Story West Indies Host India And Pakistan [C2005] (Twenty20 - India 105)

[m_vaughan]

Well this format just suits Chris Gayle perfectly.

 

[James_W]

I doubt Dhoni will come in as low as 7. :O

 

[Briggsey]

Twenty20 International
5 Over Update

Honours Even As Sehwag Departs

India 38/1 (5)
Sehwag c.Bravo b.Lawson 14(18)
Dravid 14(4)*
Tendulkar 7(8)*
Lawson 1-25

The first Twenty20 International in the carribean is pretty even at the moment as India reached a modest 38 with the loss of 1 wicket after the first 5 overs. The St Lucia crowd were treated to a high tempo opening over as Sehwag took apart Lawson's first over, hitting him for 11 runs in all, including a huge hook for 6 which landed in the very top tier of the stand.

Corey Collymore shared the new ball with Lawson, and had much more success, beating the edge of Tendulkar with his very first ball, but the little master would have the last laugh, hitting Collymore straight down the ground for four off the final delivery of the over. After being hit for 11 from his first over, Lawson came back much more aggressive to Sehwag in his next over, hitting him in the chest on one occasion, but Lara was pleased with the over, which turned out to be a maiden, with only 2 leg byes from it.

Collymore went for 6 in his second over, but it would be the 5th over where the crowd came alive. After leaving the first ball of the over, Lawson banged one in which Sehwag took advantage of and looked to pull away for a boundary. However, the ball went straight up in the air where Dwayne Bravo took a comfortable catch running in from the boundary much to the delight of the home crowd.

That wicket saw the arrival of the Indian captain Rahul Dravid to the crease, and Dravid wasted no time getting settled. The man known as 'The Wall' showed no defensive qualities at all as he smashed Lawson for 2 huge sixes over cover and raced on to 14 from only 4 deliveries while Tendulkar watched on at the other end.

With Dravid looking very aggressive from the get go, and Tendulkar not even into his stride yet, things are looking good for the Indians, but a couple of wickets could change things in the next few overs, and Lara will try with all his might to get this to happen.

Scorecard

Bowling Card

 

[m_vaughan]

Well looking at the scorecard one would feel that Dravid and Sehwag have exchanged bodies. Honours very much even atm.

 

[surendar]

good start by India though Sehwag is gone!!! I feel Sachin can take aggressive role instead of Dravid!!!

 

[Briggsey]

Twenty20 International
5 Over Update

Bradshaw Dominates As Indians Collapse

India 69/6 (10)
Kaif 24(14)
Dravid 14(5)
Pathan 4(5)*
Dhoni 0(0)*
Bradshaw 3-4

An amazing 5 overs of cricket at St Lucia has seen India lose 5 wickets as the pressures of putting runs on the board has seemingly effected their middle order. Corey Collymore produced the first breakthrough in this 5 over spell, as Sachin Tendulkar who was attempting to hit over the top only found the hands of Jermaine Lawson who took a comfortable catch.

This brought in Mohammed Kaif who wasted no time getting after Collymore, hammering him away for 4. The next over would be more disastrous for the Indians, with the introduction of left arm seamer Ian Bradshaw. Bradshaw bowled an immaculate line and was rewarded instantly as Dravid hit one at Lawson in the covers.

Yuvraj made his way out to the middle but would not be there much longer as he departed in the very same over, but only thanks to one of the most amazing catches from Jermaine Lawson yet again. An attempted yorker from Bradshaw was turned into a full toss by Yuvraj who went after it and for some time the ball looked to be sailing over the boundary, but an amazing diving catch from Lawson saw Yuvraj on his way and India in more trouble.

The 8th over saw Kaif launch a single man assault on Collymore as he hammered him for 19 runs in his final over. There was no need for big hits as Kaif found the gaps with an elegant touch and then to rub salt into the wounds of Collymore, the final ball of the over was called for a no ball and Kaif hammered it into the stands for a huge 6.

The next over saw more disaster for India, as youngster Venugopal Rao departed after playing one of the most bizzarly picked shots against a fast bowler you are likely to see. With Bradshaw bowling around the 80mph mark, instead of playing a simple shot, Rao improvised and attempted to play a reverse sweep, this would be his dowfall however as he completely played all around it and looked back to see his middle stump flying back towards Dinesh Ramdin.

The 10th over saw the introduction of Dwayne Bravo to the attack and he struck instantly, forcing Kaif to edge one to Sarwan at slip, who had been placed their by Lara who was now going for the kill. Bravo showed his delight at removing dangerman Kaif who was replaced at the crease by Irfan Pathan and Pathan wasted no time and smacked Bravo away for a much needed boundary.

With Dhoni yet to face a ball and Pathan looking in good nick, there is still hope for India, and with Kumble and Harbhajan providing some big lower order hitting, there is still a chance India could post a challenging score on this pitch.

Scorecard

Bowling Figures

 

[m_vaughan]

Its the Bravo and Bradshaw show!

What exactly was Rao thinking??!!!!

 

[surendar]

I just now thought its a good start... But its unbelievable collapse!!! Well done Bradshaw!!!

I also want to ask, whts Rao thinking???? its irresponisble shot selection!!!

 

[Cricket_60]

Great start to the story Briggsey

India in heaps of trouble atm, Windies should win comfortably.

 

[Briggsey]

Twenty20 International
5 Over Update

Dhoni Begins Attack But Indians In Trouble

India 93/7 (15)
Pathan b.Bravo 6(12)
Dhoni 20(20)*
Kumble 2(3)*
Bravo 2-8

Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to be well in his stride now as the Indians attempt to launch a late counter attack after 15 overs of disaster. After a quiet first couple of overs to this 5 over spell, Dhoni was seemingly looking anxious to have a go but with India needing to rebuild he was hesitant, and this was shown as he thick edged an attempted sweep from the bowling of Chris Gayle for 4.

Dwayne Bravo bowled the 14th over and it brought more success for the West Indies, as his renound slower ball did the job yet again, clean bowling Irfan Pathan for only 6. Pathan looked dumb found as he played all around the slower ball, but Bravo had his second wicket.

The 15th over saw Dhoni start his own fireworks. The bowler on the other end of this treatment; Chris Gayle, had no reply as Dhoni smashed him for 2 huge sixes, one down the ground and one over the covers. Gayle himself will be hoping to do that later in the game, but it was Dhoni who gave him a taste of his own medicine on this occasion as himself and the tail must now attempt to bring the score to some respectability.

Scorecard

Bowling Card

 

[Briggsey]

Twenty20 International
5 Over Update

Indians Crumble As Bradshaw Dominates

India 105 (17.5)
Sreesanth lbw b.Bradshaw 0(1)
Kumble lbw b.Gayle 3(12)
Harbhajan 9(6)*
Bradshaw 4-12

The first half of this Twenty20 International is complete as India have been bowled out for 105 with 2.1 overs to spare. Ian Bradshaw was the hero, picking up 4 wickets from his spell of bowling and only conceding 12 runs. Dhoni was first to go after the drinks break, seemingly having lost concentration with the break, he chipped the first ball from Bravo straight into the hands of Wavel Hinds who took a comfortable catch and gave Bravo his 3rd wicket of the innings.

The fall of that wicket brought in Harbhajan, and he wasted little time getting after the bowlers. His first delivery was a thick edge for 4 but any kind of runs at this stage for India were a bonus, with them looking for something half respectable to defend. The fireworks from Harbhajan didnt stop there as he hammered yet another boundary in the next over before handing the strike over to Kumble.

With Kumble on strike, the better of the two current batsman was facing, but when Gayle sent up a slower delivery with Kumble attempted to reverse sweep, he was struck on the pads and a huge appeal from Gayle and Ramdin resulted in the umpire raising his finger and sending Kumble on his way. Television replays showed that the ball struck Kumble outside the line, despite the fact it would have gone on to hit, so an unlucky decision goes against India at a vital time.

Sreesanth was the number 11 for India and he didnt stick around very long. Bradshaw was bowling at his peak and an outstanding yorker hit Sreesanth dead infront and nearly sent him crashing to the floor, the umpire of course had no hesitation in raising his finger as the Indian innings came to a premature end leaving the West Indies needing 106 to win from their 20 overs.


Scorecard

Bowling Card

 

[Briggsey]

Mid Innings Break

The Indians have their work cut out if they are to salvage anything from this game. After being bowled out for a mere 105, West Indies dont even have to rush the scoring rates to get a victory here. Lets join our panel of experts in the studio to see what they thought of the first half of this game.

Panel Includes

• Tony Cozier
• Tony Greig
• Michael Holding
• Ravi Shastri

TC: Well that was a fascinating spell of cricket that we have just witnessed, the much under-fancied West Indian bowlers really took it to the Indians and what a result, bowling them out for only 105 in under the 20 over limit. Guys, what do you think?

MH: Well what can you say, its strange to see the Indian batsmen bat how they did, you can blame poor shot selection and inexperience in this type of cricket, but you have to give credit where its due, and Brian Lara really marshalled his bowlers well, they bowled brillianty, and if you bowl like that consistently, your going to get success.

RS: Yes ive got to agree, whilst also criticising the Indian top order, they simply did not get enough runs on the board, leaving the middle order with a lot of work to do, from the moment Sehwag was out, the innings seemed to collapse and when it looked like a partnership was building up, the West Indies would strike.

TG: You have to give credit to Ian Bradshaw, he bowled one of the best 4 over spells you will ever see in any form of cricket, he was consistent, missed the edge on several occasions, and really tied the Indians down whenever he bowled.

TC: I was just going to come to that, the performance of Bradshaw in particular stood out, any reminders of you in your hey-day their Michael?

MH: Haha well I think I was a bit younger than Ian is now when I was in my prime but yes he bowled brilliantly. 4 wickets for only a small amount of runs in a situation which doesnt suit bowlers is a fine effort, you musnt forget about the other bowlers though, Dwayne in particular backed him up well with his 3 wickets, and if they can carry this form into the test series, there could be a couple of shocks.

TC: Indeed, so Ravi, how are India going to win this game from here?

RS: I dont think India have much chance of winning, they will pick up wickets certinally, but with the West Indies in such a strong position it will be hard for the bowlers to pick up 10 wickets in such a situation. The West Indian batsman know what they have to get and they dont need to play silly shots like the Indians felt they had to in order to pick up the run rate. All Rahul can ask is that his bowlers keep things tight, the fielders restrict the runs and maybe they can take something into the test series from the efforts in the field.

TG: One thing that the West Indies will need now is to ensure their batsman get some good time at the crease, its all good going out and attacking the bowling, but with the test series so close, there top order will need to spend some time at the crease, so if they bat well, many of them will be able to get in and get a good knock under their belts.

TC: Well the Indian bowlers are going to have to be at their best to get anything from this game, we know that for sure.


West Indies Require 106 Runs To Win @ 5.30 Per Over