Cricket Tournaments

On 25th of June, perhaps England still be relishing their ICC World T20 Cup, Australian Women embittered their delight. In the inaugural Women NatWest T20 match England clashed with traditional rival Australia and England got defeated by 34 runs by Australia at Derbyshire’s County. Wounded Australia became growling tigress defeating England in very first NatWest T20 match.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, and Australian batswomen robust batting gave the Australians good start. During the power play it was tough for the England to seize Australian batswomen, on and off they kept on losing wickets. First to leave for the pavilion was Leah Poulton(33), then S Nitschke (32) both gave upstart with good runs on scoreboard to Australia. Then KL Rolton(43) and LK Ebasry(24) leaded the scoreboard to 151 runs. Australian batting was impressive and intelligent they used the space given by the bowler optimal.

England Bowled well to some extent but still absence of Brunt was being felt nevertheless NJ Shaw, HL Colvin and JL Gunn bowled good line and length and often there in swing and Yorker were dangerous and gave no room to Australians to go for the shoots hence they played defensive. Overall bowling performance was mixed but all and all it was average to standards. NJ Shaw, HL Colvin and JL Gunn took 1-1 vital wickets to hinder Australians to aggregate huge score.

When England came to bat the mixed emotions was evident on their faces, but frowning and doubting was consistent and it was apparent in their batting too. T20 Champions succumbed to pressure and failed to sustain their batting line up to beat Australia. From the initial overs wickets started falling and England didn’t have good start. The first dent came with the fall of wicket of SJ Taylor (1) it was huge wicket for Australians and then CM Edwards (10), SC Taylor (31), BL Morgan (20), LS Greenway (19) and BL Gunn (6) crumbled and England innings ended on 117 runs in full 20 overs falling short of 34 runs. England was not into its champion socks and they succumbed to pressure though some good and generous batting we saw from SC Taylor and Brent (23) but still they were too slow and sluggish. Boundaries were tough affair in front of Australian bowling and eventually England lost the match by 34 runs.

RM Farrell and EA Osborne bowling confined the England batswomen and didn’t give them vacuum to powerfully swing the bat. RM Farrell with her brilliant bowling just dumbstruck England and England yearned for the boundary. RM Farrell took 2 wickets off just 16 runs and a maiden over, EA Osborne also took 2 wickets. SJ Andrews and S Nitschke took 1-1 wickets.

England was not able to revise semifinal feat against Australians, Australians were too strong both with the bat and bowl. England had been intoxicated with their constant winning of cups but this match came as a realization.

Now, Indians fans have something to smile and cheer about after India’s disastrous consecutive defeats in ICC T20 World Super 8. 26, June at Sabina Park in 50 overs ODI, India defeated Indies in most exciting and close match. Yuvraj with 131 innings coming off 102 balls outstandingly batted and became significant factor to India for anticipated victory. India batting line up after a long time supported each other well enough and they aggregated gigantic score of 339 runs off 6 wickets. 340 runs target was huge nevertheless as speculated Indies fired back with bat but that fire came late and they were not able to hold wickets. Consequently they all got out and succumbed to achieve the target by just 20 runs still 11 bowls spared.

Indian batting lineup has always been most powerful; each Indian batsman has on and off made bowlers sweat and frown over their own ability. On 26 June, at Jamaica again we saw Indian batsmen joshing and bashing Indies bowlers. Gautam Gambhir (13), Rohit Sharma (4) and Ravindra Jadeja (0) left the ground scoring inexpensively. Beside that Dinesh Karthik (67), Yuvraj Singh (131), MS Dhoni (41), not out Yusuf Pathan (40) and not out Harbhajan Singh (21) rampaged the pitch and not a single corner left where ball didn’t transgressed the boundary. Indian batsmen were unstoppable and Indies bowlers each trick seemed nothing but desperate plea. Yuvraj was everywhere in the scream of crowd and commentators, simply marvelous innings we saw coming from Yuvraj charismatic batting leading India to mammoth score of 339 runs off 6 wickets in 50 overs.

West Indies bowling was at its worst, each player economy reaching above 6 runs per over. Jerome Taylor, Lionel Baker and David Bernard took 1-1 wicket and Dwayne Bravo took 2 wickets. West Indies Bowlers gave batsmen ample space take shoots and every trick of in swing or off-spin was worthless in front of Yuvraj and Dinesh.

Indies got huge pressuring 340 runs target, yet it was difficult to achieve but it was never impossible for Indies. Indies got good start by Chris Gayle (37) and Runako Morton (42) and middle order played above average; Sarwan (45) and Chanderpaul (63) snatched the chance for Indies but the wickets kept falling not single batsmen after them sustained on pitch to lead Indies. Eventually when victory seemed near they all got out at 319 in 48th over by Indian bowlers.

Return of Nehra in team gave the boost to the Indian bowling. Indian bowlers fared well, RP Singh, Ishant and Harbhajan took 1-1 wickets; and Ashish Nehra and Yusuf Pathan took 3-3 wickets. Though bowlers were not able to confine Indies batsmen but still Nehra, Pathan and other bowlers didn’t let batmen sustain on pitch.

Match concluded with the close win of India and man of the match to Yuvraj Singh. Contrarily Yuvraj poked sting like a bee, as Gayle predicted for Indies.

ICC T20 World Champions 2007 India, in ICC T20 World Championship 2009 turns out to be IPL millionaire’s underdogs. They didn’t sustain for long in T20 World Cup due to injuries, underperformance, listlessness and controversy over Shewag’s injury. ICC T20 World finished with the Pakistani’s becoming champions and just after that cricket fans have been provided with another dose of cricketing; India touring Caribbean for four match ODI series against West Indies. West Indies have proved its talent and potential in ICC T20 World. Now Indies going to face retarded India which is having its important player injuries.

India is going to face West Indies in four ODI matches in Caribbean from 26th of June 2009. 1st ODI will be played in Jamaica on 26th June, 2nd ODI again in Jamaica on 28 June, 3rd ODI in St Lucia on 3rd July and 4th match in St Lucia on 5th July.

Gayle has warned India that Indies can sting like a bee; we can sense the toughness and expect Gayle proving the same expression true. We have seen that Gayle often been true with his words and not only fired with mouth but with bat also. Indies have been performing well enough with powerful set of bowlers, Gayle’s stewardship and stronger batting line up; India could be eating humble pie.

India during the ICC T20 World was much in controversy due to Dhoni’s attitude towards Shewag injury. And at the same time they were facing heavy pressure as they were 2007 T20 World champions. It was important for any side to beat India during ICC T20 World to establish their potentiality for T20 World Cup. That was another reason for their losing even though greater reason was their surrendering to pressure. That’s not all team was having injured players playing for the team which was recklessness from Indian Cricket Board (BCCI). BCCI knew that most of the players were retarded as they just appeared in millions dollar event Indian Premier League matches. Indian cricket players kept themselves engaged in advertising, earning more money besides doing net practice.

In ICC T20 World it was apparent India lacks focus, team spirit and concentration. With the much hype up series of controversies and off field drama and stress, India lost before appearing in the match. Still in these tough and perturbing time Star player Yuraj Singh performed well as expected. But rest his teammates where their just in the name of “Indian team”. Dhoni’s company with exception of Yuraj none performed consistently and none came out match winner for Team India.

Indian team arrangement has been kept unchanged, except Nehra included to the Indian Team. West Indies lineup has also been unchanged consisting of commanding young and experienced batting line up and excellent mix of bowling set. Lot of drama, action and entertained will surely be in this 4 match ODI Series.

Now, question is will India be again going down with humiliation or will it rising to play with dignity?

T20 Women’s World Champions England lifted the cup on Sunday at Lord’s after defeating New Zealand in well deserved one-sided match. For the first time in the women’s match count of spectators reached more than 15,000. During the match we could feel the excitement, and the match was purely entertaining. Barely three months earlier England won ICC World Cup, with winning of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, England has proved themselves to be the dangerous side to play. Women’s proving their mettle in the gentleman’s game is something the cricket world are reckoning with. Women’s cricket is day by day with English girls winning the T20 world cup is becoming popular. Now we have the NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 in England between England and Australia; we could feel the thrill and excitement for the upcoming the NatWest Women’s International Twenty20.

England champion’s team remained unchanged for the summer series against challenging team Australia. Inaugural match of NatWest Women’s International T20 will be played at Derby on June 25, rest matches will be played on the following stadiums: Chelmsford, Stratford CC, Lord’s and Wormsley CC respectively. All the action, drama and entertainment will be televised live on Sky Sports.

England in the semifinal faced traditional rivals Australia, whom they beat in fateful and breathtaking match by 8 wickets still 3 balls spared. In awe-inspiring match, Australia scored 163 runs for 4 wickets; it was the second highest total of the tournament. English women hold her nerve and chased the huge score and defeated Australia in the match. With this win and winning of the World cups consecutively reinforces that England is the strongest, undisputable and uninterrupted champions. England prevail every match and it was evident in the final match against New Zealanders, who stood nowhere to English side and lost match adversely. England has beaten Australia many times; still Australia is stronger and can make a comeback with bang. But would it be an experience of déjà – vu for the English side by making Australia bent on it toes again.

Australia has enough strength and capabilities to prove they are stronger and match winners. We had seen them giving tough competition to England and other teams. Australians have been able to fear the opposition, we have often other teams always getting screwed up when they fire, sweating hell out of them. Australians batting is organized and reliable, though the bowling needs the extra attention. Australians needs to hold their nerve till the end and sustain consistently with focus and organization. Though Australians are wounded but wounded tigeress can be hostile and we could see better off them in the NatWest Women’s International T20 series.

Under the stewardship and captaincy of Charlotte Edwards English women has touched the peak of glory and would be expected much harder opposition. But Karen Rolton can infuse team with spirits making Australians roar and growl in the series while crushing the English raj.

It would have been heartbreak for the Pakistani supporters, present at Lord’s this Sunday, had Pakistan lost another T20 final. It would have been a big shock for all Pakistani Cricket fans worldwide. However, history did not repeat itself as Pakistan shrugged of last T20 World Cup defeat to notch up a convincing win against Sri Lanka, who had through the whole tournament not lost a single match. In fact, Sri Lanka had the better of Pakistan in a Super 8 Game in this tournament. Pakistan played the role of giant killer, as they beat South Africa in the Semifinals and then steam rolled over Sri Lanka in the Men’s T20 World Cup Final.

It has been a sort of remarkable turnaround for Pakistani cricket, after so many incidents happening in their country and cricket being banned in their soil. Pakistan thus became the only team to have beaten both Sri Lanka and South Africa in this World Cup. A remarkable achievement indeed, considering the fact that both these teams have been in prime form and played magnificent cricket, except during the crunch time when they faced Pakistan in a do or die encounter. Perhaps the moral of the story for this edition of T20 World Cup will be that, to win some you need to loose some and play well when it matters.

Winning the toss Sri Lanka opted to bat first, as they wanted to set a decent total for the Pakistani team and put them under pressure. Their tactic soon backfired as the Pakistani youngster Mohammad Aamer got the better of Dilshan in the very first over of the match. With their best batsman in the tournament gone for a duck, Sri Lanka lacked ideas to come back into the match. The change in the batting line up also backfired as Jehan Mubarak was snapped up by Abdur Razaq, ex-ICL player for the second duck of the innings.

Pakistan now had a firm control on the match. Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan veteran with a whole lot of experience, tried to steer away Sri Lanka from this position but failed to do so after scoring just 17 runs to become Razaq’s second victim. Things got worse as Jayawardene got out in quick succession to Razaq. The only person left defending the Sri Lankan fort was their captain Kumara Sangakara. The Pakistani bowlers were unrelenting and did not loose focus in the match as Sri Lanka were left tottering at 70-6 after 13 overs.

The rescue act for Sri Lanka started with the partnership between Sangakara and Angelo Matthews, as they took the fight back to Pakistan. Sangakara remained unbeaten on 64 and Matthews scored valuable 35 run with both standing their ground until the end of this innings, as Sri Lanka managed to score 138 runs with an unbroken 68 runs partnership between these two Lankan lions. The score seemed a little less for the high profile Pakistani batting line up, but it still gave hope to Sri Lanka for putting up a fight in the second half of the match.

Coming into bat with a target of 139, the Pakistani openers started cautiously. With the total well entrenched in their minds, the Pakistani openers played normal cricketing shots as Sri Lanka were left searching for answers to get a break through. Sangakara tried six different bowlers in the first six overs of the innings to find a break through that never happened. Pakistani openers on the other hand did not spare an inch for the Lankans to come back into the match. It was then left to the experience of Jayasuriya to get the first wicket for Sri Lanka and affect a batting collapse for Pakistan.

However, the duo of Mallik and Afridi played a brand of cautious cricket unlike to their reputation, to take Pakistan closer to the target as Pakistan reached the 100 mark within the 15th over. With things, getting out of control Sangakara tried to use the experience of Malinga, Muralitharan, and Menids to restrict the flow of runs. However, nothing seemed to work this time as some magnificent hitting from Afridi and an unbroken partnership between both of them saw Pakistan to their second major title, the first one coming in 1992 when they won the 50 over version in Australia.

The win was dedicated to Bob Woolmer, the former Pakistan and South Africa coach, as Pakistan did not get twice unlucky. The Lankans had themselves to blame, as they never looked in control of the match. Pakistan with this victory has proved once again that they cannot be taken for granted in International Cricket. When Pakistan plays good cricket the world has to stand up and salute them.

21st June, the historic day in Cricket history, especially for Pakistan it’s the unforgettable day. Pakistani Fan’s prayers accepted, and Pakistan won over by high spirits and delight. Afridi swung willow wand and leaded the Pakistan to become ICC World T20 Champions. Pakistan determination, spirit and brilliancy in the game were apparent and each player gave his every bit of effort for the fancied victory. Expectations were high from Pakistan; to be pressurized instead it uplifted the spirits and motivated Pakistan to believe in itself. Consequently, we have Pakistan as ICC World T20 Champions beating considerably Sri Lanka off 8 wickets.

London Lord’s stadium, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, though decision was sensible but it wasn’t fateful for the Sri Lanka. Lankans came to bat but blunder started from very first over; Aamer taking essential wicket of Tilakaratne Dilshan (0), then in second over Jehan Mubarak (0) was ducked by Razzaq. Then Sanath Jayasuriya(17), Mahela Jayawardena (1), Chamara Silva (14)and Isuru Udana (1); batting line up collapsed in a nick of time. But Kumar Sangakkar (64) on the other end was still holding the pitch and hopes, with vital support of Angelo Mathews (35); Sri Lankan total reached 138 runs off 6 wickets.

Pakistan bowling was spectacular, we could see the Pakistan bowling magic thrilling to fans and threatening to Sri Lanka. Pakistani bowlers Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi were outstanding and line and length was just near to perfect. Every Pakistani bowler bowl seemed tough to play, and every fielder clenching for the one’s and two’s equally bitter the batsman and made every effort of batsman worthless. Senior player Abdul Razzaq had been lucky for the Pakistan, with his return Pakistan spirits uplifted and in the final we saw he him out performing Sri Lanka by taking 3 wickets.

Lankans put forth 139 runs target, Pakistan was confident to achieve it and win the championship. This kind of optimism was radiant on every Pakistani player, and something like hunger we felt in them to win this world cup. As expected each player entertained spectators, Kamran Akmal (37) and Shahzaib Hasan (19) from the first over made Lankans restless and power play also proved to be fruitless. After Akmal, Afridi came to bat, and fans roared as he walked out of pavilion. Expectations, and prayers were being chanted and every bit of it got fulfilled. Shahid Afridi knocked unbeaten 54 runs of 40 balls and Shoaib Malik (24) also contributed well enough. Pakistan won the match by 8 wickets sparing 8 balls.

Afridi and Razzaq terrific performance just made the day only for Pakistan. After Sri Lanka qualifying for the finals Afridi growled to them to beware. In the same manner Afridi executed and terrified Lankans with his terrific performance eventually leading the Pakistan to the T20 World Cup win. Whole stadium was loaded with Pakistani supporters they cheered outrageously for the Pakistan in the End.

June 21, London, on historical ground Lord’s, we saw English Women soaring to the highest peak of glory, becoming assertive and most powerful. It was English brunch and kiwi’s crunch; England played like a champions and came out champions of ICC Women’s World T20 winners. Kiwis were no competition to England, not even they were able to meet English standards. On England side it was impeccable and unmatched win; England dominated the match and eventually achieved well deserved victory of 6 wickets over Kiwis to become ICC Women’s World T20 Champions.

It was big match ICC Women’s World T20 final, England won the toss and opted to field; it was sensible decision to choose bowling, as the pitch was faster and bowler friendly, and pace with in swing and off spin was easily possible. Brunt made it possible with her scorching and searing bowling attack, giving no possible room to Kiwis batswomen for a single chance and picking significant wickets of Lucy Doolan(14), Aimee Watkins (2) and Rachel Priest (0) giving off only 6 runs with a maiden over. England other bowlers also brilliantly performed and bowled good length bowl, often giving no space to batswomen to go for the shoots. Nicola Shaw and Jenny Gunn took 2-2 wickets and Laura Marsh and Charlotte Edwards took 1-1 wickets; England bowling sabotaged the New Zealand batting line up, hence Kiwis were able to put up only 85 runs with all out in the last 20th over.

Kiwis batting were worse and too low even to their own standards; no batswomen sustained on pitch for longer. Every batswomen were being wondered to be longing to return to the pavilion and they did the same one by one. Aimee Watkins (2) was expected to lead the way for Kiwis because of her last thrilling 96 runs innings but she turned out to be absolute loser. Amy Satterthwaite(19), Lucy Doolan (14), Sophie Devine (10) and Kate Pulford (14) were only batswomen to score double digits but less than 20 aggregating only 85 runs for all out on the scoreboard.

Kiwis scoreboard halted at 85 and 85 runs was the target, it was decided and only obligation left on England side, that has to be done with and it was easily done as anticipated. 85 runs target was too easily achievable target for the side like England, and it was easily done by Claire Taylor (23) and Sarah Taylor (39). England achieved target and finished the match in 17th over just losing 4 wickets.

Everything on England side was too simpler and easier; Kiwis winded up their innings at 85 runs, everyone anticipated with affirmation that England are the ICC Women’s World T20 Champions and they proved that with charm. With charming smile and gleaming glory on their face, English Women celebrated the biggest victory of ICC Women’s World T20 Championship out doing English men in there Gentleman’s game.

Above question is worth millions dollars, and hovering in every cricket fan’s mind. Pakistan making to the finals beating the South Africa and in the last semifinal Sri Lanka made to the finals trampling West Indies. Pakistan hidden match wining talent and Sri Lanka in true sense being excellent with bat and bowl, we can expect great entertainment and excitement in ICC World T20 final.

Initially in ICC World T20 defending champions India and South Africa were being expected to be most entertaining. But Indians turned out to be the IPL’s millionaire’s underdogs, and on the other side it was expected of South Africa making to the final, but again they succumbed to pressure proving themselves to be perennial chokers. West Indies challenging and Gayle’s powerful batting was threatening to the any opposition but on Friday 19th of June they lost too badly to the Lankans despite Gayle’s attempt, whole team under performed and lost by huge margin of 57 runs to Sri Lanka.

Now we have too unexpected teams in the ICC World T20 finals, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan which was crumbling initially; team which was perturbed by the situations back home due to Taliban and recent attack on Sri Lankans in Pakistan. Pakistan cricket was on the low, and spirit of sanguinity was invisible in Pakistan initially. Many cricket experts and gurus never expected anything good of Pakistan by losing to India and England in ICC World T20, but Pakistan spirits took a new life and optimism raised with the better performance by Gul and Afridi and coming back of Abdul Rassaq in the team. Optimism led them to the finals of ICC World and beating the invincible South Africa. Unpredictable Pakistan turned the tables and eventually snatching it from South Africa in semifinals. Pakistan’s image has been blotted by bowl tampering accusations on Gul, but still avoiding everything Pakistan stands confident and prevailing contender.

Sri Lanka with its world class experienced bowlers and batsmen, stands natural champions, as they played each game like a champions. Sri Lanka took every match with every blink of eyes and has been constant threat to every team. Sri Lanka recently escaped terrorist attack in Pakistan, some players got injured; but miraculously we saw Lankans recovering and qualifying for the finals. Team sprits are touching sky and anyone can see them bounded in single thread and each player being supportive to other. Sri Lanka has undying optimism and team spirit, these virtues makes them champions in itself. Sri Lankan bowling attack is best but the batting need to be reckoned with. Sri Lanka’s bowlers have consistently throughout the ICC World T20 and have been delivering excellently, but often batting line up have not been able to supportive except Dilshan doing great job on the spur of moments.

Market of speculations is hot, people are betting on both sides, Lankans have been on stronger side. But still unpredictable Pakistan can do the magic.