The South Africans continue to dominate the limited-overs formats. Having usurped Australia for top place in the 50-over rankings last year, South Africa now head to the World Twenty20 brimming with confidence after a second consecutive 20-over victory over Ricky Ponting’s men, this time by 17 runs.
The Australians seldom appeared comfortable in pursuit of South Africa’s 156 for 5 on a pitch that troubled batsmen from both sides of the Indian Ocean. Michael Clarke (27 runs from 33 balls) struggled to combat South Africa’s disciplined lines, while Ricky Ponting was dismissed for a solitary run for the second time in three days; this time to a well-angled delivery from debutant paceman Yusuf Abdulla.
Hardly an ideal start. But the fatal sequence for Australia was saved for the eleventh over, delivered by the ever-effective Johan Botha, who must surely rank among the world’s finest Twenty20 bowlers at present. Clarke was bowled attempting to sweep the first ball of the South African captain’s second over, and Callum Ferguson – following a dreadful mix-up with David Hussey – was run out the next delivery, in a carbon copy of Michael Hussey’s dismissal on Friday.
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written by Swapnil
A bludgeoning late innings fightback from Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel steered South Africa from the brink of oblivion to a stunning four-wicket victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Johannesburg. The hosts appeared to be in dire straits after losing five early wickets, but Boucher and Morkel belted 36 runs from Australia’s 16th and 17th overs – including 21 from James Hopes’ final six deliveries – to turn the match on its head.
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written by Swapnil
South Africa has edged out England to be named host nation of the 2009 IPL. The decision was made after a meeting between the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola, in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The IPL also announced that a final schedule for the 59 matches and the host venues for the eight franchises will be released shortly.
IPL’s opening ceremony will be held in Cape Town, and that the defending champions Rajasthan Royals will play the first game. The tournament will commence on April 18, a week later than initially scheduled, and a day after the one-day series between South Africa and Australia ends. Sources said Johannesburg, Durban, Centurion, Port Elizabeth, East London and Cape Town would be the host venues.
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written by Swapnil
\\ tags: IPL, South Africa
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Group D |
| India |
Pakistan |
Australia |
New Zealand |
| Bangladesh |
England |
Sri Lanka |
South Africa |
| Ireland |
Netherlands |
West Indies |
Scotland |
| Group E |
A1, B2, C1, D2 |
Group F |
B1, A2, C2, D1 |
| Date |
Lord’s |
Trent Bridge |
The Oval |
| Fri, 5 June |
Opening ceremonyEngland v Netherlands
1730-2030 |
|
|
| Sat, 6 June |
|
India v Bangladesh
1730-2030 |
New Zealand v Scotland
1000-1300Australia v West Indies
1330-1630 |
| Sun, 7 June |
|
|
South Africa v Scotland
1330-1630England v Pakistan
1730-2030 |
| Mon, 8 June |
|
Ireland v Bangladesh
1330-1630Australia v Sri Lanka
1730-2030 |
|
| Tues, 9 June |
Pakistan v Netherlands
1330-1630New Zealand v South Africa
1730-2030 |
|
|
| Wed, 10 June |
|
Sri Lanka v West Indies
1330-1630India v Ireland
1730-2030 |
|
Placement for the Super Eight stage is determined as follows:
The first two teams in each group are placed 1 or 2. They will retain this position for the Super Eight stage, irrespective of whether they finish first or second in their group, unless they are knocked out by the team 3 in their group. In this instance, team 3 replaces the position of the team they knock out.
| Date |
Lord’s |
Trent Bridge |
The Oval |
| Thu, 11 June |
|
D1 v A2 (1330-1630)
B2 v D2 (1730-2030) |
|
| Fri, 12 June |
B1 v C2 (1330-1630)
A1 v C1 (1730-2030) |
|
|
| Sat, 13 June |
|
|
C1 v D2 (1330-1630)
D1 v B1 (1730-2030) |
| Sun, 14 June |
A2 v C2 (1330-1630)
A1 v B2 (1730-2030) |
|
|
| Mon, 15 June |
|
|
B1 v A2 (1330-1630)
B2 v C1 (1730-2030) |
| Tues, 16 June |
|
D1 v C2 (1330-1630)
D2 v A1 (1730-2030) |
|
The teams finishing first and second in groups E and F, based on points obtained in the Super Eight stage will compete in the semi-finals
| Date |
Lord’s |
Trent Bridge |
The Oval |
| Wed, 17 June |
REST DAY |
REST DAY |
REST DAY |
| Thu, 18 June |
|
Women’s semi-final
A1 v B2 (1330-1630)Men’s semi-final
E1 v F2 (1830-2030) |
|
| Fri, 19 June |
|
|
Women’s semi-final
B1 v A2 (1330-1630)Men’s semi-final
F1 v E2 (1730-2030) |
| Sat, 20 June |
REST DAY |
REST DAY |
REST DAY |
| Sun, 21 June |
Women’s final
1000-1300Men’s final
1500-1800
Closing ceremony |
|
|
written by Swapnil
\\ tags: Cricket, ICC, Twenty20, Twenty20 Cricket, World Cup
England’s bid to regain momentum after last week’s Test series defeat hit the buffers as they were routed by six wickets with two overs to spare in what is rapidly becoming their least favourite form of the game. In a match that evoked memories of their Stanford stuffing in Antigua in November, England were bowled out for 121 in 19.1 overs, with Sulieman Benn once again picking up three wickets in an exemplary spell, before Ramnaresh Sarwan guided their run-chase in front of a euphoric crowd with 59 from 46 balls.
England never really came close to having any momentum. Their most impressive performer was their debutant wicketkeeper, Worcestershire’s Steven Davies, who was a surprise selection ahead of Matt Prior, but acquitted himself well with a healthy 27 from 21 balls. But when he stepped across his stumps to be bowled by the local hero, Dwayne Bravo, England’s innings shuddered. Having at one stage been 55 for 1 after seven overs, they lost their remaining nine wickets for 66 in 12.1.
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written by Swapnil
