Australia vs India, 2nd Semi-Final

Teams:

India (From): Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(c/w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ambati Rayudu

Australia (From): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke(c), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin(w), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Doherty, George Bailey, Pat Cummins

New Zealand vs West Indies, 4th Quarter-Final

Guptill 237*; Earlier, McCullum came out all guns blazing, but Holder took an excellent catch off Jerome Taylor to send him back to the pavilion. Runs flowed smoothly from Kane Williamson's bat before Russell snared his wicket. West Indies also would rue the fact that Marlon Samuels dropped a catch at square leg to give Guptill a reprieve in the very first over of the innings.

Once he completed his century, Guptill touched noteworthy crests by playing power-packed shots. In the 38th over, he twinned brilliant wrist-work and power to clout Taylor for 16 runs. By then he had already muscled Darren Sammy for a 101-metre six. He also clobbered Jason Holder for two sixes in the 43rd over and reached his double century in style with a boundary. To put the icing on the cake, the six he smashed off Andre Russell in the final over was a 110-metre six! Ross Taylor too played his part by playing a useful hand to score 42. Unlike Guptill, Taylor didn't exactly bisect the gaps to send the fielders on a leather hunt. However, it was his partnership with Guptill that helped New Zealand to set the platform for a monstrous total. Once Taylor was dismissed, Grant Elliott played imperious strokes as well.

Guptill played with placid calmness at the start of his innings as he looked to present the full face of the bat to collect boundaries straight down the ground. Jerome Taylor bowling half-volleys didn't help West Indies' cause. Despite losing Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, Guptill continued to unfurl a series of boundaries to put more pressure on the opposition.

Martin Guptill, with his sparkling spread of run-scoring made the opposition camp feel the full weight of his meaty willow to crack a believe-it-or-not innings of 237 not out and take them to a massive total. Guptill with his double hundred broke a slew of records. Guptill turned out to be only the second batsman to crack a double ton in World Cups and broke the record for the highest individual score in World Cups. Interestingly, Chris Gayle's double hundred also came in this mega event. His knock is the second highest individual score in the history of ODIs. He became the first batsman from New Zealand to compile back-to-back centuries in the history of the World Cup. Guptill scored consecutive hundreds for the second time in his ODI career. He is only the second batsman from his country to amass a score of 100 plus in a knockout game. He now holds the record for the highest individual score by a cricketer from New Zealand as well.

Some of the crowd wearing the orange t-shirt bow down to Martin Guptill for his brilliance, while Mrs. Guptill gets very emotional in the stands. He gets a standing ovation now. Phew! What a knock. So if you are dropped on 4, you go on to make a double-hundred I guess. Remember, Rohit Sharma was dropped on 4, when he made 264 at the Eden Gardens a few months ago.

3rd Quarter Finals, Australia vs Pakistan, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Teams:

Pakistan (From): Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Nasir Jamshed

Australia (From): David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke(c), Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin(w), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Doherty, George Bailey. "Australia is tough in home conditions," said Misbah of an Australian side who have only lost once to Pakistan in their last ten home matches. Pakistan's most recent win against Australia in Australia came in Perth in 2005 and they have lost their last seven one-day internationals away to the Aussies. "Everyone is calling them favourites and if any other team beat them then it's called an upset, so for us if we can do that then it's very good for Pakistan cricket as well," said Misbah, The Adelaide Oval is familiar territory for Pakistan, who lost their World Cup opener to defending champions India at the South Australia ground before defeating Ireland there in the pool phase. "When you are playing more games at a certain venue you tend to adopt the conditions well," said Misbah. "You know the dimensions well, you are used to that atmosphere and that can help you," he added. Australian captain Michael Clare, on Thursday, said the team management was undecided on the playing eleven for the quarter-final clash against Pakistan. Australia are known to make public their playing combination on the eve of the match but have deferred this time owing to a 'greenish tinge' on the Adelaide Oval surface. The think-tank will have to take a call on which of Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins takes the third seamer's spot. "We want to assess the wicket again today," Clarke told reporters. "Everyone is 100 per cent fit and available for selection so that is a real positive for us and obviously a good problem to have for selectors. It's more for the selectors to be 100 per cent sure, confirm what they think in regards to looking at the pitch and make their decision. All 15 players are fit and prepared, if they are given the opportunity."

Quarter finals, India vs Bangladesh, 19th March.

India in Semis :

Rohit Sharma's s137 and Suresh Raina's  65 helped India to a strong total of 302/6. The total looked impossible when Bangladesh had tightened the screws on the scoring during the middle phase. Rohit put his shots in and look to rotate the strike. Suresh Raina, however, played a more free-flowing innings to help India overcome their early setbacks and put the side back on track.
Rohit Sharma lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an insane display of strokeplay as India set their sights on a total in excess of 300. He was out in the 47th over, no answer to Taskin Ahmed's accurate yorker.
Ravindra

Jadeja provided the fireworks late in the innings as India ended with a strong total of 302/6. 
Everyone in the Indian team is coming back to form. Even Jadeja was impressive with the bat and the ball today. Hopefully, they will carry the momentum and retain the World Cup

One could have never imagined that this is the same team who were unable to bowl out oppositions regularly in the Australian summer and now they have bowled out 7 teams in 7 games. They have now taken 70 wickets in 7 matches in this World Cup. I guess it was the break after the Tri-series that made all the difference.

Shakib calls for 'fearless cricket' against India

Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan wants them to play 'fearless cricket' against India in their upcoming quarterfinal clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Bangladesh's famous win against India in the 2007 World Cup was evoked when Shakib talked about their approach against defending champions India, who are yet to lose a game in this edition.
"I think we played fearless cricket (when Bangladesh beat India eight years ago) and we all want to play that brand of cricket that we played," Shakib told a media conference.
"And, so far in this World Cup, I think we're doing it. If we do exactly what we did against England or New Zealand, I think we'll have a very good game.
"It depends on the day, we need to start well. Whatever we do and if we keep doing that and we keep the momentum in our favour then anything is possible," he said.
Shakib was also respectful of the Indian team and the form that they have shown in the tournament so far but stressed that Bangladesh will be ready for the tough clash in the knockouts. Shakib was also pragmatic about the difference in strengths between the two teams and admitted that India was stronger but placed enough faith in his team to overcome the challenge.
"India have a very good team, they are the defending world champions, they've got some world class players but we're doing well in this World Cup, our confidence is high enough and we're up for the match," Shakib said.
"Obviously, on pen and paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh, no-one has any doubt about it.But on the day it's a one-off game and if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know," he added.
Bangladesh have been backed tremendously by their fans - both travelling and those back home - but Shakib remained unfazed about the pressure of growing expectations. This will be Bangladesh's maiden appearance in a World Cup knockout game and Shakib talked about the importance of concentrating on the game.
"In the subcontinent, people always expect a lot from you and because we're playing well there is some expectation," Shakib said.
"But we need to focus on the game and how well we can play the game, that's the key thing.
"And if we do that I think the result will take care of itself. It doesn't matter, win or lose, if we play our best cricket, that's the key thing."

Preview Of South Africa and Sri Lanka's clash in Quarters

Sri Lanka: Angelo Matthews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wicket-keeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath Suranga Lakmal, Sachitra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Dushmanta Chameera.
South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Faf du Plessis, David Miller, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso and Wayne Parnell.
Umpires: Rod Tucker (Australia) and Nigel Llong (England). TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford (Australia). Match referee: David Boon (Australia).

In the last 16 ODIs between South Africa and Sri Lanka have produced eight wins each !!
The teams have similarities they lost two games each in the league phase; they have had pretty much an even record against one another in the past couple of years; and, they are both hungrily nervous ahead the big game. They have differences, too Sri Lanka have a history of doing well at the World Cup competitions while South Africa are seeking to break new ground.

 Sri Lanka have the experience of winning big games but they cannot forget that their bowling unit has not been their strongest suit. Paceman Lasith Malinga was gingerly on his comeback from ankle surgery and the team is still sweating over left-arm spinner Rangana Herath's return from a split finger that needed stitches and kept him out of the last two games.

  The teams are blessed with experienced batsmen who can deliver on the big stage but with a more balanced bowling attack, South Africa can fancy themselves of achieving that dream first win in a World Cup play-off game and then head to Auckland for the semifinal. Sri Lanka are yet to find a bowling combination that can stop the talented and determined teams.

  

With a set of stroke-players who can win games on their own, South Africa will need Hashim Amla to play an anchoring effort. Of the batsmen left in the tournament, AB de Villiers is the only one besides Sangakkara to have logged more than 400 runs so far.

 

Suresh Raina to get married after World Cup.

Raina to marry after World Cup.

He will be tying the knot with Priyanka Choudhary, who is currently working in The Netherlands. Her family hails from Meerut.The marriage is scheduled to take place in April after the Indian team returns from Australia.

Priyanka and Raina are childhood friends and have solid family friendship relations too. In fact, their father have been colleagues at the Muradnagar ordnance factory. Earlier, Suresh Raina was linked to Tamil star Kamal Haasan's elder daughter Shruti Haasan.

Banker by profession, Priyanka is currenlty working in The Netherlands. Her family originally hails from Barut (UP) but currently residing in Meerut.

The marriage is scheduled to take place on April 3 in a five-star hotel in New Delhi after swashbuckling Indian cricketer returns from Australia where he is playing for the country in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Dravid backs Associates for 2019 World Cup

Dravid: Need to encourage as many teams as possible.

World Cup 2015,  March 16, 2015.

 

 Rahul Dravid has put his weight behind the continued presence of Associate Nations at the World Cup, as he believes allowing them to participate is "the least cricket can do". Dravid told

that he was firm in his opposition to the ICC's decision to reduce the next World Cup, in 2019, to 10 teams, saying that according to him "14 is a pretty good number."
"I favour encouraging Associates to play in this tournament and giving them every single opportunity," Dravid said. "I just know how important this is for the growth of their game to be seen at a World Cup, the games being telecast Live back home in terms of sponsorship, government funding; its so important for them to be a part of this premier event. I think that's the least cricket can do, it's a tournament once in four years to try and encourage as many of them as possible to play. You don't want an inflated tournament, but I've always been of the view that 14 for me was a pretty good number, give everyone a chance."
Although none of the four Associate teams were able to qualify for the quarter-finals, they gave an encouraging account of themselves over the last few weeks. Ireland came the closest to a spot in the last eight, winning three of their six league games, including victories over two Full Members- West Indies and Zimbabwe. Dravid said that while he wasn't surprised by Ireland's improvement, the progress made by first-timers Afghanistan was a "great story" for the game.
"You expect to see a good performance from Ireland every time they come to a World Cup. It was great to see Afghanistan register a win, I think it's a great story as well, great for the game," he said. "We've seen some very good performances from the Associate teams, that's terrific for the tournament. It's nice to see that people have also appreciated those performances, while they haven't played to packed stadiums all the time, there have been a good bunch of their supporters coming in to support their teams."
While Dravid enjoyed watching the Associates in action, he was less enthused by the high-scoring nature of many of the games at the World Cup. In the 42 matches played in the league stage, the 300-run mark has already been crossed 25 times, while teams went past the mark just 17 times at the last World Cup in 2011. The 350-run barrier has already been broken six times, twice as often as the last World Cup, while three scores of 400 or more have been made, a landmark not achieved even once in 2011.

"It was great to see Afghanistan register a win, I think it's a great story as well, great for the game.

©ICC

Thirty-five centuries were scored in the league phase, eight more than in 2011. On six occasions already, batsmen have gone past 150, while it was only done twice in 2011.
"There have just been too many high scoring games for my liking, it's one thing I have been disappointed by," Dravid said. "It comes down to the fact that maybe the wickets in Australia have been very good, they've been flat and a lot slower than people have expected."
Dravid believes that the administrators will have to reconsider the rule allowing a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle once the World Cup is over. In the course of the league stage, 100 or more runs were scored 17 times in the last 10 overs, while that mark was accomplished just six times in 2011. As many as 388 sixes have already been hit, while only 258 were struck during the entire 2011 edition.
"The fact that five fielders have had to be in the ring is something that needs to be looked at. I think it will have to be reconsidered," Dravid said. "There is no doubt that it is putting too much pressure and bowlers have not been able to cope with it. It's leading to these huge scores and I think that's not necessarily good for the game.
"We haven't seen enough close games, what really builds excitement is not really seeing people hit sixes and fours all the time, but what you want to see is a good contest between bat and ball, which would result in a close game. The games have been just too one-sided for me."

 The ICC did well to have the 2014 World Cup qualifier played in New Zealand, co-hosts of the World Cup.©ICC

Ireland have been trendsetters not just on the field, but also with the way the game is administered in their country © Getty Images
Source: espncricinfo

Yuvraj Singh's Bowling Suffered Due to New Field Restrictions, says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Melbourne: Yuvraj Singh's 15 wickets in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was one of the major factors which contributed to Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifting the coveted trophy but the Indian captain says last edition's 'Player of The Tournament' is no longer as effective as he used to be in the current set-up. Dhoni points to the change in field restrictions (with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle) being precisely the reason why India lost "Yuvraj Singh, the handy left-arm spinner." "If you see, after the rule change happened, Yuvi didn't bowl a lot. We must admit that once the rule change (field restriction) happened, it did affect his bowling although he is a regular with the ball in T20s," Dhoni said in context of whether Suresh Raina can do a "Yuvraj of 2011" in the ongoing edition.Dhoni has never been a big advocate of the four-fielder theory as he feels that a lot of his part-time bowlers including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag became far less effective in changed circumstances. "In the pre-field restriction days, Viru paaji, Sachin Paaji and Yuvi used to bowl a lot and we depended on them. But they were all part-timers and on good batting tracks, they would find it difficult to bowl well.
"Like Raina is a good option if there is some help from the wicket. Also, he bowls a good line to the left-handers. I felt I needed him during the Ireland game. Like Shikhar (Dhawan) and Rohit (Sharma) are also part-timers but I can only use them when conditions are conducive," said Dhoni.
Since Yuvraj's name is always synonymous with World Cup triumph, Dhoni was also asked to compare Yuvraj's performance with that of Raina's in this edition, the skipper put it down to their different batting positions.
"Look, if you see Yuvi's career, he started at No. 5 but as soon as he was doing well, he was batting at No 4. I guess from 2005 onwards, he has always batted at No 4 while Kaif was there at No 5 for sometime and I also batted in that position.
"Now Raina bats at No. 5 which is a very key number in terms of context of the game. So it will be difficult to compare, Yuvi and Raina as the batting Nos were not similar," Dhoni explained.
Dhoni did admit that 2015 edition has not been the one for specialist all-rounders as most of them have not got opportunities to showcase their skills with the bat.
"The all-rounders have not got a lot of chance during this World Cup. If you compare with lot of all-rounders (Yuvraj, Dwayne Bravo), who played key role during last World Cup, are not playing this time. Also an all-rounder needs to get a chance to bat between 30th and 35th over. That gives him a chance to score a 50 and also bowl decent number of overs," he said.
"That situation didn't arise till now in this World Cup. They haven't been challenged in their batting although they have got more exposed to bowling. Also every all-rounder is not like Jacques Kallis batting at No 3."

Source: sports.ndtv/yuvraj singh

Ireland vs Pakistan, 42nd Match, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Despite of Captain innings from William Porterfield, Irish team couldn't dominate the Pak-Attack.
The best European team of this season trembled to face Wahab Riaz.
Ireland struggled as there was no one to support the Captain William Porterfield.

 Porterfield scored 107 of 131 deliveries with 11 4's and 1 six.
Ireland 237 all out in 50 overs (Porterfield 107; Riaz 3/54)

The Pakisitani opener Sarfaraz Ahmed scored his first ODI and WC ton.
Contributions of Ahmed Shehzad, Misbah and U.Akmal helped Pak to Success.
Pakistan 241/3 in 46.1 overs (Sarfraz 101*, Shehzad 63; Cusack 1/43), win by 7 wickets and qualify for quarter finals.

India Wins Six in Row !! The winning streak continues for MSD.

India vs Zimbabwe, World Cup 2015, Group B, Auckland (March 15, 2015)

India maintain their unbeaten record in World Cup 2015 by defeating Zimbabwe by six wickets.India chases 288-run target in 48.4 overs for their sixth win in as many matches.Suresh Raina hits unbeaten 110 to help India dominate Zimbabwe despite losing the top-order early. Captain MS Dhoni remains unbeaten on 85 to play a key supporting role.Dhoni seals the match with a six down the ground.
The partnership of 196 between Dhoni and Raina helps Team India.

Raina Stars with his 1st WC Ton

Top Order Falls Cheap.

Raina helps with a crucial knock. Partnership of S.Raina and MS.Dhoni of 196 for an unbroken 5th wicket stand.

Dhoni glitters with good performance of 85* of 76 balls. And finishes off in style.

Taylor's century in Vain.