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Lanka steamroll WI
Chokers and Jokers
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India arrive in WI
Sehwag may miss Champions Trophy
Egypt stun Italy
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Lanka steamroll WI
Xavier Marshall chopped on in the second ball of Mathews’ over, Lendl Simmons was bowled around his legs two deliveries later and the over ended with Dwayne Bravo castled off an inside edge. All three departed without bothering the scorers. Indeed, at one for three, it was effectively game over, though Chris Gayle fought valiantly to remain unconquered on 63 off 50 balls out of a total of 101. The wickets were shared between Mathews, Mendis and Muralitharan. The West Indian skipper greeted Malinga with three fours in the fourth over; and pulled Udana and Muralitharan for six apiece. But the experienced Chanderpaul was deceived by Mendis and Sarwan holed out at long on off Murali, shortly after being dropped off Malinga. On a muggy south London afternoon, with cloud cover to boot, it was not unjustified to bowl first. But Gayle’s was a premeditated decision, since the West Indies had chased rather than set a target in every match in this tournament; and this is what they felt comfortable doing. Dilshan motored at the perfect pace, generally avoiding pitfalls, yet producing his trademark back scoop over the wicket-keeper’s head for a four and a paddle for six off consecutive balls at Jerome Taylor’s expense. Three boundaries followed in the next over off Bravo before he carted Gayle for a maximum to midwicket. In contrast, the seasoned blaster, Sanath Jayasuriya struggled. He consumed 37 balls for his 24 before he moving across his stumps to flick the ball into the hands of fine leg. But a 1 st wicket association of 73 provided a launch pad for shots in the last five overs, which recorded invaluable 60 runs. In the same over as Jayasuriya’s exit, the 12 th of the innings, Kumar Sangakkara was also dismissed before he had opened his account – sensationally caught at point by Kieron Pollard. Then, Mahela Jayawardene glanced directly into the palms of short fine leg off Pollard to arrest Sri Lanka in the shape of three wickets for four runs in eight balls. Dilshan nevertheless stepped on the gas and stitched a partnership of 50 for the 4 th wicket with Chamara Silva in which the latter’s contribution was only 11. He uncoiled a spate of pulls, including four boundaries off Bravo in an over that boosted the score by 17 runs. Scoreboard West Indies: |
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Chokers and Jokers
The label of chokers has been attached to the South Africans ever since they lost in the semi-finals in the 1992 World Cup. The same thing happened in 1999; while in 2003 at home and 2007 in the West Indies they stumbled at the preliminary stage and semi-finals respectively. As hosts, South Africa did not make the last four of the inaugural World Twenty20 either. Since then, though, they have advanced authoritatively in both tests and one-day internationals – beating Australia away in five-dayers and at both home and away in 50/50 to emerge as the top ranked side in ODIs. They, in fact, steamrolled opponents like a well oiled machine in every previous appearance in the current World Twenty20, before they unexpectedly tumbled against Pakistan. Indeed, the only international title of significance they have ever won is the Champions Trophy in Dhaka in 1998. The tag of chokers is, therefore, back in currency. Some commentators – unable to distinguish between ordinary and quality spin - erroneously concluded the South Africans had all bases covered with Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe. Just because India generously made heroes out of this duo did not mean they would sustain this success, particularly against a sub-continental opposition. Not surprisingly, they didn’t. It also needed to be realised that the Pakistanis had earlier played the otherwise puzzling Ajantha Medis rather better than others. While South Africa are much improved against slow bowling, they are still susceptible to skilful spinners on a responsive track. Clearly, Shahid Afridi under Intikhab Alam’s coaching has emerged as an effective wrist spinner in limited overs cricket; and Saeed Ajmal, with a genuine doosra, is a promising off-spinner. They proved a handful for the Proteas. The real decider, though, was the slow turner at Trent Bridge, which has historically been either a batsman or paceman’s paradise. Finalists Pakistan were categorised as jokers. This was not because of captain Younus Khan’s amusing press and TV interviews, but because of hackneyed statements about which Pakistani team will turn up. (The same is often said of the West Indians these days. Why don’t the English ask which England side will turn up? Will it be the one that lost to Netherlands or the one that defeated India?) Admittedly, Pakistan lived up to the stereotyping by succumbing to England in the preliminary stage; and also to Sri Lanka in the Super Eights. But they came to life in the New Zealand game; and with a timely eruption from Afridi mounted enough runs on the board to make it challenging for the South Africans. They actually fell short by about 20 runs, given the foundation Afridi had laid. Umar Gul’s outstanding ability to fire in yorker after yorker on a batsman’s toes blended with reverse swing makes him the most potent bowler in Twenty20. This Pathan has bowled his heart out in this tournament; and Younus’ tactics of unveiling him in the second half of an innings has been brilliant. Pakistan won notwithstanding Younus’ bungle of not giving Gul his full quota of overs. As is well known, a joker in a pack can be utilised as any card; it’s an unknown weapon. So, if Pakistan are jokers, they are also potentially trump cards. By reaching the finals in successive World Twenty20 tournament, their average success rate is now greater than others. Not bad for a country with limited financial resources and a recent shortage of exposure at the international level.
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The visitors landed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Jamaica today without key players Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan. But captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was confident his team had the wherewithal to challenge the inconsistent West Indies as they play the first two matches at Sabina Park on June 26 and 28. The next two matches would be played in St Lucia on July 3 and 5. "When it comes to playing for your country you don't really need motivation to go out and perform. West Indies is playing good cricket at the moment. They are having a very good (World) 20/20 tournament, but in the 50 overs, you have time to settle down," said Dhoni. "After playing so much 20/20 games, 50 overs seems like a Test match," quipped Dhoni. Coach Gary Kirsten, who said fatigue and injuries resulted in India's failure in the T20 World Cup, admitted the experienced players would be missed but said it was the time for youngsters to seize the opportunity. “You’re always going to miss them because they are great players, but it's a great opportunity for a tour of this nature for young players to show what they're made of," said Kirsten. “We’re looking to those young players for the future. This is a great opportunity for these guys to stake their claim." Tendulkar opted out of the tour as he wanted rest while both Zaheer and Sehwag were injured. — PTI
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Sehwag may miss Champions Trophy
New Delhi, June 19 Sehwag's shoulder will be evaluated 10 weeks after the operation to check whether he can throw a ball, according to a report by 'Cricinfo'. Sehwag sustained the injury during Delhi Daredevil's IPL semi-final against Deccan Chargers on May 21. Suspense over the Delhi batsman's injury during the T20 World Cup led to reports of a rift between him and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
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Formula
One-FOTA Row
London, June 19 Following a meeting late in the evening, the eight teams that currently form the Formula One Team's Association, have all declined to enter the F1 for 2010, after a row over budget caps, The Sun reports. "It has become clear that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport. The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motor sport will all feature in this new series," a FOTA statement said. The eight teams that make up FOTA are Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. Williams and Force India have been suspended from FOTA, and do not form part of the breakaway plan. The row started last year as FOTA disputed the FIA's plans to enforce budget and technical changes in 2010. Despite weeks of negotiations with FIA president Max Mosley, the two bodies have failed to find a compromise, leaving the sport in total chaos. Mosley this week wrote to the FOTA teams in a desperate late attempt to end the budget row. After a four-hour meeting, the FOTA statement continued: "Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, to develop and improve the sport. "Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport." — ANI
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Five-time world champions Brazil remain favourites to join European champions Spain in the last four, with even a defeat against Italy possible. Brazil, who defeated Egypt three days ago, have six points, while Italy and Egypt are on three apiece and the US are without a point Italy will go out if they fail to beat five-time world champions Brazil and Egypt defeat the United States. Mohammed Hamos rose unmarked to head in from a corner from Mohammed Aboutrika five minutes before half-time for a famous victory for the African champions. Italy created little in the first half, but had a series of chances after the break to level only to be foiled repeatedly by keeper Essam El Hadary. In Pretoria, Brazil breezed to 3-0 victory over the United States thanks to goals from Felipe Melo in the seventh minute, Robinho in the 20th and Maicon in the 62nd. As in the 3-1 defeat to Italy, the US had a man sent off when Sacha Kljestan was shown the red card in the 57th minute. The tournament continues Saturday when Spain play South Africa, while Iraq meet New Zealand in Group A. — DPA
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In one sensational over – the first of the West Indian reply - Angelo Mathews seized three wickets to almost automatically propel Sri Lanka into the final of the 2nd World Twenty20. India’s southern neighbours won by a facile margin of 57 runs to set up an all-South Asian play-off with Pakistan on Sunday.
Johannesburg, June 19
In one sensational over – the first of the West Indian reply - Angelo Mathews seized three wickets to almost automatically propel Sri Lanka into the final of the 2nd World Twenty20. India’s southern neighbours won by a facile margin of 57 runs to set up an all-South Asian play-off with Pakistan on Sunday.
Earlier, an unbeaten 96 in 57 balls from Tilakaratne Dilshan represented the most significant batting exhibition of the championship. This virtually ensured the West Indians would be hard-put to overcome the Sri Lankan total of 158 for five. 
Port-of-Spain, June 19
Johannesburg, June 19
Torres vows to stay at Liverpool