AUSTRALIA 377 FOR 6 DEFEATED SOUTH AFRICA 294 ALL OUT BY 83 RUNS
Warner Park in St. Kitts is regarded as the smallest international cricket ground in the world. So with that, a sunny, dry day, and a good batting track, along with the fact that these may be the two best teams in the tournament, you knew there could be fireworks.
The seedings for the tournament were determined at least a year ago. At that time, Australia was seeded first and South Africa, fifth. Since then, South Africa has been on such a tear that just before the tournament, they claimed the #1 spot in the ICC one-day rankings. So we had the scenario of #1 vs. #2 in the same group.
This was what North Americans might call a “statement game.” One of these teams, or a player, could have the type of performace to serve notice to the rest of the teams in the tournament that they are the team to beat.
Australia, and Matthew Hayden, made such a statement.
South Africa won the toss and chose to field first. Australia grabbed their bats and went on a full-fledged assault.
Hayden, opening the batting with Adam Gilchrist, proceeded to lower yet another World Cup standard. 14 fours. Four sixes, 100 runs in just 66 balls. This broke the record of 67 set in the 2003 World Cup by Canada’s John Davison.
Hayden made the century but two others came very close, Michael Clarke made 92 while captain Ricky Ponting made a sharp 91. It wasn’t that South Africa was giving them softballs to hit. The deliveries were good but lacked the change of pace necessary to make them unpredictable for the batsmen. And given the amount of times these two teams face eachother, Australia’s top order knew exactly what to do.
As for the South African reply, they never really matched Australia’s run rate. The openers AB De Villiers (92) and Graeme Smith (74) kept the wickets in hand early and Jacques Kallis (48) tried to keep that going, but the lower end of the order crumbled quickly against a strong Australian bowling attack.
Now there is every reason to believe Australia is the solid favourite to keep the trophy.
ENGLAND 178 FOR 3 DEFEATED KENYA 177 ALL OUT BY 7 WICKETS
With Andrew Flintoff back in the lineup and showing no worse for wear after his exploits of a week ago, England was able to make the Super Eights with this win.
Despite the 76 put on the board by captain Steve Tikolo, the remainder of the Kenyan order was unable to get going. Kenya is an enigma. They are better than the remainder of the associates but still have proven to be a shade below the Test nations.
England had little problem with Kenya’s bowling attack. Ed Joyce had his second good game at opener making 75. Kevin Pietersen, also having a good tournament so far, made 56.
BANGLADESH 96 FOR 3 DEFEATED BERMUDA 94 FOR 9 BY 7 WICKETS
There’s a new form of cricket increasing in popularity known as Twenty20, a 20-over-per-side version of the game that’s as TV and corporate-entertaining friendly as Major League Baseball, as it only takes around three hours to play.
This match was reduced to 21 overs, but in this case, it was necessitated by rain.
Bermuda put up their total, fitting their innings in at various intervals in which rain didn’t fall. Bangladesh lost a couple of wickets early so there was some drama, but after took advantage of their inferior rivals.
The match signalled the end of the World Cup for Dwayne Leverock. At 300+ pounds with his gut hanging out, it’s hard to believe they guy would be able to make the office recreational softball team, let alone the national cricket team playing on the sport’s biggest stage. The guy is more suited for the position of offensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger Cats than slow-arm bowler.
Yet the guy, who works as a police officer in Bermuda, is a straight, effective bowler, even with an awkward-looking delivery. He is definitely a cult hero for all of us who have a little extra weight.
The Super Eights are on and the cricket is about to get very good. See you later in the week.
