Injury attacks at India and Srilanka camp!

Nehra got inury in his finger

Injury attacks Indian and Sri lankan player. Indian seamer Ashish Nehra has fractured the middle finger on his right hand putting a question mark over his selection for the final against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Ranjib Biswal, the Indian team manger, confirmed the development but said the team would only take a call on Friday about whether or not he could play. "Nehra has a fractured finger, which was revealed from the scans taken this morning," Biswal said. Nehra picked up the injury while attempting a catch in the semi-final against Pakistan. He was fielding at deep midwicket when he attempted to pick up a pull by Shahid Afridi against Yuvraj Singh. Nehra, not known so much for his deftness in the field, charged forward to pick the ball that was dying on him at the very last minute. Replays confirmed the ball had bounced in front of him but Nehra's attempt drew applause from his team-mates as well as the fullhouse. Unfortunately, Nehra was grimacing in pain and immediately had his finger taped. Since the injury was on his non-bowling hand, Nehra was able to get through three more overs in the match. However, there are worries he will not be able to field. 

Otherside njury concerns over Muttiah Muralitharan and Angelo Mathews have forced the Sri Lankan team to call up Chaminda Vaas and Suraj Randiv as standbys ahead of the World Cup final against India on April 2. Vaas and Randiv will reach Mumbai on Thursday evening, and will be available for an emergency swap into the side if necessary, pending approval from the ICC. Trevor Bayliss, the team's coach, confirmed the development. "They (Mathews and Muralitharan) picked up a couple of niggles in the last match," Bayliss said. "So to be on the safe side a couple of guys are flying in tonight. We will be giving those two guys (Mathews and Muralitharan) as long as possible to prove their fitness."

Both Muttiah Muralitharan and Angelo Mathews inured

Muralitharan has struggled with niggles through the course of the tournament, including a hamstring injury, a side strain, a troublesome knee and a groin issue. There was speculation that he would be rested for the semi-final against New Zealand in a bid to allow him time to be fully fit for the final. Muralitharan, however, played in the semi-final in Colombo, despite not being in the best physical condition. The final, if he plays in it, will be Muralitharan's last international game.

Bayliss was confident about Muralitharan's availability for the game. "I think his chances are good," Bayliss said. "He bowled his 10 overs in the semi-final and came through that okay. He is obviously a bit stiff and sore. He has the character and the will to win the World Cup and I will not be surprised if he plays."

Mathews left the field during the semi-final with a minor quadriceps muscle injury when Sri Lanka were fielding, and was visibly hampered for movement when he later came out to bat with a runner. Mathews has played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's campaign, both as a back-up seamer and in the middle order, and his versatility will be tough to substitute.

Ian Pont takes decision to leave

Ian Pont

Bangladesh's bowling coach Ian Pont takes decision that he will not renew his contract with BCB(Bangladesh Cricket Board). Pont had signed on in September 2010 to coach the team for a specific period of time. Pont confirmed that he will be returning home on April 1 to coach at the Mavericks Cricket Institute academy, which he founded. "I came came on a short-term contract," Pont said in his statement. "But for me to make a long-term commitment and relinquish my UK coaching business, I needed a more viable arrangement. We couldn't come to any agreement on that subject." Under Pont's coaching, Bangladesh's bowling site improved. He is really a good one after Champaka(Previous bowling coach of Bangladesh) .

Despite deciding not to renew his contract, Pont would like to   stay involved with Bangladesh cricket in some capacity so he can help develop the next generation of fast bowlers. "I feel this is a vital ingredient for replicating what Sri Lanka has been able to do, for example, in the same sort of time frame," Pont said. "Developing the pace bowling unit is going to make the Bangladesh cricket far more competitive." Now BCB need to find a better bowling coach for Bangladesh Cricket Team.

India have booked for ICC world cup 2011 final

India sealed the victory against Pakistan in World Cup-2011 semifinal

India's dream of a World Cup triumph at home is one step closer after their bowlers suffocated Pakistan's batsmen to set up a 29-run victory in the semi-final in Mohali.

Saturday's decider will now be a battle of the hosts, and while Sri Lanka might have been surprised by the strength of India's bowling effort, they would also have taken note of a slightly lacklustre batting performance.
Tendulkar was dropped four times in his man of the match innings to anchor India to 260-9 against their arch-rivals before his team's bowlers applied the pressure and the brakes to secure a 29-run win in the hotly-anticipated clash.
"The final in Mumbai will be a fantastic occasion. We will focus on the job in hand and try to get the job done," said Tendulkar of Saturday's title match against Sri Lanka.
Tendulkar again missed out on making 100 international centuries but has the satisfaction of having played in all five of India's World Cup wins over Pakistan.
Now he hopes to be at the forefront of Saturday's campaign where India will look to capture a second World Cup title, 28 years after their first and only triumph.
"It's always memorable to play against Pakistan and to be on the winning side five times against them is a memory I will always cherish.

Tendulkar shot on the way of 85 runs.

"But it was a brilliant effort in the field and by the bowlers. When we batted we had to make sure we got a fighting total. I thought 310 or 315 would have been a good par score.
"Then the ball started stopping and spinning and something closer to 270 was par."
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the toss and batted, said it was important to treat the slowing PCA Stadium pitch -- and the Pakistan attack for whom left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz grabbed five wickets -- with respect.
"We got off to a fantastic start through Virender Sehwag and Sachin (48 runs in 5.5 overs) but as the game progressed the wicket got slower, and in the middle overs it was difficult to score," said Dhoni.
"It was important to just play the bowling with respect. 260 was a good score for this pitch. It was turning. We read the wicket wrong and that's why we went with three seamers, but in the end the seamers bowled really well too.
"We don't have bowlers who can bowl 140mph plus, overall we rely on deception - change of length, line and pace."
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi admitted his team had missed their chances to dismiss Tendulkar who was dropped on 27, 45, 70 and 81 in a butter-fingered fielding performance.
"I'd like to congratulate the Indian team and the Indian nation for this great victory, and wish them all the best for the final," he said.
"We missed some opportunities and they played better than us. We didn't make partnerships and we played some irresponsible shots.
"I want to say sorry to my nation - we tried our level best."
It was a disappointing end for Pakistan after their top order gave them hope. Mohammad Hafeez made an encouraging 43 before a string of eight dot balls from Munaf brought a brain-fade as Hafeez tried a premeditated paddle sweep from outside off stump and edged behind to Dhoni.

Soon after, the loss of Asad Shafiq brought the Mohali crowd to life, when he tried to cut a Yuvraj delivery that was much too full and straight, and the middle stump was knocked back. Shafiq had made 30 and had displayed a cool temperament until that point, but the required run-rate started to balloon, and Pakistan never recovered. Here is the score card- India Vs Pakistan

Srilanka won confidently

Congrates Sri Lanka! Congrates South Asia!! Really it will be 2 South Asian battle at final of ICC world cup 2011 in Mumbai. Sri Lanka really won the match with their confident. Sri Lanka overcame a serious bout of the jitters to book their place in Saturday's World Cup final in Mumbai, as New Zealand bowed out in the last four for the sixth time in ten campaigns, though with their pride fully intact after another fabulous never-say-die performance in Colombo. What a great match it is! NZ won the toss and chose to Bat. Two openers Guptill and McCullum started a great innings. But Herath picked up McCullum at 32 runs of first innings. After making a short partnership of 37, Ryder had gone. Guptil was played well but he bowled by Malinga. Then Taylor and Styris has made 77 runs partnership. After that none could play a good role. As a result NZ all out for 217 remaining 7 balls. In second innings Sri Lanka also started the innings confidently. But Tharanga has fallen. Then Dilshan and Sangakara were going towards the victory. Dilshan scored 73 and got out. After that Sri lanka lost their 3 wickets within 25 runs. But then Samaraweera and Mathews sealed the victory. Man of the match has gone to Sangakara. Now Sri Lanka is waiting for their opponent which will be decided tomorrow after the match between PAK Vs IND.

Team news of Srilanka and New Zealand

Muttiah Muralitharan is striving to recover from two injuries. He hurt his knee during the group match against New Zealand on March 18 and strained his quadriceps in the quarter-final two days ago. If he is fit to play the semi-final, Sri Lanka will not think ahead to the final and rest him.

 

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Lasith Malinga, 9 Muttiah Muralitharan / Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Ajantha Mendis

New Zealand are mulling over their spinners. To play three or not to play three, because Sri Lanka are far more skilled at playing the slow men than South Africa were. If they decide to go with only two then Luke Woodcock will miss out, and one of Daryl Tuffey and Andy McKay would come into the XI. Or perhaps James Franklin, though his inclusion ahead of a specialist bowler would significantly weaken the attack.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Brendom McCullum (wk), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Jesse Ryder, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Scott Styris, 6 Kane Williamson, 7 Nathan McCullum, 8 Jacob Oram, 9 Daniel Vettori, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Luke Woodcock / Daryl Tuffey / Andy McKay

Pitch and conditions

Vettori was surprised and upset that the surface being used for the semi-final is the same one on which Sri Lanka and England played the quarter-final on March 26. The pitch played slow during that game and it's likely to getter slower and harder to score on with repeated use. Chasing under lights used to be difficult at the Premadasa but Sri Lanka beat England without the loss of a wicket. The weather forecast is fair, with only chances of light rain.

Tait's Career End

Shaun Tait has announced his retirement from the one-day format. He said. "This is not a decision I have taken lightly but I believe it is one that will help me to prolong my cricketing career through the many Twenty20 avenues available," He said. "In reality, playing all year round for Australia and South Australia is not allowing my body to stand up as I would like and I do not want to be forced into retirement through career-ending injuries.

"Twenty20 cricket allows me to manage my body to a level where I feel I can continue to contribute to the game for some time yet. My goal was to hopefully help Australia retain the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction."

It is really a sad news for Australian Cricket. CA lost their one of fastest seamer because of his decision. His ODI debut was against England at Sydney, Feb 2, 2007. He has passed only 4 years in his ODI matches and has played only 35 ODI matches. He has taken 62 wickets(Avg. 23.56) in his ODI career. He has played his last ODI match against India at Ahmedabad, Mar 24, 2011. He will only play T20 for Australian and South Australia. CA has welcomed his decision. He has played only 3 test in his small career.

War of cricket- Pakistan Vs India

Another Great war in cricket world. The fan of cricket are now eagerly waiting for this war. Its again Pakistan Vs India. Oh! We want to see another fighting match between this two teams. But before the match team India need to be balance at their bowling. Because in this world cup, the bowling site of team India is not strong. Other hand the Bowling site of Pakistan is really strong. They have good seamars  like Umar Gul, Shoaib Akter. And also have some quality spinner like Afridi, Hafeez, Ajmal. They can make the match for Pakistan. And also some stroke maker like Razzak, Misbah, Umar Akmal. And also some experienced player like Younis Khan. And also
India have great batsman like Sachin who can do anything
against any bowling line-up. Also have stroke maker like
Sehwag, Raina, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Pathan. 
They can make India best for the win. So the race will be quite hard for both team. Now lets wait for the Big match. We can say it final before the official final match of ICC World Cup-2011.