Southern Stars win World Twenty20

Updated October 08, 2012 06:11:36

Jess Cameron's show with the bat and Lisa Sthalekar's all-round skills have helped Australia retain the Women's World Twenty20 title with a close four-run victory over England.

Put in to bat, the defending champions made 4 for 142 from their 20 overs, riding on a strong opening partnership.

England lost wickets at regular intervals during their chase and required 16 off the last over but managed 11 to reach 9 for 138.

Danielle Hazel needed to hit a six off the last ball for a victory but she could get just a single sparking widespread celebrations in the Australian camp.

"So proud of this team," an emotional Australian captain Jodie Fields said during the prize distribution ceremony.

"I love this jersey. Whenever you put this jersey on, you have to fight hard.

"England played a really good match but we had the belief in our team."

Jess Jonassen picked up 3 for 25, while Sthalekar and Julie Hunter shared four wickets between them as Australia dropped a number of catches.

Skipper Charlotte Edwards (28) top-scored for England and kept the team in the hunt with four boundaries and a six, but the 2009 champions lost their way after her dismissal.

"Last 18 months we have worked towards this. It didn't go our way, but congratulations to Australia," Edwards, who was adjudged the player of the tournament, said.

"We didn't bowl well up front and just couldn't pin them. I wouldn't change the decision to bowl first. Our bowling is good, the wicket is still good.

"It still came down to six off the last ball. It wasn't to be a fairytale, but hope we have done the country proud."

Meg Lanning (25) and Alyssa Healy (26) notched up 51 for the opening wicket for Australia to build a solid platform and then Cameron (45) and Sthalekar (23 not out) added another 51 for the third to set England 143 for a win.

Reuters

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka, england, united-kingdom, australia

First posted October 07, 2012 23:03:34

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Southern Stars through to World Twenty20 final

Updated October 06, 2012 09:42:07

Defending champions Australia will face England in the women's World Twenty20 final after cruising past West Indies by 28 runs in Colombo.

Seamer Julie Hunter claimed 5 for 22 as the Southern Stars, restricted to 7 for 115 after electing to bat, shot West Indies out for 87 in the semi-final at the Premadasa Stadium.

Lisa Sthalekar marked her 50th Twenty20 international with a top score of 23 and then conceded just six runs in her four overs to help Hunter fashion the Southern Stars' emphatic win.

The Southern Stars take on arch rivals England in Sunday's final looking to avenge a seven-wicket defeat during the league phase in Galle.

"We have great belief in the team," Southern Stars captain Jodie Fields said.

"It would have been nice to get 140, but we knew 115 was enough with the bowling we have.

"We can't wait for the final."

The Southern Stars began the match on the wrong foot when Alyssa Healy was dismissed off the second ball and Jess Cameron fell in the third over, both wickets going to left-arm spinner Shanel Daley.

Sthalekar was supported in the recovery by Alex Blackwell (21), while Fields boosted the total with an unbeaten 19.

West Indies collapsed to 4 for 28 before Juliana Nero (31) and Daley (25) revived their hopes with a fifth-wicket stand of 48. But the last six wickets fell for 11 runs.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka

First posted October 05, 2012 22:52:46

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Sri Lanka books spot in Twenty20 final

Updated October 05, 2012 07:40:19

Mahela Jayawardene and his crafty spinners took Sri Lanka to its second World Twenty20 final following a 16-run win over 2009 champions Pakistan in the first semi-final overnight.

Opting to bat first, Jayawardene (42) added 63 runs with Tillakaratne Dilshan (35) but Sri Lanka could not capitalise on the strong start on a sluggish track and posted 4 for 139.

Jayawardene then returned to marshal his bowlers, who restricted Pakistan to 7 for 123 to earn a place in Sunday's final against either Australia or West Indies.

"It means a great deal, great support from the fans," said the Sri Lanka captain, denying the team was under pressure from the fans to win their first World Twenty20 title.

"I think like everyone said it's not pressure for us. It's like our 12th man, pretty much cheering us up. It's been great to perform like this in front of a great crowd."

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was one of the key performers, justifying his selection ahead of Akila Dananjaya by claiming 3 for 25 while Ajantha Mendis (2 for 27) and Angelo Mathews (2 for 27) shared four wickets between them.

"It was a tough call to keep out birthday boy Akila Dananjaya but we felt with Pakistan, they have a history against left-arm spin," Jayawardene said.

Captain Mohammad Hafeez (42) top-scored for Pakistan while Umar Akmal remained not out on 29 in the rematch of the 2009 final.

Pakistan responded well with Hafeez and Imran Nazir (20) adding 31 off the first six overs but once Mendis separated them by removing Nazir, its chase never got the momentum again.

Angelo Mathews reduced Pakistan to 3 for 57 by removing Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal in the same over before left-arm spinner Herath cleaned up.

Playing Herath ahead of teenager spinner Akila Dananjaya proved a master stroke as the 34-year-old spinner bowled out Shoaib Malik for 6 and then struck a double blow.

He foxed Hafeez, who had stepped out to hit him, to present Kumar Sangakkara with an easy stumping and in his next delivery, bowled Shahid Afridi for a golden duck on the 16th anniversary of the batsman's fastest century that came off 36 balls.

"He is a match winner, there is no doubt about his abilities. But I think... he is really in a bad form at the moment," Hafeez told reporters when asked about the 32-year-old all-rounder's performance.

Mendis further tightened the screws by removing Sohail Tanvir and Pakistan could only score 6 of the 23 runs required in a tidy last over sent down by Nuwan Kulasekara.

"We were very much into the game but unfortunately the middle order collapsed and we couldn't do well as far as the partnerships were concerned," Hafeez rued.

"I think it was a good game of cricket where both teams really fought well and at the end of the day the better team won."

Umar Akmal was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for ignoring the orders of both on-field umpires and changing his batting gloves.

Reuters

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka, pakistan

First posted October 05, 2012 07:30:20

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World Twenty20 boasts plenty of contenders

Updated September 17, 2012 08:24:43

The World Twenty20 explodes into action this week in tropical Sri Lanka with no runaway favourite and upsets likely in cricket's shortest and least predictable form.

At least half of the 12 participating nations will consider themselves strong contenders to lift the trophy in Colombo on October 7, with the others hopeful of living up to the event's reputation for shocks.

From defending champions England, the powerful West Indies and formidable South Africa to Asia's top three - former winners India and Pakistan, and Sri Lanka - the field is strong and deep.

The others will not be taken lightly either, if a string of sensational results in the tournament's three previous editions are any indication.

While many purists are unconvinced by Twenty20, and fear its impact on Test cricket, there is no doubting its entertainment value.

India, initially reluctant to embrace the newest format, won the inaugural event in South Africa in 2007 under rookie skipper MS Dhoni after senior pros Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly opted out.

It was in the same tournament that Zimbabwe stunned Australia, Bangladesh upset the West Indies, and India brushed aside England, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in successive games to grab the title.

Pakistan won the second edition in England in 2009, a tournament that made a stunning start when the Netherlands, a non Test-playing nation, upset the hosts by four wickets in front of a packed house at Lord's.

England claimed the 2010 title in the Caribbean, but it was Australia's amazing win over Pakistan in the semi-final that remained the talking point.

With 34 needed from the final two overs, Michael Hussey smashed 38 off 10 balls to take Australia home with one delivery to spare.

Only last week, Australia trounced Pakistan by 94 runs to avenge two successive defeats against the same opponents.

"It's the sort of format where nothing can be taken for granted," said Dhoni.

"We have seen one ball change the whole game. The idea is to do well for all the 40 overs. That is all that matters."

The 12 sides have been divided into four pools for the preliminary league, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Eights round.

If the seedings go to plan, fans can expect high-voltage action in the Super Eights - a week-long race to the one-off semis and final in the Sri Lankan capital.

England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are seeded to meet in group one of the Super Eights, with the top two teams making it to the semi-finals.

Group two is already being billed as the "Group of Death", with arch-rivals India and Pakistan seeded to face Australia and South Africa.

Sri Lanka's frontline batsman Kumar Sangakkara cautioned rivals not to expect spin-friendly pitches at the three venues in Colombo, steamy hill town Pallekele and Hambantota, site of a major new port.

"Be ready for a stiff breeze in Hambantota, swing and seam in Pallekele and a good batting surface at the Premadasa (stadium) in Colombo," the veteran batsman-wicketkeeper said.

"Each venue will have a different challenge and sides will have to adjust accordingly. It will make the tournament more exciting."

England is out to prove it can defend the title without star batsman Kevin Pietersen, the man of the tournament in 2010 who has been axed from the national team on disciplinary grounds.

The West Indies are touted as potential champions, with explosive batsmen in Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels, and a wily spinner in Sunil Narine.

The men to watch out for are plenty. Australian spinner Brad Hogg, aged 41, and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, 37 next month, will look to rubbish the theory that Twenty20 is a young man's game.

Ace Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is assured of a warm welcome from the stands, having battled cancer earlier this year to return to the big stage.

Also vying for the spotlight will be prolific Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, dashing Australian opener David Warner, local boy Lasith Malinga, England's Jonny Bairstow and South African Richard Levi.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, sri-lanka, australia

First posted September 16, 2012 19:26:13

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Australia floors Pakistan in final Twenty20

Updated September 11, 2012 09:54:25

Australia brought Pakistan down to earth with a thumping 94-run defeat in the third and final Twenty20 international at Dubai Stadium on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Chasing a daunting 169-run target, Pakistan was all out for 74 - the joint lowest by a Test playing country in all Twenty20s - for its biggest defeat in the history of the shortest form of the game.

Only Nasir Jamshed (17), Yasir Arafat (15) and Abdul Razzaq (13) could reach double figures as Australian pacemen Mitchell Starc (3 for 11) and Pat Cummins (3 for 15) ran through the Pakistan batting line-up.

Pakistan, which won the first match by seven wickets and the second in a super-over, never looked the same side as it lost wickets at regular intervals, the first five falling by the sixth over with the score on 19.

Razzaq and Arafat shared the highest partnership of the innings with 20, taking Pakistan past the lowest total in all Twenty20 - 67 by Kenya against Canada in Belfast in 2008.

Pakistan's previous biggest defeat in Twenty20 internationals was by 48 runs, against England at The Oval in 2009.

India was also dismissed for 74 by Australia at Melbourne in 2008.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez termed the defeat as a wake-up call.

"Unfortunately we couldn't do well in the last match," Hafeez said.

"It is a wake up call ahead of the World Twenty20 and we now must realise our duties but full credit to Australia as they came back strongly."

Australian captain George Bailey praised his openers, David Warner and Shane Watson.

"The openers set the foundation for us and then the bowlers backed that with some good performances," Bailey said.

Earlier Warner made a 34-ball 59 with six sixes and a four and Watson hammered five sixes and a boundary during his 32-ball 47 to put on Australia's best opening stand of 111 in all T20s after they were put into bat.

The Australian openers went berserk from the eighth over when Watson hit Shoaib Malik for three towering sixes and from the other end Warner hit left-armer Raza Hasan for as many sixes in the ninth.

Even the successful Saeed Ajmal was hit for two sixes as Australian openers hit nine sixes in the space of 19 balls, bringing the second fifty off just 15 balls.

Paceman Arafat, who replaced Sohail Tanveer as the only change to the line-up, had both the openers in successive overs to put brakes on the Australian innings, finishing with 2 for 30.

Glenn Maxwell chipped in with a 20-ball 27 with three fours and six.

Ajmal finished with 2 for 19, taking his tally to 60 wickets -- the most by any bowler in Twenty20 cricket.

The two teams now head to Sri Lanka where the fourth edition of the World Twenty20 begins from September 18.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates, australia

First posted September 11, 2012 07:40:11

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Australia aims to climb Twenty-20 rankings

Updated August 16, 2012 15:23:13

Cricket Australia (CA) says there's a burning desire to improve the nation's lowly Twenty-20 ranking at next month's World Cup.

CA has confirmed the 15-man Twenty-20 squad selected to face Pakistan in the UAE next month will go on to play in the World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The uncapped Glenn Maxwell, who was the bolter when the squad for Pakistan was announced last month, retains his place as does fellow spinner, 41-year-old Brad Hogg.

Clint McKay was a late withdrawal after injuring his hamstring during a practice match in Darwin. His place has been taken by Queensland's Alister McDermott, the son of Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott.

Australia reached the final of the last World Cup losing to England in 2010 but since then its international Twenty-20 ranking has slipped to ninth, below New Zealand and Bangladesh.

National selector John Inverarity feels this squad is capable of climbing the rankings.

"I don't know whether players speak among themselves but they'll certainly be looking to lift the ranking above what it is now," Inverarity said.

"It's a well-balanced side that will provide the captain, George Bailey, with plenty of options in both the batting line-up and bowling possibilities.

"The seam bowling has depth with Clint McKay, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitch Starc along with all-rounders Shane Watson and Dan Christian, and to a lesser extent Michael Hussey, who could be useful for an occasional over or two.

"Similarly there is depth in the spin bowling department with Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty and also all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey. You can then add to that the possibility of the wrist spin of Cameron White and David Warner.

"There is a great deal of explosive strike power in the batting line-up that could see Matthew Wade at six, Cameron White at seven and either Dan Christian or Glenn Maxwell at eight. There is also a good blend of left and right handers with David Warner, Michael Hussey and Wade likely to be in the top seven.

"The ICC World Twenty20 promises to be a very exciting event as T20 cricket is so unpredictable. Our squad will be well prepared and we look forward to them playing some outstanding cricket and acquitting themselves especially well."

Squad: George Bailey (captain), Shane Watson (vice-captain), Dan Christian, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Cameron White.

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted August 16, 2012 12:36:12

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Aussies name preliminary World Twenty20 squad

Updated July 18, 2012 18:23:36

Paceman James Pattinson and off spinner Nathan Lyon have been left out of Australia's provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

Off-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and left-handed batsman Rob Quiney, who have no international experience, were the big winners.

"The ICC World Twenty20 will be a fiercely contested tournament," chief selector John Inverarity said.

"A great deal of flamboyant cricketing talent will be on display and some games will be turned on their heads by 10 minutes of brilliance.

"The squad announced today is full of talent, enterprise and all-round strength.

"Within the 30 players named is depth and cover for all departments within the team."

Maxwell's selection came as no surprise after being picked for the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in early September.

But the choice of Quiney, 29, is more unexpected.

He made the grade after a decent Big Bash League season where he averaged more than 30 with the bat.

The tournament starts on September 18.

Australia, runner-up in 2010 to England in Barbados, faces Ireland and the West Indies in Group B.

A final squad of 15 is due to be named by August 18.

Australia squad: George Bailey, Travis Birt, Dan Christian, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, Rob Quiney, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White

AFP

Tags: sport, twenty20, cricket, australia

First posted July 18, 2012 15:02:51

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Afghanistan qualifies for World Twenty20

Updated March 23, 2012 09:13:32

Afghanistan booked its place in the 2012 World Twenty20 with a 47-run victory over Namibia in the first final of the 16-nation qualifying tournament.

In a battle of two undefeated teams, Afghanistan was bowled out for 146 in their 20 overs before Namibia was dismissed for 99 in the 19th over.

Despite the loss, Namibia will get a second chance of making the World Twenty20 when it faces either Ireland or the Netherlands in Saturday's second qualifying final.

The result also made it eight wins out of eight for Afghanistan in the tournament and captain Nawroz Mangal said a statistic like that made a compelling case for his side to be given more opportunities to play against the established teams.

"It is a big day for us and the entire nation to compete at a bigger level," Mangal told reporters through an interpreter.

"Afghanistan is no longer at a stage to compete against associate and affiliate members. In every single tournament we have participated in, in the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) and in global associate and affiliate tournaments, we have beaten every single team.

"So we want to compete on a bigger level and the stage is there. The boys are up to that and we will do our best."

Afghanistan, which also played in the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, saw openers Karim Sadiq (28) and Javed Ahmadi (24) give its side a flying start with a partnership of 57 by the seventh over.

But Namibia slammed the brakes on the scoring rate with skipper Sarel Burger taking with 3 for 16.

However, the African side never recovered from a precarious 4 for 18 by the fourth over with seamer Dawlat Zadran boasting figures of 3 for 1 off his first two overs.

Burger and Nicholaas Scholtz, with 22 runs each, gave a little middle-order impetus, but Afghanistan was simply too powerful in all departments and coasted to a place in the finals in Sri Lanka in September and October.

Right-arm fast bowler Aftab Alam claimed 4 for 25, sweeping up the tail in the process.

Afghanistan and the winner of final play-off will meet in the tournament finale on Saturday night.

The winner will be slotted into Group B in Sri Lanka alongside Australia and the West Indies with the runner-up going into Group A against India and defending champions England.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, twenty20, afghanistan

First posted March 23, 2012 09:13:32

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World Twenty20 Cricket - What it is and Where it Happens

Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2010

DVD Description
On Sunday May 16th the English Cricket team made history by winning the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Led by captain Paul Collingwood, England comprehensively beat their arch-rivals Australia to win the first ICC trophy in their illustrious history!

Capturing the world with its big hitting, frantic run chases and tense finishes, this is the ideal opportunity to relive the moments that put England at the pinnacle of World cricket.

This packed 2 disc set features:
Full coverage of the Twenty20 World Cup Final
The Road to the Final highlights from the complete tournament Interviews with the England players including Man of the Tournament Kevin Pietersen
Best of the Sixes
Tournament Stats

Product Description
On Sunday 16th May 2010, the English Cricket team made history by winning the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Led by captain Paul Collingwood, England beat their arch rivals Australia to win England s fi rst ever ICC trophy. This two disc DVD set contains the complete England and Australia final plus extended highlights of the complete tournament including the Pakistan vs Australia semifinal. Watch again the big hits and the amazing catches. Get swept away with the fanfare and the excitement that is Twenty20 cricket, set against the backdrop of the stunning surroundings of the Caribbean. This 2 disc set features: Full coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 Final, Extended highlights from the full tournament, Player interviews including the Man of the Tournament Kevin Pietersen and captain Paul Collingwood, Tournament statistics

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2010

DVD Description
On Sunday May 16th the English Cricket team made history by winning the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Led by captain Paul Collingwood, England comprehensively beat their arch-rivals Australia to win the first ICC trophy in their illustrious history!

Capturing the world with its big hitting, frantic run chases and tense finishes, this is the ideal opportunity to relive the moments that put England at the pinnacle of World cricket.

This packed 2 disc set features:
Full coverage of the Twenty20 World Cup Final
The Road to the Final highlights from the complete tournament Interviews with the England players including Man of the Tournament Kevin Pietersen
Best of the Sixes
Tournament Stats

Product Description
On Sunday 16th May 2010, the English Cricket team made history by winning the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Led by captain Paul Collingwood, England beat their arch rivals Australia to win England s fi rst ever ICC trophy. This two disc DVD set contains the complete England and Australia final plus extended highlights of the complete tournament including the Pakistan vs Australia semifinal. Watch again the big hits and the amazing catches. Get swept away with the fanfare and the excitement that is Twenty20 cricket, set against the backdrop of the stunning surroundings of the Caribbean. This 2 disc set features: Full coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 Final, Extended highlights from the full tournament, Player interviews including the Man of the Tournament Kevin Pietersen and captain Paul Collingwood, Tournament statistics

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon