Cricket Tournaments

This day would be remembered for two famous cricket matches in two different continents. One was in the West Indies and the other in South Africa.

The year was 2000. West Indies was playing Zimbabwe in Port of Spain, Trinidad. This was the first Test match for Jimmy Adams as West Indies captain. However, the hosts were on the verge of being humiliated as Zimbabwe needed only 99 runs to win in the second innings. But Franklyn Rose, the Windies pacer had other ideas. From 47/3, Zimbabwe collapsed sensationally to 63 all out and it was a record that for the first time a team failed to reach a double-figure target in Tests.

Three years later, India clashed with minnows Kenya in the World Cup semifinals in Durban. Kenya were having a magical run in the tournament but they had to defeat a resurgent India, if they had to play Australia in the final. This though did not happen. Sourav Ganguly had a field day. The Indian captain won the toss and elected to bat first in damp conditions. And then, he took charge and smashed an unbeaten 114-ball 111, which included 5 fours and 5 sixes. It was his second hundred in the World Cup 2003 and incidentally both of them were against Kenya. He was well backed by Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 83 and India posted a total of 270/4 after 50 overs. Kenya were never in the game as a dismal batting performance followed. Barring skipper Steve Tikolo’s fifty, none of the Kenyan batsmen showed application at the crease and as a result Kenya were bundled out for 179, giving India a comfortable 91 run victory and a shot at the World Cup for the first time since 1983.

On this day, the flamboyant South African all-rounder Nicky Boje was born as well. He was a left-arm orthodox bowler who could bat as well. His moment in the sun was when his all-round performance helped South Africa beat India in the Bangalore Test in 2000, giving his team their first Test series win in India. But soon, pandemonium was to follow as Boje was accused of match-fixing in the ODI series against India alongside captain Hansie Cronje and batsman Herschelle Gibbs. After 2003, he clinged on to a place in the national side but without much success. He retired from international cricket in 2007, before joining the unofficial Indian Cricket League. But he still remains an integral part of the Warriors team in the South African domestic competition as he was last spotted playing for them in the Champions League 2010.

The Proteas clinching a one-day series win against West Indies should come as a surprise to anyone. After all, they have lost a one-dayer to West Indies just once in the previous 15 battles between the two sides. However, following the debacle in the T20 World Cup, it was paramount for both teams to get back to that winning feeling as quickly as possible.

And, so while too much can’t be read into the triumph, the South Africans should use the confidence gained as a stepping stone towards building a winning combination for the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent. There are still two more games to go in the series, and a 5-0 whitewash ala the Hansie Cronje days would do the side no harm at all.

Despite not being at their best, South Africa have still easily managed to outplay the Caribbeans. Batting has proved to be South Africa’s strength in the series, and even when it failed in the third ODI, the bowlers stood up to seal the series for their team. With the willow, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have been particularly impressive.

And, it has been mainly due to the duo’s efforts that the Proteas now find themselves in such an impregnable position. AB has been having a golden run in one-day cricket of late, and South Africa would be desperately hoping that it lasts a lot longer, and even against much-stronger teams.

Like de Villiers, Amla also is going through a purple patch. He was always a good Test match player, but now that he has found his bears in the 50-over version as well, South Africa can afford to look beyond Herschelle Gibbs, who form has consistently petered away with age.

While these have been the chief positives in the batting department to come out from the series so far, a couple of worries still remain. None bigger than that of their skipper Graeme Smith, whose form remains wretched. He has got a number of starts lately, but hasn’t been able to convert most.

And, his ability to pick up injuries freakishly has been haunting him and the side rather frequently. Smith would dearly love to put the bad memories behind him, and start afresh from the fourth one-dayer. With the series in the bag, South Africa will get a chance to experiment. And, so the likes of Loots Bosman, Alviro Petersen and David Miller should get a chance to remind the selectors of their presence as the World Cup nears.

Shifting focus to South Africa’s bowling, Morne Morkel has been the stand-out performer, putting West Indies on the back foot with his pace and aggression. It was his bowling effort that was significantly responsible in the Proteas defending a meagre total in the third one-dayer.

Dale Steyn has remained pacy as ever and has been keeping the batsman on their toes. South Africa’s tactics have also been well-thought out. Kieron Pollard hasn’t been allowed to free his strong arms. Darren Sammy did manage to flay the Proteas attack in one game, but their bowlers came back well to restrict him in the next encounter, indicating they had learnt their lessons quickly.

With two games left, South Africa now need to go for the kill. Yes, as aforementioned, they are bound to experiment. However, it shouldn’t be at the cost of the game. A fine balance needs to the struck between the two, so that the momentum gained via the hat-trick of wins is not interrupted.

Only Sourav Ganguly can do it. He may have retired from international cricket, but continues to invite wrath from all over, only to silence the murmurs in one go. Prior to the crucial game against Deccan Chargers, there were calls for Ganguly to go down the order and allow big hitters to bat at the top.

And these were fair observations, as Ganguly had been sluggish throughout the series bar a 50, thereby allowing the opposition to get on top of Kolkata ever so often. But, Ganguly being Ganguly preferred playing the bad boy and, like so many times before, made it work and paved the way for his side’s much sought-after 24-run win.

The former Indian skipper slammed a memorable 88, rolling back the years at his home ground Eden Gardens to set up a challenging target of 182 for Deccan Chargers, with some good assistance from David Hussey. All the bowlers then chipped in and ensured that Deccan were always behind in the race despite a whirlwind start.

Herschelle Gibbs was the only one who kept Deccan’s hope alive with a half-century. But, on a pitch that was getting slower by the second, Kolkata bowled smartly and even a defiant 45 by Andrew Symonds could not save the defending champions from plummeting into further trouble.

Forget the rest, even Kolkata’s win. This was Ganguly’s game. Yet again, things weren’t easy for the beleaguered skipper and his men. Batting first, Kolkata were struggling at 68 for 3 after Chris Gayle and Cheteshwar Pujara fell early, the former failing to read an off-cutter from Symonds while the latter was also done in by the same bowler’s gentle medium pace.

A lot depended on Manoj Tiwary, but a disappointing shot against Pragyan Ojha put an end to his tale. The only positive to emerge from the disastrous start was Ganguly was finding his feet at other end.

He was in his elements from ball one, flicking it off his hips for a boundary. And, there was no looking back. He cut with confidence and was in his own when he lofted Kemar Roach for a maximum to long on. The timing was back and so were the gaps. All he needed now was support from the other end. That arrived in the form of Hussey.

Looking to resurrect the innings, Hussey collected a number ofn risk-free singles at the start of his innings, instead of trying to match Ganguly’s serene strokeplay. The duo gathered 78 in 7.3 overs, with some help from the opposition skipper as well, Gilchrist missing a Ganguly stumping when on 67 — another indication that this was Ganguly’s day.

Kolkata celebrated it by amassing 65 runs from the final five overs. Hussey got into the act with a couple of mighty sixes.

Chasing 182, Deccan were more than breezy in their start, aided by debutante offspinner Mohnish Parmar, who was asked to open the bowling. The first three overs went for plenty before Ajit Agarkar, who was also punched for a couple of boundaries, struck the telling blow by getting Gilchrist to mistime one.

Gibbs continued to flourish at the other end, with his typically wristy strokeplay. However, some tight bowling from Kolkata meant the run-rate was pegged back and once Shane Bond returned to end Gibbs’ stay, only the formalities remained.

In Nottingham, at Trent Bridge Stadium on 18th of June, ICC World T20 semifinal was played between the unpredictable Pakistan, and invincible South Africa. Star player Shahid Afridi with his indefatigable efforts with bat and bowl snatched the victory out the South Africa who had been on winning streak up till. In this exciting semifinal, the Trent Bridge was howling with screaming and overwhelming Pakistani supporters for the Pakistan. Shahid Afridi blasted with bat 51 runs off 33 balls giving the Pakistan head start and again with his magical spell of leg-spin caught the South Africa with awe by taking 2 wickets of 16 runs. Eventually being the significant factor for the Pakistan unpredictable and unprecedented entry into the ICC World T20 finals, making it the strongest contender.

South Africa after losing to Pakistan, yet again consolidated the notion that South Africa being perennial chokers. South Africa chasing 150 fall short of 7 runs and proved to be succumbing to the pressure.

Pakistan got blasting start by Kamran Akmal (23) with the initial hiccup of falling duck wicket of the opening batsman Shahizab Hasan (0) by Wayne Parnell. Then Akmal wicket fall on 28 by Dale Steyn, Afridi came to bat and knocked 51runs off 33 balls, taking the score to the 95 with the stabilized support from Shoaib Malik (34) end. But sooner the Afridi and Shoaib Malik were returned to pavilion by Duminy and Merwe respectively at 95 for 3 and 124 for 4. Pakistani middle order was sluggish and no boundaries were knocked in last 5 overs and Younis Khan (24) and Abdul Rassaq (12) finished innings with 149 runs.

South Africa was expected to easily achieve 150 runs target, but sooner it was realized that it’s going to be tough though. Jacques Kallis stronger innings of 64 off 54 balls, strengthened the South Africa innings. But on the other end the falling of wickets continued with Graeme Smith (10), Herschelle Gibbs (5) and AB de Villers (1) by Aamer and Afridi respectively at 46 for 2, 50 for 3 and 111 for 4. Lethargy and increasing Run Rate proved to be fatal to South Africa and in a fit to break the idleness Kallis took the uncalculated shoot by Shoaib Malik and was caught. Gul with outstanding leg cutters and Yorkers in the crucial 17th and 19th over was able to confine South Africa to 6 runs only. Hence forth despite JP Duminy (44) endeavor South Africa felled short of 7 runs and lost the semifinal.

As the 10 runs on last ball left, the Pakistani supporters were swayed by exhilaration and deafening scream. As it was predicted South Africa lost to Pakistan for just 7 runs, and Pakistani supporters were just jubilant. South Africa nerves took a toll of them and Pakistan unnerving and unflinching confidence led them to finals and making them stronger contender for ICC World T20.

Women’s ICC World T20:

Watkins Led New Zealand In The Finals By Crushing India

Indian cricket women’s team made it to the semifinals, as there opposite sex Indian cricket men’s team lost all their matches in the super 8. Hope rose higher for Indian cricket women’s team even though they previously lost to England crushingly. India stood with higher expectations in front of stronger New Zealand, but as they clashed in first semifinal on 18th of June, India couldn’t sustain a bit and lost to the New Zealand by 52 runs. New Zealand powerful team played like winner and came out eventually with pre-ordained victory.

Nottingham, at Trent Bridge, New Zealand faced India; Aimee Watkins contributed solely to the huge total of 145 runs for 5 by her stunning 89 runs of just 58 balls. Aimee Watkins brilliancy with bat and captaincy gave no vent for India to make a slightest of modifications to the precedence over match. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first and with the greater contribution of Aimee Watkins, New Zealand aggregated 145 runs off 5 wickets.

Kiwis came to bat, but initially kiwis stumbled by losing Suzie Bates (10) to a ferocious catch by Harmanpreet Kaur on bowling of Amita Sharma. With initial dent, Aimee Watkins came to bat and trampled the hopes of Indians and played sustainable and stunning innings of unbeatable 89 runs of 58 balls on here other end the wickets kept on falling with Lucy Doolan (3), Amy Satterthwaite (10), Nicola Browne (5) and Sara McGlashan (4). Amita Sharma with her bowling figure was impressive, by taking 2 significant wickets and just giving 21 runs. Rumeli Dhar and Priyanka Roy were out of other 7 bowler who took 1-1 wickets. Indian bowling was impressive still it was not able to confine Aimee Watkins.

New Zealand aggregated 145 runs off 5 wickets after them India came to bat to chase 146 runs target. India was expected to put up some entertaining show like Aimee did, but Indian batting order felled like playing cards palace. Anjum Chopra (15), Mithali Raj (20) and Amita Sharma (24) were only to bat double figures and still they were not able to contribute and none sustained on the pitch. Wickets kept falling one by one and not a single player was able to stay on the pitch. New Zealand fielding and bowling under the captaincy of Aimee Watkins was too tight and beautiful that it gave not a single opportunity to the India. Sophie Devine, Kate Pulford, Suzie Bates took 1-1 wickets and Sian Ruck and Suzie Bates took 2-2 wickets, showing off the stronger and stable bowling line up of New Zealand.

India toddling at 93 runs for 9 wickets, New Zealand winded up with the last match with great margin of 52 runs victory over India. First semifinal of New Zealand Vs India was lop sided, and New Zealand winning the match made it into the ICC Women’s World T20 finals.