Cricket World Cup
Cricket lovers everywhere will be delighted that the 2007 World Cup is under way. In a world ruled by Soccer, Baseball and Gridiron it is heartwarming indeed to see the most civilised international sport in the world - still played by gentleman in long trousers, over the course of a whole day, with a break for lunch - being supported with such verve and excitement by those of us who love the game, to the eternal puzzlement of those who fail to see the point, or understand the simplest of this game's many rules and nuances. For those of you who know little of this amazing game please refer to the folowing link to get you started.
With the inclusion of several "emerging Cricketing nations" this tournament was billed as one that would break a few records and provide some early thrills; it hasn´t disappointed. Powerhouse South African batsmen Herschelle Gibbs made history by smashing Six Sixes in an over against Holland, a first in International Cricket, (sport trivia fans, please remember the name of Daan Van Bunge, the unfortunate Dutch bowler who Gibbs flayed to all parts of the stadium).
Then, Ireland took on Zimbabwe and in a nailbiting finish, grabbed a draw by taking the final Zimbabwe wicket with the final ball of the game!
That brings us to today....in a real turnup for the form guide, a much fancied India have been beaten in Trinidad by a young, talented Bangladesh side (3 of their teenage batsmen scoring half-centuries). India's further progress in the tournament is by no means assured, their next match against Sri Lanka is now a must-win game.
Indian fans worldwide will have been disappointed by their team's capitulation, but Bangladesh are the pick of the emerging bunch and were never going to be anybody's whipping boys. The only consolation for Indian fans came in the form of a Cricketing earthquake from the Sabina Park stadium in Jamaica. The same plucky Irish side (a team of average county standard players) have beaten Pakistan! ranked 4th in the world and regarded (like India) as a shoe-in for the later stages of the tournament. As if it wasn´t enough that they should have performed at their giant-killing best on the world stage, in front of a multi-million TV audience, the Irish accomplished this shocker of a result (which puts Pakistan out of the tournament) on St Patrick's Day! Hearty congratulations to the Irish on an historic victory, I only wish I could drop in on a few Irish pubs around the world (Dublin especially) on a day like today!
Pakistan will no doubt still be wondering how they managed to get dumped out of the World Cup...and India will need two blistering performances and a bit of luck if they are not to follow suit.
With the inclusion of several "emerging Cricketing nations" this tournament was billed as one that would break a few records and provide some early thrills; it hasn´t disappointed. Powerhouse South African batsmen Herschelle Gibbs made history by smashing Six Sixes in an over against Holland, a first in International Cricket, (sport trivia fans, please remember the name of Daan Van Bunge, the unfortunate Dutch bowler who Gibbs flayed to all parts of the stadium).
Then, Ireland took on Zimbabwe and in a nailbiting finish, grabbed a draw by taking the final Zimbabwe wicket with the final ball of the game!
That brings us to today....in a real turnup for the form guide, a much fancied India have been beaten in Trinidad by a young, talented Bangladesh side (3 of their teenage batsmen scoring half-centuries). India's further progress in the tournament is by no means assured, their next match against Sri Lanka is now a must-win game.
Indian fans worldwide will have been disappointed by their team's capitulation, but Bangladesh are the pick of the emerging bunch and were never going to be anybody's whipping boys. The only consolation for Indian fans came in the form of a Cricketing earthquake from the Sabina Park stadium in Jamaica. The same plucky Irish side (a team of average county standard players) have beaten Pakistan! ranked 4th in the world and regarded (like India) as a shoe-in for the later stages of the tournament. As if it wasn´t enough that they should have performed at their giant-killing best on the world stage, in front of a multi-million TV audience, the Irish accomplished this shocker of a result (which puts Pakistan out of the tournament) on St Patrick's Day! Hearty congratulations to the Irish on an historic victory, I only wish I could drop in on a few Irish pubs around the world (Dublin especially) on a day like today!
Pakistan will no doubt still be wondering how they managed to get dumped out of the World Cup...and India will need two blistering performances and a bit of luck if they are not to follow suit.
posted by VKP at 7:59 PM
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