India v Sri Lanka - Game 20

India v Sri Lanka (Group B) at Port of (S)pain, Trinidad

Sri Lanka 254/6 in 50 overs (Tharanga 64, L Silva 59) beat India 185/10 in 43.3 overs (Dravid 60, Sehwag 48, Muralitharan 41/3) by 69 runs.
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Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. One of the darkest days in Indian cricket history as they put a spineless performance in a do-or-die game to crash out of the World Cup. Batting first on a difficult pitch, SL amassed 254. For a team like India with the Tendulkars, Dravids, Gangulys, Sehwags, Yuvrajs, Dhonis it shouldn't have been a tall order. The pitch eased out in the afternoon when India batted but the much vaunted batting line up failed miserably to get rolled over for 185. This is India's worst WC performance since 1979. Unless Bermuda can turn the world upside down by beating B'desh, India is out of this WC.

The gloom on the indian player's faces told the story. Man of the Match, Muralitharan paid the perfect tribute when he said that the Indian team had the best betting line up on paper in this competition. The greats like Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar and Kumble will retire without a World Cup medal. Sad. Very Sad.

Netherlands v Scotland - Game 19

Netherlands v/s Scotland (Group A) at St. Kitts
Scotland 136/10 in 34.1 overs (Stelling 12/3) lost to Netherlands 140/2 in 23.5 overs (ten Doeschate 70*) by 8 wickets
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Those who expected another minnow classic along the lines of Ireland v Zimb would have been disappointed as Netherlands defeated Scotland by an Australian-esque margin of 8 wkts. With both teams already knocked out of the world cup, there was only pride at stake. Netherlands will go home happy after the mauling received at the hands of Oz and SA.

Canada v New Zealand - Game 18

New Zealand vs Canada (Group C) at St. Lucia

New Zealand 363/5 in 50 overs (L Vincent 101, Fleming 66, Fulton 47) beat Canada 249/10 in 49.2 overs (Davidson 52, Billcliff 50, J Patel 25/3) by 114 runs

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Having already booked their place in the Super 8's, NZ showed why they are such serious contenders for this world cup by thumping Canada. Vincent followed his 2 ducks in the first 2 games with a fluent century, Fleming continued his good form, Styris and Oram batted well again and McCullum slammed a 50 of 22 balls at the end. Davidson showed glimpses of his form from the 2003 WC by flaying 52 glorious runs but Canada were never really in the hunt.

Good job by the Kiwis. They should be really confident going into the next stage.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe - Game 17

Pakistan 349/10 in 49.5 overs (Imran Nazir 160, Inzamam Haq 37) beat Zimbabwe 99/10 in 19.1 overs (Afridi 20/3) by 93 runs (D/L method) at Kingston, Jamaica
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Defeat to West Indies. Defeat to Ireland. The shocking demise of their coach. Fingers of suspicion for the same being pointed at them. Nothing to play for literally. Yet, Pakistan showed why they are such an unpredictable and dangerous team as they first scored their highest total in a World Cup match and then bundled Zimbabwe out for 99. Imran Nazir flayed 160, going from 100 to 150 in 21 balls. At one stage, he looked like becoming the first batsman to score 200, wouldn't that have been the perfect tribute to Bob?

This was Inzy's last ODI match, as he has announced his retirement from ODI cricket and stepped down from captaincy. 'Alloo' bowed out in some style with 37 vintage runs. Thanks Alloo for 15 years of wonderful entertainment.

Sri Lanka v/s Bangladesh - Game 16

Sri Lanka v/s Bangladesh (Group B) at Port of Spain, Trinidad

Sri Lanka 318/4 in 50 overs (ST Jayasuriya 109, KC Sangakarra 56) beat Bangladesh 112 all out in 37 overs (Md. Ashraful 45, Malinga 27/3) by 198 runs (D/L method)
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B'desh came into this match with huge expectations after their upset win over India. A good performance here would have pushed them closer to a berth in the Super 8. From India's point of view, they were hoping for the lankan lions to absolutely beat the daylights out of B'desh so that their run rate falls way below that of India. Batting first after being inserted in, SL amassed 318 runs, thanks largely to the ever marauding Sanath Jayasuriya. Despite being all of 37 yrs, Jayasuriya remains their biggest match-winner as he demonstrated today by smashing his 24th ODI century. Sangakarra, Jayawardene and L Silva also chipped in with useful scores to boost the Lankan total.

In reply, B'desh were never in the hunt and were duly bundled out by Vaas, Malinga and co for 112 runs. This results has done India a world of good, as they now only have to beat SL to progress and not worry about run-rates. For B'desh to qualify, SL will need to beat India. On evidence of today's performance, it would take a brave man to bet on India to go the next round

SL look is very good shape. Their batsmen lead by the inimitable Sanath Jayasuriya are in great form and their bowling trio of Vaas, Malinga and Muralitharan look in ominous mood. India will have to play out of their skins in their next game if the Lankan lions come out in the mood they did today.

Scotland vs South Africa (Game 15)

Scotland v/s South Africa (Group A) at St. Kitts
Scotland 186/9 in 50 overs (D Brown 45*, A Hall 48/3) lost to South Africa 188/3 in 23.2 overs (G Smith 91, AB Villiers 62) by 7 wickets

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After witnessing tall scores by test teams against minnows in the past few days, it was a welcome sight to see SA put Scotland in after winning the toss. Against a highly disciplined bowling attack comprising of the frugal Pollock and the likes, Scotland were never going to have it easy. Thanks to some lusty hitting by Brown at the end, Scotland managed to post 186, not a total that would send shivers down the spine of SA, but atleast they had something to bowl at. Batting like a team possessed, as if to make a pre-match statement to the aussies, SA chased down the target with plenty to spare. G Smith creamed 91 glorious runs.

Scotland captain, Ryan Watson, used to be Graeme Smith's captain and would make him carry his bags while they were in school. Smith surely did turn the tables on his tormentor today.

For South Africa, the world cup really starts on Saturday, when they take on bitter rivals Australia in what promises to be a cracker. Scotland's misfortune that they got drawn in the same group as the top 2 teams in the world, however they still have a game against Holland left. They will be hoping to win it and salvage some pride.

Kenya vs New Zealand (Game 14)

Kenya v/s New Zealand (Group C) at St. Lucia

New Zealand 331/7 in 50 overs (R Taylor 85, C McMilliam 71,S Styris 63) beat Kenya 183/10 in 49.2 overs (RD Shah 71, T Odoyo 42) by 148 runs
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NewZealand came into this match well aware about Kenya's ability to upset top teams at the World Cup. However, their middle order batsmen all got good runs which enabled them post a total that was ultimately way beyond Kenya's reach. With this victory, the Black Caps qualify for the Super 8's. McMillian played another belligerent knock, he seems to have taken his batting to Jayasuriya-esque levels since his return to the side for the Chappel-Hadlee series that preceded the World Cup. NZ overall looks in terrific shape, and they have their best chance of winning the world cup since 1992 when got pipped in the semis by a young player called Inzamam-ul-Haq.

As for Kenya, their tournament isn't over yet. The winner of the Kenya-England match will join the Kiwis in the super 8's from this group.

West Indies v/s Zimbabwe - Game 13

West Indies v/s Zimbabwe (Group D) at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Zimbabwe 202/5 in 50 overs (SC Williams 70*, B Taylor 50) lost to West Indies 204/4 in 47.5 overs (Lara 44*, Gayle 40) by 5 wickets
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West Indies with this win have booked their spot in the Super 8's. Not the most exciting of cricket matches, but atleast the home team is through. Zimbabwe showed stomach for fight after a bad start, but they were never going to be good enough to beat the hosts.

If WI can beat Ireland in their next game, they will take 2 crucial points going into the next stage.

India v/s Bermuda - Game 12

India v/s Bermuda (Group B), Port of Spain, Jamaica

India 413/5 in 50 overs (V Sehwag 114, SC Ganguly 89, Yuvraj 83) beat Bermuda 156/10 in 43.1 overs (DL Hemp 76*, Agarkar 38/3, Kumble 38/3) by 257 runs
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After the embarrassing loss in their previous game, the indian batsmen came out all guns blazing to post the highest ever score in WC history, in an innings containing a world record 18 sixes (jointly with South Africa). By winning the match by a record margin of 257 runs, India improved their net run-rate which might be crucial at a later stage. A result everyone expected but the margin would have heartened many. The bigger test awaits on Friday, when then meet Sri Lanka.

After the pelting of stones on cricketers house and burning of effigies, don't be surprised if the fickle fans start talking up India's chances at this World Cup!

a sad day in sport

News of Robert Woolmer's death after being found unconscious in his room shocked the entire cricketing fraternity. He had been under immense pressure lately, starting with the Oval fiasco, the doping scandal to hit his team, the internal fighting of PCB and finally his team's pathetic performance that lead to their premature exit from the world cup.

It is said that Woolmer might have suffered from a heart attack. He was found unconscious in his room with vomit on the walls and floor, and blood on the bathroom tiles. This gives me the impression that he was poisoned, either he took it himself or some deranged individual gave it to him after Pakistan's exit from the world cup. Hopefully, I am wrong in my surmise.

We, the people of the sub-continent are to blame for this. Cricket is just a sport, not a matter of life and death. It's high time we stop letting cricket rule our lives and stop deifying/criticizing our cricketers everyday. There are bigger things around us that demand our attention. It's awful if someone has to lose a life cos of the game.

Woolmer was a fine man and a revolutionary coach who changed the way cricket coaching is done. He brought new ideas into coaching and was very highly regarded by his contemporaries. He is credited with putting SA on the cricketing map and making them the world beaters they currently are. Credit also to him for being courageous enough to agree to coach Pak and help them achieve good success. May his soul rest in peace.

England vs Canada - Game 11

England v/s Canada (Group C) at St.Lucia

England 279/6 in 50 overs (Joyce 66, Collingwood 62*) beat Canada228/7 in 50 overs (A Mulla 58, Bopara 43/2) by 51 runs.
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A win for England but nothing to shout about. A pretty cold performance but after two big upsets on Saturday, they will take this. The day began with the news that talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was dropped for this game as he was out drinking till 4am on Saturday morning. His night of adventure ended with capsizing on a pedalo and had to be rescued by hotel staff. As a result of indiscretion, Flintoff has been stripped of his vice-captaincy.

This event was overshadowed by the tragic news of Bob Woolmer's death, a day after his team Pakistan crashed out of the world cup with a defeat to Ireland. A sad day in the history of sport.

Australia v/s Netherlands - Game 10

Australia v/s Netherlands (Group A) at St. Kitts

Australia 358/5 in 50 overs (Hodge 123, MJ Clarke 93*) beat Netherlands 129/10 in 26.5 overs (B Hogg 27/4) by 229 runs.
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Australia dished out another minnow bashing by annihilating Holland by 229 runs. This is their second successive 200+ run win at this world cup, and their third successive 300+ world cup score. They certainly seemed to have mastered the art of beating the minnows.

One must question the wisdom of associate teams getting routinely thrashed by top countries like Australia, SA and SL. The best way to give them exposure and help develop their cricket would be to play them against the volatile and unpredictable sub-continent teams India and Pakistan - given how prone they are to upsets.

Ireland vs Pakistan - Game 9

Ireland v/s Pakistan (Group D) at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Pakistan 132/10 in 45.4 overs (Extras 29, Akmal 27) lost to Ireland 133/7 in 41.4 overs (NJ O'brien 72) by 3 wkts
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A shock of seismic proportions as Ireland knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup. On St. Patrick's day, the Irish played with grit and determination to hand Pak its most embarrassing loss ever as a result of which Ireland now stand at the threshold of qualifying for the Super 8's. Who would have given them a chance at the start of the tournament?

As for Pakistan, the knives have sharpened. Their leadership looked unimaginative in both the games and their players didn't show the never-say-die spirit that the Pak teams of the '90s were famous for.

With Pakistan's early exit and with India also on the brink of elimination, the tournament is in danger of losing its 2 most charismatic teams. Not good news for the ICC, the sponsors, the media moguls and the other middle man with financial interests the game.