ICC World Twenty20 2009 - Group C (Aus/SL/WI)

[Russian]

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/6695/wt20eng.png
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3570/aus.png vs http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/21/srl.png vs http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6072/winb.png

Seems the strongest group of the lot with three Test nations, but it's that way because the Windies were hopeless last time. Their squad's changed a lot but with the exception of Jerome Taylor, all the current 'stars' were there last time and couldn't get the job done, failing to defend 205 against South Africa and then 164 against Bangladesh. Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo remain the keys with the bat, and they're joined by Taylor, an in form Fidel Edwards, and Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn and Darren Sammy didn't disgrace themselves in the warmup games. On paper they look ok, but that's not the first time that's been said about them in the last unsuccessful decade. Their warm up form hasn't been overly convincing - they beat Ireland twice and Scotland once, then got thumped by the mob that lost to a team wearing bright orange.

For Sri Lanka, seeded 6, IPL star Tillakaratne Dilshan joins explosive veteran Sanath Jayasuriya at the top, followed by two of the better batsmen in the world in Jayawardene and Sangakkara. The lower order is a bit of a concern with nobody of any note at 5, 6 and 7 before the attack of Slinga Malinga, spin twins Murali and Mendis, and top ranked ODI bowler Nuwan Kulasekara. They beat Bangladesh in the warmup games, but were bowled out for 109 against the Proteas.

The top seeds of the group are there because they made the semi last time. Was going to write about the risk taken on Symonds, but now we know the result of that so it seems a waste of time. The question now is how do they cover him. When they went with what was supposedly a full strength side against Bangladesh, Symonds, Hussey and Clarke were the 5th, 6th and 7th bowlers, so Warner's chances seem slim. Do they trust White to bowl those overs or do they have to make room for Hauritz, Hilfenhaus or Siddle. Some might say the spinner and one of the best Twenty20 bowlers in the country should both be in, but it seems unlikely Hopes or Bracken will lose their spots despite up and down form in recent tours. They won both warm up games against Bangladesh and fellow 2007 semi finalists New Zealand fairly comfortably.

Australia
David Warner
+Brad Haddin
Shane Watson
*Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Cameron White
James Hopes
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Nathan Bracken
Ben Hilfenhaus

Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Jehan Mubarak
Mahela Jayawardene
*+Kumar Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Angelo Mathews
Indika de Saram
Farveez Maharoof
Nuwan Kulasekara
Isuru Adana
Thilan Thushara
Ajantha Mendis
Lasith Malinga
Muttiah Muralitharan

West Indies
*Chris Gayle
Andre Fletcher
Lendl Simmons
Xavier Marshall
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dwayne Bravo
Kieron Pollard
+Denesh Ramdin
David Bernard
Darren Sammy
Jerome Taylor
Sulieman Benn
Fidel Edwards
Lionel Baker

Game 1: Australia v West Indies
The Oval
11pm AEST Saturday June 6

Umpires:
Asad Rauf (Pakistan)
Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Mark Benson (England

Coverage:
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9092/99na.gif Live in all time zones from 10:55pm AEST
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8092/fs2bh3.png Live from 10:50pm

Game 2: Australia v Sri Lanka
Trent Bridge
2:30am AEST Tuesday June 9

Umpires:
Billy Bowden (New Zealand)
Ian Gould (England)
Nigel Llong (England)

Coverage:
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9092/99na.gif Live in all time zones from 2:25am AEST
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2118/fs3xa4.png Live from 2:20am

Game 3: Sri Lanka v West Indies
Trent Bridge
10:30pm AEST Wednesday June 10

Umpires:
Billy Bowden (New Zealand)
Simon Taufel (Australia)
Ian Gould (England)

Coverage:
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2118/fs3xa4.png Live from 10:20pm

[eth-dog]

+Brad Haddin
David Warner
*Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
James Hopes
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Nathan Bracken

[Dez!]

+Brad Haddin
David Warner
*Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
James Hopes
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Nathan Bracken

That'd be the best side to go with, however you just know they'll play Brett Lee instead of Siddle probably seeing as they are obsessed with the reject.

[Cousin Jed]

Think you guys forgot Watson.

Lee was always going to play after the warm up games too.

[PHX]

Easy to forget Watson after that innings.

[JUBJUB]

Farewell Robot.Follow your drunk buddy back home.

[PHX]

Lol 3 wides and 2 wickets in the first over. :D

[RichosGuns]

Here comes Clarke to "steady" the innings.... snore

[PHX]

Despite the fact it had 3 wides that was one hell of an over by Taylor. :thumbsu:

[Invigoration]

Does Dave Warner know what the offside actually is?

[Cousin Jed]

He should hit it there more often with fielding like that...

Edit: Yep. Worked perfectly.

[Millington Magic]

At this level of cricket, the windies should now how to field.

[The Dustbin]

Warner = Carnage.

:D

[lions_den]

Who is this specimen of a bowler?

[StFly]

Windie quicks were always going to be a bit of a bother if they got their tail up, fielding is pretty laughable though.

[lions_den]

Channel 9 can't even let a feed run. Incompetent monkeys.

[Vegas.]

Bruce McAvaney doing the cricinfo commentary these days...

Benn to Haddin, FOUR, What a delicious late steer! Catch it on the youtube. He moved fractionally outside leg, Benn fired it at the blockhole but just outside off, Haddin leaned back, opened the bat-face and ran it down superbly through vacant slip region. Fab shot.

[Zarrix]

WTF at Channel 9 cutting the coverage in the middle of most overs to tell me about the latest nasal spray for the bedroom. :mad:

[PHX]

Geez great start. :rolleyes:

That catch would have been nice.

[Russian]

Is Ponting watching the same game I am? Why are we still bowling our quickest bowlers at Gayle?

[w00dy]

looks like the selectors have cost us this tournament already

[SJ]

Hammer time.

[Cap]

Peter Siddle must be laughing at the moment.

[red+black]

maybe the Aussies will one day learn how to play this game :rolleyes:

LOL 0/71 from 5.0 overs

Welcome back Brett Lee. 0/51 (3) :rolleyes:

[Invigoration]

Thank god we got Brett back.

As previously mentioned, Siddle must be pissing himself.

[SJ]

Lee gone for 51 from 3. Probably deserves another.

[Cap]

They should have got Manou to open the bowling.

[premiers06]

Lee gone for 51 from 3. Probably deserves another.

on the plus side it wont do his ashes campaign any good

[red+black]

Bing 0/51 (3)
- most expensive T20I bowling from 3 overs

0/64 is the worst from 4 overs.

[jko'neal]

Have a go Gayle ya "Stonewall":D

[NSWCROW]

Welcome back Brett Lee. 0/51 (3) :rolleyes:

Thank god we got Brett back.


Lee gone for 51 from 3. Probably deserves another.
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/picard-facepalm.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/317241823_90feb0fd2d.jpg?v=0

[red+black]

WI already 1/2 way there.

Not even 1/3 of the way through their innings.

[Invigoration]

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/picard-facepalm.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/317241823_90feb0fd2d.jpg?v=0

Definitely using facepalm out of context there

[YOTC]

Chin up fellas. One awesome thing about this. Brett Lee should never get a game for Australia again. :thumbsu:

[red+black]

This is the 9th highest opening partnership in a T20I.

The other 8 are all 100+.

105 will get them up to 5th.

[XFactor1979]

they need to get sfa in their last 12 overs

[red+black]

0/101 (8.0)

2nd highest run rate ever for any T20I innings that lasted 8 or more overs

[NSWCROW]

Definitely using facepalm out of context there
http://soshite.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ironhide_facepalm.jpg

[Underdog]

ouch!

Gayle is just about the worst bloke in world cricket you'd want smashing the ball at you.

[red+black]

WI 0/105 (9.0)

- 5th highest T20I opening partnership
- 9th highest T20I partnership for any wicket

[whats_at_stake]

Watching Gayle bat is quite entertaining. Anyone know the record for the longest six?

Btw how come there is no Group A thread. I think the India v Bangladesh match gets underway in an hour or so?

[red+black]

Bring Lee back for his last over so we can end this.

[red+black]

WI 0/121 (10.0)
- 5th highest T20I opening partnership
- 5th highest T20I partnership for any wicket

[XFactor1979]

watson with another new bowling action

he'll be bowling offbreaks with how he keeps breaking down

[PHX]

Celebration time!

[red+black]

Fletcher out for 53

WI 1/133 (11.3)
- 3rd highest T20I opening partnership
- 3rd highest T20I partnership for any wicket

[red+black]

Windies slowing down with the game in the bag.

WI 1/153 (14.0) chasing 170 to win
- Gayle 84*

[red+black]

Lee silences all of the critics dismissing Gayle for 88 and getting Australia back in the game.

Of the top 10 T20I scores, 6 of them are either 88 or 89!

[Cooldude]

That ball went higher than any ball I've ever seen hit. A heck of a catch by Watson.

[red+black]

just 6 off Lee's last over

1/56 (4.0)

Just the 7th most expensive T20I bowling.

[Underdog]

just 6 off Lee's last over

1/56 (4.0)

Just the 7th most expensive T20I bowling.

Phew!

That's a relief...

:)

[XFactor1979]

the way chris gayle bats, he reminds me of matthew hayden.

except these days haydos's exploits are only seen for the chennai super kings :(

[matty p]

Team for game 2?

Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Haddin
M. Hussey
Hopes
Johnson
Hauritz
Bracken
Hilfenhaus/Siddle

[Alpha1]

lol at the Aussies, Mr. Gayle if you don't mind. :thumbsu::)

[rickyp]

When the Aussies said they wanted every record, who knew how far they would take it...

[Alpha1]

How far? I wonder if now the Aussies are going to come out with ohh but it's only T20. I know some of their fan boys will be saying it, and if the Aussies do win it all then it will the best thing since sliced bread.

[Dez!]

How far? I wonder if now the Aussies are going to come out with ohh but it's only T20. I know some of their fan boys will be saying it, and if the Aussies do win it all then it will the best thing since sliced bread.

Bloody keyboard heroes these days, it's funny how you only come out when Australia lose.

You really are a sad case.

[Alpha1]

Just speaking the truth. :)

[alfy!]

Amazing match. Australia didn't lose the game, the West Indies won it. Gayle was superb, and Fletched very impressive as well.

Great game to watch.

[Subaru Impreza]

Australia seriously needs to play some spinners. I think you just cant come into these games with just pace/medium pacers. Our bowling attack seems 1 dimensional at the moment

Id drop Lee+James Hopes next game

and bring in Hauritz/Cameron White


disgusted by pontings captaincy last night, didnt take lee off after his 1st over when he was getting a pounding. Also only bringing spin on until the 10th over when the game was over.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Just speaking the truth. :)

So was Dez.

[Bond,ShaneBond]

How far? I wonder if now the Aussies are going to come out with ohh but it's only T20. I know some of their fan boys will be saying it, and if the Aussies do win it all then it will the best thing since sliced bread.

You can't win a T20 with an ODI team. Australia are terrible at T20, and they don't give themselves a chance to improve with their selections.

[Dez!]

I'm just wondering if we should have picked McGain in the squad? He was after all the best T20 bowler in the domestic competition.

Seeing as we didn't though, Hauritz has to play next game.

Siddle in for Lee, I don't want too but it'd have to be Hopes out for Hauritz.

Hell I'd rather Cameron White bowling than Brett Lee, at least there's a chance of a wicket when White's being belted.

Warner
Watson
Ponting
Haddin
Clarke
Dussey
Hussey
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bracken

[Subaru Impreza]

Watching the IPL , and many T20 games before that.

Every team uses spin to a great advantage. Looking at the major teams at this World Cup

South Africa- van de Merwe and Botha
India-Ojha and Bhaji Singh
Pakistan- Afridi and Saeed Ajmaal
England- Swann
NZ- Vettori
West Indies-Suliemann Benn
Bangladesh-Amdullah

[DoubleO7]

Watching the IPL , and many T20 games before that.

Every team uses spin to a great advantage. Looking at the major teams at this World Cup

South Africa- van de Merwe and Botha
India-Ojha and Bhaji Singh
Pakistan- Afridi and Saeed Ajmaal
England- Swann
NZ- Vettori
Sri Lanka- Murali and Mendis
West Indies-Suliemann Benn and Chris Gayle
Bangladesh-Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan
You've missed out on some players which I have added.

:thumbsu:

[Subaru Impreza]

how could I forget Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka- Murali and Mendis

beauty about spin bowlers, it they force the batsman to make the pace.

[matty p]

I'm just wondering if we should have picked McGain in the squad? He was after all the best T20 bowler in the domestic competition.

Seeing as we didn't though, Hauritz has to play next game.

Siddle in for Lee, I don't want too but it'd have to be Hopes out for Hauritz.

Hell I'd rather Cameron White bowling than Brett Lee, at least there's a chance of a wicket when White's being belted.

Actually, Krejza was the best T20 spinner in the domestic competition.

Krejza:
Wickets - 7
Average - 17.00
Economy Rate - 5.95

McGain:
Wickets - 3
Average - 23.66
Economy Rate - 6.45

I think we should've included Krejza (or Tait) instead of Lee in the squad.

Hauritz is a must for game 2, as having a frontline spinner is critical in T20.

Lee must be dropped surely.

[Dez!]

Actually, Krejza was the best T20 spinner in the domestic competition.

Krejza:
Wickets - 7
Average - 17.00
Economy Rate - 5.95

McGain:
Wickets - 3
Average - 23.66
Economy Rate - 6.45

I think we should've included Krejza (or Tait) instead of Lee in the squad.

Hauritz is a must for game 2, as having a frontline spinner is critical in T20.

Lee must be dropped surely.

Ahh yes I was thinking of the 2007 Big Bash, forgot about Krejza's T20 form last year. Point is though, Brett Lee GTFO!!!!!!!!!

[Alpha1]

Lee had one bad game, get off his back FFS. Who else would have stopped Gayle in that form?

[Subaru Impreza]

Lee had one bad game, get off his back FFS. Who else would have stopped Gayle in that form?

I dont have a problem with Lee. I just had a problem with our selections and not playing Spin. Our bowling was 1 dimenstional against Windies and you need a bit of variety in the attack. I think Hauritz would make a worthy replacement for Lee.

[Chris25]

We never developed a quality limited overs spinner, and we are now paying for it. We kept playing Hogg, instead of looking to the future. We should have stopped playing Hogg years earlier than we did, and stuck it out with someone like Dan Cullen. Cullen was in excellent form back around '05, yet he got very few opportunities.

Had we done this, we would have a spinner who had been playing limited overs cricket for Australia for years. Instead, the promising young spinners of a few years ago are now struggling and we've thrown an average spinner in Hauritz into international cricket.

Selecting Krejza over Hauritz would probably have been a little better, but he would still just be a stop gap. We missed our chance back when Cullen and Bailey were in excellent form, there is very little we can do now in regards to our spinners.

So all we can really do now is to hope one of these young spinners finds their form again, and until that happens we'll be forced to stick it out with quicks. And it could be a long couple of years in limited overs cricket, T20 in particular.

[Kram81]

Agree with playing spin, we didn't play Hogg in the last 20/20 Cup and it really cost us IMO.

[Alpha1]

Ojha is going to be a gun, can bat a bit as well. Was his debut against the Banglas, India have quite a few options.

[peterss]

Tonights game is live on channel nine yes? Just seems weird all seeing its broadcast at like 12:30 perth time tonight IIRC......Different to the 9:30 perth time it was for the first game.


Just found it strange thats all.

[Cleavy]

It's the late game, peterss.

[Moin Khan]

Australia seriously needs to play some spinners. I think you just cant come into these games with just pace/medium pacers. Our bowling attack seems 1 dimensional at the moment

Id drop Lee+James Hopes next game

and bring in Hauritz/Cameron White


disgusted by pontings captaincy last night, didnt take lee off after his 1st over when he was getting a pounding. Also only bringing spin on until the 10th over when the game was over.

That's what you get when youre captains played about 10 minutes of T20 cricket...

[Moin Khan]

Lee had one bad game, get off his back FFS. Who else would have stopped Gayle in that form?

One bad game????

The bloke must love England!!!

What happened to 'i'm bowling as well and as quick as I ever have???'

[Homer Jnr]

And we've named Lee....

[triplejdude]

I have a feeling, a very bad feeling that murali and mendis are going to tear the Aussies a new asshole resulting in a very embarassing loss. I'm hoping that the Aussies can prove me wrong.

[triplejdude]

Shit. Warner gone for a duck in the first over.

Here we go again

[Homer Jnr]

This could hurt, alot is going to depend on how we play against their spinners.

[Inappropriate]

Watson turning it on! 4 4 6

[YOTC]

hahahaha

Mendis 2 - 0 Australia

I woke my family with a roar of delight :D

[YOTC]

You're out this time you hack :D

Mendis a superstar!!

fap fap fap.

[Ron]

I dream of a day far into the future when we are actually able to play spin.

[Invigoration]

Just in case you guys didn't know, he bowls like John Gleeson

[dr nick]

Just in case you guys didn't know, he bowls like John Gleeson

yep, didnt quite sink in the first half dozen times chapelli mentioned it

[Invigoration]

Watching us attempting to play spin is cringeworthy

[ChunkyDuckling]

I have a feeling, a very bad feeling that murali and mendis are going to tear the Aussies a new asshole resulting in a very embarassing loss. I'm hoping that the Aussies can prove me wrong.

Unfortunately you are spot on. This is one of the worst t20 performances I've ever seen.

Clarke and Haddin had zero urgency at all and they are supposed to be gun players of spin!! Was there any boundaries at all hit in their partnership?? Pathetic.

While Im whingeing, how does it work that one of Ireland and Bangladesh will go through to the super8 and one of us or SL will miss out? :confused:

[Ron]

Reasonable score in the end, especially where we were after about 13 overs.

Lets hope our bowlers don't bowl pies like they did last match.

[Grimwood]

Some streaky shots at the end, but you'd say that's pretty gutsy from a team that was 90 odd for 6.

[Team Extreme]

While Im whingeing, how does it work that one of Ireland and Bangladesh will go through to the super8 and one of us or SL will miss out? :confused:

Terrible group of death and Ireland have already gone through after beating the bangers.

[ChunkyDuckling]

Terrible group of death and Ireland have already gone through after beating the bangers.

yeah I looked into it and the seeds were decided on the positions last time! :confused:

The Windies were 9th seed so were the extra team.

That means that should we lose today, we can look forward to a group of death next time.

What a stupid system!

I'll say it again. This has been a pathetic effort so far from Australia. No innovation, no desire to score and now the bowlers are getting spanked again.

[Ron]

Pies Pies everywhere i look

This game is over, bowlers can't bowl a decent line.

Lankans will get this within 17 overs i reckon.

[ChunkyDuckling]

Some streaky shots at the end, but you'd say that's pretty gutsy from a team that was 90 odd for 6.

We should never have been 90 for 6 though! Every other team has thrown the bat with abandon, as it should be done in T20.

Yet Australia persist with the notion of playing the first 10 like a 50 over game. HAVE A GO!

Gayle wasn't what beat us the other day, it was the boring style which they went about building a score, and on that pitch it was never going to hold up. THEY NEED TO HAVE A ****ING SWING!

Too late now anyway

[Subaru Impreza]

i said it all along

why not bowl the spinners early?


Ponting is 1 slow guy

wicket already

[Squall]

Michael Clarke has just bowled dilshan, australia still look gone Sri lanka 89/2 71 off 54 balls now required

[ashley12]

33 off 22 to win the game. Chamara Silva out for 11 off 11. Lee has bowled 3 dot balls in this over so far, so so far so good. However, his last good over was ruined by a NB4 on the last ball, then a four on the free hit...

Another dot ball.... 33 off 20 now...

[wce_all_da_way]

Ruins it with a wide and a 6.

[ashley12]

Ruins it with a wide and a 6.

Of course. Complete relief of pressure...

Now 20 off 15. A single, now 19 off 14...

Paddle sweep for 4. Damn Sangakkarra is a great talent...

Music horrible though...

15 off 13