Batsman hits Most Sixes in 2011 Cricket World Cup

Ross Taylor From New Zealand Hits 14 Sixes 2011 Cricket World cup. He Scored 324 in 6 innings of 8 matches with 64.80 batting Avg. 131* is the highest score. One century and one half century he scored. 

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Sachin Tendulkar vs Pakistan 2003 world cup Greatest Six of His Career on Shoaib Akhtar

The God Of Cricket Played an Unforgettable Innings Vs Pakistan in Cricket World Cup 2003 Against Pakistan. In this world cup Super -8 Match Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 runs vs pakistan in 2003 world cup at centurion & India won this match by 6 wickets.

Pakistan mange to score 273/7  runs in 50 overs with the help Saeed Anwar 101 runs (126 balls).

But India Won the match and Yuvraj Singh Scored 50 runs (53 balls) against pakistan in this World cup 2003 match.






Man of the Match : Sachin Tendulkar

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World Cup Greatest Upsets Ireland Beat England by 3 wickets With Kevin O'Brien Centuray

Kevin O'Brien stunned England with the fastest hundred in World Cup history as Ireland secured their greatest victory with a monumental three-wicket triumph in Bangalore. O'Brien clubbed a magnificent 113 off 63 deliveries as Ireland earned the highest World Cup run-chase with four balls to spare. After he'd added a match-changing 162 with Alex Cusack, John Mooney joined him to play the innings of his life and help write another famous chapter in Irish sport.

Ireland's John Mooney scored the winning runs in the game's final over

When the partnership was broken with 55 still needed Ireland could have lost their way, especially when O'Brien couldn't get the strike back. However, after struggling to get the ball away Mooney suddenly started locating the boundary, firstly off the outside edge but then with two nerveless drives through the covers, each coming after England had strung together a few dot balls to build pressure. He was the dominant partner in the seven-wicket stand.

Still, though, there was a final twist when O'Brien was run out in the penultimate over. Trent Johnston, however, drove his first ball, a full toss from Stuart Broad, for four as the equation came down to below a run-a-ball for the first time in the entire chase. The final over started with just three needed and off the second ball Mooney clipped Anderson through midwicket to set off epic celebrations that will take over any available Bangalore bar tonight.

O'Brien's innings was breathtaking. He entered when Ed Joyce, seemingly Ireland's last chance of making the chase a contest, was stumped off Graeme Swann to leave their run-chase floundering at 106 for 4, which soon became 111 for 5 when Gary Wilson fell lbw. But O'Brien proceeded to tear the England attack apart. He showed power reminiscent of Kieron Pollard but with a calmer head and better technique, bringing up his hundred off 50 balls with a tuck for two into the leg side to beat Matthew Hayden's World Cup record of 66 deliveries. It led to a reveal of his the purple head-do as part of Ireland's charity fundraising campaign.

He showed his intent early when he thumped Swann through the covers second-ball and the tucked into the offspinner's ninth over with two sixes over midwicket which injected life into Ireland's innings. O'Brien was on 35 off 22 balls when Ireland took the batting Powerplay and it was during those five overs that the chance of the impossible became possible as 62 runs surged onto the total.

As happened against Ryan ten Doeschate's onslaught in their opening match against the Netherlands, England's bowlers started to lose the plot during another wayward, undisciplined display. Michael Yardy went for 16 as did James Anderson whom O'Brien pulled for a huge six to take him to a 30-ball fifty. Anderson's next over went for 17 including another leg-side pull and in between whiles, even the normally reliable Tim Bresnan was dispatched, including the finest shot of O'Brien's innings when he drove a six clean over cover.

Really, though, fielding restrictions meant nothing to O'Brien and he continued on his merry way with another huge blow over midwicket to take him into the 90s. Then the whole of Ireland held their breath as O'Brien's next attempt to clear the rope sent the ball high into the night sky where Andrew Strauss made a lot of ground but then couldn't hold on.

O'Brien needed support to play his incredible innings and Cusack's role can't be understated in the amazing scenes which unfolded. He was almost lost in O'Brien's slipstream but sensibly rotated the strike until, off his 49th ball, he joined the boundary hitting by launching Collingwood over midwicket then thumped Yardy straight down the ground. Even his dismissal, run-out from backward point, was for the team cause as he ensured O'Brien stayed at the crease. Although he wasn't quite there at the end he had written himself a permanent place in Irish folklore.

Even more incredibly this wasn't a run chase built on solid foundations. William Porterfield dragged the first ball of the innings into his stumps and although Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O'Brien all played neatly their contributions were seemingly too insignificant in such a huge pursuit. In the final outcome, however, the intent shown by Stirling, in particular, showed Ireland wouldn't take a backward step.

Tellingly, too, Stirling was given a life when Matt Prior shelled a simple chance which set the tone for another shoddy fielding display. However, it looked like England would comfortably emerge unscathed when Swann removed three middle-order scalps with a teasing spell of drift, flight and turn to leave Ireland 111 for 5. Already, though, O'Brien was at the non-striker's end and about embark on one of the great match-winning displays.

There are so many areas England will rue, chiefly another below-par display in the field but they will also look back on the closing stages of their seemingly impressive 327. The final five overs only brought 33 runs as Mooney preceded his crucial batting effort with some smart death bowling and a career-best 4 for 63. It meant, like for India three days ago, the 350-plus that was on the cards when Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell were adding 167 for the third wicket didn't materialise. This tournament is proving that big first-innings scores are no certainty of victory.

It will be largely forgotten because of what followed, but Trott wrote his own place in the record books when he reached 1000 runs in his 21st innings to equal the mark set by Viv Richards and Kevin Pietersen. The latter had set up the innings with a sparkling 59 before throwing away his chance of a hundred with a top-edged reverse sweep. It wasn't England's only piece of lazy cricket. Bell's was a lovely, easy, innings as he moved along with smart placement and deft touches to tick off his fifty from 61 balls.

After their problems against India, England actually used the batting Powerplay reasonably well to collect 45 runs and even though the middle order failed to fire once again it appeared fairly insignificant when Ireland's top order was whittled away. One man, though, stood in their way and the rest, as they say, is history. 

For months, talk in Ireland has been of nothing but bank bailouts and politics but the unlikely sport of cricket finally knocked those off the top news spot after the country recorded a famous win over England.

Cricket is not played widely in Ireland -- for years it was shunned because of its associations with former colonial ruler, Britain.

But it got top billing on Wednesday thanks to a thrilling performance against England at the Cricket World Cup in India, which went right to the wire, and featured a record-smashing performance from Dubliner Kevin O'Brien.

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England Won By 6 Wickets Vs Neitherlands World Cup 2011 League Match

Netherlands 292/6 (50 ov)

England 296/4 (48.4 ov)

England won by 6 wickets in World Cup League Match (with 8 balls remaining)

    * ICC Cricket World Cup - 5th Match, Group B
    * ODI no. 3104 | 2010/11 season
    * Played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur (neutral venue)
    * 22 February 2011 - day/night (50-over match)

                           
    Netherlands innings (50 overs maximum)  

Match details
Toss Netherlands, who chose to bat
Points England 2, Netherlands 0
ODI debut BA Westdijk (Netherlands)
Player of the match tba
Umpires Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and BNJ Oxenford (Australia)
TV umpire HDPK Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)
Match referee RS Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire SJ Davis (Australia)
Match notes

    * Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 47 runs, 1 wicket)
    * Netherlands: 50 runs in 10.1 overs (61 balls), Extras 0
    * Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 18 runs, 1 wicket)
    * Drinks: Netherlands - 82/2 in 18.0 overs (TLW Cooper 25, RN ten Doeschate 12)
    * Netherlands: 100 runs in 22.5 overs (137 balls), Extras 0
    * 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 73 balls (TLW Cooper 28, RN ten Doeschate 23, Ex 0)
    * RN ten Doeschate: 50 off 59 balls (4 x 4, 1 x 6)
    * Over 31.6: Review by England (Bowling), Umpire - Asad Rauf, Batsman - B Zuiderent (Struck down)
    * Netherlands: 150 runs in 33.3 overs (201 balls), Extras 4
    * Drinks: Netherlands - 162/4 in 35.0 overs (RN ten Doeschate 62, TN de Grooth 3)
    * 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 49 balls (RN ten Doeschate 25, TN de Grooth 25, Ex 0)
    * Netherlands: 200 runs in 41.1 overs (247 balls), Extras 4
    * Powerplay 3: Overs 42.1 - 47.0 (Batting side - 50 runs, 1 wicket)
    * RN ten Doeschate: 100 off 98 balls (7 x 4, 3 x 6)
    * Over 45.3: Review by England (Bowling), Umpire - Asad Rauf, Batsman - PW Borren (Struck down)
    * Netherlands: 250 runs in 45.4 overs (276 balls), Extras 7
    * 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 31 balls (RN ten Doeschate 32, PW Borren 17, Ex 4)
    * Innings Break: Netherlands - 292/6 in 50.0 overs (PW Borren 35, Mudassar Bukhari 6)

    * Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 53 runs, 0 wicket)
    * England: 50 runs in 8.1 overs (49 balls), Extras 0
    * 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 49 balls (AJ Strauss 21, KP Pietersen 29, Ex 0)
    * Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 39 runs, 0 wicket)
    * AJ Strauss: 50 off 34 balls (9 x 4)
    * England: 100 runs in 16.6 overs (102 balls), Extras 9
    * 1st Wicket: 100 runs in 102 balls (AJ Strauss 52, KP Pietersen 39, Ex 9)
    * Drinks: England - 105/1 in 17.4 overs (AJ Strauss 57)
    * England: 150 runs in 27.2 overs (164 balls), Extras 10
    * 2nd Wicket: 50 runs in 60 balls (AJ Strauss 26, IJL Trott 23, Ex 1)
    * Drinks: England - 197/2 in 36.0 overs (IJL Trott 46, IR Bell 14)
    * England: 200 runs in 36.6 overs (222 balls), Extras 10
    * IJL Trott: 50 off 58 balls (3 x 4)
    * 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 59 balls (IJL Trott 29, IR Bell 21, Ex 1)
    * Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 - 45.0 (Batting side - 34 runs, 2 wickets)
    * England: 250 runs in 44.2 overs (266 balls), Extras 13
    * 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 33 balls (PD Collingwood 24, RS Bopara 26, Ex 1)

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New Zealand Won By 10 Wickets With 252 Balls Remaining, Kenya vs New Zealand World Cup Match

Kenya vs New Zealand World Cup Match Chennai . New Zealand won by 10 wickets (with 252 balls remaining)Kenya won the toss chose to bat first. All out on 69 in 23.5 over SR Waters and RR Patel 16 was the top run scrore for Kenya, HK Bennett took 4 /16 in 5 overs for New Zealand, JDP Oram took 2/3 in 2.5 over. New Zealand openers hit all the required run within 8 overs

Match Preview

Under the guidance of new coach John Wright New Zeland will attempt to regain the lost confidence.New Zealand would like to go back in rhythm by win against Kenya in their first match. New Zealand has lost 14 of 17 matches last ten matches in the subcontinent , which proves that even her great upheaval comes at the turning wickets. Since arriving here on February 10 the situation in the subcontinent, especially against spin New Zealand weakness is exposed. They suffered heavy 117-run defete in Warm-up match against India. Even before the first match against Kenya in the dilemma. After warmp match against India BB McCullum wicketkeeper-batsman said on Friday, team is struggling with a lack of confidence.

Kenya v New Zealand, World Cup 2011, Chennai Match details

Kenya Squad

JK Kamande*, T Mishra, JO Ngoche, SO Ngoche, AA Obanda, CO Obuya, DO Obuya†, NN Odhiambo, TM Odoyo, PJ Ongondo, E Otieno, MA Ouma†, RR Patel, SO Tikolo, SR Waters

New Zealand Squad

DL Vettori*, HK Bennett, JEC Franklin, MJ Guptill, JM How, BB McCullum†, NL McCullum, KD Mills, JDP Oram, JD Ryder, TG Southee, SB Styris, LRPL Taylor, KS Williamson, LJ Woodcock

Toss Kenya, who chose to bat

Points New Zealand 2, Kenya 0

Player of the match HK Bennett (New Zealand)

Umpires M Erasmus and RJ Tucker

TV umpire Aleem Dar

Match referee RS Mahanama

Reserve umpire S Asnani

Kenya vs New Zealand World Cup Match Highlights

Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 33 runs, 1 wicket)

Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 15 runs, 3 wickets)

Over 13.5: Review by Kenya (Batting), Umpire - RJ Tucker, Batsman - CO Obuya (Struck down)

Drinks: Kenya - 49/5 in 15.3 overs (RR Patel 4)

Kenya: 50 runs in 16.3 overs (100 balls), Extras 6

Innings Break: Kenya - 69/10 in 23.5 overs (RR Patel 16)

Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 72 runs, 0 wicket)

Over 2.5: Review by Kenya (Bowling), Umpire - RJ Tucker, Batsman - MJ Guptill (Struck down)

New Zealand: 50 runs in 5.2 overs (32 balls), Extras 3

1st Wicket: 50 runs in 32 balls (MJ Guptill 37, BB McCullum 10, Ex 3)

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INDIA WON BY 87 RUNS in of 1st ODI of ICC World Cup 2011 : India vs Bangladesh

INDIA WON BY 87 RUNS in 1st ODI – India vs Bangladesh – 1st ODI ICC World Cup 2011 ,Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Bangladesh, 19 February

Shere Bangla National Stadium



One of the bigger stadiums of Bangladesh with a seating capacity of 25000 was established in 2006. The first test was played a year later between Bangladesh and India from May 25-27, 2007 and the first ODI was played between the home team and Zimbabwe on December 8, 2006. Although the shift from Bangabandhu to Mirpur was met with much anger, but Bangladesh needed a stadium reserved exclusively for cricket. The ground has excellent drainage facilities and the grassless plot next to the stadium is a ground for children to play with a tape-tennis ball every evening and morning.

Match Information

    * Series: ICC World Cup 2011
    * Umpires: Steve Davis (Aus) & Kumar Dharmasena (SL)
    * Third Umpire: Billy Doctrove (WI)
    * Match Referee:

Toss Won By Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

Bangladesh and Elected to Field first

India Batting : 370/4 (50) Run Rate: 7.4


Virender Sehwag 175 (140 balls )

A tired Sehwag departs! A scintillating knock comes to an end. 175 off just 140 balls. He raises his bat while returning back as the Bangladeshi crowd applauds his effort. Fullish delivery outside off, he just plays it back onto his stumps off the inside edge. Kohli makes it a point to pat his Delhi team-mates back. Brilliant innings!


Sachin Tendulkar 28 (29 balls)

That is disaster for India! The Mirpur crowd is up on their feet, seeing the Little Master walk back. Tendulkar just plays it towards mid-wicket and charges to the opposite end, Sehwag is ball-watching and doesn’t even move. Both the openers are stranded at the same end and the bails are off. Tendulkar doesn’t even bother watching back as he makes his way out of the center. India one down!

Gautham Gambhir 39(39 balls)

Mahmudullah strikes in his first over! Gambhir departs after a steady knock. It was the straighter one, came in a touch after pitching, Gambhir tried whipping it away but missed after getting an inside edge and the ball went on to disturb the wooden framework. India lose their second wicket.

Virat Kohli 100 (83 balls)

Yusuf Pathan 8 (10 balls)

Mahmudullah strikes in his first over! Gambhir departs after a steady knock. It was the straighter one, came in a touch after pitching, Gambhir tried whipping it away but missed after getting an inside edge and the ball went on to disturb the wooden framework. India lose their second wicket.

Fall of Wickets: 1-69 (Sachin Tendulkar, 10.5 Over) 2-152 (Gautam Gambhir, 23.2 Over) 3-355(Virender Sehwag, 47.3 Over) 4-370 (Yusuf Pathan, 50 Over)

Bangladesh Batting : 283/9 (50) Run Rate: 5.70

Tamim Iqbal 70(86 balls)

Munaf strikes as Iqbal departs! A steady innings, unlike Iqbal, comes to a soft end. Length ball on the middle, the left-hander swats it straight to the man at mid-wicket. Yuvraj takes the catch and the Indians celebrate. Bangladesh three down!

Imrul Kayes 34(29 balls)

Bowled ‘em! Kayes chops it on. Patel is delighted. The cameo was short-lived. Length ball wide outside off, Kayes cuts and gets an inside edge onto the stumps. This is a big wicket for the Indians.

Zunaed Siddique 37(52 balls)

Siddique is smartly stumped by Dhoni. Bangladesh lose their second wicket. Harbhajan is rewarded for his fine bowling effort. Flighted delivery, lands outside off and turns away to beat the outside edge. Dhoni collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. They appeal but Dhoni didn’t seam confident as it was referred upstairs. Though, the backfoot was on the line and hence OUT was flashed on the giant screen. Pin drop silence in the stands.

Shakib Al Hasan 55(50 balls)

Shakib departs! The party is over, says Ravi Shastri (on air). Length ball, the left-hander slogs it straight down the throat of Harbhajan at deep mid-wicket. He takes the catch, turns to the crowd, keeps the ball inside his pocket and bows to the audience! Pathan is ecstatic as the crowd is stunned in silence!

Mushfiqur Rahim 25(30 balls)

Rahim exits in his attempt to accelerate in the powerplay. A cleverly bowled slower delivery by Zaheer, outside off, Rahim plays it uppishly through the covers but fails to get the desired elevation. Raina takes a simple catch leaping up. Bangladesh look completely out now.

Roqibul Hassan 28 (28 balls)

Mahmudullah 6 (6 balls)

Naeem Islam 2(8 balls)

Abdur Razzak 1(5balls)

Shafiul Islam 0 (1 ball)

Rubel Hossain 1 (6balls)

Fall Of Wicket: 1-56 (Imrul Kayes, 6.5 Over) 2-129 (Zunaed Siddique, 23.1 Over) 3-188(Tamim Iqbal, 32.1 Over) 4-234 (Shakib Al Hasan, 39.4 Over) 5-248(Mushfiqur Rahim, 42.3 Over) 6-261 (Mahmudullah, 44.3 Over) 7-275(Naeem Islam, 46.3 Over) 8-279 (Abdur Razzak, 48 Over) 9-280 (Shafiul Islam, 48.3 Over)

RESULT: INDIA WON BY 87 RUNS in 1st ODI

India Batting : 370/4 (50) Run Rate: 7.4
Bangladesh Batting : 283/9 (50) Run Rate: 5.70

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Bangladesh v India, Group B, World Cup 2011, Mirpur

Bangladesh spirited in improbable chase

Junaid Siddique was stumped off Harbhajan Singh's bowling as the spinners reined in Bangladesh's scoring rate to put India in front in Mirpur

Virat Kohli scored a century in his first World Cup game

Bangladesh did not go quietly. Their batsmen revived a Mirpur crowd reeling from the Indian onslaught with a spirited chase, but despite their swinging approach, their chances of overhauling the target of 371 were remote. The pitch quickened under lights, making shot-making easier, and the dew made the outfield slick and the ball harder to grip, but Bangladesh's bowlers had conceded far too much ground for their batsmen to make up.

It was Imrul Kayes, and not their leading batsman Tamim Iqbal, that kickstarted Bangladesh's innings. He carved Sreesanth over point and pulled Zaheer through square leg and those shots, combined with a few glances and inside-edges to fine leg, had boosted the score to 28 after four overs. And then Kayes exploded, and Sreesanth lost the plot.

During his first spell, Sreesanth had bowled inswinging yorkers, which both the left-handers somehow survived. The first ball of his fifth over, though, was a wide one that Kayes slashed at and bottom-edged past MS Dhoni to the fine-leg boundary. Sreesanth changed his line of attack, going round the wicket, and over-stepped while bowling a full delivery that Kayes flicked for four. A free-hit followed, and Kayes rocked back to pull towards the boundary, after which he drove a length ball through cover for four more. Sreesanth responded by slanting one so far down leg side that Dhoni couldn't reach it, resulting in five wides. He had conceded 24 off the over and Bangladesh were 51 for 0 after five.

While Zaheer had control over the run-rate at his end, Dhoni had had no option but to take Sreesanth off and bring Munaf Patel into the attack, a move that had immediate results. Kayes tried to force the slower pace of Munaf through the off side and played on, ending the opening partnership at 56.

The momentum, however, did not abate immediately as Junaid Siddique laid into the bowling, hoisting Munaf over the square leg boundary. Yusuf backpedalled, trying to catch it, and ended up crashing into the advertisement hoardings after tripping over the boundary skirting. Yusuf also failed to hold on to a tough chance after Siddique, on 10, had skied Munaf towards midwicket. Tamim then found his fluency and lofted Munaf over mid-on and punched him through cover.

Dhoni brought spin into the attack and Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf slowly but surely reined in the Bangladesh batsmen. Though Tamim and Siddique kept their wickets intact, the rise in dot balls heaped pressure on them. Siddique's dismissal - he was caught short of his crease by Dhoni's quick gloves in the 24th - for 37 further dampened Bangladesh's hopes. The lack of boundaries steadily forced the asking-rate up and at the half-way stage it was 9.36 per over.

50 overs India 370 for 4 (Sehwag 175, Kohli 100*) v Bangladesh

With a withering drive off the back foot, Virender Sehwag slammed the first ball of the 2011 World Cup to the cover boundary and, silencing a boisterous Mirpur crowd, recorded his maiden one-day international century against Bangladesh. He and Virat Kohli, who justified his captain's decision to leave out Suresh Raina with a century of his own, gave evidence of the havoc India's batting line-up can create, as Bangladesh's bowlers failed to maintain composure in the grandest match of their lives.

There was wisdom in Bangladesh choosing to chase - the previous 12 day-night matches at the Shere Bangla were won by the team batting second - but the bowlers offered abundant scoring opportunities on a slow pitch that kept low and had loopy bounce not conducive to shot-making. Shakib Al Hasan had said he wanted keep India below 260 when he put them in because of the dew factor later in the evening. He watched the target swell past that as Sehwag and Kohli dismantled the attack in front of a shell-shocked crowd.

Sehwag bookended the tournament's first over, from Shafiul Islam, with powerful drives to the cover-point boundary. Shafiul was guilty of giving Sehwag too much width, and in his second over he erred by straying twice on to Sachin Tendulkar's pads, and watched one ball disappear behind square and the other in front. His day would not get better and he conceded 69 off seven. In between Shaiful's first two overs, Rubel Hossain conceded two boundaries as well, and India raced to 36 after four.

Shakib turned to his premier spinner, Abdur Razzak, in the fifth over and he brought a semblance of control over the run-rate. Razzak looped the ball into Sehwag from round the wicket, following the batsman and cramping him for room as he tried hit inside out through the off side. Sehwag had scored 12 off his first six balls and 13 off his next 24.

Bangladesh were listless, though, as Sehwag regained his touch and drove the first ball off the bowling Powerplay to the long-on boundary, before finally making powerful contact with an inside-out drive. And then they had some good fortune. A mix-up, during which both Tendulkar and Sehwag were ball-watching, left both batsmen at one end and the Mirpur crowd found its voice again.

Sehwag, however, continued piercing gaps and hit the tournament's first six by hoisting Razzak over wide long-on to bring up his half-century off 45 balls. With his regular opening partner, Gautam Gambhir, Sehwag added 83 to build on the opening stand of 69. But while Sehwag used muscle on a sluggish surface, Gambhir played with surgical precision, dabbing, pushing and chipping into gaps to score at a run-a-ball without fuss. His dismissal for 39, bowled after missing a straight one from Mahmudullah, brought the crowd to life momentarily.

The stand out feature of Kohli's innings was his driving. On a surface this slow, he got to the pitch of the ball, gathering momentum with a forward thrust of his body, and drove the ball crisply through the off side with a whip of his wrists. He did it repeatedly against pace and spin, scoring effortlessly at more than a run a ball.

In the 32nd over, Sehwag reached his century off 94 balls with a nudge through midwicket. In the 33rd, Kohli drove Naeem Islam twice to the cover boundary and pulled him behind square as well. India took the batting Powerplay soon after the mandatory ball change and began to toy with the bowling. They would the boundary at will, the inside-edges missed the stumps and the lofted mis-hits fell into gaps. India scored 48 for 0 during the last block of fielding restrictions.

At one stage in seemed as though Sehwag, who had Gambhir running for him because of an injury, had a shot at a double-century. He ran out of steam, though, in the 48th over, almost making good his pledge to bat through the innings.

Kohli, however, moved seamlessly towards a hundred in his first World Cup match. He got there off the penultimate ball of the innings and leapt in celebration, possibly having secured his spot for the rest of the tournament.

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Brendon McCullum laments New Zealand's confidence loss

Brendon McCullum admitted New Zealand have forgotten how to win after the team were hammered by India in their second warm-up match before theWorld Cup

New Zealand recently slumped to a 3-2 defeat in an ODI series at home to Pakistan, and before that were on an 11-game losing streak. They lost by 117 runs to India on February 16, with dreadful bowling in the last 10 overs and a poor run chase underpinning another sloppy defeat.

They open their campaign on Sunday against Kenya and are in dire need of a confidence booster. "We have to face up to the fact that under pressure we aren't performing well. We just aren't getting it done under pressure," McCullum told Radio Sport.

Asked if the team had forgotten how to win, McCullum, who was a sole bright spot during the warm-up game, top-scoring for his team with 58, replied: "That's probably a fair summation. Someone has to flick the switch, somewhere along the line we have to get ourselves across the finishing line and with a W [win] in the column. If we can do that it will start to breed the confidence that we need.

"Until such time that we do that, we are going to somehow have to borrow some confidence to stare down those situations and dream that we are capable of achieving success in those moments."

New Zealand have a reputation for punching above their weight in global tournaments and have reached the semi-final stage five times in the World Cup without ever progressing further. In 2007 they were defeated by Sri Lanka in the semis but to repeat even that performance McCullum insists they need to up their game.

"[The India loss] has definitely dented our confidence a little bit, there's no doubting that. But we can't have that mental blockage or mental baggage heading into this World Cup. We have to ditch that quickly."

The team conceded 114 in the final 10 overs against India and McCullum was less than impressed with the showing. "It's unacceptable. I guess the effort is there but we have to be better than that and that's the brutal truth. We need to turn it around very quickly."

Captain Daniel Vettori missed the match with a hamstring worry but McCullum is confident he will be back in action soon. "It was more precautionary. I saw him running around after the game tonight [Wednesday] and doing a bit of fielding. It looked like he was moving freely."

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India Seek Revenge Against Bangladesh in World Cup 2011 Opener

MIRPUR (Bangladesh): Title aspirants India will have revenge on their minds when they launch their 2011 cricket World Cup campaign against co-hosts Bangladesh in the tournament-opener on Saturday, fully aware that any slip-up could prove costly.

Minnows Bangladesh had ensured India's early exit in the first round of the 2007 edition at the Caribbeans and Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men will be eager to settle the score and kick start their campaign on a positive note at the Shere Bangla National stadium.

Tipped as one of the favourites, the current world number two side, boasts off an exceptionally balanced team, but such a pool of talented players will also pose a few selection questions for skipper Dhoni.

Dhoni though seems to have sorted out his problem of plenty in the batting department when he tipped Virat Kohli ahead of Suresh Raina after their second warm-up match against New Zealand.

"The number four slot is very important for us. Right now it is a slot war. It is the number four slot where Kohli needs to bat with Gautam Gambhir at number three," Dhoni said.

"Kohli is sort of a player who likes to spend little bit of time early and then go after the bowlers. Still, there is a bit of chance where Virat may get an edge over (Suresh) Raina seeing the current form he is in," he added.

Dhoni also hinted that he would stand by Yuvraj Singh as his ability to spin the ball away makes him an asset to the team even though currently he is a bit short of runs.

"We are playing with four bowlers. A part-time spinner is really important especially if it is a left-arm away going spinner. That's the one big advantage he (Yuvraj) has got over others," Dhoni said.

The explosive batting line-up will be marshalled by Sachin Tendulkar, who would be participating in his sixth World Cup this time around and the senior batsmen will look to give India a flying start with Virender Sehwag.

Gautam Gambhir will be next, while the middle-order also looks rock solid with Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan -- all capable of playing big-shots and also rotating the strike.

In their second and last warm-up game, India scored a mammoth 360 against New Zealand and it will give a lot of confidence to the batsmen, especially skipper Dhoni and Gambhir, who hit an unbeaten 108 and 89 respectively.

Kohli and Raina also cracked half-centuries against New Zealand and Dhoni would be hoping his boys continue the good work.

In the bowling department, Dhoni will have to pick his options carefully since India is going with a four-pronged attack.

Indian spinners Harbhajan Singh and surprise inclusion Piyush Chawla have taken five and six wickets in the last two warm-up games. Even R Ashwin and part-time spinner Yuvraj scalped two and three wickets respectively.

In contrast, the pacers have struggled with Ashish Nehra claiming two and Praveen Kumar's replacement S Sreesanth taking one wicket, while Munaf Patel remaining wicketless in the warm-up matches.

But with pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who didn't feature in the two warm-up ties because of a minor niggle, returning to action on Saturday, a much better performance can be expected from the seamers.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have so far been content with an odd upset and have been generally looked upon as underachievers but the tigers would look to shrug off that tag when they lock horns with India at home.

Though they have just five victories from 20 World Cup matches to show, Bangladesh has the distinction of beating Pakistan on debut during the 1999 edition and ousting India and defeating South Africa four years ago.

Skippered by Shakib-Al-Hasan, Bangladesh have a few good batsmen in talented Mohammad Ashraful, the pint-sized dynamic opener Tamim Iqbal and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Besides, captain Shakib-Al-Hasan, himself, ranks number one in the ICC's all-rounders list and knows how to wield the willow.

Bangladesh won their first warm-up match against Canada but lost to Pakistan in the second tie. However, their openers Tamim and Imrul Kayes have got runs under their belt in the two matches.

Though their pace attack will lack the fire-power of speedster Mashrafe Mortaza, 21-year-old pacer Rubel Hossain had claimed five wickets in the warm-up matches.

Besides, Bangladesh also have some good tweakers in left-arm slow bowlers Shakib and Abdur Razzaq, who can get handy support from many other part-timers.

Bangladesh can also take heart from the fact that they came into the tournament after having made a clean sweep against New Zealand, a full-fledged Test playing country and defeating Zimbabwe 3-1 at home, where they will play all their six league games.

Teams (from):

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo.

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony News

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony

Fourteen captains rode around the arena in cycle-rickshaws and breathtaking laser shows simulated the experience of the 22-yard pitch as the cricket World Cup got off to a rousing start here Thursday evening, showcasing the diverse cultures of the three South Asian neighbours co-hosting the mega event.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the tournament open by placing her hand on a palm scanner which triggered off a high-voltage fireworks display much to the joy of around 25,000 spectators at the packed Bangabandhu Stadium here.

"I declare the ICC World Cup open," said Hasina, hoping the mega event would help strengthen fraternal ties between the cricketing countries and said Bangladesh felt privileged to co-host the big event.

ICC president Sharad Pawar called it a "historic" day and said the tournament would be ever etched in the memory of the people.

The world's cricketing celebrities will now engage in a tussle for supremacy at 13 venues spread over the three nations which will stage 49 games involving the 14 participating nations with the grand finale April 2 in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.


The 135-minute opening ceremony, that began with the rendering of the Bangladesh national anthem "Amar Sonar Bangla" composed by nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, kept the spectators at the stadium and millions others watching it on television spellbound.



In a fine mix of technology and tradition, laser shows and cycle rickshaws took the centrestage, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams belted out his popular numbers including "Cuts like a knife", "Summer of 69" and "Eighteen till I die", while Indian singer Sonu Nigam rendered his self-composed English song "Rise for glory". Bangladesh-based Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin also sang their age-old numbers to enthrall the crowd during the programme stitched together by over 3,500 artistes.


The cycle rickshaw, the common man's transport in Bangladesh, brought the mascot "Stumpy" into the stadium followed by the 14 captains.

The stadium got bathed in yellow light, as Australian captain Ricky Ponting was the first to arrive on a colourful and embellished rickshaw that was brightly illuminated in white light.

The other captains then followed in an alphabetical order, with the flag of their nations fluttering from each vehicle. The biggest cheers were reserved for Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al Hassan, whose rickshaw made up the rear of the caravan.

A brief audio-visual presentation recalled the golden moments of the preceding ICC World Cups, before a laser show depicted the kite, and gave a simulated cricketing experience. It made use of a nearby 24-storey edifice "Shilpa Bank Bhavan" as the World Cup trophy seemed to descend on the ground from the building.


Each of the co-hosts then gave a presentation on their rich and diverse culture. Indian artistes showcased various festivals including the Holi as the popular song Rang De Basanti played in the background. The performers also formed a diya.


The Sri Lankan artists created a sea in the center of the arena as the island nation was projected as the pearl of the Indian ocean.

The Bangladesh presentation depicted the war of liberation, as a taped video speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding father, was played.


Bangladesh's language movement that saw the martyrdom of three students for the sake of their mothertongue was shown besides the tribal dances of Chakmas, Rakaines, Marmas, Shautals and Garos.

The Bengali New Year was also brought alive through song, dance and visual effects.


Compositions of Tagore and other celebrated Bengali composers made for a soothing experience as the audience listened in rapt attention, frequently joining in the chorus.



As the ceremony drew to a close, Indian composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy performed the official World Cup anthem "De ghuma ke" in three languages - Hindi, Sinhalese and Bengali.



The action now shifts to the cricket field. Come Saturday and co-hosts India and Bangladesh will clash here, a day before Sri Lanka take on lowly Canada in Colombo.


Read more at: http://english.samaylive.com/sports-news/cricket/world-cup-2011/676482594/icc-cricket-world-cup-2011-opening-ceremony.html?cp

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Akhtar, Akmal dope-tested ahead of ICC World Cup 2011

 Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were amongst the first players to be taken for random dope testing ahead of the ICC World Cup 2011, according to a source.

35-year-old Akhtar and 29-year-old Akmal were tested after a practice session on Wednesday by the International Cricket Council's drug inspectors, the source said.

"It's normal to test players before and during a tournament," SAMAA TV quoted the source, as saying.
"Nothing fishy about it. Others will also be tested," he added.

Akhtar, who has been recalled for the World Cup after being out of action for a major part of the last three years due to a spate of injuries, had tested positive for a banned drug nandrolone in 2006.

Pakistan face England in a practice match in the Bangladeshi town of Fatullah on Friday, where the ageing Akhtar needs to perform to show his fitness level, before Pakistan's World Cup opener against Kenya on February 23. (ANI)

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WC will be our biggest gift to Tendulkar: Dhoni

"We all love Tendulkar a lot. Most probably it is his last World Cup although we all want him to play many more World Cups. But practically speaking it seems impossible," Dhoni said. © AFP 

New Delhi: As Sachin Tendulkar gears up to play probably his last ICC World Cup 2011, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian cricket team is desperate to make it a special one for him by gifting the champion batsman the trophy which has eluded the side for 28 years. In his two-decade long illustrious career, during which he has featured in five World Cups since 1992, Tendulkar has virtually every batting record under his belt but a world title is the only trophy which is missing from his cupboard.

And Dhoni said his team will do whatever it takes to make it a memorable tournament for Tendulkar, who is approaching 38.

"We all love him (Tendulkar) a lot. Most probably it is his last World Cup although we all want him to play many more World Cups. But practically speaking it seems impossible," Dhoni told reporters during a promotional event.

"So, that (the World Cup trophy) can be the biggest gift from the team to him," he said.

"We believe in each others' talent and we have a very good team. The environment in the dressing room is very good. And if we perform to our potential we have a very good chance of winning (the World Cup)," Dhoni added.

Dhoni termed the 2007 inaugural World Twenty20 title in South Africa as the biggest achievement of his captaincy career so far, but refused to make any predictions for the upcoming mega-event.

"It (World Twenty20 title) is the most memorable moment of my career since I made my debut in 2004 and it will always be there up in the league.

"But I don't want to make any predictions for the (ODI) World Cup. I can only assure all that we will give our best. We play one game at a time. So at present I am just thinking about the Bangladesh game (on February 19 in Dhaka)," he said.

Dhoni also hailed the format of this year's World Cup and said it is a welcome change from the 2007 edition.

In this year's World Cup, 14 teams are divided into two groups of seven from where top four from each group will qualify for the quarterfinals unlike the 2007 edition, where 16 teams first competed in a pool stage, then a "super 8" stage, followed by semifinals and a final.

"It is a good format for us. It is a bit of relief from 2007. Here even if you lose a few games you have a chance to get into the quarterfinals," Dhoni said.

"But it will be about playing consistent cricket. Whoever plays consistent cricket in the tournament will get into the knockout stage," he added.

Four years ago in the West Indies, weighed down by the pressure of expectations, India crashed out of the World Cup at the preliminary stage but Dhoni insisted that the present outfit is well prepared to handle the burden in the upcoming event.

"Now we call pressure added responsibility. We know the expectation level is high but we are prepared for it because we knew for long that the World Cup will be held in India. Expectations is something which is beyond our control," Dhoni said.

The Indian skipper was also satisfied with the 15 players he has got for the tournament.

"I am really happy with the squad. I know I am the lone wicket-keeper in the team but it is not a worrying factor. If anything major happens to me, we can always bring in the reserve wicket-keeper as it is happening in India. But one wicket-keeper gives us the liberty of having one more variation in the side," Dhoni said.

"We also have variety in our bowling department. We have not got express fast bowlers but we have got decent bowlers who are very skillful," he said.

Dhoni differed with England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who criticised the scheduling of the World Cup for having long gaps between matches.

"It is difficult to get a perfect schedule but I am quite happy with the schedule. Some of our players have got a few niggles and the gap will help them to recover," Dhoni said.

With the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) to be implemented in the tournament from the last eight round, the Indian captain said the teams will have to do their homework on the subject.

"We have done our background check although we have not used it (UDRS). It's not that every team will be pleased with the system at the end of the day but we need to do our homework right," Dhoni said.

Dhoni also expressed his disappointment at not playing at the Eden Gardens where the hosts were scheduled to take on England on February 27. The fixture has been shifted to Bangalore because of Eden's unpreparedness.

"Playing in the Eden Gardens before one lakh people is always special. We will miss the passionate Kolkata crowd but it is out of our control," Dhoni said.

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Hosts to play World Cup knockouts at home

The three teams jointly hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh - will get to play their knockout matches, should they make it that far, at home venues irrespective of where they finish in their group. However, if two of the host nations draw each other in the knockout stages, the team placed higher in the pre-tournament seeding - frozen about a year ago - will get preference. 

If, for example, India make it to the quarters, they will play their match in Ahmedabad (one of the four venues) even if they draw Sri Lanka because India were better placed better when the teams were seeded. With the final scheduled in India, it ensures they will play at home in whatever knockout matches they qualify for. 

Sri Lanka will play India away, but Bangladesh and other teams at home. Bangladesh will play away if they are to draw any other host nation in the quarter-finals, but will get a home game if they are playing any other team. 

These rules imply that the match schedule for the knockout stages will not be known until the fate of the three host teams becomes clear. An ICC source said that the knockout schedule, as it is planned, has the potential to affect the tournament's logistics and other organisational aspects. "The knockout stages can't be sorted out until the last group game, which is India versus West Indies in Chennai on March 20. Everything will be clear only after that," the source said. 

Two of the four quarter-finals are scheduled to be played in Mirpur, and one each in Ahmedabad and Colombo. If all three hosts make it to the quarters, and don't draw each other, the scheduling will be simple: India's match in Ahmedabad, Sri Lanka's in Colombo, Bangladesh's in Mirpur, and the fourth quarter in Mirpur as well.

The league stage will feature two groups of seven each, with the top four from each progressing to the quarters. India and Bangladesh are in the same group, so they will not meet each other in the quarters.

The traditional formula will be followed to determine who plays whom in quarter-finals, wherein the team finishing at the top of Group A meets the team finishing fourth in Group B (by extension A1 v B4, A2 v B3, A3 v B2, A4 v B1). 

Mohali and Colombo will host the semi-finals, and there too the host teams will have the preference of playing at home. The match-ups will be decided according to the schedule, and the winner of the first quarter-final will meet the winner of the third quarter-final. The winners of the quarter-finals in Mirpur will face each other in one of the semi-finals, and the other two winners in the other. So, in a hypothetical scenario, if India and Sri Lanka play their quarter-finals in their respective countries and win their matches, they will play each other in Mohali. 

The format is similar to the 1992 World Cup where New Zealand would have had to travel to Sydney had they drawn Australia for the semi-final. As it turned out, Australia failed to make it that far, and New Zealand played their semi in Auckland. 

However, the 1996 World Cup, played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, didn't have any such provision in place: the match-ups and venues were pre-decided. India finished third in their group with a lead of two points over fourth-placed West Indies. Had India finished fourth, they would have had to travel to Karachi to play the third quarter-final, against South Africa who finished first in their group. As it turned out, India drew Pakistan in the second quarter-final, scheduled for Bangalore. 

In the subsequent World Cups, Super Sixes and Super Eights replaced the quarter-finals concept. In 2007, the ICC made sure the schedule of the Super Eights wouldn't change according to where the teams finished in their group stages, thus making it simpler for the fans to book tickets for their teams' matches well in advance. 

News Source : ESPN Cricinfo

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