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Question of the Day: What is the ultimate French toast topping?
Cricket world cup discussion thread
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R13...
Honorary Master
That Raj dude with eyes-popping-out-his-head rules
Mike Hoxbig
Honorary Master
It's possible that the India games are among the few where the broadcasters have set up. SS would then get the feed from whoever is broadcasting the match. Don't think it's their fault.
I'm not sure why the others are not being shown. I mean SA vs. Aus is a pretty big match, even if just a warm-up one.
SinghDude
Chief Sports Analyst
While he rates India and South Africa’s chances in the upcoming cricket World Cup, former Proteas coach Mickey Arthur has identified a team no-one is discussing – Sri Lanka – and believes they’ll do well.
Speaking from Perth, where he’s in the midst of a three-year stint coaching Western Australia, Arthur likes almost everything about the dangerous Sri Lankans, who begin their campaign with a low-key fixture against Canada on February 20.
“I like Sri Lanka because they have a very balanced bowling attack and two of the world’s best batsmen in subcontinental conditions in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene,” he told The Times.
“They play superbly at home and will be playing most of their matches in Colombo!”
He likes South Africa’s chances because of an obvious “emotional attachment” and plumps, too, for India, although his identification of them as favourites is qualified strongly.
“India are very dangerous but do not play well with expectation and that is what they will have playing at home.”
As well as Sri Lanka, India and South Africa, Arthur mentions England and Australia, although without quite the relish he reserves for his top three.
“They’ll be close as well,” he says of the two teams who ended an exhausting summer on Sunday.
“The Australians have found a long batting line-up with plenty of depth and have put their faith in a dynamic attack – Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger.”
Unlike former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden, Arthur doesn’t believe that an opening 15-over blast is the key to winning World Cup matches. While Hayden thinks that power-hitting upfront will dictate the course of a match, Arthur identifies the middle overs as crucial.
“The games are going to be won and lost in the middle overs when the ball gets soft and starts turning,” he says.
“Teams that can maintain run rates and not lose wickets are going to come out on top. Every team will target the new ball because that is when it will be the easiest to score.
“Death will also be crucial, but from a bowling point, teams that can take wickets through the middle periods will come out on top.”
As for the Proteas, Arthur likes their balance, although he has reservations.
“My only worry is the lack of experience in the middle-order and the pressure will be on the top four – Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers – to score heavily.
“As far as the attack goes, we need people with the ability to take wickets and have that in Dale Steyn, Morn� Morkel and Imran Tahir. Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha will be crucial to the success as well.”
Arthur’s identification of the Proteas new-ball partnership of Steyn and Morkel is shared by Hayden, who believes the pair to be one of the dangers of the competition.
Hayden also rates the Sri Lankan bowlers, including Lasith Malinga, who possesses an arsenal of slower balls, stinging yorkers and bouncers quick and slow.
Speaking from Perth, where he’s in the midst of a three-year stint coaching Western Australia, Arthur likes almost everything about the dangerous Sri Lankans, who begin their campaign with a low-key fixture against Canada on February 20.
“I like Sri Lanka because they have a very balanced bowling attack and two of the world’s best batsmen in subcontinental conditions in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene,” he told The Times.
“They play superbly at home and will be playing most of their matches in Colombo!”
He likes South Africa’s chances because of an obvious “emotional attachment” and plumps, too, for India, although his identification of them as favourites is qualified strongly.
“India are very dangerous but do not play well with expectation and that is what they will have playing at home.”
As well as Sri Lanka, India and South Africa, Arthur mentions England and Australia, although without quite the relish he reserves for his top three.
“They’ll be close as well,” he says of the two teams who ended an exhausting summer on Sunday.
“The Australians have found a long batting line-up with plenty of depth and have put their faith in a dynamic attack – Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger.”
Unlike former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden, Arthur doesn’t believe that an opening 15-over blast is the key to winning World Cup matches. While Hayden thinks that power-hitting upfront will dictate the course of a match, Arthur identifies the middle overs as crucial.
“The games are going to be won and lost in the middle overs when the ball gets soft and starts turning,” he says.
“Teams that can maintain run rates and not lose wickets are going to come out on top. Every team will target the new ball because that is when it will be the easiest to score.
“Death will also be crucial, but from a bowling point, teams that can take wickets through the middle periods will come out on top.”
As for the Proteas, Arthur likes their balance, although he has reservations.
“My only worry is the lack of experience in the middle-order and the pressure will be on the top four – Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers – to score heavily.
“As far as the attack goes, we need people with the ability to take wickets and have that in Dale Steyn, Morn� Morkel and Imran Tahir. Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha will be crucial to the success as well.”
Arthur’s identification of the Proteas new-ball partnership of Steyn and Morkel is shared by Hayden, who believes the pair to be one of the dangers of the competition.
Hayden also rates the Sri Lankan bowlers, including Lasith Malinga, who possesses an arsenal of slower balls, stinging yorkers and bouncers quick and slow.
SinghDude
Chief Sports Analyst
Bangalore – Speculation over the future of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar and coach Gary Kirsten are more distractions India will have to ignore if they are to lift the World Cup on home soil, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Thursday.
The February 19-April 2 showpiece event represents, in all probability, Indian batting maestro Tendulkar's last World Cup, and it has hogged a major share of the limelight in the build-up to the event.
Local media reports have also claimed that India's highly successful South African coach Kirsten will not renew his contract at the end of the tournament for personal reasons.
“The feeling is the same (in the team). What is important for the team is to concentrate more on the process and the preparation rather than think about all the other things,” Dhoni told reporters.
“There are plenty of issues that always surround the Indian cricket team. We are quite good at distracting ourselves from all the issues.
“But the fact remains that it will be the last World Cup for Sachin and most likely it will be the last tournament for Gary Kirsten as India's coach.”
The wicketkeeper batsman rued the absence of paceman Praveen Kumar due to injury and said India will miss the “street-smart” cricketer.
“It is unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup. He has featured consistently in the ODI format for us,” Dhoni said.
“He has done very well for us in all formats. We will miss him. He has been a street-smart cricketer for us.
“But you can't really restrict injuries from happening to the cricketers.”
The Indian captain though was happy with the balance of his squad.
“We have got some very experienced players in the side,” he added.
“Most of the players have played over 5-7 years of (international) cricket at least. That's a very good sign.
“At the same time you have got very talented youngsters who can really change the course of the game.”
The World Cup, to be jointly hosted with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will help revive the popularity of the 50-over format, which has been hit by the success of the shorter and more entertaining Twenty20 format, Dhoni said.
“I am a big fan of 50-over cricket. For Test matches you have to wait for five days and T20 cricket happens in just five overs,” he said.
“It's a mix of Test cricket and the T20 format. I have always loved ODI cricket. But that doesn't mean I don't like test cricket or T20 format.
“It (World Cup) is a big stage. Specially, because it's happening in India, you will have a big fan-following and everyone is looking forward to the World Cup.” – Reuters
The February 19-April 2 showpiece event represents, in all probability, Indian batting maestro Tendulkar's last World Cup, and it has hogged a major share of the limelight in the build-up to the event.
Local media reports have also claimed that India's highly successful South African coach Kirsten will not renew his contract at the end of the tournament for personal reasons.
“The feeling is the same (in the team). What is important for the team is to concentrate more on the process and the preparation rather than think about all the other things,” Dhoni told reporters.
“There are plenty of issues that always surround the Indian cricket team. We are quite good at distracting ourselves from all the issues.
“But the fact remains that it will be the last World Cup for Sachin and most likely it will be the last tournament for Gary Kirsten as India's coach.”
The wicketkeeper batsman rued the absence of paceman Praveen Kumar due to injury and said India will miss the “street-smart” cricketer.
“It is unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup. He has featured consistently in the ODI format for us,” Dhoni said.
“He has done very well for us in all formats. We will miss him. He has been a street-smart cricketer for us.
“But you can't really restrict injuries from happening to the cricketers.”
The Indian captain though was happy with the balance of his squad.
“We have got some very experienced players in the side,” he added.
“Most of the players have played over 5-7 years of (international) cricket at least. That's a very good sign.
“At the same time you have got very talented youngsters who can really change the course of the game.”
The World Cup, to be jointly hosted with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will help revive the popularity of the 50-over format, which has been hit by the success of the shorter and more entertaining Twenty20 format, Dhoni said.
“I am a big fan of 50-over cricket. For Test matches you have to wait for five days and T20 cricket happens in just five overs,” he said.
“It's a mix of Test cricket and the T20 format. I have always loved ODI cricket. But that doesn't mean I don't like test cricket or T20 format.
“It (World Cup) is a big stage. Specially, because it's happening in India, you will have a big fan-following and everyone is looking forward to the World Cup.” – Reuters
GODZILLA99
Well-Known Member
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Are they showing the warm-up matches on dstv
Only india's 2 warmup games.
A real pity for the Poms, as he can be quite explosive toward the end of the innings.
AirWolf
Honorary Master
.
MickeyD
RIP
SA vs Zimbabwe (warm up game), Zim won the toss and are batting.
Zimbabwe 49-2 off 10.1 overs
M Morkel 2-9
Tahir is playing and should be bowling soon...
Zimbabwe 49-2 off 10.1 overs
M Morkel 2-9
Tahir is playing and should be bowling soon...
MickeyD
RIP
Zimbabwe 60-2 off 14 overs
M Morkel 2-10 from 4 overs
Tahir's first over went for 5 runs.
M Morkel 2-10 from 4 overs
Tahir's first over went for 5 runs.
Glad to see they finally gave him a run, but is that because there's no television coverage?
MickeyD
RIP
SA 153-2 off 23.3 overs
Amla 45
Smith 41
*Jacques Kallis 49 off 39 (3x4, 3x6) s/r 125.64
SA win by 8 wickets with 26.3 overs to spare.
Amla 45
Smith 41
*Jacques Kallis 49 off 39 (3x4, 3x6) s/r 125.64
SA win by 8 wickets with 26.3 overs to spare.
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