Graeme Swann said a congested England fixture list was no reason for the side's stuttering World Cup campaign as they prepared for a make-or-break clash against the West Indies on Thursday.
England came into the event on the back of a gruelling Ashes tour - where they defeated Australia 3-1 but were then thrashed 6-1 in the one-dayers - and had just a three-day turnaround before heading out to the subcontinent.
"We do live in the middle of a ludicrous cricket schedule but it's no excuse," said England off-spinner Swann. "For a start half the other teams in the world follow a very similar schedule which I feel is equally as ludicrous but I'm certainly not going to turn around and say that's why we're not playing well and whinge and worry.
"A modicum of perspective says that we're in the most privileged position going. An earthquake and tsunami has just killed thousands of people in one part of the world (Japan) and in New Zealand. If I was to sit here and say 'oh my God these five-star hotels and all this travel', it's our job. It's our lot.
"If it's an issue then the only option is to retire from international cricket and go and play county cricket. It's very hard to do day in and day out but that's what we strive for because we have to. It would certainly be easier if we played 20 less games a year, those games that nobody cares about.
"It would probably make things a bit easier and keep the standard of world cricket higher but I'm not on the ICC (International Cricket Council) committee and it's my own personal view, not that of the team," Swann stressed.
Defeats by Ireland and Bangladesh have left England needing to beat the West Indies at the very least and then hope other results go their way if they are to reach the knockout stages.
"When we go one up in a Test series we tend to have a stinker before pulling out all the stops to play our best cricket," Swann explained. "It's been the same in one-day cricket and it's something we have to do now otherwise we're back home."
There is a widespread view within all sections of English cricket that, having won the Ashes, England have achieved their primary goal of the 2010/11 season and that the World Cup simply does not matter as much.
But Swann, recalling his hurt as a 10-year-old watching England being beaten by Pakistan in the 1992 final, was adamant the players cared about this event. "Anyone who points a finger at this team and says it just doesn't give a toss and wants to go home, I would take serious umbrage with."
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
England World Cup on line against Windies
England head into their final Group B match against the West Indies on Thursday knowing defeat will send them crashing out of the World Cup. Even victory may not be enough for Andrew Strauss's men to go through to the knockout stages, with England having to rely on other results going their way.
A see-saw tournament for England has seen them lose to Ireland and Bangladesh yet tie with India and beat a highly fancied South Africa side.
Significantly, that win over the Proteas came at Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium, where England held their nerve on a sharply turning pitch to win a low-scoring thriller by six runs.
Now they will look to off-spinner Graeme Swann to again put the squeeze on the batsmen in a match that is not quite as decisive for the West Indies, who return to the Chidambaram three days later for a group finale against India.
"It does give things a certain amount of clarity," said Swann, all but unplayable at times while taking one for 29 against South Africa. "If we win four games, we win the World Cup which is very simple. If we'd won our first four games it would have been a much nicer position to be in but there's no point in looking back. It all comes down to Thursday."
Swann, who in his first over in Test cricket took two wickets against India in Chennai in 2008, added: "I hope the wicket is similar to the South African one. If I could roll it up and take it around with me, I happily would."
However, he warned: "The West Indies have got Sulieman Benn, who is a fine spin bowler in my opinion." England's preparations suffered a setback Tuesday when skipper Strauss and fast bowler James Anderson both missed training due to illness.
But if the struggling Anderson were ruled out of Thursday's game, it could spare England the embarrassment of having to drop the Ashes-winning star. The West Indies have two big-hitting batsmen in opener Chris Gayle and the in-form Kieron Pollard who can change the momentum of a match in a short space of time.
Pollard hammered 94 off just 55 balls as the West Indies beat Ireland by 44 runs last time out and it was an innings the all-rounder hopes has rid him of the tag of being 'just' a Twenty20 cricketer.
"What's been said about me being a 20-over specialist, that's just history for me now," Pollard, 23, said.
"I had an opportunity to prove myself and there cannot be a bigger stage than the World Cup to do that. My innings showed what I can do. I will use this as a positive."
The good news for the West Indies is that either a win against England or India will see them into the quarter-finals and even two defeats may not be enough to end their World Cup.
A see-saw tournament for England has seen them lose to Ireland and Bangladesh yet tie with India and beat a highly fancied South Africa side.
Significantly, that win over the Proteas came at Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium, where England held their nerve on a sharply turning pitch to win a low-scoring thriller by six runs.
Now they will look to off-spinner Graeme Swann to again put the squeeze on the batsmen in a match that is not quite as decisive for the West Indies, who return to the Chidambaram three days later for a group finale against India.
"It does give things a certain amount of clarity," said Swann, all but unplayable at times while taking one for 29 against South Africa. "If we win four games, we win the World Cup which is very simple. If we'd won our first four games it would have been a much nicer position to be in but there's no point in looking back. It all comes down to Thursday."
Swann, who in his first over in Test cricket took two wickets against India in Chennai in 2008, added: "I hope the wicket is similar to the South African one. If I could roll it up and take it around with me, I happily would."
However, he warned: "The West Indies have got Sulieman Benn, who is a fine spin bowler in my opinion." England's preparations suffered a setback Tuesday when skipper Strauss and fast bowler James Anderson both missed training due to illness.
But if the struggling Anderson were ruled out of Thursday's game, it could spare England the embarrassment of having to drop the Ashes-winning star. The West Indies have two big-hitting batsmen in opener Chris Gayle and the in-form Kieron Pollard who can change the momentum of a match in a short space of time.
Pollard hammered 94 off just 55 balls as the West Indies beat Ireland by 44 runs last time out and it was an innings the all-rounder hopes has rid him of the tag of being 'just' a Twenty20 cricketer.
"What's been said about me being a 20-over specialist, that's just history for me now," Pollard, 23, said.
"I had an opportunity to prove myself and there cannot be a bigger stage than the World Cup to do that. My innings showed what I can do. I will use this as a positive."
The good news for the West Indies is that either a win against England or India will see them into the quarter-finals and even two defeats may not be enough to end their World Cup.
Zaheer remains India's pace enforcer
With 12 wickets so far, Zaheer Khan is the leading fast bowler at the World Cup and India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's go-to man when the going gets tough for the hosts.
At the World Cup, where there have been constant question marks over the staying power of India's attack, Dhoni has turned to the burly left-armer whose mastery of the ball is matched by the ferocity of his character. The 32-year-old, however, prefers to keep a low profile. "I'm enjoying the space I am in," he said.
"There's a lot more responsibility and I have no issues going to sleep with this pressure. I'm ready for the next day. I have to lead by example, which I find challenging." The bowler's calm disposition was on show during the tied game against England in Bangalore.
Zaheer was taken for 40 runs in his first five overs by rampaging England batsmen but he did not lose heart. Bowling in his second spell, an inspired Zaheer cleaned up Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell off successive deliveries to bring India back into the game. His 12 wickets from five games put him ahead of fast bowling rivals Dale Steyn of South Africa, who has 10, and fiery Australian Shaun Tait on eight.
Zaheer's control, nagging line and length and ability to reverse swing the old ball have often led to comparisons with legendary Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram.
Zaheer may not be as skilled as Akram but he has definitely carried India's pace attack, grabbing 264 wickets from 187 one-day internationals at an average of just over 29.
That Zaheer is indispensable was evident in the three-wicket defeat against South Africa. The Baroda seamer gave away just four runs in what turned out to be penultimate over of the match before Zaheer's pace partner Ashish Nehra conceded 16 to let the game slip from India's hands. Dhoni summed up Zaheer's effectiveness.
"It's not that whenever Zaheer plays, he gets wickets," said Dhoni. "But with his amount of experience, he always has a back-up plan ready in case the first strategy doesn't work."
Zaheer's journey to the top has not been without its share of ups and downs. A shoulder surgery in 2009 threatened to cut short his career but he fought back to emerge as a stronger and more competitive bowler.
At the World Cup, where there have been constant question marks over the staying power of India's attack, Dhoni has turned to the burly left-armer whose mastery of the ball is matched by the ferocity of his character. The 32-year-old, however, prefers to keep a low profile. "I'm enjoying the space I am in," he said.
"There's a lot more responsibility and I have no issues going to sleep with this pressure. I'm ready for the next day. I have to lead by example, which I find challenging." The bowler's calm disposition was on show during the tied game against England in Bangalore.
Zaheer was taken for 40 runs in his first five overs by rampaging England batsmen but he did not lose heart. Bowling in his second spell, an inspired Zaheer cleaned up Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell off successive deliveries to bring India back into the game. His 12 wickets from five games put him ahead of fast bowling rivals Dale Steyn of South Africa, who has 10, and fiery Australian Shaun Tait on eight.
Zaheer's control, nagging line and length and ability to reverse swing the old ball have often led to comparisons with legendary Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram.
Zaheer may not be as skilled as Akram but he has definitely carried India's pace attack, grabbing 264 wickets from 187 one-day internationals at an average of just over 29.
That Zaheer is indispensable was evident in the three-wicket defeat against South Africa. The Baroda seamer gave away just four runs in what turned out to be penultimate over of the match before Zaheer's pace partner Ashish Nehra conceded 16 to let the game slip from India's hands. Dhoni summed up Zaheer's effectiveness.
"It's not that whenever Zaheer plays, he gets wickets," said Dhoni. "But with his amount of experience, he always has a back-up plan ready in case the first strategy doesn't work."
Zaheer's journey to the top has not been without its share of ups and downs. A shoulder surgery in 2009 threatened to cut short his career but he fought back to emerge as a stronger and more competitive bowler.
Pakistan's Waqar wants Aussie scalp
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said a win over defending champions Australia in their final group match would give his team enormous confidence heading into their World Cup quarter-final.
The 1992 champions eased into the last eight with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Monday and play their last match against Australia, who are on an unbeaten 33-match streak in the World Cup, on Saturday. Waqar said victory over Ricky Ponting's men in Colombo would serve a dual purpose.
"They are such a big team, world champs, and haven't lost for ages," said Waqar of Australia, whose last World Cup defeat came at the hands of Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.
He said topping Group A would mean playing the number four team in Group B "whose morale would be down, but for me the bigger thing is the momentum."
Pakistan, with eight points from five matches, are second in Group A, behind New Zealand on net run-rate. Sri Lanka and Australia have also reached the quarter-finals.
Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 151-7 before rain curtailed Zimbabwe's innings. Set a revised target of 162 in 38 overs, Pakistan won on the back of an undefeated 78 by Asad Shafiq. Waqar said Pakistan must carry on winning.
"If you beat Australia, you leave a mark, you can look at the next matches and teams will think twice about playing against you," said Waqar, whose country has reached the second round for the first time since 1999.
"It is pleasing, but the kind of team we had it was expected we would get to the quarters. To say that we have achieved a lot here because we didn't qualify the last two times would be wrong," said Waqar, captain of the team in 2003.
Pakistan also exited in the first round of the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies. Waqar said the knockout stage would be a big challenge. "The real game starts now, the game of nerves, the pressure game. Our next game is the most important game, because from there when you jump into the quarters we need to get some momentum."
Waqar said his plan would be simple against Australia. "The strategy will be very similar - try to play 50 overs first, pile up a big total first, that's the key. And then, when you look at bowling sides around the world, I think we have a fairly good bowling side," said Waqar.
Waqar said Pakistan's successful run chase against Zimbabwe - their first in a World Cup match since beating New Zealand in the 1999 semi-final, was an achievement. "I didn't know that we had never chased in the Word Cup since 1999. It is an achievement without a doubt. We played a lot more sensibly. Shafiq made a bit of a difference. He is very compact and a cricketer for the future," said Waqar of the 25-year-old.
The 1992 champions eased into the last eight with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Monday and play their last match against Australia, who are on an unbeaten 33-match streak in the World Cup, on Saturday. Waqar said victory over Ricky Ponting's men in Colombo would serve a dual purpose.
"They are such a big team, world champs, and haven't lost for ages," said Waqar of Australia, whose last World Cup defeat came at the hands of Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.
He said topping Group A would mean playing the number four team in Group B "whose morale would be down, but for me the bigger thing is the momentum."
Pakistan, with eight points from five matches, are second in Group A, behind New Zealand on net run-rate. Sri Lanka and Australia have also reached the quarter-finals.
Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 151-7 before rain curtailed Zimbabwe's innings. Set a revised target of 162 in 38 overs, Pakistan won on the back of an undefeated 78 by Asad Shafiq. Waqar said Pakistan must carry on winning.
"If you beat Australia, you leave a mark, you can look at the next matches and teams will think twice about playing against you," said Waqar, whose country has reached the second round for the first time since 1999.
"It is pleasing, but the kind of team we had it was expected we would get to the quarters. To say that we have achieved a lot here because we didn't qualify the last two times would be wrong," said Waqar, captain of the team in 2003.
Pakistan also exited in the first round of the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies. Waqar said the knockout stage would be a big challenge. "The real game starts now, the game of nerves, the pressure game. Our next game is the most important game, because from there when you jump into the quarters we need to get some momentum."
Waqar said his plan would be simple against Australia. "The strategy will be very similar - try to play 50 overs first, pile up a big total first, that's the key. And then, when you look at bowling sides around the world, I think we have a fairly good bowling side," said Waqar.
Waqar said Pakistan's successful run chase against Zimbabwe - their first in a World Cup match since beating New Zealand in the 1999 semi-final, was an achievement. "I didn't know that we had never chased in the Word Cup since 1999. It is an achievement without a doubt. We played a lot more sensibly. Shafiq made a bit of a difference. He is very compact and a cricketer for the future," said Waqar of the 25-year-old.
Last chance for Australia to experiment
Australia head into their penultimate group match against Canada on Wednesday knowing it is likely to be the last time in this World Cup they can tinker with their line-up. The reigning champions eased into the quarter-finals with an unconvincing 60-run win against Kenya at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting's decision to bat first and Kenya's spirited effort in making 264 for six in reply to the champions' 324-6 ensured the match went the full 100 overs. The game was Australia's first complete match in more than a fortnight following their no-result washout against co-hosts Sri Lanka.
But several frontline batsmen, including Ponting himself, did not spend as much time in the middle as they would have liked, while all of Australia's spinners went wicketless.
With tougher challenges ahead, Australia may decide to rest one of their pace trio of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and the injury-prone Shaun Tait for the Canada match, with back-up seamer John Hastings champing at the bit.
Australia, bidding for a fourth straight World Cup title and fifth in all, may be the only unbeaten side in this tournament but they have yet to be tested ahead of their final Group A match against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday.
The result of that match could have a major bearing on Australia's quarter-final opponents, with the titleholders' net run-rate - something damaged by Kenya's defiance with the bat - a potential factor. Australia may also alter their batting order against Canada to give the likes of Cameron White, out for just two against Kenya, another chance.
One thing Ponting will want to see on Wednesday is an improved display by his slow bowlers after leg-spinner Steven Smith, off-break bowler Jason Krejza and left-armer Michael Clarke's combined 19 wicketless overs against Kenya cost 93 runs.
"Through those middle overs in this tournament when the ball gets old, and the wicket starts to spin, we are going to need our spinners to strike for us, and that didn't happen against Kenya," Ponting said.
However, Australia did receive a big boost in seeing Michael Hussey mark his first appearance of the tournament with a typically composed fifty. It had seemed the veteran left-hander would miss the World Cup because of hamstring trouble but he was summoned to the subcontinent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
"It looked like he hadn't missed a beat," Ponting said of Hussey, selected instead of younger brother David Hussey. "It's a great sign for us." Canada, who beat Kenya by five wickets for their only win of the tournament so far, should be heartened by their rival associate nation's performance against Ponting's men.
However, they suffered a 97-run thrashing by New Zealand on Sunday with the Black Caps piling up huge total of 358 for six. "We didn't bowl in the right areas and the fielding was probably the worst we had in a long time," said Canada captain Ashish Bagai.
Canada's veteran off-break bowler John Davison will have been heartened by seeing Kenya captain and off-spinner Jimmy Kamande take two wickets against Australia on a Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch offering plenty of turn.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting's decision to bat first and Kenya's spirited effort in making 264 for six in reply to the champions' 324-6 ensured the match went the full 100 overs. The game was Australia's first complete match in more than a fortnight following their no-result washout against co-hosts Sri Lanka.
But several frontline batsmen, including Ponting himself, did not spend as much time in the middle as they would have liked, while all of Australia's spinners went wicketless.
With tougher challenges ahead, Australia may decide to rest one of their pace trio of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and the injury-prone Shaun Tait for the Canada match, with back-up seamer John Hastings champing at the bit.
Australia, bidding for a fourth straight World Cup title and fifth in all, may be the only unbeaten side in this tournament but they have yet to be tested ahead of their final Group A match against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday.
The result of that match could have a major bearing on Australia's quarter-final opponents, with the titleholders' net run-rate - something damaged by Kenya's defiance with the bat - a potential factor. Australia may also alter their batting order against Canada to give the likes of Cameron White, out for just two against Kenya, another chance.
One thing Ponting will want to see on Wednesday is an improved display by his slow bowlers after leg-spinner Steven Smith, off-break bowler Jason Krejza and left-armer Michael Clarke's combined 19 wicketless overs against Kenya cost 93 runs.
"Through those middle overs in this tournament when the ball gets old, and the wicket starts to spin, we are going to need our spinners to strike for us, and that didn't happen against Kenya," Ponting said.
However, Australia did receive a big boost in seeing Michael Hussey mark his first appearance of the tournament with a typically composed fifty. It had seemed the veteran left-hander would miss the World Cup because of hamstring trouble but he was summoned to the subcontinent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
"It looked like he hadn't missed a beat," Ponting said of Hussey, selected instead of younger brother David Hussey. "It's a great sign for us." Canada, who beat Kenya by five wickets for their only win of the tournament so far, should be heartened by their rival associate nation's performance against Ponting's men.
However, they suffered a 97-run thrashing by New Zealand on Sunday with the Black Caps piling up huge total of 358 for six. "We didn't bowl in the right areas and the fielding was probably the worst we had in a long time," said Canada captain Ashish Bagai.
Canada's veteran off-break bowler John Davison will have been heartened by seeing Kenya captain and off-spinner Jimmy Kamande take two wickets against Australia on a Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch offering plenty of turn.
Team comes first for unrewarded Shafiul
It's not often that a match-winning performance on the cricket field gets overlooked when adjudicators decide man of the match awards. But it has happened three times to Bangladesh seamer Shafiul Islam in this World Cup, each time the award going to batsmen who are as surprised as team-mates and fans alike by the choice.
The 21-year-old had put on spirited displays with bat and ball to keep Bangladesh's dream alive of playing in the knock-out rounds of a tournament they are co-hosting for the first time. After Bangladesh were restricted to 205 by Ireland on a good surface in Dhaka, Shafiul produced a burst of 4-21 that helped bowl out the rivals for 178.
Opener Tamim Iqbal, who won the award for making 44 and taking a crucial catch, admitted then that Shafiul deserved the honour more than him. Against England, Bangladesh plunged to 169-8 chasing a modest target of 226, when Shafiul and Mohammad Mahmudullah turned the game on its head by adding 58 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket.
Tailender Shafiul came out swinging to make 24 not out, including the only six of the day in seasoned off-spinner Graeme Swann's final over which cost 16 runs. But the man of the match award went to Imrul Kayes for scoring 60 at the top of the order.
"Shafiul should have got it," said Kayes, who won his second award on Monday against the Netherlands for 73 not out as Bangladesh chased down 160 for the loss of four wickets. Dutch captain Peter Borren credited Bangladesh's success to Shafiul, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs to restrict the rivals to 28-0 by the ninth over.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
The unassuming Shafiul, the son of a grocery shop owner in Bogra town, played down the rebuff from adjudicators. "It's okay, I don't mind it at all," he said. "The important thing is that the team wins. The man of the match is just a tag." For Shafiul, wearing the green Tigers jersey is the ultimate honour. "When I as growing up, I would wear fake Bangladesh shirts while playing in my neighbourhood. I never expected I will wear the real one some day."
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan saluted Shafiul, calling him a vital cog in the team's prospects. "He is one of the most selfless players I have seen," Shakib said. "He is willing to do anything for the team. Of course, he deserved some man of the match awards. "But I am sure he will get some on the way. The tournament is not over yet for us."
Bangladesh are level with the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England, with four teams qualifying for the knockout round. A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday would mean Bangladesh will be through to the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday.
The 21-year-old had put on spirited displays with bat and ball to keep Bangladesh's dream alive of playing in the knock-out rounds of a tournament they are co-hosting for the first time. After Bangladesh were restricted to 205 by Ireland on a good surface in Dhaka, Shafiul produced a burst of 4-21 that helped bowl out the rivals for 178.
Opener Tamim Iqbal, who won the award for making 44 and taking a crucial catch, admitted then that Shafiul deserved the honour more than him. Against England, Bangladesh plunged to 169-8 chasing a modest target of 226, when Shafiul and Mohammad Mahmudullah turned the game on its head by adding 58 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket.
Tailender Shafiul came out swinging to make 24 not out, including the only six of the day in seasoned off-spinner Graeme Swann's final over which cost 16 runs. But the man of the match award went to Imrul Kayes for scoring 60 at the top of the order.
"Shafiul should have got it," said Kayes, who won his second award on Monday against the Netherlands for 73 not out as Bangladesh chased down 160 for the loss of four wickets. Dutch captain Peter Borren credited Bangladesh's success to Shafiul, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs to restrict the rivals to 28-0 by the ninth over.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
The unassuming Shafiul, the son of a grocery shop owner in Bogra town, played down the rebuff from adjudicators. "It's okay, I don't mind it at all," he said. "The important thing is that the team wins. The man of the match is just a tag." For Shafiul, wearing the green Tigers jersey is the ultimate honour. "When I as growing up, I would wear fake Bangladesh shirts while playing in my neighbourhood. I never expected I will wear the real one some day."
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan saluted Shafiul, calling him a vital cog in the team's prospects. "He is one of the most selfless players I have seen," Shakib said. "He is willing to do anything for the team. Of course, he deserved some man of the match awards. "But I am sure he will get some on the way. The tournament is not over yet for us."
Bangladesh are level with the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England, with four teams qualifying for the knockout round. A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday would mean Bangladesh will be through to the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday.
Black Caps riding high on confidence: McCullum
New Zealand are brimming with new-found confidence after three wins on the trot took them into the quarter-finals of the World Cup, says opener Brendon McCullum.
New Zealand hammered Canada by 97 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to become the second team from Group A to sail into the last eight.
"We are slowly starting to play how we want to play and we move into the next game knowing that we have played well over the last couple of games," McCullum said.
"The confidence is starting to seep into the team. That is something we desperately need.
"We are proud of what New Zealand teams have been able to achieve in past World Cups, they consistently gave themselves the opportunity."
The Black Caps made it to the semi-finals twice in the last three World Cups in 1999 and 2007 despite starting as underdogs.
Their build-up to this edition was far from encouraging as they suffered series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Before Sunday, they had defeated Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan but lost against holders Australia.
The manner of their triumph against Canada has now put them in good stead ahead of their last league outing against a strong Sri Lanka side on Friday.
"It was a key victory (against Canada)," said wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum who posted his first World Cup century to set up his team's emphatic win.
"We were able to play to roles we were trying to play to and execute the kind of skills we were hoping to achieve."
"Anytime you win, anytime you perform well, anytime that you get some confidence out of the game, that certainly helps."
"When we came here we had gone through a pretty tough time back home (a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan). But none of that mattered once we arrived here."
"It was a matter of making sure this team was able to go out and play its best cricket, each of us understood our roles."
McCullum said new coach John Wright had been a huge influence behind the scenes.
"Wright has been instrumental. He has been able to offer that experience and confidence to each player. We have seen this New Zealand team operate with a clear role which you can't say about some New Zealand teams in the past."
"The biggest turnaround is that we are going in with more confidence."
New Zealand hammered Canada by 97 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to become the second team from Group A to sail into the last eight.
"We are slowly starting to play how we want to play and we move into the next game knowing that we have played well over the last couple of games," McCullum said.
"The confidence is starting to seep into the team. That is something we desperately need.
"We are proud of what New Zealand teams have been able to achieve in past World Cups, they consistently gave themselves the opportunity."
The Black Caps made it to the semi-finals twice in the last three World Cups in 1999 and 2007 despite starting as underdogs.
Their build-up to this edition was far from encouraging as they suffered series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Before Sunday, they had defeated Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan but lost against holders Australia.
The manner of their triumph against Canada has now put them in good stead ahead of their last league outing against a strong Sri Lanka side on Friday.
"It was a key victory (against Canada)," said wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum who posted his first World Cup century to set up his team's emphatic win.
"We were able to play to roles we were trying to play to and execute the kind of skills we were hoping to achieve."
"Anytime you win, anytime you perform well, anytime that you get some confidence out of the game, that certainly helps."
"When we came here we had gone through a pretty tough time back home (a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan). But none of that mattered once we arrived here."
"It was a matter of making sure this team was able to go out and play its best cricket, each of us understood our roles."
McCullum said new coach John Wright had been a huge influence behind the scenes.
"Wright has been instrumental. He has been able to offer that experience and confidence to each player. We have seen this New Zealand team operate with a clear role which you can't say about some New Zealand teams in the past."
"The biggest turnaround is that we are going in with more confidence."
Bangladesh turn left to outclass Dutch
Bangladesh packed their side with left-handers to whip lethargic Netherlands by six wickets on Monday and stay in contention for the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo, who was brought in to replace off-spinner Naeem Islam, claimed one wicket apiece.
Kayes put on 92 for the second-wicket with Junaid Siddique (35) after opening partner Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Mudassar Bukhari off the fourth ball of the innings without scoring.
Shahriar Nafees, one of the five left-handers at the top of the batting order who replaced right-handed Raqibul Hasan, made 37 in a third-wicket stand of 59 with Kayes.
Kayes, who followed his 60 against England with another half-century, was named man of the match for the second time in a row.
Bangladesh joined the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England.
A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday will enable Bangladesh ease into the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday.
But an unlikely Irish win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Tuesday will once again throw open the quarter-final race from the pool.
A sell-out crowd of 18,000 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium, taking advantage of the public holiday declared for the match in the port city, watched the home side demolish the Dutch.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
Bangladesh, buoyed by their stunning two-wicket win over England on Friday, did not bowl a single wide or no-ball in a disciplined display on the field.
Openers Wesley Barrisi and Eric Szwaraczynski plodded to 28 runs in nine overs, following a tidy opening spell by seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs.
Tom Cooper (29) and Szwaraczynski carried the score to 66-2 by the 23rd over when both batsmen were run out in the space of 13 runs to set the Dutch back again.
Szwaraczynski, who made 28, was unfortunate to be dismissed at the non-striker's end when Shakib deflected a straight drive from Cooper onto the stumps.
Wicket-keeper Musfiqur Rahim, who had dropped Cooper on six, made amends when he lunged for a wide throw from the deep and threw the ball at the stumps before the batsman had regained his crease.
Shuvo had Alexei Kervezee stumped by Rahim for 18, before Razzak dismissed Tom de Grooth and Atse Buurman in three deliveries to reduce the Netherlands to 127-7 in the 38th over.
Skipper Peter Borren and Adeel Raja also ran themselves out, leaving ten Doeschate stranded at the other end.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo, who was brought in to replace off-spinner Naeem Islam, claimed one wicket apiece.
Kayes put on 92 for the second-wicket with Junaid Siddique (35) after opening partner Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Mudassar Bukhari off the fourth ball of the innings without scoring.
Shahriar Nafees, one of the five left-handers at the top of the batting order who replaced right-handed Raqibul Hasan, made 37 in a third-wicket stand of 59 with Kayes.
Kayes, who followed his 60 against England with another half-century, was named man of the match for the second time in a row.
Bangladesh joined the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England.
A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday will enable Bangladesh ease into the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday.
But an unlikely Irish win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Tuesday will once again throw open the quarter-final race from the pool.
A sell-out crowd of 18,000 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium, taking advantage of the public holiday declared for the match in the port city, watched the home side demolish the Dutch.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
Bangladesh, buoyed by their stunning two-wicket win over England on Friday, did not bowl a single wide or no-ball in a disciplined display on the field.
Openers Wesley Barrisi and Eric Szwaraczynski plodded to 28 runs in nine overs, following a tidy opening spell by seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs.
Tom Cooper (29) and Szwaraczynski carried the score to 66-2 by the 23rd over when both batsmen were run out in the space of 13 runs to set the Dutch back again.
Szwaraczynski, who made 28, was unfortunate to be dismissed at the non-striker's end when Shakib deflected a straight drive from Cooper onto the stumps.
Wicket-keeper Musfiqur Rahim, who had dropped Cooper on six, made amends when he lunged for a wide throw from the deep and threw the ball at the stumps before the batsman had regained his crease.
Shuvo had Alexei Kervezee stumped by Rahim for 18, before Razzak dismissed Tom de Grooth and Atse Buurman in three deliveries to reduce the Netherlands to 127-7 in the 38th over.
Skipper Peter Borren and Adeel Raja also ran themselves out, leaving ten Doeschate stranded at the other end.
Borren slams reckless batting after fifth loss
Dutch captain Peter Borren blamed poor batting for the six-wicket loss to Bangladesh on Monday, the fifth consecutive defeat for the minnows in a miserable campaign.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
"We just kept losing wickets at crucial times," said Borren. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one each.
But Borren credited Bangladesh's success to seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs as the Dutch plodded to 28-0 by the ninth.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
Borren conceded his team found it tough to adjust to the slow wicket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium against the home team's spin assault.
"It takes time to get used to spinners on such wickets," he said. "We can't get used to it if we don't stay long enough on it. We kept losing wickets at crucial times. We were trying to form partnerships but failed. We are just not accustomed to playing in these sort of conditions. The guys were trying to play shots but there was no pace on the ball. We just could not deal with it as well as we should have."
The Dutch take on fellow minnows Ireland in their last match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
"We just kept losing wickets at crucial times," said Borren. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one each.
But Borren credited Bangladesh's success to seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs as the Dutch plodded to 28-0 by the ninth.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
Borren conceded his team found it tough to adjust to the slow wicket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium against the home team's spin assault.
"It takes time to get used to spinners on such wickets," he said. "We can't get used to it if we don't stay long enough on it. We kept losing wickets at crucial times. We were trying to form partnerships but failed. We are just not accustomed to playing in these sort of conditions. The guys were trying to play shots but there was no pace on the ball. We just could not deal with it as well as we should have."
The Dutch take on fellow minnows Ireland in their last match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
Aussies ready to ramp up bid for 4th World Cup title: Hussey
Veteran Australian batsman Mike Hussey has said that his side is ready to ramp up their bid for a fourth straight ICC World Cup.
Australia are unbeaten in 33 World Cup matches after a 60-run victory over Kenya in their Group A contest.
Hussey, who returned to the middle-order with a bright 54 of 43 balls against Kenya, said Australia's clash with Pakistan in the final group match marked the real beginning of their title defence.
"Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well," Fox Sports quoted Hussey, as saying.
He added: "We can still get better in a lot of areas and if we keep getting better it should be a great game against Pakistan."
"It wasn't so bad for me but for the boys, I think they've had enough netting. They're pretty keen to get into the real stuff and we've got three games in seven days now so it should be good," Hussey said.
Ponting said he was happy to have his middle-order rock back in the batting line-up.
"Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play," Ponting said.
Australia are unbeaten in 33 World Cup matches after a 60-run victory over Kenya in their Group A contest.
Hussey, who returned to the middle-order with a bright 54 of 43 balls against Kenya, said Australia's clash with Pakistan in the final group match marked the real beginning of their title defence.
"Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well," Fox Sports quoted Hussey, as saying.
He added: "We can still get better in a lot of areas and if we keep getting better it should be a great game against Pakistan."
"It wasn't so bad for me but for the boys, I think they've had enough netting. They're pretty keen to get into the real stuff and we've got three games in seven days now so it should be good," Hussey said.
Ponting said he was happy to have his middle-order rock back in the batting line-up.
"Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play," Ponting said.
Collingwood dismisses retirement talk
England's Paul Collingwood has scotched speculation on his one-day future after coming in to bat at number eight during the World Cup defeat to Bangladesh.
Collingwood quit Tests during the Sydney Test against Australia in January this year to allow himself to focus on one-day internationals and Twenty20 cricket.
The Durham all-rounder, who led England to a famous World Twenty20 triumph last year, has had an unimpressive run in the tournament so far, managing just 61 runs and one wicket from four league matches.
He missed the win over South Africa through injury.
"One reason I retired from Test cricket was to prolong the one-day side of things and I still feel I have major contributions to make," Collingwood, 34, said.
"I'm still the Twenty20 captain. I want to continue that as well. It's not in my mind to even think about things like this (my future)."
Collingwood shrugged off England's topsy-turvy form at the World Cup where they need to beat the West Indies on Thursday to keep up their hopes of a last-eight place.
"I see things developing very much how the Twenty20 did last year in the West Indies. We scraped through the group stages, but once we did we really put our performances together and went on to win it.
"We really need to focus on getting this complete game. You put the whole thing together, and we're a formidable team. We want to do that against the West Indies."
Collingwood said the scheduling of the World Cup, that followed on the heels of a gruelling Ashes and one-day campaign in Australia, was no excuse for their showing so far.
"It's not ideal having two huge series or tournaments together, it's like having two Olympics in the same winter. But we can't make that as an excuse."
"We have to beat the West Indies. It's not all over for us and if we can win four games on the trot we can win the World Cup."
Collingwood has garnered 5,092 runs and 111 wickets from 197 one-day internationals.
Collingwood quit Tests during the Sydney Test against Australia in January this year to allow himself to focus on one-day internationals and Twenty20 cricket.
The Durham all-rounder, who led England to a famous World Twenty20 triumph last year, has had an unimpressive run in the tournament so far, managing just 61 runs and one wicket from four league matches.
He missed the win over South Africa through injury.
"One reason I retired from Test cricket was to prolong the one-day side of things and I still feel I have major contributions to make," Collingwood, 34, said.
"I'm still the Twenty20 captain. I want to continue that as well. It's not in my mind to even think about things like this (my future)."
Collingwood shrugged off England's topsy-turvy form at the World Cup where they need to beat the West Indies on Thursday to keep up their hopes of a last-eight place.
"I see things developing very much how the Twenty20 did last year in the West Indies. We scraped through the group stages, but once we did we really put our performances together and went on to win it.
"We really need to focus on getting this complete game. You put the whole thing together, and we're a formidable team. We want to do that against the West Indies."
Collingwood said the scheduling of the World Cup, that followed on the heels of a gruelling Ashes and one-day campaign in Australia, was no excuse for their showing so far.
"It's not ideal having two huge series or tournaments together, it's like having two Olympics in the same winter. But we can't make that as an excuse."
"We have to beat the West Indies. It's not all over for us and if we can win four games on the trot we can win the World Cup."
Collingwood has garnered 5,092 runs and 111 wickets from 197 one-day internationals.
De Villiers has scan on left thigh injury
South Africa's leading batsman AB de Villiers has undergone a scan on his left thigh after picking up an injury during their World Cup win over India, a team spokesperson said.
The right-handed player has been the most successful batsman for his country in the showpiece event and is currently placed third with 318 runs in the list of highest scorers. He has notched up two hundreds and a half-century from four matches.
"He got a scan done on his thigh. I can't update the details till he gets the scan report," the South African team spokesperson said.
De Villiers needed a runner during his 52-run knock against India on Saturday during South Africa's thrilling three-wicket win against the co-hosts.
The 27-year-old has been in sensational form, hitting back-to-back centuries against West Indies and the Netherlands, but additional wicketkeeping workload has been taking a toll on his back.
He handed over the wicketkeeping duties to Morne van Wyk in South Africa's last two matches, against England and India, to help his ailing back recover.
South Africa play their next Group B match against Ireland on Tuesday at the Eden Gardens.
The right-handed player has been the most successful batsman for his country in the showpiece event and is currently placed third with 318 runs in the list of highest scorers. He has notched up two hundreds and a half-century from four matches.
"He got a scan done on his thigh. I can't update the details till he gets the scan report," the South African team spokesperson said.
De Villiers needed a runner during his 52-run knock against India on Saturday during South Africa's thrilling three-wicket win against the co-hosts.
The 27-year-old has been in sensational form, hitting back-to-back centuries against West Indies and the Netherlands, but additional wicketkeeping workload has been taking a toll on his back.
He handed over the wicketkeeping duties to Morne van Wyk in South Africa's last two matches, against England and India, to help his ailing back recover.
South Africa play their next Group B match against Ireland on Tuesday at the Eden Gardens.
Pakistan into quarters after Zimbabwe win
Former champions Pakistan sailed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a rain-affected Group A match at Pallekele stadium on Monday.
Pakistan, set a revised 162-run target in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula, successfully achieved that in 34.1 overs on the back of an unbeaten 78 by Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez (49).
The victory gave the 1992 winners eight points from five matches and a place in the last eight, sending Zimbabwe packing after the first round. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia make up the other qualifiers from Group A.
The final group standings will depend on the results of the remaining matches in the first phase. The top four teams will also qualify from Group B.
Pakistan's target looked tricky as Zimbabwe bowled a tight line and length. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price (2-21), opening the attack, dismissed opener Ahmed Shahzad (eight) in his second over.
Price and Utseya then bowled two maiden overs before Hafeez and Shafiq - playing his first World Cup match in place of injured Umar Akmal - opened up with some attractive drives.
Hafeez fell one short of his half-century, caught off Utseya after hitting six boundaries during his 65-ball knock. Shahid Afridi promoted himself to number four but managed just three runs. Shafiq and Younis Khan (13 not out) saw Pakistan home. Shafiq hit seven boundaries during his sedate 97-ball knock.
Earlier, seamers Umar Gul (3-36), Abdul Razzaq (1-24) and Wahab Riaz (1-21) removed Zimbabwe's top four for just 43 after Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions. Spinners Afridi and Hafeez, with a wicket each, further derailed Zimbabwe, who at the first rain break were 96-5.
Left-hander Craig Ervine fought a lone battle, hitting a patient 52 off 82 balls with five boundaries for his third ODI fifty, before Hafeez bowled him in his first over. Chigumbura (32 not out) and Prosper Utseya (18) added 48 for the seventh wicket.
Zimbabwe made a disastrous start, losing in-form Brendan Taylor off the fifth ball of the innings, caught off Razzaq by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Gul made it 5-2 when he dismissed Regis Chakabva off the last ball of the second over, before removing Vusimuzi Sibanda (five) shortly afterwards.
Ervine and Tatenda Taibu added 30 for the fourth wicket before Wahab Riaz, in for Shoaib Akhtar, had Taibu caught off a miscued drive at mid-off by Afridi for 19. Zimbabwe play their last match against Kenya on March 20.
Pakistan, set a revised 162-run target in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula, successfully achieved that in 34.1 overs on the back of an unbeaten 78 by Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez (49).
The victory gave the 1992 winners eight points from five matches and a place in the last eight, sending Zimbabwe packing after the first round. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia make up the other qualifiers from Group A.
The final group standings will depend on the results of the remaining matches in the first phase. The top four teams will also qualify from Group B.
Pakistan's target looked tricky as Zimbabwe bowled a tight line and length. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price (2-21), opening the attack, dismissed opener Ahmed Shahzad (eight) in his second over.
Price and Utseya then bowled two maiden overs before Hafeez and Shafiq - playing his first World Cup match in place of injured Umar Akmal - opened up with some attractive drives.
Hafeez fell one short of his half-century, caught off Utseya after hitting six boundaries during his 65-ball knock. Shahid Afridi promoted himself to number four but managed just three runs. Shafiq and Younis Khan (13 not out) saw Pakistan home. Shafiq hit seven boundaries during his sedate 97-ball knock.
Earlier, seamers Umar Gul (3-36), Abdul Razzaq (1-24) and Wahab Riaz (1-21) removed Zimbabwe's top four for just 43 after Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions. Spinners Afridi and Hafeez, with a wicket each, further derailed Zimbabwe, who at the first rain break were 96-5.
Left-hander Craig Ervine fought a lone battle, hitting a patient 52 off 82 balls with five boundaries for his third ODI fifty, before Hafeez bowled him in his first over. Chigumbura (32 not out) and Prosper Utseya (18) added 48 for the seventh wicket.
Zimbabwe made a disastrous start, losing in-form Brendan Taylor off the fifth ball of the innings, caught off Razzaq by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Gul made it 5-2 when he dismissed Regis Chakabva off the last ball of the second over, before removing Vusimuzi Sibanda (five) shortly afterwards.
Ervine and Tatenda Taibu added 30 for the fourth wicket before Wahab Riaz, in for Shoaib Akhtar, had Taibu caught off a miscued drive at mid-off by Afridi for 19. Zimbabwe play their last match against Kenya on March 20.
Pakistan seek confidence boost against Zimbabwe
Smarting from their comprehensive drubbing by New Zealand, Pakistan will want to restore their self-confidence with a big win against Zimbabwe in Monday's World Cup Group A match in Kandy.
Pakistan showed uncharacteristic consistency in the tournament, winning their first three matches before Ross Taylor's sensational century snapped their winning streak.
Kamran Akmal's woeful form behind the wicket remains a major worry for the team even though the management has backed the beleaguered stumper to come good.
Umar Akmal's finger injury is also a concern for the side, which otherwise could have asked him to keep wicket instead.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are wary of a Pakistan backlash and while their spinners are capable of restricting most line-ups, their batsmen would face a tough task against a Pakistani attack that includes Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi.
Both teams will also be concerned with the dark clouds that have hovered above the Pallekele ground all weekend and with rain forecast for Monday, the players might not be able to play out 100 overs.
In Chittagong, a bullish Bangladesh will take on a winless Dutch side in a Group B encounter.
On a high after pulling off an upset against England, Shakib Al Hasan's men are on the hunt for another win that would brighten their quarter-final prospects.
For the Netherlands, their last two group stage matches, against Bangladesh and Ireland (March 18), provide them with their best chance of finishing the tournament with at least one victory.
Pakistan showed uncharacteristic consistency in the tournament, winning their first three matches before Ross Taylor's sensational century snapped their winning streak.
Kamran Akmal's woeful form behind the wicket remains a major worry for the team even though the management has backed the beleaguered stumper to come good.
Umar Akmal's finger injury is also a concern for the side, which otherwise could have asked him to keep wicket instead.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are wary of a Pakistan backlash and while their spinners are capable of restricting most line-ups, their batsmen would face a tough task against a Pakistani attack that includes Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi.
Both teams will also be concerned with the dark clouds that have hovered above the Pallekele ground all weekend and with rain forecast for Monday, the players might not be able to play out 100 overs.
In Chittagong, a bullish Bangladesh will take on a winless Dutch side in a Group B encounter.
On a high after pulling off an upset against England, Shakib Al Hasan's men are on the hunt for another win that would brighten their quarter-final prospects.
For the Netherlands, their last two group stage matches, against Bangladesh and Ireland (March 18), provide them with their best chance of finishing the tournament with at least one victory.
Rahim praises Bangladesh bowlers
Bangladesh wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim praised his side for tight bowling and fielding in restricting the Netherlands to just 160 in their crucial World Cup Group B clash on Monday.
The Dutch won the toss and opted to bat but slumped to 160 all out in 46.2 overs despite 53 not out from the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate. Abdur Razzak was the pick of the bowlers, with 3-29 from his 10 overs.
"After we lost the toss we had to field and our bowlers did a great job to restrict them to 160 and I think all the fielders also fielded well," said Rahim.
Bangladesh did not bowl a single wide or no-ball in a disciplined display.
Rahim said the ground fielding had been excellent, although some catches were dropped. "We will make sure it doesn't happen in the big matches," he added.
"Last match we had a do-or-die match (against England) and everybody was motivated and really performed well and we got over the line and hopefully today we will chase that down."
The Dutch won the toss and opted to bat but slumped to 160 all out in 46.2 overs despite 53 not out from the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate. Abdur Razzak was the pick of the bowlers, with 3-29 from his 10 overs.
"After we lost the toss we had to field and our bowlers did a great job to restrict them to 160 and I think all the fielders also fielded well," said Rahim.
Bangladesh did not bowl a single wide or no-ball in a disciplined display.
Rahim said the ground fielding had been excellent, although some catches were dropped. "We will make sure it doesn't happen in the big matches," he added.
"Last match we had a do-or-die match (against England) and everybody was motivated and really performed well and we got over the line and hopefully today we will chase that down."
Ponting likely to continue as Oz skipper
Former Australian cricket captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor are unlikely to recommend the sack for current skipper Ricky Ponting during their forensic review of Australian cricket.
And, Cricket Australia boss, James Sutherland, too insists that Ponting's captaincy is not in jeopardy despite former captain Ian Chappell and former stars Doug Walters and Geoff Lawson, demanding his sacking.
The panel will interview key figures, including Ponting.
"We're very comfortable with the performance of the team under Ricky," The Daily Telegraph quoted Sutherland, as saying.
"These sorts of things are very much in the hands of selectors. (But) the first thing for any Australian player is performance and Ricky's contribution as a leader . . . he's doing a fantastic job with the one-day side at the World Cup," Sutherland added.
Ponting has said he would take no offence if the review suggested ways he could improve as captain.
"That's what I'm all about-I'm all about learning, every day," he said.
"If there's something that comes out of the review that's going to make me a better player or captain, great. I think that's the attitude and approach we all should have," he added.
And, Cricket Australia boss, James Sutherland, too insists that Ponting's captaincy is not in jeopardy despite former captain Ian Chappell and former stars Doug Walters and Geoff Lawson, demanding his sacking.
The panel will interview key figures, including Ponting.
"We're very comfortable with the performance of the team under Ricky," The Daily Telegraph quoted Sutherland, as saying.
"These sorts of things are very much in the hands of selectors. (But) the first thing for any Australian player is performance and Ricky's contribution as a leader . . . he's doing a fantastic job with the one-day side at the World Cup," Sutherland added.
Ponting has said he would take no offence if the review suggested ways he could improve as captain.
"That's what I'm all about-I'm all about learning, every day," he said.
"If there's something that comes out of the review that's going to make me a better player or captain, great. I think that's the attitude and approach we all should have," he added.
Kenya desperate for international rescue: Kamande
Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande urged cricket chiefs to give his side more top-class matches in between World Cups after his team slipped to a 60- run defeat at the hands of champions Australia.
Although this was their fifth straight loss, Kenya did reduce Australia to 143 for four before the title holders finished on 324 for six.
But Kenya then batted out their full 50 overs to close on 264 for six, with Collins Obuya (98 not out) and Tanmay Mishra (72) both making career-best scores.
It was an impressive display from a Kenya side who were routed for 69 by New Zealand and whose previous best total at this World Cup was the 198 they made in a five-wicket defeat by fellow non-Test side Canada.
This could be 2003 semi-finalists Kenya's last World Cup for some time as the International Cricket Council plans to reduce the number of teams from 14 to 10 in 2015.
Kenya have currently to make do with only a handful of matches against top-class opposition between World Cups and Kamande said: "One thing I know for sure is that if we keep playing against the Test-playing nations or their 'A' sides the (improved) performances will be there.
"But the thing is after this World Cup you might go and never see these teams again so it becomes very difficult.
"If we're going to prepare to play Australia again (in a World Cup) in the next five or 10 years it's going to become very difficult for us (without) regular matches)."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting, in the build-up to this match, had queried Kenya's right to take part in a World Cup but Kamande said: "At the end of the day, we would love to be here again.
"Whoever says we don't deserve to be here that's his own opinion, but I believe we did a lot to be here."
Meanwhile Obuya was both happy and frustrated after surpassing his previous one-day international best of 86 not out against Afghanistan in Nairobi last year.
"I'm very proud of the innings against the world champions. It was very great to score some runs against them and the not-out makes it even better."
The 29-year-old Obuya needed three off the last ball of the match for a century but had to settle for a single off fast bowler Shaun Tait instead.
"I'm very disappointed but I'll settle for 98 each and every day against Australia," Obuya said.
Obuya also took the prize wicket of Ponting, lbw for 36 and the leg-spinner said: "If you're playing a Test team you must have confidence.
"I was hit a couple of times but I was still there (bowling), that's because of the confidence that I have, that I wanted to do so well."
And a sporting Ponting said: "Kenya's performance was solid, you've got to give them some credit for the way they batted."
Although this was their fifth straight loss, Kenya did reduce Australia to 143 for four before the title holders finished on 324 for six.
But Kenya then batted out their full 50 overs to close on 264 for six, with Collins Obuya (98 not out) and Tanmay Mishra (72) both making career-best scores.
It was an impressive display from a Kenya side who were routed for 69 by New Zealand and whose previous best total at this World Cup was the 198 they made in a five-wicket defeat by fellow non-Test side Canada.
This could be 2003 semi-finalists Kenya's last World Cup for some time as the International Cricket Council plans to reduce the number of teams from 14 to 10 in 2015.
Kenya have currently to make do with only a handful of matches against top-class opposition between World Cups and Kamande said: "One thing I know for sure is that if we keep playing against the Test-playing nations or their 'A' sides the (improved) performances will be there.
"But the thing is after this World Cup you might go and never see these teams again so it becomes very difficult.
"If we're going to prepare to play Australia again (in a World Cup) in the next five or 10 years it's going to become very difficult for us (without) regular matches)."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting, in the build-up to this match, had queried Kenya's right to take part in a World Cup but Kamande said: "At the end of the day, we would love to be here again.
"Whoever says we don't deserve to be here that's his own opinion, but I believe we did a lot to be here."
Meanwhile Obuya was both happy and frustrated after surpassing his previous one-day international best of 86 not out against Afghanistan in Nairobi last year.
"I'm very proud of the innings against the world champions. It was very great to score some runs against them and the not-out makes it even better."
The 29-year-old Obuya needed three off the last ball of the match for a century but had to settle for a single off fast bowler Shaun Tait instead.
"I'm very disappointed but I'll settle for 98 each and every day against Australia," Obuya said.
Obuya also took the prize wicket of Ponting, lbw for 36 and the leg-spinner said: "If you're playing a Test team you must have confidence.
"I was hit a couple of times but I was still there (bowling), that's because of the confidence that I have, that I wanted to do so well."
And a sporting Ponting said: "Kenya's performance was solid, you've got to give them some credit for the way they batted."
Kallis hails 'world great' Steyn
Jacques Kallis hailed South Africa teammate Dayle Steyn as the world's greatest bowler on Monday after the paceman's five-wicket performance inspired the crucial World Cup win over India.
Steyn's 5-50 was key to the Proteas' three-wicket win in Nagpur on Saturday after India had been well set for a huge total when they stood at 267-1.
But India lost their last nine wickets for just 29 runs in nine overs to be bowled out for 296.
"It showed why Dale Steyn is the best bowler in the world and has been for a couple of years now," said Kallis.
"What's the difference between a really good bowler and a great one? You can, eventually, subdue a really good bowler and get on top of him, especially as he gets tired."
"You can never do that with Dale. He is as likely to get you out with the new ball as he is with one that is 100-overs old in his sixth spell."
Kallis also admitted that he was relieved to be back among the runs, making 69 against India, having made a total of just 21 in the team's previous three outings.
"It was a relief to contribute some runs for a change after just making 20-odd before," he wrote in a column for the Hindustan Times.
"There's no doubt that conditions changed significantly during the second innings and batting was more awkward."
Steyn's 5-50 was key to the Proteas' three-wicket win in Nagpur on Saturday after India had been well set for a huge total when they stood at 267-1.
But India lost their last nine wickets for just 29 runs in nine overs to be bowled out for 296.
"It showed why Dale Steyn is the best bowler in the world and has been for a couple of years now," said Kallis.
"What's the difference between a really good bowler and a great one? You can, eventually, subdue a really good bowler and get on top of him, especially as he gets tired."
"You can never do that with Dale. He is as likely to get you out with the new ball as he is with one that is 100-overs old in his sixth spell."
Kallis also admitted that he was relieved to be back among the runs, making 69 against India, having made a total of just 21 in the team's previous three outings.
"It was a relief to contribute some runs for a change after just making 20-odd before," he wrote in a column for the Hindustan Times.
"There's no doubt that conditions changed significantly during the second innings and batting was more awkward."
Kenya find a hole or two in Australian armour
Australia's apparently unstoppable journey towards a fourth successive World Cup title moved another step forward on Sunday but not before Kenya, of all teams, had given them plenty to think about.
The Africans have been mainly practice fodder for most of the Group A so Ricky Ponting must have expected a truncated day/nighter, especially after posting 324-6 having overcome a sticky start once they had won the toss and batted first.
Kenya, however, had other ideas. Perhaps they were stung by criticism from home after a number of crushing defeats or perhaps they finally realised latent potential, but for once the Australian pace bowling attack met seriously stern resistance.
True, Australia eventually romped home by a 60-run margin but not before the stubborn Kenyan batsmen had shown other teams that the battery of Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee need not necessarily blow away all that comes before it.
At the end of their 50 overs, Collins Obuya remained unbeaten just two runs short of a century which would have been a much deserved reward for an innings he will surely remember for the rest of his life.
But he was not the sole man in the Kenya ranks to bristle defiance in their innings of 264-6.
Tanmay Mishra struck eight fours and a towering six on his way to 72 and was only halted in full flight by one of three run-outs self-inflicted on the African side.
"The guys had nothing to lose and it was good to see them have a bit of fun out there which is the most important thing for a sportsman," Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande summed up.
The bowlers' somewhat blunt performance on an admittedly benign batting surface was not the only aspect that must have concerned Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
After a bright start from Shane Watson (21) and Brad Haddin (65), a tumble of three wickets for 16 runs left Australia in a spot of bother at 143-4.
But Australia have not won three World Cups on the trot and still remain unbeaten in 33 tournament matches for nothing.
Mike Hussey, returning to the squad as a replacement for the injured seamer Doug Bollinger, hit the ground running to remind everyone what a dangerous asset he is for his team.
He scored 54 to help Michael Clarke (93) add 114 for the fifth wicket and lead their side to what turned out to be an unassailable position.
Afterwards, Ponting blamed his side's inactivity, their last match on March 5 against Sri Lanka was washed out early on by a Colombo deluge, for their "rustiness".
They will now cram in matches against another second tier nation, Canada, on Wednesday before rounding off the round robin group stage with a tougher workout against Pakistan on Saturday in Colombo.
Australia still remain the side to beat here and are now the only undefeated outfit left in the competition following India's loss to South Africa on Saturday.
But Kenya have shown that their much-feared pace attack, rusty or not, need not be so frightening after all.
The Africans have been mainly practice fodder for most of the Group A so Ricky Ponting must have expected a truncated day/nighter, especially after posting 324-6 having overcome a sticky start once they had won the toss and batted first.
Kenya, however, had other ideas. Perhaps they were stung by criticism from home after a number of crushing defeats or perhaps they finally realised latent potential, but for once the Australian pace bowling attack met seriously stern resistance.
True, Australia eventually romped home by a 60-run margin but not before the stubborn Kenyan batsmen had shown other teams that the battery of Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee need not necessarily blow away all that comes before it.
At the end of their 50 overs, Collins Obuya remained unbeaten just two runs short of a century which would have been a much deserved reward for an innings he will surely remember for the rest of his life.
But he was not the sole man in the Kenya ranks to bristle defiance in their innings of 264-6.
Tanmay Mishra struck eight fours and a towering six on his way to 72 and was only halted in full flight by one of three run-outs self-inflicted on the African side.
"The guys had nothing to lose and it was good to see them have a bit of fun out there which is the most important thing for a sportsman," Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande summed up.
The bowlers' somewhat blunt performance on an admittedly benign batting surface was not the only aspect that must have concerned Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
After a bright start from Shane Watson (21) and Brad Haddin (65), a tumble of three wickets for 16 runs left Australia in a spot of bother at 143-4.
But Australia have not won three World Cups on the trot and still remain unbeaten in 33 tournament matches for nothing.
Mike Hussey, returning to the squad as a replacement for the injured seamer Doug Bollinger, hit the ground running to remind everyone what a dangerous asset he is for his team.
He scored 54 to help Michael Clarke (93) add 114 for the fifth wicket and lead their side to what turned out to be an unassailable position.
Afterwards, Ponting blamed his side's inactivity, their last match on March 5 against Sri Lanka was washed out early on by a Colombo deluge, for their "rustiness".
They will now cram in matches against another second tier nation, Canada, on Wednesday before rounding off the round robin group stage with a tougher workout against Pakistan on Saturday in Colombo.
Australia still remain the side to beat here and are now the only undefeated outfit left in the competition following India's loss to South Africa on Saturday.
But Kenya have shown that their much-feared pace attack, rusty or not, need not be so frightening after all.
Ponting happy to get back on the pitch
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said on Sunday it was good to get out in the middle against Kenya and "blow some cobwebs off" after more than two weeks with very little cricket.
The defending champions, whose win takes them through to the World Cup quarter-finals, scored 324 in their 50 overs and Kenya never looked like catching them, finishing on 264 for six to lose by 60 runs.
It was Australia's first completed match since they beat New Zealand on February 25 in Nagpur. Their clash with Sri Lanka on March 5 was ruined by rain.
"Bit of rust on the team today, even with the batting. We got 320 but a few of us were a little bit rusty and needed some time in the middle," said Ponting.
"We've done plenty of training. We needed to be out there today to blow some cobwebs off and we've done that," he added.
"Full credit to Kenya. I thought they fought the game out particularly well. They batted very well."
And the skipper said he was delighted to have Michael Hussey back in the squad, as a replacement for the injured Doug Bollinger.
"Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play," said Ponting.
Hussey, who made 54, said the team could still improve in many areas.
"Canada is going to be another good hit out for us but Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well," he said, referring to the final two group matches.
Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande said despite success for his batsmen "at the end of the day we came out second. It's a bit disappointing."
"It was a bit disappointing not to see Collins (Obuya) get a 100 against the defending champions." Obuya finished 98 not out.
But he said: "It's the top 14 teams at the World Cup so if you don't enjoy the moment then I don't know when you're going to enjoy it."
The defending champions, whose win takes them through to the World Cup quarter-finals, scored 324 in their 50 overs and Kenya never looked like catching them, finishing on 264 for six to lose by 60 runs.
It was Australia's first completed match since they beat New Zealand on February 25 in Nagpur. Their clash with Sri Lanka on March 5 was ruined by rain.
"Bit of rust on the team today, even with the batting. We got 320 but a few of us were a little bit rusty and needed some time in the middle," said Ponting.
"We've done plenty of training. We needed to be out there today to blow some cobwebs off and we've done that," he added.
"Full credit to Kenya. I thought they fought the game out particularly well. They batted very well."
And the skipper said he was delighted to have Michael Hussey back in the squad, as a replacement for the injured Doug Bollinger.
"Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play," said Ponting.
Hussey, who made 54, said the team could still improve in many areas.
"Canada is going to be another good hit out for us but Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well," he said, referring to the final two group matches.
Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande said despite success for his batsmen "at the end of the day we came out second. It's a bit disappointing."
"It was a bit disappointing not to see Collins (Obuya) get a 100 against the defending champions." Obuya finished 98 not out.
But he said: "It's the top 14 teams at the World Cup so if you don't enjoy the moment then I don't know when you're going to enjoy it."
Porterfield wants his team to play freely against South Africa
Ireland captain William Porterfield wants his team to be at their fearless best when they take on title contenders South Africa in a penultimate group league encounter of the World Cup, at the Eden Gardens tomorrow.
"We don't have anything to lose. There won't be many who would like to give us a chance. We've just got to go out there and play with freedom. Attack in the same way, that we have done in every other game. If we go out and do that, I'll be happy," Porterfield told the mediapersons at the pre-match media coneference.
Porterfield however admitted that it will require lot of effort to beat a team like South Africa who are on a high after their fantastic win against India the other day.
"South Africa were obviously one of the pre-tournament favorites and they have just beaten India in a good game. We've played a couple of big teams now and teams that have been in form. South Africa are no different, they are building up some good momentum now."
"It was a good victory for them (vs India) and especially after coming back from their defeat against England. So, they will be pretty high on confidence. They're a top class side. It's just another challenge for us," the skipper added.
The Irish captain is also not unduly worried about Kevin O'Brien failing in the last couple of matches after his superb century against England. "Kevin can come off on any given day. He has had a couple of low scores but he didn't face many deliveries. He hasn't been struggling struggling for form or so. He is in good frame of mind and has been striking the ball well at the nets. So, I have no complaints about his form. I have no worries there," the skipper stated.
About the Eden Gardens strip, Poterfield feels that it will be a good wicket where there will be good carry.
"We don't have anything to lose. There won't be many who would like to give us a chance. We've just got to go out there and play with freedom. Attack in the same way, that we have done in every other game. If we go out and do that, I'll be happy," Porterfield told the mediapersons at the pre-match media coneference.
Porterfield however admitted that it will require lot of effort to beat a team like South Africa who are on a high after their fantastic win against India the other day.
"South Africa were obviously one of the pre-tournament favorites and they have just beaten India in a good game. We've played a couple of big teams now and teams that have been in form. South Africa are no different, they are building up some good momentum now."
"It was a good victory for them (vs India) and especially after coming back from their defeat against England. So, they will be pretty high on confidence. They're a top class side. It's just another challenge for us," the skipper added.
The Irish captain is also not unduly worried about Kevin O'Brien failing in the last couple of matches after his superb century against England. "Kevin can come off on any given day. He has had a couple of low scores but he didn't face many deliveries. He hasn't been struggling struggling for form or so. He is in good frame of mind and has been striking the ball well at the nets. So, I have no complaints about his form. I have no worries there," the skipper stated.
About the Eden Gardens strip, Poterfield feels that it will be a good wicket where there will be good carry.
Swann apologises for swearing in World Cup game
England off-spinner Graeme Swann has apologised for losing his temper and swearing during England's last match against Bangaldesh, which the latter won by two wickets.
In an article for The Sun, Swann said: " I was wrong to swear and lose my temper during England's defeat against Bangladesh and I apologised straightaway to umpire Daryl Harper."
"But I think it was ludicrous to play a day/night match in the World Cup that was so heavily influenced by the dew. The ball was so wet it was like trying to bowl with a bar of soap," he added.
Recalling the loss to Bangladesh, Swann said: "We were bitterly disappointed by our loss, and now, we have a must-win match against West Indies on Thursday if we are to reach the quarter-finals."
"My frustration boiled over on Friday evening and I was trying to get the ball changed. It felt like playing football with both hands tied behind my back. The ball was changed three times in total but it should have been changed every two or three overs," he added.
"I try to spin the ball hard, so I need to be able to grip it. I was getting more and more frustrated because the wicket was such a good one to bowl spin on. To be caught swearing by the stump mic was very disappointing. I don't condone bad language on the field, especially if it is directed near the umpire," Swann said.
Andrew Strauss told me to calm down, which was fair enough. I apologised to Daryl, saying, 'Sorry, that was out of line', he said.
"My punishment was to be docked 10 per cent of my match fee but I shouldn't be fined at all," he said.
In an article for The Sun, Swann said: " I was wrong to swear and lose my temper during England's defeat against Bangladesh and I apologised straightaway to umpire Daryl Harper."
"But I think it was ludicrous to play a day/night match in the World Cup that was so heavily influenced by the dew. The ball was so wet it was like trying to bowl with a bar of soap," he added.
Recalling the loss to Bangladesh, Swann said: "We were bitterly disappointed by our loss, and now, we have a must-win match against West Indies on Thursday if we are to reach the quarter-finals."
"My frustration boiled over on Friday evening and I was trying to get the ball changed. It felt like playing football with both hands tied behind my back. The ball was changed three times in total but it should have been changed every two or three overs," he added.
"I try to spin the ball hard, so I need to be able to grip it. I was getting more and more frustrated because the wicket was such a good one to bowl spin on. To be caught swearing by the stump mic was very disappointing. I don't condone bad language on the field, especially if it is directed near the umpire," Swann said.
Andrew Strauss told me to calm down, which was fair enough. I apologised to Daryl, saying, 'Sorry, that was out of line', he said.
"My punishment was to be docked 10 per cent of my match fee but I shouldn't be fined at all," he said.
New Zealand sweat over Mills injury
New Zealand team management said it was too early to draw firm conclusions about the injury to paceman Kyle Mills, who limped off while bowling in Sunday's match against Canada.
Mills, who opened the bowling in his team's 97-run win, left the field after only 2.4 overs of his spell, in which time he took 2-2.
New Zealand media manager Ellery Tappin said no firm conclusions could yet be drawn.
"It was a strain in the quadriceps of his left leg. He will be kept under 48-hour observation," he said.
Captain Daniel Vettori missed Sunday's match due to a knee injury but is expected to return to the side for Friday's game against Sri Lanka.
Sunday's win gave New Zealand a place in the quarter-finals.
Mills, who opened the bowling in his team's 97-run win, left the field after only 2.4 overs of his spell, in which time he took 2-2.
New Zealand media manager Ellery Tappin said no firm conclusions could yet be drawn.
"It was a strain in the quadriceps of his left leg. He will be kept under 48-hour observation," he said.
Captain Daniel Vettori missed Sunday's match due to a knee injury but is expected to return to the side for Friday's game against Sri Lanka.
Sunday's win gave New Zealand a place in the quarter-finals.
South Africa wary of fighting Irish
South Africa will be wary of Ireland's fighting spirit when they seek to nail down a World Cup quarter-final place on Tuesday.
Ireland have been the most impressive of the non-Test nations, pulling off a shock win over England and testing favourites India and the West Indies before losing.
South Africa, with six points from four games, will be assured of a place in the last eight with a victory while Ireland, with two points from four matches, only have a slim chance of qualifying.
The momentum is currently with South Africa who bounced back strongly to defeat India by three wickets in a tense finish in Nagpur on Saturday after losing a close match to England.
"Saturday's win is a massive step forward in the self-belief department for us and we can play with a bit more freedom," South Africa captain Graeme Smith wrote in his column in an Indian newspaper on Monday.
"That doesn't mean we think we can just walk in and knock Ireland over on Tuesday. Many of the guys in Ireland have played county cricket. As a team they have got good cricket sense, can be dangerous and have to be taken seriously."
South Africa have shown they have depth in both bowling and batting. Their spinners, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha, were superbly backed by pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in previous games.
The Pakistan-born leg-spinner Tahir, with 11 wickets in three matches, missed the last game due to a fractured left thumb and South Africa have to decide whether to play him against Ireland.
South Africa's batting looked solid against India, especially after Jacques Kallis's return to form with a 69 in Nagpur after contributing just 21 in the first three matches.
"We know South Africa are one of the favourites to win this World Cup. Hopefully, they will relax a bit (after India's match) and give us a chance," said Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha.
"Maybe they will have a couple of hangovers. We know we have to win the last two games and we are not going to back out. Everyone's up for the challenge."
Ireland not only made India battle for victory with their gritty display, but also gave a scare or two to the West Indies before losing by 44 runs inn Mohali.
"It's not just the West Indies game, we were in with a chance even against Bangladesh and India, but failed to get over the line," said Botha.
Ireland are sweating over the fitness of in-form paceman Trent Johnston who suffered a knee injury against India.
Johnston, who missed the last match, is his team's second-highest wicket-taker with six in three games.
Ireland have been the most impressive of the non-Test nations, pulling off a shock win over England and testing favourites India and the West Indies before losing.
South Africa, with six points from four games, will be assured of a place in the last eight with a victory while Ireland, with two points from four matches, only have a slim chance of qualifying.
The momentum is currently with South Africa who bounced back strongly to defeat India by three wickets in a tense finish in Nagpur on Saturday after losing a close match to England.
"Saturday's win is a massive step forward in the self-belief department for us and we can play with a bit more freedom," South Africa captain Graeme Smith wrote in his column in an Indian newspaper on Monday.
"That doesn't mean we think we can just walk in and knock Ireland over on Tuesday. Many of the guys in Ireland have played county cricket. As a team they have got good cricket sense, can be dangerous and have to be taken seriously."
South Africa have shown they have depth in both bowling and batting. Their spinners, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha, were superbly backed by pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in previous games.
The Pakistan-born leg-spinner Tahir, with 11 wickets in three matches, missed the last game due to a fractured left thumb and South Africa have to decide whether to play him against Ireland.
South Africa's batting looked solid against India, especially after Jacques Kallis's return to form with a 69 in Nagpur after contributing just 21 in the first three matches.
"We know South Africa are one of the favourites to win this World Cup. Hopefully, they will relax a bit (after India's match) and give us a chance," said Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha.
"Maybe they will have a couple of hangovers. We know we have to win the last two games and we are not going to back out. Everyone's up for the challenge."
Ireland not only made India battle for victory with their gritty display, but also gave a scare or two to the West Indies before losing by 44 runs inn Mohali.
"It's not just the West Indies game, we were in with a chance even against Bangladesh and India, but failed to get over the line," said Botha.
Ireland are sweating over the fitness of in-form paceman Trent Johnston who suffered a knee injury against India.
Johnston, who missed the last match, is his team's second-highest wicket-taker with six in three games.
Ponting shrugs off slow men's slow night
Australia captain Ricky Ponting insisted he was unconcerned by his wicketless spinners after the defending champions toiled to beat Kenya and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Australia won by 60 runs, but Kenya batted out their full 50 overs in a painstaking encounter to reach 264 for six in reply to 324 for six.
It was the Africans' highest total of the tournament, comfortably suprassing the 198 they made in their five-wicket defeat to Canada.
While Kenya's spinners took three wickets, Australia's trio of leg-spinner Steven Smith, off-break bowler Jason Krejza and left-armer Michael Clarke couldn't manage one between them on a Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch taking turn.
Their combined 19 overs cost 93 runs while three wickets went to the seamers and three were run out.
"Through those middle overs in this tournament when the ball gets old, and the wicket starts to spin, we are going to need our spinners to strike for us, and that didn't happen tonight," Ponting said.
"We were obviously a bit rusty, having a long break between games."
This was Australia's first full match for more than a fortnight following last weekend's no-result washout against Sri Lanka.
Ponting said: "I would have liked to have taken more wickets in the game, no doubt about that. But I'm not that disappointed.
"It probably would have been an easier option for us today to turn up and win the toss and bowl, but we needed a good solid hit-out," added Ponting, who opted to bat.
"We got a good, solid 50 overs with the bat and 50 overs with the ball. All the bowlers got a good workout, even Michael Clarke got five or six overs under his belt.
"It was a good opportunity for us to blow a few of the cobwebs out that have been building up over the last couple of weeks."
One major plus for Australia was the form of Michael Hussey, who marked his first match of the tournament with a composed 54.
He came in with the total at 143 for four after Australia had lost several wickets in quick succession but then shared a stand of 114 with vice-captain Michael Clarke (93) that effectively ended any slim hopes of a Kenyan upset.
It was a typical display from the veteran left-hander, controversially omitted after the selectors refused to accept his assurances he would be fit in time following hamstring trouble.
He was summoned to the subcontinent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
"He played the way that we know he can play," Ponting said of Hussey, who was selected instead of younger brother David Hussey.
"That's his class and his experience shining through. It looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He didn't appear to be hindered at all throughout his innings or in the field. It's a great sign for us."
Star batsman Ponting did not mark becoming the first player to be on the winning side in 250 one-day internationals with a vintage innings and was lbw for a scratchy 36.
"I would have liked to have spent a bit more time out there," he said.
"But I got 50-odd balls in the middle, got a bit of time there and I'll be a lot better for the run," Ponting added ahead of Australia's next group match, against Canada here on Wednesday.
Australia won by 60 runs, but Kenya batted out their full 50 overs in a painstaking encounter to reach 264 for six in reply to 324 for six.
It was the Africans' highest total of the tournament, comfortably suprassing the 198 they made in their five-wicket defeat to Canada.
While Kenya's spinners took three wickets, Australia's trio of leg-spinner Steven Smith, off-break bowler Jason Krejza and left-armer Michael Clarke couldn't manage one between them on a Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch taking turn.
Their combined 19 overs cost 93 runs while three wickets went to the seamers and three were run out.
"Through those middle overs in this tournament when the ball gets old, and the wicket starts to spin, we are going to need our spinners to strike for us, and that didn't happen tonight," Ponting said.
"We were obviously a bit rusty, having a long break between games."
This was Australia's first full match for more than a fortnight following last weekend's no-result washout against Sri Lanka.
Ponting said: "I would have liked to have taken more wickets in the game, no doubt about that. But I'm not that disappointed.
"It probably would have been an easier option for us today to turn up and win the toss and bowl, but we needed a good solid hit-out," added Ponting, who opted to bat.
"We got a good, solid 50 overs with the bat and 50 overs with the ball. All the bowlers got a good workout, even Michael Clarke got five or six overs under his belt.
"It was a good opportunity for us to blow a few of the cobwebs out that have been building up over the last couple of weeks."
One major plus for Australia was the form of Michael Hussey, who marked his first match of the tournament with a composed 54.
He came in with the total at 143 for four after Australia had lost several wickets in quick succession but then shared a stand of 114 with vice-captain Michael Clarke (93) that effectively ended any slim hopes of a Kenyan upset.
It was a typical display from the veteran left-hander, controversially omitted after the selectors refused to accept his assurances he would be fit in time following hamstring trouble.
He was summoned to the subcontinent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
"He played the way that we know he can play," Ponting said of Hussey, who was selected instead of younger brother David Hussey.
"That's his class and his experience shining through. It looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He didn't appear to be hindered at all throughout his innings or in the field. It's a great sign for us."
Star batsman Ponting did not mark becoming the first player to be on the winning side in 250 one-day internationals with a vintage innings and was lbw for a scratchy 36.
"I would have liked to have spent a bit more time out there," he said.
"But I got 50-odd balls in the middle, got a bit of time there and I'll be a lot better for the run," Ponting added ahead of Australia's next group match, against Canada here on Wednesday.
Shakib calls for normalcy
Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahim is lifted off the ground by a teammate after his brilliant run out of Netherlands batsman Tom Cooper during their World Cup match at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.
Shakib Al Hasan has urged the fans to remain "normal" after big wins or big losses following their 6-wicket win over the Netherlands at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here yesterday.
After his team's cruise over the ICC Associates in a one-sided encounter, the world's No 1 ranked all-rounder said that the confidence of the public is back on the team after two favourable results over the last four days.
"I think they are confident because they were supportive all the time. We played one bad game and that time they went wrong. But other than that, they were always supporting us," said Shakib during the post-match press conference.
"It is good to get the confidence from the crowd. They will understand (that) at the end of the day it's a game, some days you will win and some days you will lose and hopefully they will take it normally,” he said.
Shakib had to undergo a tough week after the 58 all out debacle on March 4, but the team bounced back through a thrilling 2-wicket victory over England last Friday and this easy win. He said that he found differences between both extremes.
“We knew that a win would change everything and because we had played well previously, we knew we could repeat that and that one bad game won't matter. I never thought that we went too far back after that game.
“If you're talking about the last 10 days, of course there will be a little difference. A lot of negative talks will come as positive. I think everyone will try to talk positive. So there will be a difference,” said Shakib, who counted out the run-rate factor from his team's equation, giving more importance to winning and also banking on the result from the England-West Indies game.
If England beat West Indies, Bangladesh are definitely through to the quarterfinals. But if England win, then the Tigers have to win their last game on March 19 against South Africa. Things will also get interesting if Ireland end up surprising South Africa.
“We don't think we can cover the run-rate, because we didn't score big in this tournament. It is not depending on the run-rate, if we win the next match, we will qualify for the next round, it is as simple as that,” he said.
Shakib and his opposite number Peter Borren were full of Shafiul Islam's praises, although the paceman went wicketless in an impressive 9-over spell.
“If you take a look at it, both our first two wins were his contributions. He's doing well in the crucial moments. Today as well he bowled well with the new ball and returned to bowl a good spell. I think he learned a lot from the India game,” said Shakib.
Borren said that Shafiul was accurate, thus not helping his team's cause of attacking the seamers.
“He bowled really well. He did not bowl a bad ball the whole day and he was pretty consistent. We were looking to attack the seamers a little bit at the start because we felt that it might have been our opportunity to score with the Powerplay and the hard ball and the pace on the ball.
“But, to be honest, he really did not allow us to do anything at all,” explained Borren.
Imrul's two in two
Opener Imrul Kayes fulfilled an important target in his growth as a player yesterday: he remained at the crease till the end.
For the 24-year-old who says he doesn't have special plans, the 73 not out was a significant step forward, ensuring that his side went over the line in their 6-wicket win over the Netherlands at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.
"This is a special innings simply because I remained not out," said Imrul at the end of yesterday's game.
The number of hugs for the well-built Imrul was on the rise as he made his way back to the dressing room after speaking to the media in the post-match press conference, but for the Meherpur lad, it seems nothing much has changed.
"I really liked this innings you know. I think it was not the easiest wicket to bat on. After [Shahriar] Nafees came to the crease, I realised that it wasn't going to be easy to play the big shots so I changed gear. I just focused on staying firm and remain till the end," explained Imrul, who also goes by the nickname Sagar.
"After Tamim [Iqbal] got out, Junaed [Siddiqui] came in and when he played shots off good balls, I knew that if I wanted to stay at the crease, I would be successful," he added.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was pleased with Imrul's display of patience. "He batted very well. I thought it was a wicket where he had to struggle so I thought he did the right thing. Since we didn't have any tensions, I think he did the right job," said Shakib.
The unbeaten 113-ball innings that had six boundaries also brought him a second successive man-of-the-match award, but this time Imrul thinks he deserved it.
"Of course I'm having a good time. I said last time that Shafiul deserved it but I think I played well, stayed till the end. I always thought about when I would get the man-of-the-match award as I never had previously received it," he said.
Apart from the award, he took one special souvenir. "Yes I took a stump this time, I couldn't get it after the England game though," said Imrul.
Port city enjoys WC holiday
People in Chittagong were given the day off on Monday to watch Bangladesh play the Netherlands in their crucial World Cup Group B clash.
Offices and schools were shut in the port city as a sell-out crowd of 18,000 jammed the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium for the game.
Three of the four previous matches held in Dhaka and Chittagong fell on Fridays, the weekly holiday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said before the tournament began that a local holiday would be declared if a World Cup match was played on a working day.
Bangladesh's last league match against South Africa is scheduled in Dhaka on Saturday, and workers and pupils are set to enjoy another day off.
Two quarterfinals will also be held in Bangladesh, on March 23 (Wednesday) and March 25 (Friday).
Bangladesh is hosting cricket's premier tournament for the first time with India and Sri Lanka. All the five matches so far have attracted full houses.
The roar is omnipresent
FLYING THE FLAG: No doubts about who she is supporting as she waves the Bangladesh flag from the stands of the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium during the Tigers' win over the Netherlands yesterday.
In a match where Bangladesh all but meandered to a win, the one true highlight for keen cricket followers was the point in the first innings when the world's best all-rounder marked out his run-up to bowl at the best all-rounder in the world.
But all things said and done, Shakib Al Hasan (ranked number one) and Ryan ten Doeschate (statistically number one) aside, Bangladesh versus Netherlands at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is not a fixture that should generally inspire much fanfare.
The match itself was no classic; a subtle, low scoring affair fought out under the increasingly pulsating sun. Truth be told, Bangladesh have played much better than this and the Dutch, suffice to say, will be remembered in these parts more for their football than their skills at wielding the willow. There was also no chance of a Tamim special, the hometown left-hander succumbing to his second duck in the tournament, perishing in the first over. And the closest thing to football at the ground was Netherlands opener Wesley Barresi whose name is the conjunction of two famous and popular players of the beautiful game.
But despite all of this, one glance at the 17,002 packed into the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium on this Monday would have told you a different story.
Then again, cricket in the sub-continent is a different beast altogether and for the thousands who usually gather at the stadiums, winning is an important but not a defining factor. It sounds strange, especially since the events that have followed on from Bangladesh's recent wins and losses but to the general fan yesterday, while Bangladesh's glory was imminent, achievable and important, something to the contrary was not going to stop them from having a good time.
The feeling perhaps was borne out of a sense of complacency at the opponents, but the Dutch showed plenty of resolve to keep an expectantly rampant scoring-rate in check throughout the encounter. In the end, the 160 they got was never going to be enough, but the Europeans ensured that the Tigers did not rack up the score in record time.
Regardless, the cheering never stopped; not for the beating sun, not for the oppressive heat and not even for the sweltering humidity. But one thing that it did ensure was that a large number of supporters had to abandon their uncovered seats to seek what little shelter they could under the feeble overhang of the turnstiles. This, then, gave off the impression of a marginally empty stadium, which for fans watching on television might have been misleading.
The atmosphere was nowhere near the intensity that marked the England or Ireland match, but for a day match this was as colourful, boisterous and light-hearted a crowd as you could wish to see anywhere in the world.
And it was not just restricted to Chittagongians. Many countrymen had made the trip from surrounding areas while some even braved ten-hour-long bus journeys from Dhaka the night before for a chance to say that they were there for a World Cup win. Mexican waves were the order of the day and beating drums and painted faces have almost become the norm at the stadium. For a select few, it was a case of loyalties divided as well; a small section of what appeared to be Netherlands supporters was later revealed to be a small collection of Dutch men and women with their significant others, some of whom were even Bangladeshis sporting the famous Oranje for the day.
Such 'mutiny' might have been derided with chants of 'turncoat' a few years ago, but today they were just the target of some good-natured jibes from a small section. In truth, the riveting drama that characterised the last two Bangladeshi victories was patently absent on Monday, but at the end of the day, a win is a win, and if the beating drums were any evidence, no one left complaining.
Proteas afraid of Irish spirit
PULL NO PUNCHES: Ireland will hope to come out punching in today's match against South Africa, and Ireland bowler Trent Johnston practises to that effect during a training session at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday.
South Africa will be wary of Ireland's fighting spirit when they seek to nail down a World Cup quarterfinal place on Tuesday.
Ireland have been the most impressive of the non-Test nations, pulling off a shock win over England and testing favourites India and the West Indies before losing.
South Africa, with six points from four games, will be assured of a place in the last eight with a victory while Ireland, with two points from four matches, only have a slim chance of qualifying.
The momentum is currently with South Africa who bounced back strongly to defeat India by three wickets in a tense finish in Nagpur on Saturday after losing a close match to England.
"Saturday's win is a massive step forward in the self-belief department for us and we can play with a bit more freedom," South Africa captain Graeme Smith wrote in his column in an Indian newspaper on Monday.
"That doesn't mean we think we can just walk in and knock Ireland over on Tuesday. Many of the guys in Ireland have played county cricket. As a team they have got good cricket sense, can be dangerous and have to be taken seriously."
South Africa have shown they have depth in both bowling and batting. Their spinners, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha, were superbly backed by pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in previous games.
The Pakistan-born leg-spinner Tahir, with 11 wickets in three matches, missed the last game due to a fractured left thumb and South Africa have to decide whether to play him against Ireland.
South Africa's batting looked solid against India, especially after Jacques Kallis's return to form with a 69 in Nagpur after contributing just 21 in the first three matches.
"We know South Africa are one of the favourites to win this World Cup. Hopefully, they will relax a bit (after India's match) and give us a chance," said Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha.
"Maybe they will have a couple of hangovers. We know we have to win the last two games and we are not going to back out. Everyone's up for the challenge."
Ireland not only made India battle for victory with their gritty display, but also gave a scare or two to the West Indies before losing by 44 runs inn Mohali.
"It's not just the West Indies game, we were in with a chance even against Bangladesh and India, but failed to get over the line," said Botha.
Ireland are sweating over the fitness of in-form paceman Trent Johnston who suffered a knee injury against India.
Johnston, who missed the last match, is his team's second-highest wickettaker with six in three games.
SOUTH AFRICA v IRELAND
Matches: 2
South Africa win: 2
Ireland win: 0
No result/Tied: 0
First meeting: April 3, 2007, Providence -- South Africa won by seven wickets
Last meeting: June 24, 2007, Belfast -- South Africa won by 42 runs
NZ high on confidence
New Zealand are brimming with new-found confidence after three wins on the trot took them into the quarterfinals of the World Cup, says opener Brendon McCullum.
New Zealand hammered Canada by 97 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to become the second team from Group A to sail into the last eight.
"We are slowly starting to play how we want to play and we move into the next game knowing that we have played well over the last couple of games," McCullum said.
"The confidence is starting to seep into the team. That is something we desperately need.
"We are proud of what New Zealand teams have been able to achieve in past World Cups -- they consistently gave themselves the opportunity."
The Black Caps made it to the semifinals twice in the last three World Cups in 1999 and 2007 despite starting as underdogs.
Their build-up to this edition was far from encouraging as they suffered series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Before Sunday, they had defeated Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan but lost against holders Australia.
The manner of their triumph against Canada has now put them in good stead ahead of their last league outing against a strong Sri Lanka side on Friday.
"It was a key victory (against Canada)," said wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum who posted his first World Cup century to set up his team's emphatic win.
"We were able to play to roles we were trying to play to and execute the kind of skills we were hoping to achieve.
"Anytime you win, anytime you perform well, anytime that you get some confidence out of the game, that certainly helps.
"When we came here we had gone through a pretty tough time back home (a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan). But none of that mattered once we arrived here.
"It was a matter of making sure this team was able to go out and play its best cricket, each of us understood our roles."
McCullum said new coach John Wright had been a huge influence behind the scenes.
"Wright has been instrumental. He has been able to offer that experience and confidence to each player. We have seen this New Zealand team operate with a clear role which you can't say about some New Zealand teams in the past.
"The biggest turnaround is that we are going in with more confidence.”
Colly not retiring
England's Paul Collingwood has scotched speculation on his one-day future after coming in to bat at number eight during the World Cup defeat to Bangladesh.
Collingwood quit Tests during the Sydney Test against Australia in January this year to allow himself to focus on one-day internationals and Twenty20 cricket.
The Durham all-rounder, who led England to a famous World Twenty20 triumph last year, has had an unimpressive run in the tournament so far, managing just 61 runs and one wicket from four league matches.
He missed the win over South Africa through injury.
"One reason I retired from Test cricket was to prolong the one-day side of things and I still feel I have major contributions to make," Collingwood, 34, said.
"I'm still the Twenty20 captain. I want to continue that as well. It's not in my mind to even think about things like this (my future)."
Collingwood shrugged off England's topsy-turvy form at the World Cup where they need to beat the West Indies on Thursday to keep up their hopes of a last-eight place.
"I see things developing very much how the Twenty20 did last year in the West Indies. We scraped through the group stages, but once we did we really put our performances together and went on to win it.
"We really need to focus on getting this complete game. You put the whole thing together, and we're a formidable team. We want to do that against the West Indies."
Collingwood said the scheduling of the World Cup, that followed on the heels of a gruelling Ashes and one-day campaign in Australia, was no excuse for their showing so far.
Swann sorry, to atone for it
Graeme Swann is eager to atone for his foul-mouthed rant during England's defeat by Bangladesh when they face the West Indies in a must-win World Cup match in Chennai.
England need to beat the Caribbean side on Thursday if they are to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals and at the same time hope other results go their way.
Swann was caught swearing on air during England's two-wicket loss to Bangladesh on Friday after he became frustrated at being unable to grip the ball properly while bowling because of the late evening dew.
The defeat was the second time in the tournament that England have lost a match they were expected to win after their shock defeat to non-Test nation Ireland.
But in a roller-coaster tournament, England have also tied with co-hosts India and beaten a highly fancied South Africa side.
"If you're completely taking out of the game a facet such as spin bowling, personally I don't see the point of playing day-night cricket in a dew area," Swann said on Monday as he recalled his Bangladesh outburst.
"It's obviously something that's disappointing, what happened, and I'm a bit ashamed about my own behaviour," said Swann, fined 10 percent of his match fee.
Conditions are likely to be far more suited to Swann's liking at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
"I hope the wicket is similar to the South African one, because I loved bowling on that. If I could roll it up and take it around the world with me, I happily would," said Swann, who took 1-29 against the Proteas.
The 31-year-old was at a loss to explain how the bulk of a side that romped to a 3-1 Ashes Test series win in Australia in January was proving so inconsistent in the 50-over format.
"We're just not managing to put both facets of our game together at the minute. That's something we nailed down pretty well in the Test match arena over the last 18 months.
"In one-dayers, we're still searching for that magical elixir."
Kevin Pietersen, whose World Cup was cut short by a hernia injury, has slammed the team's "ridiculous" schedule, saying England's prospects of winning the trophy for the first time had been hit by their hectic schedule.
However, Swann said England were not alone in having to cope with the demands of a relentless schedule.
"It's just the way it falls. The World Cup is always after the toughest (northern hemisphere) winter for us. But it's no excuse. It certainly isn't the reason we're not playing well -- because we're all fit.
Pakistan need 162
Zimbabwe batsman Craig Ervine plays a sweep shot as Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal looks on during their World Cup match at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday.
Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 151-7 in 39.4 overs before a second rain interruption curtailed the first innings of the World Cup Group A match on Monday.
Pakistan, chasing a win to guarantee a quarterfinal berth, need 162 in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula. One point from a no result or tie would also be enough for them to qualify for the last eight.
Seamers Umar Gul (3-36), Abdul Razzaq (1-24) and Wahab Riaz (1-21) removed the top four for just 43 after Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions at Pallekele stadium.
Spinners Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez, with a wicket each, further derailed Zimbabwe, who at the first rain break were 96-5.
Left-hander Craig Ervine fought a lone battle, hitting a patient 52 off 82 balls with five boundaries for his third ODI fifty, before Hafeez bowled him in his first over.
Chigumbura (32 not out) and Prosper Utseya (18) added 48 for the seventh wicket.
Zimbabwe were off to a disastrous start, losing in-form Brendan Taylor off the fifth ball of the innings, caught off Razzaq by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.
Gul made it 5-2 when he dismissed Regis Chakabva off the last ball of the second over, before removing Vusimuzi Sibanda (five) shortly afterwards.
Ervine and Tatenda Taibu added 30 for the fourth wicket before Wahab Riaz, in for Shoaib Akhtar, had Taibu caught off a miscued drive at mid-off by Afridi for 19.
Pakistan left out Umar Akmal, who failed to recover from a finger injury sustained on Thursday. He was replaced by Asad Shafiq.
Zimbabwe also made two changes, leaving out pacemen Christopher Mpofu (injured) and out-of-form Tinashe Panyangara to include Sibanda and Shingirai Masakadza.
Outsourcing: Tempting but Not Quite Cricket
Honest confessions up front, I did not have time for the match yesterday. Primarily because I had got the timings mixed up, by the time that was sorted out I had to be involved with other issues of major import, so to speak. Not that the outcome was not pre-determined, Netherlands hardly the sort of opposition to send chills down the collective spine. And so it transpired: comfortable coasting for the home team, Chittagong ending up with a hundred percent success ratio. Two teams of contrasting strengths biting the dust.
For Bangladesh it was of course all or nothing, and at no stage was it felt that there was a major upset in the offing. One of the more predictable non-performers in this competition has been the Netherlands. Try as one might to be politically correct in explaining the Dutch presence in 2011, the fact remains this team has hardly done anything of note other than ten Doeschate setting some tongues wagging against England. But then England (don't we all know) have that kind of effect!
Moving on to the bigger picture, having dispensed with the nitty gritty that of the Tigers coasting home by 5 wickets what lies ahead? The South Africans, for a start so far one of the more business-like, no-nonsense teams in the group. Having pummeled the Indians into submission with sheer pace, there is an air of invincibility about this team. Taking two points off this side would be one of the biggest challenges that the Tigers think tank had realised quite some time ago. Permutations have to be an honest ally for at least three teams of this group in the last of the remaining matches.
West Indies really need to power through against England, the favourite scratching post for most sides as it seems. For England the next match is a must-win issue, failing which the curtains descend quite abruptly on their incipient intentions for any further involvement with the rest of the contenders. So far they have been really poor pretenders.
The West Indians have quite a bit to play for and I half suspect we have not seen the best of them as of yet.
The results that have come Bangladesh's way have been inconsistent, coasting across both extremes of performance levels. But one redeeming feature of this side has been its ability to win close matches. How close can the match against South Africa get is the question that is moot to most. A fear of failure lurks in the corners of the minds of all concerned with planning and implementing. In this age of globalisation and multi-dimensional tasking, perhaps we might consider the option of outsourcing the actual effort of getting us through to the next round. Assert oneself and let the work be done elsewhere. Tempting surely, but admittedly not quite cricket.
Monday, March 14, 2011
India win was vital boost, says South Africa coach
South Africa's thrilling three-wicket win over India was the perfect psychological boost the team needed after the shattering loss to England, Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl said on Monday.
South Africa were staring down the barrel when India raced to 267 for one in Nagpur before the hosts slipped to 296 all out. They then hit 13 off the last over to secure a victory which means they can wrap up a quarter-final spot on Tuesday by beating Ireland.
"The win against India was good for us and our morale. It was a psychological boost for us and a very important game in the tournament," said the South Africa coach.
Van Zyl said he would field the best available team against Ireland, who have already upset England. "We are fully aware of what Ireland have done. It's important to prepare not just from a tactical but from a mental point of view," he said.
"Ireland are tough opponents. It's not just their fielding but how they are playing in the tournament. They have really played well."
South Africa, with six points from four games, need a win on Tuesday to book a quarter-final berth. When asked whether South Africa were aiming to top the group, van Zyl said: "We are going to take it one game at a time. We are not looking far too ahead now. Our focus is on Ireland."
The coach also shrugged off injury worries over AB de Villiers and Imran Tahir who could both miss Tuesday's match. In-form batsman de Villiers is suffering from a thigh injury while leg-spinner Tahir fractured his left thumb in the match against England and did not play against India.
Middle-order batsman de Villiers is his team's highest scorer with 318 runs with two hundreds and one half-century, while Pakistan-born Tahir is South Africa's leading wicket-taker with 11.
"We have a 15-man squad and we feel each member can represent South Africa on any given day. Hopefully, in one of these days he (Tahir) will be fit," van Zyl said on Monday.
"AB has gone for a scan this morning. We are awaiting the full medical report, but I don't think it's major."
South Africa were staring down the barrel when India raced to 267 for one in Nagpur before the hosts slipped to 296 all out. They then hit 13 off the last over to secure a victory which means they can wrap up a quarter-final spot on Tuesday by beating Ireland.
"The win against India was good for us and our morale. It was a psychological boost for us and a very important game in the tournament," said the South Africa coach.
Van Zyl said he would field the best available team against Ireland, who have already upset England. "We are fully aware of what Ireland have done. It's important to prepare not just from a tactical but from a mental point of view," he said.
"Ireland are tough opponents. It's not just their fielding but how they are playing in the tournament. They have really played well."
South Africa, with six points from four games, need a win on Tuesday to book a quarter-final berth. When asked whether South Africa were aiming to top the group, van Zyl said: "We are going to take it one game at a time. We are not looking far too ahead now. Our focus is on Ireland."
The coach also shrugged off injury worries over AB de Villiers and Imran Tahir who could both miss Tuesday's match. In-form batsman de Villiers is suffering from a thigh injury while leg-spinner Tahir fractured his left thumb in the match against England and did not play against India.
Middle-order batsman de Villiers is his team's highest scorer with 318 runs with two hundreds and one half-century, while Pakistan-born Tahir is South Africa's leading wicket-taker with 11.
"We have a 15-man squad and we feel each member can represent South Africa on any given day. Hopefully, in one of these days he (Tahir) will be fit," van Zyl said on Monday.
"AB has gone for a scan this morning. We are awaiting the full medical report, but I don't think it's major."
Left is right for Bangladesh, says Shakib
Bangladesh's emphatic six-wicket victory over the Netherlands justified packing the side with left-handers, captain Shakib Al Hasan said on Monday. "It worked today against the Dutch, but that does not mean it will work all the time," Shakib said after the co-hosts won to remain in contention for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Bangladesh played a third left-arm spinner in Suhrawadi Shuvo to partner Abdur Razzak and Shakib himself, dropping consistent off-break bowler Naeem Islam. The home team also included Shahriar Nafees to bat at number four in place of right-hander Raqibul Hasan, which meant the top five batsmen were all left-handers.
"Naeem bowled well in the previous games but we decided to bring in Shuvo because the Dutch side had a lot of right-handers and they would find it difficult to play left-arm spin," the captain said.
"Playing Nafees was not part of any left-hand plan. We gave him a chance because Raqibul was not getting runs. It is just a coincidence that our top order was left-handed. But since that is what is being talked about, let me tell you that there were two more lefties lower down the order in Razzak and Shuvo."
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers, with Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib and Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh join the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England, with four teams qualifying for the knockout round.
A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday would mean Bangladesh were through to the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday. But an unlikely Irish win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Tuesday would throw the race wide open.
Shakib admitted the team would keep one eye on the West Indies-England game even as the players prepared for the match against South Africa. "Of course we will watch that match, but as far as we are concerned, it will change nothing.
"Our future should remain in our hands. The bottom line is that we have to beat South Africa. Having won our last two matches has made the team very confident of doing well against such a good side. There is a lot of belief in the squad. If we do the basics right, anything can happen."
Bangladesh, buoyed by their stunning two-wicket win over England on Friday, did not bowl a single wide or no-ball against the Dutch in a disciplined display on the field.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out. "We did well in the field today and I hope we will continue in the same way," said Shakib. "It was not an easy wicket to bat on but Imrul led the way very well."
Bangladesh played a third left-arm spinner in Suhrawadi Shuvo to partner Abdur Razzak and Shakib himself, dropping consistent off-break bowler Naeem Islam. The home team also included Shahriar Nafees to bat at number four in place of right-hander Raqibul Hasan, which meant the top five batsmen were all left-handers.
"Naeem bowled well in the previous games but we decided to bring in Shuvo because the Dutch side had a lot of right-handers and they would find it difficult to play left-arm spin," the captain said.
"Playing Nafees was not part of any left-hand plan. We gave him a chance because Raqibul was not getting runs. It is just a coincidence that our top order was left-handed. But since that is what is being talked about, let me tell you that there were two more lefties lower down the order in Razzak and Shuvo."
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers, with Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib and Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh join the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England, with four teams qualifying for the knockout round.
A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday would mean Bangladesh were through to the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday. But an unlikely Irish win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Tuesday would throw the race wide open.
Shakib admitted the team would keep one eye on the West Indies-England game even as the players prepared for the match against South Africa. "Of course we will watch that match, but as far as we are concerned, it will change nothing.
"Our future should remain in our hands. The bottom line is that we have to beat South Africa. Having won our last two matches has made the team very confident of doing well against such a good side. There is a lot of belief in the squad. If we do the basics right, anything can happen."
Bangladesh, buoyed by their stunning two-wicket win over England on Friday, did not bowl a single wide or no-ball against the Dutch in a disciplined display on the field.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out. "We did well in the field today and I hope we will continue in the same way," said Shakib. "It was not an easy wicket to bat on but Imrul led the way very well."
Porterfield reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct
Ireland's William Porterfield has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct following his side's match against the West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Mohali on Friday.
Porterfield pleaded guilty to contravening Level 1 offence (Section 2.1.7) of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials which relates to "public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to, an incident occurring in an international match or any player, player support personnel or match official".
The incident took place after his side's 44-run defeat when he was speaking publicly about an umpiring decision, specifically the lbw of Ireland batsman Gary Wilson.
As Porterfield accepted the sanction without contest, there was no need for a hearing.
Commenting on his decision, Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, said: "Although it may not be unusual for a captain to feel aggrieved or frustrated by what he feels is a rough decision, it does not give him any right to criticise the umpire as William did.
"The umpire's decision is final and it is a long-standing pillar of our game that the match officials should receive absolute respect for their decisions. In giving my verdict, I took into account that this was William's first such offence," said Mr Mahanama.
All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a maximum penalty of the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.
Porterfield pleaded guilty to contravening Level 1 offence (Section 2.1.7) of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials which relates to "public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to, an incident occurring in an international match or any player, player support personnel or match official".
The incident took place after his side's 44-run defeat when he was speaking publicly about an umpiring decision, specifically the lbw of Ireland batsman Gary Wilson.
As Porterfield accepted the sanction without contest, there was no need for a hearing.
Commenting on his decision, Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, said: "Although it may not be unusual for a captain to feel aggrieved or frustrated by what he feels is a rough decision, it does not give him any right to criticise the umpire as William did.
"The umpire's decision is final and it is a long-standing pillar of our game that the match officials should receive absolute respect for their decisions. In giving my verdict, I took into account that this was William's first such offence," said Mr Mahanama.
All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a maximum penalty of the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.
New Zealand players visit ICC Great Spirit initiative
While the eyes of the cricketing world will be on Mumbai on 2 April for the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, this week forty young leaders are discovering how the sport can strengthen their work with disadvantaged children and have a positive influence on their lives long after the competition is finished.
Just weeks before the biggest occasion in the cricketing calendar, the young leaders from rural and urban Maharashtra are being trained in Mumbai as part of a partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and UNICEF.
UK-based charity Cricket for Change is delivering the training that focuses on Street20, a simple, fast and inexpensive form of the game. As part of a week-long programme, the young leaders are developing their cricket mentoring skills and also learn how to address issues related to education, health, inclusion, protection and safety.
Select participants had the chance to showcase the Street20 initiative at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, the venue for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final, alongside members of the New Zealand squad including Jamie How, Hamish Bennett and Luke Woodcock.
"I have really enjoyed attending this week's course and learning how I can use cricket for development in my work with community children. People in India love the sport, so if we can use cricket to engage them on a variety of social issues, we can hopefully make a difference in their lives," said young leader Vishal Mhaismale of Mumbai.
Others on the course have enjoyed understanding the basic elements of running a Street20 cricket tournament and how cricket can be used to reach out to disadvantaged young people.
"Obviously everybody has heard of Twenty20 cricket in India before, but I had never heard of Street20 cricket before this week. I think it is a brilliant game and I have really enjoyed learning how to run a cricket tournament, as well as umpiring and scoring. I can't wait to return home to start running cricket activities. It'll be like having a mini World Cup in my village," said Naziya Shek, aged 17, from rural Chandrapur.
The partnership between the ICC, UNICEF and Cricket for Change has already delivered similar 'Great Spirit' programmes for street children in Delhi, child soldiers in Sri Lanka, marginalized girls in Bangladesh and disadvantaged boys and girls in Afghanistan. Further plans are being made to develop a project in Pakistan later this year.
Just weeks before the biggest occasion in the cricketing calendar, the young leaders from rural and urban Maharashtra are being trained in Mumbai as part of a partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and UNICEF.
UK-based charity Cricket for Change is delivering the training that focuses on Street20, a simple, fast and inexpensive form of the game. As part of a week-long programme, the young leaders are developing their cricket mentoring skills and also learn how to address issues related to education, health, inclusion, protection and safety.
Select participants had the chance to showcase the Street20 initiative at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, the venue for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final, alongside members of the New Zealand squad including Jamie How, Hamish Bennett and Luke Woodcock.
"I have really enjoyed attending this week's course and learning how I can use cricket for development in my work with community children. People in India love the sport, so if we can use cricket to engage them on a variety of social issues, we can hopefully make a difference in their lives," said young leader Vishal Mhaismale of Mumbai.
Others on the course have enjoyed understanding the basic elements of running a Street20 cricket tournament and how cricket can be used to reach out to disadvantaged young people.
"Obviously everybody has heard of Twenty20 cricket in India before, but I had never heard of Street20 cricket before this week. I think it is a brilliant game and I have really enjoyed learning how to run a cricket tournament, as well as umpiring and scoring. I can't wait to return home to start running cricket activities. It'll be like having a mini World Cup in my village," said Naziya Shek, aged 17, from rural Chandrapur.
The partnership between the ICC, UNICEF and Cricket for Change has already delivered similar 'Great Spirit' programmes for street children in Delhi, child soldiers in Sri Lanka, marginalized girls in Bangladesh and disadvantaged boys and girls in Afghanistan. Further plans are being made to develop a project in Pakistan later this year.
Borren slams reckless batting after fifth loss
Dutch captain Peter Borren blamed poor batting for the six-wicket loss to Bangladesh on Monday, the fifth consecutive defeat for the minnows in a miserable campaign.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
"We just kept losing wickets at crucial times," said Borren. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one each.
But Borren credited Bangladesh's success to seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs as the Dutch plodded to 28-0 by the ninth.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
Borren conceded his team found it tough to adjust to the slow wicket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium against the home team's spin assault.
"It takes time to get used to spinners on such wickets," he said. "We can't get used to it if we don't stay long enough on it. We kept losing wickets at crucial times. We were trying to form partnerships but failed. We are just not accustomed to playing in these sort of conditions. The guys were trying to play shots but there was no pace on the ball. We just could not deal with it as well as we should have."
The Dutch take on fellow minnows Ireland in their last match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out.
"We just kept losing wickets at crucial times," said Borren. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers with Abdur Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one each.
But Borren credited Bangladesh's success to seamer Shafiul Islam, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs as the Dutch plodded to 28-0 by the ninth.
"Shafiul bowled very well today," Borren said. "He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."
Borren conceded his team found it tough to adjust to the slow wicket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium against the home team's spin assault.
"It takes time to get used to spinners on such wickets," he said. "We can't get used to it if we don't stay long enough on it. We kept losing wickets at crucial times. We were trying to form partnerships but failed. We are just not accustomed to playing in these sort of conditions. The guys were trying to play shots but there was no pace on the ball. We just could not deal with it as well as we should have."
The Dutch take on fellow minnows Ireland in their last match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
Black Caps riding high on confidence: McCullum
New Zealand are brimming with new-found confidence after three wins on the trot took them into the quarter-finals of the World Cup, says opener Brendon McCullum.
New Zealand hammered Canada by 97 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to become the second team from Group A to sail into the last eight.
"We are slowly starting to play how we want to play and we move into the next game knowing that we have played well over the last couple of games," McCullum said.
"The confidence is starting to seep into the team. That is something we desperately need.
"We are proud of what New Zealand teams have been able to achieve in past World Cups, they consistently gave themselves the opportunity."
The Black Caps made it to the semi-finals twice in the last three World Cups in 1999 and 2007 despite starting as underdogs.
Their build-up to this edition was far from encouraging as they suffered series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Before Sunday, they had defeated Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan but lost against holders Australia.
The manner of their triumph against Canada has now put them in good stead ahead of their last league outing against a strong Sri Lanka side on Friday.
"It was a key victory (against Canada)," said wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum who posted his first World Cup century to set up his team's emphatic win.
"We were able to play to roles we were trying to play to and execute the kind of skills we were hoping to achieve."
"Anytime you win, anytime you perform well, anytime that you get some confidence out of the game, that certainly helps."
"When we came here we had gone through a pretty tough time back home (a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan). But none of that mattered once we arrived here."
"It was a matter of making sure this team was able to go out and play its best cricket, each of us understood our roles."
McCullum said new coach John Wright had been a huge influence behind the scenes.
"Wright has been instrumental. He has been able to offer that experience and confidence to each player. We have seen this New Zealand team operate with a clear role which you can't say about some New Zealand teams in the past."
"The biggest turnaround is that we are going in with more confidence."
New Zealand hammered Canada by 97 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to become the second team from Group A to sail into the last eight.
"We are slowly starting to play how we want to play and we move into the next game knowing that we have played well over the last couple of games," McCullum said.
"The confidence is starting to seep into the team. That is something we desperately need.
"We are proud of what New Zealand teams have been able to achieve in past World Cups, they consistently gave themselves the opportunity."
The Black Caps made it to the semi-finals twice in the last three World Cups in 1999 and 2007 despite starting as underdogs.
Their build-up to this edition was far from encouraging as they suffered series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Before Sunday, they had defeated Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan but lost against holders Australia.
The manner of their triumph against Canada has now put them in good stead ahead of their last league outing against a strong Sri Lanka side on Friday.
"It was a key victory (against Canada)," said wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum who posted his first World Cup century to set up his team's emphatic win.
"We were able to play to roles we were trying to play to and execute the kind of skills we were hoping to achieve."
"Anytime you win, anytime you perform well, anytime that you get some confidence out of the game, that certainly helps."
"When we came here we had gone through a pretty tough time back home (a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan). But none of that mattered once we arrived here."
"It was a matter of making sure this team was able to go out and play its best cricket, each of us understood our roles."
McCullum said new coach John Wright had been a huge influence behind the scenes.
"Wright has been instrumental. He has been able to offer that experience and confidence to each player. We have seen this New Zealand team operate with a clear role which you can't say about some New Zealand teams in the past."
"The biggest turnaround is that we are going in with more confidence."
Ireland get Sri Lanka boost
Ireland are to be given a fresh chance to build on their World Cup performance after it was announced they will face Sri Lanka in a triangular series also featuring Scotland in July.
The Irish have been the standout non-Test nation at the World Cup, beating England by three wickets and competing strongly against co-hosts Bangladesh and India, as well as the West Indies, in the group phase.
But Ireland do not play the leading nations as often as they would like, until Monday's announcement their only major post World Cup fixture was a one-day international against England in Dublin on August 25.
However they now have a chance to face Sri Lanka in Edinburgh.
Ireland will play Sri Lanka on Monday July 11, and Scotland the following day. Scotland play Sri Lanka on Wednesday, July 13.
"This is a great boost to us to face a side of the quality of Sri Lanka," said Ireland coach Phil Simmons.
"They have proved already that they are one of the best sides in the world and they are just the sort of opponent we need. Ireland need to play more one day internationals between World Cups to give us the experience we need to perform and excel at these tournaments."
The Irish have been the standout non-Test nation at the World Cup, beating England by three wickets and competing strongly against co-hosts Bangladesh and India, as well as the West Indies, in the group phase.
But Ireland do not play the leading nations as often as they would like, until Monday's announcement their only major post World Cup fixture was a one-day international against England in Dublin on August 25.
However they now have a chance to face Sri Lanka in Edinburgh.
Ireland will play Sri Lanka on Monday July 11, and Scotland the following day. Scotland play Sri Lanka on Wednesday, July 13.
"This is a great boost to us to face a side of the quality of Sri Lanka," said Ireland coach Phil Simmons.
"They have proved already that they are one of the best sides in the world and they are just the sort of opponent we need. Ireland need to play more one day internationals between World Cups to give us the experience we need to perform and excel at these tournaments."
Win takes Tigers to brink of Cup knockouts
Bangladesh cruised to a six-wicket win over the Netherlands Monday which takes them to the brink of the World Cup quarter-finals as Pakistan looked to seal their own passage.
Co-hosts Bangladesh are now in fourth place in Group B on six points, with the top four teams qualifying for the last eight and know a win over South Africa on Saturday will take them through.
The Dutch won the toss in Chittagong and opted to bat but slumped to 160 all out in 46.2 overs despite 53 not out from the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate.
Abdur Razzak picked up 3-29 in 10 overs, while fellow spinners skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece. In a reckless display of running between the wickets, the Netherlands lost four wickets to run outs.
Untroubled Bangladesh surpassed the target in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out. Kayes put on 92 for the second wicket with Junaid Siddique (35) after opening partner Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Mudassar Bukhari off the fourth ball of the innings without scoring.
"It was a nervous win because we had to win to stay in the contest. I thought the boys showed their character and bowled in really good areas and kept the pressure on," said Shakib, who said qualification was still in the Tigers' hands.
If the West Indies beat England on Thursday in Chennai, Bangladesh will qualify regardless of the outcome of the South Africa match. Dutch skipper Peter Borren admitted his team, with five defeats in five games, had let themselves down.
"In the end we played some pretty bad cricket with four run-outs. I think the wicket was a challenge to bat on but 160 was not enough and we let ourselves down."
No team from Group B has yet qualified for the knockout round. Bangladesh, India, West Indies, South Africa and England are all in the mix, with one Test team certain to miss out.
But Group A is a different story with New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia already through to the quarter-finals and Pakistan almost certain to join them.
Pakistan, keen to put the Akmal brothers soap opera behind them, lost the toss at Pallekele on Monday but had Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 96-5 when rain stopped play.
Ever since Kamran put in a blundering performance behind the stumps in the 110-run defeat to New Zealand last Tuesday, it had been widely expected that younger brother Umar would take the gloves for Monday's match.
Umar was then accused of feigning a finger injury to save his brother's job. Despite assurances they would both play, Umar was missing from the Pakistan line-up.
Meanwhile, in-form South African batsman AB de Villiers has undergone a scan on a left thigh injury ahead of Tuesday's match against Ireland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl said Monday the injury was not "major". "We are waiting for the doctor's report," he said.
Co-hosts Bangladesh are now in fourth place in Group B on six points, with the top four teams qualifying for the last eight and know a win over South Africa on Saturday will take them through.
The Dutch won the toss in Chittagong and opted to bat but slumped to 160 all out in 46.2 overs despite 53 not out from the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate.
Abdur Razzak picked up 3-29 in 10 overs, while fellow spinners skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece. In a reckless display of running between the wickets, the Netherlands lost four wickets to run outs.
Untroubled Bangladesh surpassed the target in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out. Kayes put on 92 for the second wicket with Junaid Siddique (35) after opening partner Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Mudassar Bukhari off the fourth ball of the innings without scoring.
"It was a nervous win because we had to win to stay in the contest. I thought the boys showed their character and bowled in really good areas and kept the pressure on," said Shakib, who said qualification was still in the Tigers' hands.
If the West Indies beat England on Thursday in Chennai, Bangladesh will qualify regardless of the outcome of the South Africa match. Dutch skipper Peter Borren admitted his team, with five defeats in five games, had let themselves down.
"In the end we played some pretty bad cricket with four run-outs. I think the wicket was a challenge to bat on but 160 was not enough and we let ourselves down."
No team from Group B has yet qualified for the knockout round. Bangladesh, India, West Indies, South Africa and England are all in the mix, with one Test team certain to miss out.
But Group A is a different story with New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia already through to the quarter-finals and Pakistan almost certain to join them.
Pakistan, keen to put the Akmal brothers soap opera behind them, lost the toss at Pallekele on Monday but had Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 96-5 when rain stopped play.
Ever since Kamran put in a blundering performance behind the stumps in the 110-run defeat to New Zealand last Tuesday, it had been widely expected that younger brother Umar would take the gloves for Monday's match.
Umar was then accused of feigning a finger injury to save his brother's job. Despite assurances they would both play, Umar was missing from the Pakistan line-up.
Meanwhile, in-form South African batsman AB de Villiers has undergone a scan on a left thigh injury ahead of Tuesday's match against Ireland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl said Monday the injury was not "major". "We are waiting for the doctor's report," he said.
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