| ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule & Fixtures Posted: 30 Jul 2013 01:35 AM PDT 
The International Cricket Council launched the 2015 Cricket World Cup on Tuesday. The 14-team tournament will be staged in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29. Below is the full list of fixtures for the event: (Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 broadcast List)
Pool A: England, Australia (co-host), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand (co-host), Qualifier 2 (TBD), Qualifier 3 (TBD) Pool B: South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Qualifier 1 (Ireland), Qualifier 4 (TBD) Fixtures: (Also Read: ICC World Cup 2015 Fixtures: India to face Pakistan in openert) Saturday 14 February – Sri Lanka v New Zealand , Hagley Oval, Christchurch (day); England v Australia , Melbourne Cricket Ground (day/night) Sunday 15 Feb – South Africa v Zimbabwe, Seddon Park, Hamilton (d/n); India v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval (d/n) Monday 16 Feb – West Indies v Ireland, Saxton Oval, Nelson (d) Tuesday 17 Feb – New Zealand v Qualifier 3, University Oval, Dunedin (d) Wednesday 18 Feb – Bangladesh v Qualifier 2, Manuka Oval, Canberra (d/n) Thursday 19 Feb – Zimbabwe v Qualifier 4, Saxton Oval, Nelson (d) Friday 20 Feb – England v New Zealand, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (d/n) Saturday 21 Feb – Pakistan v West Indies, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (d); Australia v Bangladesh, Gabba, Brisbane (d/n) Sunday 22 Feb – Sri Lanka v Qualifier 2, University Oval, Dunedin (d); South Africa v India, MCG, Melbourne (d/n) Monday 23 Feb – England v Qualifier 3, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (d) Tuesday 24 Feb – West Indies v Zimbabwe, Manuka Oval, Canberra (d/n) Wednesday 25 Feb – Ireland v Qualifier 4, Gabba, Brisbane (d/n) Thursday 26 Feb – Qualifier 2 v Qualifier 3, University Oval, Dunedin (d); Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, MCG, Melbourne (d/n) Friday 27 Feb – South Africa v West Indies, SCG, Sydney (d/n) Saturday 28 Feb – India v Qualifier 4, WACA, Perth (d/n); Australia v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland (d/n) Sunday 1 March – England v Sri Lanka, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (d); Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Gabba, Brisbane (d/n) Monday 2 March – Rest day Tuesday 3 March – South Africa v Ireland, Manuka Oval, Canberra (d/n) Wednesday 4 March – Pakistan v Qualifier 4, McLean Park, Napier (d/n); Australia v Qualifier 2, WACA, Perth (d/n) Thursday 5 March – Bangladesh v Qualifier 3, Saxton Oval, Nelson (d) Friday 6 March – India v West Indies, WACA, Perth (d/n) Saturday 7 March –South Africa v Pakistan, Eden Park, Auckland (d/n); Zimbabwe v Ireland, Bellerive Oval, Hobart (d/n) Sunday 8 March – New Zealand v Qualifier 2, McLean Park, Napier (d); Australia v Sri Lanka, SCG, Sydney (d/n) Monday 9 March – England v Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n) Tuesday 10 March – India v Ireland, Seddon Park, Hamilton (d/n) Wednesday 11 March – Sri Lanka v Qualifier 3, Bellerive Oval, Hobart (d/n) Thursday 12 March – South Africa v Qualifier 4, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (d/n) Friday 13 March – Bangladesh v New Zealand, Seddon Park, Hamilton (d/n); England v Qualifier 2, SCG, Sydney (d/n) Saturday 14 March – India v Zimbabwe, Eden Park, Auckland (d/n); Australia v Qualifier 3, Bellerive Oval, Hobart (d/n) Sunday 15 March – West Indies v Qualifier 4, McLean Park, Napier (d); Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n) Monday 16 March – Rest day Tuesday 17 March – Rest day Wednesday 18 March – First quarter-final, SCG, Sydney (d/n) Thursday 19 March – Reserve day for first quarter-final; Second quarter-final, MCG (d/n) Friday 20 March – Reserve day for second quarter-final; third quarter-final, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n) Saturday 21 March – Reserve day for third quarter-final; fourth quarter-final, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (d/n) Sunday 22 March – Reserve day for fourth quarter-final Mon 23 Mar – Rest day Tuesday 24 March – First semi-final, Eden Park, Auckland (d/n) Wednesday 25 March – Reserve day for first semi-final Thursday 26 March - Second semi-final, SCG, Sydney (d/n) Friday 27 March – Reserve day for second semi-final Saturday 28 March – Rest day Sunday 29 March – Final, MCG, Melbourne (d/n) Monday 30 March – Reserve day for final Quarter-final line-up (If Australia and New Zealand qualify, then they'll play their quarter-finals in their countries. As such, final line-up, venues and dates to be confirmed after group stage matches): A1 v B4 A2 v B3 A3 v B2 A4 v B1 Semi-finals – If Australia and New Zealand meet in semi-finals, then the side that finished higher in the group stage points table will stage the match. |
| Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident to retain World Cup Trophy Posted: 30 Jul 2013 12:17 AM PDT
India's World Cup title defence in 2015 is set to begin against arch rivals Pakistan and Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident that his side can stand up to the challenge. "Our recent victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has provided the team with a lot of confidence, and I am sure this experience will help us in our preparations for the World Cup in 2015." (Also Read: ICC World Cup 2015 Fixtures: India to face Pakistan in opener)
Reminiscing about his side's 2011 World Cup triumph, Dhoni said, ""It only seems like yesterday that we won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in front of a passionate and supportive home crowd. World Cup is a very special event for every cricketer because it only takes place every four years. Having tasted success in Mumbai in 2011, we'll be working very hard to retain it. I'm keenly looking forward to the tournament and confident that we'll do well." (Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 broadcast List)
Alastair Cook, who led his side to the final in the ICC Champions trophy 2013, expressed his side's eagerness to participate in the 2015 World Cup and pointed out the England are rising steadily in the 50-over format. "We have been improving steadily as a one-day side in recent years and are very much looking forward to the challenge of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. We will be working hard in the coming months to ensure we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to go one step further in 2015." Talking about Australia and New Zealand hosting the tournament, Cook said, ""Playing cricket in Australia and New Zealand is always a fantastic experience and I have no doubt it will be another great occasion both for the teams and their supporters."
At the launch event of the 2015 World Cup in Wellington, ICC President Alan Isaac spoke about the global appeal of the tournament. "I'm delighted to be part of this historic occasion as today we officially start the countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, an event that, over the past 40 years, has become a truly global event. ICC events have established a unique place in the cricket calendar, and, as we've seen at our most recent events in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, players, sponsors, media, fans and supporters from all around the world want to be part of the spectacle," Isaac said.
"Sport is synonymous with life in Australia and New Zealand, and both countries boast some of the best facilities in the world. With the World Cup returning to these shores for the first time since 1992, I am sure it will be an event to remember," Isaac added.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson who attended the launch in Melbourne reinforced Isaac's views by saying, "The ICC Cricket World Cup is the flagship tournament of the 50-over game. The 2015 tournament will mark 40 years since the first World Cup in 1975 and that history of great contests and heroes helps make the tournament what it is - the most sought after prize in our increasingly global game." Richardson also stated that the event would strengthen the 50 over format, "The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be returning to Australia and New Zealand after 23 years and will be staged at the back of two outstanding 50-over ICC events - the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013. I'm absolutely confident that the success of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will further strengthen the status of 50-over cricket as a successful and viable format alongside Tests and Twenty20 Internationals."
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum appears to be quite happy with the draws and believes his side can do well in the group stage. "We've had recent success over both Sri Lanka and England in one dayers so to face them and a qualifying team in the first three matches is certainly an encouraging draw for us."
Talking about playing in front of the home crowd, McCullum put the focus on Christchurch, ""It'll also be a special occasion to open the tournament in Christchurch, where I now live, after everything the city has gone through."
John Harnden, Chief Executive of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Local Organising Committee, said that he wanted as many fans as possible to be part of this rare event.
"This tournament is about the best teams, the best players and their endurance and skills that will see only the best left standing. We want as many fans as possible to be a part of this rare event," Harnden said. "Australia and New Zealand have diverse communities who are passionate about their heritage and very passionate about cricket. We'll be working hard in local communities to ensure they can follow their teams, attend matches and play a part in the event in 2015."
"The result is a great one for cricket and fans for both countries. We have every team playing in both countries, equal number of host cities and pool games. This will be a summer that inspires young cricketers and provides lasting memories," he added. |
| Former Indian Test umpire Hanumantha Rao passed away - KSCA Posted: 29 Jul 2013 11:58 PM PDT Former Indian Test umpire SN Hanumantha Rao today passed away at a private hospital, according to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
Born on September 4, 1929, Rao passed away at Apollo Hospital and is survived by his wife and two sons and daughter, KSCA said in a statement here.
"The President, Office Bearers and the Members of the Managing Committee of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, deeply regret the sad and sudden demise of former Test Umpire Sri SN Hanumantha Rao. May his soul rest in peace," KSCA said.
Rao officiated in nine Test matches against the West Indies, Pakistan and England from 1978 to 1983. He also officiated in two ODIs against England and Sri Lanka and 16 first-class matches.
Rao was also a BCCI Match Referee.
His first Test as an umpire was between India and the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from December 1 to 6, 1978.
His final Test assignment was also an India-West Indies contest in Ahmedabad from November 12 to 16, 1983. |
| ICC World Cup 2015 Fixtures: India to face Pakistan in opener Posted: 29 Jul 2013 09:51 PM PDT Co-hosts of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Australia and New Zealand, have been drawn in the same group for the tournament, while title-holders India will face off against long-time rival Pakistan, it was announced on Tuesday.
The first match of the prestigious one-day tournament will be held in Christchurch, the New Zealand city devastated by an earthquake in 2011, when the locals take on Sri Lanka on February 14. ( Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 broadcast List)
The day-night final match will be at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 29.
Australia and New Zealand are grouped with England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and two qualifiers.
Title-holders India are pooled with Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and one other qualifying team.
The top four sides from each pool will go through to the knockout stage.
Forty-nine matches will be played in 14 venues across the two host nations, with Australia staging 26 games at grounds in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
New Zealand will host 23 games in seven cities, including Christchurch where international cricket is set to return for the first time since the 6.3-magnitude quake which killed 185 people in 2011.
Other New Zealand cities to host games are Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said he was encouraged by the draw.
"We've had recent success over both Sri Lanka and England in one-dayers, so to face them and a qualifying team in the first three matches is certainly an encouraging draw for us," he said.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who launched the tournament in Melbourne, said the contest would likely be watched by a global television audience of one billion.
"When it comes to 2015, I don't think you're going to be able to keep anyone away," Rudd said.
"This is going to be a great, great world series."
Matches scheduled for February and March 2015
Here are the fixtures for the Men in Blue.
* India vs Pakistan at Adelaide (February 15)
* India vs South Africa at Melbourne (February 22)
* India vs Qualifier 4 at Perth (February 28)
* India vs West Indies at Perth (March 6)
* India vs Ireland at Hamilton (March 10)
* India vs Zimbabwe at Auckland (March 14)
Note: All league matches mentioned above are day/night encounters. |
| Sri Lanka U19 vs India U19, Match 2, Day 1 - Report | India U-19 Tour Sri Lanka Posted: 29 Jul 2013 09:42 PM PDT India Under-19 were trailing by 142 runs with eight wickets in hand at stumps on Day 1 of the second four-day match against Sri Lanka Under-19, after spinning the opposition out for 212. Left-arm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav was the chief architect of the SL downfall at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala. He finished with impressive figures of 17.2-3-38-6 in the first innings. Earlier, after SL U19 opted to bat first, pacer Atul Singh provided early breakthroughs by claiming the hosts' openers, while Pankaj Jaiswal dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama to leave SL on 75 for the loss of three wickets. Yadav then ran through the rest of the line-up, while Aamir Gani chipped in with the wicket of Priyamal Perera, who presented some late resistance lower down the order with a 68-ball 36. Even as wickets fell in quick succession, No.3 bat, Kavindu Kulasekara held up one end with a gritty knock to help the home team past the 200-run mark. His run in the middle was finally ended for 84 off 180 balls, when Yadav trapped the batsman leg-before. In response, the Indian colts were 70 for the loss of two wickets. The visitors lost both their openers with 59 runs on the board. Akhil Herwadkar was the first to be sent back for eight by AK Tyronne, while Shubham Khajuria was dismissed for 36 by Chamika Karunaratne. When play ended, Vijay Zol and Sanju Samson were batting on 12 and five respectively. Brief scores: End of Day 1: SL U19 1st inn 212 all-out in 68.2 overs (K Kulasekara 84, P Perera 36, K Yadav 6/38, Atul Singh 2/45);Ind U19 1st inn 70/2 in 19 overs (V Zol 12*, S Samson 5*, AK Tyronne 1/13) |
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