Pakistan aim for a winning start

Pakistan would be hoping for a controversy-free tournament and ensure that all the focus remains only on the cricket.

England survive Netherlands scare

Doeschate's all-round effort went in vain as England edged Netherlands by 6 wickets with the help of half centuries from Strauss and Trott. Doeschate was named the MoM.

“We are capable of causing an upset”

Ahead of the Australia clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe coach has declared that they are not overawed.

By Abhideep Das in Ahmedabad

The ICC CWC 2011 Group A fixture between four-time world champions Australia and minnows Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on Monday is being viewed by many as a ‘David vs Goliath’ clash.

However, the Zimbabwe camp is quietly confident of causing an upset ahead of their opening fixture in the mega-tournament.

“Although Australia haven’t lost an ICC CWC encounter in the last 12 years, we sincerely believe that if we play to our potential on Monday then an upset is possible,” said head coach Alan Butcher in the pre-match press conference on Sunday.

History backs the Zimbabwean outfit. In their first ever ODI match in the 1983 ICC CWC, the African nation caused a ripple in the cricketing world by beating Australia by 13 runs at Nottingham. Although they have never been able to beat the ‘Men from Down Under’ since, Monday provides Zimbabwe an opportunity to once again send shock waves in the cricketing world.

The wicket at the Sardar Patel stadium in Motera had some green patches on Sunday. However Butcher was not at all worried by that. “The grass on the wicket hasn’t really grown but rather it has been inserted to bind the pitch together. Hence the green patches won’t worry us. Also there are some bare patches on the track as well.”

Australia and Zimbabwe have played in this stadium once before. The former won that encounter in 1998 by 13 runs defending a score of 252.

Queried on who are the main Australian players that his team needs to watch out for on Monday, the Zimbabwe head coach said tongue and cheek, “All of them! If both Australia and Zimbabwe play to potential, then it is likely that the Aussies will win the game. Our strategy will be to surprise the Australians with our spin bowlers since they wouldn’t have seen much of our bowling before.”

The ‘catch your opponents by surprise’ theme is thus resonating through the Zimbabwe camp at the moment.

"Win the ICC World Cup for Woolmer"

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged the team to put up a stellar show in the ICC Cricket World Cup for late coach Bob Woolmer.

"Pakistan should try to do well in this ICC Cricket World Cup not only for the country but also for our late coach Bob Woolmer, who always believed we had the potential to be the number one side in the world," Inzamam said.

"It will also help ease the pain of crashing out in the first round of the last World Cup when we had a fine combination that was disturbed by injuries," he added.

Inzamam also reckoned that senior batsman Younis Khan has a pivotal role to play for his side in the tournament

Younis, who played many a splendid knock under Inzamam's leadership, gave up captaincy in November 2009 to focus on his batting.

"He is a key member and has the capability to anchor the innings and play out the full 50 overs. He must bat at number three, a position he is most comfortable in, and has scored most of his runs in Test matches," Inzamam, who played 375 ODIs and 120 Tests, said.

The former batsman noted that Younis now have the experience to be the line-up's mainstay.

"The good thing is that Younis has lately been getting back his form and seems to be enjoying his cricket. I think for a player of his calibre, he will love to perform on the World Cup stage," Inzamam, who had played a stellar role in Pakistan's World Cup triumph in 1992, said.

He pointed out that experience was crucial in a high pressure tournament like the World Cup.

"Younis, Afridi, Razzaq, Kamran and Shoaib have played in the ICC Cricket World Cups and must now show the way to the others. They must perform and guide the others," he said.

Inzamam also felt that Pakistan's strength lies in their attack, especially considering the sub-continental conditions.

"Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar and Wahab Riaz they can all bowl at good pace and can reverse swing the ball. In the conditions in Sri Lanka and the two other host countries, these three have the ability to bowl out any side."

The former great noted that Pakistan's strategy must be based on attacking bowling.

"This plan worked well for us in 1992 and 1999 (Pakistan reached the final). The bowlers should be told not to worry about giving away runs in the powerplay, which that can happen to any bowler nowadays. They must be told to look for wickets.

"In any form of cricket, wickets keep the batting side under pressure. The good thing for Pakistan is that it has the pace and spin bowlers with the ability to take wickets."

Inzamam said that Pakistan were blessed with a potent spin attack.

"No other team has four quality spinners in every variety like we do and these guys are capable of not only taking wickets but also tightening up things under pressure and in middle overs."

He also saw no reason why Pakistan couldn't win the ICC CWC. "The team has tremendous potential and lately, it has been gelling well and performing under pressure. It is just a matter of getting a good start."

The former captain also felt that it should not be a surprise if Pakistan beat both Sri Lanka and Australia in their group matches as the team has the ability to do that.

Ponting prefers 10 teams in World Cups

The highly debated decision of International Cricket Council to prune down the number of World Cup participants to ten full members in 2015 got the backing of Australian captain Ricky Ponting who said the tournament belonged to the elite members.

"I have always been unsure if the World Cup and Champions Trophy are the right place for small nations. And I am not sure how much these teams actually learn when they are hammered in contests," Ponting said here ahead of his team's World Cup lung opener against Zimbabwe at Motera Stadium.

Ponting felt that the World Cup should be a tournament for fewer teams and making efforts to develop the game worldwide should not necessarily mean that smaller nations be allowed to take part in the flagship event.

"You need to bring on some of these small nations into the world of cricket. We want to the see the game develop and blossom around the world," said the 36-year-old twice World Cup-winning captain who is to feature in his fifth World Cup after making his debut in 1996.

"At the end of the day it would probably be a better tournament if they were fewer teams (in the World Cup). It's the pinnacle of the sport. We understand the responsibility to keep the game growing," Ponting, who is poised to make a record 40th World Cup appearance, said.

The 2011 World Cup has 14 teams, including associate members Kenya, Canada, Ireland and The Netherlands.

In 2015 edition, to be held in Australia and New Zealand, there would be only ten teams, as per the decision taken by the world governing body for the game.

© PTI

Gayle wants to be best all-rounder in WC

He is one of the most devastating batsmen in one-day cricket but West Indies opener Chris Gayle is not satisfied being just that and intends to emerge as the best all-rounder of the ongoing World Cup.

"I want to be the best all-rounder in the World Cup. I should be able to do a bit of bowling and get a few wickets as well and also set up a good total for the team," Gayle quipped when asked about his personal milestone in the World Cup.

West Indies will be opening their campaign against South Africa on Thursday and Gayle feels Graeme Smith's men are beatable and they need to go discreetly about their job.

"We are playing one of the favourites in South Africa and they are a top quality side in both batting and bowling. We have to be on our A game and capitalise on opportunities. They are beatable. We need to be discreet about the way we go about things," Gayle said after his team's practice session here.

"The preparation has been good. We came from Sri Lanka, of course things didn't go according to our plan but at the same time it is a big occasion and we want to get a winning start here."

"The key is to get a good start and in this new format, the top four get to the quarterfinals and that would be the objective and then anything is possible. We have not done well in the two World Cups that I played and I hope things turn here. We need to have the self belief," he added.

The former skipper said he has his task cut out and he would be leading the batting line up, which has a few debutantes.

"I am the first one to face the ball, so I would lead the batting. Young Darren Bravo can bat really well. He is a key player, though it is his first World Cup. He has been batting well," Gayle said.

"Unfortunately Barath missed out. We also have two experienced players in Shivnarine (Chanderpaul) and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan. Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard all can bat well," he added.

Gayle also hoped Dwayne, who has been a bit off colour, would regain his form in the World Cup.

"Bravo is a kind of player who can come like a firework and get that buzz around and bring the energy back in the team. He is a positive player, I am not too worried about him."

Asked how would they adjust to the conditions in India, the 31-year-old Jamaican said they need to make necessary adjustments.

"We have to make necessary adjustments. We have a couple of young guys in the side. We know the wicket here would be slow but we would like to wait and see how the conditions are and adjust our game accordingly," he said.

"The bounce is a bit shorter here, in Sri Lanka it was bigger. The outfields are very fast. It is a challenge for bowlers, but spinners do well here," he added.

Gayle also felt that batsmen would win more matches during this quadrennial event.

"Batters will get runs and teams which bat well will win more games but we are not taking anything away from the bowlers. They are capable and know how to go about their business," he said.

Gayle also described opener Virender Sehwag's innings against Bangladesh as brilliant.

"Brilliant innings from Sehwag. We all know what he is capable of. He is one of the most dangerous batsman around," he said when asked if he had seen Sehwag's innings in the opener between India and Bangladesh yesterday.

Asked about the prospect of achieving a double century in the World Cup after Sehwag came close to it during his 140-ball 175 run innings, Gayle said it was a possibility.

"The master blaster got a double century. Sehwag has played such a good innings. If you stay back and play longer, it can be achieved. It is a possibility. Sachin has done it, Sehwag can do that," he said.

Asked if he fancied a chance to get to the double hundred, Gayle quipped, "Well, if I can get a chance, I'll definitely chase it."

Injuries have taken a toll on West Indies and even before facing a single ball in the World Cup, the Caribbeans lost two of their key players in Adrian Barath and Carlton Baugh and Gayle said it was a setback for them.

"It is a setback, losing two players who have been doing well. Adrian Barath had been batting well, it is unfortunate. But there are two new guys and we are trying to put them in the comfort zone as soon as possible," he said.

Asked if it is possible to regain the past aura for the West Indies, champions during the 1975 and 1979 World Cup, Gayle said it will happen with time.

"It is difficult to compare the past and present. We have some young and inexperienced players but we are all big men and we need to take that responsibility. We have to give some time. Things won't happen overnight, we need to rebuild as much as possible," he said.

Gayle said the inclusion of powerplays has infused excitement in 50 over cricket, a format that was struggling due to the advent of Twenty20s.

"I don't see 50 over cricket dying down. I don't see that happening. From a cricketing point of view, things are going fine. Two powerplays have made it more exciting, so it is going good."

"Twenty20 and 50 overs are very different. In 50 overs, you can give yourself a chance to settle in but in Twenty20, you have to go from the start," he said.

© PTI

Sehwag savours revenge game

For Virender Sehwag, the 87-run victory over Bangladesh in the World Cup opener today was a revenge that he waited to take for the past four years. After his magnificent knock of 175 off only 140 balls, Sehwag admitted that he was waiting for this day for the past four years having lost to same opponents in the Cup opener four years back.

"It was a good start for the team. I have said this is a revenge game and we have really played well," the man of the match said at the post match presentation ceremony.

Someone who never minces words, Sehwag said that Bangaldesh are a good outfit when it came to limited overs cricket.

"When I came here, the press asked me about Bangladesh team. I have said before Bangladesh are not good in Tests, but they can compete in ODIs, but today they could not," was his curt assessment about the opposition.

Sehwag who had expressed his intentions of batting long before the start of the tournament said that strategy was to get 100 within 30 overs.

"I was looking to bat long, maybe get a 100 in 30 overs and then go on. Special thanks to my physio Nitin (Patel) and trainer Ramji (Srinivasan) for helping me. I was carrying a couple of injuries and they got me ready for this game."

Sehwag was all praise for young Virat Kohli who also scored a century. "He batted superbly. He deserved that century."

The Nawab of Najafgarh as he is popularly known also praised the team effort. "Everyone has done well except Sreesanth. But one bowler can have an off-day but the others did well."

For skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fielding is an area where there is lot of room for improvement.

"In the fielding department, we will need to contribute more. While fielding, we would like to save around ten runs. There are others in the tournament who are good fielding sides."

He showered accolades on Sehwag and Kohli for adding a whopping 203 runs in only 24.1 overs.

"When you have lost a couple of wickets, you need to stabilise, and it was nice to see Sehwag and Kohli do that. The pitch was on the slower side during the afternoon session and it would have been difficult for a new batsman to get going right from the start. So once the batsmen get going they should look to stay till the end," the captain said.

He also praised the bowlers for putting up a controlled performance.

"The bowlers did a good job on this kind of a track. Especially, the spinners had to fight it out."

Although a comfortable victory provides an ideal momentum but Dhoni believes that "everything starts from scratch once next match comes up."

The World Cup schedule has been dubbed as long by many but Dhoni feels that a week's time gives the players a chance to work on their niggles and turn 100 percent match fit before the next game against England in Bangalore from February 27.

Dhoni's counterpart Shakib Al Hasan admitted that they bowled badly.

"We gave away too many boundary balls. Also Sehwag took the game away from us. Actually our fast bowlers didn't execute their plans properly. They were a bit rusty and hopefully they will be back to form in next match," Shakib said.

Bangladesh dropped former captain and experienced batsman Mohammad Ashraful for the opening match against India but the skipper said the decision would have made hardly any impact on the outcome of the match.

"I think it was the best possible combination. For our openers the plan was simple, they had to bat properly and keep going. Tamim (Iqbal) and Junaed (Siddique) tried to do that. They didn't play too many bad shots and there wasn't many slogs. We almost got to 300," Shakib said.

Asked whether Bangladesh missed pacer Mushrafe Mortaza, who was not selected in the World Cup squad due to injury, Shakib said: "He is not in the squad but it wouldn't have been different if he was.

"The fast bowlers did well in the last 12 months and I am sure they'll come back strongly. Shafiul (Islam) was maybe slightly nervous and so he couldn't execute the plans. He bowled too many boundary balls.

Asked whether whether his decision to put India into bat backfired, the Bnagladesh captain said, "I still think my decision was right."

© PTI

SL complete massive win

Sri Lanka won their opening match by a whopping 210 runs after scoring 332 and bowling Canada out for 122. Mahela Jayawardene hit an 80-ball century, the fastest for SL in World Cups.

Bowlers set up emphatic win for NZ

Bennett is the Man of the Match: It's very tough for us after the India game, I was working on the yorkers and it paid rich dividends today. It's very hot in India and it's pretty difficult to get used to it.

Vettori: We didn't start well as we lost the toss, but our seamers exploited the conditions well. With big games coming up, nice to get a win under your belt. Mills might be back in the next game and Nathan has bowled well for us.

Kamande: I am disappointed with our batting performance. All credit to the NZ bowlers and they came hard against us. We didn't compete well today and we hope to do well in the future matches.

A clinical performance in the end by the Kiwis and they have knocked off the total in 8 overs to start their World Cup campaign in style. Their seamers did the damage by skittling out the Kenyans for a paltry 69, with Bennett taking 4 wickets and Southee and Oram sharing 3 each. Guptill and McCullum ensured they went past the target without any fuss. Stay tuned for the presentation....

Sehwag brilliance sinks B'desh

Virender Sehwag scored a blazing 175 in the company of Virat Kohli who hit an unbeaten ton which contributed to India's emphatic 87 run win over Bangladesh.

Sehwag, Kohli power India to 370

Virender Sehwag slammed 175 runs and Kohli scored an unbeaten ton to power India to a massive total after they were put into bat by Bangladesh in the opening WC encounter.

Sehwag falls on 175

Virender Sehwag slammed 175 runs before being bowled by Shakib Al Hasan. India were 355/3 in the 48th over with Kohli batting on 94.

Sehwag ton propels India

Virender Sehwag got to his 14th ODI century to propel India forward. India were 205 for 2 in 32 overs with Sehwag and Kohli in the crease.

Shakib: Time to win against the best

Bangladesh skipper Shakib-al-Hasan is confident of a strong show against India in the opening tie of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

By Rajarshi Gupta in Dhaka

Having gained some ground over the last two years, Shakib felt Bangladesh were poised for the mega-event, starting Saturday. Facing India in-front of what will be a packed Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, the world's best all-rounder wants side to enjoy the significance of the occasion.

"I don't think it can get better than this. Playing a strong side like India has its advantages. We want to prove ourselves against the best," Shakib said at a press conference in the Mirpur stadium on the eve of the match.

Shakib believes his team is ready to deliver its best against India, touted as the pre-tournament favourites.

"Our bowlers are in good form, the batsmen have been doing their job and our fielding has improved a lot," Shakib said.

However, the skipper pointed out that there was way too much hype around the India game - there is a lot of cricket to be played in the ICC CWC. Bangladesh have to counter strong challenges from South Africa, England, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland besides India, before they assure themselves of a quarter-final berth.

"This tournament is not only about playing India. We have six league matches to play and we have to perform in all of them. If we get our basics right, we will do well."

Playing at home will also mean pressure. Fans have gone berserk; gunning for nothing less than an emphatic Bangladesh victory, but Shakib maintained his players were ready to deal with the expectations.

"The guys have played enough cricket to cope-up with the pressure. We are not looking too far ahead. We will take it one game at a time and concentrate on the job at hand." An optimistic Bangladesh skipper added.

The wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla is expected to be a treat for the batsmen once they get their eyes but Shakib kept his fingers crossed over the dew factor: "If there is no dew, conditions will be good for batting till the end."

Bangladesh will go into the tournament without key pacer, Mashrafe Mortaza, but Shakib felt that there were others to fill in his shoes.

"He (Mortaza) has been a great performer for us over the past few years but this current side has been playing well over some time now and we have a very settled combination," Shakib added.

"I want 100 wickets before I retire"

Ray Price, the senior most player in the Zimbabwe team, is hoping to complete a century of wickets in ODIs, before he retires.

The left-arm spinner, who currently has taken 80 ODI wickets, would be leading the Zimbabwe spin attack along with young Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer.

"I would like to get 100 wickets before I retire. I am getting old now. But I am still young in my heart," Price said.

He also praised young Utseya and said, "Prosper and I work very well together. Just have different lines. He and I have played for long and I enjoy bowling with him," the veteran player said.

Price was of the opinion that while playing in India the pressure was on the spinners to perform on slow pitches.

When asked about their first World Cup match against defending champions Australia, Price said they were not afraid of the Aussies.

"Australians are highly competitive. We are not afraid of them but we respect them. I never like to make too much noise with my mouth. Once I get ball in my hand, I can make some noise," the senior player said.

Pietersen fires again as England win

England trumped Pakistan by 67 runs in their last ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up game at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.

Heartening half-centuries from Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen, and more wickets for Stuart Broad, eased England to a comfortable win.

Pietersen (66) and Collingwood (65) were the main contributors to England's 273 all out, the former producing welcome evidence his move up the order may work in the sub-continent and the latter back to form in the nick of time before this tournament begins in earnest.

Broad continued his impressive return from injury with four top-order wickets to undermine Pakistan's reply under lights, and Younus Khan's hard-working 80 could not redress the balance - especially after Collingwood chipped in with figures of three for 48.

Pietersen's 78-ball innings earlier ended in the 27th over, leaving much work for other batsmen.

It fell principally therefore to Collingwood to engineer a defendable total after England had been asked to bat first.

They lost Andrew Strauss in the third over of their first meeting with Pakistan since last summer's Test and limited-overs series ended in acrimony thanks to the spot-fixing crisis.

Three Pakistan players have subsequently been banned for five years each by the International Cricket Council, but there was an otherwise familiar look to the opposition.

In front of a capacity crowd of 16,000 - hundreds had to queue outside and took their seats only midway through England's innings - it was veteran fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who struck first, as Strauss posted his second single-figure score in succession.

He followed Wednesday's one run against Canada at this same venue with five today - bowled, edging an ugly heave to leg on to his stumps.

Jonathan Trott joined Pietersen but could not get going, and when left-armer Junaid Khan (three for 44) changed the angle by going round the wicket he was soon rewarded - clipping a bail after the number three missed as he too aimed to leg.

Pietersen dominated a stand of 70 with Ian Bell, going to his 50 by hitting off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for a six over long-on and looked set for three figures until he went up the wicket to slow left-armer Abdur Rehman and failed to cover the spin.

Collingwood struggled early on, and Bell was stumped off Ajmal when he made ground only to miss an attempt to chip runs into the leg-side.

But Ravi Bopara struck the ball cleanly and ran well to help put on 82 in only 12 overs - and Collingwood found his touch to reach 50 in 60 balls, despite managing only two boundaries.

After Bopara holed out at long-on, Collingwood - without a half-century in his last 11 one-day international innings - and Matt Prior kept the tempo high until a late clatter of five wickets for 12 runs as Wahab Riaz finished with three for 52.

Broad (five for 25), who had taken three wickets with the new ball and five in all two days ago in his first match for more than two months, put Pakistan in instant trouble.

He had Mohammad Hafeez neatly caught at first slip by Strauss, then saw off a pair of Akmals - Kamran pinned lbw on off-stump and Umar undone by low bounce to be bowled on the back foot.

Younus responded with some typically sensible batting, for a 70-ball half-century.

But he needed support - and in the absence of Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq's middle-order power, both all-rounders surprisingly rested by Pakistan, it was not forthcoming.

Tim Bresnan, back after his calf injury, bowled accurately - and although James Anderson was a little rusty, especially with the new ball, Strauss had plenty of back-up options.

Collingwood and Anderson bagged a wicket each when Asad Shafiq and then Ahmad Shehzad missed big hits.

Then with approaching nine-an-over required, Misbah-ul-Haq was lbw to Collingwood, attempting a drive down to long-on.

Younus was left with too much to do and eventually fell in a vain cause, appropriately to the returning Broad when he edged a wide ball and was well-caught behind by Prior.

Trott did not take the field, nursing a minor injury to his right little finger.

Hosts kick off grand spectacle

Amidst the hype and the frenzy, Bangladesh will play with nothing to lose, while India have to bury the ghosts of the past and seize the promise of the future.

Wankhede fails safety inspection

Mumbai's Wankhede stadium, the venue for World Cup final, failed to meet fire safety standards.

The city's chief fire officer Uday Tatkare claimed his inspectors have found several problems which need to be corrected before the stadium is given the go-ahead to host cricket's global showpiece event on April 2.

But Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Lalchand Rajput is confident the required work will be carried out in time.

He told Press Association Sport: "The fire fighting team came and inspected the stadium.

"They have made a few suggestions and we will comply with them."

Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens has also faced safety issues ahead of the tournament which gets under way on Saturday.

The Group B clash between India and England on February 27 was switched to Bangalore as a result but Rajput calmed fears the Wankhede Stadium could suffer a similar fate.

He added: "We are not concerned about the venue being taken off the World Cup list."

The issue of safety at the venue was raised when Tatkare told the Press Trust of India: "The team has found that the newly renovated stadium has many loopholes in its fire safety mechanism.

"The stadium must be in compliance with the fire safety conditions. We will soon write a letter to the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) stating there is a need to comply with fire safety norms at the stadium."

"Once they abide by the terms we would again conduct an inspection."

A Mumbai fire officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the scale of the problems at the Wankhede Stadium.

He is reported to have told PTI "mandatory fire apparatus" was missing, including fire alarms and extinguishers.

Friday's news will again raise question marks over India's ability to stage major sporting events.

The build-up to October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi was dominated by stories of failed deadlines on stadium construction while several teams delayed their arrivals in India while accommodation and infrastructure was completed.

A footbridge outside the main Nehru Stadium also collapsed 12 days before the event was due to start, injuring 27 people.

That incident was followed by tiles from the wrestling arena's false ceiling falling down and a scoreboard at the stadium for the rugby sevens coming loose.

There have also been doubts about the progress made ahead of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in Delhi in October.

Asphalt has yet to be laid on the track and work on the circuit's service roads has only just started.

But earlier this week FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting said things were on schedule. The circuit faces a final inspection on June 30.

West Indies' Barath, Baugh out of World Cup

Exciting opener Adrian Barath and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh have been ruled out of the World Cup with injuries, dealing a fresh blow to the West Indies ahead of the mega event.

"Medical specialists have determined that in both cases the players will not be able to resume training for two to three weeks," the West Indies Cricket Board said in a press release on Friday.

Kirk Edwards, the uncapped batsman from Barbados, and Antigua wicket-keeper Devon Thomas were named as replacements, subject to approval by the International Cricket Council.

Baugh retired out on 29 during a warm-up match with Sri Lanka earlier this week, leaving Darren Bravo to keep wicket. Barath, 20, did not take any part in that game.

Barath, considered to be one of the most promising young batting talents in the Caribbean, had hit a a fine 113 in a recent one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

West Indies, placed in Group B, begin their World Cup against South Africa in New Delhi on February 24.

© AFP

1983 triumph changed Indian cricket: Sachin

The epochal triumph of the Kapil Dev-led Indian team in the 1983 cricket World Cup changed the course of game in the country forever and is perhaps the greatest-ever feat in its history, says senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

In his foreword to a book on the victorious squad by one of the 1983 team members' Balwinder Singh Sandhu, titled "The Devil's Pack", Tendulkar recalls the celebrations after that historic triumph in his neighbourhood when he was a 10-year-old boy.

"Winning the World Cup in 1983, against heavy odds, was a huge achievement; perhaps the greatest in the history of Indian cricket! The significance of that win is that it changed the course of Indian cricket forever," Tendulkar says in the book which was released here on thursday by another member of that triumphant outfit - Dilip Vengsarkar.

"There were unbelievable scenes in my building and the neighbourhood on that historic night when India won the World Cup. People were dancing on the streets and bursting firecrackers everywhere.

"As a 10-year-old who knew very little about the game, I got immersed in the mood and enjoyed the victory with my friends till the early hours of the morning. Looking back, like me, I am sure there are millions of other Indians whose success stories have revolved round that one great performance," he admits candidly.

Vengsarkar, who was the chief guest at the book release function at the MIG Club in Bandra - one of Tendulkar's preferred practice spots - said Sandhu's contribution to the game has been very vast.

"Sandhu was extremely focused and gritty player. On the 1983 tour to the West Indies, which was his first, he was very popular with the crowd and was also close to (former West Indies captain) Viv Richards," said the former India captain and ex-chief selector.

Vengsarkar also described Sandhu as a "very good coach" and said "his contributions to cricket have been immense".

Former teammates and ex-India stumpers Kiran More and Chandrakant Pandit also recalled the funny incidents during their playing days while echoing Vengsarkar's views about the former swing bowler's coaching abilities.

"On the 1983 tour to the West Indies I was his room partner. I think Ballu is one of the best coaches we have," said More.

Sandhu, talking about the book, said people know the feats of the cricketers who formed the 1983 squad but did not know the human faces behind them.

"I wanted to bring out the human personalities of these cricketers. They have a lot of plus points and a few minus ones. Everyone of us have weaknesses. I hope the book acts as an inspiration to the youngsters of today," he said.

The book is co-authored by Sandhu's Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers new ball mate Austin Coutinho, who has also drawn caricatures of all the team members, and is published by Rupa Publications.

The book, which costs Rs 195, has also some photographs of the players outside the cricket field, clicked along with their spouses and other family members.

© PTI

Skippers in rickshaws as WC opens

Captains of the 14 competing teams at the World Cup paraded through Dhaka's historic Bangabandhu Stadium in brightly coloured rickshaws.

India complete comprehensive win

Indian bowlers ran through the lower order as India completed a massive victory. NZ were all out for 243, losing by 117 runs.

Spinners give India superb win

Piyush Chawla lead India's tremendous fight back picking up 4 important wickets, while Harbhajan picked up 3 wickets towards the end to hand India a superb 38 run win.

Kallis, Morkel star in South Africa cricket win

Morne Morkel grabbed three wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten 49 as South Africa raced to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.

Paceman Morkel took 3-16 and Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir bagged 3-35 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 152 after electing to bat in the day-night match in Chennai.

South Africa achieved the target with more than 26 overs to spare in the one-sided contest, with Hashim Amla (45), skipper Graeme Smith (41) and Kallis being the main run-scorers.

All-rounder Kallis, who missed a recent home one-day series against India due to a rib injury, did not bowl but smashed three sixes and as many fours in his 39-ball knock.

Amla played some handsome shots in his 33-ball cameo, hitting seven fours, while Smith hit one six and three fours in his 54-ball knock.

South Africa were earlier well-served by Morkel and Tahir, who did not allow Zimbabwe to build a big partnership with their disciplined spells.

The pair were backed by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who took two wickets, and off-spinner Johan Botha (1-18).

Opener Brendan Taylor top-scored with 40 in a disappointing Zimbabwean batting performance. Sean Williams (35) and Charles Coventry (21) were the other main run-getters.

South Africa are in Group B with India, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, while Group A comprises Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.

Four teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.

India meet Bangladesh in the opening World Cup match in Dhaka on February 19.

© AFP

Sarwan leads WI to facile win

Ramnaresh Sarwan struck a masterful 123 to set up a comfortable 61-run victory for West Indies in a World Cup warm-up match against Kenya on Saturday.

Sarwan, 30, hit 11 fours and five sixes in his 125-ball knock and put on 94 runs with Dwayne Bravo (54) for the fifth wicket to propel his side to 253-8 after they were put in to bat at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Kenya started their chase confidently with Collins Obuya making 68 and opener Seren Waters 43, but they lost quick wickets in the middle overs and were bowled out for 192 off 45.3 overs.

Young West Indies paceman Andre Russell, who is yet to make his one-day debut, impressed the most among the bowlers, picking four wickets for 43 runs off his 10 overs while Kemar Roach took 3-23.

West Indies were in early trouble when veteran Kenyan seamer Thomas Odoyo (3-34) removed openers Devon Smith and Adrian Barath inside the first 10 overs.

Fast bowler Peter Ongondo then had Darren Bravo caught by wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma for 12 and Alex Obanda sent back the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul (seven) to reduce the West Indies to 65-4.

Sarwan, recalled to the World Cup squad after being dropped in May last year, showed his worth once again in sub-continent conditions as he set out to rebuild the innings.

The right-hander has an excellent one-day record in India, where West Indies play five of their six World Cup group games. He has played 15 matches there with an average of 57.30 and five half-centuries.

Dwayne Bravo provided solid support to Sarwan before Steve Tikolo brought an end to his 56-ball innings that included six fours and a six.

Kenya have played every World Cup since 1996 and pulled off a couple of surprises. They beat West Indies in 1996 and even qualified for the semi-final in 2003.

Kenya and the West Indies are in different groups in this edition of the World Cup starting on February 19 in Dhaka.

© AFP

Swansongs and first appearances

The World Cup more often than not brings out the best in the players and can cause even the stoutest of hearts to crumble with pressure or the underdog to rise to the very top.

The tournament can be a mixed bag in terms for emotions, from the joy of lifting cricket's biggest prize to the pain of falling short of their goal, the Cup emanates a plethora of emotions that one would probably never get to see otherwise.

Players announcing themselves on the big stage (Inzamam ul Haq in 1992, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in 1999) or players bidding adieu after a superb showing (Glenn McGrath in 2007, Martin Crowe in 1992) the World Cup has been the perfect stage to show the cricketing world what a player is worth.

Swansongs

Sachin Tendulkar (37): After more than 2 decades in the game, Sachin Tendulkar probably has created a record for the number of records and trophies he's won. But the coveted World Cup has slipped his grasp on 5 occasions and the Master may well have a final fling in this edition. Sachin has been the top scorer in World Cups on 2 occasions; now with a strong team to back him, the 37 year old has his best chance to lift that elusive Cup.

Ricky Ponting (36): The Australian right hander holds the enviable record of being in a World Cup winning team on 3 occasions, and twice being the man to lift it first. But unlike the last 2 World Cups, the Oz come into the multi-starrer with a lot of questions hanging. Can Ponting inspire his team to lift the World Cup an unprecedented 5 times? Not many seem to think so, but I wouldn't count it out.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (36): The unorthodox left hander has been a faithful servant for the Windies since 1994 and continues to be the glue that holds the batting line up together. The 36 year old is the 3rd highest West Indian run scorer in World Cups having amassed 856 runs and would play an important role if West Indies are to break their 32 year jinx.

Jacques Kallis (35): Perhaps the greatest cricketer of our era, Jacques Kallis is the most experienced World Cup campaigner in the Proteas' ranks. Kallis' ability to contribute richly with both bat and ball makes him an indispensable member of the squad and the burly all-rounder will look forward to continue his stunning form from the Test series in India to the World Cup as SA hope to lose their horrid luck and lift the WC for the first time ever.

Muttiah Muralitharan (38): The spin wizard from Sri Lanka has already announced he will hang up his boots once the World Cup ends and he will be doubly determined to make a lasting impact on the international scene for the final time. Murali had a fabulous outing in the last WC picking up 23 wickets, and a similar feat would see him end as the highest wicket taker in World Cups.

First appearances

Virat Kohli (22): Virat Kohli has been the saving grace in an otherwise lacklustre batting display for the Indians recently. The youngster has displayed maturity and ability that belies his tender age and is seen upon by many pundits as the next big thing in international cricket. The World Cup would be the perfect stage for Kohli to demonstrate how good a player he is.

Misbah-ul-Haq (36): The late bloomer has been Pakistan's saviour on many occasions recently and the embattled team will be looking to the Test captain to repeat his heroics at the biggest stage. Misbah would do well to put behind the recent distractions about being Pakistan's skipper at the World Cup and churn out runs for his team. Misbah's first World Cup could also be his last as the Pak Test captain is on the wrong side of 30.

David Hussey (33): With Michael Hussey conspicuous by his absence and Ponting and Clarke suffering from injury and bad form respectively, the onus falls on the younger Hussey. The right hander had a good outing in the recently concluded 7 match series against England and he will be raring to go at the World Cup.

Graeme Swann (31): Swann has often been hailed as the best spinner on show currently. The off spinner is vital to England's chances as the front line spinner in favorable conditions and he will also have the opportunity to enhance his reputation as the best spinner on view at the World Cup.

Hashim Amla (27): Hashim Amla's rise to the top of the batting charts has been meteoric. Having suffered an unimpressive start to his career, the right hander has now plundered runs at will and is seen as one of the most dangerous batsmen. Blessed with class and technique that could turn an opponent green with envy, Amla will be one of the players to watch out for at the WC.
© Cricbuzz

I'm hoping to play for fifty overs: Sehwag

At his destructive best, Indian opener Virender Sehwag can turn a match on its head with just a short stint at the crease but come this World Cup, he plans to prolong the agony for his rivals by being there for the entire 50 overs -- a feat he has not achieved before.

"I think I have never played 50 overs in one-day cricket. The maximum I have played is 43 or 44 overs. But this time I will try to bat 50 overs and give a good start to the team. I have been unsuccessfully trying this for the last 10 years and the effort is still on and will be there," Sehwag told reporters.

Expectations are sky high but Sehwag says he does not feel the pressure as his captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten have asked him to play his natural game no matter what the situation.

"I think nobody is telling me what to do, that's the good part of our team. The coach and captain just allow me to bat the way I bat. So, they are not putting any pressure on me. They said you just go and play your natural game. If you score runs we are happy and if you don't score runs then also we are happy," Sehwag said.

"My role is to go out there and enjoy myself and give a good start to the team. If I score 20 runs in 10 balls or 100 in 70, 80 balls I am happy with that," he added.

"For the last three years, I was in a good frame of mind. I have changed a little bit. Now I give respect to the new ball. I make sure that I spend four-five overs before taking on the bowlers and try to give a good start.

"I know that I have Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the middle-order, so I can go after the bowling straight from the first ball. But now I am trying to look for three-four overs and ensure that I give a good start to the team," Sehwag said.

Asked about the much-anticipated opening match against Bangladesh, he said the Indians are eagerly waiting to avenge their 2007 defeat on February 19 in Dhaka.

"I think we lost just one or two games against Bangladesh, one in the World Cup and may be one in Bangladesh only. So, our record against Bangladesh is very good. We know that in the last World Cup, we lost to them, so we are waiting for the match against Bangladesh. We are charged up for the game and hopefully, we will do well against them this time," Sehwag said.

Asked whether he has recovered fully from his shoulder injury that cut short his South Africa tour, he said, "I am taking regular treatment, so hopefully, I will be completely fine."
© PTI

Indian Cricket Team insured for Rs. 2.3 Crore Each For World Cup

The Indian cricket board has taken a personal accident policy worth $500,000 per player who is a part of the national team that will play in the World Cup. The BCCI has also taken another insurance policy to the tune of Rs 130 crore, which will shield it from financial losses in the event of a match being affected by bad weather.

Kohli says he is a changed cricketer now

Bangalore: Virat Kohli, who is expected to play a vital role in India`s middle-order in the upcoming World Cup, said after realising his importance in the team he has become a more matured batsman and is confident of his good showing in the ICC`s showpiece event, starting February 19.

The 22-year-old Delhi lad said he has worked a lot on the mental aspect of the game and is more focused now as compared to when he first came into limelight in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, where he lead India to the title.

"I have made a few changes in my game in the recent past. I am just trying not to commit unnecessary mistakes, learn from my mistakes. I am trying to use most of the opportunity that is coming my way. I am focusing on applying myself and play long and controlled innings, avoid playing rash shots and work on mistakes," Kohli said during an open media session.

"When I got out playing a rash shot in the past people told me you could have played a better shot and you will learn with time. I learnt how to be mentally tough, not to be bogged down by the opposition. I feel much more focused. I am confident of my abilities," he added.

The right-handed batsman also said the re-invented calm and focused attitude on the field has brought about changes in him as a person.

"If you bring changes to your cricket it reflects on your individuality."

The cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) brought about a lot of instant fame and money for the young Indian cricketers and Kohli said it is important to remain grounded and in the surroundings of senior pros, who have already tasted the same.

"It is important to remain focused. The moment you start to think I have had enough practice and I don`t need any more you will be lost. It is important to be eager to practice every day and be involved with the game. Be there with the people who has been there for long and have handled this situation before," he said.

With the World Cup being held in the sub-continent, expectations are high on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side to break the 28-year-old title jinx and Kohli said he is feeling pressure of expectations of millions of cricket-loving Indian fans.

"I was feeling lot of pressure before the camp started but after arriving in Bangalore I am more relaxed. I am just focusing on my training. Just being around the team and teammates calmed me down," he said.

Kohli already has a World Cup trophy under his belt but the youngster said his Under-19 experience will be of little help during the upcoming cricketing extravaganza, which will commence in Dhaka.

"It (the World Cup) is a different level altogether. It is superior and for a cricketer there is nothing as big as compared to the World Cup. I don`t think my Under-19 World Cup experience will help in any way. But I am more confident going into the mega-event," he said.

Kohli was one-of the star performers for India with the bat in the ODI series in South Africa and he said the experience will be of great help to him in the World Cup.

"I had some things in mind (in South Africa). I thought we would have to play as a team going into the World Cup. It was a really good experience to play and score runs in different conditions against different and world class bowlers," he said.

"I didn`t have added pressure. I was just looking to enjoy."

There is huge hype around Sachin Tendulkar, who in all probability will play his swansong World Cup but Kohli said the upcoming tournament is of equal importance for the entire country nation as it is for the batting maestro.

"Definitely, it matters for him (Tendulkar) but it also matters for the country as well as the team."

An agile Kohli, who is also an important cog in India`s fielding department and usually fields in the close position inside the circle, when asked if he ever felt nervous while fielding, he said: "We just look to enjoy every session. I try to bring out my best while fielding without taking any pressure.”

"The kind of position I field in is all about anticipation. If you are nervous you can`t anticipate. It`s more about being relaxed," said Kohli.

Proteas will reach final of World Cup: Pollock

Johannesburg: Former South African skipper Shaun Pollock believes that the Proteas will reach the final of the World Cup, starting on February 19.

Pollock, who played four World Cups, including the one in which he was the captain of South African team in 2003, said this time round there would not be any fear factor for the Proteans.

"There is no other team to be afraid of," the Afrikaans weekly Beeld quoted Pollock as saying at a function.

"In previous tournaments Australia instilled fear in its opponents because of their domination. This time that is not the case. That is why South Africa have a good chance of returning as world champions," he added.

Pollock said South Africa should just survive the group phase, "after that it just needs three big performances to become world champions."

He said India will face tremendous pressure as a host nation, while Australia have many problems and will particularly miss the experience of Michael Hussey.

"I also favoured the chances of the English, but there is something missing in them. New Zealand is also not a threat and the West Indies are now so weak that they are just making up the numbers. Pakistan is like the French rugby team – you never know what mood they will show up," said Pollock.

Pollock said he believed that the core team that was in action against the visiting Indian team in the recent tour would be seen in action in the sub-continent."

"(New cap) Imran Tahir (former Pakistan player) will probably play against the smaller sides to see how he performs," said Pollock.

England look for inspiration from Ashes, World T20 triumphs

England, who finished bridesmaid in three out of the first five World Cups, would be keen to take inspiration from their title triumph in last year`s World T20 championships and the more recent comprehensive Ashes victory over Australia when they plunge into action in the mega event.

After finishing runners-up in 1979 at home, 1987 and 1992, the country in which the limited-over format took splendid roots in the 1960s seemed to have lost their way in the 50-over game and were knocked out in the first round of the 1999 and 2003 editions.

But a conscientious decision to make improvements in the overs-limit formats paid dividends as England made the Super 8s in the West Indies in the 2007 World Cup and then surprised one and all by lifting the world crown in the shortest format of the game -- Twenty20 -- in the Caribbeans in 2010.

In the recent Ashes series also, the Englishmen completely dominated the proceedings, winning it 3-1 before injuries to key members and travel weariness had an affect on England and they ended up losing the seven-match ODI series against the arch-rivals 1-6, going into the World Cup.

However, Andrew Strauss-led England is now expected to do well to put the ODI setback against Australia firmly behind as they embark on another journey to grab cricket`s showpiece for the first time ever.

England, seeded sixth, are bunched in Group B with tournament co-hosts India, South Africa, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and The Netherlands. They open their Cup campaign against the Dutch at Nagpur on February 22.

India look to gain early momentum

Bangalore: With eyes firmly set on the silverware, India will look to gain momentum and start their World Cup campaign on a positive note when they take on Australia in their first warm-up match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday.

With memories of 2007 Caribbean World Cup disaster, where they crashed out in the opening round after losing to Bangladesh in the first match, still fresh in their minds the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side will be extra careful against the title holders Australia, who are coming into the tournament high on confidence after the 6-1 thrashing of England.

The day-night affair against Australia on Sunday will also be of high significance for India in the context of fitness of a few players, including the batting trio of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar, who are returning to the side after a short injury lay-off. Sehwag, personally, would be looking to get back amongst runs, which eluded him in the Test series in South Africa that was followed by him missing the ODI series due to a shoulder injury, while Tendulkar, who also returned midway from the African nation because of a hamstring problem, will be eager to leave an impression in what probably is his last World Cup.

The match against Australia will also give an opportunity to middle-order batsmen Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to return to form.

The trio of Dhoni, Yuvraj and Raina all got starts in South Africa but failed to capitalise on them and would be desperate to return to form.

The match is of special importance for Raina, who face a tough competition from Virat Kohli and Yusuf Pathan, to retain his place in the playing eleven.

From the point of the bowlers, Munaf Patel and Zaheer Khan would be looking forward to carry on their good work, while taking wickets is the only thing that will be on left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra's mind going into the game.

For right-arm fast bowler S Sreesanth, who replaced injured Praveen Kumar in the last minute, it is an opportunity to impress upon the team management for the third seamer's spot in the playing eleven.

The spin department, meanwhile, is in the safe hands of experienced off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. But the thing to watch out for is the healthy competition between proven customer R Ashwin and surprise inclusion Piyush Chawla.

Australia, on other hand, is high on confidence after avenging their Ashes series loss in the seven-match ODI series against England.

It is for the first time the Aussies have approached the World Cup on such a low-profile note despite being the champions in the last three editions of the mega-event, courtesy their humiliating Ashes defeat on the home turf.

But the Indians, considered as one of the favourites in the tournament, cannot afford to take Australia lightly in Sunday's practice match as skipper Ricky Ponting has already warned the opponents not to underestimate Aussies' abilities, especially in the World Cup, where they have an impeccable past record.

"I don't really care where we start the tournament. It is irrelevant. I think going into the last World Cup there was negativity around us. We lost the Commonwealth Bank series in home and also lost to New Zealand before the last World Cup. So there were a few doubts around our team but we went there and won the World Cup. I don't think it really matters too much what's happening in the lead up," Ponting had said.

Australian team has considerable amount of experience of playing in sub-continent conditions and also boasts a very good record here.

"We are pretty confident coming into the World Cup just beating a pretty good English side 6-1. We are in really good shape and confident. We have the momentum going around.

"There is no doubt that Australian cricket team has pretty good record in World Cup and bigger events but as I said we are not thinking about it right now. We have a really good squad and we will be doing everything to the best of our ability," Ponting said.

The Aussie skipper, who is returning after an injury lay-off that saw him miss the last Ashes Test and the entire ODI series against England due to broken finger, will be looking to get back into rhythm in the two practice games against India on Sunday and South Africa on February 15.

"My finger is doing pretty well. I am looking forward to play in the two practice games against India and South Africa," he said.

Both India and Australia are expected to test their 15 players in two practice games in the run-up to the World Cup.

Apart from a strong batting department which features the likes of Ponting, Shana Watson, Michale Clarke, in-form David Hussey, Cameron White and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, Australian team also has a formidable pace battery which will be spearheaded by rejuvenated and experienced Brett Lee.

However, the only worrying factor for Australia lies in its slow bowling department which does not have quality spinners.

Jason Krejza and all-rounder Steve Smith is expected to take up the responsibility of the spin department and the duo will ably supported by part-time spinners Clarke and Hussey.

Pietersen denies ODI retirement reports

Kevin Pietersen has denied reports that he could quit one-day cricket after this month's World Cup.

The Daily Mail said, on Friday, Pietersen wants to retire from one-dayers because he wants to spend more time with his family but Pietersen wrote on Twitter: "Just to set the record straight ... I have NO intention of retiring from ODI's after the World Cup!!"

Pietersen, 30, has played 110 one-dayers so far, and has been in poor form in the format over the past two years. He has managed only one half-century in that time, and his average has tumbled from around 50 to 41.37.

He has been a vocal critic of England's hectic schedule. England fly out to Bangladesh on Saturday for the World Cup, just four days after returning from a three-month tour of Australia. "Our schedule is ridiculous going into this World Cup. It has been for England teams for a very long time, and that's probably why England have not done well in World Cups," he had said towards the end of the one-day series against Australia, which England lost 6-1.

BAN VS CAN - BAN WIN

qbal and Kayes are at the crease. Iqbal is on strike. Chohan will open the attack
Patel and Davison are at the crease. Patel is on strike. Shafiul Islam will open the attack
Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to field

‘It would be a Blast to get Tendulkar out’ : Junaid Khan

After being selected for the World Cup squad by replacing Sohail Tanveer, young Left Arm Fast bowler Junaid Khan said that he is not overwhelmed by the prospect of debuting at the biggest stage of cricket i.e. World Cup.

“I’ll treat it as just another game of cricket,” Junaid said.”I’ve represented my country at junior levels and Pakistan A, so I know what the responsibility of playing for your country is like. I don’t think I’ll have any nerves and I’m confident I can handle the situation.”

I’ve been working so hard over the last couple of seasons and I feel that I have consistently improved as a bowler, “Junaid said. “I’ve also been working hard on my batting and I feel that my call-up for the World Cup is warranted as I have done consistently well at all levels for Pakistan.”

He also wants to have a go at the Little Master and said that “Just getting a chance to play in the World Cup is a dream come true for me,” he said. “But if we get to play against India in the World Cup, it would be a blast to bowl at [Sachin] Tendulkar and get him out. It is an ambition for me.”

Ricky Ponting feeling ‘fresh and ready’ for the World Cup

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is fresh and ready to lead Australia to their fourth consecutive World Cup title. He had suffered an injury during the Ashes as his finger had broken, but now has recovered completely.

“I’m feeling fresh after a month on the sidelines,” Ponting told reporters before flying out of Sydney. “I’m obviously looking forward to getting back into proper training and more importantly back into international cricket.

“It’s been a while between games for me and sitting back watching the guys play has been pretty difficult, but to see them play as well as they have has been very satisfying. I am very proud of what they did and we are in good shape at the moment. We’ve just got to keep improving in the next few weeks and make sure we are right at the big end of the tournament.”

Porterfield: Don't take Ireland easy

Ireland may be minnows in the ICC Cricket World Cup, but skipper William Porterfield warned oppositions not to take them lightly.

"Cricket World Cup is a big game. Any team can do better on a particular day and a particular match as chances are even," Forcefield told reporters on Thursday.

Ireland had shocked Pakistan by three wickets in the group stages and was responsible for the latter's first round exit from the 2007 Cricket World Cup, hosted by the West Indies.

The European team also surprised everyone by making it to the super-eight stage on their debut during the prestigious quadrennial event, where they defeated another sub-continent team -- Bangladesh by 74 runs.

Porterfield said the team's batting was strong but the bowling line-up too should not be taken lightly.

He said, unlike India, the other teams where players earn their livelihood by playing cricket, most of his teammates had to do jobs for supporting their family.

Ireland, which came on Wednesday, will play a warm-up match against New Zealand on February 12.

They will have a training session on Thursday.

The New Zealand team, which is scheduled to arrive this evening, will have a training session on Friday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium at Jamatha.

Gayle: Our aim is to upset big teams

Chris Gayle feels West Indies, the self-proclaimed underdogs, would aim to upset bigger teams and reach the quarters.

The 31-year-old Gayle said the event starting February 19 would probably be his last ICC Cricket World Cup and he would try to ensure that the two-time champions have a good campaign.

"We want to get the record straight this time. There are a lot of expectations from people back home. We want to go all out for them. This is my third World Cup. I'm treating it like my final Cup," Gayle said.

"The West Indies have a legacy of winning and I want to give my best to win matches for us," added Gayle ahead of their first warm-up match against Kenya on Saturday.

The West Indies won the World Cups in 1975 and 1979 but have been struggling with poor form, injuries and a long-standing contract disputes with the Board.

"We go in as the underdogs. But we want to be the team that upsets biggies and the one that gets through to the quarter-finals," Gayle said.

Gayle, in fact, lost his captaincy after refusing to sign the central contract over a pay dispute.

Sammy was handed the captaincy in his place and the new skipper said he is confident of reviving the Windies' fortunes.

"Yes, we have had some difficult times these past few months, but its behind us. The seniors and the juniors in the team are united to win games in this tournament," he said.

"We are a bit fresher than other teams I suppose, having spent more time indoors than on the field. This is my first World Cup and like many other young people in my team I am excited to have the chance to restore our cricket legacy," he said," he added.

Fit Tanvir questions PCB's call

In a dramatic turn of events, Sohail Tanvir, who was dropped from the Pakistan squad due to an elbow injury, insists he is fit to play.

The Pakistan cricket Board on Wednesday dropped the unorthodox bowler from the 15-member squad on the recommendations of the national team management, a medical panel and the selection committee and replaced him with rookie left arm pacer Junaid Khan.

Tanvir, who has so far claimed 48 wickets in 36 ODIs, said, "I don't know why they dropped me and the selectors should tell me the reason because I was fit and getting better in bowling and fielding.

"It is hugely disappointing to be dropped from a major event like the World Cup at the last moment," Tanvir told The Express.

Tanvir was dropped after playing in five of the six one-day internationals in New Zealand.

Justifying its decision to omit Tanvir, the PCB said the medical panel had examined the 26-year-old bowler and decided he was not 100 percent fit to play at the top level.

"He still requires time to make a complete recovery from his knee problem for which he had an operation sometime back," PCB said in a statement.

Chief selector, Mohsin Khan said that it was on the recommendations of the team management that the pacer was dropped from the squad.

"The team management spoke to the Board chairman expressing its concerns over Tanvir's fitness. Subsequently, the medical panel examined him and declared he was not fully fit.

"The team management felt that Tanvir was struggling while fielding because of his knee problem.

"Junaid Khan was called up because of his fine performances in domestic cricket," Mohsin revealed.

Meanwhile former test batsman, Basit Ali cautioned that Junaid was too raw and not ready for the international cricket.

"It would have been better if they had included Muhammad Yousuf in place of Tanvir. They already have too many pacers in the side and on the pitches in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh you don't need so many pacers," Basit said.

Murali: We can win the World Cup

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan on Thursday posed faith in his teammates to repeat the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup winning feat.

Sri Lanka won the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga and ended-runners up in the last edition in the West Indies.

Muralitharan is confident that what the team could not do in 1999, 2003 and 2007 can be done this time around.

"The day we won the cup in 1996 was the happiest day. It is because of that our cricket has come this far. It's been 15 years since 1996 and we can't dwell in the past. The teams are different. You can never compare generations.

"In 2003 we entered semis and in 2007 we entered finals. We had good teams but we could not win the cup. But this team I think we have a chance," Muralitharan said.

Sri Lanka's first and only title triumph came when it co-hosted the mega event and since this time around also they are playing hosts, captain Kumar Sangakkara says it will work to their advantage.

"I think every Cricket World Cup is a great opportunity to win it no matter where you play. This one playing in our neck of the woods probably gives us a slighter edge than the other teams," the left-handed batsman said.

However, Sri Lanka has two new venues for the World Cup and changes have also been made to the pitch at Premadasa stadium.

The Lankans have not had access to the stadiums because the construction work is still not complete and they would not have much of an idea about the nature of strips.

However, Sangakkara was not worried on that front. "There is no point in us being concerned about that because our mental approach has to be, regardless of getting an experience on the wickets, there is a World Cup to be played and played well," Sangakkara said.

'Razzak can be Cup's best man'

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder can be as good as a Shane Watson or Yusuf Pathan, writes Wasim Akram

By Wasim Akram

As the ICC Cricket World Cup approaches, I can feel the urgency in the team camps. I can sense the butterflies in the stomach, no matter how good an outfit you may be. This is what makes world championships special!

Almost every pundit is choosing his favourite team and top player, but with great caution. It is foolish to predict in cricket and hence almost every erudite expert is ‘talking’ along predictable lines. And, I am not going to be any different.

Like all ODI championships, the all-rounders have a great role to play and the teams that have them will be at a great advantage. There was a time, when Imran (Khan), Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Richard Hadlee would vie among each other for the No.1 all-rounder tag. In this ICC Cricket World Cup, it will be among Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan and Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq. These three can make or break their team’s fortunes.

I will be keenly watching Razzak’s performance. He is definitely up there with Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan, but is somewhat lacking in his bowling skills. Razzak will have to focus on pace and improve his fielding, too. In spite of his great experience, he is relatively young and a proven match-winner. If Razzak can be a bit more mentally tough and physically robust, he will definitely end up as the Player of the Tournament.

While cricket is always a team game, a few individuals will have to play leading roles for Pakistan. In the absence of Mohammed Aamer and Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul will have to spearhead the bowling attack. Gul is bowling quick and if he can utilize the reverse swing, he will be deadly.

I hope Shoaib Akhtar stays fit throughout the tournament. Shahid Afridi’s main job is to handle Akhtar well. In a recent interview, Afridi said he sees a limited role for the veteran pacer. I agree with him. Akhtar should be used in short bursts, of about four overs at the start of the innings, then he can bowl a couple in the middle and then in the slog overs. Because Pakistan need Akhtar’s pace, short spells will be best. His reverse swing at hostile pace will be really effective.

Sohail Tanvir’s absence will hurt Pakistan. After Razzak, he was a dependable all-rounder. Tanvir is a good bat and could have contributed to the score lower down the order. But it’s no point crying over spilt milk. I think, with Afridi around, there is plenty of option. Team selection will certainly be key.

For Pakistan, however, Ahmad Shahzad will be the player to watch out for. Apparently, I am his ‘hero’ but he compares his batting style after Sachin Tendulkar! Just 20, Shahzad is extremely promising. He left his mark with a century against New Zealand recently and he is high on confidence and won’t succumb to pressure easily. I have watched him play in the Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. He has got all the shots in the book and his best form of defence is to attack. I think Shahzad will be very consistent on sub-continental tracks.

It’s looking good for Pakistan. The captaincy dilemma has been sorted and Afridi has been rightfully chosen to skipper the team. Will he lead by example? That’s the million dollar question!

(Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram is an ESPN-STAR Sports expert)