Match report: Gayle blows Australia away

Source: cricinfo.com

• West Indies 205/4 (Gayle 75*, Pollard 38) defeated Australia 131 (Bailey 63, Rampaul 3/16)

Summary:

The West Indies' two most damaging players, Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard were at their destructive best as the Windies crushed Australia to advance to the final. Gayle batted through the innings to make 75 off 41 balls, while Pollard finished the work Gayle begun with a whirlwind 15-ball innings of 38. The duo particularly enjoyed the offerings of Australian spinner Xavier Doherty, and helped themselves to 48 runs from his three overs. Facing a mammoth total for victory, Australia was out of the hunt quickly, losing their top order inside the first five overs. Captain George Bailey recorded his highest T20 score of 63, but this merely limited the damage as the West Indian attack ran through the brittle Australian batting order.

Match report: India win, both teams go home

Source: cricinfo.com

• India 152/6 (Raina 45, Dhoni 23) defeated South Africa 151 ( du Plessis 65, Khan 3/22)

Summary:
South Africa has lost three wickets in the final six balls of its innings to hand India victory in the final Super Eight game, which effectively became a dead rubber. India got off to a stuttering start, dropping to 36/3 before some solid middle-order batting - headed by Suresh Raina - guided the Indians past 150. South Africa similarly got off to a poor start losing two wickets in the early overs but appeared to be cruising at 107/4 (thanks largely to Faf du Pessis) in the 15th over. But from then on they lost 6 for 44, to exit the Super Eights stage without a win.

Hollow victory:
To be able to claim a place in the semi finals, either India or South Africa had to record a massive win to boost their overall net run-rate. But it quickly became apparent that it would not be the case as the match headed toward a thrilling but ultimately meaningless conclusion. South Africa needed 14 to win of the last over, and got a great start with a six from Albie Morkel. Morkel was out next ball and was replaced by his brother Morne who also struck a six to leave South Africa with two runs to get from the last two balls. However bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji held his nerve to dismiss Morne and seal the win.

Match report: Pakistan reach semi's as Watson finally fails

Source: cricinfo.com

• Pakistan 149/6 (Jamshed 55, Akmal 32) defeated Australia 117/7 (Hussey 54*, Ajmal 3/17)

Summary:

Australia's top order has finally came undone in this year's T20 World Cup, exposing a brittle middle order as Pakistan's battery of slow bowlers spun them to victory and a place in the semi-finals. Defending a gettable target of 150 for victory, the spin trio of Mohammad Hafeez (2/22), Raza Hasan (2/14) and Saeed Ajmal (3/17) claimed all of the Australian wickets while also restricting run scoring. Michael Hussey's unbeaten 54 ensured Australia passed the magic mark of 112, the number of runs they needed to qualify for the semi's without having to rely on the result of the South Africa-India match.

Soft underbelly:

For the first time in the tournament, Australia needed runs from batsmen other than Warner and Watson, and were found wanting. The inexperienced middle order of skipper George Bailey, Cameron White and Glenn Maxwell couldn't rise to the occasion. Neither could wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who could only make 13 in his first at bat for the tournament. If not for veteran Michael Hussey, Australia could well be out of the World Cup.

Match report: Malinga sends England packing

Source: AFP

• Sri Lanka 169/6 (Jayawardene 42, Mathews 28) defeated England 150/9 (Patel 67, Malinga 5/31)

Summary:

A devastating opening over from speedster Lasith Malinga has guided Sri Lanka to victory, and in the process knocking the defending champions England out of the tournament. Bowling the third over of the England innings, Malinga claimed the wickets with his third, fifth and sixth ball to leave England stunned at 18/3. Malinga then returned later in the innings to complete the Sri Lankan victory, taking the wickets of top-scorer Samit Patel and Jos Butler. Malinga's effort came after an even performance from Sri Lanka's batsmen, with all players reaching double figures as they posted a competitive 169 for England to chase.

Which captain?:

Sri Lankan keeper Kumar Sangakkara fronted up to to the toss of the coin as Sri Lanka's captain with the explanation that "Mahela lost three tosses in a row". However when Sri Lanka took to the field normal service resumed, with Mahela Jayawardene quite clearly playing a large role in the direction of the team. The reason? Sri Lanka to their credit at least, was more open after the match about why this occurred: the team had been warned about slow over-rates, with the punishment if it happened again being the suspension of the captain. By replacing Jayawardene with Sangakkara, it effectively was a clean-slate as the threat of suspension was not hanging over Sangakkara's head.

Match report: India thrash local rivals Pakistan

Source: Getty Images

• India 129/2 (Kohli 78*, Sehwag 29) defeated Pakistan 128 (Malik 28, Balaji 3/22)

Summary:

India has overcome a bright start by Pakistan to win by eight wickets, notching their first win of the Super Eight stage. Pakistan bolted out of the blocks, scoring 26 runs off the first two overs before their batsmen seemed to freeze in the face of what was only a steady Indian bowling attack. Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez was particularly culpable, scoring just 15 runs off 28 balls. Pakistan were then under pressure to score quick runs later in the innings, but this only led to a batting collapse which had them all out in the final over. India, spearheaded by Virat Kohli, was largely untroubled and unhurried in the run chase, reaching Pakistan's total in the 18th over.

Rabbit in the headlights:

Clashes between India and Pakistan always attract a lot of attention, especially when they meet in a major tournament. That extra attention and pressure seemed to get to Pakistan who were edgy and nervous throughout the match. Their batsmen were tentative often scoring at less than a run a ball, and when they did try to hit out, they often picked out fielders. Pakistan weren't much better in the field either, dropping catches (including Kohli on 42) and bowling erratically.

Match report: Watson carries Australia into Semi Finals

Source: ICC

• Australia 147/2 (Watson 70, Hussey 45) defeated South Africa 146/5 (Peterson 32, Doherty 3/20)

Summary:
Australia has sealed a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals thanks to another match-winning performance from Shane Watson. Watson made 70 with the bat and shared a 99-run partnership with veteran Michael Hussey after earlier taking 2/29 to help restrict South Africa to a modest total. South Africa struggled from the outset, falling to 8/2 thanks to the unusual choice of left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty as opening bowler. Their middle order steadied the ship, but apart from a late inning burst from Robin Peterson, never threatened to loosen Australia's grip on the match. Australia made a tentative start to the run chase, losing Warner with the score on ten, before Hussey and Watson guided them home.

The "chokers":
South Africa has an infamous record in major tournaments of finding a way to lose from almost any position, evidenced by their effort against Pakistan last Friday. But while they were never in a winning position against Australia, their lacklustre performance with the bat and especially in the field may suggest there is some mental issues in the South African team in big matches, particularly when you compare this performance with the ones earlier in the tournament.

Match report: Watson stars again as Aussie's thrash India

Source: cricinfo.com

• Australia 141/1 (Watson 72, Warner 63*) defeated India 140/7 (Pathan 31, Watson 3/34)

Summary:

A third consecutive man of the match performance from all-rounder Shane Watson has given Australia the perfect start to the Super Eight stage. Watson formed a threatening pace duo with Patrick Cummins (2/16 and a run-out) to restrict India to 140 on a batting-friendly wicket. He then combined with Dave Warner to thoroughly demoralise India with a 133-run opening partnership, their second century stand of the tournament. Australia reached India's total of 140 with more than six overs to spare.

The man:

Shane Watson has been putting up some silly statistics so far this tournament. He recorded 51, 41 not out and 72 for an average of 82 with the bat. He has also been Australia's chief destroyer with the ball, with eight wickets at an average of just over 11. Scary stuff.

Match report: Lower order heroics rescue Pakistan

Source: cricinfo.com

• Pakistan 136/8 (Akmal 43*, Steyn 3/22) defeated South Africa 133/6 (Duminy 48, De Villiers 25)

Summary:
Some audacious hitting by tail-end batsman Umar Gul brought Pakistan back from the brink to record a famous T20 victory. Gul formed a valuable 49-run eighth wicket partnership with middle-order batman Umar Akmal to rescue Pakistan from a precarious position at 76/7 to within sight of victory when he fell for 32 off just 17 balls. Gul had earlier been part of an unorthodox Pakistani bowling attack containing four spinners. The gamble paid off spectacularly as they were able to stifle the South Africans on a pitch that did offer some assistance to spin bowling.

The sublime and the ridiculous:
This match was a bizarre combination of technical and tactical genius and remarkable gaffes. The decision to play four spinners was a masterstroke, as was both captains use of their spin bowlers. The dismissals of many of the Pakistani top-order on the other hand bordered on the comedic, and looked to have cost Pakistan what should have been a routine victory, before Gul intervened with some remarkable hitting.

New Zealand Knocked Out

Source: cricinfo.com

• West Indies 139 (Gayle 30, Southee 3-21, Bracewell 3-31) tied with New Zealand 139 for 7 (Taylor 62*, Samuels 3-20). West Indies won the Super Over.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. West Indies was all out for 139 runs, led by Chris Gayle’s 30, with three balls remaining in its 20 overs in Pallekelle.

New Zealand and West Indies tied on 139 runs after their innings and moved to a ‘super over’ to decide their final eight match at cricket’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

England keep their Semi's hopes alive with win over New Zealand

Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)

• England 4-149 def. New Zealand 6-148 by 6 wickets with 7 balls remaining.

Summary:
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. Their batting order was inconsistent early falling to 4-67 off 11.4 overs. Ross Taylor (22) and James Franklin (50) came to the crease and restored some stability. Steve Finn was the deadliest bowler for the English with 3/16 off 4 overs. The Kiwi's were only able to achieve a modest target of 6 for 148.
England had an almost identical start. They reached 50 runs in 54 balls, the same as New Zealand but, had one more wicket in hand than the Kiwi's. Luke Wright (76) and Eoin Morgan (30) posted an 89-run partnership to steer England to victory with 7 balls remaining.

Match report: Sri Lanka puts one foot in semis with win

Source: Associated Press

• Sri Lanka 130/1 (Jayawardene 65*, Sangakkara 39*) defeated West Indies 129/5 (Samuels 50, Bravo 40)

Summary:

A stifling performance by Sri Lanka's bowlers has all but assured the hosts a place in the semi-finals of the 2012 T20 World Cup. A varied attack of off and leg spin coupled with the cunning of pace bowlers Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasakera restricted the powerful West Indian batting line up to just 129 despite taking only five wickets. That set the scene for an easy run chase, the lowest at the Pallekele ground, spearheaded by veterans Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara who reached the total with 28 balls to spare.

Containment strategy:

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene got a great read of the local conditions and used them to keep the West Indian line up off-guard. He regularly rotated his bowlers, often giving them just one over at a time to prevent batsmen adjusting to each bowler. His bowlers backed up his plan with a wide array of spinning deliveries, slower balls and yorkers to keep the West Indian batsmen in check. A victory for guile over strength.

West Indies upset Champions England with a 15-run win.

Source: Times of India

• West Indies 5-179 def. England 4-164

Summary:
What an awesome decision by the West Indies to bat first. Johnson Charles (84) and Chris Gayle (58) blasted the English bowlers all over the ground. The opening partnership finished on 103 when Steven Finn redeemed himself by catching Chris Gayle in the deep after dropping Johnson Charles the previous ball. Unfortunately, besides the two openers, everyone else failed to fire with the bat. Despite this, the West Indies posted a respectable figure of 179.
England had a steep task ahead of them chasing down 179. It could not have been a worse start for the Poms with Craig Kieswetter making a duck before the English could get a run on the board. Luke Wright was gone the next ball leaving them 2-0. Ravi Rampaul collected both wickets in the first over and set the tone for the fielding side. Alex Hales (68) and Eoin Morgan (71*) steadied the Poms but it wasn't enough to win, falling short with 4-164.
West Indies won by 15 runs.

Match report: Sri Lanka wins super over thriller

Source: AFP

• Sri Lanka 174/6 (Dilshan 76, Jayawardene 44) defeated New Zealand 174/7 (Nicol 58, Guptil 38) in a super over eliminator.

Summary:

A stifling super over from paceman Lasith Malinga has lifted Sri Lanka to victory in the best game of the T20 World Cup so far. After the scores were tied at the end of the Sri Lankan innings, both teams got to face one extra over to decide the outcome of the match. Sri Lanka took advantage of some wayward bowling from Kiwi Tim Southee (3 wides) to set New Zealand a target of 14 for victory. Malinga then produced a perfect example of death bowling to restrict the New Zealanders to just seven runs. This came after a dramatic finish to the end of the Sri Lankan innings. Needing just one run to win off the final ball Lahiru Thirimanne mis-hit the ball out to the point region, the return came in to Kiwi captain Ross Taylor, who fumbled the ball but deflected it onto the stumps, running out Thirimanne and forcing the super over.

That's what we're talking about:

After a fairly dreary opening week, this match has brought the tournament to life. This match had many twists and turns, with both teams having opportunities to seize the game by the scruff of the neck, only to be stymied by tenacious fight backs by the opposing side. New Zealand will be rueing the moderate finish it had to its innings, while Sri Lanka will be thankful they were still able to scrape a win after Tillakaratne Dilshan had seemingly set them on their way to victory in the regular 20 over period.

Super Eights preview (part 2)

GROUP 2:

By an odd quirk of the draw, the second Super Eight group features two past winners, the 2010 runner-up and the current No.1 ranked team. It also contains the four unbeaten teams in the tournament, none of whom were overly troubled during the group stage. India did what it had to do against Afghanistan before pummelling England, while Australia have been carried by some impressive performances from Shane Watson. Pakistan's top order has been firing in the group stage and South Africa has underlined it's number one ranking with two disciplined and clinical performances, even in farcical situations.

Who Progresses?

Pakistan looms as a real danger now that its top order, potentially a weak link, is up and running as they have a bowling line-up well suited to T20 cricket in the sub-continent. South Africa has been the most impressive team so far and would be favoured to go through, although it's getting close to the period when traditionally they struggle with a few mental demons. Australia needs it's top order to continue in the form that it showed in the group matches, as their middle order is potentially vulnerable, while India would hope for more of the conditions dished up against England, as their pace stocks look a little thin.

Super Eights preview

The end of the group stages has seen, somewhat predictably, the weakest four teams exit the tournament without threatening to upset the tournament heavyweights.
From here on in though the competition gets much tougher, with the remaining teams split into two groups, with the top two in each progressing to the knock-out semi finals.

GROUP 1:

This must be seen as the weaker group, both in terms of reputation and form. Defending champions England bullied Afghanistan in its opening game before being getting thrashed by India. New Zealand opened impressively against Bangladesh before going down to Pakistan, while both the West Indies and Sri Lanka have been hampered by the weather. The Lankan's could only take to the field for 14 overs in total in their loss to South Africa, while the West Indies second group match was washed out. This creates the curious scenario where the Windies have advanced to the Super Eights without winning a match.

Who progresses?

On form you would hesitantly pick hosts Sri Lanka and the under-rated New Zealand. Sri Lanka have the advantage of home support and conditions and have a good record in big tournaments. New Zealand have been more competitive and consistent then the other two teams in the group and have a good chance to spring a surprise to make it to the semi-finals. To progress from this group, England needs to show that its horrendous effort against spin was a one-off, while the West Indies' unpredictability could shape the outcome of this group.