Australia, South Africa and West Indies Crash Out In Quarter-Finals

By Dinouk Colombage

Australia and South Africa – two of the pre-tournament favourites – were sent crashing out of the World Cup by India and New Zealand as the tournament continued to live up to its hype of been the most open tournament to date. Pakistan had earlier thrashed a listless West Indies in the first quarter-final and will now meet India in a mouth watering semi-final clash that will have more at stake than even a final.
In the first quarter final at Mirpur in Bangladesh the West Indies took on Pakistan. Winning the toss and electing to bat first the Windies quickly showed how much they were out of their depth. At no point during their innings did the West Indian batsmen look comfortable against the spin or swing of the Pakistani bowlers. Once again it was ‘boom boom’ Afridi that led the way with the bowl picking up four wickets for 30 runs. For the West Indies recalled batsmen Shiv Chanderpaul held firm as he put on a painstaking, but ultimately, invaluable 44runs off 106 deliveries. The Windies finally capitulated for a paltry 112 runs in 44 overs. In reply the Pakistan openers polished off the required 112 runs in 20 overs. Mohammed Hafeez followed up his two wickets with the ball with a timely half century. He ended on 61 not out while Kamran Akmal was left on 47 not out.
In the second quarter final played at Ahmedabad hosts India took on Australia in an eagerly anticipated match. Australia went into the game as underdogs and skipper Ricky Ponting was under intense media scrutiny. Winning the toss Ponting elected to bat first, his openers got Australia off to a solid start before Shane Watson was dismissed. Ponting, running out to the centre, looked from the start like a man who was out to prove his critics wrong. He played through the innings an aggressive and fluent knock. He notched up his first century in 13 months and by doing so helped Australia post a challenging 260. For India Yuvraj Singh was the star with the ball picking up 2 wickets. In reply India’s openers got off to a flyer before the hampered Sehwag mistimed an attempted pull shot to Michael Hussey at square leg. Despite the loss of 5 wickets India’s chase never looked in doubt as Yuvraj andRaina ensured that the hosts reached the target comfortably and by doing so knocked out the reigning champions. For Australia David Hussey was the unlikely star with the ball picking up one wicket for 19 runs in his 5 overs.
The third quarter final between South Africa and New Zealand also saw the Bangladesh bow out of the tournament as hosts. A match many predicted as being a one sided contest appeared to be proving them right. New Zealand winning the toss got off to a poor start losing both their openers for 16 runs. Despite a recovery act pulled off by Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor New Zealand only managed to post 221 for 8 in their 50 overs. For New Zealand Ryder top scored with a valuable 83 runs. For South Africa Morne Morkel was the hero with the ball picking up 3 wickets for 46 runs. In reply the South African chase appeared to be course for a comfortable win as they reached 107 for 2. However, as has been the case with South Africa in the past the word choke was never too far behind. Kallis’s was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Jacob Oram and this resulted in the floodgates opening. South Africa was bowled out for 172 in 44 overs. South Africa lost their last 7 wickets for 64 runs and by doing so has once again failed to register a win in a knockout match in World Cups. For South Africa Jacques Kallis top scored with 43. While New Zealand saw the old warhorse, Jacob Oram, return figures of 4 for 39 in 9 overs and take a brilliant catch – a performance which earned him the man-of-the-match award..
The line-up for the semi-finals stands as India meeting Pakistan in Mohali on the 30th. While New Zealand will square off against the winner of the England – Sri Lanka clash in Colombo on the previous day (29th March)..