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The Cricket World Cup So Far |
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Written by GoldMember
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Thursday, 22 March 2007 |
Just over a week in and where to begin?
Massive upsets, incredible batting and even a shock death. We have had it all
and the World Cup is only 9 days old!
The opening ceremony was anything overly special, as was the opening game
between the hosts and Pakistan. Though in hindsight it was a loss which
ultimately cost Pakistan any chance of advancing beyond the group stage, and
perhaps lead to the mysterious death of their coach?
In the end the West Indies won by a comfortable margin of 54 runs. The
next couple of games were a mixture of the big boys thrashing the minnows and
the minnows playing each other. No upsets there..yet!
One game that ultimately decided Pakistan’s fate was the draw between
Zimbabwe and Ireland, a game that gives a whole new meaning to the term choke!
As Zimbabwe threw a winning position of 15 runs to score in 6 overs with 4
wickets in hand, how can you lose from there!? The Irish however must be
congratulated for showing a lot of commitment and guts.
Next up was the only game that really
mattered to us, the Mighty Black Caps v Improved Poms. The winner had the big
advantage of taking 2 points into the Super 8’s.
After winning the toss and putting England into bat on a wet and damp
pitch our bowlers made an immediate impact with Franklin not Bond doing the
damage. Removing both openers and with Oram dismissing Bell the English were in
trouble at 52/3.
A good partnership between Pietersen and Collingwood took them safely to
133 before the shit really hit the fan with both Bond and Styris taking 2
wickets each.
In no time England went from 133/4 to 138/7.
Bond especially showing his ability to out think batsmen, pulling back on
his pace he lured both the danger men Pietersen and Flintoff into miss hits as
they were caught off slow balls. The first up delivered to Freddie was a peach.
From there England had to give up any hopes of scoring 240+ and score what
they could, in the end they did very well as Nixon ( that likeable chap! ) and
tail ender Plunkett scored at run a ball to give England a respectable 209, even
though it was never going to be enough.
But they did take the momentum away from NZ and carried it when it was
their turn to bowl. Quickly reducing The Craps to 3/2 and then 19/3 before
Styris and McMillan rescued them with a partnership of 53. All the while NZ
continued to score runs at a good clip before a head rush saw Macca try to smack
Panesar 2nd ball only to find one of the few outfielders. Didn’t prove costly as
the momentum had considerably shifted NZ’s way and with Oram joining Pig no
further wickets were lost.
It proved to be a great return to form for Scott Styris, 2 wickets and an
unbeaten 87 to see NZ through. He was the only top order batsman not to score
recently but he proved his doubters wrong with 2 very important contributions.
So NZ came away with the valuable 2 points while half the England squad
drowned their sorrows later that night ( and Flintoff nearly drowned literally!
)
Next up saw South Africa massacre The cricketing might of The Netherlands
with Herscille Gibbs 6 6’s in one over the highlight.
Just when many started to question the right of the minnows playing in the
World Cup 2 results would turn the tournament on its head.
First up Bangladesh rolled over India with some ease, dismissing them for
a pitiful 191 then reaching the target for the loss of only 5 wickets and 9
balls to spare.
But then the real shock as Ireland won a huge toss and put Pakistan into
bat when it was clear a team batting first faced serious disadvantages. Early
wickets were taken, the recovery never eventuated and Pakistan were rolled for a
paltry 132.
Nerves were a plenty as Ireland made heavy work of the chase, they left
the ground due to bad light and then rain but returned to shakily win the game
with a slightly reduced target, Pakistan were all but knocked out of the
tournament with 2 straight losses!
But the real shock came when news came in the Pakistan coach, English born
Bob Woolmer was found unconscious and later declared dead a few hours later.
So far his cause of death remains unknown but with plenty of conspiracy
theories doing the rounds. (A murder inquiry now declared, to keep it in
with cricket speak - BartMan).
Since then a huge shadow has covered the World Cup as you can only imagine
there is a lot of stunned players and management in the West Indies.
As the investigation into Woolmers death continues so has the tournament,
Australia thrashed The Netherlands, England beat Canada ( without a banned
Flintoff ), India murdered Bermuda, West Indies beat Zimbabwe and The Black Caps
easily disposed of Kenya without really leaving 2nd gear.
All the top order scored 50’s ( except once again Chincent who scored his
2nd duck in 2 games ), with Franklin, Mason, Bond and Vettori claiming the
wickets.
Styris and McMillan showed more great form, with Macca providing the
highlight when he smacked 71 off only 48 balls including 5 big 6’s.
The same day South Africa easily defeated Scotland to book their spot in
the Super 8’s along side Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and Ireland!
Sri Lanka destroyed Bangladesh today to also book their spot in the Super
8’s and in an emotional game Pakistan beat Zimbabwe, with Inzamam playing his
last ODI.
A couple of big games coming up to determine the final 2 spots, though it
is likely England will progress. India must beat Sri Lanka if they want to make
it otherwise Bangladesh do and a lot of Indian players will have their houses
torched back home!
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