Match 12: Consolation win for Sri Lanka!

This match with the result having no impact in the final helped Sri Lanka to go home with a pride of beating the world champions!

Winning the toss and deciding to bat, Sri Lanka posed 221 in 50 overs. Jayawardane scored 50, Dilshan scored 62, Silva scored 35, which helped Sri Lanka to reach 200-run mark. Bracken took 4 wickets and Lee ended with 2.

Australia looking for an easy win, started with the wonderful first wicket partnership of 107 runs in 15 overs. Hayden rested for this match--an indirect punishment for his comment about Harbhajan in the radio interview. This provided an opportunity to the future wicket keeper of Australia to open the innings with the soon-to-be retired keeper cum batsman Gilchrist. Out of the 107, Hopes scored 28 and was dismissed by Muralitharan. Then the wickets started falling like the nine pins. From 107 for no loss, Sri Lanka took 8 wickets for 51 runs putting pressure on the tail enders to score the remaining 64 runs to win. Ponting (1), Clarke (0), Symonds (0), Hussey (5), Haddin (7) were dimissed in single digit--like a telephone number. Hogg scored 21 and Lee scored 37 which gave some hope to Australia, but good bowling by all the bowlers turned the match in Sri Lankan's way. Australia requiring 49 off last 11 overs with 2 wickets in hand lost Johnson in the first ball of 40th over. Lee and Bracken played till the 48th over and in 2 overs requiring 14, but Jayasuria bowled Lee in the 1st ball of the 49th over, taking 4 consolation points.

Final Score:

Sri Lanka 221 in 50 overs (Jayawardane 50, Dilshan 62, Silva 35, Lee 2 for 55, Bracken 4 for 29) beat Australia 208 in 49.1 overs (Gilchrist 83, Hopes 28, Lee 37, Kulasekara 2 for 36, Amerasinghe 3 for 44, Muralitharan 2 for 42)

Man of the Match: Gilchrist (Australia)

Match 11: India enters Final with easy win over Sri Lanka!

Everything went right for India including the crucial toss and rightly asking Sri Lanka to bat first. In this crucial tie between India and Sri Lanka, the win for India would take them to Finals and if Sri Lanka wins, they have to win the other match to move to Finals.

Perera, lacking experience, was bowled by Sharma for 8. Then Jayasuriya and Sangakkara created a new partnership and posed a threat to Indians. Praveen Kumar broke the partnership and struck 3 times in each of his first three overs.

Sangakkara was the first victim of Praveen Kumar caught by Dhoni. Jayawardane was caught at point and then Silva was caught by Dhoni again.

Jayasuriya was dismissed for 34 by Pathan and Ishanth dismissed Dilshan for 8 and Vaas for zero. Ishanth two blows left Sri Lanka struggling at 93 for 7 in the 26th over. The 46-run partnership between Kapugedera and Malinga helped Sri Lanka to set the score beyond 150. Kapugedera was the last batsman to be dismissed for 57 off 86 balls with 4 fours.

Uthappa along with Sachin added 18 for the first wicket before Uthappa was caught by Amerasinghe of Malinga. Tendulkar and Gambhir played sensibly and added 102 for the 2nd wicket. Tendulkar was back to his form and was showing the way to the rest of the youngsters in the team. While trying to play over extra covers of Muralitharan, Tendular's lofted shot ended in long off fielder's hand leaving India another 60 runs in 30 overs. Yuvaraj scored a quick 36 off 35 balls with 4 fours and a six. He was out of Perera when the score was 171. With 9 to get in 20.2 overs, it was easy for Gambhir and Rohit Sharma to finish the task. Gambhir was not out on 63 off 89 balls with 5 fours.

With this win, India's point tally raised to 17 including bonus point and Sri Lanka is out of the tournament. India qualify for the final!

Final Score:

Sri Lanka 179 in 47.1 overs (Jayasuriya 34, Sangakkara 33, Kapugedera 57, Ishanth Sharma 4 for 41, Praveen Kumar 4 for 31) lost to India 180 for 3 in 32.2 overs (Tendulkar 63, Gambhir 63 not out, Yuvaraj 36)
Man of the Match: Praveen Kumar (India)

Match 10: Aussies win the thriller! Do-or-Die for India and Sri Lanka!

One more thriller and the result in favour of Australia! Although the match was in favour of Australia all through the game, the later part of the Indian innings created havoc in Aussies mind. If Uthappa and Harbhajan had stayed for few more deliveries, probably India would have clinched the spot to the final with ease.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat first in the beautiful track. Gilchrist played superb shorts, but fell quickly to Sreesanth. The catch was taken by Dhoni using the controversial gloves. Then skipper Ricky and Hayden studied the innings well with Ricky finally getting back to his form with fluent strokes. Let it be a shot ball on the off or on, it was easy for Pointing to score either a four or a six. Few shots in the air didn't land in the fielders hand, but that didn't stop Pointing from scoring a brilliant century.

From the beginning, Australia maintained more than 8 runs per over and the score was 100 for 1 in 12 overs. Hayden scored 54 and he was run out by Rohit Sharma. The good fielding by the youngster in the covers and throw at the non-strikers end was thought to be a break through by the Indians, but Symonds changed the course of the game through his powerful hits. He scored 59 off 49 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Thke sower in-swinger from Ishanth Sharma bowled Symonds--some words were exchanged.

India lost Tendulkar early, but superb century from Gambhir, sensible batting from Dhoni and aggressive batting of Uthappa provided a light chance for India to win. The game turned towards India when Uthappa and Dhoni were batting. Even when Uthappa and Harbhajan were batting, everybody thought of a winning chance for India! Brilliant slower off-spin from Lee remove Harbhajan and the next delivery sent Uthappa to pavilion when he tried to hit over long on. The chance was very slim and India lost the game by 18 runs leading to a crucial game against the Do-or-die battle with Sri Lanka.

Gambhir scored his 113 off 119 balls with 10 fours and 1 six, Uthappa's 51 came from just 46 balls with 4 fours and a six; Lee took 5 wickets and the pick of the bowler.

To enter final, India has to either win or make this as a no-result game or make it a tie. If India loses this match, then India's chances depends on the match between Sri Lanka and Australia!

Final Score:
Australia 317 for 7 in 50 overs (Hayden 54; Pointing 124; Michael Clark 31; Symonds 59; Sreesanth 2 for 58) beat India 299 all out in 49.1 overs (Gambhir 113; Dhoni 36; Uthappa 51; Lee 5 for 58; Stuart Clark 2 for 55)

Man of the Match: Pointing (Australia)

Match 9: Bad Luck for Sri Lanka, Chance for India to Enter Final!!

Rain saves Australia, proves costly for Sri Lanka. Winning the toss and rightly decided to field, Sri Lanka restricted Australia to 184 in 50 overs. Only Clarke and Hussey showed some fight, but couldn't take past beyond 200 mark. Maharoof was the pick of the bowlers and he maintained the line and length very well. Aussies were losing wickets regularly except for 90-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Hussey and Clarke.

Sri Lankan innings didn't start well; once again, they lost the openers with 3 runs on the board. Sangakkara and Jayawardane built the innings this time too, but that was not enough was Sri Lanka. When both of them were out, the score was 64 in 25 overs. Silva and Dilashan played sensibly to take the score to 77 in the 30th over. The rain stopped the play and it never looked like resuming again. As per Duckworth/Lewis method, Sri Lanka should have reached 102 in 29.3 overs, but they were 77. So, Aussies won by 24 runs and are ready to play India in the next game.

Now, for Sri Lanka to enter the finals they have to win both the matches and India has to lose the match against Australia.

Final Score:
Australia 184 for 6 in 50 overs (Michale Clarke 50, Hussey 64 not out, Maharoof 2 for 20, Muralitharan 2 for 37) beat Sri Lanka by 24 runs in D/L method--77 for 4 in 29.3 overs but should have scored 102 in 29.3 overs to win when rain stopped play (Jayawardane 27, Stuart Clark 2 for 8)

Man of the Match: Hussey (Australia)

Match 8: India wins the Thriller! Take 4 Crucial Points!

Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a moderate score of 238 for 6 in 50 overs.

Though the start was not good for Sri Lanka losing 2 crucial wickets of Jayasuria and Dilshan for 6 runs, it was Jayawardane and Sangakkara whose 153 run partnership for the 3rd wicket gave a chance for Sri Lanka to fight back. Sangakkara was dismissed in the penultimate over for 128. He played well throughout the innings giving tough jobs for the bowlers. His 128 came off 155 balls with 12 fours. Jayawardane scored 71 off 99 balls with 4 fours and a six. The turning point of the Sri Lankan innings was the run out of Jayawardane.

Indian innings started with a big blow--Sachin was bowled by Malinga with a superb unplayable delivery. The top order collapsed once again for India with Gambhir (15) and Uthappa (10) back in the pavilion with 35 on the score board. Rohit and Yuvaraj added useful 64 before Rohit was dismissed by Muralitharan for 24. Then, it was completely upto Dhoni, the skipper and Yuvaraj, the deputy. Yuvaraj played his first best game of this tour with a superb 76 off 70 balls with 10 fours and a six. This created an opportunity for India to see the victory line. With Yuvaraj departing at 158 and India requiring another 81 off 17 overs, Pathan joined Dhoni and added 58 runs which regained the hope of winning the match. With 23 required off 27 balls, the match was toggling between India and Sri Lanka. Both Pravin Kumar and Harbhajan were dismissed cheaply for 6 and 3 respectively. Finally with 2 wickets in hand, and 3 runs required off 8 balls, Dhoni lead India to winning runs by pushing the ball to covers and running 2 runs. He also reached 50 while scoring those 2 winning runs. Amerasinghe took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka.

Final Score:

Sri Lanka 238 for 6 in 50 overs (Sangakkara 128, Jayawardane 71) lost to India 239 for 8 in 49.1 overs (Yuvaraj 76, Dhoni 50 Not Out, Pathan 31, Amerasinghe 3 for 49, Malinga 2 for 37)

Man of the Match: Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Match 7: Easy 4 Points missed by India!

What seemed to be an easy win for Indians with bonus points actually turned upside down! Aussies finished this match with 5 points almost confirming their birth to the final.
Indian batting collapses in regular intervals and Aussies ensured that no big partnerships are built in the innings.
Chasing a moderate score of 204 in 50 overs, India were 4 down for 59 in 16 overs. Sachin's leg before decision again raised questions, but Pathan and Gambhir built the innings to 55. Both of them were timing the ball well and India was crusing along well with no hurry and tension. But, it did not last long as Pathan (14), Gambhir (34) and Rohit Sharma (1) were dismissed in a span of 8 balls leaving India struggle.
Though it looked like Yuvaraj and Dhoni were building the innings, the poor shot selection of Yuvaraj landed in the hands of Stuart Clark at long-on. Dhoni suffered hamstrung and had Rohit as a runner for him. The turning point of the match was the run-out of Dhoni when Rohit did not make his crease on time.
After that, it was tail-enders and Aussies did a good job in wrapping them up.
Earlier, except Michael Clark, rest of the batsman did not make a big contribution. He was the single man army who take the score beyond 200. The irresistible Ishanth and Irfan caused the damage in Australian innings. Ishanth took 2 wickets and Irfan ended with 4.
Gilchrist was the first to go bowled through inner edge of Ishanth. Ricky followed him scoring 10 off 14 balls caught at point of Munaf Patel. Hayden dismissed in the next over for 13. Andrew Symonds also didn't last long and he was caught by Uthappa for 3; Hussey followed by at 5. Hopes provided a short company to Clark and when he was 19 was beautifully stumped by Dhoni of Harbhajan.
Struggling at 112 for 6 at one stage, Clark and Hogg built the innings with a 72-run partnership 15 overs. Hogg was run out giving chance to Clark, the in-form batsman. Clarke was dismissed trying to increase the score caught by Ishanth in the deep of Irfan.

Final Score
Australia 203 for 9 in 50 overs (Michael Clark 79; Brad Hogg 32; Ishanth 2 for 32; Pathan 4 for 41) beat India 153 in 41.2 overs (Gambhir 34; Yuvaraj 26; Dhoni 37; Bracken 2 for 21; Johnson 3 for 42; Hopes 2 for 16; Hogg 2 for 30)
Man of the Match: Michael Clark (Australia)

6th Match: Australia beat Sri Lanka

In the crucial last match of the 2nd round of the league, Australia beat Sri Lanka by 63 runs. Thanks to brilliant century by the soon-retiring man Gilchrist. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Usual pair of Gilchrist and Hayden opened the innings, but the partnership this time did not last long. Hayden was dismissed by Malinga in the fourth over of the game. Pointing looking to get his form back was out for 25 off Vaas. The field setting was very good by Jayawardane where he positioned himself in the slip and got a straight catch to dismiss Pointing.

The 105 run 3rd wicket partnership off 145 balls between Gilchrist and Clarke (43) helped Australia to come back in the game. Both Clarke and Symonds were dismissed in the span of 8 balls. Hussey contributed 25 off 28 balls and rest of the tail didn't score well to take Australia beyond 250. Gilchrist played well for his 118 off 132 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes and when he was out, the score was 206 for 5 in 43.2 overs. The last 6.2 overs brought only 30 runs for Aussies, who ended with 236 all out in 49.4 overs. Malinga took 4 wickets and Kulasekara ended with 2 wickets.

Though Sri Lankan chase started well with 29 in 3 overs, Bracken gave the break through by sending Jayasuria for 12. No one except Sangakkara handled the bowling attack. He scored 80 off 114 balls with 4 fours. Dilshan (12), Jayawardane (21), and Kapugedera (26) were the only two digit scorers. Wicket fell regularly and none of the batsman provided company to Sangakkara to build the innings. Sri Lankan's were bowled out for 173 in 45.3 overs.

Final Score
Australia 236 in 49.4 overs (Gilchrist 118, Ponting 25, Clarke 43, Hussey 25, Malinga 4 for 47, Kulasekara 2 for 52) beat Sri Lanka 173 in 45.3 overs (Sangakkara 80, Kapugedera 26, Bracken 3 for 21, Johnson 3 for 29, Hogg 2 for 41)
Man of the Match: Gilchrist (Australia)