Australia - ICC CWC 2015 Champions

  • Thread starter Thread starter dinee
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies: Replies 2,962
  • Views Views: Views 165,991
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Rahat Ali replaces Junaid Khan in Pakistan's World Cup squad

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday,
replaced injured pacer Junaid Khan with Rahat
Ali for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Ali has
represented Pakistan in a solitary ODI against Sri
Lanka in 2012 and was not included in
Pakistan's preliminary 30-man squad for the
quadrennial event. Rahat Ali's inclusion was
recommended by chief selector Moin Khan and
has been approved by PCB chairman Shaharyar
Khan. The replacement, however, is subject to
approval from the International Cricket
Committee (ICC) technical committee.

Earlier in the week, left arm seamer Junaid
Khan was ruled out of the tournament in
Australia and New Zealand after failing to
recover from an injury to his thigh sustained last
month. Incidentally, the board had picked
Bilawal Bhatti for the two One-Day
Internationals against New Zealand in the hope
that he could fill in for Junaid at the World Cup.

Bhatti largely underwhelmed in the series,
conceding 93 runs off his 10 overs in the second
ODI to pave the way for Rahat's inclusion.

Rahat, 26, has 31 wickets from 11 Test matches
at 36.67. He recently picked up 4/30 against
Lahore Lions playing for the Khan Research
Laboratories in Pakistan's List A cricket.

Pakistan head to the World Cup having suffered
series home (UAE) and away series losses to
New Zealand. They open their World Cup
campaign against arch-rivals India at the
Adelaide Oval on February 15th.

Rahat Ali replaces Junaid Khan in Pakistan's World Cup squad - Cricbuzz
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

prv_a9f57_1423127509.jpg

Rahat Ali has played just one ODI for Pakistan. :tup

Rahat Ali replaces Junaid Khan in Pakistan's World Cup squad
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Walsh's top 11 fast bowlers at the World Cup :-

(1) Mitchell Johnson - With him playing at home,
he can be a handful on most surfaces, his
confidence will be very high and a lot will be
expected of him from his team and captain. He
has good pace and can push you on the back
foot early with the new ball.

(2) Dale Steyn - He will also be used similarly to
Mitch. He has been one of the most consistent
fast bowlers in the last few years, has plenty of
pace but what I like about him is his controlled
aggression and the control and change of pace
that he has.

(3) Kemar Roach - He is expected to spearhead
the Windies pace attack. Though he is not as tall
as some of his colleagues, he has pace and hits
the right areas.

(4) Pat Cummins - Having seen him first hand in
South Africa a few seasons ago, I was truly
impressed with him and his pace and control.

(5) Jerome Taylor - Like Kemar, is not especially
tall like most around him, and was out for a
while and will see this World Cup as a good
personal challenge in leading the attack
alongside Kemar. Jerome has pace and swings
the ball both ways. Once he finds his rhythm he
can be a problem bowler for any batsman.

(6) James Anderson - He has been leading the
attack for England for some time now and a lot
will be expected from him. He swings and seams
the ball around and with the expected
conditions will ask some good questions with the
new ball. He has a good change of pace as well
so he will keep them honest.

(7) Lasith Malinga - He will lead the Sri Lanka
attack and as we all know he has pace along
with a very good Yorker. It will be interesting to
see how he uses it on these bouncier pitches.
He has shown that he is among the best when it
comes to bowling at the death.

(8) Morne Morkel - He has height, good pace and
gets good bounce and asks good questions of
batsmen. With the pitches expected to help his
style of bowling, he is certainly a bowler to
watch.

(9) Steve Finn - He is another one with good
height and he is showing good form and
aggression on the bouncier Australian wickets.

(10) Vernon Philander - He does not have
express pace, but he makes up for that with
consistency and swing bowls a very good line
and length will be putting the batsmen under
pressure early and can be a wicket-taker. He
has good control and if he gets into the swing of
things early will pose major problems.

(11) Jason Holder - Though he might not have
the experience of some of his seniors, but with
his height he could be troublesome for batsmen.
He gets good bounce, has a good yorker and is
learning all the time.

Walsh's top 11 fast bowlers at the World Cup - Cricbuzz]READ MORE IN DETAILS
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Ireland appoint Lee as bowling coach for WC warm-ups
prv_b3007_1423192225.jpg


Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has been
appointed as Ireland's bowling coach during the
warm-up matches of the World Cup 2015. Lee,
who recently announced his retirement from all
forms of cricket, was handed a role hours after
South Africa secured the services of fellow
Australian Michael Hussey as a consultant.

Lee was denied a last-ball hat-trick and a
fairytale end to his professional career in
Canberra as the Perth Scorchers scrambled a
single off the fast bowler to win back-to-back
Big Bash League titles last week. The final was
the 38-year-old former Australia pacer's last
match and he came on to bowl the final over for
the Sydney Sixers with the opposition needing
eight runs.

During his career, Lee took 310 wickets in 76
Test matches, and in addition played 221 ODIs,
claiming 380 scalps. Phil Simmons, Ireland's
coach, believes Lee is a valuable addition to
Ireland's pre-tournament preparations. "Brett
Lee has a wonderful knowledge of fast bowling,
and his special insight of Australian pitches will
help give our bowlers further confidence ahead
of their group matches," Simmons said.

"I'm sure all our bowlers will benefit from the
experience that a World Cup winner has
accumulated, especially in the pressure
situations of a global event. It's a fantastic
opportunity for our bowlers to learn from a
living legend and one I'm sure they'll all benefit
from."

Ireland are scheduled to play two warm-up
matches - against Scotland and Bangladesh -
before they begin their World Cup campaign
against West Indies at Nelson on February 16.
They also play Sydney grade club side Randwick
Petersham in a 50-over friendly contest on
Friday.

Ireland appoint Lee as bowling coach for WC warm-ups - Cricbuzz
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Injury forces Hafeez to miss action retest

Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, on
Friday, was forced to miss his bowling
action retest owing to a foot injury.
Hafeez, who is suspended from bowling in
international games due to an illegal
action, was scheduled to have his
reworked action officially tested in
Brisbane on February 6.

Pakistan Cricket Board has requested the
ICC to schedule the reassessment to a
date after February 10, which further
questions Hafeez's availability for bowling
in Pakistan's World Cup opener against
India on the 15th. Hafeez was due to fly
to Brisbane from Sydney on Friday, where
the Pakistan team is based but will now
stay put till the ICC comes up with a new
date for his test.

The offspinner was reported for a suspect
action for the first time while playing for
the Lahore Lions in the domestic
Champions League T20. He was then
suspended from bowling in international
games after being reported for a second
time during Pakistan's first Test against
New Zealand in Abu Dhabi last November.

Hafeez is allowed to resume bowling only
after being cleared of not breaching the
15-degree flexion allowance. Should he
fail, ICC's committee will specify a period
of time before which he cannot apply for a
reassessment. However, Hafeez, who is a
part of Pakistan's World Cup squad, is
allowed to play as a specialist batsman.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/69840/injury-forces-hafeez-to-miss-action-retest
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

At a time when India's stock is at an all-time
low, trust Sourav Ganguly to stand up for MS
Dhoni's men. India look jaded just before the
World Cup, having spent the better part of a
harsh Australian summer winless in both Tests
and ODIs.

However, the former India captain under whom
India made it to the World Cup final in 2003, is
not worried about the team's current lack of
form, though he is concerned about the fitness
issues in the team. Ganguly, who will leave for
Australia next week to join the commentary
team, shared his views about India's chances
during an exclusive chat with TOI at his Behala
residence on Thursday .

Excerpts:

How do you assess India's chances in the
upcoming World Cup?

Writing off India on the basis of their below-par
show in Tests and the tri-series would be a
knee-jerk reaction. It does not do justice to the
team. I think our boys will prove a lot of people
wrong in the coming days. I expect them to
make the semifinals. Thereafter, it is a question
of having two good matches.

What makes you so optimistic about India's chances?

I think we are a much better side in limited-
overs cricket and our record in the World Cup is
good. We have enough depth in the squad, and
having spent over two months in Australia, our
boys are now quite used to the conditions. Like
India, Australia too have always been very tough
to beat in home conditions. Let us not forget
that India will not be playing only against
Australia in the World Cup. In fact, they are not
even in our group. Playing against other teams
does not guarantee success, but I am sure our
boys will be up for it.

Are you not worried about the lack of balance
in the Indian line-up?

I think there is still some uncertainty about the
No 7 spot. I expect Stuart Binny to play most of
the matches as the third medium-pace option.
Then there is Ravindra Jadeja. I also expect R
Ashwin to play a significant role at some stage.

For all the talent we have in batting, our young guns have not really fired. Does that worry you?

I expect them to rise to the occasion. A lot will
depend on captain Dhoni. His form with the bat
and his leadership will be the key for India. The
team needs Dhoni to have a very good World
Cup.

Is there a case for Dhoni to bat higher up the order?

If Virat Kohli bats at No 4, it makes no sense for
Dhoni to bat at No 5. It also will depend on
match situations, I guess. The batting order,
more or less, looks settled.

Do you believe that bowling remains India's biggest worry?

Yes, I think a lot depends on the fitness of
Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The
team management must take a call on these
two after our first warm-up game against
Australia [Feb 8]. If they are not fit,
replacements must be called in at the earliest.

Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami have
bowled a lot in the last two months and have
been rightly given a rest before India's first
match.

READ MORE HERE
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Ganguly: India need Dhoni to have a good World Cup
prv_4db1e_1423205634.jpg


Ganguly expect India to make the semis. :tup
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

The need of the hour for India is pace: Brett Lee

Former Australia pacer Brett Lee feels
India will need their pacers to be at the
top of their game if they are to
successfully defend the ICC Cricket World
Cup. India come in to the quadrennial
event with a number of headaches over
their form and their bowlers' inability to
trouble batsmen. Lee, who was part of the
triumphant 2003 Australia World Cup
squad, underlined Ishant Sharma and
Umesh Yadav as the men who should take
the lead role in the Indian attack.

"I think what India needs to do is ensure
that the fast bowlers are fully fit. Ishant
Sharma, to me, could be a bowler that
could play a huge role along with someone
like Yadav, who was rested for the recent
match in Perth. Now whether he was
injured or whether he was pre-rested to
be ready for this World Cup campaign...
the need of the hour for India is pace,"
said Lee.

"Out here, they need quick bowlers, who
can bowl good bouncers and have a good
slower delivery in their armoury along with
the skills to bowl during the death overs.

What I mean by bowl at the death is to be
able to deliver fast 145kph yorkers that
can knock out a team. This is because
they are not playing on wickets like those
in India that are dusty and the ball turns
and swings. Here, they would be playing
on wickets that are conducive to fast
bowling. They need good, young fast
bowlers," Lee added.

Lee refused to predict which team would
clinch the Cup on March 29, the date of
the summit clash, saying that the
complete team in the mega-event would
hold aloft the coveted trophy.

"I've said it all along that the team that
will win the trophy on March 29th will be
the most complete team. So that doesn't
mean on paper they are the best cricket
nation, it doesn't even mean that that
every player is a superstar in that team.

What it means is that the team, which
over the course of the seven weeks of
World Cup, plays the best cricket on every
particular match day is the champion. I
think Australia has a great chance of
winning the World Cup just like India,
South Africa and New Zealand," he
summed up.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/69851/the-need-of-the-hour-for-india-is-pace-brett-lee
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Zaheer confident of India playing World Cup semis

Zaheer Khan, the Indian fast bowler, feels
India's performance in the recently-
concluded tri-series in Australia where
they failed to win a single match, will not
affect the psyche of the players heading
into the 2015 World Cup. India open their
World Cup title defence against Pakistan
on February 15, which will be preceded by
two warm-up games against Australia and
Afghanistan.

In an interview with PTI Bhasha, Zaheer
said India could make the last four of the
competition. "(The) World Cup is a new
tournament and I don't think India's
performance in tri-series will affect them.
They have also got a long break after that
and if you see the format also, I am sure
India will play the semi-finals," Zaheer
was quoted as saying.

"The Indian team had a long Australia tour
and played at almost every venue. This
can work to their advantage."

Zaheer, who has been nursing injuries as a
result of which he had to miss out on the
Indian domestic season, tipped Virat Kohli
and Rohit Sharma as players who India
would rely on during the course of the
competition.

"Rohit and Virat's form will be crucial to
India's World Cup chances," he said.
"Rohit will be opening the innings with
Virat coming at either Nos 3 or 4
depending on the match situation. Both
have the ability to bat through the innings
or even play the anchor, a role necessary
in such a tournament."

Along with India, Zaheer said hosts
Australia and New Zealand along with
South Africa have the ability to last the
distance as the "World Cup is a long
tournament and injuries play a crucial
role", but equally important is to have a
"settled team and gain momentum at the
right time",

"Injuries are part and parcel of the game
but you have to find the right
combination," he said. "It's not about
bowling only. Cricket is a team game and
batsmen also have to give their best. I am
hopeful that India will deliver an all-round
performance."

Zaheer assessed India had their bowling
combination wrong during the tri-series,
and suggested opening the bowling with
Mohammed Shami. "If you ask my
suggestion, they should give the new ball
to Shami, who will set the tone. The first
spell will be very crucial. I will only say
that taking wickets is the only key to
restrict run-rates."

He said the new rules of using two new
balls and involving fielding restrictions
applied to all and teams must have
become used to them. "We have been
playing with the new rules for a while now.
As far as death overs are concerned, the
bowlers must think clearly. I am sure they
will do well," he said of the Indian pacers.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/69852/zaheer-confident-of-india-playing-world-cup-semis
 
RE: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 News, Updates and Results

Zahir don't know anything ..he himself not playing WC nd saying this :d:d:lol
 
2783 More Posts...
Back
Top Bottom