Zimbabwe vs India
Game 1 of Micromax Cup 2010, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
2nd Innings : Zimbabwe to bat, India to field
Openers - Masakadza, Taylor
PowerPlay-1 (mandatory) - overs 1-10
Over 1 by Dinda
.1 fast yorker, slight swing, defended up straight
.2 full in length, driven to mid on
.3 bowled wide of the crease, a bit of a movement off the seam, Masa looked to get off strike, but no opportunity there.
.4 Short, a bit wide, seaming away, Masa doesn't capitalise, hits to point, rather softly
Dinda with the familiar bandana on this forehead
.5 Masa dabs this behind point finally, for one
.6 FOUR!!! four onto the leg side, bowled at pads, taylor had it easy this time, off the mark with a four to mid wicket
5/0 after 1
Over 2 by Vinay
.1 on the off stump, no runs, played uncomfortably to short mid off
.2 driven to mid wicket and masa has a quick single
.3 beaten outside off!!! oooooh
.4 Taylor left this one alone, not much pace in this ball
.5 Taylor taps and tries to run, but masa wasn't interested, Vinay was at it in a flash.
.6 cut away hard behind point by Taylor for two
8/0 after 2
Over 3 by Dinda
.1 fast ball zipped into Masa, and he was cramped for room, somehow gets a touch to square leg and takes a single
.2 Beaten outside off, the ball was way outside off and Taylor chased it, luck for him no edge on it
.3 Right on target, good length on top of off stump. No run.
.4 This time, taylor goes back and pushes to off side
.5 Good bouncer, not called a wide...
.6 FOUR!!! Short arm jab does it this time! A short of length ball was pulled over mid wicket for four.
14/0 after 3
Over 4 by Vinay
.1 no run, looking for the gap, unable to find
.2 no run, driven to point
.3 Pushes off back foot to just wide of mid off and sneaks a single. good running
.4 Punched between cover and mid off, they take two! Good placement on that.
Silly mid off in place
.5 Masa tries to punch this off the back foot, didn't get hold of it
.6 FOUR!!! Short and wide, moving away and spanked, deservingly so to cover fence for four!
21/0 after 4
Over 5 by Dinda
.1 Taylor!!! Oooh... No feet movement and just hangs a bat there, Dinda squared him up, beats bat by an inch
.2 On the pads, and taylor capitalises on that, simple touch to square leg for three runs
.3 No run, straight to the fielder on the off
.4 No run again. Masa is finding fielder better than gaps now.
.5 Slow ball... this took ages to reach Masa, and he tries to drive, missed it.
.6 Drives this one inside out, but well fielded inside the circle to deny the run
25-0 after 5
Over 6 by Yadav.. RMF
.1 Good start, bit of a seam, Taylor just reads this ball... Doesn't play a shot
.2 Plays this one pitched outside off to 3rd man
.3 Bouncer! Masa managed to get bat on it, and the ballooning ball evaded DK by 3 meters, slice of luck
.4 FOUR!!! No pace on this one and it was short and Taylor puts this one to mid wicket fence
.5 Yorker, but get a single
.6 Full on off, pushed back to bowler
31-0 after 6
Over 7 by Dinda
.1 Standing tall and delivering, Taylor, driven past cover and mid off. 3 taken
A young kid enjoys a candy watching the sweet drive by Taylor
.2 Another back foot punch, but only to mid off
.3 lofts this one high in the air! This too evades the fielder. Masa is having a nice day with the bat today, lucky too. 2
runs
.4 short mid off, yusuf, does a good job fielding this bullet back foot drive
.5 Walks across the stumps ans plays it to square leg for one.
3rd man and deep backward square leg are the boundary riders now
.6 Driven straight to mid on. no run
37-0 after 7
Unlike usual Indian Cricket live telecasts, this match, on TV has not more than 1 ad a break!
Over 8 by Yadav
.1 Pulled the short ball to mid-wicket for a single, just wide of the fielder
.2 Masa tries the same, but finds rhe fielder
.3 Masa plays the yorker well, and dabs it to mid on, who misfields, easy two for Masa
.4 SIX!!! And this is a beauty! Just short of length on the leg side and he pulls is well and the ball lands a yard behind
the ropes! Good shot!
Not a good start for the debutant, Yadav
.5 Short on the off stump, no run!
.6 Pace and Bounce and Seam.. Tony Greig reads the speed gun as 87 mph! That beat Masa once again!
45-0 after 8
Over 9 by Dinda
.1 Ball on the legs, deflected to mfine leg, by Taylor, who wasn't interested in any run, but Masa was 3/4th the pitch away
from his crease, and he had to make it back... and dinda couldn't hit it back in time.
.2 Hit to mid off for a single
.3 FOUR!!! Again, Tony is stealing my words... Stand and deliver. up and over mid off for four!
.4 Slow ball, and Masa didn't mind waiting. touch and run...
.5 Taylor couldn't beat the mid off on the drive
Both batsmen are finding the middle of the bat more frequently now.
.6 Slow short ball, played/pulled in front of square leg for a single
51-0 after 9
Over 10 by Vinay
.1 Slow, off cutter... forward in defense is Taylor
.2 SIX!!! Slightly short and Taylor pulls this one over square leg for a SIX! The fielder out there can only watch
.3 Short of length on the Off stump, patted back to the bowler.
.4 Slow outside off, taps, thinks of a run, but decides against it.
.5 SIX!!! Taylor takes one step towards the ball and swipes it from outside off to over long on fence! This is classic!
.6 FOUR!!! Icing on the cake, with that square cut beyond point
67-0 after 10
So much for the lethargic Indian side. Spinners gotta push things back into hands if India wants to win this.
And Amit Mishra it is, to start the Bowling Powerplay (PP2 - 11-15th overs)
Over 11-Mishra
.1 Slow ball on the legs and Masa has no problem disposing it to deep mid wicket. ball doesn't reacj the fence. 3 taken
.2 Forward in defence. Some turn
.3 Again, on the middle stump, with a tinge of turn. no run
.4 Well flighted, driven past Mishra to long off for one
.5 Masa drives it well to long off
.6 Good flight, driven to the bowler. no run
72-0 after 11
First over in quite some time without a boundary in it! This is 2010, and its ZIM playing IND...
Over 12 by Ravi
Will he continue his good touch?
.1 Around the wicket. Masa taps to mid on. no run
.2 FOUR!!! Charges and slaps it past Ravi for four, Ravi got a touch, didn't matter, it had the power it needed
.3 Single down to long on off the back foot!
.4 flat ball on the legs, Taylor puts it behind square of a single
.5 DK doesn't get hold of a ball and they run two.
.6 A bit of turn, on the middle, driven to long on
82-0 after 12
Over 13 by Mishra
.1 MAsa attempts a reverse sweep, misses, umpire turns down appea for lbw
.2 Now a touch and run. Good running. these tow are pretty quick between the wickets.
.3 Slow, flighted delivery, cut straight to point. no run
.4 Flighted one onto the leg stump. No run, pushed to the bowler
.5 FOUR!!! A lucky cut takes it to the 3rd man boundary, for four.
.6 OUT!!! GOOGLY it seemed, Tony says top spinner... it held its line, and Masa probably didn't read it, the ball crashes
onto the stumps. First wicket down
Masakadza b Mishra - 46
A good innings comes to an end..
88-1 after 13
Over 14 by Ravi
.1 Defended to point
.2 Defended back to the bowler
.3 taylor gets this one past the mid wicket fielder for a single.
.4 new comes, Lamb, defends his first ball.
.5 Off the mark with a dab to square leg, fielder from short fine leg mops it up. not off the mark, its a leg bye
.6 taylor takes a single to square leg
91-1 after 14
Over 15 by Mishra
.1 bowled on the pads, they take a leg bye.
.2 No runs. defended back
.3 Well flighted ball, no run, defended back to the bowler again.
.4 Again hits the pad, and trickes between fine leg and aquare leg, a sinle off the leg bye
.5 Edge goes to gully/short 3rd man, no run. Mishra turning well
.6 Taylor finishes off the over with a single to long off
94-1 after 15
Over 16 by ravi
.1 Tapped to point, no run
.2 And again, ravi is maintaingin a sharp line just outside off
.3 This one on to the stumps and touch to the leg side for a single
.4 Lamb gets this just past mid wicket for a single
.5 Touch and got, wanter Taylor, but correctly sent back, the silly mid off was fast approaching
.6 Another over ends with Taylor getting a single to long off.
97/1 after 16
Over 17 by Mishra
.1 Single to point, playing along with the turn, not doing anything silly
.2 Bowled on the leg stump, Lamb flicks it, not so graciously, for a single.
.3 The good length ball on the middle taken away on the on side for a single
.4 Well flighted ball driven hard, straight to covers by Lamb
.5 Defended well. no run
.6 Scooped over the keeper for two... 'catch it' called mishra, but no...
102-1 after 17
Over 18 by Ravi
.1 Single to long on. fifty for Taylor. Applause from the crowd
.2 Defended, little turn
.3 Single to long off
.4 Defended back to the bowler
.5 Nudged to long on for a single
.6 Flicked to square leg for a single
107-1 after 18
Over 19
.1 Defended to the off side
.2 A bit more turn, again, not able to push it far
.3 Another dot ball, on the leg, and Mishra fields it.
.4 Now, sweeps it cheekily to fine leg for three, Lamb
.5 Taylor drives to mid on, no run
.6 Again, as is customary, Taylor gets a single on the last ball!
110 - 1 after 19.
This is a good start!
Over 20 by Yadav
.1 Defended a short ball on the off to the bowler
.2 Driven off the back foot to the mid on fielder
.3 This time, driven past the bowler for a single to long on.
.4 Short, but no bounce, and DK makes a mess of it, allows two byes behind him, it pitched right in front of him, tough luck!
.5 Well bowled. nips back in and Lamb 'chested' it, safely not onto the stumps
.6 Short on the lef side amd two they take, well placed between fine leg and square leg
115-1 after 20
Over 21 by Mishra
.1 Looping ball, driven easly to long on.
.2 Good length, turning away from off, driven to mid off for no run
.3 Driven back to the bowler
.4 Again, driven back to Mishra
.5 Patted behind the crease for one by Lamb
.6 Defended standing in the crease by Taylor and gives a bemused tired look on his face. He just had drinks, he is just bored
of spin
Over 22 by yadav
.1 Yorker, but they steal a single on the tap
.2 FOUR!!! Good square cut off the wide ball for four behind point. 3rd man had no chance
.3 Back foot defense! NO run
.4 the ball seams back into the batsman, Taylor, hits to point, no run.
I like Mbangwa's dreadlocks! :-P
.5 Good line, good pace, dot ball, three in a row, that compensates for the four, but no wicket thus far to his card.
.6 Driven t=down the ground for a single to long on
123-1 after 23
Nice score, isn't it? for those who seek beauty in numbers...
Over 23 by Yusuf
.1 Looped ball by the 6 foot plus guy, almost a wide, but the batsman preferred to hit it to cover
.2 hit behind square on the leg side for a single.
.3 tylor is forward in defence to this ball on the off stump
.4 taylor wanted a backfoot drive down he ground, got an edge behind the keeper for a deuce.
.5 good looking back foot punch down the ground for a single towards long on.
.6 Lamb does the same towards long off
129-1 after 24
Over 24 by yadav
.1 Line is fixed onto the off stump zone, ever since he was hot for that four. No run yet aagin.
.2 Same line again, but a little more bounce on it, and Lanb takes a single with a pull to mid wicket
.3 taylor drives off the backfoot, the ball was rising at him.
Andy Blignaut, I suppose, is getting some net practice
.4 Again, pushed back to the bowler.
.5 Cut hard to point, and gets a single, ball was little wide, giving him to freedom to cut.
.6 Pulled, a little late than what he wanted to, I suppose, it went to fine leg, just a single
132-1 after 24
Required rate nearing 6 an over, Sun's behind the cloud for the moment
Over 25 by Yusuf
.1 Single to long off
.2 Single off the nudge to fine leg
.3 Lamb.. Cuts to deep point, for a single
Runs coming quite easily, not the boundaries now.
.4 Single to the long on off the back foot
.5 Comes forward and pushes to mid on. NOOOOO shouts Lamb at Taylor wo wanted a 1
.6 Chops hard, to 3rd man, single results
137-1 at the half way stage, much ahead of India. But will Taylor play an a-la Rohit role?
Over 26 by Yadav
.1 Beaten outside the off is Lamb on that ball. Good consistent line now, but not penetrating enought
.2 Cuts hard on the given width, to third man for a single. 50 partnershipt
.3 Defends the ball on good length outside off
.4 Dabbed away to mid on. NO run again
.5 Again, short on the off, driven to mid on for none
.6 Finally gets one going and taps it towards suare leg for a single, Taylor yet again, with a single on the last ball
Good over that,
139-1 after 26
Over 27 by Vinay
.1 No run, defended onto the off sice
.2 Now, to the mid on region, for no run.
Too many dot balls at this stage. Wickets and batting powerplay still intact.
.3 Slower than usual, but cuts in. taylor, hits and the ball falls near the crease, wanted a single, and Lamb negates the
invite
.4 Single handed drive to long off. Guess the ball is coming on to the bat slower than he thought.
.5 And a leading edge!! Lamb plays across the line, with bat's face open to the off...and the ball loops into a safe zone.
.6 Aother single to the off side to finish the over
142-1 after 27
RR above 6 an over now
Over 28 by Ravi
.1 Turns it to square leg, by default, Lamb shouts NOOOOOOO
.2 Now to mid wicket
Continuous advertising for micromax by commentators
.3 Dot, can't get it past the second pitch
.4 Another dot ball!
.5 Drives this to long on for a single
.6 Drives a full lenght ball, off the hook, to the bowler. Only one run off the tight over8
143-1 after 29
RR- 6.5
Over 29 by Vinay
.1 Single to the on side
.2 Short outside off, tennis backhand shot to deep square leg for two, by Lamb
.3 Flicked between long on and deep midwicket for another couple.
length is fuller than what it was last over. easier to score
.4 better length, but Lamb was so easy on it, to push it to square leg... ball was on leg stump to make things easier
.5 Pitched outside off, and nips back in, driven to long on
.6 Good line, good length.Lamb was happy to defend it
150-1 after 29
Over 30 by Ravi
.1 Dot ball
.2 Single to long off, on the drive.
.3 OUT!!! Pitched just outside the off and turning just a bit, probably missing the leg, but was given out, by Brian
Jerling. Unlucky one may call it.
Lumb - lbw Ravi - 27
.4 new man is southpaw Ervine, the debutant... No run
.5 Single towards cover,
.6 No run again
Over 31 by yusuf
.1 Deflected to the leg side behind the crease, for a single
.2 Single to long off for Taylor
.3 Ervine gets another single with a trickle to fine leg
.4 Another single, ice over this
.5 Wide. dn the leg side
.5 pulls to fine leg for a single
.6 Single to end the over
159-2 after 31
Over 32 by Ravi
.1 Single to long on by Taylor, he is well settled and can acclerate any time
.2 Touch to silly mid on, no run
.3 Cut behind slip, three runs off it. good placement!
.4 dot ball bacl to the bowler
.5 single past the bowler, to long off
.6 Ervine gets one past Ravi to the long on
165-2 after 32
121 off 108 is the equation
Over 33- by Rohit
.1 Wide. Wide down the leg side
.2 was wide, but Ervine preferred to push it harder to the fine leg fence, good work by Kohli out there, saves a run
.3 Taylor gets a single down the 3rd man region
.4 dot ball, back to the bowler
.5 dot ball, defended to mid off region
.6 played on to the leg side for a single
170 -2 after 33
Over 34 by Ravi
.1 single
.2 single
.3 two beyond point
.4 Single through cover
.5 dot ball, back to bowler.
.6 single to long on for Taylor
176-2 after 34
Over 35 by Vinay
.1 OUT!!! Taylor's innings is over! A not so short ball on the hips and he pulls it straight to fine leg, where yadav take s
a good cath falling down infront
Taylor - c Yadav, b Vinay - 81
Charles Coventry enters. He loves this ground!
.2 Dot ball, cut to point on the 'jump' off his toes
.3 Another dot ball
.4 Slow, take an edge to point. No run off the four balls this over
.5 Short ball, bags on his helmet and trickles down to 3rd man, for a run
.6 Good ball across the stumps on the up, defended back to the bowler.
Good Over that again
177-3 after 35
109 off 90 is the equation.
Over 36 by Mishra
.1 outside the off, spins away, quick single by Charles, bad throw, but overthrows avoided
.2 Ervine hits in the gap to cover.
.3 Coventry flicks the full pitched delivery on the middle stump to long on. was in the air but safe. single
.4 No run, played to mid on.
.5 Attempter sweep, missed everything
.6 Goes back in defence. Jabs to point. no run.
180/3 after 36.
106 needed off 84 balls
Over 37 by Vinay
.1 Dot ball.. Charles Coventry dabs to the off side, to mid off, no run
.2 Straight to the bowler, but he messed it up, they take a single off the misfield!
.3 Ervine guides this ball outside off to 3rd man for a single
.4 Coventry must be watching French open, that bouncer was dealt away with a top-spin-two-handed-forehand
.5 Nudges is down the leg side, but DK prevents any possiblity of runs
.6 Guides, yet again, to 3rd man!
184-3 after 37
102 off 13 overs!
Over 38 by Mishra
.1 Ervine to face. Ball strikes the pad, BIG appeal, Jerling says no.
.2 Googly/top spin, defended well, he read it maybe.
.3 Rocks back and cuts to short of length ball outside off to deep point.
.4 Shabby fielding by the bowler, lets go of the ball beyond him, for a single
the lbw was negated, bacause of the height, good one, Jerling
.5 Swept from beyond off stumo to fine leg for two.
.6 Flick to short fine leg in the last ball, no run taken
188-3 after 38
98 from 12 needed. RR over 8 an over.
Over 39 by Vinay
.1 Goes inside out, but deep cover in place. Single is all he gets, Coventry
.2 A little short outside off, Ervine tried to pull, doesn't connect, too high for Umpire to give and lbw, get a run
.3 Hit and run, to mid off, and Yusuf mis fields. Extra run
Both teams have been patchy today. A better TV production would've given you a package of misfields. not this one.
.4 Single to mid off, for Coventry, driven well
.5 Another Single...Ervinie edges it to 3rd man
.6 Hit to mid off and a big NOOOO
194-3 after 39
he must've lost some energy on that... Well, here's Drinks!
India has the upper hand now, ZIM have lost their way after that start. They still have the wickets and big hitters in the
game, and the powerplay
Over 40 by Mishra
.1 - Swept to square leg by Ervine, get two
.2 Dot ball, couldn't hit the ball, hits his pads.
.3 Oooohh... leading edge falls just short of Rohit at Silly mid off no run
.4 Pulls a short, but low ball to mid micket. Single
.5 Coventry goes back into his crease and punches to long on. Single
.6 Ervine cuts to deep point and they take two quick runs
200 up
200/3 after 40
8.6 an over needed
Over 41 by Yusuf
.1 SIX!!! Full outside the off, and Coventry shoots this over the Sight screen for a huuuuuuuuge hit! Clean!
.2 dot. hit back to the bowler
Sun is out again
.3 Scores a single to square leg/
.4 Ervine nudges it to mid wicket for a single, bowled from around the wicket, the angle helped
.5 Coventry places it to cover for another single
Another Clip of the candy floss
.6 Swept cheekily to fine leg for a single for Ervine
10 off the over
210/3 after 41
Over 42 by Mishra
.1 Dot ball Doesn't connect the leg break on the leg and middle.
.2 FOUR!!! Charges down the pitch and sends the ball over Mishra's head for four!
.3 Single to Mid wicket
Coventry's SIX was 99m long, a projection reads so.
71 off 51 needed
anyone in T20 mode?
.4 Leading edge, nothing to worry though
.5 Another dot ball, Cov fails to connect
.6 SIX!!! So much for connection, Coventry sends the Indian team for Cover, with the huge deposit over mid wicket fence
11 off the over
221/3 after 42
65 frmo 8 overs @ a little over 8 an over
India on the back foor suddenly. DK wants fielders to take their own time. My friend, Toshi believes an unpset is on cards,
though he is not willing to associate 'upset' with this line up
Over 43 by Vinay
.1 Single to long off
.2 SIX!!! Scoops over mid off... it just kept going and going and is GONE for a big six to the longest part of the ground!
.3 Slow ball, single taken towards mid wicket
they got that 8 runs an over with just half the over gone by
.4 Wide. wide don the leg side
.4 on the pads from around the wicket, straight to short mid wicket.
.5 Single to long off.
.6 OUT!!! Slow and steady wins the race.. The ball took eternity to reach Coventry, and when it did, the bat and pads
provided a huge gap for the ball to pass through and crash into the stumps.
Coventry - b Vinay Kumar - 32
A timely, quickly compiled innings by Coventry
In comes the hard hitting Chigumbura
55 in 42
231/4 in 43 overs
Over 44 by Ravi
.1 Single to long on
.2 Single
.3 Trickles to fine leg, no run
.4 Gets a single down to long on now.
Ravi is keeping it full and fast
.5 Another single to long off for Chigumbura
.6 Ervine hits it to cover, and takes two... well placed.
'Just' 6 off the over
237/4 after 44
Rohit and Raina and DK are the big fellas in this game and they converge to decide on whom to bowl the next over. Dinda is
their pick.
Over 45 by Dinda
.1 Single to mid off. Raina flies from cover to deny any further run.
.2 FOUR!!! Short and pulled to mid wicket boundary... the slower cutter was well picked and they get the much needed boundary
.3 Guides the full length ball outside off to the 3rd man
.4 Well bowled. Yorker! Nothing Elton could do about it. NO run.
.5 Slower and full outside off, hit to Raina at covers. no run yet again
.6 Full on the off, driven to long on.
7 from it
244/4 after 45 overs
This is a tight one to call. 42 needed off the last 5, and by default, since it wasn't done before, batting power play is
taken now. 3 outside the circle - long on, square leg and 3rd man
Over 46 by Yadav
.1 FOUR!!! Chigumbura read the field well and gets the full ball on the off to go past mid off to the boundary
.2 FOUR!!! Short ball, and Chigumbura gets a healthy top edge (err... given leg bye, shoulder maybe) and its goes right
behind the keeper for 4.
the game has changed now
.3 Yorker, Chigumbura gets a touch and they take a single.
.4 FOUR!!! Square leg, long off, long on. Short ball and the ball is pulled to mid wicket fence, Yusuf puts all he has to
stop the ball, but I guess, he was touching the line. A near-Run-a-ball fifty for Ervine! What an innings to play on Debut,
can he take them to the Victory?
.5 Into the blockhole, a single, nevertheless.
28 from 25 is all the ZM need now
.6 FOUR!!! Full toss and the ball is disposed to mid wicket fense by Elton Chigumbura!
18 off it. game over, I would declare!
262-4 after 46
run a ball 24 needed
My friend, Ragavan asks 'Will Zimbabwe win?' :-P
Over 47 by Dinda
long run up
"raina wants a time out, jokes the commentator"
.1 Dot ball!!!!!!!!! Hit to covers.
.2 Ervine... edges to 3rd man for a deuce. Covers for the dot ball
Talk about pressure on debut... Wondering about what the names like Sachin, Sehwag, Gautam, Nehra, Zaheer are thinking now
.3 Bowls another yorker, deflected to 3rd man for a single
.4 Chigumbura dances down the track, but Dinda is playing Samba tonight, full on the off, Chigs misses it.
Crowd all pumped up. Why not?
.5 FOUR!!! Takes it on the full and Drives it past the face of raina on cover and the mid off fielder to the long off fence.
Trivia: When was ZIM's last Victory over India? (surely, I don't know the answer)
.6 Raina 'acting' like a captain.. Words of wisdom to the bowler, so, just a single off it to long on.
16 needed off the last 3 overs.
270/4 after 47
Over 48 by Ravi
Surprise surprise!!! Its Ravi to pull off a bunny off his hat, if possible
.1 Driven to long on, for one, by Elton Chigumbura
.2 Leading edge flies over the infield over the mid on, single taken as long on fetches it.
.3 Chigumbura heaves at this one, and gets a single towards mid wicket
.4 FOUR!!! HOHOHOHOHO!!! Ervine you beauty! full toss, swept away, one bounce, four into square leg fence
Raina plugs the Square leg fence
.5 FOUR!!! And Ervine notices that and shoots this full toss to mid wicket!
.6 Single down to fine leg
282/4 after 48 overs.
4 needed from 2 overs.
Even if Ervine played right handed, ZIM can win this!
Over 49 by Dinda
.1 Full ball, and Ervine is gonna hit that beyond the mid wicket fielder and take three runs to level the scores!
.2 FOUR!!! This is it!!! Zimbabwe win!!! Short ball takes another lucky top edge and flies over DK and reaches the ropes.
Only two people on the pitch are moving (jerling is nudging around) - Captain Chigumbura, (who had a better day with the
willow than the leather) and the new kid on the block who turned pro over fifteen/twenty overs - Ervine. Celebrations all
over the ground. Like I said earlier during the day, the crowd has built up for the finish, and boy, are they lucky to watch
this upset?
Almost all ZIM batsmen got good scores, all played well, or hung around for a while
Jet lag, second string side...put aside all your excuses. This is an ICC recognized ODI and requires full respect. So,
Zimbabwe going to get some good points at India's expense. This ZIM side had nothing to lose and the Indian side had
something to prove.
Bottomline - ZIM win with 6 wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare
ZIM 289/4 off 48.2 overs
Taylor - 81
Ervine - 67 n.o. (in just 60 balls)
Vinay Kumar - 51/2
Historic day for ZIM, to beat the 'number one' team in ODI rankings! Their third victory over notable sides recently... West
Indies, twice, and now, India.
We go down for the presentation ceremony
Pommie is down there with the dignitaries
Pommie looks like a rapper! Dreadlocks
Raina "we batted well, got the runs, didn't bowl well. We came back well with Jadeja and Mishra. But they batted well in the
power plays"
Chigumbura "We were able to come back with our spinners. I didn't bowl well, so, only one seamer was in effect. Batsmen were
good, there were a couple of good partnerships that sealed the match."
Taylor gets a trophy, US $1500, and a Micromax gizmo " Was concentrating on my Keeping. Was happy to open and bat well, built
the innings with two partners. We got good partnerships, we needed them and we got them. the bowlers were fine, the spinners
must be given credit"
There you have it!
Zimbabwe win the first game by defeating India, and take full points and ARE ON TOP OF THE TABLE in the Micromax cup 2010.
Thanks for sticking aroung with me
A Bagrat and Co Production for everyone.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Ball by ball commentary. Zimbabwe vs India, Micromax Cup, Bulawayo. First innings
Zimbabwe vs India
Game 1 of Micromax Cup 2010, Queens Park, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Weather: warm/hot day, 25 degree, clear blue sky
Pitch: A pinch of grass, probable to assist pacers for the first 5 or 7 overs. But both teams have many options for spin-
bowling. Pitch Reporter says bat first (but not fear chasing), Alan Donald in the studio says - chase.
Toss: Suresh Raina wins the toss in his first game as the captain of the Indian team, and chooses to bat first. Elton
Chigumbura, Zim's captain for today, is not sad about chasing. So, both captains are happy with the toss :-)
Teams:-
Zimbabwe - Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Greg Lamb, Craig Ervine(Debut), Charles Coventry, Elton Chigumbura, Andy Blignaut,
Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Chrisopher Mpofu
India - Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashok Dinda (debut), Dinesh Karthik, Amit Mishra, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit
Sharma, Murali Vijay, Vinay Kumar (Debut), Umesh Yadav (Debut)
The Indian pace battery makes a collective debut in this match.
The Zimbabwean side has around twice the experience of the Indian side
1st Innings : India to bat, Zimbabwe to field
PowerPlay-1 (mandatory) - overs 1-10
Murali Vijay and Dinesh Karthik the openers, both RHB. Karthik on strike.
Over 1 by Mpofu (right arm fast)
.1 Some shape away from the stumps, forward in defense is Karthik. Not much pace on the ball. 3rd man, point, 2 slips,
covers, mid off.
.2 Same ball, driven to mid off. 0/0 thus far
.3 Out-Swinging ball, full on the off stump, driven on the bounce back to the bowler.
.4 A bit more pace on the ball. Good length, touch of outswing, good to see. driven softly to cover. No run yet.
.5 FOUR! Short, wide, moving away, put away over point towards the cover point boundary for an easy boundary by DK. First
runs on the board.
.6 Good length outside off. defended to cover by DK
4/0 after 1 over.
Over 2 by Elton Chigumbura (RHMF)
.1 FOUR! Short and wide to Vijay, and he spanks it past the point for a first-ball four
.2 Wide+FOUR. wide down the leg side, no swinging back for Elton, and this ball runs down to the boundary
.2 Yorker length. tapped back. no run
.3 Good Length, rather just short of good length, well outside off, let alone to keeper
.4 Left alone again, to a ball drifting inside. Finally some movement for Elton. harmless though.
.5 Ball on the legs, flicked to fine leg for a single. DK on strike now to face Elton.
.6 good length, away from the stumps let alone by DK
14/0 after 2 overs
This was the track where Charles Coventry amassed 194 not out against Bangladesh last yr to equal the then record for highest
ODI score, only to be broken by Sachin Tendulkar early this yr
Over 3 by Mpofu
.1 Vijay get a leading edge on the ball that was on the stumps, swinging lightly, falls safely towards point.
.2 Played this ball better on defense, as locals cheer Mpofu.
.3 A bit slow, outside off, driven hard to cover, not for runs.
Taibu had a foot injury yesterday, and is hence off. Brendon Taylor is keeping
.4 Swinging ball outside off left alone
.5 Short ball outside off, let alone to the keeper. Vijay is preferring to watch the ball lose its shine slowly.
.6 Well bowled, good length just outside off. No runs. First maiden over of the series.
14/0 after 3 overs
Over 4 by Elton
.1 Wide Left alone to the keeper by DK, ball was well outside off, just called wide
.1 Wide +2... wide down the leg and they take some runs on it, two of them
.2 Short of good length slapped for four towards cover by DK, nice aggressive shot.
.3 Wide Another big wide down the leg side, and Taylor saves it from a boundary
.3 Wide+4 - this time, it goes for four down the leg. Elton is not in his elements...
.3 Wide+4 - and again. Taylor has dived to the leg side for five times already to Elton today
around the wicket now, he needs the change in angle
.3 No-Ball. Is this worse? Batsman take two, and get a free hit
.3 Free hit - DK scoops it high in the sky!!!!!!!! And mid off takes it. Price it was. Nothing to be happy about, it was a
free hit. A single.
.4 Vijay takes a two on the ball bowled full in length on the pads.
.5 Short on the off stump, cut down to 3rd man region for one.
.6 DK to face Elton, and this ball was on good length and good spot, and Elton will want to take a break after that marathon
over. Me too!
People stopped counting in the middle of that over.
2 overs, 36 reads Elton's card.
India are 40-0 without fireworks after 4
Over 5 by Mpofu
.1 On the pads of Vijay, appeal for an LBW, but contact was not in line, ball moving past the stumps.
.2 Same line, defended to mid on.
.3 On the off stump on a good legth, tapped down to square of fine leg, fine leg resctricts to one.
.4 Short fast ball, rising high on DK, who tries to hook, but ball balloons off his helmet towards gully, they take a run,
declared leg bye, this.
Mpofu has been good today.
.5 Slower ball on the off stump, good length, the 'off cutter' was right on spot. Murali not interested in any shot, defends.
.6 Again, defended back to bowler.
India are 42-0 after 5 unexplosive, yet, charitable overs.
Elton is off, Spinner Ray Price introduced into the attack (Left arm othodox)
Over 6 by Ray Price
.1 Tapped to leg side. no run
.2 Wide. DK tries to reverse sweep, but was wide
.2 Wide. this end is jinxed...
.2 tapped to leg side, no run, may have been a wide had DK not played it
.3 Reverse sweeps to point! no run.
.4 Single to mid on. Ball isn't turning yet.
.5 Wide of the crease, quick, into the pads, tapped to short mid wicket by VJ. no run
.6 No run again, same play.
45-0 after 6 overs
Over 7 by Mpofu
.1 Short of good length over the stumps to DK, front foot drive, only back to the bowler.
.2 Short of legth on the leg stump, this time, flicked to square leg for a single.
.3 Wide. Short, wide down the leg side. Just lost direction. lesser movement now.
.3 Good length outside off, let alone to the keeper.
.4 Slow ball on the pads, safely and softly tapped onto the leg side, and they scramble for a single.
.5 DK on strike to Mpofu, leaves the ball alone, was outside the off, and just shaped away from the stumps.
.6 Fuller ball, driven past short cover for a single.
49-0 after 7 overs
Over 8 by Ray
.1 Wide again from around the stumps
.1 on the leg stump, to short fine leg
.2 On off stump, driven to short mid on.
.3 On the off again, driven on the back foot to long on by DK
.4 Same play by Vijay this time, single to long on
.5 from wide around the stumps, onto the leg stump, square drive to deep square leg
.6 yorker, defended by Vijay
53-0 after 8
Over 9 by Mpofu
small crowd
.1 Short, not wide enuogh for that cut shot DK wanted to play, ended up jabbing it to cover. ZIM know India is weak on short
balls...not able to exploit it though, not much pace.
.2 good ball on the off stump, defended back to Mpofu by DK.
Sun is shining bright now
.3 Now, another short ball, a bit more pace and effort on it. DK tried to pull, but no contact, good carry to the keeper.
.4 DK, flicks this out onto the off side from over the middle stump past square leg for two runs
Mpofu runs in, DK stops. her we go again, so.
.5 Good ball over the off stump or just away from it... Defended back to him.
.6 OUT!!! Slow ball on the off stump, driven with the effort of the wrists to the leg, DK shouts 'two' runs the first one
hard... Vijay unsure about the second run comes off the crease, DK sends him back... Taylor collcts the ball 2 meter away
from the stumps and back-flips at the stumps without looking at the stumps and Murali Vijay's bat is not home when the bails
fall down and a soft dismissal this... Zim make the breakthrough (5 overs 11 is Mpofu)
Vijay - run out - 11
Virat Kohli comes in.
56-1 after 9 by Ray
Over 10
.1 Wide. another wide down the leg
.1 Defends the ball on the Leg stump
.2 Defends a full ball on the off
.3 OUT!!! Reverse sweeps a ball to behind pont and the fielder Elton shoots a ball at the stumps and direct hit is gonna
account for Virat Kohli... This is poor decision making by the young Virat Kohli, out for 0 without facing a ball
Kohli, run out - 0
.4 Rohit sharma is in. Slower ball at the off. Defended
.5 This ball on the leg beats him, hits pad, no trouble
.6 Foxed once again by the non turning ball fro wide of the crease... Rohit looking out of touch
57-2 after 10
Bowling Power Play taken 11-15
Over 11 by Utseya (RH slow/off break)
Off Break ex-captain
.1 On the off stump, back foot drive to deep square leg.
.2 from wide of the crease, onto the off, defended by Rohit
.3 A little more wide of the stumps, punched to mid off. o run
.4 Ball not turning, same place, but no run again.
.5 tries to cut a ball too close to the stump, trickles to point.
.6 full on leg stump, driven straght to bowler.
58-2 after 11. Quick over by Prosper.
Over 12 by Ray
.1 DK hits the ball behind the crease to short fine leg for no run.
.2 this ball, on the leg stump, and DK pulls the not so short ball over sid wicket for a single
.3 Rohit hits to mid wicket, misfield, but no runs stolen
.4 Full outside off, defended by Rohit.
.5 A bit of a turn off the seam. Rohit sitting on 0 from 11 ball, taps it to mid wicket.
.6 Another dot ball, after tucking this ball to square leg and not willing to take a single, after seeing what has happened
thus far.
59/2 after 12
Over 13 by Prosper
.1 driven to deep cover for 1
.2 Rohit gets off the mark with a cut to deep point
.3 OUT!!! DK tries to cut a ball that wasn't short enough to do so, and nicks it to Taylor. Utseya claims his first for the
day! And ZIM are jubiliant, echoed by the sparse crowd which may thicken if the procession continues.
DK caught Taylor, b Utseya, 22.
New captain, Raina at the crease earlier than he expected
.4 Raina defends the ball from around the wicket.
.5 Tries to cut this ball, only to point. no run.
.6 This ball on the leg, turns, but not much, tucked to square leg for a single, and Raina is off the mark
62/3 after 13
Over 14 by Greg Lamb (Right arm off break)
.1 Around the wicket on the off stump of Raina, driven on the back foot to covers. no run.
.2 Raina takes a single on the off side on the full length ball, playing inside off to convers
.3 Over the wicket, rohit drives it to mid wicket.
.4 Ball on the off, turned to mid on now, no run again.
.5 This ball on the leg stump, is helped towards square leg for a single
.6 Raina wanted a hit and run, and was in trouble, lucky for him the throw was unusually wide.
64/3 after 14
Over 15 by Utseya
.1 wide spread field, and wide of the crease bowls prosper, back foot drive into the open space towards cover by Rohit for 1
.2 Aroun the wicket on Raina's legs, full, driven for one to long on... Raina denies the second run.
.3 Over the wicket Slow outside off, full, driven back to bowler.
.4 Back foot punch beyond cover for a single
.5 Around. On the off, slapped straight to covers.
.6 Now on the middle stump, driven to long on.
68-3 after 15, end of power play.
Raina is moving his feet well, coming to the pitch of the ball, and middling.
Over 16 by Lamb
.1 Full on the off from around, straight to coveres, no run to raina.
.2 Forward in defence to the ball that pitched on the middle and held its line.
.3 Outside the off, moces away, driven off the back foot to point, no run.
.4 Defended straight bak, the ball was full on the middle.
.5 Waits on back foot and cuts the slightly short wide ball beyon a diving point fielder.
.6 Over the wicket to Rohit who charges but just tucks the ball to the fine leg fielder. Good over
69-3 after 16. ZIM have pulled back into the match after that horrific start by Elton Chigumbura
Over 17 by Utseya
.1 On the off to Raina from around the wicket - single down to long off
.2 Rohit comes down a foot to play this ball to long on, was bowled from over
.3 Switches to around, and the touch to square leg gives Raina a single
over the wicket now
.4 Rohit with some back lift, but soft touch to the bowler, no run
.5 ball bowled Wide of the stumps, cut abckward of point by Rohit.
.6 Driven beyond the cover fielder for a single.
74/3 after 17 over.
Drinks break
This break gets over so fast!! Did they even drink anything???
Over 18 by Lamb
.1 Played to the off side for two by raina
.2 Cut to covers for one
.3 Rohit plays it to mid on
.4 Again, played on back foot to mid on
.5 Driven not so confidentally back to the bowler
.6 Plays from outside the off to long on
78/3 in 18 overs
Over 19 by utseya
.1 Full on off, driven to the mid on
.2 Good length ball, driven again to mid on by Rohit, no run yet in the over
.3 Full outside off, cover driven to cover for a singel
.4 Stays over the wicket for Raina, and raina goes on the back foot and dabs it to long off for one.
.5 Wide of the crease, Utseya bowls, good length, driven to cover
.6 Same place, but driven to mid on, no run
80/3 after 19
Over 20 by Lamb
.1 to Raina, around the wicket, on the off, holds the line played to cover, no run.
.2 Good length ball on the middle stumps, no run as Raina goes forward in defense.
.3 Short and wide and turns away from Raina, but he was too deep in his crease to cut it hard, takes an edge to short third
man, no run.
.4 Goes inside out, but hits back to the bowler, the ball was full on the middle stump.
.5 FOUR! This time he connects it better and the ball goes almost for a six. one bounce four.
.6 Good length ball on the leg, tucked behind square leg for 1
85/3 in 20 overs.
Over 21 In comes cremer, leg spinner
.1 Over the wicket to Raina, outside off, and no problem cutting it to deep cover for a single.
.2 Nice air to the ball, on the leg stump, spins a bit, driven on the front foot to long on by Rohit
.3 Denfended in front of off stump on the front foot by Raina.
.4 This time driven to long on, the ball was full on middle and turning to leg stump
.5 Defended in front of the off stump by Rohit, no run.
.6 Rohit comes down the track and lobs the ball over the infield, falls well short of long off
89-3 after 21
Cotton candies, in the little stadium. Mouth watering.
Over 22 by Lamb
.1 Rohit comes down the track again, drives hard to long off again
.2 Around the wicket. good ball, good length on the off, holds the line, driven softly to cover. no run.
.3 On the legs, and tapped behind square for a single
.4 On the off stump, full, driven back to bowler
.5 On the middle stump, driven on the front foot to long on. Milking the spinners now
.6 Cut off the back foot, to the point fielder, but Raina.
92/3 after 22
Over 23 by Cremer
.1 Slow ball outside off, looped over the ring to long off for one, by Rohit
.2 On the middle and leg full, and he taps it behind square leg for a single
.3 Attempts a sweep on the leg stump ball, doesn't connect well. no run. ball stops there
.4 Defended back to the bowler on the front foot
.5 Bowled on the leg side, driven to the bowler.
.6 Driven to long on
95/3 after 23
New face Indian side here today and the commentators busy talking about Sachi and Azharuddin
Over 24 by Lamb
.1 Rohit comes down the trackas usual, and slaps hard straight down the ground, but the ball hits the non striker stump and
goes to long off. single taken
.2 On the leg from around the wkt, no run.
.3 Raina defends this one back to bowler, was on the leg stump, but he wanted to play an inside out shot, didn't work
.4 Tapped the ball on leg stump to deep square leg
.5 Rohit hits the ball behind the crease to short fine leg, no run
.6 Charges this time, yorks himself, but gets the ball beyond mid wicket for one
98/3 after 24
Over 25 by Cremer
.1 Full on off, no run
.2 Full on off, Rohit takes his front leg away and hits the ball to long off
.3 Raina gets to the pitch of the ball and tries to get it past short cover, where Andy Blignaut makes a good save. no run
.4 On the leg, put away on the leg side onlt till mid wicket, no run.
.5 Driven to long on
.6 on the legs, tucked behind the keeper for 2
102/3 on the half way mark
Over 26 by Ray price
.1 Over the wkt to Raina, who comes forward and drives to long off.
.2 Around the wkt to Rohit, on the middle stump, little turn, punch only as far mid on. no run.
.3 Comes down the track this time, connects well, and the ball spills off Ray's hands and races down to the straight
boundary and Ervine and Coverntary combine to save 2 runs
.4 One run to long off
.5 Single take off the cut to cover.
.6 Sweeps the ball from the off stump, only to short fine leg. no run
107/3 after 26. Good flow of runs off late for India, run rate sitting at just over 4 nevertheless
Over 27 by Cremer
.1 FOUR!!! Full on the leg and raina hoiks it to past long on for four
.2 driven to long off for 1
.3 driven to long off by rohit
.4 raina tries to cut, but misses.
.5 raina flicks this one to leg side for 1
.6 drives past cover for 1
115/3 after 27
Over 28 by Ray
.1 around to rohit, defended
.2 sweeps but misses.
.3 driven on the front foot to long on
.4 back foot drive, to long on by raina
.5 this time connects the sweep, and gets one to square leg
.6 driven to bowler..
118/3 after 28 overs
Over 29 by Cremer
.1 Rohit goes down the track and lofts the ball to long on, falls short. one run results
.2 Around for the first time to raina... Defended back to him
.3 Wide way from the off stump and cut behind point for 2
.4 Driven past covers for a single on a ball outside off
.5 Rohit scoops the ball over cover off his front foot for a single.
.6 Raina pulls this from the middle stump to the empty region between long on and deep mid-wicket for two
125/3 after 29
Over 30 by Mpofu
Mpofu back on for his second spell before the ball is replaced
.1 Slow, on the off stump, tucked to mid wicket. no runs for Rohit
.2 Placed past cover and mid off covers up, and the batsmen take asingle, Elton's throw just wide of the stumps, Rohit was in
trouble there
.3 Raina gets a single by placing the ball to deep cover from the ball on the off stump.
.4 Rohit comfortably pulls the short ball to '45' for a single.
.5 Angled across the stump, Raina defends well off the back foot.
.6 OUT!!! Raina goes down the track and Mpofu bowls a short one and Raina jumps animatedly to put the ball away, but ends up
nicking it to the keeper.
Raina - c Tailor, b Mpofu - 37
He was starting to play well, was well settled, and then this horrendous shot.
Ravindra Jadeja comes in to replace Raina
128/4 after 30
Over 31 by Utseya (also back into the attack)
.1 full outside off, takes a single towards cover
.2 Ravi to face Utseya, who goes around the wicket. full on the off, no run, driven softly to bowler
.3 Full on off again, driven to mid on
.4 Full on leg, driven past mid on for a single.
.5 Rohit taps the full ball from outside off to long on.
.6 good length on the middle, hit straight to mid on . no run
131/4 after 31
Over 32 by Lamb
.1 Rohit gets this one on his pads, deflected down the leg side for a single.
.2 Field is a bit in for Ravi. Around the wkt, on the off stump, no run.
.3 Good length on the leg, tucked to the leg side for a single. Blignaut the fielder
.4 Rohit steps down but plays cautiously to mid on. no run
.5 Sweeps this one on the leg to fine leg.
.6 Good length on the off, driven to cover for no runs
134/4 after 32
Over 33 by Utseya
.1 Yorker on the middle, helplessly driven back to bowler
.2 wide of the crease, darted onto leg stump, ful, driven to mid on. no runs
.3 full outside off, lofter to long off for one
.4 Ravi faces Utseya . around the wkt, on the middle, with some turn. defended for no run.
.5 drives this full ball on the off to long off for a single
.6 Rohit tucks the ball on the leg stump to square leg for a single
137/4 after 33 @ 4.15 an over.
Over 34 by Lamb
.1 Rohit charges and lofts it over the infield, goes over the coverm but only for two. Rohit has shown intention but hasn't
scored any boundary
.2 Tucked to leg side, square leg fielder restricts to a single.
.3 Around the wkt, outside off, no run as ravi picks mid on..
crowd getting nosier here
.4 full on leg, ravi doesn't get any power on it, ball goes to square leg.
.5 Taps it on the front foot to long on for a single
.6 Rohit gets a ball very full on the off and hits to long on.
142/4 after 34.
The ball will be changed now.
Harder ball, easier to score off, if you look from batsman's perspective. More bounce, from a bowler's perspecive
Over 35 by Utseya
.1 Rohit is on 41. He taps this ball on off stump to mid on. no run
.2 Utseya wide of the crease. Rohit cuts this wide ball to deep point. misfield gives him an extra run
.3 full on leg, no run. driven back to bowler
.4 Waits and plays this to mid wicket, no run yet again. utseya keeping it neat
.5 Mid wicket a little deep this time, and they take a single on the soft touch
.6 Around, trickles to square leg
146/4 after 35
Over 36 by Cremer
.1 Bowled short on the leg to Ravi, and he tucks it past fine leg, who chases it down to keep it to just two. Good fieldins
.2 Raina flicks, and the ball takes a leading edge and falls just half a foot infront of Cremer
.3 Another confusion in the middle, Ravi jadeja wanted a quick single, rightly sent back, and just in time!
.4 Wide. wide dn the leg side
.4 another leading edge balloons to point, safely, single taken (150 up)
.5 pushes at this ball, and Rohit dabs it to wide of long off, single results
.6 Big spin on this one, comes back in from outside the off stump bowled over the wicket. no run
152-4 after 36
Drinks..
Over 37 by Blignaut!!! RHM
.1 Angled across, left alone by Ravi
.2 Angled onto the off stump from over the wkt, driven to covers. No acceleration yet
.3 Ravi cuts this square and away from 3rd man, gets two
.4 short on leg stump, hits off the hips to square leg - mid wicket junction and takes two again
.5 Wide outside off, umpire says the ball was inside the line, so, not a 'wide'
.6 Cuts the shortish ball outside ball to 3rd man, where Coventry, wearing his specs, fields
157 - 4 after 37
Over 38 by Cremer
.1 Ravi dabs this full ball to long on for a single
Yusuf waiting in the ranks
.2 FOUR!!! Rohit lofts this short of length ball to deep mid wicket boundary, for his first 4 of the day... takes him to 49
.3 a single to point takes Rohit to his 50 (off 85 balls)
.4 Ravi is forward in defense a la Gambhir to this ball on off stump
.5 Rocks back and cuts it to forward of point for a single.
.6 Drives it to long off for 1
165 - 4, after 38.
Drinks it is now, for sure.
Spinners have been doing their work very fast. Running through the overs quite fast, and making my job quite difficult too!
Bowling in tandem, all four of them. Mpofu has been bowling well, still has four overs to go. Elton is yet to continue since
his blunder early on.
Over 39 by Price
.1 A single to long off for Rohit
.2 Slow on the off, deft in defense, no run
.3 Tapts this beyond mid wicket for two. Ray shouts to the fielder 'bowler!! bowler!!' but rohit is back safely.
.4 No run this time, mid wicket cuts it off.
.5 Ravi drives behind mid wicket for a jog to the other side of the crease
.6 Now Rohit stabs this one to cover for a single
170/4 after 39
Match is boring this far said my friend, Toshi
Over 40 by Lamb
.1 SIX First ball, Rohit stands and deliver, pull this hard over square leg fence for a six (happy, toshi?)
.2 No run this time, full ball on the off
.3 Steps out and drives to mid on
.4 Sweeps to square leg for a single
.5 Fired onto the middle stump from around, no run.
.6 Same place, same result
177/4 after 40.
India will be looking to accelerate now. Ravi is middling things well, And Rohit is well set.
Over 41 by Utseya
.1 widespread field to Rohit. Fired on the leg, BIG appeal, Umpire not interested, impact outside the line of the stumps
.2 Steps out to take a single to long on
.3 On the back foot, dabs to cover. no run
.4 cuts ahead of point fielder, take three runs. Blignaut comes from covers to return the ball.
.5 Rohit hits over the infield to cover boundary, Mpofu, good in the field today, saves two runs just inside the ropes
.6 Single to long on off the good length ball
Rohit has some issues with the Umpire Brian Jerling. Solved now
184/4 after 41
Over 42 by Cremer
.1 Wide outside off, driven to point for one by Rohit
.2 Ravi takes a single by driving to his cover fielder
.3 FOUR!!! Rohit slaps this ball slightly short on the middle stump to the midwicket boundary. Good shot that, off the front
foot
.4 single down to long on (highest score for Rohit in ODIs)
.5 Bowled on the middle, ravi goes back and punches to long on
.6 Driven to cover, quickly fielded and no run off it
192/ 4 after 42
Batting powerplay. overs 43-47
remember, yusuf is waiting to come in
Over 43 by Ray Price now
.1 Single to square leg by Rave
.2 wide from the crease, into the stumps, tucked to cover, no run
.3 FOUR!!! Vents the frustration now, goes inside out over cover for four. good shot again by Rohit
.4 Gets this one on the leg stump and drives to cover, Ray chased him, no run.
.5 Single to long on.
.6 Misses a sweep, ball misses the stumps too
198/4 afer 43.
India may be looking at a score over 260 odd atleast.
More fireworks may take them past 270. Lets wait and watch (read)
Over 44 by Mpofu, back for his third spell. He has four overs to go
.1 Bowls full toss, low on the leg stump, Rohit makers room and plays to deep mid wicket for a single
Mpofu the only seving pacer
.2 FOUR!!! Ravi punches this ball over the infield and the ball runs to the long off boundary... not the best shot, not off
the middle of the bat, but had enough power on it (200 up)
.3 full toss on the off stump, single towards mid on.
.4 SIX!!! Rohit on Strike. SHort ball to Rohit, rises onto his chest, and India's best puller hoiks it over fine leg boundary
for another SIX... great batting by Rohit today!
.5 FOUR long off and long on, fine leg - the three men outside the ring. into the blockhole on the leg stump, and my word!!
Rohit makes room outside leg and cramped for space, drives it between point and cover for four! great shot!
.6 Hit this on the front foot to long off for a single.
Good over this. 17 off it
215-4 after 44 overs.
3 more overs in the power play
Over 45 by Ray Price
.1 wide of the crease, lobbed to long off on the bounce by Rohit
.2 Ravi get a ball full on the middle, hits for a single to mid wicket
.3 Rohit drives to long on for another single
.4 Ravi pulls this one between the riders at long on and deep mid wicket.. good shot off the back foot.
.5 cheeky cut to short 3rd man, but no run.
.6 In the block hole, cut to long on.
223/4 after 45
Over 46 by Mpofu
.1 Single to long on by Ravi
Advertising for Micromax mobiles, the commentators on television
.2 SIX!!! High full toss by Mpofu to Rohit, the yourker-gone-wrong ball and Rohit might just have hit a lion or two by
sending the ball into the woods. Huge Six over mid wicket
.3 No run, fielded at cover.
.4 Hit to cover again, but they sneek a single
still talking about the Mobile phones...
.5 Ravi hits it 100 yards in the sky!!! The balls falls down between two gaping fielders, no one calls for it and ravi takes
two.
.6 misses a pull and the keeper misses the ball... they take a bye
234/4 after 46, four more to go. Looks like Yusuf may not be needed at all, Rohit is good enough, approaching his first ODI
century, a well paced innings
Over 47 by Ray Price
.1 Ravi charges, ray sees it, no run restuks.
.2 FOUR!!! Ravi stays in crease this time and slaps it behind square leg for a four... good placement
.3 full toss on the leg stump, hit to long on for 1
Rohit's last 50 came off 30
.4 SIX!!! Century for Rohit Sharma, first in ODIs! Charged down the track and takes on the full and lofts over cover for a six.
.5 Sweeps the next ball from middle stump to get two, denies a third
.6 FOUR!!! Sweeps this one from the leg stumo easily for four this time... Good end to the powerplays
251 /4 after 47. all set for a big score over 275!
Over 48 by Mpofu
.1 Short outside off, Rave takes it on the up and hits to deep cover, misfield, they take two .
.2 on the leg stump, Ravi nudges it for a single to deep mid wicket. Everyone as far placed as possible
.3 Hit hard by Rohit to long off, take a single, the fielder's direct hit allows the batsmen for another run.
.4 FOUR!! Rohit on strike. A high full toss, and Rohit cuts it beyond keeper for a four... Not a above-the-waist no-ball confirms the umpire. Rohit upset with it.
.5 OUT!!! Rohit gets this slow ball and he pulls, pulls hard only to find the ball looping down to just behind the crease in the leg side, for the gloved man taylor to call and pouch it safely
Rohit Sharma - c Taylor, b Mpofu 114
A very well paced innings, got into the grove and then got over the Zimbabweans.
Yusuf comes in to bat
Two run outs, and three caught behinds in this game thus far.
.6 Ravi gets a ball outside the off stump, plays to point on his back foot and takes a single
261/3 after 48 overs
Over 49 by
.1 Ravi on 48... Utseya to bowl, hit straight back at the bowler, no run.
.2 Ravi spanks this over the infield, Andy Blignaut did well to field the ball that took a bad spin and sends the ball back quickly, only a single
.3 SIX!!! Yusuf at the crease. Wide of the crease to him, and first ball is a huge six over long on, picked from outside off stump
.4 FOUR!!! Full outside off and this ball is lofted towards cover boundary for a four. Yusuf means business here
.5 Quicker ball, oly a single to cover on off side
.6 Ravi on 49, takes a single to long on for a well made fifty, quick one too, just 57 balls. He gave Rohit good company in that big partnership.
274/5 after 49
Over 50 by Mpofu
Mpofu to end the proceedings
.1 Ravi to face ball one, scoops it just beyond mid off for two... that was a blind shot, didn't middle it, ball was slow too
.2 FOUR!!! This time, he picks the full ball on the off stump and hits it hard to long on boundary for four! good shot!
.3 FOUR!!! A short slow ball, Ravi waits in his crease and pull hard on the back foot to the deep mid wicket boundary for aother four.
.4 Mpofu comes around the wicket to ravi, just a single to long on off the full ball
.5 Yusuf waits for Mpofu. Short ball, very short, but ball balloons, Yusuf leaves it alone, no wide signalled, so, a ball wasted by Yusuf
.6 Another short ball, Yusuf gives it an Almighty swing, but doesn't connect, and the Umpire signals the end of the innings.
285/5 is how it ends after 50 overs.
Zimbabwe, Elton in particular started off very poorly and then on, the things slowed down with the two run outs in quick succession. the spinners were good. Then Rohit and Ravi combined for a 132 run partnership. Rohit with a hundred and Ravi with a fifty got a good score on the board for India.
Mpofu was the only consistent bowler for Zimbabwe, but he too was carted all over the place in his final spell. The Spinners, Ray and Utseya were a touch better than Cremer and Lamb over the complete period of time.
Will be back for the second innings.
285/5 in 5o overs are India.
Rohit - 114,
Ravi -61
Mpofu - 63/2
Game 1 of Micromax Cup 2010, Queens Park, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Weather: warm/hot day, 25 degree, clear blue sky
Pitch: A pinch of grass, probable to assist pacers for the first 5 or 7 overs. But both teams have many options for spin-
bowling. Pitch Reporter says bat first (but not fear chasing), Alan Donald in the studio says - chase.
Toss: Suresh Raina wins the toss in his first game as the captain of the Indian team, and chooses to bat first. Elton
Chigumbura, Zim's captain for today, is not sad about chasing. So, both captains are happy with the toss :-)
Teams:-
Zimbabwe - Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Greg Lamb, Craig Ervine(Debut), Charles Coventry, Elton Chigumbura, Andy Blignaut,
Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Chrisopher Mpofu
India - Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashok Dinda (debut), Dinesh Karthik, Amit Mishra, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit
Sharma, Murali Vijay, Vinay Kumar (Debut), Umesh Yadav (Debut)
The Indian pace battery makes a collective debut in this match.
The Zimbabwean side has around twice the experience of the Indian side
1st Innings : India to bat, Zimbabwe to field
PowerPlay-1 (mandatory) - overs 1-10
Murali Vijay and Dinesh Karthik the openers, both RHB. Karthik on strike.
Over 1 by Mpofu (right arm fast)
.1 Some shape away from the stumps, forward in defense is Karthik. Not much pace on the ball. 3rd man, point, 2 slips,
covers, mid off.
.2 Same ball, driven to mid off. 0/0 thus far
.3 Out-Swinging ball, full on the off stump, driven on the bounce back to the bowler.
.4 A bit more pace on the ball. Good length, touch of outswing, good to see. driven softly to cover. No run yet.
.5 FOUR! Short, wide, moving away, put away over point towards the cover point boundary for an easy boundary by DK. First
runs on the board.
.6 Good length outside off. defended to cover by DK
4/0 after 1 over.
Over 2 by Elton Chigumbura (RHMF)
.1 FOUR! Short and wide to Vijay, and he spanks it past the point for a first-ball four
.2 Wide+FOUR. wide down the leg side, no swinging back for Elton, and this ball runs down to the boundary
.2 Yorker length. tapped back. no run
.3 Good Length, rather just short of good length, well outside off, let alone to keeper
.4 Left alone again, to a ball drifting inside. Finally some movement for Elton. harmless though.
.5 Ball on the legs, flicked to fine leg for a single. DK on strike now to face Elton.
.6 good length, away from the stumps let alone by DK
14/0 after 2 overs
This was the track where Charles Coventry amassed 194 not out against Bangladesh last yr to equal the then record for highest
ODI score, only to be broken by Sachin Tendulkar early this yr
Over 3 by Mpofu
.1 Vijay get a leading edge on the ball that was on the stumps, swinging lightly, falls safely towards point.
.2 Played this ball better on defense, as locals cheer Mpofu.
.3 A bit slow, outside off, driven hard to cover, not for runs.
Taibu had a foot injury yesterday, and is hence off. Brendon Taylor is keeping
.4 Swinging ball outside off left alone
.5 Short ball outside off, let alone to the keeper. Vijay is preferring to watch the ball lose its shine slowly.
.6 Well bowled, good length just outside off. No runs. First maiden over of the series.
14/0 after 3 overs
Over 4 by Elton
.1 Wide Left alone to the keeper by DK, ball was well outside off, just called wide
.1 Wide +2... wide down the leg and they take some runs on it, two of them
.2 Short of good length slapped for four towards cover by DK, nice aggressive shot.
.3 Wide Another big wide down the leg side, and Taylor saves it from a boundary
.3 Wide+4 - this time, it goes for four down the leg. Elton is not in his elements...
.3 Wide+4 - and again. Taylor has dived to the leg side for five times already to Elton today
around the wicket now, he needs the change in angle
.3 No-Ball. Is this worse? Batsman take two, and get a free hit
.3 Free hit - DK scoops it high in the sky!!!!!!!! And mid off takes it. Price it was. Nothing to be happy about, it was a
free hit. A single.
.4 Vijay takes a two on the ball bowled full in length on the pads.
.5 Short on the off stump, cut down to 3rd man region for one.
.6 DK to face Elton, and this ball was on good length and good spot, and Elton will want to take a break after that marathon
over. Me too!
People stopped counting in the middle of that over.
2 overs, 36 reads Elton's card.
India are 40-0 without fireworks after 4
Over 5 by Mpofu
.1 On the pads of Vijay, appeal for an LBW, but contact was not in line, ball moving past the stumps.
.2 Same line, defended to mid on.
.3 On the off stump on a good legth, tapped down to square of fine leg, fine leg resctricts to one.
.4 Short fast ball, rising high on DK, who tries to hook, but ball balloons off his helmet towards gully, they take a run,
declared leg bye, this.
Mpofu has been good today.
.5 Slower ball on the off stump, good length, the 'off cutter' was right on spot. Murali not interested in any shot, defends.
.6 Again, defended back to bowler.
India are 42-0 after 5 unexplosive, yet, charitable overs.
Elton is off, Spinner Ray Price introduced into the attack (Left arm othodox)
Over 6 by Ray Price
.1 Tapped to leg side. no run
.2 Wide. DK tries to reverse sweep, but was wide
.2 Wide. this end is jinxed...
.2 tapped to leg side, no run, may have been a wide had DK not played it
.3 Reverse sweeps to point! no run.
.4 Single to mid on. Ball isn't turning yet.
.5 Wide of the crease, quick, into the pads, tapped to short mid wicket by VJ. no run
.6 No run again, same play.
45-0 after 6 overs
Over 7 by Mpofu
.1 Short of good length over the stumps to DK, front foot drive, only back to the bowler.
.2 Short of legth on the leg stump, this time, flicked to square leg for a single.
.3 Wide. Short, wide down the leg side. Just lost direction. lesser movement now.
.3 Good length outside off, let alone to the keeper.
.4 Slow ball on the pads, safely and softly tapped onto the leg side, and they scramble for a single.
.5 DK on strike to Mpofu, leaves the ball alone, was outside the off, and just shaped away from the stumps.
.6 Fuller ball, driven past short cover for a single.
49-0 after 7 overs
Over 8 by Ray
.1 Wide again from around the stumps
.1 on the leg stump, to short fine leg
.2 On off stump, driven to short mid on.
.3 On the off again, driven on the back foot to long on by DK
.4 Same play by Vijay this time, single to long on
.5 from wide around the stumps, onto the leg stump, square drive to deep square leg
.6 yorker, defended by Vijay
53-0 after 8
Over 9 by Mpofu
small crowd
.1 Short, not wide enuogh for that cut shot DK wanted to play, ended up jabbing it to cover. ZIM know India is weak on short
balls...not able to exploit it though, not much pace.
.2 good ball on the off stump, defended back to Mpofu by DK.
Sun is shining bright now
.3 Now, another short ball, a bit more pace and effort on it. DK tried to pull, but no contact, good carry to the keeper.
.4 DK, flicks this out onto the off side from over the middle stump past square leg for two runs
Mpofu runs in, DK stops. her we go again, so.
.5 Good ball over the off stump or just away from it... Defended back to him.
.6 OUT!!! Slow ball on the off stump, driven with the effort of the wrists to the leg, DK shouts 'two' runs the first one
hard... Vijay unsure about the second run comes off the crease, DK sends him back... Taylor collcts the ball 2 meter away
from the stumps and back-flips at the stumps without looking at the stumps and Murali Vijay's bat is not home when the bails
fall down and a soft dismissal this... Zim make the breakthrough (5 overs 11 is Mpofu)
Vijay - run out - 11
Virat Kohli comes in.
56-1 after 9 by Ray
Over 10
.1 Wide. another wide down the leg
.1 Defends the ball on the Leg stump
.2 Defends a full ball on the off
.3 OUT!!! Reverse sweeps a ball to behind pont and the fielder Elton shoots a ball at the stumps and direct hit is gonna
account for Virat Kohli... This is poor decision making by the young Virat Kohli, out for 0 without facing a ball
Kohli, run out - 0
.4 Rohit sharma is in. Slower ball at the off. Defended
.5 This ball on the leg beats him, hits pad, no trouble
.6 Foxed once again by the non turning ball fro wide of the crease... Rohit looking out of touch
57-2 after 10
Bowling Power Play taken 11-15
Over 11 by Utseya (RH slow/off break)
Off Break ex-captain
.1 On the off stump, back foot drive to deep square leg.
.2 from wide of the crease, onto the off, defended by Rohit
.3 A little more wide of the stumps, punched to mid off. o run
.4 Ball not turning, same place, but no run again.
.5 tries to cut a ball too close to the stump, trickles to point.
.6 full on leg stump, driven straght to bowler.
58-2 after 11. Quick over by Prosper.
Over 12 by Ray
.1 DK hits the ball behind the crease to short fine leg for no run.
.2 this ball, on the leg stump, and DK pulls the not so short ball over sid wicket for a single
.3 Rohit hits to mid wicket, misfield, but no runs stolen
.4 Full outside off, defended by Rohit.
.5 A bit of a turn off the seam. Rohit sitting on 0 from 11 ball, taps it to mid wicket.
.6 Another dot ball, after tucking this ball to square leg and not willing to take a single, after seeing what has happened
thus far.
59/2 after 12
Over 13 by Prosper
.1 driven to deep cover for 1
.2 Rohit gets off the mark with a cut to deep point
.3 OUT!!! DK tries to cut a ball that wasn't short enough to do so, and nicks it to Taylor. Utseya claims his first for the
day! And ZIM are jubiliant, echoed by the sparse crowd which may thicken if the procession continues.
DK caught Taylor, b Utseya, 22.
New captain, Raina at the crease earlier than he expected
.4 Raina defends the ball from around the wicket.
.5 Tries to cut this ball, only to point. no run.
.6 This ball on the leg, turns, but not much, tucked to square leg for a single, and Raina is off the mark
62/3 after 13
Over 14 by Greg Lamb (Right arm off break)
.1 Around the wicket on the off stump of Raina, driven on the back foot to covers. no run.
.2 Raina takes a single on the off side on the full length ball, playing inside off to convers
.3 Over the wicket, rohit drives it to mid wicket.
.4 Ball on the off, turned to mid on now, no run again.
.5 This ball on the leg stump, is helped towards square leg for a single
.6 Raina wanted a hit and run, and was in trouble, lucky for him the throw was unusually wide.
64/3 after 14
Over 15 by Utseya
.1 wide spread field, and wide of the crease bowls prosper, back foot drive into the open space towards cover by Rohit for 1
.2 Aroun the wicket on Raina's legs, full, driven for one to long on... Raina denies the second run.
.3 Over the wicket Slow outside off, full, driven back to bowler.
.4 Back foot punch beyond cover for a single
.5 Around. On the off, slapped straight to covers.
.6 Now on the middle stump, driven to long on.
68-3 after 15, end of power play.
Raina is moving his feet well, coming to the pitch of the ball, and middling.
Over 16 by Lamb
.1 Full on the off from around, straight to coveres, no run to raina.
.2 Forward in defence to the ball that pitched on the middle and held its line.
.3 Outside the off, moces away, driven off the back foot to point, no run.
.4 Defended straight bak, the ball was full on the middle.
.5 Waits on back foot and cuts the slightly short wide ball beyon a diving point fielder.
.6 Over the wicket to Rohit who charges but just tucks the ball to the fine leg fielder. Good over
69-3 after 16. ZIM have pulled back into the match after that horrific start by Elton Chigumbura
Over 17 by Utseya
.1 On the off to Raina from around the wicket - single down to long off
.2 Rohit comes down a foot to play this ball to long on, was bowled from over
.3 Switches to around, and the touch to square leg gives Raina a single
over the wicket now
.4 Rohit with some back lift, but soft touch to the bowler, no run
.5 ball bowled Wide of the stumps, cut abckward of point by Rohit.
.6 Driven beyond the cover fielder for a single.
74/3 after 17 over.
Drinks break
This break gets over so fast!! Did they even drink anything???
Over 18 by Lamb
.1 Played to the off side for two by raina
.2 Cut to covers for one
.3 Rohit plays it to mid on
.4 Again, played on back foot to mid on
.5 Driven not so confidentally back to the bowler
.6 Plays from outside the off to long on
78/3 in 18 overs
Over 19 by utseya
.1 Full on off, driven to the mid on
.2 Good length ball, driven again to mid on by Rohit, no run yet in the over
.3 Full outside off, cover driven to cover for a singel
.4 Stays over the wicket for Raina, and raina goes on the back foot and dabs it to long off for one.
.5 Wide of the crease, Utseya bowls, good length, driven to cover
.6 Same place, but driven to mid on, no run
80/3 after 19
Over 20 by Lamb
.1 to Raina, around the wicket, on the off, holds the line played to cover, no run.
.2 Good length ball on the middle stumps, no run as Raina goes forward in defense.
.3 Short and wide and turns away from Raina, but he was too deep in his crease to cut it hard, takes an edge to short third
man, no run.
.4 Goes inside out, but hits back to the bowler, the ball was full on the middle stump.
.5 FOUR! This time he connects it better and the ball goes almost for a six. one bounce four.
.6 Good length ball on the leg, tucked behind square leg for 1
85/3 in 20 overs.
Over 21 In comes cremer, leg spinner
.1 Over the wicket to Raina, outside off, and no problem cutting it to deep cover for a single.
.2 Nice air to the ball, on the leg stump, spins a bit, driven on the front foot to long on by Rohit
.3 Denfended in front of off stump on the front foot by Raina.
.4 This time driven to long on, the ball was full on middle and turning to leg stump
.5 Defended in front of the off stump by Rohit, no run.
.6 Rohit comes down the track and lobs the ball over the infield, falls well short of long off
89-3 after 21
Cotton candies, in the little stadium. Mouth watering.
Over 22 by Lamb
.1 Rohit comes down the track again, drives hard to long off again
.2 Around the wicket. good ball, good length on the off, holds the line, driven softly to cover. no run.
.3 On the legs, and tapped behind square for a single
.4 On the off stump, full, driven back to bowler
.5 On the middle stump, driven on the front foot to long on. Milking the spinners now
.6 Cut off the back foot, to the point fielder, but Raina.
92/3 after 22
Over 23 by Cremer
.1 Slow ball outside off, looped over the ring to long off for one, by Rohit
.2 On the middle and leg full, and he taps it behind square leg for a single
.3 Attempts a sweep on the leg stump ball, doesn't connect well. no run. ball stops there
.4 Defended back to the bowler on the front foot
.5 Bowled on the leg side, driven to the bowler.
.6 Driven to long on
95/3 after 23
New face Indian side here today and the commentators busy talking about Sachi and Azharuddin
Over 24 by Lamb
.1 Rohit comes down the trackas usual, and slaps hard straight down the ground, but the ball hits the non striker stump and
goes to long off. single taken
.2 On the leg from around the wkt, no run.
.3 Raina defends this one back to bowler, was on the leg stump, but he wanted to play an inside out shot, didn't work
.4 Tapped the ball on leg stump to deep square leg
.5 Rohit hits the ball behind the crease to short fine leg, no run
.6 Charges this time, yorks himself, but gets the ball beyond mid wicket for one
98/3 after 24
Over 25 by Cremer
.1 Full on off, no run
.2 Full on off, Rohit takes his front leg away and hits the ball to long off
.3 Raina gets to the pitch of the ball and tries to get it past short cover, where Andy Blignaut makes a good save. no run
.4 On the leg, put away on the leg side onlt till mid wicket, no run.
.5 Driven to long on
.6 on the legs, tucked behind the keeper for 2
102/3 on the half way mark
Over 26 by Ray price
.1 Over the wkt to Raina, who comes forward and drives to long off.
.2 Around the wkt to Rohit, on the middle stump, little turn, punch only as far mid on. no run.
.3 Comes down the track this time, connects well, and the ball spills off Ray's hands and races down to the straight
boundary and Ervine and Coverntary combine to save 2 runs
.4 One run to long off
.5 Single take off the cut to cover.
.6 Sweeps the ball from the off stump, only to short fine leg. no run
107/3 after 26. Good flow of runs off late for India, run rate sitting at just over 4 nevertheless
Over 27 by Cremer
.1 FOUR!!! Full on the leg and raina hoiks it to past long on for four
.2 driven to long off for 1
.3 driven to long off by rohit
.4 raina tries to cut, but misses.
.5 raina flicks this one to leg side for 1
.6 drives past cover for 1
115/3 after 27
Over 28 by Ray
.1 around to rohit, defended
.2 sweeps but misses.
.3 driven on the front foot to long on
.4 back foot drive, to long on by raina
.5 this time connects the sweep, and gets one to square leg
.6 driven to bowler..
118/3 after 28 overs
Over 29 by Cremer
.1 Rohit goes down the track and lofts the ball to long on, falls short. one run results
.2 Around for the first time to raina... Defended back to him
.3 Wide way from the off stump and cut behind point for 2
.4 Driven past covers for a single on a ball outside off
.5 Rohit scoops the ball over cover off his front foot for a single.
.6 Raina pulls this from the middle stump to the empty region between long on and deep mid-wicket for two
125/3 after 29
Over 30 by Mpofu
Mpofu back on for his second spell before the ball is replaced
.1 Slow, on the off stump, tucked to mid wicket. no runs for Rohit
.2 Placed past cover and mid off covers up, and the batsmen take asingle, Elton's throw just wide of the stumps, Rohit was in
trouble there
.3 Raina gets a single by placing the ball to deep cover from the ball on the off stump.
.4 Rohit comfortably pulls the short ball to '45' for a single.
.5 Angled across the stump, Raina defends well off the back foot.
.6 OUT!!! Raina goes down the track and Mpofu bowls a short one and Raina jumps animatedly to put the ball away, but ends up
nicking it to the keeper.
Raina - c Tailor, b Mpofu - 37
He was starting to play well, was well settled, and then this horrendous shot.
Ravindra Jadeja comes in to replace Raina
128/4 after 30
Over 31 by Utseya (also back into the attack)
.1 full outside off, takes a single towards cover
.2 Ravi to face Utseya, who goes around the wicket. full on the off, no run, driven softly to bowler
.3 Full on off again, driven to mid on
.4 Full on leg, driven past mid on for a single.
.5 Rohit taps the full ball from outside off to long on.
.6 good length on the middle, hit straight to mid on . no run
131/4 after 31
Over 32 by Lamb
.1 Rohit gets this one on his pads, deflected down the leg side for a single.
.2 Field is a bit in for Ravi. Around the wkt, on the off stump, no run.
.3 Good length on the leg, tucked to the leg side for a single. Blignaut the fielder
.4 Rohit steps down but plays cautiously to mid on. no run
.5 Sweeps this one on the leg to fine leg.
.6 Good length on the off, driven to cover for no runs
134/4 after 32
Over 33 by Utseya
.1 Yorker on the middle, helplessly driven back to bowler
.2 wide of the crease, darted onto leg stump, ful, driven to mid on. no runs
.3 full outside off, lofter to long off for one
.4 Ravi faces Utseya . around the wkt, on the middle, with some turn. defended for no run.
.5 drives this full ball on the off to long off for a single
.6 Rohit tucks the ball on the leg stump to square leg for a single
137/4 after 33 @ 4.15 an over.
Over 34 by Lamb
.1 Rohit charges and lofts it over the infield, goes over the coverm but only for two. Rohit has shown intention but hasn't
scored any boundary
.2 Tucked to leg side, square leg fielder restricts to a single.
.3 Around the wkt, outside off, no run as ravi picks mid on..
crowd getting nosier here
.4 full on leg, ravi doesn't get any power on it, ball goes to square leg.
.5 Taps it on the front foot to long on for a single
.6 Rohit gets a ball very full on the off and hits to long on.
142/4 after 34.
The ball will be changed now.
Harder ball, easier to score off, if you look from batsman's perspective. More bounce, from a bowler's perspecive
Over 35 by Utseya
.1 Rohit is on 41. He taps this ball on off stump to mid on. no run
.2 Utseya wide of the crease. Rohit cuts this wide ball to deep point. misfield gives him an extra run
.3 full on leg, no run. driven back to bowler
.4 Waits and plays this to mid wicket, no run yet again. utseya keeping it neat
.5 Mid wicket a little deep this time, and they take a single on the soft touch
.6 Around, trickles to square leg
146/4 after 35
Over 36 by Cremer
.1 Bowled short on the leg to Ravi, and he tucks it past fine leg, who chases it down to keep it to just two. Good fieldins
.2 Raina flicks, and the ball takes a leading edge and falls just half a foot infront of Cremer
.3 Another confusion in the middle, Ravi jadeja wanted a quick single, rightly sent back, and just in time!
.4 Wide. wide dn the leg side
.4 another leading edge balloons to point, safely, single taken (150 up)
.5 pushes at this ball, and Rohit dabs it to wide of long off, single results
.6 Big spin on this one, comes back in from outside the off stump bowled over the wicket. no run
152-4 after 36
Drinks..
Over 37 by Blignaut!!! RHM
.1 Angled across, left alone by Ravi
.2 Angled onto the off stump from over the wkt, driven to covers. No acceleration yet
.3 Ravi cuts this square and away from 3rd man, gets two
.4 short on leg stump, hits off the hips to square leg - mid wicket junction and takes two again
.5 Wide outside off, umpire says the ball was inside the line, so, not a 'wide'
.6 Cuts the shortish ball outside ball to 3rd man, where Coventry, wearing his specs, fields
157 - 4 after 37
Over 38 by Cremer
.1 Ravi dabs this full ball to long on for a single
Yusuf waiting in the ranks
.2 FOUR!!! Rohit lofts this short of length ball to deep mid wicket boundary, for his first 4 of the day... takes him to 49
.3 a single to point takes Rohit to his 50 (off 85 balls)
.4 Ravi is forward in defense a la Gambhir to this ball on off stump
.5 Rocks back and cuts it to forward of point for a single.
.6 Drives it to long off for 1
165 - 4, after 38.
Drinks it is now, for sure.
Spinners have been doing their work very fast. Running through the overs quite fast, and making my job quite difficult too!
Bowling in tandem, all four of them. Mpofu has been bowling well, still has four overs to go. Elton is yet to continue since
his blunder early on.
Over 39 by Price
.1 A single to long off for Rohit
.2 Slow on the off, deft in defense, no run
.3 Tapts this beyond mid wicket for two. Ray shouts to the fielder 'bowler!! bowler!!' but rohit is back safely.
.4 No run this time, mid wicket cuts it off.
.5 Ravi drives behind mid wicket for a jog to the other side of the crease
.6 Now Rohit stabs this one to cover for a single
170/4 after 39
Match is boring this far said my friend, Toshi
Over 40 by Lamb
.1 SIX First ball, Rohit stands and deliver, pull this hard over square leg fence for a six (happy, toshi?)
.2 No run this time, full ball on the off
.3 Steps out and drives to mid on
.4 Sweeps to square leg for a single
.5 Fired onto the middle stump from around, no run.
.6 Same place, same result
177/4 after 40.
India will be looking to accelerate now. Ravi is middling things well, And Rohit is well set.
Over 41 by Utseya
.1 widespread field to Rohit. Fired on the leg, BIG appeal, Umpire not interested, impact outside the line of the stumps
.2 Steps out to take a single to long on
.3 On the back foot, dabs to cover. no run
.4 cuts ahead of point fielder, take three runs. Blignaut comes from covers to return the ball.
.5 Rohit hits over the infield to cover boundary, Mpofu, good in the field today, saves two runs just inside the ropes
.6 Single to long on off the good length ball
Rohit has some issues with the Umpire Brian Jerling. Solved now
184/4 after 41
Over 42 by Cremer
.1 Wide outside off, driven to point for one by Rohit
.2 Ravi takes a single by driving to his cover fielder
.3 FOUR!!! Rohit slaps this ball slightly short on the middle stump to the midwicket boundary. Good shot that, off the front
foot
.4 single down to long on (highest score for Rohit in ODIs)
.5 Bowled on the middle, ravi goes back and punches to long on
.6 Driven to cover, quickly fielded and no run off it
192/ 4 after 42
Batting powerplay. overs 43-47
remember, yusuf is waiting to come in
Over 43 by Ray Price now
.1 Single to square leg by Rave
.2 wide from the crease, into the stumps, tucked to cover, no run
.3 FOUR!!! Vents the frustration now, goes inside out over cover for four. good shot again by Rohit
.4 Gets this one on the leg stump and drives to cover, Ray chased him, no run.
.5 Single to long on.
.6 Misses a sweep, ball misses the stumps too
198/4 afer 43.
India may be looking at a score over 260 odd atleast.
More fireworks may take them past 270. Lets wait and watch (read)
Over 44 by Mpofu, back for his third spell. He has four overs to go
.1 Bowls full toss, low on the leg stump, Rohit makers room and plays to deep mid wicket for a single
Mpofu the only seving pacer
.2 FOUR!!! Ravi punches this ball over the infield and the ball runs to the long off boundary... not the best shot, not off
the middle of the bat, but had enough power on it (200 up)
.3 full toss on the off stump, single towards mid on.
.4 SIX!!! Rohit on Strike. SHort ball to Rohit, rises onto his chest, and India's best puller hoiks it over fine leg boundary
for another SIX... great batting by Rohit today!
.5 FOUR long off and long on, fine leg - the three men outside the ring. into the blockhole on the leg stump, and my word!!
Rohit makes room outside leg and cramped for space, drives it between point and cover for four! great shot!
.6 Hit this on the front foot to long off for a single.
Good over this. 17 off it
215-4 after 44 overs.
3 more overs in the power play
Over 45 by Ray Price
.1 wide of the crease, lobbed to long off on the bounce by Rohit
.2 Ravi get a ball full on the middle, hits for a single to mid wicket
.3 Rohit drives to long on for another single
.4 Ravi pulls this one between the riders at long on and deep mid wicket.. good shot off the back foot.
.5 cheeky cut to short 3rd man, but no run.
.6 In the block hole, cut to long on.
223/4 after 45
Over 46 by Mpofu
.1 Single to long on by Ravi
Advertising for Micromax mobiles, the commentators on television
.2 SIX!!! High full toss by Mpofu to Rohit, the yourker-gone-wrong ball and Rohit might just have hit a lion or two by
sending the ball into the woods. Huge Six over mid wicket
.3 No run, fielded at cover.
.4 Hit to cover again, but they sneek a single
still talking about the Mobile phones...
.5 Ravi hits it 100 yards in the sky!!! The balls falls down between two gaping fielders, no one calls for it and ravi takes
two.
.6 misses a pull and the keeper misses the ball... they take a bye
234/4 after 46, four more to go. Looks like Yusuf may not be needed at all, Rohit is good enough, approaching his first ODI
century, a well paced innings
Over 47 by Ray Price
.1 Ravi charges, ray sees it, no run restuks.
.2 FOUR!!! Ravi stays in crease this time and slaps it behind square leg for a four... good placement
.3 full toss on the leg stump, hit to long on for 1
Rohit's last 50 came off 30
.4 SIX!!! Century for Rohit Sharma, first in ODIs! Charged down the track and takes on the full and lofts over cover for a six.
.5 Sweeps the next ball from middle stump to get two, denies a third
.6 FOUR!!! Sweeps this one from the leg stumo easily for four this time... Good end to the powerplays
251 /4 after 47. all set for a big score over 275!
Over 48 by Mpofu
.1 Short outside off, Rave takes it on the up and hits to deep cover, misfield, they take two .
.2 on the leg stump, Ravi nudges it for a single to deep mid wicket. Everyone as far placed as possible
.3 Hit hard by Rohit to long off, take a single, the fielder's direct hit allows the batsmen for another run.
.4 FOUR!! Rohit on strike. A high full toss, and Rohit cuts it beyond keeper for a four... Not a above-the-waist no-ball confirms the umpire. Rohit upset with it.
.5 OUT!!! Rohit gets this slow ball and he pulls, pulls hard only to find the ball looping down to just behind the crease in the leg side, for the gloved man taylor to call and pouch it safely
Rohit Sharma - c Taylor, b Mpofu 114
A very well paced innings, got into the grove and then got over the Zimbabweans.
Yusuf comes in to bat
Two run outs, and three caught behinds in this game thus far.
.6 Ravi gets a ball outside the off stump, plays to point on his back foot and takes a single
261/3 after 48 overs
Over 49 by
.1 Ravi on 48... Utseya to bowl, hit straight back at the bowler, no run.
.2 Ravi spanks this over the infield, Andy Blignaut did well to field the ball that took a bad spin and sends the ball back quickly, only a single
.3 SIX!!! Yusuf at the crease. Wide of the crease to him, and first ball is a huge six over long on, picked from outside off stump
.4 FOUR!!! Full outside off and this ball is lofted towards cover boundary for a four. Yusuf means business here
.5 Quicker ball, oly a single to cover on off side
.6 Ravi on 49, takes a single to long on for a well made fifty, quick one too, just 57 balls. He gave Rohit good company in that big partnership.
274/5 after 49
Over 50 by Mpofu
Mpofu to end the proceedings
.1 Ravi to face ball one, scoops it just beyond mid off for two... that was a blind shot, didn't middle it, ball was slow too
.2 FOUR!!! This time, he picks the full ball on the off stump and hits it hard to long on boundary for four! good shot!
.3 FOUR!!! A short slow ball, Ravi waits in his crease and pull hard on the back foot to the deep mid wicket boundary for aother four.
.4 Mpofu comes around the wicket to ravi, just a single to long on off the full ball
.5 Yusuf waits for Mpofu. Short ball, very short, but ball balloons, Yusuf leaves it alone, no wide signalled, so, a ball wasted by Yusuf
.6 Another short ball, Yusuf gives it an Almighty swing, but doesn't connect, and the Umpire signals the end of the innings.
285/5 is how it ends after 50 overs.
Zimbabwe, Elton in particular started off very poorly and then on, the things slowed down with the two run outs in quick succession. the spinners were good. Then Rohit and Ravi combined for a 132 run partnership. Rohit with a hundred and Ravi with a fifty got a good score on the board for India.
Mpofu was the only consistent bowler for Zimbabwe, but he too was carted all over the place in his final spell. The Spinners, Ray and Utseya were a touch better than Cremer and Lamb over the complete period of time.
Will be back for the second innings.
285/5 in 5o overs are India.
Rohit - 114,
Ravi -61
Mpofu - 63/2
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Blitzkrieg
Lying on the floor in Madras, 9 and a half hours ahead of Antigua, at 2 am, I was wondering if I would turn my TV off at the end of the next over, when the Windies (my third favourite cricket team) need 104 from 10 overs to chase down an improbable 301 against South Africa, with the ever so elegant Bravo and the unsure Ramdin at the crease. In that over, Ramdin fell, sixth fallen wicket (note, Sarwan was injured, so, retired hurt) and in walked the man from St. Lucia, whom I always love to watch, the dynamite who can explode more often the much more known Keiron Pollard, introducing, Darrel Sammy. OK, 9 overs 100, 2:15 am, yawn... Bravo + Sammy... Well, lets watch it!
Oh boy! That was one good decision I made that day! Power Plays came in, and it was sort of 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' sort of thing. Dale Steyn, the ripper, with all his might, firing those bullets of the white ball at Sammy could only watch them sail over the ropes into the stands!!! Two sixes off the first two balls of a Steyn over. Ever dreamt of it? Two more dot balls and a single later, things were evened out, but last ball cost Bravo's wicket, caught slogging to deep cover. So, that tipped the scales in SA's favour.
7 down, and in came Ramnaresh Sarwan. He had earlier injured his hamstring while takinga quick single. I, who was lying on the floor watching till now, got up in respect. Graeme Smith, was near the crease with 'keeper de Villiers, and he knew how it was for Sarwan to be there... Smith himself was in a similar position one and a half years ago down under. Sarwan took 5 minutes to trod to the middle, he had Keiron Pollard as his by-runner, and Pollard took guard for him (you all know his traditional style of marking guard) and Botha consumed him first ball, caught behind. Sarwan, heart broken, trodded back :-( .
In came Rampaul at 8 down, Nikita Miller, also injured, could come 9 down, if at all the WI looked like in a situation to need him. A single then brought Sammy to the strike. Bang Bang!!! Two more sixes !!! Woohooo! And Windies, were down on paper, but not out yet for sure! Next over, in comes Steyn again and he gets another big one off Sammy! This guy was on fire!!! In just 15 balls, he had amassed 37 runs by now, courtesy 5 biggies! In comes SA's most economical bowler, Morkel to size him up... Boy did he know that he was in for a big over??? 2,2,4,4,6,1 and that tipped things in WI's favour, courtesy one man, one big powerful man, Darren Sammy. With the fastest fifty by a West Indian being brought up by the six in that over, the West Indies fan so much wanted to enjoy this situation, half of them drunk and excited, the other half was sober, too excited, nevertheless!
23 from 3 overs. With no option left worth risking, the poor-so-far McLaren is given the ball... Only singles all through the over and a run out in the last ball (Sammy hit back to the bowler, and Rampaul was running early, so, was caught off crease) and thus the match became all so tense... Heard of a quiet Caribbean ground? Ever? This noisy ground became silent... Sammy applauded Rampaul's effort, patted him on his back, thanked him for the partnership (3.4 overs, 47 runs) and welcome the injured Nikta Miller to the crease. Miller, again assisted by Pollard was just told - 'hit, we'll run' and Sammy was in some conversation with Pollard... How hard is 18/2 gonna be?
In came Morkel, to Miller who tapped it to short cover and Pollard was sprinting like Ussain Bolt... Smith at short cover rushes to the ball, grabs it while moving across the pitch, and then back flips it to the non striker's end and IT HIT THE STUMPS AND THE BAILS WERE DOWN... Up went to the decision tot he box, but Smith and co were sure this was out and in came the confirmation... Nikita Miller (errr. Pollard), run out by Smith to break the heart of the 20000 odd crowd. Absolute pin drop silence surrounded Darren Sammy's fallen soul. He was crestfallen by spirit, devoid of words, a tear in his eye, wept away and stood tall once again to exchange the customary hand shakes and move on.
Boy did he give West Indies a jolt!!! He had ripped apart a bowling line up that boasted of Steyn, Morne Morkel and Johan Botha, single handedly took West Indies to within victory's reach. With the integrity and support of Sarwan and Miller for Sammy, it kept pumping him up, he was a proud man. I thoroughly enjoyed his blitz out in the middle, something which I guess all of you missed... NO.. no no , don't tell me you saw the replay on tv the next day or today or will watch it later... You will never know what the innings meant. It was legendary. Sir Viv Richards will be happy about this innings, after what happened last summer in the same place (#abandoned-test). This was an innings to remember!
The man of the match award went to Hashim Amla for his cool gritty near-hundred performance early in the day, but this match was all about 'How Sammy gave the Windies a glitter of hope to come back to the world of cricket', like Taylor and Benn gave them last summer, like Gayle gave them in the winter...
Bagrat
- Proud fan of the West Indies and the St Lucia big hitter
Oh boy! That was one good decision I made that day! Power Plays came in, and it was sort of 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' sort of thing. Dale Steyn, the ripper, with all his might, firing those bullets of the white ball at Sammy could only watch them sail over the ropes into the stands!!! Two sixes off the first two balls of a Steyn over. Ever dreamt of it? Two more dot balls and a single later, things were evened out, but last ball cost Bravo's wicket, caught slogging to deep cover. So, that tipped the scales in SA's favour.
7 down, and in came Ramnaresh Sarwan. He had earlier injured his hamstring while takinga quick single. I, who was lying on the floor watching till now, got up in respect. Graeme Smith, was near the crease with 'keeper de Villiers, and he knew how it was for Sarwan to be there... Smith himself was in a similar position one and a half years ago down under. Sarwan took 5 minutes to trod to the middle, he had Keiron Pollard as his by-runner, and Pollard took guard for him (you all know his traditional style of marking guard) and Botha consumed him first ball, caught behind. Sarwan, heart broken, trodded back :-( .
In came Rampaul at 8 down, Nikita Miller, also injured, could come 9 down, if at all the WI looked like in a situation to need him. A single then brought Sammy to the strike. Bang Bang!!! Two more sixes !!! Woohooo! And Windies, were down on paper, but not out yet for sure! Next over, in comes Steyn again and he gets another big one off Sammy! This guy was on fire!!! In just 15 balls, he had amassed 37 runs by now, courtesy 5 biggies! In comes SA's most economical bowler, Morkel to size him up... Boy did he know that he was in for a big over??? 2,2,4,4,6,1 and that tipped things in WI's favour, courtesy one man, one big powerful man, Darren Sammy. With the fastest fifty by a West Indian being brought up by the six in that over, the West Indies fan so much wanted to enjoy this situation, half of them drunk and excited, the other half was sober, too excited, nevertheless!
23 from 3 overs. With no option left worth risking, the poor-so-far McLaren is given the ball... Only singles all through the over and a run out in the last ball (Sammy hit back to the bowler, and Rampaul was running early, so, was caught off crease) and thus the match became all so tense... Heard of a quiet Caribbean ground? Ever? This noisy ground became silent... Sammy applauded Rampaul's effort, patted him on his back, thanked him for the partnership (3.4 overs, 47 runs) and welcome the injured Nikta Miller to the crease. Miller, again assisted by Pollard was just told - 'hit, we'll run' and Sammy was in some conversation with Pollard... How hard is 18/2 gonna be?
In came Morkel, to Miller who tapped it to short cover and Pollard was sprinting like Ussain Bolt... Smith at short cover rushes to the ball, grabs it while moving across the pitch, and then back flips it to the non striker's end and IT HIT THE STUMPS AND THE BAILS WERE DOWN... Up went to the decision tot he box, but Smith and co were sure this was out and in came the confirmation... Nikita Miller (errr. Pollard), run out by Smith to break the heart of the 20000 odd crowd. Absolute pin drop silence surrounded Darren Sammy's fallen soul. He was crestfallen by spirit, devoid of words, a tear in his eye, wept away and stood tall once again to exchange the customary hand shakes and move on.
Boy did he give West Indies a jolt!!! He had ripped apart a bowling line up that boasted of Steyn, Morne Morkel and Johan Botha, single handedly took West Indies to within victory's reach. With the integrity and support of Sarwan and Miller for Sammy, it kept pumping him up, he was a proud man. I thoroughly enjoyed his blitz out in the middle, something which I guess all of you missed... NO.. no no , don't tell me you saw the replay on tv the next day or today or will watch it later... You will never know what the innings meant. It was legendary. Sir Viv Richards will be happy about this innings, after what happened last summer in the same place (#abandoned-test). This was an innings to remember!
The man of the match award went to Hashim Amla for his cool gritty near-hundred performance early in the day, but this match was all about 'How Sammy gave the Windies a glitter of hope to come back to the world of cricket', like Taylor and Benn gave them last summer, like Gayle gave them in the winter...
Bagrat
- Proud fan of the West Indies and the St Lucia big hitter
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Another delayed post
So, its been another one month and a lot of sporting and sport-related actions been happening in and around this world of sports!
What a wonderful season of IPL it was, outside the stadium, of course... My least favourite player Lalit Modi got good beatings from everywhere. I celebrated by giving away sweets to all my friends! And what an occasion to sack that idiot - right after the final was done :-) . Enjoy joblessness, you idiot! I hope the world's worst league goes down the drain soon.
Then came the end of the EPL season... A rock and roll ride for Chelsea, which lost a crucial game to Spurs, and led by just one point with two games to go, one of them against Liverpool. Thanks to Did-yeah (courtesy, Steve-G) and Lamps, Chelsea sped past Liverpool and went on to stamp Wigan for an emphatic victory, the one which sealed the title! Didier Drogba had a hat-trick here, to take his tally to 29 goals, three more than Wayne Rooney, who subbed after Did-yeah got his second... What a season it was for Chelsea! Three games with 7 goals or more (7-1, 7-0, 8-0....also, there was a 6-1). Most number of goals in a premier league season - a whopping 103! Most number of goals at home - 68! a Goal difference of nearly 70! A double over each of ManU, Arsenal and Liverpool (ok, spurs are in the new top-4, and they did get the better of Chelsea at White Hart lane... ManCity is a team i wanna forget this season). This season was truly Chelsea's. Anelka, Malouda, Didier, Lampard, terry, Cole, Ivanovic, Alex deserve special mention in the success. I hope to see more of gael kakuta this season. Also, I should add that Chelsea soon completed the domestic double, with the FA cup also in the kitty soon, after a soft victory over Pompey... Proud to be a True Blue.
The EPL was a real topsy turvy one... Liverpool knocked off the top four, Spurs taking its place. Arsenal continued its seasons of pointless flair capped with nothing but a dunce-cap. Portsmouth with all their nice play could manage nothing but admin, docked 9 points and assured relegation... Lets hope the next season is just as good or better :-)
NBA
This is where I live Boy o Boy!!!
While the Lakers took some time to wake up against the thunders, but when they did, they showed us why they were the defending champions and they showed that possessiveness in those games. With due credits to Westbrook and KD, and their Coach Scott Brooks...I think they were just short of experience.
Utah did Lakers a favour by eliminating the Nuggets. Coming from a game down at home, they battled well to down the nuggets, who were not at their resurgent best. Thanks to this, the Lakers had it easy over the short Jazz, and advanced to the finals.
On the other side, the Mavs were upset (or not) by the Spurs, who again got swept by the exceptional Suns (credits to their bench). The suns had battled all odds and believed in their form to get past the Blazers in round one prior to this.
The East looked pretty much like only the top-4 would get past round one...
The Celtics were too hot for the Heat. The Bucks who seemed to upset all odds and reach a conference semis with a 3-2 lead and home game to play next, lost it all and were eliminated by the Hawks. Cavs had no problem getting past the Bulls, who were expected to put on a show after dramatically making it to the playoffs and also, for their round one show last season...not to happen this time! Magic swept past the Bobcats, who were pitted to be Cavs' best opponent from the regular season match-ups, again, not to happen, and out she went!
The semis were superb...differently so... On one side, the Magic swept the Hawks like they were born to do that. On the other side, the Celtics and Cavs delayed Magic's game plan for the finals. Every single game would yield a lopsided result...home losses... and finally, the Celtics in 6!
I think the Celtics might just have killed a franchise! Mike Brown, the coach of the Cavs got fired the next day, LeBron James might be making choices about his future by now. Shaq and Z might be considering retirement. Lets wait and watch... Conference finals are underway!
oooh yes... the Englishmen won the T-20 cricket world cup title
And, Indian Hockey team finished on top in the most decorated Sultan Azlan Shah Tourney, had a final with Korea, but was washed off, so, ended up being named joint winners with Korea. A good show nevertheless, losing only once over 6 games showed some consistency in Asia's best hockey tournament..the one which is not telecast on Indian TV...just shows you how much these people respect the national sport.
Aah well, here's what's next :-
NBA conference finals, NBA finals
South Africa touring WI,
NZ and Sri Lanka fancy-playing in the USA,
India-Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka trination
Football World Cup
4 nation hockey @ Nederlands/Poland/China
Asia cup in Sri Lanka
and lots more.
Until some more (undecided) time, bubbyeee
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