Rankings

Reliance Test Championship

S.L.	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	India	42	5357	128
2	South Africa	36	4228	117
3	England	45	5165	115
4	Sri Lanka	27	2951	109
5	Australia	43	4583	107
6	Pakistan	29	2615	90
7	West Indies	25	2128	85
8	New Zealand	32	2482	78
9	Bangladesh	19	131	7
Last Updated: Wed, Jan 19, 2011

Rankings

Netherlands won the toss and elected to field

Netherlands landed an early blow in what could be a sparky encounter in Delhi by winning the toss and opting to field first against West Indies. Shunning the bat-first formula that almost worked against England, they have backed their batsmen to chase against a West Indies team vulnerable in a competitive Group B.

When the groups for the tournament were announced West Indies were identified as the one of the big nine Test nations that could exit early. Netherlands and Ireland have proved they are not the Associate pushovers of Group A's Kenya and Canada and, on home turf, Bangladesh look capable of sinking a fellow Test team.

West Indies had a miserable start against South Africa, and suffered a further blow with news that their bright allrounder Dwayne Bravo will fly home with injury. Nikita Miller has come in as a replacement for this game, while Netherlands are unchanged from the team that gave England a scare.

Netherlands: 1 Alexei Kervezee, 2 Wesley Barresi (wk), 3 Tom Cooper, 4 Ryan ten Doeschate, 5 Bas Zuiderent, 6 Tom de Grooth, 7 Peter Borren (capt), 8 Mudassar Bukhari, 9 Pieter Seelaar, 10 Bernard Loots, 11 Berend Westdijk.

West Indies: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Devon Thomas (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Sulieman Benn, 10 Nikita Miller, 11 Kemar Roach.

Netherlands won the toss and elected to field

Look to the future

Improving levels of quality within youth football and coaching is something the Football Association has strived to do for years now.

Yet Look to the Future has exposed problems inherent in the system that are still major sticking points. Young coaches are struggling to make a breakthrough to senior level while in terms of numbers England still lags behind its European competitors when it comes to Uefa Pro Licence-qualified tacticians.

It is important to remember that there is still fantastic work going on up and down the country within the coaching world, but room for improvement remains.

Now the FA is showing further signs it is dedicated to making change from the bottom right through to the very top with the recently unveiled Young Player Development review plan.

General secretary Alex Horne and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking presented 25 recommendations to the FA board and council which include extensive changes to the grass-roots level of the game, while also looking to enhance the coaching system.

A new youth football programme is set to be rolled out and coach development will be revamped, based around the St George's Park training HQ at Burton.

There is no doubt that player and coaching standards go hand in hand - if the level of teaching is not of top quality then the ability of emerging talent will therefore suffer as a result.

This is one of the key points the FA is attempting to change through the recent recommendations, with clear pathways for both sides of the game working in tandem to help each other.

Head of coaching at the Football Association John Peacock explains why he expects the development review to make a difference. Peacock, who is current coach of the England Under 17s, specialises in youth development and coach education and holds both the FA Academy Director's Licence and Uefa Pro Licence.

He is of the firm belief that improvements in coaching will have benefits right through to the international playing stage - and vice-versa.

"The two go hand in glove, the player-coach pathway is vital," he told skysports.com. "The players are going up and down the pathway, hopefully quite a few of them will reach the elite stage, and it's no different with some of the coaches.

Look to the future

Cricket World Cup: England and India in thrilling tie

England tied an extraordinary World Cup game against India in Bangalore thanks to Andrew Strauss' brilliant 158.
The co-hosts set an intimidating 339-run victory target after a superb 120 from Sachin Tendulkar.
Strauss and Ian Bell (69) put England in command with a 170-run third-wicket stand before Zaheer Khan dismissed both batsmen in successive balls.
The tail set up a grandstand finish but England fell one run short of victory after needing 14 from the final over.
England wanted 29 from the last 12 balls, having earlier faced a much easier equation of 67 from the last 60, and then two off the final ball but Graeme Swann could only manage a single from Munaf Patel's delivery.
The late drama finished off the most enthralling match of the 2011 tournament so far, a game which both teams will feel they should have won.
The much-anticipated, sell-out Group B encounter featured two superbly crafted centuries and a maiden five-wicket limited-overs haul by Tim Bresnan, fast becoming England's most reliable one-day bowler.
The tourists' riposte had been constructed around an inspirational individual innings from Strauss, who made the joint-second highest individual score by an England player in a limited-overs international.
The England captain, dropped on 22 by Harbhajan Singh, was in imperious form, smashing 13 boundaries and a six in a ruthless 145-ball innings, silencing the fiercely partisan crowd inside the capacity M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
But Zaheer struck just when England were about to accelerate their run rate after taking the batting powerplay in the 43rd over.
Bell was the first to fall for 69 when he top-edged an off-side scythe to Virat Kohli at extra cover and the very next ball - a brilliant inswinging yorker - trapped Strauss leg before wicket.
The double strike deflated England's innings, but late lower-order hitting from Bresnan and Swann, who each struck timely sixes, left England requiring 14 from the final over of the match.
Ajmal Shahzad shifted the odds in England's favour when he struck a six straight back over bowler Munaf Patel's head with the third delivery of the over.
A leg-bye, followed by a two from Swann left the same batsman needing two runs from the final delivery of the match - but his off drive could not beat Yusuf Pathan at mid-off, leaving the ninth-wicket pair to run through for the single which tied the match.
The gritty performance against the pre-tournament favourites contrasted vividly with England's uninspired six-wicket victory over the Netherlands on Tuesday.
England had only won one of their previous 13 encounters against Sunday's opponents in India - and another defeat looked on the cards when Mahendra Dhoni opted to bat on what appeared to be good wicket, despite the persistent heavy showers which had engulfed Bangalore and the lush green outfield in the previous 48 hours.
England made two changes, dropping Ravi Bopara for Michael Yardy while Shahzad was summoned in place of the ill Stuart Broad, and India swapped seamer Sreesanth for leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.
The capricious Sehwag (35) gave India a typically ballistic start before an audacious late cut from Bresnan's first over was too close to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who took an excellent diving one-handed catch to his right in the eighth over at 46-1.
New-man Gautam Gambhir, an astute player of spin, maintained Sehwag's tempo while Tendulkar had been relatively restrained with 24 from 43 deliveries.
But a change of bat in the 17th over soon changed matters and 'The Little Master' thumped the first six of the match before bringing up his 94th half century with yet another imperious maximum off Paul Collingwood.
The onslaught was relentless - two successive leg-side sixes off the returning Swann, lofting the first over long-on before dispatching the second with a brutal slog-sweep high over deep midwicket and into the stands as the second-wicket partnership stretched to over 100.
An unplayable Swann delivery from around the wicket accounted for Gambhir (51), pitching on middle before gripping and clipping the edge of the left-hander's off stump.
But the dismissal caused minimal disruption to Tendulkar's nerves, bringing up his 47th one-day century with a glance off his hip.
To put Tendulkar's career achievements in perspective, the entire England XI have 22 one-day centuries between them - and he soon took his tally of sixes to five with a stand and deliver smear over long-on.
The 37-year-old's fine knock came to an end in the 39th over but Yuvraj (58) and Dhoni (31) took India beyond the 300-run mark before the impressive Bresnan cleaned up the lower-middle order as the co-hosts were dismissed for 338.
Facing a required run-rate of 6.78, England openers Strauss and Kevin Pietersen took full advantage of some bizarre field placements by Dhoni, smashing nine boundaries in an exhilarating start.
Strauss, given an early lifeline by Harbhajan when he misjudged a tough chance at mid-on, was in particularly belligerent mood square of the wicket.
A huge slice of fortune accounted for Pietersen, whose ferocious drive straight at Patel's head was parried in the air before the fast bowler completed a simple one-handed catch while sitting on the ground.
With his fast bowlers unable to exert any control, Dhoni turned to spinners Harbhajan and Piyush Chawla to apply the brakes as Strauss notched a run-a-ball 50.
Bell looked at ease alongside Strauss at the wicket, although the number four was fortunate to survive a close lbw call turned down by umpire Billy Bowden at 163-2.
India immediately referred the decision and the ball-tracking device available to the third umpire suggested the ball had made contact with Bell's front pad in line with the stumps - but more than 2.5m down the wicket, which saved Bell's wicket even though the ball was predicted to hit middle.
That let-off allowed Bell to play an excellent foil as Strauss scored a quite brilliant century from only 99 deliveries, his sixth one-day international three-figure score.
Bell launched a laconic sweep over deep midwicket for six to bring up his half century from just 45 deliveries as England dominated.
But the match turned in the 43rd over as Zaheer hit back. Collingwood, Prior and Yardy soon followed as England's run chase looked to have faltered, but lusty sixes from the lower-order batsmen ensured England were in contention through the final over.
They just could not find that extra run which would have sealed a quite remarkable victory.

Cricket World Cup: England and India in thrilling tie

India won the toss and elected to bat

India won the toss and elected to bat in the eagerly anticipated World Cup Group B showdown with England on Sunday under clear blue skies.
India made one change to the team that beat Bangladesh by 87 runs in their opening match, bringing in spinner Piyush Chawla for wayward pace bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

England were forced make changes after their main strike bowler Stuart Broad was ruled out with an upset stomach. Paceman Ajmal Shahzad was brought in as a replacement while all rounder Michael Yardy was picked instead of Ravi Bopara.

India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Piyush Chawla, Munaf Patel.

England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Michael Yardy, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Ajmal Shahzad, James Anderson.

 

India won the toss and elected to bat

Boom Boom Afridi demands improvement despite victory

Boom Boom Afridi wasn't an entirely happy man after orchestrating "a very big win" over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa, a result likely to have significant repercussions on Group A as the tournament progresses.

Afridi was at the centre of the triumph, picking up four key wickets as Pakistan overcame a late implosion in the field to sneak out with an 11-run win. The haul included his 300th ODI wicket, the third Pakistani to do so and only the second player after Sanath Jayasuriya to complete 300 wickets and 4000 runs in the format. With nine wickets in two games, he is for now the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

But Pakistan's inability to finish off games over the last year has worried coach Waqar Younis and tonight's performance, deservedly triumphant ultimately, would not have eased those concerns. Sri Lanka lost their top order with less than 100 on the board, so by the 22nd over of the chase, the game seemed done.

Pakistan relaxed and proceeded to spill three catches, fluff two stumpings and miss a host of run-out attempts over the next 20 overs, allowing Chamara Silva, Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews to fight back. Amid the bedlam, they swiftly wasted two referrals and totted up 29 extras and though Afridi felt that "80%" of the task was done by then, he warned that improvement was needed.

Boom Boom Afridi demands improvement despite victory

Pakistan chose Bat First

On a slow track, expected to aid turn as the game progresses, Shahid Afridi chose to bat in a big encounter against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan went in with an unchanged team and Afridi said he would be happy with a score of 270-280. For his part, Kumar Sangakkara said he would be happy chasing 270-280.

Sri Lanka didn't take any risk with Lasith Malinga and made two further changes from the team that thrashed Canada. Chamara Silva came in for Chamara Kapugedera and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath replaced Ajantha Mendis.

Pakistan chose Bat First

Sri Lanka v Pakistan (14:30 local | 09:00 GMT)

Sri Lanka v Pakistan live now

Sri Lanka v Pakistan (14:30 local | 09:00 GMT)

Pakistan cricketers Butt and Amir to fight bans

Butt was one of three Pakistan 

cricketers banned by the ICC

Salman Butt

Pakistan cricketers Butt and Amir to fight bans

Tigers alive and roaring................

Shafiul Islam was Bangladesh's hero at the end with four wickets, Bangladesh v Ireland, World Cup 2011, Mirpur, February 25, 2010

A diving catch by Tamim Iqbal and a four-wicket burst from Shafiul Islam propelled the Tigers to a pulsating 27-run win over Ireland and keep alive their chances of making quarter-finals.

It was all over when Boyd Rankin chipped a leg-side push off Shafiul Islam to Junaid Siddique, who took a good low catch at short midwicket, to send Bangladeshis into spasms of delight.

Ireland looked poised to break Bangladeshi hearts once again when they reached 151 for five in the 37th over. But the Tigers held their nerves and Ireland blew their chance, surrendering their last five wickets for just 27 runs and were all out for 178. Niall O'Brien (38) and brother Kevin O'Brien (37) got the Irish close.

Bangladesh bowlers and fielders rallied when the game appeared to be slipping away from them and fought hard to pull of the huge victory.

Sehwag century sets up India victory in World Cup opener

Virender Sehwag smashed a career-best one-day innings of 175 as India opened the 2011 Cricket World Cup with a convincing 87-run victory over co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.

Opening batsman Sehwag put on 203 for the third wicket with Virat Kohli, who was unbeaten on 100, as India compiled 370-4 in the allotted 50 overs -- the fifth-highest total in tournament history.

Bangladesh made a game effort in reply but could manage only 283-9, crucially losing five wickets while scoring only 47 runs in the final 10 overs of the match.

Sehwag, who hit 14 boundaries and five sixes in his 140-ball knock, matched the 175 not out by compatriot Kapil Dev in 1983 which is the fourth-highest score in World Cup matches.

Virender Sehwag matched the fourth-highest score in World Cup history as he equaled compatriot Kapil Dev's 175.

Sehwag century sets up India victory in World Cup opener

ICC World Cup 2011

ICC World Cup 2011 All Teams Line Up

ICC World Cup 2011

Boom Boom Afridi Says-My squad is perfect

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Saturday warned World Cup rivals not to underestimate his team, saying the players had turned a new leaf after the match-fixing scandal.

Afridi admitted Pakistan had been blown away by the scandal, which saw former captain Salman Butt and two leading pacemen, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, punished for their alleged involvement.

All three were banned for a minimum of five years by the International Cricket Council, which ruled them out of the World Cup, and also face criminal proceedings in England.

"I think we're really going through a very tough situation," Afridi told reporters in the Bangladeshi capital ahead of the marquee tournament opening on February 19.

"But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now.

"We all know how important the World Cup is for us and for our country. The message for other teams is that no one should underestimate us."

Afridi's team will play practice matches against Bangladesh and England in Dhaka over the next few days, before their first World Cup match against Kenya in the Sri Lankan town of Hambantota on February 23.

The Pakistan captain said his team was "focussed and united" under his leadership.

"They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket," he said, adding that recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team's morale.

"We have a very good bunch of youngsters and some experienced players," said Afridi. "It is good to see Kamran Akmal back in the team. Misbah-ul Haq is in good form and Younis Khan is also batting well.

"I am also very happy with our bowling. We have two genuine spinners and some good fast bowlers, especially Shoaib Akhtar."

Afridi said fans would see a vastly improved Pakistan in the World Cup. "I think my squad is perfect. Inshallah (God willing), we will achieve our goal," he said.

Afridi paid tribute to manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Younis for keeping the team in good spirits amid the controversy.

"They are really doing a very good job," he said. "They have assured the atmosphere in the dressing room is healthy. We are trying to keep the boys together as a unit."

Pakistan was initially due to co-host the tournament with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but were stripped of hosting rights after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team in March, 2009.

Afridi said he hoped that international cricket would return to his country soon. "We are desperate to host the best teams. I am sure that will happen in the near future."

Pakistan, World Cup winners in 1992, have been drawn with reigning champions Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Canada in group A of the preliminary league.

Four teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Afridi said he wanted Pakistan to meet India in the April 2 final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

"That would be the perfect final for the cricket-loving people in both countries," he said.

Boom Boom Afridi Says-My squad is perfect

Welcome

ICC Cricket World Cup Mania 2011

As cricket evolved it became a more professional game with lot of science being involved in it. More than the game itself, it got tremendous popularity from the spectators. The introduction of the ODI (One Day Internationals) format to the world, the game started reaching new levels of popularity. The limited over edition was a major hit with the cricket fans. This led the way to start of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

All the countries which qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup play against each other to win the ultimate trophy which terms the winner of the cup as the ‘World Champions’. The first ICC Cricket World Cup was played in England in 1975. Presently, the 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Tickets are now selling like hot cakes.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Tickets are now selling like hot cakes. The demand is increasing day by day. People around the world want to buy ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tickets. It is important too if you are a cricket lover and want to watch the great game of international cricket with your eyes for entertainment and fun. This is the right time to buy Cricket World Cup 2011 tickets. You can also make online booking for 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup tickets. However, there are lots of confusion  in booking online ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tickets; therefore, you have to get the proper online site to book your valued ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tickets.

ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the most popular international championships of one-day international cricket in the world and the popularity of this grand event often comes together with FIFA. International Cricket Council organizes this grand event.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Tickets – The Price

The price of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tickets is varied from one stadium to another because of the facility and the accommodation standard of those stadiums. However, you will find special offers for the corporate, bulk ticket buyers and other additional packages. You have to check about that before making your purchases. If you want to know more about the facilities and special offers on 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup tickets.

The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the biggest and a major global sporting event organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It is the premier international championship of men's one day international cricket held every four years. There are about 9 World Cup matches that have been played till now.

The First tournament was held in England in the year 1975 and the first three events were known as the Prudential Cup and the England hosted the tournament continuously about three times. The victor of the first World Cup was the West Indies by defeating Australia. Later, in 1979 ICC Trophy was introduced along with the non-test playing teams Sri Lanka and Canada. Once again, the West Indies won the second consecutive tournament by defeating the hosts, England.

The Third World Cup match was held in 1983, and the victors of the first two consecutive World Cup victors were defeated by India by 43 runs. Pakistan and India hosted the Fourth World cup in 1987, Australia won the match by defeating England with the closest margin so far. In 1992, the Fifth match was held in Australia and New Zealand. England was defeated by Australia.

The Sixth match was hosted by India and Sri Lanka in the year 1996 and Australia was the victors of this world cup by defeating West Indies. South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe hosted the Eighth World Cup match in 2003. Australia won the match by defeating India by 125 runs. Also the number of teams participating in the event increased to fourteen. The last match was played in the year 2007, hosted by West Indies. This was a fourth victory for Australia in a consecutive manner by defeating Sri Lanka.

The 2011 World Cup match would be the tenth competition hosted by three South Asian Test cricket playing countries India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistan was also included in the co-hosting countries. Due to the Lahore attack, ICC forced Pakistan to strip its hosting rights. Therefore eight matches are shifted to India, four matches to Sri Lanka and two matches to Bangladesh.

The number of matches and the teams has gradually increased than comparing the previous World Cup tournaments. Cricket has become more popular and the exciting entertainment among the people of every age. Also it has grown as the media event with each tournament.


Click here to download ICC World Cup 2011 Schedule.

Welcome