Match: T20: Final
Venue: Barbados | Date: May 16, 2010
Toss: England elected to field
Result: England win by 7 wickets.
In T20 World Cup final today England won the toss and elected to field first. The bowlers did not disappointed the captain and wrecked the top order of Australia. Australia who had shown brilliant batting through out the tournament, failed today when it mattered the most. The top 4 batsmen were back in pavilion with the team score of just 45. But again the man for Australia was D Hussey who along with C White took the charge and helped Australia cross the hundred run mark. Hussey’s innings of 59 helped Australia post a total of 147/6 in 20 overs.
Chasing the total of 148 to be the champions of ICC T20 World Cup, England lost M Lumb in the second over and it looked Australian bowlers will not let England win so easily. But C Kieswetter and K Pietersen got into a partnership of 111 runs and made sure that England are crowned the champs of this year T20 World Cup. But England then lost both these batsmen quickly and were placed at 121/3 in 14.1 overs. They needed just 27 runs from 35 balls and had 7 wickets in hand. E Morgan and P Collingwood finally scored the required runs and England were crowned the ICC T20 World Cup 2010 Winner.
Showing posts with label Twenty20. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twenty20. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Monday, 17 August 2009
Sussex Twenty20 Champions
Good Old Sussex by the Sea
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
T20 World Cup
Blink and it's gone
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
What do Bangaldesh, Scotland & Australia have in common?
They are all out of the World Cup
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Ooops - No. 2
The Aussies are out of the 20/20 World Cup
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Symonds Sent Home - Again!
He's going home, he's going home, he's going, Symo's going home!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Don't worry that's them out of it!
Australia have included controversial English all-rounder Andrew Symonds in their 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in England, which starts on 5 June.
So, we can write them off. The rest of the squad is...
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson
Jardine's Verdict: On paper a strong squad. In reality? They are no longer invincible despite the emergence of the prodigously talented Mitchell Johnson. Michael 'Mr Cricket' Hussey is a liability and Symonds is drinking his way through the wine list in the last chance saloon. Brett Lee, out for too long, too slow and a surely only picked on history not form. David Warner the new 'Slogging Sensation' is too hit and miss and the lack of a steadying slow bowler is their real achilles heel.
So, we can write them off. The rest of the squad is...
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson
Jardine's Verdict: On paper a strong squad. In reality? They are no longer invincible despite the emergence of the prodigously talented Mitchell Johnson. Michael 'Mr Cricket' Hussey is a liability and Symonds is drinking his way through the wine list in the last chance saloon. Brett Lee, out for too long, too slow and a surely only picked on history not form. David Warner the new 'Slogging Sensation' is too hit and miss and the lack of a steadying slow bowler is their real achilles heel.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Introducing the future 20/20 World Cup Winners!
India
In the meantime England have announced their 15 man squad. We know, we all said the same thing. Where is Phil DeFreitas?
James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood (capt), Andrew Flintoff, James Foster (wk), Rob Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Jardine's Verdict: Well, as hosts we do have to submit a team to fulfill our fixtures and that is exactly what we've done. Not a chance
In the meantime England have announced their 15 man squad. We know, we all said the same thing. Where is Phil DeFreitas?
James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood (capt), Andrew Flintoff, James Foster (wk), Rob Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Jardine's Verdict: Well, as hosts we do have to submit a team to fulfill our fixtures and that is exactly what we've done. Not a chance
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Yabba-dabba-don't tell me he is injured again!
England all-rounder Fred Flintstone has returned to England from the IPL to undergo surgery on his right knee after dropping a boulder on it, no doubt.
He is expected to be out of action for three to five weeks (which in Fred speak is usually followed by a hamstring pull, a calf problem and then his ankle will go – so three months!)
The injury prone 31-year-old will miss the two-Test series against West Indies, which starts at Lord's on 6 May. He is expected to be fit for the ICC World Twenty20 in June (when he will no doubt slip a disk getting into a sponsored car) and the Ashes series against Australia which he will commentate on for Sky.
I can’t even bring myself to write the "I told you so" paragraph that should follow this thoroughly disappointing news.
So, instead contend yourself with looking at the catalogue of disasters that makes up a third of Andrew Flintoff’s (no relation) test career…
FLINTOFF'S MISERY
1999 Returned early from South Africa with broken foot
2000 Back injury ended Pakistan tour
2002 Hernia operation and then returns from Ashes tour with groin problem
2003 Missed Zimbabwe series with shoulder injury
2005 Ankle surgery in January
2006 Out for 12 weeks after ankle surgery
2007 More surgery to left ankle
2008 Missed series in New Zealand because of side strain
2007 Missed part of Test and one-day series in West Indies because of hip injury
2009 Missed home Test series against West Indies because of knee injury picked up chasing the cash in 20/20 thrash.
Jardine's Verdict: It could (only could mind) be a blessing in disguise. But the reality is more likely to be that the one area we truly dominate Australia, namely in having a quality all-rounder has been blown out of the water. Time to give Daffy Defreitas a call. Well, he is at least better than Andrew Symonds!
Friday, 24 April 2009
IPL 2 - The Sequel
What to make of it? What’s going on?
Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders? Hang on a minute - Rewind; Kings & Royals? Yes, I suppose so. Indians? Natch. Knight Riders? What? Is Hasselhoff opening the bowling? Talking ‘kit’? Oh, I know it is easy pickings, pure JM96* fodder but surely somebody could have come up with something better. It’s done now, no use crying over it…
So, this is NEW cricket, 20/20, the world’s best sloggers versus the world’s best dibby-dobby bowlers.
How does it stack up? Better than the first series? Or too early to tell? Most probably the latter but the issue is that given the fleeting appearances of a number of the main performers (that damn pesky Test Match thing is getting in the way) it won’t be until after Freddie, KP, Chris Gayle et al head off, that the true quality of the tournament will reveal itself with a smattering of retired Aussies and Brendan McCullum rubbing shoulders with the Indian World Twenty20 champions.
The most entertaining aspect of the tournament so far has been Shane Warne (ex-Test Cricketer and Coach of Jaipur) stating that international/test players don’t need a coach. Unless of course they are playing IPL when remarkably they do! http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23294086-2882%2C00.html
Jardine’s Verdict: IPL2 – Some great cricketers, making a shed load of cash from relatively competitive games but… do we really want to see Matthew Hayden pumping up his ample bosom?
Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders? Hang on a minute - Rewind; Kings & Royals? Yes, I suppose so. Indians? Natch. Knight Riders? What? Is Hasselhoff opening the bowling? Talking ‘kit’? Oh, I know it is easy pickings, pure JM96* fodder but surely somebody could have come up with something better. It’s done now, no use crying over it…
So, this is NEW cricket, 20/20, the world’s best sloggers versus the world’s best dibby-dobby bowlers.
How does it stack up? Better than the first series? Or too early to tell? Most probably the latter but the issue is that given the fleeting appearances of a number of the main performers (that damn pesky Test Match thing is getting in the way) it won’t be until after Freddie, KP, Chris Gayle et al head off, that the true quality of the tournament will reveal itself with a smattering of retired Aussies and Brendan McCullum rubbing shoulders with the Indian World Twenty20 champions.
The most entertaining aspect of the tournament so far has been Shane Warne (ex-Test Cricketer and Coach of Jaipur) stating that international/test players don’t need a coach. Unless of course they are playing IPL when remarkably they do! http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23294086-2882%2C00.html
Jardine’s Verdict: IPL2 – Some great cricketers, making a shed load of cash from relatively competitive games but… do we really want to see Matthew Hayden pumping up his ample bosom?
Thursday, 23 April 2009
World Twenty20
Kent skipper Blob Key, is remarkably in the running to become England's captain for the ICC World Twenty20, will lead the Lions again, as he did last summer and during the winter on their tour of New Zealand.
A number of Kent fans that I know swear by Key but I can’t help but feel last seasons failures (Lost Cup final and relegation from Div 1 must offset some of the enthusiasm). Also can he really justify his place in the side as a batsman? Destructive with the willow he well may be but surely his fielding is a major barrier to inclusion.
Jardine's verdict: Are you mad?
A number of Kent fans that I know swear by Key but I can’t help but feel last seasons failures (Lost Cup final and relegation from Div 1 must offset some of the enthusiasm). Also can he really justify his place in the side as a batsman? Destructive with the willow he well may be but surely his fielding is a major barrier to inclusion.
Jardine's verdict: Are you mad?
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