India captain Dhoni 'rages against the machine'

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit out at the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (URDS) after a key decision went against his side in their dramatic World Cup tie with England. England, replying to India's 338 all out after Sachin Tendulkar's record-breaking fifth hundred in World Cup cricket, finished on 338 for eight following a magnificent career-best 158 from captain Andrew Strauss. Left-handed opener Strauss shared a vital third-wicket partnership of 170 with Ian Bell (69).

But their stand was worth just 52 when left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh thought he had Bell lbw on review for 17, with replays showing the ball would have hit the stumps. Bell had started to walk off but because New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden's verdict was not out, the decision was returned to him by Australian replay official

Rod Tucker and the Kiwi deemed Bell to be too far down the pitch. However, a capacity crowd of mainly passionate India fans were left bemused having seen Bell 'dismissed' on the Chinnaswamy Stadium's giant replay screens.

Bell himself clearly thought he was out, walking off the pitch before his clearly unexpected reprieve and Dhoni too couldn't understand why he was allowed to continue his innings. India have stood alone amongst major nations in refusing to use UDRS in Tests after getting on the wrong side of the system during a series away to Sri Lanka in 2008 where several reviews went against them. "The adulteration of technology with human thinking meant we didn't get that (Bell) wicket," said Dhoni.

He was unhappy with the instruction to umpires at this World Cup that says if a batsman is more than 2.5 metres down the pitch he should be given not out, unless the ball would have hit middle stump. It was not certain if Bell's middle stump would have been knocked over but Dhoni said: "If Hawkeye says it's good and going to hit middle stump, I see no reason why the distance matters. "Simon (Taufel) once gave me out (like that) in the Champions Trophy. If I can be given out, why not any other batsman? It is pretty difficult for me, what I saw was ball hitting the stumps." Dhoni praised left-arm quick Zaheer Khan for a burst of three wickets for one run in six balls, including two in two to get rid of Bell and Strauss, that swung the match back India's way when England were on course for victory. "Well you know the way they were going, I think they got off to a very good start, I think Andrew (Strauss) batted really well.

There was a time I think where it seemed they were going to chase the score in 48, 49 overs," he said. He added: "We could not win the match, but England too could not finish the game, both teams were facing defeat or victory at some point." England needed 14 off the last over, from seamer Munaf Patel, but managed just 13 despite a third ball six from tailender Ajmal Shahzad. But Dhoni said it was India's fielding, long their Achilles heel, that had cost them a second victory of this tournament to set alongside their 87-run opening win over fellow co-hosts Bangladesh. "We could have fielded better. With this tie, everyone in the team will realise that even one run is important," said the captain.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37253/india-captain-dhoni-rages-against-the-machine

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Kiwis struck by 'White Lightning' Donald impact

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori hailed former South African spearhead Allan Donald on Thursday, claiming he has revived the faltering confidence of the Black Caps seam attack.

Donald, known as "White Lightning" during his career, was hired as bowling coach in January by a New Zealand team which arrived at the World Cup having lost 14 of their previous 16 one-day internationals.

But they stopped the rot with a quickfire 10-wicket demolition of Kenya in their World Cup opener with fast bowler Hamish Bennett taking four wickets for 16.

Vettori was quick to praise Donald's effect on Bennett and fellow seamer Tim Southee.

"He's brought a wealth of experience but the biggest thing he has brought is confidence," the captain said.

"When a team hasn't been winning, to have him come into the side and instil the sort of confidence that he has and the knowledge that he has in some of our bowlers has been great.

"Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett particularly have worked really hard with him and enjoyed his expertise.

"Hopefully for a long time we get the fruits of that because he (Donald) has been a great fit and he's well revered within world cricket so that brings a lot to the team."

New Zealand face Australia here on Friday in their next Group A game.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37010/kiwis-struck-by-white-lightning-donald-impact

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Trans-Tasman rivals to meet in emotional clash

Allan Border has warned Australia to beware the threat of a New Zealand side riding a wave of emotion when the trans-Tasman rivals meet in a World Cup clash on Friday, overshadowed by the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

New Zealand's 15-man squad Tuesday desperately scrambled for news of loved ones caught up in the 6.3 magnitude quake which has left at least 98 dead, with the team admitting to being left shocked and numbed.

Former Australia captain Border, a World Cup winner in 1987, said the tragedy would give the Black Caps additional motivation.

"They're a side that tend to lift against Australia and given the recent events in Christchurch, they've got the added incentive to do well," Border told foxsports.com.au.

"Not that that should make that much difference, but you've got that incentive in the back of your mind to lift for the sake of your countrymen. They're a dangerous opponent, there's no doubt about that."

The Black Caps have seen physio Dayle Shackel return home for a week to leave then relying on Australian support staff here Friday.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said a win for his side over Australia could lift national spirits.

"The greatest thing we can do for a lot of people is to win the game against Australia. I think that will bring a bit of light relief to some people going through tough times," he said.

The fixture has been given an added edge by being designated this year's Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match as it is the only chance Australia and New Zealand have to play each other in 2010/11.

The trophy, named for the contributions of Australia's Chappell family and New Zealand's Hadlee clan to their respective national teams, is currently held by Australia after a 3-2 series win last year in New Zealand.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting goes into the match having been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after smashing a television set in a fit of fury after being run out during the champions' 91-run tournament opening win over Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on Monday.

Australia, bidding for an unprecedented fourth successive title and fifth in all, looked awkward against Zimbabwe left-arm spinner Ray Price in an otherwise convincing victory that stretched their unbeaten run in World Cup matches to 24 straight games dating back to 1999.

"We know that spin factor will be a big one in this tournament. We know these conditions and know how to play in India or Sri Lanka," Ponting said.

But Australia are without Michael Hussey, one of their best batsmen against spin, after doubts over his fitness following a hamstring injury saw the left-hander left at home.

With New Zealand boasting two fine slow bowlers in Vettori and Nathan McCullum, he would have been a valuable asset against the Black Caps.

"Hopefully it won't come back and hurt us at all," Ponting said of Hussey's controversial omission.

"We've got what we've got now. We understand that Mike was disappointed not to be in this squad in the first place.... The medicos and our selectors felt he wasn't fit enough to come away on the tour."

For New Zealand, who thrashed Kenya in their opener, the match promises to be a stern test of their World Cup ambitions but Vettori is confident his inconsistent side can raise their game.

"If we are going to do well over here, we are going to have to beat the likes of Australia," said Vettori, who backed the Black Caps top order, which includes powerful hitters such as Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder, to propel New Zealand to what would be a first World Cup crown.

"I really believe our top four, top five can win this tournament for us and I think they will find Australia's pace attack to their liking."

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37045/trans-tasman-rivals-to-meet-in-emotional-clash

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Dhoni warns hot-head Sreesanth to cool it

Chennai, (AFP): India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has warned controversial fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth to cut out the hot-headed theatrics at the World Cup.

Dhoni was left unimpressed by trouble-prone Sreesanth's latest antics in Wednesday's 117-run warm-up win over New Zealand when he fired a verbal volley at Kiwi opener Brendon McCullum.

The outburst came just four days after the bowler went face-to-face with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting when he made a gesture of a 'L' with his thumb and forefinger to imply 'Loser'.

Dhoni has now publically warned the 28-year-old, who was a late call-up to the India World Cup squad after Praveen Kumar withdrew with an injury, to curb his enthusiasm.
"I told him that he should not cross a few boundaries. If you want to irritate someone that should be the opposition and not your side," said Dhoni.

"Until he does both these things, I am really happy to let him do whatever he wants to do. As for his behaviour today, I don't think there was much. A bit of chit-chat is always fine. As I said, you should not get too personal with a player. If these guidelines are followed I am quite happy with it."

Sreesanth went wicketless in the match against the Black Caps, finishing with 0-38 off five bowlers. Dhoni has warned his seam attack that they need to improve once action begins in the World Cup on Saturday when India face Bangladesh in Dhaka.

India's batsmen plundered runs in Chennai before the spinners took seven wickets to seal an emphatic 117-run win. But the performance of the fast bowlers was a sore point with frontline left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra's two wickets costing 77 runs from 7.1 overs.
Sreesanth and Munaf Patel gave away more than six runs an over without any success while spearhead Zaheer Khan was rested to allow him to recover completely from a groin injury.

"The pacers definitely need to improve," Dhoni said. "They are currently not able to give 100 per cent in practice because we have asked our seamers to save themselves for the main games.

"Maybe that is what is reflecting in their performances. But hopefully, they will do well once the tournament starts and they put that extra effort." India, though, are not the only team having problems with their seamers.

Pakistan are sweating over the form and fitness of Shoaib Akhtar who is part of a pace attack already depleted by the absence of banned duo Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif.

Akhtar was not fielded in the warm-up win against Bangladesh on Tuesday despite all his talk about how he was back to his match-winning ways. "Shoaib is not in touch at the moment," coach Waqar Younis said. "If he gets it right against England in the next (warm-up) game on Friday, he is obviously our number one choice."

Akhtar, who last played a Test match in 2007 before being sidelined with a string of injuries, has claimed 244 one-day wickets in 160 matches at an average of 24.78.

Source: http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/story/cricket.yahoonews.com/dhoni-warns-hothead-sreesanth-cool--20110217/

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Can Kenya challenge Pakistan?

It's not the exciting Umar Akmal, the marauding Shahid Afridi, the blaster Abdul Razzaq, or the volatile Shoaib Akthar who captures the essence of this Pakistan team but the back-from-the-dead Misbah-ul-Haq. He was never supposed to be here, back playing international cricket. He was plagued by form issues, was not growing any younger, and just when you thought he was history, Pakistan made him the Test captain. They said he will prove a bad investment, that he will roll up and surrender but what did he do? He kept scoring fifties, also sparkled in the ODIs against New Zealand and nearly became the ODI captain. In many ways, the Pakistan team is like him. Spot-fixing, aging stars, cocky youngsters and loss of good bowlers to controversies should have rendered them impotent, but they are the dark horse in this tournament.
Pakistan showed in New Zealand that they like to play the game the 80's way: Start steady, build during the middle overs and explode in the end. They have Misbah and Younis Khan to build, the Akmal brothers and the Afridi-Razzaq combination to finish in style but in Ahmed Shehzad they have unearthed someone who can provide them with a fiery start. The loss of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir might hurt their Test team but Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Shoaib and the canny spinners Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal have enough skill in them to keep their ODI bandwagon up and running in style.

For their part, Kenya are trying to breathe after the demolition under the hands of New Zealand. For what it's worth, it could be the best thing that happened to them. Now they would know there is no point in trying to play a safe game and meander towards defeat. They were nervous in the first game, never dared to express themselves, and sunk without a trace. Even in that performance, there was evidence that they possess a few batsmen with some flair. Collins Obuya flirted, albeit briefly, with flamboyance, Steve Tikolo will be itching to script a memorable swan song, Alex Obanda is an attacking batsman and the young Seren Waters seems to possess the skill required to belong at this level. They beat Netherlands in a friendly in Dubai and lost a close game in a warm-up encounter in this tournament. You feel they are a much better team than the outfit that turned up against New Zealand. Can they shed their big-stage nerves?

Form guide
(Most recent first for the last five completed games)
Pakistan: LWWWL
Kenya: LWLWL
Pitch and conditions
It looks a typical subcontinental batting track and a run feast is expected.
Watch out for…
Seren Waters reminded one of Kane Williamson: Compact, technically correct and in this day and age, showed an almost old-fashioned preference to get completely behind the line of deliveries. His captain rates him as the batsman who has got the skill and the inclination to bat long.
Ahmed Shehzad provides the much-needed fire at the top order. He loves to loft straight and frequently uses the fierce mow over midwicket as his go-to shot under pressure. His 115 against New Zealand in the last series also showed that he was willing to be cautious against the moving ball, under conditions which demanded that, before counter-attacking his way out of trouble. If he can continue to show such judicious shot selections, he can help Pakistan launch solid starts.

Team news
Pakistan are keen on playing both Younis and Misbah in the XI but Afridi suggested that they might not be played at No.4 and 5 to ensure the run-rate doesn't slacken. It's also learnt that Shoaib Akhtar will be given a go despite concerns over his form.

Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmad Shahzad, 3 Kamran Akmal (wk), 4 Younis Khan, 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Misbah-ul-Haq, 7 Shahid Afridi (capt), 8 Abdur Razzaq, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Shoaib Akhtar

Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande got hit on the side of the head by a ball in practice and there was some swelling, but he is expected to play tomorrow.

Kenya (probable) 1 Seren Waters, 2 Alex Obanda, 3 Collins Obuya, 4 Rakep Patel, 5 Steve Tikolo, 6 Maurice Ouma (wk), 7 Jimmy Kamande (capt), 8 Thomas Odoyo, 9 James Ngoche, 10 Shem Ngoche, 11 Nehemiah Odhiambo

Try picking the XIs for tomorrow's game by playing Team Selector.

Stats and trivia
Pakistan and Kenya have faced each other five times with Pakistan winning all the encounters. Kenya have gone past 150 only once against Pakistan.
Afridi's has 288 sixes, the record for most sixes in one-dayers. Sanath Jayasuriya is second with 270.
Quotes
"We don't want Misbah and Younis batting together so that we can keep momentum and the scoreboard ticking."
Shahid Afridi suggests Pakistan will be using a floating batting line-up to ensure the pace never slackens

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Highlights India Vs New Zealand 16 February 2011 World Cup Warm Up Match

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