New Zealand
Sri Lankan Party at Sabina
In today's first semi final of Cricket World Cup 2007, Sri Lanka stamped their class on New Zealand. Urged on by strong crowd support, Sri Lanka crushed the Kiwis by 81 runs. Winning the toss, the Sri Lankans, showing the bravado that has won them many fans, elected to bat first on a wicket that promised to assist New Zealand's pacers.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene's decision seemed to backfire in the third over, when star batsman Sanath Jayasuriya's stumps were clattered by a James Franklin delivery. Franklin bowled well at the star of the innings, but the same couldn't be said for Shane Bond, who picked the worst time to have a bad performance. His first over went for 9 runs as he strayed down leg side, allowing Upul Tharanga to glance the ball for a boundary down to fine leg. The day would get much worse for Bond.Read more
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All Conquering Aussies Reduce Kiwis To Minnows
Matthew Hayden made his third century of the tournament.
Australia 348 New Zealand 133
At least the West Indies didn't lose to Australia this bad. Not even Scotland lost to them this bad.Read more
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New Zealand, Sri Lanka through to Semis, Windies Still Alive
Today in Grenada, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 5 wickets to claim a semi final spot. The result also confirmed Sri Lanka's position in the semi finals as well. The Kiwi's victory also means that the West Indies, and Bangladesh are still mathematically alive.
Winning the toss, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming made the correct decision and sent the South Africans in to bat. The pitch was one of the few ones in this World Cup that gave noticeable assistance to the bowlers straight up, as the ball seamed, swung and bounced at varying heights, due to damp patches on the surface. In post match interviews South African Jacques Kallis blamed the conditions for the defeat, but aside from two early wickets, the South Africans only had to look in the mirror for the causes of their defeat.Read more
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West Indies - New Zealand Preview
New Zealand design courtesy of Cameron Sanders.
Coming off the thrashing that the West Indies endured at the hands of Australia over the past two days, the West Indies will do well to win Thursday's match against the Kiwis. While the match is by no means a "must win" for the Windies, a loss would be a very inauspicious start to the Super Eights. The underwhelming local support for the match against Australia was very disappointing, as good fan support will be critical if the Windies are to be ultimately successful at this tournament.
The Kiwis will enter the match with 6 consecutive wins, including three straight against the mighty Aussies in February. They are the number 3 ODI side in the world and will present a hefty challenge to the West Indies.Read more
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New Zealand Continue to Impress
In St. Lucia today, New Zealand continued their impressive march through Group C at the 2007 World Cup. They completed a sweep of their three group matches by dispatching Canada by 114 runs. Both teams recorded their highest ever total at a World Cup, but Lou Vincent's century and Brendon McCallum's fastest ever World Cup 50 (off 20 balls) were too much for the Canadians.Read more
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New Zealand are a Very, Very Dangerous Team.
New Zealand demolished the English yesterday in St. Lucia. Their not-so-secret weapon - Bond, Shane Bond.
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Mighty Aussies Suffer Series Sweep
Australia suffered another stunning defeat at the hands of New Zealand today, after failing once more to defend a mammoth total. Batting first, the Aussies were led by Matthew Hayden's unbeaten 181 - the highest ever score by an Australian in ODI cricket. Hayden's blitz, despite having to use a runner after suffering a blow to the foot, saw his team to 346/5 from 50 overs. The run spree could be attributed to the fact that New Zealand took to the field without its two most accomplished bowlers in Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori.Read more
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