Cricket World Cup T20: Gaylestorm...And Rains Spoil First Two Big Matches!

The first two big matches of the ICC World Cup Twenty20 2012 were scheduled on September 22--Sri Lanka Vs South Africa and Australia Vs West Indies. Spectators were indeed regaled by some splendid batting performances including that of Chris Gayle who is back in the West Indies team (54 runs off only 33 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes), De Villiers for South Africa (30 runs off 13 balls) and Shane Watson for Australia (41 off 24).

The first match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Hambantota started after a delay of more than two hours due to heavy rains and so it got reduced to a ridiculous 7 overs each. Sri Lanka made it worse for themselves by opting to field first after winning the toss, maybe influenced by the overcast conditions. Thanks to De Villiers South Africa posted a daunting 78 runs for 4 in 7 overs. The Sri Lanka reply was a disaster as their batsmen had no answer to the pace and accuracy of South Africa bowlers. South Africa won by a huge margin of 32 runs. Malinga was the most expensive bowler for SL, a cause for worry indeed.

The second big match of the day between Australia and West Indies in Colombo started on time with West Indies winning the toss and deciding to bat first. Immediately there ensued a Gaylestorm and riding on that superlative innings West Indies made a healthy looking 191/8 in 20 overs. Australia started in a fitting manner and blazed away to 100 runs in just 9.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket when rains stopped play. After an agonizing wait the DL method came into force and Australia was declared winners by 17 runs. Shane Watson was the player of the match.

In the earlier matches South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets on September 20. In the two matches played on September 21 New Zealand thumped giant-killer Bangladesh by 59 runs with Brendon McCullum making a scintillating 123 runs--the highest ever in any T20 history off only 72 balls, and in the second match England sent Afghanistan home in great style winning by a mammoth 116 runs.

Two big matches are again scheduled for Super Sunday today. Pakistan meets New Zealand in the first match which promises to be a eye catcher with McCullum peaking at the right time. And then the biggest one for India, England Vs India at 7.30pm Indian time. Team India must gear up for this encounter in all departments of the game.

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