MATCH - 11 , INDIA VS ENGLAND

It was so far the most exciting encounter in world cup, where host India faced England.





Although current form and home conditions made India favorite but the match ends up in a tie.
Batting first India was expected to put an immense total on board specially with no Stuart Broad in English side.

The opening partnership was good till Sehwag produced an edge to wicketkeeper on the bowling on Bresnan.Sehwag scored fast 35 runs on 26 balls including 6 fours.Then held a big partnership between Sachin and Gambhir. Both played sensibly and maturely specially against Englad spin attack including Yardy and Swann.

Sachin guided Indian inning and completed his 47 th ODI century. He scored 120 runs on 115 balls including 10 fours and 5 mighty sixes.After reaching 50 run mark, he entertained spectators by butchering England spin attack. He planted 2 consecutive sixes to Swann in his 3rd spell.

India then lost the wicket of Gambhir who scored 51 runs on 61 balls including 5 fours.
Yuvraj then came out on ground then Virat Kohli , leaving every one in surprise.But the trick worked as he scored 58 runs on 50 balls including 9 fours.

Sachin after his century tried to push the tempo and lost his wicket to Anderson during batting powerplay .When India looking comfortable for 350+ scores, it was Bresnon who spoil the party by picking 5 wickets.

Anderson and Swann were turning out to be a big disappointment for England team. India ended up with a total of 338 on board.

Chasing a big total a solid start was needed as so given by England openers.Munaf patel cause the first blow by dismiss Peterson(31 runs on 22 balls including 5 fours). Andrew Strauss was pick of England batting scored 158 runs on 145 balls including 18 fours and 1 big six.

The match was looking completely England way but then came a ripping last spell of Zaheer Khan ,which brought India back into the game . Match then went till last over in which England needed 14 runs but then a six to Munaf changed the equations and match ended up in tie.



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Match no.8 , AUS v NZ - current updates

Match 8 of world cup and arch rivals New Zealand and Australia facing each other.

Both the teams have registered impressive victories in their last match of world cup.Australia after lossing the toss , asked for bowling first by Vittori.Opener B.Mc Cullum started the inning in his own fashion but not for a long time. He was caught by kreza on the bowling of Shawn Tait.Martin Guptil then tried to build a strong partnership with Rider. After devolping a small partnership Rider edged a Beauty by Johnson who is the pick of bowler for Australia till now.

After lossing the wicket of Rider ,the New Zealand middle order collapsed with Styris and Franklin dismissed for duck.



The lower order then show some spirit and added valuable runs. Nathen McCullum and Vittori added 52(3 fours) and 44(5 fours) respectively.But when both were looking good, Ricki Ponting bring Johnson back to attack and equations changed dramatically.

The New Zealand team put up a total of 206 runs in 45.1 overs and credit goes to Australian pace bowling attack.

Johnson picks 4 wickets in his 9.1 overs on 33 runs while Tait picks 3 wickets in his 7 overs for 35 runs.

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MATCH-7 , S.AFRICA VS WEST INDIES

Finally we have 2 giants in the field , opening their World cup account. The match 7 of world cup was between S.Africa and West Indies (2 strong contenders of cup).







West Indies batting first lost their key opening batsman(Chris Gayle) early. It was brave move by captain Smith to bring his spinner in the very first over to get rid of this left hand opener and Botha did so .

West Indies inning was then pillared by D.Bravo, who scored 73 runs on 82 balls including 8 fours and 1 six.But their couple of key players including Ramnaresh Sarwan and Pollard bring disappointment as they scored just 2 and 0 respectively.West Indies middle order did hang for a bit but no one put a big score.

Dwayne Bravo continued the good work of his brother by scoring 40 runs on 37 balls including 1 four and 3 sixes.West Indian tail batsmen did not cause any trouble for African bowlers and lost their wickets easily.

African bowling attack was lead by fast bowler Dale Stayn and Morne Morkle. Africa came out with a surprise decision of having 3 spinners in playing 11, including new off-spinner Imran Tahir.Their decision goes right with Imran and Botha picked 4 and 2 wickets each.

The new off-spiner was impressive and picked 4 crucial wickets including Chanderpaul and Sarwan.

Chasing a small total of 223 in 50 overs, South Africa lost Hashim Amla and Kallis in quick succession.Then came a big partnership between Smith and De Villiars.De Villiars scored unbeaten century, he scored 107 runs on 105 balls including 8 fours and 2 sixes.J P Duminy also played handy in later part of the inning scoring 42 runs on 53 bowls including 1 four .

MAN OF THE MATCH- A.B. DE VILLIARS


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MATCH-6 , PAKISTAN VS KENYA

Another day in world cup but same result . Again a big team of tournament just rolled over another minnows and fruitless journey of world cup 2011 is continuous.








Match 6 of world cup was between Pakistan and Kenya, where Pakistan register a big win of 205 runs. Pakistan after choose to bat first ,lost its opener in quick succession and seems crumbling but then came Yunis khan and Misbah ul Haq .Both these middle order batsmen then start snailing their team, using their vast experience and completed their half-centuries in quick succession.

Akmal brothers also contributed with half centuries each. Umar Akmal was top scorer with 71 runs on 52 balls, including 8 fours and 1 six.

Chasing a total of 318 in 50 overs , the game turn out to be a practice session for Pakistani bowlers. It was a fair chance for Pak bowlers to improve their bowling figures and so captain Afridi did. Afridi claimed 5 wickets and became the best bowler of world cup 2011 so far.

Collins obuya was top scorer for Kenya team with 47 runs on 58 balls including 3 fours and 4 sixes.

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MATCH 5, ENGLAND VS NETHERLANDS

We almost have 1st big upset in world cup 2011 on day 4 in a close encounter between England and Netherlands. In a exciting match between 2 European countries England clinch the match , thanks to their long, experienced batting line up.



Batting first Netherlands put a competitive total of 292 on the board. Ryan ten Doeschate was the hero of Dutch batting, as he used to be many times. He played a wonderful knock of 119 on 110 balls including 9 fours and 3 sixes before losing his wicket to Stuart Broad.

Dutch inning was also helped by the handy knocks of Tom cooper(47 on 73 bals) and captain Peter Borren(35 on 24 balls).

None of the English bowler (except Swann), was impressive on a dull and slow pitch,they were hammered by dutch batsmen all over the ground. The bad bowling performance was then joined by some very lazy fielding with Swann and Broad joining the party by dropping easy chances. Fielders have given 30-40 extra runs as admitted by Captain Andrew Strauss later.

With a competitive total on the board England start proceedings with their new opening pair of Peterson and Strauss. With the better experience and better batting line up England start snailing impressively, losing regular wickets after good partnerships.

Run getters among English team were Captain Andrew Strauss(88 for 83 balls including 9 fours) and Jonathan Trott(62 for 65).

Although the match goes till last overs but England was always looking comfortable. Collingwood and Ravi Bopara ended the match by adding 30 runs each.

Although Netherlands side lost the match but they must be prideful of what they have achieve. They simply prove that they are not minnows here and can upset any good team in the tournament.

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