ICC World Cup: Zimbabwe see a glimmer of hope in cup campaign

Sport360° continues our countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup by previewing the hopes of a young and inexperienced Zimbabwe side.

Zimbabwe’s young cricketers will seek to show during the World Cup that they are making progress in their bid to rejoin the sport’s elite nations.

They also have an opportunity to reach the second round of the tournament for the third time in their history after being drawn with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Kenya in the group stage.

With four teams from the mini-league qualifying for the quarter-finals they will need to beat outsiders Canada and Kenya as well as at least one of the Test nations.

Selection convener Alistair Campbell said after announcing Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad that he felt the team had a good draw.

“We would look to perhaps target New Zealand as they are pretty unpredictable, as can be Pakistan,” he said.

“So, if we play to our ability, there is every chance things could go our way to get into the next round.”

Campbell’s ambition is not entirely unrealistic - although their triumphs have been isolated.

But Zimbabwe cricket has advanced in the past two years after going through a chaotic period during which many of the leading players rebelled against the administration, culminating in the country voluntarily withdrawing from Test cricket five years ago.

Some who were in dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket, including Campbell, former captain Heath Streak and Grant Flower, are involved, together with English coach Alan Butcher, in preparing the current squad for the World Cup and, they hope, a return to Test cricket before the end of 2011.

Former West Indian star Brian Lara is a batting consultant.

Elton Chigumbura leads a young team, in which only one, left-arm spinner Ray Price, is over 30.

They will be trying to emulate the performances of the 1999 and 2003 teams, who both advanced to what was then a Super Six stage.

The current side’s strength is in spin bowling, where Price, off-spinner Prosper Utseya and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer should be effective in sub-continental conditions, and fielding.

The fast bowling is weak and the batting fragile, although Brendan Taylor is in good form.

ICC World Cup: Zimbabwe see a glimmer of hope in cup campaign

Sport360° continues our countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup by previewing the hopes of a young and inexperienced Zimbabwe side.

Zimbabwe’s young cricketers will seek to show during the World Cup that they are making progress in their bid to rejoin the sport’s elite nations.

They also have an opportunity to reach the second round of the tournament for the third time in their history after being drawn with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Kenya in the group stage.

With four teams from the mini-league qualifying for the quarter-finals they will need to beat outsiders Canada and Kenya as well as at least one of the Test nations.

Selection convener Alistair Campbell said after announcing Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad that he felt the team had a good draw.

“We would look to perhaps target New Zealand as they are pretty unpredictable, as can be Pakistan,” he said.

“So, if we play to our ability, there is every chance things could go our way to get into the next round.”

Campbell’s ambition is not entirely unrealistic - although their triumphs have been isolated.

But Zimbabwe cricket has advanced in the past two years after going through a chaotic period during which many of the leading players rebelled against the administration, culminating in the country voluntarily withdrawing from Test cricket five years ago.

Some who were in dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket, including Campbell, former captain Heath Streak and Grant Flower, are involved, together with English coach Alan Butcher, in preparing the current squad for the World Cup and, they hope, a return to Test cricket before the end of 2011.

Former West Indian star Brian Lara is a batting consultant.

Elton Chigumbura leads a young team, in which only one, left-arm spinner Ray Price, is over 30.

They will be trying to emulate the performances of the 1999 and 2003 teams, who both advanced to what was then a Super Six stage.

The current side’s strength is in spin bowling, where Price, off-spinner Prosper Utseya and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer should be effective in sub-continental conditions, and fielding.

The fast bowling is weak and the batting fragile, although Brendan Taylor is in good form.

ICC World Cup 2011 schedule & tickets details: Ready to begin surprises!

One of the major sport extravaganzas, ICC World Cup 2011 is all set to start in less than a month. It starts with the opening match at Bangladesh’s Mirpur on Feb 19. The matches will be held during March and the final will played at the momentous Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on April 2.

The 2011 World Cup is being hosted yet again in India. Firstly, it was made-up to be hosted mutually by India-Pakistan however terrorist attacks mostly the firing on Sri Lankan team forced the authorities to move matches and give them to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The layout comprises 2 groups with 7 teams each. Four teams will be eligible from every group. These 8 teams will play subsequently 4 matches in the quarter finals. The four winners will play in the semi final at Colombo and Mohali on March 29 and March 30. The final will be played on April 2.

The Groups are divided into two: Group A including Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya. On the other hand, Group B including England, India, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Netherland.

Here, full schedule of the ICC World Cup 2011:

    * Thu 17 Feb 08:30 IST opening ceremony at Dhaka, Bangladesh

    * Sat 19 Feb 02:00 PM IST IND vs BAN at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * 2Sun 20 Feb 09:30 AM IST NZ vs KEN at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
    * Sun 20 Feb 02:30 PM IST SL vs CAN at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
    * Mon 21 Feb 02:30 PM IST AUS vs ZIM at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
    * Tue 22 Feb 02:30 PM IST ENG vs NED at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
    * Wed 23 Feb 02:30 PM IST PAK vs KEN at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
    * Thu 24 Feb 02:30 PM IST SA vs WI at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
    * Fri 25 Feb 09:30 AM IST AUS vs NZ at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
    * Fri 25 Feb 02:00 PM IST BAN vs IRE at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * Sat 26 Feb 02:30 PM IST PAK vs Sl at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Sun 27 Feb 02:30 PM IST IND vs ENG at Mumbai
    * Mon 28 Feb 09:30 AM IST ZIM vs CAN at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
    * Mon 28 Feb 02:30 PM IST WI vs NED at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
    * Tue 01 Mar 02:30 PM IST SL vs KEN at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Wed 02 Mar 02:30 PM IST ENG vs IRE at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
    * Thu 03 Mar 09:30 AM IST SA vs NED at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
    * Thu 03 Mar 02:30 PM IST PAK vs CAN at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Fri 04 Mar 09:30 AM IST NZ vs ZIM at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
    * Fri 04 Mar 02:00 PM IST BAN vs WI at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * Sat 05 Mar 02:30 PM IST AUS vs SL at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Sun 06 Mar 09:30 AM IST SA vs ENG at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
    * Sun 06 Mar 02:30 PM IST IND vs IRE at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
    * Mon 07 Mar 02:30 PM IST CAN vs KEN at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
    * Tue 08 Mar 02:30 PM IST PAK vs NZ at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
    * Wed 09 Mar 02:30 PM IST IND vs NED at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
    * Thu 10 Mar 02:30 PM IST SL vs ZIM at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
    * Fri 11 Mar 09:30 AM IST WI vs IRE at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
    * Fri 11 Mar 02:00 PM IST BAN vs ENG at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
    * Sat 12 Mar 02:30 PM IST IND vs SA at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
    * Sun 13 Mar 09:30 AM IST NZ vs CAN at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
    * Sun 13 Mar 02:30 PM IST AUS vs KEN at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
    * Mon 14 Mar 09:00 AM IST BAN vs NED at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
    * Mon 14 Mar 02:30 PM IST PAK vs ZIM at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
    * Tue 15 Mar 02:30 PM IST SA vs IRE at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
    * Wed 16 Mar 02:30 PM IST AUS vs CAN at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
    * Thu 17 Mar 02:30 PM IST ENG vs WI at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
    * Fri 18 Mar 09:30 AM IST NED vs IRE at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
    * Fri 18 Mar 02:30 PM IST NZ vs SL at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
    * Sat 19 Mar 09:00 AM IST BAN vs SA at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * Sat 19 Mar 02:30 PM IST AUS vs PAK at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Sun 20 Mar 09:30 AM IST ZIM vs KEN at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
    * Sun 20 Mar 02:30 PM IST IND vs WI at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
    * Wed 23 Mar 02:00 PM IST A1 vs B4 (1st Quarter Final, C) at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * Thu 24 Mar 02:30 PM IST A2 vs B3 (2nd Quarter Final, D) at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
    * Fri 25 Mar 02:00 PM IST A3 vs B2 (3rd Quarter Final, E) at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
    * Sat 26 Mar 02:30 PM IST A4 vs B1 (4th Quarter Final, F) at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Tue 29 Mar 02:30 PM IST Winner C vs Winner E (1st Semi Final) at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
    * Wed 30 Mar 02:30 PM IST Winner D vs Winner F (2nd Semi Final) at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
    * Sat 02 Apr 02:30 PM IST SF1 vs SF2 (Final) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The International Cricket Council has ruled out the significant Eden Gardens in Kolkata as the venue for a key 2011 World Cup match between India Vs England after the stadium unsuccessful to meet the deadline for overhaul. The tickets of World Cup 2011 matches are available here

सटोरियों ने माना भारत को वर्ल्‍ड कप का विजेता, लगाया सबसे ज्‍यादा दांव

दुबई. 2011 क्रिकेट विश्वकप शुरू होने में तीन हफ्ते से कम का वक्त रह गया है, लेकिन इस प्रतिष्ठित टूर्नामेंट के विजेता को लेकर कयास लगने शुरू हो गए हैं।
टीम इंडिया के कप्तान महेंद्र सिंह धोनी की उनकी टीम को हल्के में न लेने की चेतावनी के बाद टूर्नामेंट के सह आयोजक भारत को सट्टेबाज भी संभावित विजेता मान रहे हैं। यही वजह है कि सट्टेबाज सबसे ज़्यादा सट्टा भारत पर लगा रहे हैं। सट्टेबाजी के बाजार में भारत का भाव 7/2 चल रहा है। गौरतलब है कि 19 फरवरी से शुरू हो रहे आईसीसी क्रिकेट विश्वकप में भारत के अलावा बांग्लादेश और श्रीलंका आयोजक हैं।

ज़्यादातर इंग्लिश सट्टेबाज टूर्नामेंट जीतने के लिए भारतीय टीम को फेवरेट टीम मान रहे हैं। श्रीलंका पर सट्टेबाजों ने  5/1 और  36 साल से विश्व कप जीतने का सपना देख रहे इंग्लैंड पर भी 5/1 का भाव लगाया है। सट्टाबाजार में दो अन्य टीमों जिनपर सबसे ज़्यादा दांव लगाया जा रहा है, वे हैं ऑस्ट्रेलिया और दक्षिण अफ्रीका।

ऑस्ट्रेलिया 2007, 2003, 1999  और 1987 में यह खिताब जीत चुका है। वहीं, भारत ने १९८३, श्रीलंका ने १९९६ और पाकिस्तान ने १९९२ में विश्व कप जीता है। हाल ही में ऑस्ट्रेलिया पर एशेज और टी २० मैच में जीत के चलते इंग्लैंड के भाव आसमान छू रहे हैं।

Luke Woodcock in New Zealand World Cup squad

New Zealand have named uncapped allrounder Luke Woodcock in their 15-man squad for the World Cup that begins in the subcontinent on February 19. Jacob Oram, who has been battling to recover from surgery in time for the tournament, has also been included in the mix.

Woodcock, 28, made his international debut in the recent Twenty20 series against Pakistan and was rewarded for his good form for Wellington in New Zealand's domestic one-day tournament, where he is averaging 26.00 with the bat and 20.00 with his left-arm spin. He was the one unfamiliar name in a squad that included six players who competed in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Mark Greatbatch, New Zealand's head selector, backed Woodock's temperament and floated the possibility of playing three spinners - Woodcock, Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.

"Luke Woodcock has worked hard for his chance after forging an impressive record with Wellington over a number of years," Greatbatch said. "He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent."

Oram has been ravaged by injury throughout his career and after a recurrence of a patella-tendon problem during the tri-series in Sri Lanka in August 2010, he opted for surgery with the sole aim of being fit for the World Cup. His big hitting and nagging medium pace made his an ever-present when fit in the New Zealand team and his inclusion was a boost ahead the World Cup.

Hamish Bennett, the 23-year-old fast bowler, was also returning from injury, having picked up a groin strain during his debut Test in India last November. He impressed by bowling around 140kph and adds pace to an attack packed with steady bowlers.

Greatbatch was relieved to have both Oram and Bennett available and felt the squad can continue New Zealand's good record in World Cups. They made the semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments.

"It's great to see the bowling attack bolstered by the return of Jacob Oram and Hamish Bennett, who have both been sidelined with injury," he said. "Jacob has been a key performer over a number of years and his experience will be invaluable at the World Cup. Hamish made a good start to his one-day career and deserves the opportunity now that he is fully fit.

"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable and owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."

New Zealand are presently playing Pakistan at home and will play six ODIs at the conclusion of the ongoing Test series. Their coaching staff was bolstered by the arrival of Allan Donald, the former South African fast-bowler, as bowling coach.

Squad: Daniel Vettori, Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

Bangladesh names Shakib as ICC World Cup skipper

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also named opening batsman Tamim Iqbal as vice-captain of the team, which will face India in Dhaka on its first match Feb 19.

'The board wishes the two leading lights of Bangladesh cricket a very successful New Year and hopes their partnership would inspire the team to greater heights,' a BCB statement said.

The name of the full squad will be announced shortly.

Bangladesh is co-hosting the tournament with India and Sri Lanka. It will host the inauguration of the tourney Feb 17 at Bangabandhu National Stadium beside eight matches in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Malik, Akmal doubtful for Pakistani World Cup squad

Karachi, Jan 2 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal have so far been unable to obtain a clean chit from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and remain doubtful to feature in the World Cup squad.

The duo has failed to provide convincing answers to queries by PCB's integrity committee, well-placed sources were quoted as saying in The News Sunday.

'There is information available to the integrity committee that Malik received 90,000 British pounds in one of his bank accounts,' said a source. 'When questioned by the integrity committee, Malik expressed complete ignorance about the amount which was transferred to his bank account in the UK,' he added, stressing that the committee told the all-rounder that he will have to explain from where and why such a big amount was transferred to his account.

Kamran, too, has been unable to explain certain transactions made to his bank account in Dubai.

Early next week, Pakistan's cricket chiefs will decide whether to clear the duo for national duty. Also awaiting a decision on the issue by the PCB is legspinner Danish Kaneria. But unlike Malik and Kamran, Kaneria won't really be able to make the cut the squad even if he is cleared to play for the country.

There are no formal charges against the three players but unofficially it's confirmed that all of them are match-fixing suspects and need to prove their innocence to obtain clearance for national duty.

The three players were summoned by the integrity committee at the PCB headquarters in Lahore Thursday and Friday but in spite of marathon meetings, the Board was unable to decide their case. A decision, however, is expected Tuesday when the national selectors will meet to decide Pakistan's preliminary World Cup squad and the One-day team for the series against New Zealand.

Afridi plays down World Cup hopes

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's ODI captain, has said Pakistan does not have high expectations for the World Cup since their preparations have been hampered by the spot-fixing allegations against a number of their players.

"I am not 100 % satisfied with the team's preparations for the World Cup," Afridi told AFP. "We've had problems on every tour, and although there aren't high expectations [of winning the World Cup], as captain I'm positive and will keep on motivating the team."

His comments came one day after manager Intikhab Alam said Pakistan was capable of winning the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2, 2011.

The trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been suspended by the ICC over charges of spot-fixing that arose on Pakistan's tour of England in August. On their subsequent tour of the United Arab Emirates to play South Africa, Pakistan seemed to have regained some form levelling the ODI series 2-2. But on the eve of the deciding game, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider fled to England, due to alleged threats to his life from bookmakers, and has since retired from international cricket. Pakistan ended up losing the game.

For Pakistan's upcoming tour of New Zealand, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik have been left out of the Twenty20 and Test series after the PCB did not clear them, and Afridi said he did not know why they were not included.

"You should ask the PCB and selection committee about why Kamran and Malik were not picked," he said. "Both are good players and have been doing well in domestic matches." Kamran and Malik have both expressed disappointment at not being picked for the New Zealand tour.

Pakistan has until December 19 to select a provisional 30-man World Cup squad, which should be trimmed down to 15 by January 19. Pakistan is placed in Group A of the 14-team competition along with defending champions Australia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Canada, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.