Happy Valentine's Day. Oops! Sorry Cricket's biggest extravaganza began today. Today there were two big games to start a world cup. In the darkness of the night I checked my phone for time and it showed 3:30. I switched on the tv quietly at 4:00.
Game 1: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first on the pitch which had even bounce and not much swing. It was a pitch on which ball was coming on to the bat nicely and New Zealand was off to a flyer. McCullum took full advantage of home conditions and smashed Sri Lankan bowlers all over the ground. McCullum's blistering knock of 65 gave New Zealand the start it wanted. Guptill also played sensibly till his personal score of 49 then he gave it away. Among Sri Lankan bowlers only Lakmal troubled the kiwi batsmen. All other bowlers were giving runs way too easily.
After McCullum and Guptill, Williamson steadied the ship but he also got out after hitting the half-century. Then it was time for Anderson show. Sri Lanka has come out with strategy to bowl wide outside the off stump to Anderson so that he doesn't get opportunity to free his arms. Corey Anderson picked that strategy very quickly and started smashing Sri Lankan bowlers on the off side with ease. It didn't worked for Sri Lanka rather Sri Lankan bowlers started bowling in his hitting zone at the end. Anderson's quick fire 75 took New Zealand to the score of 330.
In reply Sri Lanka started well but Vettori used his experience to get Dilshan. Boult got Thirimanne on 65 who was looking in damn good touch. Then Vettori again used his experience to greater effect to get Jayawardene. As expected there was noone to take responsibility to bat through the innings after Jayawardene and Sangakkara. Sri Lanka's batting was exposed in this match. Now they have to find the batsman in lower middle order who can bat through the innings to survive in this world cup.
Game 2: Australia vs England
In game 2 England won the toss and chose to field first. From the first over itself english bowlers were on to the task. Finch was dropped on zero by Woakes then Warner and Finch made the partnership of 50. Australia lost three quick wickets after that and England was back in the game. In this match Bailey and Finch steadied the ship. Finch made most of the chance he got on zero. He went on to make a 100 on his home ground. Bailey on the other hand also made a half century.
Finch and Bailey went in quick succession but Maxwell came in all guns blazing. He made 50 of just 30 balls. Maxwell and Haddin took Australian score to 342 in 50 overs. The only highlight of England's bowling was hat-trick picked up by Finn on last three balls of innings but it was too late. We all know that England's weak point is their batting in this world cup. No one really showed character in the batting as Mitchell Marsh easily went through their batting line-up. Morgan who had an average of 100 as a captain hasn't opened his account since last four innings. Only Taylor stood by and was unbeaten on 98 in the end. As a result Australia won.
Overall a good start to world cup we saw a hundered, a hat-trick and lot of power hitting. Day 2 has more excitement as South Africa take on Zimbabwe in African derby and mother of all cricket matches India vs Pakistan is the other game. It is going to be really exciting.
Great Post !
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