Mighty eight left standing
World Cup quarter-finals will still feature the world's eight top-ranked teams.
NEW DEHLI:
After four grueling weeks, thousands of air miles clocked up and 42 matches played, the World Cup quarter-finals will still feature the world's eight top-ranked teams.
The first round, as expected, saw Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya fall by the wayside with some hitting the ground more painfully than others. But, in general, it was business as usual for the sport's elite sides and fuel for the International Cricket Council (ICC) who will slash the 2015 World Cup to 10 teams from the 14 who started out on the subcontinent.
England's roller-coaster ride
Ireland were the only associate nation to defy the odds when they pulled off a huge upset against England in Bangalore on the back of Kevin O'Brien's fastest World Cup century. It did not matter that England went on to lose to lowly Bangladesh or India were beaten by South Africa who in turn lost to England, the big beasts of cricket still made the quarter-finals their own.
Most of the action centred around Group B thanks mainly to England who unwittingly did the organisers a favour by infusing life into the t tournament through their seesaw performances. England were staring down the barrel a after India whipped up a formidable 338 batting first but b captain Andrew Strauss struck b a fine 158 as his team tied the t game. Ashes winners England t then did the unthinkable by u going down to Ireland despite 1 making a huge 328.
The ones who returned home
Injuries added to the woes b of weary teams with many c key players forced to cut back a their participation. West P Indies lost Dwayne Bravo, Adrian Barath and Carlton Baugh while England packed Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad and Ajmal Shahzad off to the airport.
Pakistan jolt the b mighty Aussies
Champions Australia cruised o quietly through the group stages before they lost their 34-match unbeaten World Cup run to Pakistan who played true to their unpredictable tag. Maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar hung up his boots, muddied by years of injury and controversies. Akhtar, whose colourful career has been a heady mix of on-field brilliance and off-field controversy, decided to quit after the World Cup. Akhtar made up his mind after Pakistan's 110-run defeat against New Zealand last week, in which he went for 70 runs in his nine overs.
Dressed in a grey shirt and black trousers, Akhtar was close to tears as he read from a prepared statement at the R Premadasa stadium. “With this announcement, it feels like it's my first death.“
Arch-rivals on course
Meanwhile, bitter rivals India and Pakistan are on a World Cup collision course, but the two neighbours still have quarter-final hurdles to overcome as the marathon tournament enters its sixth week. India take on defending champions Australia on Thursday while a resurgent Pakistan face an inconsistent West Indies on Wednesday.
Victories for both Asian giants will set-up a semi-final blockbuster in Mohali on March 30.
Despite criticism of the length of the tournament and the succession of one-sided matches, ICC President Sharad Pawar claimed it is potentially the greatest ever.
“We have surely been treated to a real feast of 50-over cricket with some outstanding games,“ said Pawar, as the World Cup enjoyed its first rest day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2011.
After four grueling weeks, thousands of air miles clocked up and 42 matches played, the World Cup quarter-finals will still feature the world's eight top-ranked teams.
The first round, as expected, saw Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya fall by the wayside with some hitting the ground more painfully than others. But, in general, it was business as usual for the sport's elite sides and fuel for the International Cricket Council (ICC) who will slash the 2015 World Cup to 10 teams from the 14 who started out on the subcontinent.
England's roller-coaster ride
Ireland were the only associate nation to defy the odds when they pulled off a huge upset against England in Bangalore on the back of Kevin O'Brien's fastest World Cup century. It did not matter that England went on to lose to lowly Bangladesh or India were beaten by South Africa who in turn lost to England, the big beasts of cricket still made the quarter-finals their own.
Most of the action centred around Group B thanks mainly to England who unwittingly did the organisers a favour by infusing life into the t tournament through their seesaw performances. England were staring down the barrel a after India whipped up a formidable 338 batting first but b captain Andrew Strauss struck b a fine 158 as his team tied the t game. Ashes winners England t then did the unthinkable by u going down to Ireland despite 1 making a huge 328.
The ones who returned home
Injuries added to the woes b of weary teams with many c key players forced to cut back a their participation. West P Indies lost Dwayne Bravo, Adrian Barath and Carlton Baugh while England packed Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad and Ajmal Shahzad off to the airport.
Pakistan jolt the b mighty Aussies
Champions Australia cruised o quietly through the group stages before they lost their 34-match unbeaten World Cup run to Pakistan who played true to their unpredictable tag. Maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar hung up his boots, muddied by years of injury and controversies. Akhtar, whose colourful career has been a heady mix of on-field brilliance and off-field controversy, decided to quit after the World Cup. Akhtar made up his mind after Pakistan's 110-run defeat against New Zealand last week, in which he went for 70 runs in his nine overs.
Dressed in a grey shirt and black trousers, Akhtar was close to tears as he read from a prepared statement at the R Premadasa stadium. “With this announcement, it feels like it's my first death.“
Arch-rivals on course
Meanwhile, bitter rivals India and Pakistan are on a World Cup collision course, but the two neighbours still have quarter-final hurdles to overcome as the marathon tournament enters its sixth week. India take on defending champions Australia on Thursday while a resurgent Pakistan face an inconsistent West Indies on Wednesday.
Victories for both Asian giants will set-up a semi-final blockbuster in Mohali on March 30.
Despite criticism of the length of the tournament and the succession of one-sided matches, ICC President Sharad Pawar claimed it is potentially the greatest ever.
“We have surely been treated to a real feast of 50-over cricket with some outstanding games,“ said Pawar, as the World Cup enjoyed its first rest day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2011.