Week 4 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

There were some matches where the big boys flexed their muscles and their opponents simply crumbled..
The ones where the big boys did well was – Ireland Versus South Africa , Australia versus Afghanistan  , Pakistan Versus UAE—Ireland , Afghanistan and UAE lost comfortably. Bangladesh managed to chase down a 300 + plus score against Scotland leaving the Scots with no victory so far in this World Cup.. In all these matches , the bowlers were at the mercy of the batters ---

The matches that hinged interest was the India Versus West Indies ( WI ) , South Africa ( SA ) versus Pakistan and Aus. versus SL

India versus WI

The Indian bowlers performed again creditably. The pace and the bounce outdid the WI batsman including Gayle – Dropped catches not helping , WI were on the mat all through the innings due to splendid display of the Indian bowlers . Shami and Umesh hustled the batsman with pace and bounce while Mohit did the job of softening them up , Ashwin and Jaddu backed them up . Only if the catching had not been ragged , WI could have never got to 182.  None of the WI batters applied themselves to the task and soon India was chasing before the dinner break. Indian batters faltered .. Rohit failed again , Dhawan followed him and it was left to Captain cool and Ashwin to forge a partnership that saved India from embarrassment. I saw some signs of lethargy with the Indian team. Fine , the team has qualified for the Quarters but the focus on the game should not go away at any point.. May be this was the wake up  call to the team for the future matches

Pak versus SA

This was a  great match. Batting first , Pakistan struggled  throughout the innings trying to dominate the strong SA pace attack. A total of 222 over 50 overs   is not even  a par score against   a great SA batting line up. But Pakistan’s bowlers fought back . bending their back and generating pace off the wicket and exploiting SA’s known Choker tag . SA started brightly and at a fast pace . It looked like no one wanted to build a innings through the 50 overs- And if one of the SA batsman had done that , it would have been an easy victory.  AB was the only exception. He also did not bat patiently. He went for the ball and for a short period of time that AB hit the ball all over the park , playing some incredible , arrogant and some unbelievable shots , it looked like he will guide SA to a Win and probably their reputation changing from the “ chokers” tag. But playing once too many shots cost his wicket and Pakistan romped home and probably securing a Quarter final place.  Pakistan brought in their regular keeper Safraz who also opened and that also changed the way Pakistan played. Scoring runs and picking up victims behind the stumps ( including some diving ones ) Safraz played his part ..  For South Africa , being one of the best teams on paper and  if they have to win the title , there has to be huge mental change in  them handling pressure.. David Miller known for his free play scratched around for 13 balls without scoring a run before a Wahab Riaz Yorker ended his misery. Other SA batsman just could not handle the pressure that was created by Pak bowlers.. So SA maintain their reputation !

Aus versus SL

This was  roller coaster match. First Aussies pulverized the  Lankan attack .. everyone in the Australian team had fun with the bat including Shane Watson who has been out of form and out the team and out of sorts. The Srilanka counter attacked. Dilshan sent Mitchell Johnson to the boundary six times in an over . that was sizzling . For a bowler like Johnson to be treated that way , great to watch. Then Sanga got in to the act and hit is third century in a row. Lanka was in the hunt as Chandimal and Mathews continued to dominate . However an injury to Chandimal that forced him to retire probably had  a bearing on the match  result. Aussies took their chance and run out comfortable winners although if one followed the match , it was not that easy as the score line suggested.

Meanwhile Ireland ran out winners by a whisker against Zimbabwe .. It looked an win for Zimbabwe when the last over of the  match was being bowled but two wickets in the final over meant that they lost by five runs chasing down 331


Bangladesh has the opportunity to nail England early this  week – Let us see if the English stay in the hunt for a qualification berth

Comments

Prasanna said…
Pak Proved their Bowling skills in their SA Match,Poor Srilanka tried really hard , was just thinking if Chindimal would have taken it bit more closer , But Maxwell gave a Good Batting Entertainment...

May be ndia try some bench skills in their next 2 matches...
1:02 AM
shobha arvind said…
The three big matches were the pick of the week . Indians were little lethargic rather over confident while chasing the score . Pakistan s victory was commendable though abd tried his best scoring 77 . Sunday match was awesome .
1:09 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A chance reconnect -- Heartfulness of Abundant Joy

  This Sunday ( 3/2/24 ) , I was at a Federation that supports the needs of People with Disabilities ( Diverse abilities ). It was their District conference and I went there to make connections for my organization and leverage their federation .  While the meeting went on desired lines   and as it was about to close formally , a young man who had lost both his hands got up on stage – He insisted that he had to speak – I did not recognize him instantly but as I stared at him . a little more intently , i told myself—Wow – I know this   person.   I rushed up on to stage and gave him a tight hug .           now   wind back seven or eight years back ……. ------------------------------------------------ Flash back but no music as in movies--------------- Venkatesan the person who lost both his hands in an accident was the person on stage. I got to know him through a Rotary event.   I took an instant liking for him ....
Read more

40 Years of Employment -- Gratitude Series 1

  I completed 40 years of being employed  continously recently - That was a long period of time and many others  like me would have crossed this milestone in their careers. I wanted to use this milestone to thank so many people who have helped, provided me with opportunities, supported me, trusted me and wholeheartedly wanted me to do well.  My first thanks of course goes to the Almighty for his abundant blessings. My first full time employment started in Aug 1984 enrolling myself as a Articled Assistant to pursue my Chartered Accountancy (CA). Before getting to this point, my whole career was shaped up by one of my mother’s cousins who I took as a role model  and got in to  Commerce Stream - V S Kumar or Kumar Anna to me was the guiding force for me to get into the commerce stream. He spoke to me a lot in my younger days, in deciding what one wants to be and what your liking was and was fierce in advising me to make decisions on my own. ...
Read more

Alert Awards - - A humbling experience always The 7th edition

  The Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team   popularly known as Alert   has instituted   The   Alert Awards   honouring Unsung heroes with   Alert Being Award – I get excited to go to this award function every year ( This edition is the 7the edition   ). Reasons for me wanting to be present are : You get to watch and hear about simple people who do extraordinary acts of selfless service These heroes have no or limited access to resources – be it people or money or material—they simply excel in adversity Through the award function as you hear the   heroic deeds, the eyes are always moist and the emotions that   one goes are hard to describe. But it is positive . The award function is conducted in the most efficient way and so you know it will start and end on time ( some delays but does not lag ) The process of selection   -- calling for nominations including self nominations , an eminent jury evaluating each nomination...
Read more