May 2010

Australia vs. India, 2010 World Twenty20

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The battle of the juggernauts turned out to be a one-sided slaughter, as Australia easily overwhelmed India in Barbados. The overall strength of the victory suggests that Australia's jinx Twenty20 World Cup jinx may be coming to an end, while India need two wins from their next two games if they plan on reaching the semi-finals.

Put in to bat by India, openers David Warner and Shane Watson conceded a maiden over to Harhbajan Singh, who opened the bowling. I really like this (inevitable) tactic by captains, opening with slow bowlers. If Twenty20 cricket has gifted anything to the game at large, it's innovation - whether scooping the ball over the wicketkeeper's head, slapping the ball back into play over the boundary, or attempting to stymie runs by starting proceedings with a spinner. It worked in this game, and with one over down without scoring, India might have entertained thoughts of a relatively comfortable run-chase.

England vs. Pakistan, 2010 World Twenty20

England and Pakistan had the honor of kicking off the Super 8s round of the 2010 World Twenty20. Somewhat disappointingly, none of the minnow teams made it this far, although Afghanistan took home many positives and Ireland threatened an upset in their rain-hit match against England. The upside is that with only the big guns left from now, we should be guaranteed some serious matches. Unfortunately, Pakistan vs. England, while deadly serious and having all the hallmarks that make Twenty20 interesting, didn't leave us on the edge of our seats, biting our fingernails down to the quick. England cantered home by seven wickets, a victory architected by Kevin Pietersen and Pakistan themselves.

India vs. Afghanistan, 2010 World Twenty20

Afghanistan, the feel-good team of the tournament, had plenty to feel good about their first major international cricket match (and probably their first international sports appearance following the overthrow of the Taliban regime). Unfortunately for them, they were up against an Indian team that is determined to make up for their poor showing in the 2009 World Cup. Afghanistan ended up losing by 7 wickets with 5 overs to spare, but they can feel justifiably proud of their accomplishment, and confident that they lived up to the hype.

England vs. the West Indies, 2010 World Twenty20

Despite England's best efforts, their World Cup campaign got off to wet start in Guyana. Against the host team (who were facing their first senior competition of the tournament), England found themselves with a very handy total at the innings break, but a lengthy rain delay and an onslaught by Chris Gayle meant England's game against Ireland would become a make-or-break encounter. As for the West Indians, two victories in two games saw them comfortably through to the next stage of the tournament.

Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, 2010 World Twenty20

After losing their opening game to New Zealand, Sri Lanka found themselves in the rare position of facing first-round elimination. For their part, Zimbabwe found themselves in the rare position of confidence, having defeated the best team in the world (Australia) and the reigning Twenty20 world champions (Pakistan) in the warm-up games. Add to the mix that Twenty20 levels the playing field between teams of opposite experience and skill, and the questionable form the Sri Lankan batsmen have been in, and we had all the makings of a real upset.

Ireland vs. the West Indies, 2010 World Twenty20

The tournament's hosts took on one of the more notable underdogs of international cricket, as the West Indies faced Ireland in the second game of the ICC World Twenty20 2010. Unfortunately, Ireland didn't live up to their reputation, folding for 68 all out and being unable to capitalize on a tidy and tight bowling performance, and some key West Indian players being rested.

 With captain and key weapon Chris Gayle stepping aside for the night, the West Indies had the potential of slipping - the memories of their losses to Zimbabwe a few months ago can't be too far. And with the scorecard reading 93/6, Ireland were definitely in control by the 15th over. None of the home team's batsmen had been able to get going, with the highest score at that point being Ramnaresh Sarwan's 24. Seventeen-year old slow left arm orthodox George Dockrell did most of the damage, taking 3 for 16 from his four overs. But with the West Indies staring down the barrel, Darren Sammy blasted 30 off 17 deliveries to take his team to a competitive (in these Guyanese conditions) 138 for 9. Ireland conceded only 1 wide and 1 no-ball, and left the field feeling very satisfied with their bowling performance. 

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 2010 World Twenty20

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The last time an international cricket tournament was held in the West Indies, it was a turgid, unmitigated disaster. However, if the opening game of the ICC World Twenty20 2010 is anything to go by, the ghosts of the 2007 World Cup won't be making a reappearance. New Zealand scratched their way to a two-wicket win against Sri Lanka in a match that ebbed and flowed both ways, and got the 2010 World Cup off to a very good start.

Mahela Jayawardene opened the batting with Tillekeratne Dilshan, and while Dilshan's poor form continued (bowled for 3 off 19), Jayawardene played a typically classy knock on his way to 81, his highest score in Twenty20 Internationals. Aside from debutant Dinesh Chandimal (29), none of the other batsmen stuck around. Scoring was difficult on the sluggish Providence wicket, with the Sri Lankan 50 coming up in the 10th over.

 

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