 |
| |
Speed apologises for light chaos
Andrew Miller in Barbados
April 29, 2007
At the precise moment Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, was saying
sorry for the bizarre ending of the World Cup final the ICC hoarding behind
him came unstuck from the wall, and almost hit his head. Sitting alongside
Speed as he admitted that the events in Barbados the day before amounted to
the biggest farce in the game's history was the ICC's general manager, David
Richardson.
more |
Woolmer's body arrives in South Africa
Cricinfo staff
April 29, 2007
The body of Bob Woolmer has arrived in South Africa after Jamaican officials
gave permission on April 23 for it to be released and handed back to his
family.
more |
Malik targets next World Cup
Cricinfo staff
April 28, 2007
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has begun his era at the helm of the team by
targeting the next World Cup that will be held in the subcontinent. Malik
got his first taste of the action as he practiced at the Gaddafi Stadium
with the probables for the Abu Dhabi series against Sri Lanka in May.
more |
Grand welcome awaits Sri Lankan team
Sa'adi Thawfeeq
April 28, 2007
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has arranged a grand welcome ceremony for the Sri
Lankan team on their arrival from the Caribbean after their highly
successful World Cup campaign. This arrangement has been made irrespective
of the outcome of the final in Barbados on April 28 where Sri Lanka meet
Australia.
more |
McGrath bows out as leading man
Cricinfo staff
April 28, 2007
Glenn McGrath has signed off on his career by winning the World Cup's Player
of the Tournament prize with a record 26 wickets. When McGrath stepped from
the Kensington Oval he entered retirement and then collected his third World
Cup winners' medal after seven weeks of bowling brilliance.
more |
Ponting ready for
Sri Lanka's rested bowlers
AFP
April 26, 2007
Ricky Ponting insists Australia are ready for Sri Lanka's veteran bowlers
Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas in Saturday's World Cup final in
Barbados. Australia beat Sri Lanka easily in the Super Eights match but
Mahela Jayawardene chose to rest Muralitharan and Vaas while Lasith Malinga
had an ankle problem.
more |
'Bowling around
the wicket has helped,' says Murali
April 26, 2007
Muttiah Muralitharan admits he has introduced changes into his game to keep
batsmen under his spell.
"I'm bowling really well around the wicket a lot at the moment and that's a
new tactic that can help me," said Muralitharan. "It seems that when you
can't see which way the ball is going it's harder. So hopefully that helps
me in the future and I'll take more wickets. People are getting ready for
the spin, so if I bowl the 'doosra' I might get a top edge."
more |
Our best win of the tournament - Ponting
Rahul Bhattacharya in St Lucia
April 25, 2007
The cool and absolute demolition of South Africa was judged by Ricky Ponting
as Australia's best win of the tournament and ominously enough for Sri Lanka
and all the millions of underdog-backers in the world, he felt their best
was still to come.
more |
'We let ourselves down' - Smith
Sambit Bal in St Lucia
April 25, 2007
It was a batting performance that will haunt South Africa. Only Mark Boucher
in the top six can say he was out to a wicket-taking ball; the others
charged, slashed and wafted like men seemingly unable to adjust their minds
to the reality of the situation. Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach,
however defended his batsmen by saying it was a plan that had misfired.
more |
'Crazy cricket' blamed for South Africa loss
April 25, 2007
The latest chapter in South Africa's sorry World Cup history was put down to
a case of stage fright as South Africa once again suffered semi-final
heartache at the hands of Australia. The much-vaunted South African top
order, including Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith, was back inside the
pavilion within the first ten overs as they collapsed to 27 for 5 in a
sequence that left some of their former team-mates stunned.
more |
|
Good luck messages pour in from South Africa
'Do it for Bob' - Gill Woolmer
Cricinfo staff
April 25, 2007
Gill Woolmer,
the widow of late Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, has offered her good wishes to
the South African team as they prepare to take on Australia in the World Cup
semi-final in St Lucia. On the eve of the clash between the top two one-day
sides, she urged the team to win it in memory of Bob Woolmer, quoting "do it
for Bob - I hope they win", referring to his stint as coach of South Africa
in the 1990s.
more |
Buchanan says there is still room for improvement
Australia haven't peaked yet
AFP
April 25, 2007
John Buchanan, who is
quitting at the end of the World Cup, believes Australia are yet to fulfill
their true potential. Despite aiming for their third World Cup trophy and
winning the Ashes 5-0, Australia still have more to achieve according to
Buchanan.more |
|
Keen on leading in
Tests and to focus on batting
Fleming resigns as ODI captain
Andrew Miller in Jamaica
April 24, 2007
After more than a decade at the helm, Stephen
Fleming has resigned the captaincy of New Zealand's one-day team in the wake
of his team's defeat in the semi-final of the World Cup against Sri Lanka at
Sabina Park. Fleming, 34, made the announcement at the post-match press
conference, bringing to an end a run of 218 games in charge.
more |
New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 1st semi-final,
Jamaica
Jayawardene inspires Sri Lanka to the final
The Bulletin by Anand Vasu
April 24, 2007
Mahela Jayawardene produced an innings of
pure class, a rare gem, when it was most needed as Sri Lanka claimed their
rightful place in the final of the 2007 World Cup, brushing aside New
Zealand, who have reached the semifinals five times and never gone further.
The 81-run win was Mahela's baby, but Upul Tharanga played his part, as did
Muttiah Muralitharan, who picked up 4 for 31 and spun New Zealand out for
only 208.
more |
|
ICC name umpires for semi-finals
Bucknor in line for fifth successive World Cup
final
Cricinfo staff
April 23, 2007
Steve Bucknor, the Jamaican umpire, is in
line to officiate in his fifth successive World Cup final. One criterion for
choosing an umpire for the final is that the incumbent's national side
wouldn't be playing and, with West Indies already out of the competition,
Bucknor, who holds the record for having officiated in the maximum number of
Tests (117), is a shoo-in.
more |
'They are playing as well as anyone'
New Zealand a serious threat - Ponting
Cricinfo staff
April 16, 2007
Ricky Ponting considers New Zealand as big a threat to Australia's World Cup
defence as any team and said their fighting spirit would make them a tough
opponent. Australia's Super Eights campaign finishes with what could be two
of their hardest matches, against Sri Lanka on Monday and New Zealand on
Friday.
more |
Smith says team will bounce back in vital encounter
Pietersen ready for South Africa needle
AFP
April 16, 2007
When England's Kevin Pietersen bats against South Africa in a crucial World
Cup Super Eights match on Tuesday he will be short of neither motivation nor
confidence. That Pietersen reserves his best against the country of his
birth can be gauged from his average of 151.33 against South Africa, and
56.55 overall.
more |
Bangladesh v Ireland, Super Eights, Barbados
Ireland clinch comprehensive win
The Bulletin by George Binoy
April 15, 2007
The Super Eights clash against Bangladesh was always going to be Ireland's
best chance of getting on the scoreboard and they grabbed the points with a
superb allround display at Barbados. Ireland's success was built on a brave
decision at the toss. Trent Johnston's gamble to bat on a bouncy pitch paid
dividends as Ireland put up a determined effort. It wasn't spectacular
batting at the start, but William Porterfield anchored the innings with a
patient 85 and some late-order hitting ensured that Ireland did not fold as
meekly as they had done against Australia.
more |
Pakistan cricket at the crossroads
Yousuf throws his hat in the captaincy ring
Osman Samiuddin
April 14, 2007
Mohammad Yousuf has thrown his hat into the ring as a willing contender for
Pakistan's cricket captaincy a day after Younis Khan turned down the offer.more |
'I feel my game is over'
Lara plans one-day retirement after World Cup
Cricinfo staff
April 10, 2007
Brian Lara will retire from one-day internationals when West Indies are
knocked out of the World Cup. Lara is likely to have only two matches left
following the loss to South Africa at Grenada on Tuesday.
more |
The Bob Woolmer murder
Woolmer death would've halted World Cup elsewhere - Inzamam
Cricinfo staff
April 10, 2007
Inzamam-ul-Haq, former Pakistan captain, feels that the World Cup would have
been halted anywhere else in the world after the suspected murder of Bob
Woolmer, Pakistan's coach at the time, last month in Jamaica.
more |
Ireland v New Zealand, Super Eights, Guyana
'We're capable of winning' – Fleming
Cricinfo staff|
April 10, 2007
Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, believes his side has what it
takes to go all the way after extending its unbeaten streak at the
tournament to six. Speaking after the 129-run win against Ireland, Fleming
was aware of the real test that awaits them, with three games against
tougher opposition, but New Zealand need only one more win to secure a berth
in the semi-finals.
more |
| The
hosts need a win like never before
Unseasoned professionals
Fazeer Mohammed
April 10, 2007
Hope for
the best, but brace for the worst. That's all you can really do as a West
Indies cricket fan these days.
more |
Former fast bowler criticises Whatmore
Aaqib Javed believes Bangladesh are here to stay
Cricinfo staff
April 10, 2007
Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast bowler, believes Bangladesh's success
at the World Cup is the result of a good system. Aaqib, currently in
Bangladesh as coach of a Pakistan Cricket Academy team for a three-week
tour, also told The Daily Star that Dav Whatmore's comments on coaching
India were ill-timed.
more |
'They don't have the right to play in the Super Eights'
India and Pakistan deserved to leave - Bashar
April 9, 2007
Habibul Bashar has hit out at World Cup killjoys who bemoan the absence of
India and Pakistan, saying the sub-continental giants do not have a right to
be in the finals.
more |
Mourners farewell Woolmer at memorial
service
April 4, 2007
Bob Woolmer was remembered as a passionate
man who lived and died for the sport he loved during a memorial service in
his adopted South Africa. The on-going murder inquiry has prevented
Woolmer's body from being flown back from Jamaica for a private funeral
service, but friends and colleagues gathered at Cape Town's Wynberg high
school to give him a public send-off. more |
|
Fernando holds his nerve to seal a thriller
April 4, 2007
Sri Lanka's slick professionalism in the field, and Dilhara Fernando's
composure in the final over, earned them a nail biting win over England in
Antigua. Though Sri Lanka only compiled a relatively modest 236, England's
middle-order fell away meekly before a thrilling fightback from Paul Nixon
and Ravi Bopara dragged down the required total to just 12 from the final
over. It was two too many. more |
|
McGrath confident of beating England
April 4, 2007
Glenn McGrath believes Australia should
defeat England comfortably when the teams meet in their Super Eights match
in Antigua on Sunday. However, Australia will need to keep their momentum up
after an eight-day break between games, which McGrath said was "too long".
more |
|
New Zealand will be hard to beat' - Richards
April 4, 2007
Viv Richards has added his voice to the
list of experts singing the praises of New Zealand at the World Cup.
Richards said New Zealand were capable of winning the tournament, even
though they were slipping under the radar of some viewers.
more |
|
Kallis eases professional South Africa home
April 3, 2007
South Africa
165 for 3 (Kallis 66*, Prince 47*) beat Ireland 152 for 8 (White 30,
Langeveldt 3-41) by seven wickets (D/L method)
Jacques Kallis helped himself to a steady half-century as South Africa
boosted their Super Eights position with a handsome seven-wicket win against
Ireland. An adjusted target of 160 offered few challenges after a competent
performance from the bowlers in a match cut to 35 overs by a two-hour rain
break early in Ireland's innings.
more |
Pakistan players return to hostile reception
March 28, 2007
Pakistani cricketers returned home to a heated reception on Wednesday, angry
fans telling them to "go to hell". The team's outing in the West Indies had
ended in tragedy, their first-round exit from the World Cup being followed
by the murder of their coach Bob Woolmer. more |
Criticism spurs Ireland in quest for more upsets
March 29, 2007
Kyle McCallan, the Ireland spinner, is fed up of hearing critics say they
have no right to be in the Super Eights. After being the surprise of the
group phase with a win over Pakistan and a tie with Zimbabwe, Ireland are
now under increasing scrutiny to prove they should be in the second stage. more |
'I'm not No. 1' - Pietersen
AFP
March 29, 2007
Kevin Pietersen may be the world's top-ranked batsman but he insists he's
not the best. After displacing Australia's Michael Hussey this week as the
No. 1 he said there were better players out there.
more |
'We never had a chance' - Jayawardene
Rahul Bhattacharya
March 28, 2007
Failure to capitalise on what were virtual home conditions for Sri Lanka
left their captain Mahela Jayawardene frustrated though not disheartened
after a classic finish in a classic match. "We just did not deserve to win
this game for the way we batted today, full stop," Jayawardene said.
more |
Pakistan no longer suspects in Woolmer case
March 27, 2007
Pakistan's players have been ruled out as suspects in the murder of Bob
Woolmer, according to the deputy commissioner of Jamaican police. Mark
Shields, the detective in charge, said: "It's fair to say they are now being
treated as witnesses.
more |
Whatmore excited by youthful side
March 27, 2007
Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, is dreaming of a golden future for his
young side who edged out India for a place in the World Cup Super Eights.
Bangladesh have made the second round for the first time and will face
Australia, Whatmore's own country, in their next match at Antigua on
Saturday.
more |
Lara's underdogs need not fear Australia
March 26, 2007
If Brian Lara could choose any island in the West Indies on which to tackle
Australia, the favourites for this year's World Cup, it would have to be
Antigua. The venue of both his world batting records, 375 against England in
1994 and 400 not out ten years later, not to mention West Indies'
world-record run-chase against the Aussies in 2003; the island with a beach
for every day of the year has cultivated some special memories for Lara over
the years. How many of those, though, would he be willing to trade for a
victory on Wednesday?
more |
South Africa and Sri Lanka prepare for unknown
March 27, 2007
South Africa and Sri Lanka will be entering new territory when they meet in
the Super Eights at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday. The match is
the first of any consequence to be played at the ground, which is outside
the capital Georgetown, where workers are still battling to get everything
ready.
more |
Lara upbeat ahead of Australia clash
March 26, 2007
The West Indies captain Brian Lara says his team will not crumble when they
face the defending champions Australia in the opening match of the World Cup
Super Eights in Antigua on Tuesday.
Both teams have had confident starts to the tournament, winning all three
opening games, and they set up a mouth-watering opening to the second stage.
Lara intends to fight fire with fire when the two sides meet at the new Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium.
more |
Pietersen jumps to top of ODI rankings
Cricinfo staff
March 26, 2007
Kevin Pietersen has become only the third England batsman to top the ICC ODI
player rankings, after his solid start to the World Cup. Pietersen made
half-centuries against New Zealand and Kenya to take a narrow four-point
lead from Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey.
more |
Pakistan's departure avoided 'diplomatic incident'
Cricinfo staff
March 26, 2007
Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner of Jamaican police, said he had to
allow the Pakistan team to leave Jamaica in order to avoid a diplomatic
incident in the aftermath of Bob Woolmer's murder. Speaking to The Times,
Shields said the police did not have sufficient evidence to detain any team
member and doing so "would have had an extremely adverse effect on the World
Cup".
more |
Chairman
tells Pakistan to play final game
March 21, 2007
A reluctant Pakistan team has been ordered to complete their World Cup
commitment by Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.
more |
'There
is more self-belief' - Whatmore
Cricinfo staff
March 21, 2007
Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore has said that confidence was the key to their
emphatic victory against India at Trinidad on March 17. Bangladesh have two
more matches - against Sri Lanka and Bermuda - and are strong contenders
from Group B to qualify for the Super Eight stage.
more |
Woolmer's death 'suspicious' - police
Cricinfo staff
March 21, 2007
Police are now treating Bob Woolmer's death as suspicious, Mark Shields, the
deputy commissioner of police, told a news conference in Jamaica. A
full-scale investigation has been ordered.
more |
Pakistan
keen to leave on a high
March 20, 2007
Games of football were one of the ways Bob Woolmer liked to break down
barriers based on age and experience. With the ball at their feet, there
were no juniors and seniors, just team-mates having a good time and aware
that the goal couldn't be reached without everyone doing their bit.
more |
Shattered Inzamam retires from one-day scene
March 18, 2007
Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's shattered leader, has announced his retirement
from one-day cricket and resigned as Test captain. The match against
Zimbabwe, Pakistan's last of this World Cup, following their shock defeat
against Ireland on Saturday, will be his valedictory appearance in that form
of the game.
more |
Bob Woolmer's death stuns cricket world
March 18, 2007
A pall of gloom fell over the World Cup following the death of Bob Woolmer,
the Pakistan coach, in hospital in Jamaica on Sunday, hours after he was
found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room. He was 58.
more |
Gul and Naved-ul-Hasan picked for dope Tests
March 15, 2007
The International Cricket Council (ICC) picked Pakistan fast bowlers Umar
Gul and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for random dope tests after the opening match of
the World Cup against West Indies at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
more |
McMillan in doubt with bruised toe
March 15, 2007
Craig McMillan has added to New Zealand's injury problems ahead of Friday's
match against England after suffering severe foot bruising. more |
Dravid
warns against complacency
March 15, 2007
Rahul Dravid, the India captain, has warned his side against complacency in
their opening encounter against Bangladesh at the Queens Park Oval in
Trinidad on Saturday. Bangladesh shocked New Zealand with a two-wicket
warm-up win and Dravid said they were not a side to be underestimated.more |
Fleming vows to erase bad England memories
March 15, 2007
Stephen Fleming will have revenge on his mind when New Zealand open their
World Cup campaign against England in St Lucia on Friday. Both teams were
involved in the CB series in Australia, with England winning and Fleming's
side failing to make the finals.
more |
Ntini
likely to miss South Africa's first game
March 15, 2007
Makhaya Ntini, the South African fast bowler, is likely to miss their first
match of the World Cup against Netherlands at Basseterre on Friday. He has
remained in South Africa to be present for the birth of his second child
while the rest of the squad traveled to the West Indies.
more |
Zimbabwe and Ireland eye crucial edge
March 14, 2007
Under-strength Zimbabwe and debutants Ireland may look like a lightweight
contest in a World Cup group which also includes West Indies and Pakistan,
but for the captains, its serious business. Both Ireland and Zimbabwe need a
win from their clash on March 15 to progress further, and the opposing
captains weren't about to give each other an inch.
more |
Jayasuriya aims to inspire 1996 repeat
March 14, 2007
In his fifth and final World Cup, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's veteran
opener, says his batting is as explosive as it was in Sri Lanka's 1996 title
triumph. Jayasuriya briefly retired from the game in 2005, but said the
memory of that World Cup victory pushed him back.
more |
World
Cup trophy damaged in India
March 9, 2007
The World Cup trophy has been damaged while on display in India, organisers
said on Friday.
A gold ring below the coins depicting previous winners of the tournament got
detached from the wooden base.
more |
World
Cup trophy damaged in India
March 9, 2007
The World Cup trophy has been damaged while on display in India, organisers
said on Friday.
A gold ring below the coins depicting previous winners of the tournament got
detached from the wooden base.
more |
Ganguly
likely to miss warm-up match
March 9, 2007
Sourav Ganguly is likely to miss India's warm-up match against West Indies
after injuring his ankle at net practice the day before.
more |
Gas leak prompts security rethink for World
Cup hotel
Cricinfo staff
March 8, 2007
Security has been stepped up at the Hilton Hotel in Port-of-Spain hotel
following the today which led to the evacuation of the Pakistan and South
Africa teams.
more |
|
Pakistan and South Africa in
hotel fire scare
Cricinfo staff
March 7, 2007
Pakistan and South African players have been
evacuated from their hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad, following what is
believed to be a gas leak. Mohammad Sami, the Pakistan fast bowler, told how
he ran down a corridor to escape from the building after saying he saw smoke
in the hallway. At first it was thought there was a fire scare, but later
reports suggested the problem was gas.
more |
|
Glorious batting, erratic bowling
S Rajesh
March 7, 2007
The first two parts of the analysis on
leading teams had looked at West Indies and
Pakistan. The
spotlight is now on Australia, the two-time defending champions and the team
to beat despite their recent slump.
more |
|
Gillespie struggles with shoulder nerve problem
Cricinfo staff
March 7, 2007
Mark Gillespie, the New Zealand fast bowler, has been diagnosed with an
uncommon nerve disorder in his right shoulder that threatens to delay his
World Cup entry. The problem, which New Zealand officials called acute
brachial neuritis, was the result of a throat virus Gillespie suffered
before leaving for the Caribbean last week.
more |
|
Hafeez shows his skills as Pakistan cruise
Cricinfo staff
March 6, 2007
Pakistan 273 for 8 (Hafeez 61, Inzamam 59, Akmal 56*) beat
Canada 196 (Ali 37, Hafeez 3-10, Rao 3-23) by 77 runs
A fine all-round display from Mohammad Hafeez
ensured Pakistan avoided any slip-ups as they eased to a 77-run warm-up win
over Canada in Trinidad. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Hafeez posted smooth
half-centuries to push Pakistan to 273 for 8 before Hafeez and Rao Iftikhar
shared six wickets as Canada were dismissed for 196 in the 47th over.
more |
|
Pakistan await OK on Sami, Arafat
Khalid Hussain
March 6, 2007
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finally
made a formal request to the ICC to allow for the inclusion of Mohammad Sami
and Yasir Arafat for the World Cup as replacements for Shoaib Akhtar and
Mohammad Asif. In another significant move, the PCB also received the
complete medical reports on the injuries to Shoaib and Asif from its medical
commission. more |
|
Bangladesh
shock New Zealand by two wickets
Cricinfo staff
March 6, 2007
Bangladesh
230 for 8 (Iqbal 46, Omar 45, Mortaza 30*) beat New Zealand 226 (Oram
88, Mortaza 4-44, Razzaq 4-26) by 2 wickets
Bangladesh have produced the first shock
result of the World Cup by beating New Zealand by two wickets in their first
warm-up match at the 3Ws stadium in Barbados. A fine all-round display from
Mashrafe Mortaza set up the victory that stunned New Zealand a week before
the tournament begins. more |
Inzamam
confident of strong performance
March 4, 2007
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, believes his team can
shrug off their controversial World Cup build-up and clinch a second title
to add to the trophy they won in 1992.
more |
|
Pakistan board blasts
Speed's remarks
Osman Samiuddin
March 2, 2007
The Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) has taken strong objection to the recent remarks of
Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, about Shoaib Akhtar
and Mohammad Asif with regards to the doping issue, calling
them "unwarranted" and "irresponsible". The board has sent
an official letter of protest to the ICC.
more |
|
|
|
Decision sad but for the best
- Border
Cricinfo staff
March 2, 2007
The absence of Shoaib Akhtar
and Mohammad Asif from the World Cup could mean cricket
avoids "another black eye", according to Allan Border.
Pakistan dropped the pair from their 15-man squad on
Thursday, citing lingering injuries, but the decision came
just hours after the ICC announced it could target specific
players with its drug-testing at the tournament.
more |
|
|
|
ICC steps up World Cup drug
testing
Cricinfo staff
March 1, 2007
The ICC will target-test
players for banned substances at the World Cup because of
the "embarrassment" of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif
continuing to play after their drugs punishments were
overturned. Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, said
the new approach would be on top of random checks on four
players - two from each side - in 17 of the 51 matches.
more
|
|
|
|
Shoaib and Asif out of the World Cup
Osman Samiuddin
March 1, 2007
As had been expected for
some time now, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were finally
ruled out of Pakistan's World Cup squad, though the
decision, farcically, came minutes before the team's
departure to the Caribbean. Asif is down with an elbow
injury while Shoaib is nursing a crocked knee.
more |
|
|
|
Andrew McGlashan at Gatwick
March 1, 2007
Lights, camera, action and
take three for Michael Vaughan's return as England captain -
and that's just this winter's count. As he gave his
pre-departure press conference in a plush Gatwick Airport
hotel there was a distinct feeling that we'd seen all this
before.
more |
|
|
