Early strikes rattle Dutch, Lanka on top

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka were in total control against the Netherlands as the orange caps were six down even before crossing 40-run mark in the World T20 Super 10 match.

Scorecard

After Sri Lanka invited Netherlands to bat, Nuwan Kulasekara struck in the first over and got opener Stephan Myburgh caught for a duck at third man by Lasith Malinga.

Angelo Mathews capitalised on the good start and struck twice in the second over to remove MR Swart (0) and W Barresi (0) in consecutive deliveries.

Though Mathews failed to get a hat-trick but he dealt another blow to the minnows on the final delivery of the fourth over by trapping PW Borren infront of the wickets, reducing them to 9/4.

At the score of 25, Netherlands lost Ben Cooper (8). Ajantha Mendis gave Lanka sixth success by ending the challenge of Tom Cooper who scored 16.

Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to field in their World Twenty20 Super 10 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.

Sri Lanka made no change in their squad that beat South Africa in their first game. Netherlands too have fielded the same team.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga.

Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt.), Stephan Myburgh, Michael Swart, Wesley Barresi (wk), Tom Cooper, Ben Cooper, Logan van Beek, Mudassar Bukhari, Timm van der Gugten, Pieter Seelaar, M Jamil.

Posted by Admin on 7:29 AM in timesofindia

SA beat NZ by 2 runs in last-ball thriller

NEW DELHI: Dale Steyn (4-17) bowled a brilliant final over to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for South Africa as they beat New Zealand by 2 runs in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Scorecard | Super-10 Stage Standings

Requiring just seven runs of the final over with 5 wickets in hand, New Zealand looked destined for a win but Steyn has different script to tell in the end.

Steyn dismissed Luke Ronchi with the very first ball of the last over, then followed it up with two dot balls. Nathan McCullum (4) hit the fourth ball for a four making it 3 runs from last two balls.

The drama continued as Steyn got rid of McCullum in the next ball and Ross Taylor (62) was run out in the last ball as Kiwis missed the target by just two runs.

Chasing 171-run target, New Zealand managed 168/8 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Kiwis lost Kane Williamson (51) after he added 51 runs for the third wicket with Ross Taylor to lead their run chase against South Africa in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Williamson raced to his fifty in just 31 balls, which included two sixes and five fours, but failed to continue further as AB de Villiers took a brilliant catch near the ropes off Dale Steyn to dismiss him.

New Zealand lost Brendon McCullum (4) and Martin Guptill (22) in successive overs (8th & 9th).

New Zealand openers put on a quick 57-run stand to provide a perfect platform to their run chase. The duo took Kiwis over 50-run mark in 6.2 overs.

Late charge by JP Duminy (86 not out) helped South Africa score 170/6 against New Zealand.

Duminy slammed three massive sixes and ten fours in his quick-fire 43-ball knock.

Duminy raced to his fifty off just 31 balls as South Africa made a gallant fightback after losing wickets at regular intervals early in their innings.

All-rounder Corey Anderson struck again as he caught & bowled David Miller soon after Duminy's fifty.

Hashim Amla (41) lost his wicket in a strange and unlucky way as the ball ricochet from non-striker Duminy's bat to give Anderson an easy caught & bowled chance.

Amla hit just two fours in his patient 40-ball innings.

Sent in to bat, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen early. They lost AB de Villiers (5), Faf du Plessis (13) and Quinton de Kock (4) inside seven overs of their innings.

Spinner Nathan McCullum clean bowled De Villiers in the seventh over to reduce the Proteas to 42/3 in 6.4 overs.

Bowlers provided New Zealand breakthroughs at regular intervals to hamper South African run charge.

Tim Southee dismissed Du Plessis soon after fellow pacer Kyle Mills scalped De Kock in the third over.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl first.

There's still a decent grass coverage on the pitch. The track is dry and there won't be much assistance for the spinners. There'll be a good carry off the pitch.

After winning the toss, McCullum said it's a pretty good wicket but reckoned it's easier batting second.

New Zealand are playing an unchanged XI.

Regular South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who replaced Farhaan Behardien, said he too would have wanted to bat first.

New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament by beating England in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52/1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the match.

After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.

New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners.

After Saturday's loss to Sri Lanka, South Africa need to win their last three matches in to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara held their nerve in the death overs with miserly fast bowling as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by five runs on Saturday.

South Africa had the upper hand chasing 166 for victory in their Group One super 10 match and needed 19 runs off the last two overs with five wickets in hand.

But Kulasekara gave away just four runs and picked up the wicket of Farhaan Behardien (five) to leave South Africa needing 15 runs off limited-overs specialist Malinga's final over.

Teams:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Capt.), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (Capt.), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Posted by Admin on 6:58 AM in timesofindia

World T20: Dutch lose Myburgh early

NEW DELHI: Nuwan Kulasekara struck in the first over to get Sri Lanka off to a good start by scalping Netherlands opener Stephan Myburgh for a duck.

Myburgh hit the pacer towards third man only to be caught by Lasith Malinga.

Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to field in their World Twenty20 Super 10 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.

Sri Lanka made no change in their squad that beat South Africa in their first game. Netherlands too have fielded the same team.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga.

Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt.), Stephan Myburgh, Michael Swart, Wesley Barresi (wk), Tom Cooper, Ben Cooper, Logan van Beek, Mudassar Bukhari, Timm van der Gugten, Pieter Seelaar, M Jamil.

Posted by Admin on 6:58 AM in timesofindia

Sri Lanka invite Netherlands to bat

NEW DELHI:Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to field in their World Twenty20 Super 10 match against the Netherlands at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong on Monday.

Sri Lanka made no change in their squad that beat South Africa in their first game. Netherlands too have fielded the same team.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga.

Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt.), Stephan Myburgh, Michael Swart, Wesley Barresi (wk), Tom Cooper, Ben Cooper, Logan van Beek, Mudassar Bukhari, Timm van der Gugten, Pieter Seelaar, M Jamil.

Posted by Admin on 6:58 AM in timesofindia

Quick wickets jolt New Zealand chase

NEW DELHI: Chasing 171-run target, New Zealand lost Kane Williamson (51) after he added 51 runs for the third wicket with Ross Taylor to lead ​their run chase against South Africa in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Scorecard | Super-10 Stage Standings

Williamson raced to his fifty in just 31 balls, which included two sixes and five fours, but failed to continue further as AB de Villiers took a brilliant catch near the ropes off Dale Steyn to dismiss him.

New Zealand openers put on a quick 57-run stand to provide a perfect platform to their run chase. The duo took Kiwis over 50-run mark in 6.2 overs.

New Zealand lost Brendon McCullum (4) and Martin Guptill (22) in successive overs (8th & 9th).

Late charge by JP Duminy (86 not out) helped South Africa score 170/6 against New Zealand.

Duminy slammed three massive sixes and ten fours in his quick-fire 43-ball knock.

Duminy raced to his fifty off just 31 balls as South Africa made a gallant fightback after losing wickets at regular intervals early in their innings.

All-rounder Corey Anderson struck again as he caught & bowled David Miller soon after Duminy's fifty.

Hashim Amla (41) lost his wicket in a strange and unlucky way as the ball ricochet from non-striker Duminy's bat to give Anderson an easy caught & bowled chance.

Amla hit just two fours in his patient 40-ball innings.

Sent in to bat, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen early. They lost AB de Villiers (5), Faf du Plessis (13) and Quinton de Kock (4) inside seven overs of their innings.

Spinner Nathan McCullum clean bowled De Villiers in the seventh over to reduce the Proteas to 42/3 in 6.4 overs.

Bowlers provided New Zealand breakthroughs at regular intervals to hamper South African run charge.

Tim Southee dismissed Du Plessis soon after fellow pacer Kyle Mills scalped De Kock in the third over.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl first.

There's still a decent grass coverage on the pitch. The track is dry and there won't be much assistance for the spinners. There'll be a good carry off the pitch.

After winning the toss, McCullum said it's a pretty good wicket but reckoned it's easier batting second.

New Zealand are playing an unchanged XI.

Regular South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who replaced Farhaan Behardien, said he too would have wanted to bat first.

New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament by beating England in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52/1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the match.

After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.

New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners.

After Saturday's loss to Sri Lanka, South Africa need to win their last three matches in to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara held their nerve in the death overs with miserly fast bowling as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by five runs on Saturday.

South Africa had the upper hand chasing 166 for victory in their Group One super 10 match and needed 19 runs off the last two overs with five wickets in hand.

But Kulasekara gave away just four runs and picked up the wicket of Farhaan Behardien (five) to leave South Africa needing 15 runs off limited-overs specialist Malinga's final over.

Teams:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Capt.), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (Capt.), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Posted by Admin on 6:19 AM in timesofindia

Williamson leads NZ chase with fifty

NEW DELHI: Chasing 171-run target, New Zealand openers put on a quick fifty-run stand to lead their run chase against South Africa in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Scorecard | Super-10 Stage Standings

New Zealand lost Martin Guptill (22) in the 8th over after he added 57 runs with Kane Williamson. The duo took Kiwis over 50-run mark in 6.2 overs.

Late charge by JP Duminy (86 not out) helped South Africa score 170/6 against New Zealand.

Duminy slammed three massive sixes and ten fours in his quick-fire 43-ball knock.

Duminy raced to his fifty off just 31 balls as South Africa made a gallant fightback after losing wickets at regular intervals early in their innings.

All-rounder Corey Anderson struck again as he caught & bowled David Miller soon after Duminy's fifty.

Hashim Amla (41) lost his wicket in a strange and unlucky way as the ball ricochet from non-striker Duminy's bat to give Anderson an easy caught & bowled chance.

Amla hit just two fours in his patient 40-ball innings.

Sent in to bat, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen early. They lost AB de Villiers (5), Faf du Plessis (13) and Quinton de Kock (4) inside seven overs of their innings.

Spinner Nathan McCullum clean bowled De Villiers in the seventh over to reduce the Proteas to 42/3 in 6.4 overs.

Bowlers provided New Zealand breakthroughs at regular intervals to hamper South African run charge.

Tim Southee dismissed Du Plessis soon after fellow pacer Kyle Mills scalped De Kock in the third over.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl first.

There's still a decent grass coverage on the pitch. The track is dry and there won't be much assistance for the spinners. There'll be a good carry off the pitch.

After winning the toss, McCullum said it's a pretty good wicket but reckoned it's easier batting second.

New Zealand are playing an unchanged XI.

Regular South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who replaced Farhaan Behardien, said he too would have wanted to bat first.

New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament by beating England in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52/1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the match.

After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.

New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners.

After Saturday's loss to Sri Lanka, South Africa need to win their last three matches in to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara held their nerve in the death overs with miserly fast bowling as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by five runs on Saturday.

South Africa had the upper hand chasing 166 for victory in their Group One super 10 match and needed 19 runs off the last two overs with five wickets in hand.

But Kulasekara gave away just four runs and picked up the wicket of Farhaan Behardien (five) to leave South Africa needing 15 runs off limited-overs specialist Malinga's final over.

Teams:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Capt.), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (Capt.), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Posted by Admin on 5:42 AM in timesofindia

Guptill, Williamson lead NZ run chase

NEW DELHI: Late charge by JP Duminy (86 not out) helped South Africa set 171-run target for New Zealand in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Scorecard | Super-10 Stage Standings

Duminy slammed three massive sixes and ten fours in his quick-fire 43-ball knock.

Duminy raced to his fifty off just 31 balls as South Africa made a gallant fightback after losing wickets at regular intervals early in their innings.

All-rounder Corey Anderson struck again as he caught & bowled David Miller soon after Duminy's fifty.

Hashim Amla (41) lost his wicket in a strange and unlucky way as the ball ricochet from non-striker Duminy's bat to give Anderson an easy caught & bowled chance.

Amla hit just two fours in his patient 40-ball innings.

Sent in to bat, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen early. They lost AB de Villiers (5), Faf du Plessis (13) and Quinton de Kock (4) inside seven overs of their innings.

Spinner Nathan McCullum clean bowled De Villiers in the seventh over to reduce the Proteas to 42/3 in 6.4 overs.

Bowlers provided New Zealand breakthroughs at regular intervals to hamper South African run charge.

Tim Southee dismissed Du Plessis soon after fellow pacer Kyle Mills scalped De Kock in the third over.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl first.

There's still a decent grass coverage on the pitch. The track is dry and there won't be much assistance for the spinners. There'll be a good carry off the pitch.

After winning the toss, McCullum said it's a pretty good wicket but reckoned it's easier batting second.

New Zealand are playing an unchanged XI.

Regular South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who replaced Farhaan Behardien, said he too would have wanted to bat first.

New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament by beating England in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52/1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the match.

After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.

New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners.

After Saturday's loss to Sri Lanka, South Africa need to win their last three matches in to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara held their nerve in the death overs with miserly fast bowling as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by five runs on Saturday.

South Africa had the upper hand chasing 166 for victory in their Group One super 10 match and needed 19 runs off the last two overs with five wickets in hand.

But Kulasekara gave away just four runs and picked up the wicket of Farhaan Behardien (five) to leave South Africa needing 15 runs off limited-overs specialist Malinga's final over.

Teams:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Capt.), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (Capt.), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Posted by Admin on 5:08 AM in timesofindia

Why Mishra was ignored over the years?

Most successful, strategist and loved captain of Team India Mahendra Singh Dhoni recognised leg-spinner Amit Mishra's talent only after latter's Delhi team-mate and stand-in captain for Asia Cup, Virat Kohli, fielded him for the tournament played in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 8, 2014.

In return, the leggie did not disappoint his skipper and in his full quota of 20 overs in two matches he picked up three wickets and gave away just 49 runs. That's the best economy rate (2.45) by any bowler during the Asia Cup.

After their one wicket defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan, Virat Kohli felt Amit Mishra showed a lot of courage in taking up the challenge he threw at him. He said that he was not shocked at all. He was rather proud of the way the boys fought it out. 245 against a team like Pakistan and on that wicket with the dew was not easy to defend, he added.

"If you see the kind of batsmen they had and our bowlers with the inexperience they had, still to put up that kind of fight. He (Mishra) gave only 28 runs in 10 overs, took two wickets, bowled brilliantly against the likes of Misbah, Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi," Kohli praised the Delhi tweaker after the match.

Now the simple question is why Mishra was ignored over the years again and again? Why wasn't he included in the playing XI at Durban, Johannesburg, Auckland, Wellington, Napier or Hamilton? Mishra, who has recently spent more time on the bench than on the field, has played just three Twenty20 Internationals despite making limited-over debut in 2003. He has made 13 Tests and 23 one-day appearances for India so far.

These questions became more prominent after his current performances in the ongoing ICC World T20 when he helped his side to register two wins in as many matches. In its inaugural match played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur the Indian team registered a thumping victory over arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets with nine balls to spare.

Skipper MS Dhoni showed his faith in Mishra as he fielded three spinners against the arch-rival neighbour. Till Friday Mishra had only played against the lower-ranked sides and this was his first T20I in nearly four years. He played his first match against Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The leggie kept his skippers' faith and brilliantly bowled four overs and gave away only 22 runs and picked up two wickets. The 31-year-old returned with the figure of 4-1-22-2 with an economy of 5.50 and adjudged man of the match.

In their second match against the defending champions West Indies, India posted seven-wicket win and again Mishra bagged player of the match award with his superb figures of 4-0-18-2. He picked up two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the 15th over (his third over). First he lured Marlon Samuels to come out of the crease, as he tossed up a legbreak, Samuels came forward but the ball dipped and spun away from him beating the bat rest was taken care by Dhoni. Third umpire is not required in easy stumping. And in the next ball was a googly, which Dwayne Bravo, new batsman, failed to read, wrapped on to the pads and adjudged leg before wicket by the umpire.

So far he has played only three T20I and had preformed remarkably in all of them, in the debut match he gave away 21 runs and picked up one wicket in the form of Brendan Taylor against Zimbabwe in 2010.

Lets hope management will learn from Sunil Gavaskar's statement which he made during the dead rubber against Afghanistan in Asia Cup, when India fielded unchanged XI and said he wondered whether the "fear" of bench players succeeding over current favourites has prompted it to play the same team. Team management should not miss any chance to try their bench strength.

Posted by Admin on 5:08 AM in timesofindia

Why Mishra was ignored over the years?

Most successful, strategist and loved captain of Team India Mahendra Singh Dhoni recognised leg-spinner Amit Mishra's talent only after latter's Delhi team-mate and stand-in captain for Asia Cup, Virat Kohli, fielded him for the tournament played in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 8, 2014.

In return, the leggie did not disappoint his skipper and in his full quota of 20 overs in two matches he picked up three wickets and gave away just 49 runs. That's the best economy rate (2.45) by any bowler during the Asia Cup.

After their one wicket defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan, Virat Kohli felt Amit Mishra showed a lot of courage in taking up the challenge he threw at him. He said that he was not shocked at all. He was rather proud of the way the boys fought it out. 245 against a team like Pakistan and on that wicket with the dew was not easy to defend, he added.

If you see the kind of batsmen they had and our inexperience in bowling department, still to put up that kind of fight. He (Mishra) gave only 28 runs in 10 overs, took two wickets, bowled brilliantly against the likes of Misbah, Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, Kohli praised the Delhi tweaker after the match.

Now the simple question is why Mishra was ignored over the years again and again? Why wasn't he included in the playing XI at Durban, Johannesburg, Auckland, Wellington, Napier or Hamilton? Mishra, who has recently spent more time on the bench than on the field, has played just three Twenty20 Internationals despite making limited-over debut in 2003. He has made 13 Tests and 23 one-day appearances for India so far.

These questions became more prominent after his current performances in the ongoing ICC World T20 when he helped his side to register two wins in as many matches. In its inaugural match played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur the Indian team registered a thumping victory over arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets with nine balls to spare.

Skipper MS Dhoni showed his faith in Mishra as he fielded three spinners against the arch-rival neighbour. Till Friday Mishra had only played against the lower-ranked sides and this was his first T20I in nearly four years. He played his first match against Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The leggie kept his skippers' faith and brilliantly bowled four overs and gave away only 22 runs and picked up two wickets. The 31-year-old returned with the figure of 4-1-22-2 with an economy of 5.50 and adjudged man of the match.

In their second match against the defending champions West Indies, India posted seven-wicket win and again Mishra bagged player of the match award with his superb figures of 4-0-18-2. He picked up two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the 15th over (his third over). First he lured Marlon Samuels to come out of the crease, as he tossed up a legbreak, Samuels came forward but the ball dipped and spun away from him beating the bat rest was taken care by Dhoni. Third umpire is not required in easy stumping. And in the next ball was a googly, which Dwayne Bravo, new batsman, failed to read, wrapped on to the pads and adjudged leg before wicket by the umpire.

So far he has played only three T20I and had preformed remarkably in all of them, in the debut match he gave away 21 runs and picked up one wicket in the form of Brendan Taylor against Zimbabwe in 2010.

Lets hope management will learn from Sunil Gavaskar's statement which he made during the dead rubber against Afghanistan in Asia Cup, when India fielded unchanged XI and said he wondered whether the "fear" of bench players succeeding over current favourites has prompted it to play the same team. Team management should not miss any chance to try their bench strength.

Posted by Admin on 5:08 AM in timesofindia

Duminy powers SA to 170/6 against NZ

NEW DELHI: Late charge by JP Duminy (86 not out) helped South Africa set 171-run target for New Zealand in their World Twenty20 clash at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.

Scorecard | Super-10 Stage Standings

Duminy slammed three massive sixes and ten fours in his quick-fire 43-ball knock.

Duminy raced to his fifty off just 31 balls as South Africa made a gallant fightback after losing wickets at regular intervals early in their innings.

All-rounder Corey Anderson struck again as he caught & bowled David Miller soon after Duminy's fifty.

Hashim Amla (41) lost his wicket in a strange and unlucky way as the ball ricochet from non-striker Duminy's bat to give Anderson an easy caught & bowled chance.

Amla hit just two fours in his patient 40-ball innings.

Sent in to bat, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen early. They lost AB de Villiers (5), Faf du Plessis (13) and Quinton de Kock (4) inside seven overs of their innings.

Spinner Nathan McCullum clean bowled De Villiers in the seventh over to reduce the Proteas to 42/3 in 6.4 overs.

Bowlers provided New Zealand breakthroughs at regular intervals to hamper South African run charge.

Tim Southee dismissed Du Plessis soon after fellow pacer Kyle Mills scalped De Kock in the third over.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl first.

There's still a decent grass coverage on the pitch. The track is dry and there won't be much assistance for the spinners. There'll be a good carry off the pitch.

After winning the toss, McCullum said it's a pretty good wicket but reckoned it's easier batting second.

New Zealand are playing an unchanged XI.

Regular South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who replaced Farhaan Behardien, said he too would have wanted to bat first.

New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament by beating England in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52/1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the match.

After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.

New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners.

After Saturday's loss to Sri Lanka, South Africa need to win their last three matches in to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara held their nerve in the death overs with miserly fast bowling as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by five runs on Saturday.

South Africa had the upper hand chasing 166 for victory in their Group One super 10 match and needed 19 runs off the last two overs with five wickets in hand.

But Kulasekara gave away just four runs and picked up the wicket of Farhaan Behardien (five) to leave South Africa needing 15 runs off limited-overs specialist Malinga's final over.

Teams:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Capt.), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (Capt.), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Posted by Admin on 4:32 AM in timesofindia