Gunasekera And Gordon Take Canada To Victory

Jeremy Gordon (third from right) took eight wickets in the match.

Canada 436 (Gunasekera 150) & 68-2 beat
Netherlands 164 (Raza 4-8) & 336 by 8 wickets
ICC Intercontinental Cup, King City

The bottom two sides in the ICC Intercontinental Cup did battle at King City in Ontario and it was Canada who came out on top over the Netherlands to move up to fifth in the eight-team table.

Ruvindu Gunasekera was their star player, hitting 150 to help them earn a huge first innings lead and then hastening them to victory and finishing the match with a six to finish on 44 off 24 balls today.

It was Canada who inserted their guests upon winning the toss on Thursday and they immediately capitalised by bowling the Dutch out for 164. Eric Szwarczynski hit 57 and actually helped his side reach the good position of 132 for two at one stage alongside Michael Swart (31) and Tim Gruijters (29).

However, Cecil Pervez (2-45) had Szwarczynski trapped LBW to spark a collapse of eight for 32. All-rounder Raza-ur-Rehman and Guyana-born fast-bowler Jeremy Gordon did most of the damage. The former took four of the remaining seven wickets to fall, including those of Daan van Bunge (5) and Wesley Barresi (6), to end with incredible figures of four for eight off 8.3 overs. Gordon took the other three and ended with four for 56 to continue his good recent form in the competition.

Gunasekera then helped Canada survive a wobble towards the end of day one which saw them lose three wickets for eight runs to dangerous 18 year-old fast-bowler Vivian Kingma. Kingma broke the opening stand of 35 by bowling Hiral Patel for 15 and then cleaned up Nitish Kumar and Raza-ur-Rehman for ducks. Ashish Bagai then joined Gunasekera and the pair took their side to stumps on 116 for four.

If day one had belonged to the bowlers, then the second day certainly belonged to the batsmen, or more specifically Gunasekera. Despite losing Bagai without adding to his overnight score of 33, he shared a stand of 112 with Salman Nazar (60) for the fifth-wicket and 87 with Jimmy Hansra (53) for the sixth. He finally fell to van Bunge’s leg-spin for 150 off 173 balls.

The Canadian tail then ensured that their advantage wasn’t wasted and took the lead to 272 runs. Damodar Daesrath hit 46 from number eight, while Harvir Baidwan (12), Pervez (26) and Gordon (16 not out) all chipped in. Kingma dismissed Pervez to end the innings and finish with four for 89.

The Netherlands then lost both openers Michael Rippon and Michael Swart in successive overs to Gordon and Baidwan and could have collapsed to a defeat of humungous proportions. Szwarczynski, though, again saved his side’s blushes and hit 85, adding 99 with van Bunge, who blazed 54 off 49 balls, for the fourth-wicket. They reached stumps on day two on 169 for four.

The third day saw Barresi partner Szwarczynksi but both fell in quick succession and it was left to Tom Heggelman to provide resistance from number eight. The 26 year-old from Schiedam hit 75 not out and put on 80 with Pieter Seelaar (39) for the eighth-wicket to haul the total up to 336. Gordon again impressed, taking four for 93, while Baidwan showed his experience and took four for 69.

Despite Heggelman’s excellence, Canada were left needing just 65 in the fourth innings and, thanks to Gunasekera, they knocked them off in 7.1 overs.

The two teams will now play World Cricket League Championship matches on Tuesday and Thursday. Canada are already out of contention for the top two finish that would guarantee them a place in the 2015 World Cup and sit plumb last. The Netherlands, meanwhile, are second and know that two wins will see them become favourite to join Ireland in qualifying. They should welcome back regulars Stephan Myburgh, Ahsan Malik and Mudassar Bukhari into their starting eleven, as well as influential seamer Timm van der Gugten.

© Cricket World 2013

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Video - Haddin Confident Of Victory

Australia wicket-keeper and vice-captain Brad Haddin says he is confident that his side will win the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval.

He also added that Australia, 3-0 down in the series, should be looking to play their strongest team and not resting players.

"There's a lot of belief in the changing room that we can win this last Test match," he said.

"We've been in positions over the Test matches to put ourselves in positions to win but we haven't been good enough in the big moments.

"England deserve to be where they are - 3-0 up. So it's up to us to build on the good things we've done and put it all together over five days not just in patches."

When asked whether Australia should be looking to rotate their squad, Haddin was adamant that the best team has to play.

"No, I think you've got to pick the best eleven. We haven't been winning cricket games. No point resting a guy here or giving a guy a break.

"We're not winning cricket games. So we've got to find a way to win a cricket game. I don't think that should ever come into consideration.

"You're playing for Australia. Guys wait years for this. Ask Chris Rogers if he wants to be rested."

Video courtesy of SNTV

© Cricket World 2013

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Tsotsobe, Behardien Bowl Proteas To Victory

Tsotsobe, Behardien Bowl Proteas To VictoryRyan McLaren, Robin Peterson and JP Duminy all took wickets during South Africa's win

South Africa 223-7 (Miller 85no) beat
Sri Lanka 167 (T Perera 65) by 56 runs
Third One-Day International, Pallekele
Scorecard

Seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and leg-spinner Farhaan Behardien shared seven wickets as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third One-Day International in Pallekele.

The pair combined to dismiss Sri Lanka for 167 after a brilliant late charge of 85 not out in 72 balls from David MIller had hauled South Africa up to a score of 223 for seven.

Tsotsobe almost ended up as the villain of the piece when he dropped big-hitting Thisara Perera (65 in 49 balls) late in Sri Lanka's innings but his fumble did not prove to be a costly one.

South Africa's first win in the series pegs Sri Lanka's lead at 2-1 with two games remaining.

Both innings plotted similar courses - not many runs early on as the bowlers got on top before a reliance on the middle and lower order to get out of trouble.

South Africa managed it more effectively, with Ab de Villiers making 47 in 72 balls and Miller smacking four fours and five sixes, lifting the visitors from a precarious 148 for six to their finishing score.

Ajantha Mendis picked up three for 35 and Perera two for 51 only to look on helplessly as Sri Lanka's top order was swiftly despatched by left-arm quick Tsotsobe.

Upul Tharanga (5), Tillakaratne Dilshan (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) were all caught out and Tsotsobe's fourth wicket came when Angelo Mathews was caught behind for 14.

Mahela Jayawardene, with 24, and Dinesh Chandimal, with 29, worked hard to rebuild the innings and put on 55 for the fourth wicket but a double-strike from South Africa as Peterson bowled Jayawardene and Ryan McLaren had Chandimal caught by Quinton de Kock reduced the home side to 78 for five.

When Angelo Perera made just one before becoming Behardien's first victim, it was 81 for six and Mathews' departure left the scoreboard reading a desperate 93 for seven.

Thisara Perera had little to lose but he showed how quick runs could be scored and he must have induced a few jitters among the South Africans until he was caught by Faf du Plessis off Behardien having put on 72 runs with Rangana Herath (12 not out) for the eighth wicket.

The end, as it so often does in such matches, came quickluy as Behardien bowled Lasith Malinga first ball and JP Duminy had Mendis caught by Tsotsobe without scoring.

The fourth game in the series, also in Pallekele, is on 28th July.

© Cricket World 2013

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Kohli Ton Inspires India To Victory

Kohli Ton Inspires India To VictoryIndia captain Virat Kohli scored a majestic century to set up India's win over Zimbabwe

India 230-4 (Kohli 113, Rayudu 63no) beat
Zimbabwe 228-8 by six wickets
First One-Day International, Harare
Scorecard

Captain Virat Kohli led from the front in scoring a century to inspire India to a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first One-Day International in Harare.

Kohli hit 115 in 108 balls as India, 230 for four in 44,5 overs, successfully chased down Zimbabwe’s 228 for seven with 31 balls to spare.

India’s triumph was historic as Kohli featured in record-breaking 159-run third-wicket partnership with debutant Ambati Rayudu (63 not out) who enjoyed a remarkable start to his international cricket career.

The record stand became the highest second-wicket partnership by India against Zimbabwe surpassing the 143 set by Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja in Singapore in 1999.

Losing the toss and being sent in to bat didn’t deter Zimbabwe as openers Sikandar Raza Butt and Vusi Sibanda played with caution to put up a rather sluggish 72 for opening stand from 21.5 overs on a greenish, dry wicket.

Raza Butt (82) justified his selection to open the bat as he played diligently and went to score his maiden half-century in only his fourth appearance for the Chevrons - as Zimbabwe are affectionally known.

But Zimbabwe’s desire to add venom to their run-rate was thwarted when Amit Mishra (3-43) trapped Sibanda (34) lbw.

Zimbabwe’s 100 only came up in the 29th over and this wasn’t long before they lost their second wicket of Sean Williams (15), who was promoted up to number three, bowled by Suresh Raina (1-2) in his only over.

India had utilised another opportunity to cripple the run-rate in the middle period when they captured the core of Zimbabwe’s middle order of Hamilton Masakadza (11), captain Brendan Taylor (12) and Malcolm Waller (2); leaving the score at 166 for five in 40,1 overs.

Zimbabwe needed a bit of firepower in their innings upon entering the slog overs and hopes had been pinned on Raza Butt who had been around to cause trouble for the Indians. Sadly Raza Butt was Zimbabwe’s sixth wicket and Mishra’s third having contributed six fours and two sixes in the hosts 176.

All-rounder Elton Chigumbura came out and became the key to Zimbabwe setting a total they would have something to field for. Chigumbura smashed six fours and a six as he showed urgency in scoring with an unbeaten 34-ball 43.

The ex-skipper was briefly rallied by Tino Mutombodzi (8) who was caught at point by Vinay Kumar (1-57) and lastly, Prosper Utseya who remained unbeaten on eight when innings folded at 228 for seven.

Mohammed Shami (1-45) and debutant Jaydev Unadkat (1-39) also picked a scalp each for India in the clamp down.

In reply, India’s lethal opening pair Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma was kept at bay as Zimbabwe pressed on in the power-play searching for an early upset.

The Chevrons were still alive in the game when they got India guessing at 57 for two by the 13th over.

Kyle Jarvis (1-40) removed Dhawan (17); caught at fine leg by Waller trying to pull only finding top edge while Chigumbura (1-30) found Sharma’s edge to wicketkeeper Taylor for 20.

But the coming in and settling of Kohli and Rayudu had a serious negation on the Zimbabweans. The duo was expected to rebuild the innings against a charging Zimbabwean bowling attack – a thing they did to perfection.

India’s 100 was up in the 23rd over as India went into the driving seat with such ease as the Zimbabwean bowlers grew weary.

Kohli clobbered 13 fours and a six to mark his 15 ODI century whilst Rayudu contributed four fours in his maiden half-century.

When man of the match Kohli was finally caught by Sibanda off Utseya (2-34), the damage had already been done as India required just 12 runs to win.

Two balls later, Utseya was celebrating again when he got Raina brilliantly caught by Raza Butt for a duck.

Rayudu took the honours of hitting the winning runs off leg spinner Mutombodzi.

© Cricket World 2013

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Tsotsobe, Behardien Bowl Proteas To Victory

Tsotsobe, Behardien Bowl Proteas To VictoryRyan McLaren, Robin Peterson and JP Duminy all took wickets during South Africa's win

South Africa 223-7 (Miller 85no) beat
Sri Lanka 167 (T Perera 65) by 56 runs
Third One-Day International, Pallekele
Scorecard

Seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and leg-spinner Farhaan Behardien shared seven wickets as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third One-Day International in Pallekele.

The pair combined to dismiss Sri Lanka for 167 after a brilliant late charge of 85 not out in 72 balls from David MIller had hauled South Africa up to a score of 223 for seven.

Tsotsobe almost ended up as the villain of the piece when he dropped big-hitting Thisara Perera (65 in 49 balls) late in Sri Lanka's innings but his fumble did not prove to be a costly one.

South Africa's first win in the series pegs Sri Lanka's lead at 2-1 with two games remaining.

Both innings plotted similar courses - not many runs early on as the bowlers got on top before a reliance on the middle and lower order to get out of trouble.

South Africa managed it more effectively, with Ab de Villiers making 47 in 72 balls and Miller smacking four fours and five sixes, lifting the visitors from a precarious 148 for six to their finishing score.

Ajantha Mendis picked up three for 35 and Perera two for 51 only to look on helplessly as Sri Lanka's top order was swiftly despatched by left-arm quick Tsotsobe.

Upul Tharanga (5), Tillakaratne Dilshan (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) were all caught out and Tsotsobe's fourth wicket came when Angelo Mathews was caught behind for 14.

Mahela Jayawardene, with 24, and Dinesh Chandimal, with 29, worked hard to rebuild the innings and put on 55 for the fourth wicket but a double-strike from South Africa as Peterson bowled Jayawardene and Ryan McLaren had Chandimal caught by Quinton de Kock reduced the home side to 78 for five.

When Angelo Perera made just one before becoming Behardien's first victim, it was 81 for six and Mathews' departure left the scoreboard reading a desperate 93 for seven.

Thisara Perera had little to lose but he showed how quick runs could be scored and he must have induced a few jitters among the South Africans until he was caught by Faf du Plessis off Behardien having put on 72 runs with Rangana Herath (12 not out) for the eighth wicket.

The end, as it so often does in such matches, came quickluy as Behardien bowled Lasith Malinga first ball and JP Duminy had Mendis caught by Tsotsobe without scoring.

The fourth game in the series, also in Pallekele, is on 28th July.

© Cricket World 2013

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Goodwin helps Glamorgan to victory

Glamorgan 161-5 (19.1 overs) beat Worcestershire 157-6 (20 overs) by five wickets

Murray Goodwin and Jim Allenby both struck half-centuries as Glamorgan beat Worcestershire in the FLt20 in Cardiff.

Batting first, opener Thilan Samaraweera struck 65 off 42 balls to help the visitors to 157-6.

In reply, Allenby (50) and Goodwin (59) guided the in-form Welsh side into a strong position.

Gareth Andrew (3-27) dismissed both batsmen to give Worcestershire hope, but Ben Wright smashed 22 off 12 balls to complete the win in the final over.

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Shillington record in Irish victory

Clare Shillington became the first Irish woman to score a Twenty20 century as the hosts opened the World Twenty20 qualifiers with victory over Japan.

Shillington hammered an unbeaten 114 from just 72 balls at The Hills to help Ireland to a total of 170-1, with Cecelia Joyce not out on 40.

Elena Tice took three wickets as Japan were skittled out for 53, giving the hosts a 117-run victory.

Ireland take on Canada in their next Group B game at Merrion on Thursday.

Shillington smashed 13 fours and two sixes in a superb knock in County Dublin.

Tice (3-10) and fellow teenagers Lucy O'Reilly (2-9) and Kim Garth (2-10) starred with the ball along with Melissa Scott-Hayward (2-8).

Ireland are aiming to clinch one of three qualifying places for the Women's World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next year.

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