One has to decide himself whether it is the bad timing of the games or is it the wrong schedule of the tournament or finally is it luck that is seeing Australia victorious throughout even in this world cup despite them not being at their very best. Yesterday, as expected Australia won their pool A match against Canada by 7 wickets. Of course, one might not have been shocked for Australia winning the game but, they are yet to get into games involving decent teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, the game against Sri Lanka got washed out in Colombo.
The three teams that would have given Australia a tough time were Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand. With New Zealand being a team that Australia would be most fascinated facing, the remaining two teams are indeed a threat to Australia for reasons too many. First, they are the co-hosts of the world cup and second, they have a spin bowling squad facing whom is the last thing the Aussies would ever want. Though Muralitharan is not at his bowling best, Aussies no doubt fear him the most. Muralitharan has made the Aussie batsmen concentrate like never before and never again.
However, a hint of an Aussie collapse is evident from the earlier games they have played in this tournament. They no doubt crashed New Zealand by finishing the game in just 34 overs and thrashing being handed out to Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada. Against Canada, Aussies take the blame for allowing the minnow nation to cross the 200 run mark and they had to bowl 45 overs. Well, that is not a big issue but, having the same Shane Watson and Brad Haddin do the job for Australia needs a reconsideration. Ricky Ponting like Graeme Smith has been a total failure.
The Canadian batsmen were able to maintain a run-rate of 5.0 an over and end the innings at over 4.62 runs an over. Well, with the wait game seeming to come to an end, Australia will be facing Pakistan in their next encounter scheduled after finishing with all the minnows, New Zealand and escaping partly against Sri Lanka when rain played a spoilsport (though an Aussie victory cannot be ruled out completely). Had the Aussies been teamed in group B, they might have had a tough time with the Proteas and India still with England and the West Indies being an easy prey. But, it is not the time for ifs and buts.
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Canada shows a class
Well it would be no prizes for guessing the result of yesterday's match between the Kiwis and Canada with New Zealand wrapping off the game in style by 97 runs. But, though the match was all over for Canada, they showed all guts when they didn't lose all their ten wickets and were able to cross the 250 run mark when they winded their innings at 261 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. This was the fourth team that New Zealand beat after Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan had thrashings. But, the real test for New Zealand would be against Sri Lanka.
A total of 358 runs on the board piled up by the New Zealand batsmen would no doubt have put the Canadians running for cover but surprisingly, the Canadian batsmen showed no signs of fear because, not that they were confident of winning but was the other way round. They were sure to lose that match and that would have been just another loss for them with them already having lost to Pakistan, Australia and Zimbabwe. A loss against New Zealand would not bring up any eyebrows and neither would there be any fan expecting Canada to win the game against New Zealand.
In case they win any encounter against any team, that would be welcome but a loss will no way be cursed by anyone. Instead, they should have won the game against Pakistan when they had the opposition all out for a score less than 200. Still, that does not show the bowling caliber of Canada and instead shows that the pitch was a bowler's paradise. That was the reason for some part-time bowler Shahid Afridi to scalp 5 wickets for yet another time in this world cup. That apart, this was the last chance for the Kiwis to showcase their skills.
Next, they would be facing the Sri Lankans at Mumbai some 4 days later where their true caliber will be tested. They have lost the match to the Aussies and though they managed a win against Pakistan, it was one man show with Ross Taylor stitching it for New Zealand at the fag end of the New Zealand innings. Else, they would have been left with just four wins that was worth nothing. They were lucky not to have teamed with Bangladesh which would otherwise been a major upset (may be). Still, they enter the quarter-finals and one should wait and see what happens there.
A total of 358 runs on the board piled up by the New Zealand batsmen would no doubt have put the Canadians running for cover but surprisingly, the Canadian batsmen showed no signs of fear because, not that they were confident of winning but was the other way round. They were sure to lose that match and that would have been just another loss for them with them already having lost to Pakistan, Australia and Zimbabwe. A loss against New Zealand would not bring up any eyebrows and neither would there be any fan expecting Canada to win the game against New Zealand.
In case they win any encounter against any team, that would be welcome but a loss will no way be cursed by anyone. Instead, they should have won the game against Pakistan when they had the opposition all out for a score less than 200. Still, that does not show the bowling caliber of Canada and instead shows that the pitch was a bowler's paradise. That was the reason for some part-time bowler Shahid Afridi to scalp 5 wickets for yet another time in this world cup. That apart, this was the last chance for the Kiwis to showcase their skills.
Next, they would be facing the Sri Lankans at Mumbai some 4 days later where their true caliber will be tested. They have lost the match to the Aussies and though they managed a win against Pakistan, it was one man show with Ross Taylor stitching it for New Zealand at the fag end of the New Zealand innings. Else, they would have been left with just four wins that was worth nothing. They were lucky not to have teamed with Bangladesh which would otherwise been a major upset (may be). Still, they enter the quarter-finals and one should wait and see what happens there.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
1-1 for both Canada and Kenya
Well in the 2003 world cup played at home (as far as Kenya are considered), Kenya managed to beat Canada by 4 wickets when Canada managed to pile up just 197 on board which a little too much for Kenya who lost 6 wickets in between. Now, yesterday, the match was more or less similar to what happened in 2003 but at the same time opposite as well. Here, Kenya made 198 runs on the board with Canada chasing down the target successfully by 5 wickets. Back then, that game proved to be the platform for Kenya to make it to the super-sixes.
But now, after losing miserably to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand, the chances of Canada stand canceled in making it to the quarter-finals. And more than that, Kenya were aided by Sri Lanka who intentionally lost the game against Kenya when they had wins against New Zealand and West Indies and South Africa losing to Wet Indies and New Zealand to stand a tough chance to the second round. Even West Indies after losing to New Zealand were forced to share points with Bangladesh after that match was washed-out by rain. Kenya had wins against New Zealand and Canada which aided their advancement.
It is rare to see replica matches like this. Coming to the match, something better was expected off Kenya and not a whitewash like it has been the case so far. Kenya have lost all their games till date against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia. Of course, the result is no different regarding Canada who have also lost to the aforementioned teams. But, in case a team can go home victory, it has to be against Kenya & Zimbabwe for Canada and Canada & Zimbabwe for Kenya. Kenya were a tough team some two world cups down the lane with victories against Bangladesh and Canada.
They had almost torn apart Australia and India in the day-night encounter in the 2003 world cups with both teams making a comeback later in their innings. Of course, a day-night encounter in that competition was a real tough one and it was a decent toss to win for Kenya. Added to that, Kenya were one of the co-hosts of that world cup which also played its part to a greater extent. Still, Kenya should have won this game because, they have been playing in world cups since 1996 and this is their 5th appearance while for Canada it is their 3rd appearance in world cups.
But now, after losing miserably to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand, the chances of Canada stand canceled in making it to the quarter-finals. And more than that, Kenya were aided by Sri Lanka who intentionally lost the game against Kenya when they had wins against New Zealand and West Indies and South Africa losing to Wet Indies and New Zealand to stand a tough chance to the second round. Even West Indies after losing to New Zealand were forced to share points with Bangladesh after that match was washed-out by rain. Kenya had wins against New Zealand and Canada which aided their advancement.
It is rare to see replica matches like this. Coming to the match, something better was expected off Kenya and not a whitewash like it has been the case so far. Kenya have lost all their games till date against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia. Of course, the result is no different regarding Canada who have also lost to the aforementioned teams. But, in case a team can go home victory, it has to be against Kenya & Zimbabwe for Canada and Canada & Zimbabwe for Kenya. Kenya were a tough team some two world cups down the lane with victories against Bangladesh and Canada.
They had almost torn apart Australia and India in the day-night encounter in the 2003 world cups with both teams making a comeback later in their innings. Of course, a day-night encounter in that competition was a real tough one and it was a decent toss to win for Kenya. Added to that, Kenya were one of the co-hosts of that world cup which also played its part to a greater extent. Still, Kenya should have won this game because, they have been playing in world cups since 1996 and this is their 5th appearance while for Canada it is their 3rd appearance in world cups.
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