World Cup Cricket

[Old Croc]

A thread to enjoy great cricket, renew rivalries, bash Australia and discuss the games of the 2007 World Cup.

Shoaib and Asif out of the World Cup

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will be missing in action for the second time in a major tournament, having missed the Champions Trophy last year © AFP

As had been expected for some time now, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were finally ruled out of Pakistan's World Cup squad, though the decision, farcically, came minutes before the team's departure to the Caribbean. Asif is down with an elbow injury while Shoaib is nursing a crocked knee.

"We have received their medical assessments and the players are physically unfit. Therefore we felt we shouldn't take them for such a big tournament," PJ Mir, the team spokesman told Cricinfo. "Their injuries will take time to heal so after selectors consulted Inzamam-ul-Haq the decision has been taken to not take them."

Though injuries remain the official reasons for their withdrawal it is understood that continuing doping-related concerns clinched the issue. The pair tested positive last year for Nandrolone in internal dope tests conducted just before the Champions Trophy got underway, but their bans were eventually overturned, much to the chagrin of the global cricket community.

Shortly before the pair were ruled out, the ICC confirmed they would be target-testing players at the World Cup and Malcolm Speed made specific reference to Shoaib and Asif. "Both Shoaib Ahktar and Mohammed Asif have played for Pakistan over the past few months despite testing positive for prohibited substances last year," he said.

"That is a fact neither player has disputed and it is also a fact that has caused the game a high level of embarrassment as a result. We want to make absolutely sure that all players who take part in the World Cup do so on the basis that they are free from banned substances.

"From an ICC perspective, having the option to target test as well as the already-scheduled tests in place means that if a player does have anything in his system then there is a very strong possibility he will be caught out."

Cricinfo

[cool5920]

Nice Post. ANy idea whether World Cup matches will be telecasted in Thailand? Otherwise, where to watch thses matches?

Thanks for the info.

[Old Croc]

Thanks Cool. I live in Oz (I'll get every game on cable) and can't give details on the Thai coverage. However, I'm sure at least some games will feature on satelite.

Others will no doubt post details in the coming days.

[Old Croc]

WORLD CUP FIXTURES

World Cup warm-up schedule

Warm-up matches do not have one-day international status

MARCH

5 Bermuda v England, St Vincent

5 Scotland v Sri Lanka, Barbados

5 Canada v Pakistan, Trinidad

5 Kenya v West Indies, Jamaica

6 Australia v Zimbabwe, St Vincent

6 Bangladesh v New Zealand, Barbados

6 Ireland v South Africa, Trinidad

6 India v Netherlands, Jamaica

8 Bangladesh v Scotland, Barbados

8 Bermuda v Zimbabwe, St Vincent

8 Canada v Ireland, Trinidad

8 Kenya v Netherlands, Jamaica

9 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Barbados

9 Australia v England, St Vincent

9 Pakistan v South Africa, Trinidad

9 India v West Indies, Jamaica

Group A, St Kitts (all start 1330 GMT)

MARCH

14 Australia v Scotland

16 Netherlands v South Africa

18 Australia v Netherlands

20 Scotland v South Africa

22 Netherlands v Scotland

24 Australia v South Africa

Group B, Trinidad (all start 1330 GMT except *)

15 Bermuda v Sri Lanka

17 Bangladesh v India

19 Bermuda v India

21 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

23 India v Sri Lanka

25 Bangladesh v Bermuda (*starts 1430 BST)

GROUP C, St Lucia (all start 1330 GMT)

14 Canada v Kenya

16 England v New Zealand

18 Canada v England

20 Kenya v New Zealand

22 Canada v New Zealand

24 England v Kenya

Group D, Jamaica (all start 1430 GMT)

13 West Indies v Pakistan

15 Ireland v Zimbabwe

17 Ireland v Pakistan

19 West Indies v Zimbabwe

21 Pakistan v Zimbabwe

23 Ireland v West Indies

Super Eight (all start 1430 BST)

If any seeded team does not finish in the top two in their group, the non-seeded team qualifying will take their allotted place in the Super Eight fixture list.

27 D2 v A1, Antigua & Barbuda

28 A2 v B1, Guyana

29 D2 v C1, Antigua & Barbuda

30 D1 v C2, Guyana

31 A1 v B2, Antigua & Barbuda

APRIL

1 D2 v B1, Guyana

2 B2 v C1, Antigua & Barbuda

3 D1 v A2, Guyana

4 C2 v B1, Antigua & Barbuda

7 B2 v A2, Guyana

8 A1 v C2, Antigua & Barbuda

9 D1 v C1, Guyana

10 D2 v A2, Grenada

11 C2 v B2, Barbados

12 B1 v C1, Grenada

13 A1 v D1, Barbados

14 A2 v C1, Grenada

15 B2 v D1, Barbados

16 A1 v B1, Grenada

17 A2 v C2, Barbados

18 D1 v B1, Grenada

19 D2 v B2, Barbados

20 A1 v C1, Grenada

21 D2 v C2, Barbados

Semi-finals

24 Super Eight 2nd v 3rd, Jamaica (start 1545 BST)

25 Super Eight 1st v 4th, St Lucia (start 1445 BST)

Final

28 Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Barbados (start 1445 BST)

[Goldenbead]

Wooo Hooo! I will be in Barbados for ten days in April. I don't have any tickets but am trying to see if I can manage it when there. Not to worry, the atmosphere will be electric. Kensington Oval has been totally revamped and is fantastic.

I am looking forward to being in Barbados and being part of the CWC experience.

[Old Croc]

Lucky you!

[Donnyboy]

WORLD CUP FIXTURES

World Cup warm-up schedule

Warm-up matches do not have one-day international status

MARCH

5 Bermuda v England, St Vincent

5 Scotland v Sri Lanka, Barbados

5 Canada v Pakistan, Trinidad

5 Kenya v West Indies, Jamaica

6 Australia v Zimbabwe, St Vincent

6 Bangladesh v New Zealand, Barbados

6 Ireland v South Africa, Trinidad

6 India v Netherlands, Jamaica

8 Bangladesh v Scotland, Barbados

8 Bermuda v Zimbabwe, St Vincent

8 Canada v Ireland, Trinidad

8 Kenya v Netherlands, Jamaica

9 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Barbados

9 Australia v England, St Vincent

9 Pakistan v South Africa, Trinidad

9 India v West Indies, Jamaica

Group A, St Kitts (all start 1330 GMT)

MARCH

14 Australia v Scotland

16 Netherlands v South Africa

18 Australia v Netherlands

20 Scotland v South Africa

22 Netherlands v Scotland

24 Australia v South Africa

Group B, Trinidad (all start 1330 GMT except *)

15 Bermuda v Sri Lanka

17 Bangladesh v India

19 Bermuda v India

21 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

23 India v Sri Lanka

25 Bangladesh v Bermuda (*starts 1430 BST)

GROUP C, St Lucia (all start 1330 GMT)

14 Canada v Kenya

16 England v New Zealand

18 Canada v England

20 Kenya v New Zealand

22 Canada v New Zealand

24 England v Kenya

Group D, Jamaica (all start 1430 GMT)

13 West Indies v Pakistan

15 Ireland v Zimbabwe

17 Ireland v Pakistan

19 West Indies v Zimbabwe

21 Pakistan v Zimbabwe

23 Ireland v West Indies

Super Eight (all start 1430 BST)

If any seeded team does not finish in the top two in their group, the non-seeded team qualifying will take their allotted place in the Super Eight fixture list.

27 D2 v A1, Antigua & Barbuda

28 A2 v B1, Guyana

29 D2 v C1, Antigua & Barbuda

30 D1 v C2, Guyana

31 A1 v B2, Antigua & Barbuda

APRIL

1 D2 v B1, Guyana

2 B2 v C1, Antigua & Barbuda

3 D1 v A2, Guyana

4 C2 v B1, Antigua & Barbuda

7 B2 v A2, Guyana

8 A1 v C2, Antigua & Barbuda

9 D1 v C1, Guyana

10 D2 v A2, Grenada

11 C2 v B2, Barbados

12 B1 v C1, Grenada

13 A1 v D1, Barbados

14 A2 v C1, Grenada

15 B2 v D1, Barbados

16 A1 v B1, Grenada

17 A2 v C2, Barbados

18 D1 v B1, Grenada

19 D2 v B2, Barbados

20 A1 v C1, Grenada

21 D2 v C2, Barbados

Semi-finals

24 Super Eight 2nd v 3rd, Jamaica (start 1545 BST)

25 Super Eight 1st v 4th, St Lucia (start 1445 BST)

Final

28 Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Barbados (start 1445 BST)

I dont think UBC will be broadcasting any games. Does anyone know any more?

[jasreeve17]

The south african channels will show the games.

I've got cable and we get the football at the weekends on the SA sports channel, I'm hoping that some cricket may come on too... if not, quite a few bars have the SA package and it will be showing a lot of cricket games.

[Donno]

It looks as if UBC won't be showing the world cup cricket. It's not scheduled in there magazine. It will be shown on South Africas Supersports channels.

Reminds me of the Soccer world cup - not shown on UBC. Then they had the ordacity to claim they're the home of soccer.

[Old Croc]

Bangladesh stun Kiwis with warm-up win

Bangladesh secured a stunning pre-World Cup warm-up victory over New Zealand at the 3Ws Stadium.

Set 227 for victory, the rank outsiders made it with two wickets in hand after tail-ender Mashrafe Mortaza blasted two successive sixes off James Franklin in the penultimate over.

Bangladesh had looked behind the clock for most of their run-chase after Jacob Oram, nursing a broken finger, had battered 88 in the New Zealanders' 226 all out.

They started in style with 17-year-old Tamim Iqbal tearing apart the Kiwi attack with a quickfire 46 from 48 balls including a huge six off Daniel Vettori.

His fellow opener Javed Omar weighed in with 45 but after those two had departed the Bangladesh innings lacked momentum until the late assault from fast bowler Mortaza.

He hit 30 from 14 balls including three sixes, one of which came off the bowling of New Zealand spearhead Shane Bond.

Mortaza had also shone with the ball, claiming four for 44.

Earlier, the hefty 28-year-old Oram had repaired the New Zealand innings at 75 for six when he and Brendon McCullum blasted a seventh-wicket 105-run partnership.

©AAP 2007

Hang on. Where does that leave Australia in the scheme of things?

[Old Croc]

Other WC warm up matches results.

Australia beat Zimbabwe by 106 runs.

England beat Bermuda by 230+ runs

(A 35 yo, 19 stone, Bermudian Policeman and part time spin bowler, took the wickets of Collingwood and Pietersen much to the delight of Fleet Street!)

[ozzydom]

OZ BEAT ENGLAND BY 5 WICKETS.

[yeasin17]

very much interested in watching wordcup live on TV. Does any one know, if any hotel or pub will be doing some arrangements on this. at least for some important maches; don't want to miss them.

as a bangladeshi supporter, definitely want to see them playing.

if u guys know any good streaming website, that will cover live matches, even with pay is also ok.

thanks in advance.

Yeasin.

[farangsay]

I was tickled pink to be informed by CNN that Ireland had qualified

for this World Cup (slow news day).

About time the notion of sportsmanship was re-injected.

Ole , ole , ole.

[sajal]

It looks as if UBC won't be showing the world cup cricket. It's not scheduled in there magazine. It will be shown on South Africas Supersports channels.

Reminds me of the Soccer world cup - not shown on UBC. Then they had the ordacity to claim they're the home of soccer.

Last moment update from UBC

TrueVisions (a.k.a UBC) would be providing the world cup cricket as a prepaid add on to their existing customers.

Price

For a whole tournament (51 match days) = 3,500 baht

For the last 10 match days = 1,000 baht

[Old Croc]

I was tickled pink to be informed by CNN that Ireland had qualified

for this World Cup (slow news day).

About time the notion of sportsmanship was re-injected.

Ole , ole , ole.

Is Ed Joyce playing for England or Ireland?

[Old Croc]

Result of game 1.

West Indies 241/9 (50 ov)

Pakistan 187 (47.2 ov)

West Indies won by 54 runs

[mrjohn]

Anybody know how I can get a radio commentary on the internet? The BBC is blocked since they do not have the rights outside the UK. I am even prepared to pay for it!!

[farangsay]

I was tickled pink to be informed by CNN that Ireland had qualified

for this World Cup (slow news day).

About time the notion of sportsmanship was re-injected.

Ole , ole , ole.

Is Ed Joyce playing for England or Ireland?

As in Edmund ?

Seems to be playing for England.

[Old Croc]

Ponting stars in win over Scotland

Captain Ricky Ponting hit a World Cup record-equalling century and Glenn McGrath starred with the ball as Australia kicked off their title defence with a 203-run win over minnows Scotland at Warner Park.

It was the second biggest winning margin in World Cup history, behind Australia's 256-run thrashing of Namibia in South Africa four years ago.

Dropped on 23 by wicketkeeper Colin Smith, Ponting struck nine fours and five sixes as he cracked 113 from 93 balls in Australia's 6-334.

In reply, Scotland made 131 in 40.1 overs.

The 32-year-old Tasmanian's fourth World Cup century was his third as skipper, equalling Indian Sourav Ganguly's tournament record.

His ton also equalled the highest World Cup career tally, alongside Indians Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar and Australia's Mark Waugh.

Ponting also smashed the record for most World Cup sixes, taking his tally to 24, surpassing the 23 hit by Ganguly.

The 37-year-old McGrath, who is retiring next month, edged closer to Wasim Akram's World Cup record of 55 wickets, taking 3-14 to lift his career tally to 48.

After Australia were sent it to bat at Warner Park in humid conditions, Ponting played some delightful strokes on the small ground before he was bowled by rival skipper Craig Wright, who doubles as Cricket Scotland's marketing manager, in the 46th over.

Matthew Hayden (60), returning from a broken toe, and Adam Gilchrist (46) had put on 91 for the first wicket in 17 overs.

University student Majid Haq (2-49) claimed Hayden lbw and bowled Michael Clarke for 15, ending a 59-run stand with Ponting.

Brad Hodge was in good touch for his 29 but threw his wicket away with a heave to long-on.

Hodge was caught by bank worker Paul Hoffmann (1-57), giving a wicket to Hoffmann's fellow Queenslander Glenn Rogers.

Rogers, 29, who lost nine kilograms in January after contracting typhoid while on a tour of Kenya, took 1-52 with his left-arm spinners.

Tailender Brad Hogg smashed 40 not out from 15 balls, plundering 24 runs, including two fours and two sixes, off the 50th over bowled by Dougie Brown.

Former England medium-pacer Brown, 37, took 1-86 off nine overs, the fifth-worst figures in World Cup history.

Australia met little resistance from Scotland's recognised batsmen, with McGrath getting plenty of bounce and taking three of the first five wickets to fall with only 42 runs on the board in 15.3 overs.

No.7 batsman Smith, a 34-year-old police officer, scored his maiden one-day international half-century to lead Scotland's resistance, finishing with 51 off 76 balls before he was bowled by spinner Hogg.

New-ball bowler Shaun Tait used his awesome pace to pick up 2-45.

AAPT

Canada Vs Kenya

Canada 199 (50 ov)

Kenya 203/3 (43.2 ov)

Kenya won by 7 wickets (with 40 balls remaining)

[Old Croc]

Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

World Cup minnows Ireland managed to tie their overnight match with Zimbabwe, a side expected to win comfortably. At the end of their 50 overs both sides ended their innings at 221 runs. Only the third tie in WC history.

The star for the Irish side was burly opener Jeremy Bray who carried his bat to score 115 n.o.

Ireland 221/9 (50 ov)

Zimbabwe 221 (50.0 ov)

Match tied!

The other match played overnight ended predictably:

Sri Lanka 321/6 (50 ov)

Bermuda 78 (24.4 ov)

Sri Lanka won by 243 runs

[Old Croc]

Ireland Beats Pakistan!!!!!!!

The Irish team celebrated St Patricks Day by causing a massive upset in beating one of the world's top ranked sides by 3 wickets.

Pakistan 132 (45.4 ov)

Ireland 133/7 (41.4/47 ov)

Ireland won by 3 wickets (with 32 balls remaining)

AC Botha had the incredible bowling figures of 2/5 from 8 overs with 4 maidens.

After their tied game against Zimbabwe, Ireland have now virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the final 8 of the WC!

Pakistan may be going home next week.

Edited March 18, 2007 by Old Croc

[Old Croc]

Bangladesh Bash India!!!

In another incredible upset, Bangladesh beat the powerful Indian side by 5 wickets.

India 191 (49.3 ov)

Bangladesh 192/5 (48.3 ov)

Bangladesh won by 5 wickets (with 9 balls remaining)

[Mossfinn]

Ireland Beats Pakistan!!!!!!!

The Irish team celebrated St Patricks Day by causing a massive upset in beating one of the world's top ranked sides by 3 wickets.

Pakistan 132 (45.4 ov)

Ireland 133/7 (41.4/47 ov)

Ireland won by 3 wickets (with 32 balls remaining)

AC Botha had the incredible bowling figures of 2/5 from 8 overs with 4 maidens.

After their tied game against Zimbabwe, Ireland have now virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the final 8 of the WC!

Pakistan may be going home next week.

All is noisy on St Patricks Day

Good Luck

Moss

[chuchok]

Ireland Beats Pakistan!!!!!!!

The Irish team celebrated St Patricks Day by causing a massive upset in beating one of the world's top ranked sides by 3 wickets.

Pakistan 132 (45.4 ov)

Ireland 133/7 (41.4/47 ov)

Ireland won by 3 wickets (with 32 balls remaining)

AC Botha had the incredible bowling figures of 2/5 from 8 overs with 4 maidens.

After their tied game against Zimbabwe, Ireland have now virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the final 8 of the WC!

Pakistan may be going home next week.

All is noisy on St Patricks Day

Good Luck

Moss

That result just made my day.good on the Micks.sucked in Pakistan.maybe next time the arogant pricks will speak English at the press conference.

[ozzydom]

Ireland Beats Pakistan!!!!!!!

The Irish team celebrated St Patricks Day by causing a massive upset in beating one of the world's top ranked sides by 3 wickets.

Pakistan 132 (45.4 ov)

Ireland 133/7 (41.4/47 ov)

Ireland won by 3 wickets (with 32 balls remaining)

AC Botha had the incredible bowling figures of 2/5 from 8 overs with 4 maidens.

After their tied game against Zimbabwe, Ireland have now virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the final 8 of the WC!

Pakistan may be going home next week.

All is noisy on St Patricks Day

:D

Good Luck

Moss

That result just made my day.good on the Micks.sucked in Pakistan.maybe next time the arogant pricks will speak English at the press conference.

Ireland= 1 win, 1 draw Poms 1 loss

[Old Croc]

Pakistan didn't make it through to the Super Eight, now it seems India will share the same fate!

They are relying on Bermuda to beat Bangladesh in their pool to save their tournament. Very unlikely.

[Pink Mist]

Australia 6/377 after 50 overs

south africa 10/294 all out

83 run victory

[Old Croc]

Pakistan didn't make it through to the Super Eight, now it seems India will share the same fate!

They are relying on Bermuda to beat Bangladesh in their pool to save their tournament. Very unlikely.

Attached is the points table from the qualifying round. Only one match to play. The result crucial for cricketing giant India.

(If I was Greg Chappel I would be careful who I let into my hotel room if Bangladesh win )

[Old Croc]

Here are the fixtures for the Super Eight stage of the World Cup. First game tonight.

March, Tue 27 West Indies v Australia Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

March, Wed 28 South Africa v Sri Lanka Providence Stadium, Guyana

March, Thu 29 West Indies v New Zealand Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

March, Fri 30 Ireland v England Providence Stadium, Guyana

March, Sat 31 Australia v Bangladesh Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

April, Sun 1 West Indies v Sri Lanka Providence Stadium, Guyana

April, Mon 2 Bangladesh v New Zealand Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

April, Tue 3 Ireland v South Africa Providence Stadium, Guyana

April, Wed 4 England v Sri Lanka Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

April, Sat 7 Bangladesh v South Africa Providence Stadium, Guyana

April, Sun 8 Australia v England Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

April, Mon 9 Ireland v New Zealand Providence Stadium, Guyana

April, Tue 10 West Indies v South Africa National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Wed 11 England v Bangladesh Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Thu 12 Sri Lanka v New Zealand National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Fri 13 Australia v Ireland Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Sat 14 South Africa v New Zealand National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Sun 15 Bangladesh v Ireland Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Mon 16 Australia v Sri Lanka National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Tue 17 South Africa v England Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Wed 18 Ireland v Sri Lanka National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Thu 19 West Indies v Bangladesh Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Fri 20 Australia v New Zealand National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

April, Sat 21 West Indies v England Kensington Oval, Barbados

April, Tue 24 1st Semi Final 2 v 3 Sabina Park, Jamaica

April, Wed 25 2nd Semi Final 1 v 4 Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia

April, Sat 28 Finals SF1 v SF2 Kensington Oval, Barbados