India can underline their credentials as World Cup favourites with victory over South Africa in Group B on Saturday, and convince their own fans who are becoming increasingly jittery about their prospects.
The co-hosts, touted by most as the favourites to win the Feb 19-April 2 tournament, have been unbeaten so far in their campaign with three wins and a tied match against England.
But their victories, against Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, have inspired anything but confidence in the supporters' minds.
The five-wicket wins against lowly Ireland and the Netherlands have rather raised doubts about the supposedly formidable Indian batting line-up.
"I think winning is important and it's not a bad win. When you see the scorecard it says India won by five wickets. It's a big positive," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after the victory against the Dutch.
Maybe, but the Indian bowling has lacked teeth so far, which was evident when Bangladesh were allowed to reach 283 for nine while chasing 371 and England managed to tie the match while chasing 339 for victory.
While the pacemen, barring the experienced Zaheer Khan, have failed to impress with the new ball, the regular spinners, including Harbhajan Singh, have blown hot and cold with their form at best.
But captain Dhoni is not worried yet.
"I think Harbhajan is bowling well. Other teams are blocking him and going after Yuvraj, giving him the wickets in the process. Spinners need to hunt in pairs," he said.
India have a chance to dispel all doubts and calm many a nerve with a win at the VCA Stadium on Saturday against rivals who are well known to them. The two teams played each other in a five-match ODI series before the start of the World Cup.
South Africa slipped past India 3-2 in that series but the conditions will be completely different in Nagpur.
The slow and low conditions in the sub-continent mean that the South Africans have had to depend on their slow bowlers more than their quick men.
"It's a funny game. A couple of months ago, you were getting wickets and things were going well," said Morne Morkel, who took 12 wickets against India in the home ODI series.
"If I can bowl dot balls and keep one end tight, then I think I've done my job. It will be great to get wickets. We have some important games to come so I know that my day will come soon."
The Africans compounded their problems by getting skittled for 165 runs, while chasing 172 for victory against England, giving their critics an opportunity of labelling them "chokers" again having never won this tournament.
The England match had more after effects as their highest wicket-taker Imran Tahir suffered a left thumb fracture while making a catch to dismiss Jonathan Trott.
Tahir has been advised to rest it for 10 days but is available for selection as the injury is to his non-bowling hand.
Another cricketer that South Africa have to guard against will be former opener Gary Kirsten, India's current coach.
The Indians will bank on Kirsten for some insider's tips to boost their chances against his home nation.
"They have got very different ideas and very different thinking. I have enjoyed bringing the Indian style and a South African influence and connecting the two," Kirsten had told Cricinfo before the start of the tournament.
"It is important that they know I'm there and that I will work as hard as possible on helping them prepare for games."
"After all, it is the player who needs to be clear in his head in the pressure situation during game time. He can't call the coach to think for him."
Showing posts with label Cricket Live Match. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket Live Match. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Watson relishing Hussey's return
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes the call-up of Michael Hussey is "brilliant" news for the defending champions as they chase a fourth straight World Cup title and fifth in all.
Veteran batsman Hussey, 35, was named in Australia's original 15-man squad but then dropped because of a hamstring injury that needed surgery.
However, he has since recovered and the Western Australia left-hander has got his chance after being summoned to the sub-continent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
Hussey's inclusion will bolster Australia's ability to play spin bowling and he is also a noted 'finisher' of a one-day innings, being particularly adept at rebuilding following the loss of early wickets.
"It's brilliant," said Watson on Tuesday. "I was hoping Mike would come over."
"It's going to give us a huge boost to have someone of his calibre flying in to be a part of our squad and with a very big chance of playing immediately as well."
Hussey was due to join the squad late on Tuesday local tie.
Australia have had to endure an extraordinary schedule at this World Cup, being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
They had to wait eight days to play Sri Lanka last weekend, only for the match to be a no-result washout, and now face a seven-day break before facing Kenya at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
But they then return to the same ground three days later to take on Canada.
"That's the disappointing thing about the last game, that it got washed out and now we've got another week to wait," opening batsman and medium-pacer Watson added. "We're having to fill in the time again."
One consolation for Watson is he has been joined by his wife, Lee Furlong, a presenter with the Australian television channel Fox Sports.
"It definitely makes a difference to the days when women weren't on tour as much. It makes balancing your life a bit easier."
With few members of Australia's middle-order having spent much time in the middle so far, skipper Ricky Ponting may be tempted to alter his batting order for games against group makeweights Kenya and Canada.
"I've thought about that for the last couple of days actually, but I'm not exactly sure if they (the management) have got anything in mind," Watson said.
"They haven't talked to me about it. We've just got to make sure that everyone is in the best place possible going into the quarter-finals."
"I suppose it could be like our match against Ireland in the 2007 World Cup when Mike Hussey opened the batting and Andrew Symonds batted at three to give him a chance of getting some time in the middle."
Many pundits have predicted this World Cup could be the one that ends Australia's reign as champions but Watson said: "The more I've seen throughout this tournament so far, the more confident I am we've got the team to, at our best, go on to win this tournament."
Veteran batsman Hussey, 35, was named in Australia's original 15-man squad but then dropped because of a hamstring injury that needed surgery.
However, he has since recovered and the Western Australia left-hander has got his chance after being summoned to the sub-continent as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
Hussey's inclusion will bolster Australia's ability to play spin bowling and he is also a noted 'finisher' of a one-day innings, being particularly adept at rebuilding following the loss of early wickets.
"It's brilliant," said Watson on Tuesday. "I was hoping Mike would come over."
"It's going to give us a huge boost to have someone of his calibre flying in to be a part of our squad and with a very big chance of playing immediately as well."
Hussey was due to join the squad late on Tuesday local tie.
Australia have had to endure an extraordinary schedule at this World Cup, being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
They had to wait eight days to play Sri Lanka last weekend, only for the match to be a no-result washout, and now face a seven-day break before facing Kenya at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
But they then return to the same ground three days later to take on Canada.
"That's the disappointing thing about the last game, that it got washed out and now we've got another week to wait," opening batsman and medium-pacer Watson added. "We're having to fill in the time again."
One consolation for Watson is he has been joined by his wife, Lee Furlong, a presenter with the Australian television channel Fox Sports.
"It definitely makes a difference to the days when women weren't on tour as much. It makes balancing your life a bit easier."
With few members of Australia's middle-order having spent much time in the middle so far, skipper Ricky Ponting may be tempted to alter his batting order for games against group makeweights Kenya and Canada.
"I've thought about that for the last couple of days actually, but I'm not exactly sure if they (the management) have got anything in mind," Watson said.
"They haven't talked to me about it. We've just got to make sure that everyone is in the best place possible going into the quarter-finals."
"I suppose it could be like our match against Ireland in the 2007 World Cup when Mike Hussey opened the batting and Andrew Symonds batted at three to give him a chance of getting some time in the middle."
Many pundits have predicted this World Cup could be the one that ends Australia's reign as champions but Watson said: "The more I've seen throughout this tournament so far, the more confident I am we've got the team to, at our best, go on to win this tournament."
New Zealand skipper Vettori in injury scare
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori hurt his right knee while attempting a catch in his team's World Cup Group A match against Pakistan at Pallekele stadium in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old landed awkwardly as he tried to catch Kamran Akmal at mid-on after New Zealand set Pakistan a mammoth 303-run target. He was helped to the dressing room by team officials.
"Dan hurt his right knee while attempting a catch. He is currently taking ice treatment and was being assessed," team media manager Ellery Tappin said.
Vettori has a history of back and knee injuries in a career spanning more than 14 years.
New Zealand made 302-7 after winning the toss, with Ross Taylor hitting a career-best 131 not out.
The 32-year-old landed awkwardly as he tried to catch Kamran Akmal at mid-on after New Zealand set Pakistan a mammoth 303-run target. He was helped to the dressing room by team officials.
"Dan hurt his right knee while attempting a catch. He is currently taking ice treatment and was being assessed," team media manager Ellery Tappin said.
Vettori has a history of back and knee injuries in a career spanning more than 14 years.
New Zealand made 302-7 after winning the toss, with Ross Taylor hitting a career-best 131 not out.
Tendulkar wicket a dream for Dockrell
Ireland teenager George Dockrell said it had been a "dream come true" for him to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar after the underdogs gave World Cup co-hosts India a fright.
India won the Group B match against the associate nation by five wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
But they were made to work hard for their success by an Ireland side that had already produced the performance of this World Cup to beat England by three wickets, and who ought to have defeated Bangladesh in their tournament opener.
Left-arm spinner Dockrell had batting great Tendulkar lbw for 38 and later dismissed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also leg before, on his way to fine figures of two for 49 in 10 overs, not bad for an 18-year-old.
"I am a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar," Dockrell told Tuesday's Deccan Herald. "I tried to catch a glimpse of him at training sessions here in Bangalore. I admire his style of batting."
"And getting him out was a dream come true."
Ireland could only manage 207 all out against India but bowled and fielded tigerishly to have their opponents in trouble at 100 for four.
A packed crowd made almost as much an impression upon Dockrell as the India batsmen, with the youngster relishing the experience.
"We were looking forward to playing in front of a full house and so much cheering, noise, hooting and energy from 45,000 people was amazing. It added that much needed excitement to the game."
But Dockrell added: "It pays to be calm yet persistent. There's no point getting worked-up. You can't prevent what's to come but you can give every moment your best shot."
An unbeaten 50 from Yuvraj Singh, who'd earlier taken five wickets, saw India home and emphasised the depth of their batting line-up.
"They're iconic and their commitment to the sport is unmatched," Dockrell said of India's star-studded top order. "There's so much power in them."
Ireland, who've still to play the West Indies, South Africa and the Netherlands, are fifth in Group B and in the hunt for a quarter-final spot, with the top four sides in both pools going through to the last eight.
India won the Group B match against the associate nation by five wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
But they were made to work hard for their success by an Ireland side that had already produced the performance of this World Cup to beat England by three wickets, and who ought to have defeated Bangladesh in their tournament opener.
Left-arm spinner Dockrell had batting great Tendulkar lbw for 38 and later dismissed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also leg before, on his way to fine figures of two for 49 in 10 overs, not bad for an 18-year-old.
"I am a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar," Dockrell told Tuesday's Deccan Herald. "I tried to catch a glimpse of him at training sessions here in Bangalore. I admire his style of batting."
"And getting him out was a dream come true."
Ireland could only manage 207 all out against India but bowled and fielded tigerishly to have their opponents in trouble at 100 for four.
A packed crowd made almost as much an impression upon Dockrell as the India batsmen, with the youngster relishing the experience.
"We were looking forward to playing in front of a full house and so much cheering, noise, hooting and energy from 45,000 people was amazing. It added that much needed excitement to the game."
But Dockrell added: "It pays to be calm yet persistent. There's no point getting worked-up. You can't prevent what's to come but you can give every moment your best shot."
An unbeaten 50 from Yuvraj Singh, who'd earlier taken five wickets, saw India home and emphasised the depth of their batting line-up.
"They're iconic and their commitment to the sport is unmatched," Dockrell said of India's star-studded top order. "There's so much power in them."
Ireland, who've still to play the West Indies, South Africa and the Netherlands, are fifth in Group B and in the hunt for a quarter-final spot, with the top four sides in both pools going through to the last eight.
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