Cricket: "Allrounder Captain Clarke helps Australia take Series Lead"

Michael Clarke made a classy 66 and later took 3 for 15 and made sure that Australia take a 2-1 lead in the third match against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. It was a low scoring match with both the sides losing their wickets to spinners, such was the domination of the spinners in this match.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, they started cautiously well untill hopes was runout of a direct hit from younis khan. Watson followed him soon. Haddin was foxed by shoaib Malik spin and he was soon accompanied by symmonds who coudnt read shahid afridis spin. It was left to new star from australian side "Ferguson" and clarke to recover the damage and they infact did it brilliantly. They complemented each other and took singles and hit loose deliveries to their deserved boundaries. Once Clarke and ferguson were gone runs were hard to come by and Australia could manage below par 198. But it was enough for their bowlers to defend the target.

Pakistan started their chase quite confidently and brilliantly. At one stage they were cruising at 95 with out any loss in 22 overs. But once spin was introduced Pakistan too tumbled and kept loosing wickets at regular intervals and with the exception of Shoaib Malik all the batsmen failed to deliver. They surrendered with 171 on the board.

Man of the Match was awarded to Michael Clarke for his 66 runs and for his bowling figures of 3 for 15.

Scores: Australia 198 for 7 (Clarke 66, Ferguson 41, Gul 3-38, Afridi 2-31) beat Pakistan 171 (Butt 48, Shehzad 40, Clarke 3-15, Hauritz 2-25 ) by 27 runs

Cricket: "India to Host the 2011 World Cup Final"

India will be hosting the Final and one Semi-Final matches of 2011 World Cup. Including the Final, Semi-Final and Quarterfinal India will host 29 matches in 8 Stadiums. Whereas Srilanka will host 12 matches in 3 Stadiums which includes one semifinal and one quarterfinal, while Bangladesh will host 8 matches in 2 Stadiums which includes two quarterfinals and opening ceremony.

In 1996, India, Pakistan and Srilanka have hosted a world cup which was won by srilanka. This time around Pakistan is not part of the worldcup in lieu of the political instability going on in Pakistan.

The Tournment Organizing Committee decided upon the Matches, venues and all other arrangments for 2011 World Cup here in Mumbai on Tuesday, the 28th April, 2009.

Cricket: "Hyderabad Deccan Chargers Open their IPL Season 2 with a big win"

Hyderabad Deccan Chargers (My very favourite team) have started their IPL Season 2 campaign with a bang. They defeated hapless Kolkatta Knight Riders team with 8 wickets. Match was started late because of rain, but the officials went on with a 20 over game.

Kolkatta Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bat first. Brendom Maccullum opened the batting and all cricket lovers were waiting for rain of 4's and 6's but to every ones shock he was departed in the second over for 1. Sourav ganguly accompanied him shortly, he wasnt comfortable at the center and out chasing a delivery. Wickets kept falling, Hyderabad didnt allow singles with their superb fielding and tighetened them up all ends. Apart from Hodge no one could make a respectable score. Hodge helped Kolkatta reached 101. Pick of the bowlers for Hyderabad were RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

Hyderabad Deccan Chargers started their innings shakily and lost the Gilchrist and Laxman in no time. But Gibbs (Who is on a high after winning the series against Australia) and Rohit Sharma (Who made his name here in inaugural 20 20 world cup) made sure that there were no casualties and took Hyderabad home quite convincigly.

Man of the Matchwas awarded to R P Singh for his 4 for 22 which was the turning point of the Match.

Scores: Deccan Chargers 104 for 2 (Gibbs 43*, Rohit 36*) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 101 (RP Singh 4-22) by eight wickets

Source: Cricinfo

Cricket: "Vettori helps Delhi win in a rain effected match"

Delhi Dare Devils registered their first win when they defeated Kings XI Punjab by ten wickets. Match was delayed due to drizzle. It was started really late and reduced to 12 over a game. Punjab lost the toss and were told to bat first.

Kings XI Punjab openers gave a strong start, at one point they were 66 for 1 in 6 overs. Vettori's over changed the complexion of the game and turned it Delhi's way. With his first ball he traped Ravi Bopara and just gave one run in that over. In his next overs he took another 2 wickets and was miserely economical. Punjab huffed and puffed to reach 104 for 7 in 12 overs.

With Sehwag and Gambhir Delhi were confident of chasing the target down and they started with the same confidence. Gambhir mere giving support and Sehwag going after the bowling. There was a small interruption due to rain and the target was reduced to 6 an over, which sehwag finished with out any hiccups. Delhi Dare Devils won quite convincingly at the end.

Man of the Match was awarded to Vettori for his 3 for 15 which really changed the match in Delhi's favour.

Scores: Delhi Daredevils 54 for 0 (Sehwag 38*) beat Kings XI Punjab 104 for 7 (Goel 38, Vettori 3-15) by ten wickets

Source: Cricinfo

Cricket: "Ireland wins the World Cup Qualifier's 2009"

It was big day for Ireland which proved its authority over all other assoicated members of ICC, by winning the World Cup Qualifier's 2009. They only lost to Afghanistan and Kenya in the whole tournment. Their Captain Portfield's led his team from front. They didnt even won this tournment, they have also secured their place in 2011 world cup with Canada, Netherlands, and Kenya.

In Final they have beaten the other strong team Canada quite convincingly. First Canada batted after loosing the toss and scored just 185. Johnston had Canada in a hopeless situation with his first ever 5 for. Canada were trailing at 88 for 6 thanks to bhatti's 46 which saved the humiliation and canada reached a respectable 188.

For Ireland their captain Porterfield led from front and scored a fluent century and was unbeaten till the end. Ireland overcame the total quite effortlessly and won the prestigious tournment with much to spare.

Scores: Ireland 188 for 1 (Porterfield 104*) beat Canada 185 (Bhatti 46, Johnston 5-14) by nine wickets

Here are the Final standing of all the teams which participated in the Tournment:

Standing	Team
1	Ireland
2	Canada
3	Netherlands
4	Kenya
5	Afghanistan
6	Scotland
7	United Arab Emirates
8	Namibia
9	Bermuda
10	Uganda
11	Oman
12	Denmark

Scource: Cricinfo

Cricket: "Bangalore Royal Shocks Rajasthan Royal's"

Kumble 5 for 5 made sure that Bangalore Royal Challengers started their campaign in IPL Season 2 with a band by beating the defending champions with a mamoth 75 runs. As the pitch was slow, batsmen had to work hard for their runs. Bowlers had the upper hand and these are the times when experience come handy.

Bangaloe Royal Challengers started their inning shaky with Ryder and Taylor back in their hut with in 3 delivers of their innings. Soon Uthappa followed, then entered "Mr. Dependable Dravid (Also called Wall)". Pieterson and Dravid steaded the innings and collected 35 easy runs. Then again wickets kept falling, but Dravid at one end made sure that total is ticking and with which Bangalore Royal Challengers scored 133 for 8 in their respective 20 overs.

Rajasthan Royals approach was pathetic, they lost their openers within no time and wickets kept falling like playing cards. None of the batsmen were able to apply them selves. Pick of the bowlers for Bangalore Royal Challengers were Kumble (5 for 5) and Praveen Kumar (2 for 7). Rajasthan Royals were bundled out for a disappointing 58runs, which is the second lowest score in 20 20 history.

Man of the Match was awarded to Rahul Dravid for his crucial 66 for Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Scores: Bangalore Royal Challengers 133 for 8 (Dravid 66, Mascarenhas 3-20) beat Rajasthan Royals 58 (Kumble 5-5) by 75 runs

Source: Cricinfo

Cricket: "Mumbai kickoff IPL season 2 with a famous win"

Tendulkar batted 20 overs to score 59 from 49 balls, which helped mumbai indians score 166/7. Nayar and Jaysuriya where the other contributors. Tendulakar played a matured innings and carried his bat through the innings, which proved the deciding factor in the match.

Jayasuriya and Tendulkar opened the batting and scored a quickfire 39 from 5.4 overs and layed a strong platform. Later lower order failed and wickets kept falling one after another, JP Dimuny who was expected to be the main striking batsman fell cheaply. Once Bravo was out for Joginder Sharma mumbai indians were already in a lot of toruble. Then Abhishek Nayar walked in and played a invaluable cameo of 35 runs from 14 balls, which included 3 sixes and Mumbai Indians attained a respectable and defendable total of 166.

Chennai super kings where never in chase as their wickets fell at regular intervals. Only Hayden and Dhoni attained some respectable scores, others were just spectators. For mumbai indians pick of the bowlets were malinga, who bowled miserely and took important wickets are significant modes. Zaheer also bowled wihtout luck, but he kept the Chennai super kings batsmen under check.

At last it was comfortable victory for Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar was awarded the Man of the Match Award for his patient yet crucial innings.

Scores: Mumbai Indians 166 for 7 (Tendulkar 59*, Nayar 35) beat Chennai Super Kings 145 for 7 (Hayden 44, Malinga 3-15) by 19 runs

Source: Cricinfo