Injury-hit Australia call up Wade, Marsh for World Cup

Injury-hit Australia have called up Matthew Wade and Mitch Marsh to their World Cup squad as cover for Usman Khawaja and Marcus Stoinis.

Top-order batsman Khawaja suffered a left hamstring injury in Australia's shock 10-run defeat by South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Stoinis was also hampered by a side complaint, an issue which had already sidelined the all-rounder for two group stage matches.

With reigning champions Australia due to play England in the semi-finals at Edgbaston on Thursday, Wade and Marsh have been added to the squad.

Marsh links up with the group for a second time as cover for Stoinis, who missed Australia's wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka before returning against Bangladesh.

Both Khawaja and Stoinis will undergo scans on their injuries but, in the meantime, Wade and Marsh will leave the Australia A group currently in Sussex, southern England.

Australia captain Aaron Finch admitted Khawaja was unlikely to recover in time for the rest of the tournament when he spoke after the South Africa defeat -- a result that cost his side first place in the 10-team group stage.

"Australia A arrived at Arundel for today's (Sunday's) four-day clash with Sussex short two players after wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade and all-rounder Mitch Marsh were called up as cover to Australia's World Cup squad," a Cricket Australia statement read.

"The injury setbacks to Usman Khawaja (hamstring) and Marcus Stoinis (side) suffered in Australia's dramatic loss to South Africa in Manchester has seen the selectors draft in Wade and Marsh.

"They left Brighton this morning for Birmingham, the destination of Australia's blockbuster semi-final show with tournament hosts England on Thursday.

"Both Khawaja and Stoinis are set to undergo scans today before their future in the World Cup is determined, with both players still officially a part of Australia's 15-man Cup squad at this stage.

"However, it appears Khawaja's hamstring injury looks likely to rule the left-hander out for the rest of Australia's campaign."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe

Pakistan seek solutions to lift World Cup gloom

Every World Cup failure for Pakistan sparks a wave of reviews and sackings and the promise of a fresh approach — until the team wins again and all is forgotten.

The script is expected to be similar after Sarfaraz Ahmed's team failed to make the semi-finals in England and Wales despite a late charge.

Pakistan won four straight matches to finish level on 11 points with New Zealand, but they bowed out of the tournament due to an inferior net run-rate.

There have once again been calls for an overhaul of the system, changes in the team set-up and style of play, but 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram said there was no need to panic.

"Pakistan woke up late in the World Cup and when they gained momentum they won four straight games," the former captain told AFP.

"It is not a bad finish and I don't think we need to panic.

"There is no quick fix and the people running cricket need time and must keep the example of how England lifted their one-day cricket. I am ready to contribute towards that."

Watch | Stani Army's take on India-Pakistan clashes

England's humiliating first-round exit in 2015 sparked a radical rethink and the host nation started this World Cup as the number one side in the world.

Another World Cup winner, Ramiz Raja, believes Pakistan have the ability to produce "magical" cricket and says their exit is a loss to the tournament.

But he said every defeat was an opportunity to assess things and that ruthless decisions were required.

"I think every defeat gives an opportunity for introspection, so Pakistan need to do four or five things if they want to be a force in world cricket," he said.

"Pakistan have to correct their system, which can provide them with regular talent and then define and refine that talent.

"Look at Australia — they were losing against every team a year ago but since their system is strong they stood up. We need to take ruthless decisions in a review."

The positions of head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Sarfaraz — both of whom had contracts until the World Cup — will be looked at as part of the assessment.

Luckily for Pakistan, they have a crop of talented youngsters who can form the nucleus of the team for years to come.

Read | Fans own Twitter banter after Pakistan’s World Cup exit

"At 24, we're the youngest team by a long way in this competition, and that is something that we can be proud of, and I think that augurs well for the future of Pakistan cricket," said Arthur, who wants to continue in the role of coach.

"We've showcased a lot of our young talent, and I think the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan, the list goes on and on. And look, there's going to be a review now, and we'll see how that goes.

"Unfortunately, it has always been this way for Pakistan -- we don't seem to be able to find that collective consistency. But my message, again, is 'let's stay positive'."

Pakistan has hosted little international cricket since Sri Lanka's team bus was attacked in 2009 in Lahore.

The situation has forced Pakistan to play at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates, meaning the game is not so visible to the younger generation who need to be inspired to play the game.

The nation's cricket board is striving to bring back international cricket to Pakistan in the hope that will provide a further catalyst for a revival in the team's fortunes.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Karunaratne has his money on India to win the World Cup

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne has backed India to win the World Cup after losing to Virat Kohli's side at Headingley on Saturday.

India wrapped up their group stage campaign with a seven-wicket victory inspired by Rohit Sharma's record fifth century of the tournament.

Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, created the biggest upset of this World Cup by beating hosts England, but failed to make the semi-finals.

Karunaratne believes of the four semi-finalists in India, England, holders Australia and New Zealand, it is Kohli's team who are the most well balanced.

"I think India has a better chance to win this World Cup, for me, from my point of view," Karunaratne told reporters.

"And I think on that particular day if the other team can do better than the India team, they're definitely going to win."

Sharma, who made 103, led India's chase during his 189-run opening stand with KL Rahul, who went on to top score with 111.

Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 264 for seven despite a gritty hundred from Angelo Mathews.

Karunaratne, who was made captain of the side just ahead of the World Cup, credited India's domestic structure for their steady flow in talent.

"I think India, they have a nice structure behind the India national team. I think they have the Indian T20 League," said Karunaratne.

"They have good domestic teams and a good season. So those are the things they will keep building, keep producing the good players. So we expect the same from our administration."

Karunaratne said the team was disappointed not to give a winning farewell to veteran paceman Lasith Malinga, who was playing his last World Cup game.

"We all want to give him a nice farewell, but unfortunately we couldn't. But I think we tried really hard," said Karunaratne.

"But Mali (Malinga) going to play another couple of games in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh. We'll try to give a nice send-off at that time."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

Karunaratne wants more Lanka players to get overseas experience

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne has urged his country's cricket chiefs to help more players enter overseas Twenty20 leagues to make up for the limitations of their domestic structure.

Sri Lanka have failed to replicate their 1996 World Cup triumph in the current tournament, with the retirements of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara leaving them short of top-class talent.

Sri Lanka, who are already out of the race to reach the semi-finals, take on India in their final group game at Headingley on Saturday.

And Karunaratne said exposing Sri Lankan talent to international tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia's Big Bash is the best way to broaden their limited-overs experience.

"In Sri Lanka we have one domestic season. The players have only one chance to showcase their talent in a particular domestic season and we can identify players only that season," Karunaratne told reporters on Friday.

"We have to close that gap (between domestic and international cricket). We have to give a chance to the players to play in IPL, Big Bash or county cricket.

"We have to give them permission to play in overseas tournament to gain experience and come back. Those are the things I'm expecting from the cricket board after this World Cup."

Sri Lanka's veteran paceman Lasith Malinga has been part T20 leagues across the globe, recently winning the Indian T20 League title with Mumbai.

Karunaratne's team revived their flagging World Cup campaign by upsetting hosts England, but they soon suffered a loss to South Africa that shattered their last four hopes.

Karunaratne though has still taken out positives from the campaign as he singled out Avishka Fernando as a future star.

"Avishka Fernando is doing really good. In the last three games, he showed that he can produce some runs for Sri Lanka and he is one of the future stars," he said.

"If you take the bowling line-up they did really well, especially (Lasith) Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep. Those are the positive points from this World Cup."

Fernando, 21, hit his maiden international century in the team's third win of the tournament against the West Indies on Monday, but that was not enough to make the semi-final cut.

Karunaratne, who was appointed captain just ahead of the World Cup after being out of the ODI side since the 2015 edition, said the country's cricket bosses are keen to start building a squad for the 2023 tournament.

"After 2015 we started to build the World Cup side but unfortunately the players who came in couldn't perform. We had to change a lot of players," he said.

"After this World Cup we are trying to have a special plan and identify the players who can give a good performance. We are trying to make a solid 15 players for the next World Cup."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

Australia suffer a dramatic loss, to take on England in semis

Australia will play England in the World Cup semi-finals after the holders suffered a dramatic 10-run defeat against South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

David Warner marked his first match against South Africa since a 12-month ball-tampering ban with his third hundred of the World Cup, but it was not enough to prevent Australia suffering their second loss of the 10-team group stage.

Defeat on the penultimate ball meant Australia, who had already qualified for the semi-finals, failed to clinch top spot as India leapfrogged them to take pole position after beating Sri Lanka earlier on Saturday.

Had Australia won, they would have faced fourth-placed New Zealand in the first semi-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

But instead they will play resurgent hosts England in the second semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday.

The final is at Lord's a week on Sunday.

Warner (122) and Alex Carey (85) got Australia to within sight of a stiff target of 326 during a fifth-wicket partnership of 108.

But neither could see their side home to victory after South Africa captain Faf du Plessis made 100 and Rassie van der Dussen a career-best 95 in a total of 325-6.

Australia were struggling at 119 for four and Warner could only watch as wickets fell early against a Proteas side whose own semi-final hopes had long since disappeared.

Australia captain Aaron Finch, Warner's opening partner, went for three, when he chipped Imran Tahir to short cover, sparking a typically exuberant celebration from the bowler.

Steve Smith, who like Warner was given a 12-month ban for his part in the ball-tampering scandal during a Test in Cape Town last year, fell lbw for seven to Dwaine Pretorius.

Warner held firm, going past 600 runs for the tournament, with his latest century coming up in 100 balls when he edged Chris Morris for his 12th four.

He was eventually out when a drive off Dwaine Pretorius was well caught by a diving Morris at mid-on.

Carey, however, launched Tahir for six during his career-best ODI knock before his 69-ball innings ended when he carved Morris to Aiden Markram at deep cover to leave Australia 275-7 in the 46th over.

Usman Khawaja returned after retiring hurt earlier in the innings and helped get the target down to 25 off 12 balls before he was bowled for 18, walking across his stumps, by Kagiso Rabada.

The target eventually became 18 off a nail-biting last over -- bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo -- with one wicket standing.

And with 11 needed off two balls, last man Nathan Lyon holed out to Markram in the deep.

Earlier, Mitchell Starc equalled Australia legend Glenn McGrath's World Cup tournament record of 26 wickets, set at the 2007 event in the Caribbean, with a return of 2-59.

Markram (33), opening after South Africa veteran Hashim Amla was ruled out with a knee injury playing football in a warm-up on Friday, and Quinton de Kock (52) set the tone in front of a sun-drenched crowd in a first-wicket stand of 79.

Du Plessis, who drove fast bowler Pat Cummins for a superb six, completed the first hundred by a South African at this World Cup in 93 balls.

But he was out to the next ball he faced, slicing Jason Behrendorff to third man.

Van der Dussen fell short of his maiden ODI hundred when, trying to hit the last ball of the innings for six, he holed out off Cummins.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Mathews ton lifts Sri Lanka to 264-7 against India

Angelo Mathews hit a gritty century to lift Sri Lanka to 264 for seven after a top-order collapse against India on the final day of the World Cup group stage.

Mathews made 113 and put on 124 runs for the fifth wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne to give Sri Lanka a respectable total after they were reeling on 55 for four at Headingley.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah removed openers Dimuth Karunaratne (10) and Kusal Perera (18) inside eight overs after Sri Lanka, who are playing for pride after missing out on the semi-finals, won the toss and elected to bat.

Bumrah returned impressive figures of 3-37 in his 10 overs as India, who are already qualified for the semi-finals, restricted Sri Lanka with some quality bowling.

Kusal Mendis was stumped off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who is playing his first match of the competition, before paceman Hardik Pandya had rising star Avishka Fernando caught behind for 20.

The right and left-handed batting combination of Mathews and Thirimanne rotated the strike and got the occasional boundary to keep the score ticking.

Thirimanne registered his 21st ODI fifty but soon fell to Yadav's left-arm wrist spin on 53 after giving away a catch to point.

Mathews, who was dropped on 61 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at long-on off Jadeja, went on to complete his ton -- his third in ODIs -- with a boundary off Pandya.

The former Sri Lanka captain finally fell to Bumrah after smashing 10 fours and two sixes during his 128-ball knock.

Dhananjaya de Silva chipped in with his unbeaten 29 after his 74-run partnership with Mathews that took Sri Lanka past the 250-run mark.

Virat Kohli's India need 265 for a victory, which would give them a chance of finishing above defending champions Australia, who face South Africa in the day's other match.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Plane flies over Headingley with 'Justice for Kashmir' banner

Banners reading ‘#Justice for Kashmir’ and ‘India stop genocide & free Kashmir’ were flown over Headingley during India's World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday.

It was the second such incident at the event in England and Wales, after a banner was flown over the same ground in Leeds during last week's match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"We are incredibly disappointed this has happened again," the International Cricket Council said in a statement. "We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

"Throughout the tournament we have worked with local police forces around the country to prevent this type of protest occurring. After the previous incident we were assured by West Yorkshire Police there would not be a repeat of this issue, so we are very dissatisfied it has happened again."

Banners reading “#Justice for Kashmir” and “India stop genocide & free Kashmir” were flown over Headingley during India's World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday.#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/M2GTYnV6O7

— Syed Ali Geelani (@sageelani) July 6, 2019

Last week's group game between Pakistan and Afghanistan was marred by clashes between fans, prompting a police probe. The ugly scenes were sparked by the flying of a banner over the ground reading: "Justice for Balochistan."

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and poorest province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is rife with Islamist, separatist and sectarian insurgencies.

The Pakistani military has been waging war on militants there since 2004, and security forces are frequently targeted.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

Mixed feelings for Arthur as Pakistan bow out

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur admitted his side's failed World Cup campaign left him with mixed feeling as they crashed out despite beating Bangladesh by 94 runs on Friday.

To reach the semi-finals, Pakistan needed to rewrite the record books with the biggest margin of victory in a one-day international.

But they came up short as their 315-9 meant Bangladesh had to be bowled out for just eight at Lord's.

That impossible task was quickly put to bed as Bangladesh reached eight runs in the second over, allowing New Zealand to join Australia, India and England into the semi-finals.

Pakistan secured 11 points in nine games, as many as New Zealand scored, but were ousted on an inferior net run-rate.

Arthur, whose contract with Pakistan ends after the tournament, said it was a disappointing conclusion to a campaign that had plenty of highs and lows.

"It hasn't ended as we would have liked to have ended it. It's been a campaign of ifs and buts," Arthur told reporters.

"If we have a look through our first five games and we have a look through our last five, it's a campaign of two halves, which has been disappointing."

Pakistan had just one win, against hosts England, from five games with three defeats, including a loss to arch-rivals India, and a no-result.

They staged a comeback by winning the next four games but still failed to qualify.

Arthur said the task of achieving a huge win against Bangladesh was targeted at the start but became impossible due to the slowness of the pitch.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a discussion. We won the toss, which was a good start. Getting 400 is a platform. The message we got from Fakhar (Zaman) when he came back in the change room was it was slow and tough to score," Arthur said.

Arthur admitted a seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in the first game hurt his team badly.

"If we go back, the West Indies game, the first game of the tournament, when you lose like we lost, it's almost impossible to get back on net run rate, that was disappointing," said Arthur.

Arthur labelled his team's wins over semi-finalists England and New Zealand as the main highlights.

"It's nice to sit here and know we've beaten two of those top four teams during our campaign, which shows we are not a mile off in terms of where we are as a cricket team," he said.

Arthur praised Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for helping the resurgence after being severely criticised for the India defeat.

"I must say that I'd just like to credit the captain, Sarfaraz. What he was exposed to after the Indian game was atrocious as a Pakistan cricket captain, as any captain of any cricket team," he said.

"The way he held his composure, the way he led from the front, the way his work ethic never, ever changed. I think he's been an inspiration to that dressing room, and I think Sarfaraz deserves a lot of credit for this."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Lindsey Parnaby

Bairstow opens up on secret of success with England partner Roy

England's Jonny Bairstow has revealed that a relaxed, fun-loving approach is the secret of his World Cup success with fellow opener Jason Roy.

Bairstow and Roy have recorded three successive century stands in the tournament to lay the foundations for England's surge into the semi-finals.

They have now reached three figures 10 times in 31 innings together, with their average opening stand sitting at 67.70 - the highest in one-day international history for partnerships with total runs of 1,000 or more.

It is no surprise that England's successive defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia — which put their semi-final place in danger — came when Roy was absent with a torn hamstring.

Bairstow, fresh from match-winning scores of 111 and 106 in his past two innings, admitted he feels more relaxed when he sees Roy at the other end of the wicket.

"It's just a good craic. That's what it is. It's genuinely good fun," Bairstow said. "It's pretty relaxed, good fun and the communication is important all the way through.

"We just keep each other going. It's nice, it's relaxed, and we just try and crack on and do what we do."

Roy and Bairstow keep the opposition under pressure, with each trusting the other is capable of scoring runs at a rapid pace.

"Of course, you've got to have trust in each other, in an opening partnership. I'm sure that Andrew Strauss and Cooky (Alastair Cook) were the same when they opened in Tests," Bairstow said.

"Along the way there's going to be ups and downs but throughout it you've got to have trust within yourselves."

While England's international footballers have suffered semi-final setbacks in World Cups — Gareth Southgate's side losing to Croatia last year and the women's team beaten days ago by the United States — Bairstow takes his inspiration from elsewhere.

A huge rugby union fan, Bairstow wants to replicate the achievements of Jonny Wilkinson, who helped England win the 2003 World Cup.

Ahead of next week's semi-finals, Bairstow was asked if the footballers' struggles had crossed his mind.

"That's a bit of a negative way of looking at it. I've not even thought about it," he said.

"Let's remember that in 2003 an England team won a World Cup, so you can look at it in any which way you want. That Jonny became probably the best fly-half ever to play for England.

"I've had messages of support from mates outside cricket and it's nice to get support from people who are in different circles and different sports, of course, and refreshing."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Brilliant Rohit leads India to comfortable win

Rohit Sharma became the first player to hit five centuries in a single World Cup as India cantered to a comfortable seven-wicket win in their final World Cup group match against Sri Lanka on Saturday

Sharma smashed 103 off 94 deliveries as semi-finalists India chased down their target of 265 in 43.3 overs to end the league stage with seven wins, one defeat and one washout.

Sharma's opening partner KL Rahul top-scored with 111 as the pair put on 189 runs for the first wicket to put India well on top.

Sharma reached his milestone with a boundary off Kasun Rajitha to pass the mark set by Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who scored four hundreds at the 2015 tournament.

He reached his century off 92 balls with 14 fours and two sixes but was dismissed shortly afterwards, caught by Angelo Mathews off the bowling of Rajitha.

Sharma, known as the "hitman", now leads the tournament's run-scoring charts with 647 runs in eight matches after hitting his third successive century.

He is only the fourth batsman after Sachin Tendulkar, Matthew Hayden and Shakib Al Hasan to score more than 600 runs at a single World Cup.

Skipper Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 34 and Hardik Pandya hit the winning runs to give India a chance of finishing above group leaders Australia, playing South Africa in the later match at Old Trafford.

Rahul registered his first century of the tournament but was caught behind shortly before the end of the game off veteran paceman Lasith Malinga -- playing his final World Cup match -- after hitting 11 fours and one six in his 118-ball knock.

Earlier, Mathews hit his third one-day international century and put on 124 runs for the fifth wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne (53) to give Sri Lanka a respectable total after they were reeling at 55-4.

Jasprit Bumrah returned impressive figures of 3-37 in his 10 overs as India, who had already qualified for the semi-finals, restricted Sri Lanka with some quality bowling.

The 1996 champions finished their World Cup campaign with three wins, four defeats and two games ending in no result.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

Injury-hit Australia call up Wade, Marsh for World Cup

Related tags:

Pakistan seek solutions to lift World Cup gloom

Related tags:

Karunaratne has his money on India to win the World Cup

Related tags:

Karunaratne wants more Lanka players to get overseas experience

Related tags:

Australia suffer a dramatic loss, to take on England in semis

Related tags:

Mathews ton lifts Sri Lanka to 264-7 against India

Related tags:

Plane flies over Headingley with 'Justice for Kashmir' banner

Related tags:

Mixed feelings for Arthur as Pakistan bow out

Related tags:

Bairstow opens up on secret of success with England partner Roy

Related tags:

Brilliant Rohit leads India to comfortable win

Related tags: