World Cup Diary
March 7: Canada vs Kenya
The Kenyans got bundled out for 198 though Mishra and Odoyo scored 50s each. Speedster Osinde was Canada's top wicket taker with 26/4. Canada easily achieved their target of 199 in less than 46 overs. Bagai and Hansra were the most fluent batsmen.
March 8: New Zealand vs Pakistan
Ross Taylor bludgeoned an ineffective Pakistani bowling attack and made his first century of the tournament. Pakistan gave Ross Taylor a great birthday gift : two dropped catches. Martin Guptill scored a gritty 50 to help the Black Caps score 302. Umar Gul took three for 32. Though Umar Gul, Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq put up a brave fight Tim Southee's impeccable first spell restricted Pakistan's score to 192.
March 9: India vs Netherlands
Indian bowlers ran through the Dutch batsmen who collapsed for a paltry score of 189 runs with Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh picking up most of the wickets. The Indians reached their target in just 36 overs. Man of the Match Yuvraj Singh scored a 50 on a sluggish track and Sachin Tendulkar completed 2000 runs in World Cups.
March 10: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
Openers Tharanga and Dilshan scored centuries in rapid succession while Sri Lanka posted 327. Mpofu took 4 wickets but was not spared by the Lankan batsmen. Zimbabwean openers Taylor and Chakabva gave the team a flying start but the Lankan spinners halted their march. Man of the match Dilshan had bowling figures of 4-4.
March 11: Ireland vs West Indies
Devon Smith scored his maiden ton and T20 specialist Pollard blasted a 55-ball 94, which included five towering sixes. Kevin O' Brien scalped four wickets and restricted the Windies to 275. For Ireland, Joyce and Wilson put up a decent show but the Irish were all out for 231 in 49 overs.
March 11: Bangladesh vs England
England has made a habit of making boring matches look like Bollywood potboilers. Comeback -man Morgan hit a fluent 60- to help England post a modest 225. Shafiul Islam's 24-ball 24 put the finishing touches to the rest of the batting as Bangladesh scored 227. Adding salt to English wounds were the 33 extras the bowlers gifted away.
March 12: India vs South Africa
Tendulkar's ton coupled with fifties from Delhi openers, Gambhir and Sehwag, helped India reach 267/1 in about 40 overs. The rest of the batting was best summed up by Sachin: “I was still having my shower, when I saw the entire team having a quick shower.” From 267/1 to 296 all out. Steyn's five wickets exposed the Indian middle order. For SA, Kallis, Amla, De Villiers scored half centuries helped them win comprehensively. Nehra's last over will make Rajnikant happy! (No more jokes on him)
March 13: Canada Vs New Zealand
Wicketkeeper Mccullum hit a swashbuckling 101, while Taylor went hammer and tongs. Baidwan and Balaji Rao were the pick of the bowlers. Chasing a mammoth 359, Canada made 260/9 in their stipulated 50 overs thanks to Bagal and Hansra.
March 13: Australia vs Kenya
The heading read: “Australia wins match, Kenya hearts.” Aussies posted 324 with fifties from vice-captain Clarke, Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey and keeper Haddin. Kenyans sprung a surprise by managing a respectable 264 with Collins Obuya scoring a fantabulous 98 and Mishra play the foil scoring 72.
March 14: Netherlands vs Bangladesh
Shafiul Islam continued his dream run with a brilliant opening spell. This match was full of records: Imrul Kayles scored 73, the second highest score by a Bangladeshi batsman in the World Cup. Netherlands batsman Ryan Doeschate became the highest run getter for Netherlands in World Cups with Avg. of 54.83. Bangladesh achieved their target of 161 in less than 42 overs.
Gaurav is a II year , B.Tech Nanotechnology, SRM University.
