Category: Sports

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 19, 2007 (AFP) – It appears that the best way to win the World Cup is not to host it.The West Indies became the latest prey to the curse of the hosts after failing to qualify for the semi-finals even before they had finished their Super Eights engagements. The hosts will take […]

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 19, 2007 (AFP) – Factfile on Shane Bond ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup Super Eights clash against Australia at Grenada National Stadium here on Friday: Name: Shane Edward Bond Born: June 7, 1975, Christchurch, Canterbury Age: 31 Major teams: New Zealand, Canterbury, Warwickshire Bowling style: Right-arm fast ODI career (debut: […]

April 19, 2007 (AFP) – The wretched form of Sri Lanka’s left-handed opener Upul Tharanga has opened the possibility of former captain Marvan Atapattu making a comeback in the semi-final clash with New Zealand.Tharanga managed just 17 runs in his last three outings and his longest innings lasted no more than 22 balls — a […]

RIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 16, 2007 (AFP) – Results and standings in the Super Eights of the 2007 World Cup on Tuesday: At Bridgetown, Barbados South Africa bt England by 9 wkts Super Eights standings (played, won, lost, tied, no-result, run-rate, points): Australia 6 6 0 0 0 +2.03 12.0 – qualified for semi-finals New Zealand […]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes his team have finally buried their chokers’ tag after storming into the World Cup semi-finals. The Proteas raced to a nine-wicket victory over England here on Tuesday to join defending champions Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. Australia lead […]

LONDON, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher should be sacked after England were dominated by South Africa in Bridgetown, Barbados, ending their hopes of making it to the World Cup semi-finals, much of the British press said on Wednesday.South Africa dismissed England for a paltry 154 before racing to the target […]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – Former England captain Bob Willis demanded Michael Vaughan be axed as skipper following the team’s World Cup exit.Willis, now a TV pundit, said coach Duncan Fletcher and chairman of selectors David Graveney should also be removed from their postitions after South Africa’s thumping nine-wicket win condemned Vaughan’s men […]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – Middle-order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is all set to be named as the West Indies captain for their next month’s tour of England replacing the under-fire Brian Lara.The enigmatic Lara is likely to face the axe after West Indies’ unimpressive World Cup performance which saw them losing four of […]

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof and Muttiah Muralitharan took four wickets each to set up an eight-wicket win against Ireland, who bowed out of the World Cup by making 77 – the sixth lowest total in the competition’s history – here on Wednesday.Maharoof, playing in the side because […]

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 18, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka seamer Farveez Maharoof gave Sri Lanka a World Cup semi-final selection headache on Wednesday when he claimed four victims in his team’s Super Eights eight-wicket win over Ireland.Maharoof, playing in the side because of an injury to Lasith Malinga while Dilhara Fernando was rested, made […]

April 17, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lankan cricket fans Tuesday expressed frustration and disappointment over their team’s tactics in resting top players for the World Cup clash against Australia.Sri Lanka, already assured of a place in the semi-finals, kept out star bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Super Eights match in Grenada on […]

ISLAMABAD, April 17, 2007 (AFP) – The Pakistan Cricket Board said Tuesday it will sack 80 employees, including some senior management officials, in the wake of the national team’s World Cup fiasco.Pakistan were ousted from the tournament after a humiliating defeat by minnows Ireland on March 17.Coach Bob Woolmer was found murdered in his hotel […]