukesh Budania, a consultant with the firm, told AFP by telephone from Mumbai.
"So we decided to be bold and give our predictions to a newspaper a day before the match.
"I can tell you the whole team in the office was jumping with joy last night when Lara got out for 37 and Inzamam for 36."
The model is based on the theory that the outcome of every game and the performance of every player depends, to a degree, on what the player or the team has done in the past.
To predict which team will win a particular match, the statistics of all one-day internationals played since 1996 are looked at to identify factors that have the maximum impact on the outcome of the match.
Factors found to be relevant include the relative forms of the teams, their recent past record and their performances against each other.
Based on an in-depth analysis of these factors, the model is apparently able to predict not just the result, but individual scores and the winning margin as well.
Budania claims to have correctly predicted results of 70 percent of the matches analysed so far, including two of the three upset win by New Zealand over Australia last month.
Testing the model on results of the last World Cup in South Africa in 2003, the model had a success rate of 75 per cent, he said.
To gauge how a batsman will perform, the model takes into account his performance in the last few matches and looks at which other stages in his playing career the player exhibited similar form.
This data is used to predict the score of the batsman. Other factors like the opposition and the importance of the match are used to refine the predictions.
The big question is who will win the World Cup -- but sadly Budania says it is too early for the computer to tell.
Its next prediction will be for the England-New Zealand match on March 16, which will be published before the game in the DNA newspaper.
"So far we are doing it just for fun, but if the model works we may even think of marketing it in future," he said.
Though it was unclear who would benefit from the model -- fans, or bookmakers.

Bollywood hopes to cash in on World Cup fever
MUMBAI, (AFP) - India's film industry is to take advantage of World Cup fever to release a pair of cricket-themed movies in the coming weeks, according to production houses in Mumbai.
With the ninth World Cup underway in the Caribbean, Bollywood is preparing to woo audiences with movies featuring Indian ace-spinner Anil Kumble and well-known cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
Bhogle appears as himself in "Hat Trick", which is about relationships between people who hold different views about the game.
"Indians are cricket crazy, so we thought it was appropriate to release the movie coinciding with the World Cup," "Hat Trick" director Milan Luthria told AFP.
"We are completing the shoot for a cricket anthem, which will be used in the movie.
"As a film maker I try and explore different themes and genres. It was time to do a sports-linked story," Luthria added.
Kumble, the lead spinner in the 15-member Indian squad currently touring the Caribbean, plays a cameo role in the soon-to-be-released "Meerabai Not Out."
The movie stars popular television actress Mandira Bedi, a surprise star host on a Sony Entertainment cricket television show.
Mandira plays an unmarried teacher in her 30s who is passionate about cricket.
"I have given up a glamorous image in the movie," Mandira said.
"I am a complete cricket fan as much as others are. People should be able to relate to it."
Sports-linked themes have rarely fared well in Bollywood, although "Iqbal", a movie about a mute boy who makes it big in cricket, won rave reviews from critics in 2005.
Other sports-related films scheduled for release in India this year include the big-budget production "Chak de! India" (Shine on India), which stars Shah Rukh Khan as a dishonoured hockey player who returns to the game after seven years as a coach to the national women's team.
"Cycle-kick" and "Yahan ke hum Sikander" (We're the kings here), a movie based on soccer, are also set for release this year.