| South Africa Vs England | ||||||||
Venue :2nd Test Match, Kingsmead, Durban | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Friday, December 25, 2009
2nd test live England v South Africa
1st Test Match Pakistan Vs Australia live
| Australia Vs Pakistan | ||||||||
Venue :1st Test Match, Melbourne Cricket Ground | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Sunday, November 15, 2009
1st Test Match Sri Lanka Vs India live
| India Vs Sri Lanka | ||||||||
Venue :1st Test Match, Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Monday, November 9, 2009
3rd One Day International New Zealand Vs Pakistan live Cricket
| Pakistan Vs New Zealand | ||||||||
Venue :3rd One Day International, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (D/N) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Sunday, November 1, 2009
live 4th One Day Australia v India live
| India Vs Australia | ||||||||
Venue :4th One Day International, Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali (D/N) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Friday, October 2, 2009
New Zealand Vs Pakistan 2nd Semi-Final Champions Trophy
| New Zealand Vs Pakistan | ||||||||
Venue :2nd Semi Final Match, New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (D/N) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Thursday, October 1, 2009
England Vs Australia Champions Trophy 1st semi-final
Australia v England, Champions Trophy, 1st semi-final, Centurion
| ||
| Australia Vs England | ||||||||
Venue :1st Semi Final Match, SuperSport Park, Centurion (D/N) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Champions Trophy live India Vs West Indies
India v West Indies, Champions Trophy, Group A, Jo'burg
India look for a perfect day in Jo'burg and Centurion
The Preview by Sidharth Monga
September 29, 2009
Match facts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009Start time 1430 (1230 GMT)
| ||
Big picture
India need the reverse of Murphy's Law. If they are to make it to the semi-final, everything that can go right needs to go right, and then some. They need Australia to lose to Pakistan, then they need to beat West Indies, and by such a margin that their net run-rate goes over Australia's. If any of these doesn't happen, they are out.If Pakistan's match against Australia is even as much as washed out, India can kiss their campaign goodbye. The saving grace for them is that by half time during their match they'll know what exactly they need to do - if Australia lose, that is.
A difference of 2.08 in India and Australia's net run-rates looks huge on paper, but since it is based on the results of one match each it is not impossible to wipe out. It will be mighty difficult, though. Pakistan and Australia will make for a tight contest either way, so even if Australia lose India will need a huge win over West Indies. A perfect day is difficult to define, but India fans will know what it is if their team makes it to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.
West Indies have been no pushovers in this tournament, giving Pakistan and Australia a scare. They would love nothing better than to spoil a party on their way out. It won't be a surprise if they even wish for Australia to lose to Pakistan, so that they have a chance to actively contribute in sending a team out. September 30 will be one complex day.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) India - LWLWW
Mathematics and permutations aside, India will need a big improvement in their form to entertain any hopes of progressing in this tournament. In the first match they played four bowlers and gave away over 300. In the second they played five and were threatening to leak 300-plus when rain intervened - fuelling the belief in some quarters that the rain actually saved India by giving them a point and keeping them alive in the tournament, as opposed to jeopardising their chances.
West Indies - LLLLL
Those who were of the view that their invitation should have been revoked will definitely revisit their stance after their creditable fights, albeit both losses, against Pakistan and Australia. If they can combine both their performances, good bowling in the first match and good batting in the second, West Indies could unsettle India.
Team news
India have a 6' 5" problem going into what could be their last match of the tournament. Ishant Sharma's 15.3 overs for 92 runs tell just a part of the story: he has looked low on confidence and just seems to be putting the ball in, as opposed to putting real effort in it. The pace has been low too. But India also know that he can be a handful if they are playing on a green top at the Wanderers. It's a difficult decision to make, and they have duly delayed it to see the pitch and trends in the Pakistan-Australia match.
India: (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Virat Kohli, 7 Yusuf Pathan/Amit Mishra, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Praveen Kumar, 11 Ashish Nehra.
Dale Richards, who dislocated his shoulder during the Australia match, is definitely out. Either Keiran Powell or Royston Crandon could get a game in his place.
West Indies: (probable) 1 Devon Smith, 2 Andre Fletcher, 3 Keiran Powell/Royston Crandon, 4 Travis Dowlin, 5 Floyd Reifer (capt), 6 David Bernard, 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Chadwick Walton (wk), 9 Nikita Miller, 10 Tino Best, 11 Gavin Tonge.
Pitch and conditions
India will be playing at the Wanderers for the first time in this competition, and there will definitely be extra bounce on offer. West Indies have the advantage of having played both their matches there.
Watch out for...
Pakistan v Australia Keep an eye on Centurion because what happens there will influence what happens in the second innings of this match.
Kemar Roach is one of the positives to have come out of the players-board saga in the Caribbean. Against Australia at the same venue, the Wanderers, he bowled with pace and hostility, something India can do without in their current state of mind.
Stats and trivia
- West Indies have played India twice in the Champions Trophy, and won on both occasions: the semi-final in Dhaka in 1998, and a league match in Ahmedabad in 2006. In World Cups the head-to-head is three wins each.
- In 59 ODI innings Suresh Raina has scored two centuries, against Bangladesh and Hong Kong. It has to do in part with fluctuating batting order, because he has maintained a decent average of 35-plus.
- The Wanderers has been a tough ground to chase on during this competition: Pakistan and England sweated chasing 134 and 213 respectively, West Indies and Sri Lanka failed chasing bigger totals.
Quotes
"From the first game to this one we have gotten better, as a team and as individuals. Looking at the two games we've played, against Pakistan if we had 40 more runs, things could have been different. And against Australia we were in the game into the 40th over. It's been a great effort."
Floyd Reifer seeks a natural progression.
"We are cheering for Pakistan as they play a day game. We will know where we stand when we go out. Hopefully Pakistan will win."
MS Dhoni will be wearing green until the toss.
Australia Vs Pakistan Champions Trophy live
Aus v Pak, Champions Trophy, Group A, Centurion
Asif in line for comeback as Pakistan ring the changes
The Preview by Alex Brown
September 29, 2009
Match facts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Start time 0930 (0730 GMT)
Big picture
| ||
| | ||
With so many intertwining fortunes, the penultimate Group A match between Pakistan and Australia is shaping as the most absorbing of the tournament to date. Pakistan's victories over West Indies and India have ensured the World Twenty20 champions safe passage through to the semi-finals, and Australia will join them with victory in Centurion.
A Pakistan win, on the other hand, would throw the race for the semis wide open. Monday's wash-out in Centurion may have allowed India to avoid a mountainous run-chase against Australia, but it also placed them in the precarious position of having to rely on other results to advance to the next round. A resounding Pakistan victory over Australia will keep alive the hopes of MS Dhoni's men, but only if India can inflict a heavy defeat on the West Indians at the Wanderers the same day.
Weighing heavily on the Indians' minds will be Australia's recent 3-2 victory over Pakistan in an attritional one-day series played in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On that occasion, the superior discipline of the Australians proved too much for an out-of-practice Pakistan side although, as punters the world over are aware, form guides are seldom of use when trying to assess Younis Khan's team. That logic is all the more applicable with Pakistan likely to rest a number of first-choice players ahead of the semi-finals, clearing the way for Mohammad Asif to make his return to international cricket after a 19-month absence.
There will presumably be little love lost between Asif and the Australians who, prior to the 2007 World Cup, vented their anger at the PCB for recalling the controversial paceman barely a year after he tested positive to nandrolone. Asif has courted controversy ever since, and will be determined to make the most of what may be his last chance in the international game. A fascinating subplot to an intriguing match.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) Australia - WLWWW
Pakistan - WWWWL
Team news
Australia's Champions Trophy plans are covered in Tip-ex, with mainstays Nathan Bracken and Michael Clarke sent home with injury. Clarke's chronic back condition will be causing angst among team medical staff, given the frequency with which it has flared this year (the Twenty20 international against New Zealand in Australia, the lead-up to the Test series in South Africa and now the Champions Trophy). His bowling days may well be numbered as he attempts to manage the injury.
Australia: (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Callum Ferguson, 6 Cameron White, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Nathan Hauritz, 11 Peter Siddle.
Younis Khan is expected to take the field against the Australians on Wednesday, however Imran Nazir, who is also nursing a broken finger, is less likely to play. Younis foreshadowed that Pakistan would seek to give game time to several fringe squad members ahead of the semi-final, singling out Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Anjum and Asif. Asif has not represented Pakistan since he was detained at Dubai airport in June, 2008.
Pakistan: (probable): 1 Shoaib Malik, 2 Kamran Akmal, 3 Younis Khan (capt), 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Umar Akmal, 8 Umar Gul, 9 Mohammad Aamer, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif.
Watch out for...
Shoaib Malik's century against India was the perfect cricketing crescendo. The 183-game veteran managed just a solitary run from his first 13 deliveries, before hitting something near light-speed in the closing stages to effectively bat India out of the contest. Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh might still not know what hit them.
Brett Lee managed express pace and steepling bounce in his sole outing against West Indies, but wickets proved hard to come by. Should he find the right trajectory, Australia's senior fast bowler could prove more than a handful on a Centurion pitch enlivened by recent heavy rain.
Pitch and conditions
- Australia have won nine of their last 12 ODIs against Pakistan, including a 3-2 series victory in their most recent series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- As of Tuesday morning, Saeed Ajmal was the best-performed spinner at the Champions Trophy with four wickets at 11.75. His economy rate is 3.66.
- Ricky Ponting has been in imposing form since arriving in South Africa. He has scored half-centuries in both of Australia's pool matches against West Indies and India at an average of 72.
Centurion has been considered the more spin-friendly of the Champions Trophy surfaces thus far, although it remains to be seen whether those characteristics will remain after Monday's match-cancelling deluge. Pakistan will be hoping for a resumption of normal programming, given the difficulty encountered by Australia's batsmen in scoring off the likes of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi during the recent series in the UAE. The Pakistan spin combination have taken a combined seven wickets at the Champions Trophy to date at barely four runs-per-over, and are again looming as potent strike weapons.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
"This Trophy was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan. We were the real hosts. My nation wants it back and we are ready to give our hundred percent to get it back for the country."Younis Khan after Pakistan's emphatic victory over India.
"Our batsmen played well [against India] so that's really good going into the Pakistan match, where there will surely be two spinners playing. [Michael] Hussey and [Tim] Paine played the spinners very well against India and that augers well for the upcoming match. [Saeed] Ajmal and [Shahid] Afridi are quality spinners. Yes they did well against us in Abu Dhabi and Dubai but we are up for it."
Ricky Ponting on the challenge posed by Pakistan's spinners.
Monday, September 28, 2009
New Zealand Vs England Champions Trophy live streaming
England v New Zealand, Group B, Jo'burg
New Zealand aim to continue revival
The Preview by Andrew McGlashan
September 28, 2009
Match facts
Sunday, September 29, 2009
Start time 2:30pm, 12:30 GMT
Big picture
| ||
It is New Zealand's turn to do or die. A victory will take them through to the semi-finals, but a defeat will almost certainly see them heading home (see below). England, though, can already think about the knockout stage after their slick performance against South Africa. This tournament continues to confound, and what excitement that has brought.
New Zealand produced an outstanding performance against Sri Lanka to keep their tournament hopes alive. It was typical of them to bounce back so impressively after a heavy defeat against South Africa. There was grit, determination and no little flair as they out-gunned a talented Sri Lankan team that haven't found their top gear in this tournament. They might still survive, but need England to do them a favour.
Daniel Vettori's team often lift themselves at global events and if they don't make the semi-finals it will be something of a surprise - they are almost always there. However, their hopes have taken a blow with Jesse Ryder ruled out of the tournament after the injury he picked up during his destructive 58-ball 74 against Sri Lanka and his departure leaves a hole in the top order. But Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have shown good form and it is up to them to take the strain. The captain, too, is leading from the front and his bowling spell was crucial to defeating Sri Lanka.
England, for their part, won't want to take their foot off the gas. Having waited so long to find winning form in one-day cricket it would be careless to let it slip now. There are also areas to tighten up on despite two hefty victories. In both games the support bowling for James Anderson - especially from his fellow quicks - has been lacking with Stuart Broad particularly culpable of pitching too short. They also dropped two catches against South Africa - one by Paul Collingwood, the other by Owais Shah - and although neither cost them the match those types of mistakes will eventually be punished.
How New Zealand can qualify
A win will obviously take them through - they might even top the group if the margin is comprehensive enough. However, New Zealand have a small chance even if they lose a low-scoring game by a very narrow margin: if they score 250 or less, and England win off the last ball (or a few balls remaining, depending on the target), New Zealand's net run rate will edge ahead of Sri Lanka's.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) England - WWWLL
New Zealand - WLLLW
Team news
The Wanderers has offered plenty of help for the quicks so England will stick with four pacemen. One change of bowling personnel could be Ryan Sidebottom for Graham Onions if Andrew Strauss wants more control, while the health of Matt Prior will be monitored after he was taken ill on the eve of the South Africa game. Steven Davies, the Worcestershire wicketkeeper, is on standby but hasn't yet been named as an official replacement. Eoin Morgan did a solid job behind the stumps and could keep the gloves if the management are confident Prior will be fit for the semi-final.
England: (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Joe Denly, 3 Owais Shah, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Eoin Morgan (wk), 6 Ravi Boapra 7 Luke Wright, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Graham Onions.
With Ryder ruled out, New Zealand will need a new opener. Aaron Redmond has been called into the squad, but has been held up in Hong Kong and will only arrive on the morning of the game. When he came in during the World Twenty20 in England he had immediate success, but he was already in the country on that occasion. Other options are reserve keeper Gareth Hopkins or allrounder Brendon Diamanti to come into the middle order and Guptill to open the batting. Vettori said that Daryl Tuffey got a smack to the hand and was being monitored, while Ian Butler was better after an intestinal infection and should be available for selection.
New Zealand: (probable) 1 Brendon McCullum, 2 Aaron Redmond, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Neil Broom, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 James Franklin, 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Daryl Tuffey/Ian Butler.
Watch out for...
After weeks of prodding around Owais Shah came out of his shell in explosive style as he launched six sixes in his 89-ball 98. His promotion to No. 3 for this tournament looked like a last-chance for Shah, with Jonathan Trott waiting in the wings for the South Africa tour and the eventual return of Kevin Pietersen. Now his place is secure again the fascination will be whether he carries Sunday's mindset forward and plays with similar freedom again.
With Ryder on his way home, the onus turns to Brendon McCullum to provide the boundaries at the top. He has done it many times before, but played second-fiddle to Ryder against Sri Lanka. After New Zealand's defeat against South Africa, some former players suggested McCullum should drop back down the order, but now he should be given the license to attack. If he comes off, New Zealand will be well set.
Pitch and conditions
Both teams have enjoyed the Wanderers - each winning their previous match on the ground - and the extra bounce will keep the quicks interested. However, runs have also flowed when the bowling has been off line.
Stats and trivia
- The two sides have met in 69 ODIs, with New Zealand leading the head-to-head 34-29 along with two ties and four no results.
- In multi-team tournaments (of five or more sides) there have been seven meetings with New Zealand ahead 4-3.
Quotes
"Everyone was picking Sri Lanka and South Africa to go through to the semi-finals and New Zealand and England left to battle it out. But it has a been complete reversal so it's great for both sides."
Daniel Vettori hopes to keep proving New Zealand doubters wrong.
England Vs New Zealand live
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Australia v India Champions Trophy live streaming
Australia v India, Champions Trophy, Group A, Centurion
India in battle for survival
September 27, 2009
| ||
Monday, September 28, 2009
Start time 14.30, 12.30 GMT
Big picture
There are all sorts of scenarios and permutations about which teams could make it through to the semi-finals in Group A but the simplest is this: if Australia beat India, it will be Pakistan and Australia who progress. The group will be done and dusted with two games to go. Things become more complex if India win. They will be in prime position due to their remaining game against a weakened West Indies and Australia's fixture against an unbeaten Pakistan. However, should India and Australia either both win or both lose their last group game, net run-rate will be required to determine the semi-finalists.
It means that there's a lot riding on this day-night encounter and neither team enters the match in peak form. India have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions at Centurion, where they lost to Pakistan on Saturday. Australia are coming off a win but it was a scratchy and in parts unconvincing victory against an under-strength West Indies in the different conditions at the Wanderers. It's hard to predict a winner, though the bookmakers favour Australia.
Australia will be most concerned about breaking India's opening partnership early; Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar have troubled Ricky Ponting's men in the past and Australia's fast bowlers lacked penetration against West Indies. The presence or absence of the stiff and sore Michael Clarke looms as another potential key. Unlike India, Australia aren't automatically out if they lose but it will be a hard road back. The teams meet for seven one-dayers in India in October and November but none will matter as much as this game.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia - WLWWW
India - LWLWW
Team news
Clarke's stiff back ruled him out of the game against West Indies and Australia will be hoping he can get up for what should be a much tougher contest with India. Should Clarke prove his fitness, Australia must decide who to leave out and it's not an easy decision. Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and James Hopes are the likely contenders to drop out of the side and despite an excellent start to his international career, Ferguson could be the unlucky one as he does not offer a bowling option.
Australia (possible): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Callum Ferguson/Michael Clarke, 6 Cameron White, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Nathan Hauritz, 11 Peter Siddle.
MS Dhoni said he felt three bowlers short at times, such was the ease with which runs were scored in the middle of Pakistan's innings, and India are certain to play five specialist bowlers on Monday. Harbhajan Singh did not bowl well against Pakistan but he is a bogey player for Australia and regularly lifts against them. The other bowling options in India's squad are Praveen Kumar and the legspinner Amit Mishra, who is a strong contender. Praveen could edge in ahead of RP Singh, who took 1 for 59 in nine overs against Pakistan.
India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Yusuf Pathan/Amit Mishra, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 RP Singh/Praveen Kumar, 10, Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashish Nehra.
Watch out for...
He might have retired from Twenty20 internationals but Ricky Ponting remains Australia's most important player in ODI cricket. He was magnificent in compiling 79 against West Indies in difficult conditions and a big Ponting score can be the difference between mediocrity and dominance from Australia. He has made plenty of runs against India, but Harbhajan and Ishant Sharma have caused him problems. As always with Ponting, the key is piercing his defences within his first couple of overs at the crease.
Ishant Sharma was one of the better bowlers against Pakistan with figures of 2 for 39, but he has struggled for consistency. But he has enjoyed success against Australia in the past and has nine ODI wickets at 19.33 against them. Importantly for India, he has a bit of a hold on Ponting, having dismissed him six times in international cricket. The ball angling in to the top of off stump troubles Ponting early and Ishant will be a key man for India for that reason alone. He has also dismissed Clarke six times, so Ishant may be hoping Australia's vice-captain passes his fitness test.
Pitch and conditions
India have the advantage of having just played in Centurion, where the conditions are different to the Wanderers. The surface is much slower and provides more assistance to the spinners. Runs are available if the bowlers fail to adjust and Australia will need to sharpen their efforts after struggling to run through West Indies on a cracking and helpful Johannesburg pitch. There is also a strong chance of showers in the evening, so the teams should bear that in mind at the toss.
Stats and trivia
- Australia and India seem to play each other so often that it's hard to believe they haven't met in an ODI for 18 months, when India wrapped up the CB Series at the Gabba. It's so long ago that Adam Gilchrist was still playing
- India have won four of eight ODIs they've played in Centurion; Australia have won four of seven. Both teams have lost their past two one-dayers there
- Not since 2003 have India won a one-day international in South Africa; in the meantime they've lost six
- The last time these teams met at Centurion, India were walloped by nine wickets, during the 2003 World Cup
Quotes
"We all know we need to play better than we did today against India"
Ricky Ponting after Australia's scrappy win over West Indies
"From now on it's like a knockout tournament for us. If we don't play well we can pack up our bags and go home."
MS Dhoni after India's loss to Pakistan
Saturday, September 26, 2009
New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka Champions Trophy 2009 live
| New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka | ||||||||
Venue :7th Match Group B, New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Champions Trophy 2009 England Vs South Africa live streaming
| South Africa Vs England | ||||||||
Venue :8th Match Group B, SuperSport Park, Centurion | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Pakistan Vs India live streaming Champions Trophy 2009
| | India Vs Pakistan | |||||||
Venue :6th Match Group A, SuperSport Park, Centurion | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sri Lanka Vs England live streaming Champions Trophy 2009
| England Vs Sri Lanka | ||||||||
Venue :4th Match Group B, New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Champions Trophy New Zealand Vs South Africa live streaming Champions Trophy
South Africa v New Zealand, Champions Trophy, Group B, Centurion
South Africa have little room for error
The preview by George Binoy
September 23, 2009
Match facts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Start time 9:30 am, 7:30 GMT
|
Big picture
The format of the 2009 Champions Trophy - a lean version compared to its flabby predecessors - leaves little margin for error: teams can afford one slip-up at the most during the group stage and South Africa have used theirs up in the opening game against Sri Lanka. They will not be knocked out if they lose again but will become dependent on other results going their way before net run-rate comes into the equation. It's not a predicament any team wants to be in, not least one that was ranked No. 1 in the world earlier in the week.
South Africa, therefore, will be giving Thursday's match in Centurion must-win status. They gambled in the opening game by picking 20-year-old Wayne Parnell ahead of Makhaya Ntini, and by choosing to field first despite naming two specialist spinners in their XI. Graeme Smith, though, said after the 55-run defeat that he wouldn't have done anything differently. South Africa came into the tournament with no international 50-over match-practice since April and were found wanting. They cannot afford to be found wanting tomorrow.
Their opponents don't possess the unorthodox and unique talents of the Sri Lankans but New Zealand make up for that with discipline, doggedness and sheer hard work. Rarely have they failed to make it past the first round of an ICC competition. Daniel Vettori's team, though, has had a poor run in ODIs this year, losing eight games and winning only five. Their last two defeats were heavy ones to India and Sri Lanka during the Compaq Cup and they've had mixed results in the two warm-up matches in South Africa as well: they lost the first one to the Warriors but bounced back to beat India, one of the tournament favourites, convincingly in the second.
New Zealand are a team without stars and rely on collective contribution from their batsmen to achieve a challenging total. Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Neil Broom have all scored half-centuries in the warm-ups but Brendon McCullum has failed. Their chances of beating South Africa will hinge on a few players coming good rather than one batsman making a stellar contribution. Their disciplined but sometimes bland attack has been spiced up by the return of Shane Bond and his pace up front is capable of rattling opposition top-orders before the ever-reliable Vettori brings himself on.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa - LLWWW
New Zealand - LLWLL
Team news
South Africa will once again be without Herschelle Gibbs, who suffered a side strain, which means Hashim Amla will continue to open the innings with Smith. Amla was bowled for 2 by Angelo Mathews in the first game. South Africa, though, are hopeful Gibbs will be fit for their final group match against England. There are no other likely changes to the XI unless South Africa opt for Makhaya Ntini instead of Wayne Parnell, who conceded 79 runs in ten overs against Sri Lanka.
South Africa (likely): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Johan Botha, 9 Roelof van der Merwe, 10 Wayne Parnell, 11 Dale Steyn.
New Zealand are likely to play seven batsmen with Vettori at No. 8 followed by the tailenders. For their attack, New Zealand will have to choose between playing a second spinner or a third fast bowler. Two of the three bowling positions are likely to be filled by Bond and Daryl Tuffey, which means the final spot will go to one of Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills and Ian Butler.
New Zealand (likely): 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Jesse Ryder, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Neil Broom, 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Jeetan Patel, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Daryl Tuffey/Kyle Mills/Jeetan Patel.
Watch out for...
The Graeme Smith that returned to international action after elbow surgery was leaner and fitter than the batsman during the ICC World Twenty20 in June. He gave South Africa a fast start in the run chase against Sri Lanka, biffing 58 off 44 balls before falling to Ajantha Mendis' first delivery. His team will hope for a more damaging performance from Smith as they aim to qualify from Group B.
Shane Bond's return from two years of exile is a couple of matches old but his performances during the Compaq Cup in Sri Lanka would have escaped viewer attention in most parts of the world. He provides New Zealand's new-ball attack with much-needed hostility and fans worldwide will tune in to see if he still possesses the long run-up and the extra pace that made the best of batsmen hop and duck.
Pitch and conditions
Rain brought an early end to the match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Centurion but the forecast for Thursday is fair, although some cloud is expected. The pitch was flat and offered little in terms of swing and seam although it is unclear whether the same surface will be used tomorrow.
Stats and trivia
- New Zealand have lost 13 and won only two of the 17 ODIs they have played against South Africa in South Africa. The two victories were in the 2003 World Cup and during the 2007 tour.
- Bond has taken 23 wickets at an average of 22.43 in 13 matches in South Africa. Against them, however, Bond's average for his 16 wickets goes up to nearly 32. Vettori also averages an expensive 45.54 for his 11 wickets in South Africa.
- Among New Zealand's current batsmen, Brendon McCullum averages the highest in South Africa. He's scored 237 runs in 10 innings at an average of 26.33.
Quotes
"It doesn't matter to us that South Africa lost to Sri Lanka. We are under no illusions as to how good a unit they are."
Vettori knows the magnitude of the challenge that awaits his team in Centurion.
"We got a good wake-up call against Sri Lanka and now we have to do a big turnaround and there is not much time to do it."
Smith is also aware of the magnitude of the challenge that awaits his team in the days ahead.
watch live streaming West Indies Vs Pakistan Champions Trophy
Pakistan v West Indies, Champions Trophy, Group A, Johannesburg
Pakistan favourites in mismatch
The preview by Sriram Veera
September 21, 2009
Match facts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009Start time 1430 (1230 GMT)
| ||
| | ||
Pakistan, a team with a dash of mercurial madness, are pitted against West Indies, who are fighting an identity crisis. On paper it's a mismatch: Weakened considerably by the ongoing imbroglio between the board and the main players, West Indies were swept aside by Bangladesh at home recently and few are giving them a chance in this tournament.
Both teams have a 20% success rate in ODIs held in South Africa against the top eight teams; this tournament presents an opportunity to change that statistic. Pakistan will look to ease themselves into the tournament with what should be, in theory, an easy outing. Their captain Younis Khan, who won't be featuring in tomorrow's encounter, has already raised the stakes by announcing that he wants to win the tournament in honour of Bob Woolmer, their former coach who died during the 2007 World Cup.
It won't be that easy, though. Pakistan haven't had the best of the years in ODIs, losing eight of the 13 games played; their batting has floundered repeatedly and they have been bowled out for less than 175 five times. It's a team in the rebuilding stage and instead of opting for an all-youth policy they have added a healthy bit of experience. They have been beefed up by the return of the ICL players in Mohammad Yousuf, Imran Nazir and the solid Naved-ul-Hasan.
If West Indies, derailed by controversy in the recent times, are desperately seeking some positive signs, they need only look at their history in this tournament. They have been runners-up twice and won it once so memorably in 2004. They lack even a single star but, freed of the weight of expectation, they can be a thorn in the flesh of the other fancied teams in their group.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies - LLLLW
Pakistan - WWLLL
Team news
Pakistan have an explosive talent in Mohammad Aamer, the left-arm fast bowler and a canny medium-pacer in Naved-ul-Hasan, along with a couple of good spinners in Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal. Their bowling can be expected to be consistent; it's their batting that needs to get rolling to push them ahead in this tournament.
Shoaib Malik, who hit a hundred at No. 3 in the warm-up game against Warriors, says he is willing to open the innings. He averages 37.35 as an opener, with two centuries and a fifty, and is likely to feature among the top three in the batting order. Though he has had a poor year, scoring just one half-century in 11 games with an average of 21.44, he has a very good record in South Africa, averaging 77.50 in five games with one half-century. Misbah-ul-Haq returns to the country where it had all started for him during the inaugural World Twenty20.
Mohammad Yousuf adds solidity to the middle-order and Mohammad Asif, though not slated to play tomorrow, will make his much-awaited return to international cricket at some point in the tournament.
Pakistan (probable) 1 Imran Nazir, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Shoaib Malik, 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Shahid Afridi (capt), 8 Naved-ul-Hasan, 9 Saeed Ajmal, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Mohammad Aamer
Not much is expected of West Indies, nor have they done much recently to raise any expectations. Though weakened, they have some talent in Dale Richards, Devon Smith, and David Bernard in the batting department. Their bowling would be led by Kemar Roach and Darren Sammy, with Nikita Miller providing the spin option.
West Indies (probable) 1 Dale Richards, 2 Andre Fletcher, 3 Devon Smith, 4 Travis Dowlin, 5 Floyd Reifer (capt), 6 Kieran Powerll, 7 David Bernard, 8 Chadwick Walton (wk), 9 Darren Sammy, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Nikita Miller.
Watch out for...
Umar Gul has never been the poster boy in his career but, of late, he has shouldered the burden of being the strike bowler with his talent backed by maturity. He has a very good yorker and is likely to get some seam movement with the new ball. The return of Asif is likely to benefit Gul, who has always seemed a natural follower than a leader.
Dale Richards is one of the few players in history who have opened their Test debuts with a six. He is naturally aggressive and is pretty good against pace bowling, but still faces the criticism that he fails to convert his starts. This tournament presents a great opportunity to showcase his talent.
Stats and trivia
- Pakistan have played ODIs against only Sri Lanka and Australia this year, losing eight of the 13 games.
- Mohammad Yousuf is the second-highest scorer after Saeed Anwar for Pakistan in Champions Trophy history, scoring 284 runs at 47.33, but averaging only 31.81 in ODIs played in South Africa.
- Darren Sammy is the only player in the current West Indies team who has played in a Champions Trophy game before - he didn't bat but picked up one wicket from six overs.
Quotes
"I want the people in the Caribbean to know that this is a West Indies team that is dedicated to the West Indies cricket. This is not a second-string team,."
Floyd Reifer tries to garner some support back home, where the team has been labeled as 'scabs' in some quarters.
"I know from experience that the batting is the most important thing while playing in South Africa. If our batting clicks we can win the competition. "
Shoaib Malik pinpoints the area where his team needs to get more consistent.
Monday, September 21, 2009
watch Sri Lanka Vs Sout Africa Champions Trophy live streaming
Sout Africa v Sri Lanka, Champions Trophy, Group B, Centurion
Nearly men kick off nearly tournament
The Preview by Sidharth Monga
September 21, 2009
Match facts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Start time 1430 (1230 GMT)
Start time 1430 (1230 GMT)
| ||
| | ||
Big picture
Lack of choices can be a blessing in disguise. Hence we have potentially the best event organised by the ICC in a long while. Not entirely by design, though: there was no window for a longer tournament, there isn't even a reserve day for the final. So there was no space for flab or Super Sixes or Eights or whatever. Although Bangladesh can argue they had a better case than West Indies, few could have envisaged the political turmoil in the Caribbean when the tournament was being drawn up. As a result the preliminary groups are neither meaningless cakewalks nor so fickle that one freak loss ends the tournament for a team. Throw in the fact that the top three teams are so close to each other, the No. 1 ranking is likely to change hands more often in this tournament than the baton in a relay race. So good on the ODIs, which do with this shot in the arm.
It helps that South Africa has been the setting for memorable starts to world events. In the first match of the 2003 World Cup, Brian Lara's century helped West Indies beat South Africa by three runs in a tense finish. Four years later the ICC went to South Africa unsure if the World Twenty20 would be accepted by the audience. The same two teams, in 37.4 overs, hit all such trepidations out of the Wanderers. The possibility of an exact repeat has been ruled out by the draw, which pits Sri Lanka opening the tournament against the hosts, but a similar start is needed.
Both players in the act on Tuesday run the risk of becoming perennial best men: both have been consistent limited-overs teams for large parts of last 15 years, but only two players in each team have tasted success in an ICC event: Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan won the 1996 World Cup, and Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis won the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998.
Since then South Africa have lost two World Cup semi-finals, one World Twenty20 semi-final, and three Champions Trophy semi-finals. Sri Lanka haven't been that consistent, but they too have lost a World Cup final and semi-final each, a World Twenty20 final, and shared a Champions Trophy final.
Not much has changed on that front: this is another best chance for South Africa to shrug off the chokers' tag, and although Sri Lanka are not starting off as favourites it would be folly to underestimate them. So let the nearly men kick the nearly tournament off.
Form guide
(last five matches, most recent first)
South Africa - LWWWL
Forget their record in big tournaments, this is indeed South Africa's best chance in a big tournament. They are the most settled team among the eight, Australia are not what they used to be - their 6-1 win in England notwithstanding - and others generally have more issues to settle than the hosts. They last played an international match back in April. Will they be rested or rusty?
Sri Lanka - LWWLL
A new-look team trying to bring together mavericks, team players and veterans makes for interesting following. Their No. 5 ranking in ODIs should not prompt other teams to let their guard down.
Watch out for...
Dale Steyn has stated what the world knows in its heart of hearts but is not so convinced about when it comes to big tournaments. "If the team play to their potential, and this might sound cocky, I really believe no side can match us at the Champions Trophy." The world is waiting, Dale, for the "team to play to their potential".
Nuwan Kulasekara quietly became the No. 1 bowler in ODIs without many noticing, and has kept the ranking for some time now. Now he will be tested in the open and, if the conditions help swing, his accuracy, inswingers, and the odd one that goes straight could just confirm the ICC rankings.
| Since 1998 South Africa have lost two World Cup semi-finals, one World Twenty20 semi-final, and three Champions Trophy semi-finals. Sri Lanka have lost a World Cup final and semi-final each, a World Twenty20 final, and shared a Champions Trophy final | |||
Graeme Smith has not shied from making statements for his team, and on the first day of the tournament, with regular co-opener Herschelle Gibbs out, his team needs the leader in the front.
Kumar Sangakkara the captain has been conspicuous in trying to bring a hard edge to his skilled team, but Sangakkara the batsman last scored an ODI century in June 2008, against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka won't mind a reconciliation of the two Sangakkaras.
Team news
Smith has confirmed Hashim Amla will open with him in Gibbs' absence due to a rib injury that has ruled him out of the first match. It probably won't hurt the middle order, which looks settled - only Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher could be needed earlier than usual. The most likely to sit out are Robin Peterson and Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Expect a toss-up between Roelof van der Merwe and Wayne Parnell for the final position.
South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Roelof van der Merwe/Wayne Parnell, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Dale Steyn.
Murali should be fit to take the field now. After the tri-series final that Sri Lanka lost to India, Sangakkara had said Murali was fit but they didn't want to risk him before the Champions Trophy. Whose place will he take if he plays is an interesting question. Unless it is a rank turner, Ajantha Mendis should be the man most likely to sit out.
Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilina Kandamby, 6 Chamara Kapugedera, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.
Stats and trivia
- South Africa lead 5-1 head-to-head on Sri Lanka in ICC events. They lost to Sri Lanka in the 1992 World Cup, and tied with them in 2003, but have won all other encounters.
- Murali, with 23 wickets, is the highest wicket-taker in Champions Trophy history.
- Sangakkara, with 22 catches and four stumpings, leads the dismissals table for wicketkeepers.
Quotes
"Our team has a lot of variety. We have got a left-armer, we have got pace, we have got allrounders and we have got spin. It is nice as a captain to have so many options."
Graeme Smith likes what he sees when he casts an eye over South Africa's squad.
"A game's a game and it doesn't matter who the opposition is. But it's nice, because we've come here as underdogs in this game and they [South Africa] have got a major tournament to start, to kick off in front of their fans and the pressure is really on them."
Kumar Sangakkara plays a mind game or three.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
