March 7, 2018 issue
Cricket
It took Australia 18 minutes and 22 balls to claim the last South African wicket when De Kock swung across the line and was lbw to Josh Hazlewood for 83.
South Africa were bowled out for 298, adding five runs to their overnight total of 293 for nine. The win gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
Just before the rapid conclusion of the match, however, video footage emerged showing Aussie firebrand Warner pointing and directing a verbal barrage at De Kock during Sunday’s play at Kingsmead before he was restrained and pulled away by his team-mates. The incident reportedly took place as the players were returning to their dressing rooms at tea.
“Cricket Australia is aware of reports of an incident between players in Durban,” a CA spokesman said in a statement. “CA is working to establish the facts of what has occurred and will not be commenting further until that has been done.”
The Australians had earlier been criticised for their ebullient celebration of the dramatic run-out of Proteas’ star batsman A.B. de Villiers.
De Villiers was run out for nought after being involved in a mix-up with opening batsman Aiden Markram, with Warner playing a key fielding role in securing the crucial wicket.
The vice-captain then led ecstatic celebrations with his team-mates as Nathan Lyon, who had knocked off the bails, dropped the ball towards a sprawled De Villiers as he ran over to join them.
In a statement issued by Cricket South Africa on Monday, team manager Mohammed Moosajee said: “It’s rather unfortunate that the incident took place and certainly not in the spirit of the game.
“The match referee had spoken to us after the day’s play. We will await any further communication from the ICC around this incident.”
The Australians’ behaviour was slammed by former South African captain Graeme Smith, who told CA’s cricket.com.au website in Durban that Lyon as an experienced cricketer would “probably say (his action) was unnecessary himself”.
“We’ve got used to Davey [Warner] over the years. I think the less interest you take in him the better,” Smith added. “He can be a bit of a fool at times. It’s best just to let him be.”
The match was effectively won and lost in the first innings when Australia took a lead of 189 runs.
Half-centuries by Warner and skipper Steve Smith and 96 by Mitchell Marsh enabled Australia to make 351.
Early wickets by off-spinner Lyon and a devastating spell of fast reverse swing bowling by Mitchell Starc sent South Africa tumbling to 162 in reply.
South Africa fought back in the second half of the match, bowling with more purpose to bowl out the tourists for 227, then recovering from a nightmare start to their second innings, largely through Markram, who made 143, and De Kock.
The batting of the lower order of the teams was a significant difference. Australia’s last five wickets fell for a total of 166 runs over the two innings, while South Africa could muster only 27 runs over the same period.
Starc had match figures of nine for 109 and was particularly effective against South Africa’s tailenders.
Summary Scores:
Australia (1st Innings) 351 South Africa (1st Innings) 162 Australia (2nd Innings) 227 South Africa (2nd Innings, overnight 293-9)
Australia won by 118 runs.
Sri Lanka to win vs India in
Nidahas Trophy 2018
Following Shikhar Dhawan’s brilliant 90 off 49 balls which boosted India to 174/5, Sri Lanka looked to be aggressive but they lost Kusal Mendis cheaply to Washington Sundar. Perera stepped up and got off the mark in style by slog sweeping Sundar for a six over deep mid wicket.
The third over of the innings, bowled by Shardul Thakur, witnessed carnage. In the first ball, he swatted a short ball over mid wicket, guided a slightly wide ball past the gap at backward point and drilled a full ball past long off for hat-trick of boundaries. With Thakur’s length messed up, the bowler bowled a slow ball which was mauled over deep mid wicket for a six. After smashing a high full toss to sweeper cover for the fourth boundary in the over, Kusal blasted another loose ball to the deep extra cover fence.
The 27-run over from Thakur completely shifted the momentum to Sri Lanka and he continued on his aggressive ways by whacking Yuzvendra Chahal straight down the ground to near his landmark. In the first ball of the eighth over bowled by debutant Vijay Shankar, Perera slapped a short ball to cover and notched up the landmark.
Kusal’s fifty has given Sri Lanka hope of ending their Twenty20 hoodoo against India.
start as favourites
The final leg to make it to the 2019 World Cup kicks off in Zimbabwe. Ten teams will put their claims forward and, with only two places up for grabs, the competition will be immense. Here is how these World Cup Qualifiers work:
The ten teams participating are divided into two groups of five teams each. The top three from each group go through into a Super Six stage and the teams will play the three sides they did not face in the group stage.
The points won in the group stages, will be carried forward in the Super Six stage, apart from those gained from the bottom two from the group. The top two teams from the Super Six, will qualify for the World Cup, and play in a final.
The Netherlands, who won the World Championship League, and the top three Associate members in these Qualifiers, will earn ODI status till 2022.
The Contenders
West Indies
The two-time World Champions, the West Indies, will start as overwhelming favourites. That being said, it is really startling to see them here contesting these World Cup Qualifiers. This has been a result of years of sub-standard performances and some unrest behind the scenes.
The West Indies are currently ninth on the ICC ODI Rankings. It is time to get serious now, because if the warm-up matches are anything to go by, the West Indies have some serious concerns. In their two games against Afghanistan and UAE, they were dismissed for paltry scores of 110 and 115 respectively. Any such scores in the main tournament could mean catastrophe.
The squad, though, has experience and the West Indies will bank on that experience. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels have the experience of 467 ODIs put together and they have had success in T20 World Cups. The form might be bleak, but West Indies start as favourites, and they will rely on their stalwarts.
West Indies Squad: Jason Holder(C), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Jason Mohammed, Devendra Bishoo, Sheldon Cottrell, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach.
Afghanistan
The recent years for Afghan Cricket have been marvellous. Achieving Test status, appearances at the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20 and good performances against Test-playing nations like West Indies and Zimbabwe, Afghanistan go into these World Cup Qualifiers with momentum.
They are tenth on the ICC ODI Rankings and is testament for their steady rise. In their last ten bilateral ODI Series, Afghanistan have won six, drawn two and lost only two. The Afghans have won 22 out of the 38 ODIs in this time.
They possess some of the world’s most in-demand T20 players too, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Zadran all have had success in T20 leagues around the world. They too possess experience and with the recent exposure to ICC events, they are one of the top contenders to qualify for the World Cup.
Afghanistan Squad: Rashid Khan(C), Ihsanullah Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran.
Ireland
Another team who has had a good time in the recent past is Ireland. Like Afghanistan, they too were given Test status. Their recent ODI form is patchy but to be fair to them, most of their bilateral assignments have come against established Test-playing nations in South Africa, Pakistan, Australia and England.
Amongst the associates, Ireland have the most experience. They have played the established sides more often and have participated at ICC events more often.
It is this experience which Ireland will look to use. William Porterfield, Ed Joyce, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Niall O’Brien, Gary Wilson and George Dockrell have all played over 75 ODIs and have represented Ireland in many ICC events.
Ireland bank on these players and they will be called upon to make these World Cup Qualifiers a success.
Ireland Squad: William Porterfield(C), Ed Joyce, James Shannon, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O’Brien, Gary Wilson, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin.
Zimbabwe
The hosts are in with more than a shout too. The financial problems surrounding Zimbabwe Cricket have been unfortunate and this has led them in calling out a few old stalwarts. Brendan Taylor has come out of retirement.
For many of their players, this could be their final swan-song. They will like a final appearance at a World Cup and home conditions in these World Cup Qualifiers could work in their favour. Experience is in abundance here too. Almost half the side has played over 75 ODIs and are over 30 years of age.
Their form though is a cause for concern.
They have lost four bilateral series to Afghanistan in the last three years, and have suffered clean sweeps against India and Bangladesh. They have only won 15 out of their last 45 ODIs, a series win over Sri Lanka their only noteworthy performance. With Zimbabwe Cricket in a poor state, a World Cup qualification would be immense.
Zimbabwe Squad: Greame Cremer(C), Craig Ervine, Malcolm Waller, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Cephas Zhuwawo, Tendai Chisoro, Brendan Taylor, Peter Moor, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis, Brian Vitori.
Netherlands
The Dutch had a World Championship League to savour and that meant they now have ODI status till 2022. This comes at a time where they most needed it.
Netherlands last played an ODI series in 2013.
This shows in their ODI careers. Only captain Peter Borren has played over 50 ODIs. They do possess some quality players. Ryan ten Doeschate has played cricket everywhere around the world and has been named the ICC’s Associate Player of the Year on three previous occasions. Their last appearance at an ICC event came at the 2014 World T20 so they are long overdue an ICC event participation.
Netherlands, though inexperienced, have been ever present in associate cricket and have performed well. Can they spring a surprise?
Netherlands Squad: Peter Borren(C), Sikander Zulfiqar, Fred Klaassen, Ryan ten Doeschate, Ben Cooper, Vivian Kingma, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Wesley Barresi, Max ODowd, Peter Seelaar, Shane Snater.
Scotland
The Scots go in to these World Cup Qualifiers as another team with some experience at ICC events. That being said, they have last played a test-playing nation in ODI cricket back in 2014, they played Zimbabwe last year.
They played at the 2015 World Cup and found a couple of good players in Kyle Coetzer, Alasdair Evans and Calum Mac-Leod. Whether they can translate it into consistent performance in Zimbabwe remains to be seen. Experience here seems to be short but that would mean that Scotland could be dark horses at these qualifiers.
Scotland Squad: Kyle Coetzer(C), George Munsey, Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Alasdair Evans, Matthew Cross, Craig Wallace, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal, Stu Whittingham.
The Others
UAE have had appearances at the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 Asia Cup so that does not make them unknowns just yet. Shaiman Anwar in particular impressed at both tournaments. Amir Hayat and Rohan Mustafa are big players for UAE and it would take a special effort to make it to the World Cup.
Nepal made it to these World Cup Qualifiers in thrilling fashion by the narrowest of margins. A series of nerve-shredding, last-ditch wins at World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia last month, culminating in that extraordinary 51-run last-wicket stand between Sandeep Lamichanne and Karan KC to pull off a last-ball victory over Canada in the semi-final saw Paras Khadka’s side book their tickets to Zimbabwe. It would take another miracle to make it to the World Cup but they have announced themselves.
Papua New Guinea are outsiders too and they are looking for inspiration. Hong Kong too hope for one.
UAE Squad: Rohan Mustafa(C), Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Rameez Shahzad, Chirag Suri, Mohammad Naveed, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed, Mohammad Boota, Zahoor Khan, Ghulam Shabber, Muhammad Usman.
Nepal Squad: Paras Khadka(C), Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Vesawkar, Dipendra Singh Airee, Shakti Gauchan, Basant Regmi, Sompal Kami, Aarif Sheikh, Lalit Rajbanshi, KC Karan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dilip Nath, Lalit Bhandari, Anil Sah, Rohit Kumar.
Papua New Guinea Squad: Assad Vala(C), Kiplin Doriga, Charles Amini, Mahuru Dai, Vani Morea, Sese Bau, Jason Kila, John Reva, Norman Vanua, Tony Ura, Jack Vare, Alei Nao, Damien Ravu, Lega Siaka, Chad Soper.
Hong Kong Squad: Babar Hayat(C), Simandeep Singh, Anshuman Rath, Waqas Barkat, Ahsan Abbasi, Aizaz Khan, Nizakat Khan, Tanwir Afzal, Christopher Carter, Scott McKechnie, Shahid Wasif, Ehsan Khan, Ehsan Nawaz, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanveer Ahmed.
WI captain Holder
Jason Holder has sounded the call for fans to rally round the West Indies team as they begin their campaign to earn a place in the 2019 World Cup.
A team which was an automatic pick in each of the past 11 editions, back-to-back champions in 1975 and 1979, now has to go through a qualifying tournament to even take part in the ICC event. But, after expressing disappointment at such a turn of events, Holder invoked the rich history of West Indies cricket and announced that they were putting things in place to win a third world title.
"All the guys are motivated and we know what's at stake," he said. "I see it as an opportunity for us to grab some momentum heading into next year's World Cup, get some games under our belt, finalise our combinations, get things right and hopefully turn things around in terms of the ODI format. It's probably one of our weaker formats and no doubt that we've been inconsistent. Obviously it's something we've addressed and moving forward I think hopefully we should see some good performances."
West Indies made it to the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup, but since then they have won only 8 out of 42 ODIs. Their win-loss ratio of 0.2 is the poorest out of all the teams that have played the format over the past three years.
Considering they are going into a qualifying tournament that entertains 10 competitors but allows only two to progress, West Indies would be pleased to have some of the big players back. Chris Gayle has come off a two-year ODI hiatus in 2017. Marlon Samuels, who has a history of saving his best for World Cups, is also back in the squad having missed their most recent 50-over assignment in New Zealand.
"I must commend a guy like Chris, also a guy like Marlon, who've come here with that motivation to do well for West Indies and give us a chance to play another World Cup. As I said to the ground, it's an opportunity to finish their careers well."
West Indies will be facing teams that have done well against them in the recent past. In 2017, they suffered a colossal loss to Afghanistan. In 2016, with a place in a tri-series final on the line, they were beaten by Zimbabwe. And Ireland knocked them over with ease in the last World Cup. Nevertheless Holder was confident his players will place their best foot forward.
United Arab Emirates won by 56 runs (D/L method)
2nd Match, Group A: Ireland v Netherlands at Harare - Mar 4
Ireland won by 93 runs (D/L method)
3rd Match, Group B: Zimbabwe v Nepal at Bulawayo - Mar 4
Zimbabwe won by 116 runs
4th Match, Group B: Afghanistan v Scotland at Bulawayo - Mar 4
Scotland won by 7 wickets (with 16 balls remaining)
8th Match, Group B: Hong Kong v Scotland at Bulawayo - Mar 6
Scotland won by 4 wickets (with 159 balls remaining)
5th Match, Gr A: Ireland v Papua New Guinea at Harare - Mar 6
Ireland won by 4 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)
6th Match, Gr A: UAE v West Indies at Harare - Mar 6, 2018
West Indies won by 60 runs
7th Match, Gr B: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo - Mar 6
Zimbabwe won by 2 runs
12th Match, Gr B: Afghanistan v Hong Kong at Bulawayo - Mar 8
11th Match, Group B: Nepal v Scotland at Bulawayo - Mar 8
9th Match, Group A: Netherlands v UAE at Harare - Mar 8
10th Match, Gr A: PNG v West Indies at Harare - Mar 8
16th Match, Group B: Afghanistan v Nepal at Bulawayo - Mar 10
13th Match, Group A: Ireland v West Indies at Harare - Mar 10,
14th Match, Gr A: Netherlands v PNG at Harare - Mar 10
15th Match, Gr B: Zimbabwe v Hong Kong at Bulawayo - Mar 10
19th Match, Group B: Hong Kong v Nepal at Bulawayo - Mar 12
18th Match, Group A: Ireland v UAE at Harare - Mar 12
17th Match, Gr A: Netherlands v West Indies at Harare - Mar 12
20th Match, Gr B: Zimbabwe v Scotland at Bulawayo - Mar 12
2nd Super: TBA v TBA at Bulawayo - Mar 15, 2018
Play off: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 15, 2018
Play off: TBA v TBA at Kwekwe - Mar 15, 2018
1st Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 15, 2018
3rd Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 16, 2018
7th Place Play off: TBA v TBA at Kwekwe - Mar 17, 2018
9th Place Play off: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 17, 2018
4th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 18, 2018
5th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 19, 2018
6th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 20, 2018
7th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 22, 2018
8th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 22, 2018
9th Super: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 23, 2018
Final: TBA v TBA at Harare - Mar 25, 2018