Ireland’s SUPER HERO

The match between England and Ireland started in low profile fashion as most of the seats were found unfilled in the Bangalore's M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the match result pulled everyone’s attention towards it. The result ranks as one of the great world cup shocks - taking its place alongside Ireland's victory over Pakistan in 2007 and Kenya's wins against West Indies in 1996 and Sri Lanka in 2003.  It had all been going so smoothly for England earlier and Jonathan Trott becoming the equal fastest batsman to 1,000 ODI runs as they piled up their 10th highest total in the format. England managed to put awesome score of 327-8 on board with a run-a-ball 92 contribution by Trott. Pietersen and  Ian Bell also did his bit on the day, slamming 59 off 50 balls 81runs respectively. With a huge total to chase, Ireland started but lost its skipper William Porterfield in the first delivery from Anderson. However his opening partner Paul Stirling with 5 fours and a six scored 32 from 28 balls. Ireland almost went out of the game as they were buried at 111-5 with 217 more runs to win with high required rate. There come the superman of Ireland, Kevin O'Brien who scored a 50-ball century as Ireland chased down a target of 328 to upset England by three wickets at the World Cup. He launched into a furious counter-attack, going to 50 off 30 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Further he took just another 20 deliveries to complete the sixth quickest hundred in ODIs. Finally he blasted 113 off 63 deliveries, including 13 fours and 6 sixes, and shared a 162-run stand in 17 overs with Alex Cusack (47) which paved way for a history victory. It is the highest run chase of this format in World cup. To lose against a team like Ireland, who played really well towards the end of their batting innings, was very unexpected but a good wake-up call for the England team.

Bangladesh's Victorious ODI series ever

This is the first time for Bangladesh to win the ODI series by 4-0 of five match series. Really it’s a bad time for New Zealand as they experienced a white wash lost against Bangladesh, which is considered to be under performing cricket nation. Of the 5 matches, Bangladesh won the first match by nine runs at Dhaka whereas the second match at Dhaka was abandoned due to rain. After then Bangladesh tasted the three consecutive victories. It won the third match by seven wickets, fourth match by nine runs and the fifth match by three runs. Rubel Hussain who captured four for 25 bagged the Man of the Match award and Shakib Al Hasan bagged Man of the Series award for his all round performance. As of now, Bangladesh won 61 ODIs in its history. There are some interesting facts at the end of the series like BB McCullum has an aggregate of 196 dismissals {189 catches and 07 stumpings} and against Bangladesh he has an aggregate of 30 dismissals {29 catches and 01 stumping} just one spot behind KC Sangakkara of Sri Lanka with 39 dismissals. DL Vettori became the 15th bowler to capture 275 plus wickets in one day games.

Sachin Tendulkar hits Double Century

The only record left for sachin in ODI has also been achieved by him now. Yes, Sachin Tendulkar has become the highest run scorer in international one day cricket. The master blaster scored a double ton to create history in cricket surpassing Charles Coventry’s 194* and Saeed Anwar’s 194 runs against India in Chennai. Sachin played a masterclass innings to complete his double ODI double century in 147 balls. He thrashed the Proteas bowling for 25 fours and 3 sixes. He was cramping towards the end of the match, but didn’t give up. SA was in deep trouble from the beginning, after setting out on leather hunt in Gwalior. As the master blaster seemed in tremendous form there was not stopping; overwhelming the Gwalior crowd.  Eventually Sachin dabbed a full and wide ball through the point to score his double century on the third delivery by Langeveldt. This was Sachin’s 46th ODI century following his century at the test match in Eden Gardens, Kolkata. There could hardly be an attribute to befitting the legend of Indian cricket who has always spoken with his bat. It was a match celebrated like a festival by the fans whenever the ball reaches the boundary. I am still thinking, is there any records left for him to be made? What a player he is!

COVENTRY shares with ANWAR

Finally after 12 years, a new man Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe who equals Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar record (194 out against India) and scored marvelous 194* runs against Bangladesh during the fourth ODI of the series in Bulawayo. He started of the innings at no.3 and reached his century ony in the 38th over of the match with 110 balls. After reaching 42nd over of the match, Coventry made all the balls to cross the fence where he reached 180 runs in 47th over of the match as the Zimbabwe’s crowd was excited and awaiting to see their country men scoring double hundred in ODI cricket. But Unfortunately, Coventry couldn’t score his double hundred as he remained unbeaten on 194 runs of 156 balls with 16 fours and 7 sixes which puts their team total as 312 runs for 8 wickets. Chasing a huge total of 313, Opener Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh provided a good start with 154 runs (138 balls) guided their team to victory Bangladesh lead the five match series 3-1 against Zimbabwe. Man Of Match award - Charles Coventry and Tamim Iqbal (shared) .