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Australia fifth World Cup Win was a one-sided affair, as they beat New Zealand in the 33rd over, with seven wickets to spare in the final. They win the World Cup for the fifth time, and captain Michael Clarke leaves one-day international cricket on a high note. Here are five reasons why New Zealand were no match for Australia in the World Cup final.
29/03/2015 9:33 PM IST
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Michael Clarke's decision to retire from one-day cricket raises the emotional pitch for the Australian team in Sunday's World Cup final. He's had his run-ins with the administration and a few in the dressing room too, but Clarke's been a popular leader with the current bunch he leads as well as fans.
28/03/2015 3:48 PM IST
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Ayaz Memon answers some FAQs on India's defeat against Australia in the World Cup semi-finals.
27/03/2015 2:54 PM IST
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One issue that seems to have dominated the debate about tomorrow's semi-final between Australia and India is sledging. But whatever the compunctions expressed, never-mind what players from either side may have said, I don't think it should affect the outcome of the match.
25/03/2015 8:51 PM IST
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Where did South Africa lose the match to New Zealand? Was it the strong nerves under pressure and the magnificent six hit by Grant Elliott in the nail-biting climax, the run-out opportunity and some half chances that went unused, or the fact that rain disrupted the match at a time when AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had the bowlers at their mercy and threatened to take to score to 350-plus?
24/03/2015 6:55 PM IST
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Will Brendon McCullum play Dale Steyn with the same derring-do as he has, with other opening bowlers in the World Cup yet? Will Hasham Amla, the sublime, free-stroking opener be able to counter the swing and thrust of Trent Boult and Tim Southee with the new ball?
23/03/2015 9:31 PM IST
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The good form of players who excelled in the quarter-finals could also hold the key to their team's success in the semi-finals. These are my picks.
22/03/2015 9:26 PM IST
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To the chagrin of cricket fans all over the world, the fourth quarter-final of the World Cup also turned into a terribly one-sided affair. True, while Chris Gayle was spraying sixes to all parts of the ground, it was thrilling to watch and some might even have believed that an upset was on the cards. But frankly, the West Indies batting just did not have the mettle to chase down 394 for a win.
21/03/2015 7:26 PM IST
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That catches win matches is among the oldest truisms in the sport, but the most relevant still. When a match is delicately poised, a catch or a run out can alter not just the trend of play, but someti...
20/03/2015 8:47 PM IST
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And then, just when critics believe he has run out of opportunities and will hang himself by the long rope given to him, Sharma comes up with a stellar knock, like the 137 against Bangladesh on Thursday, to stymie the queries about his calibre.
20/03/2015 9:41 AM IST
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Former India batsman Vinod Kambli, who played in the 1992 and 1996 World Cups shares his views on batting collapses since he was involved in one, incidentally against Lanka, in the 1996 semi-final.
18/03/2015 11:12 PM IST
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The first quarter final of the World Cup between Sri Lanka and South Africa is touted to decided on who is currently the world's best batsman between A B de Villiers and Kumar Sangakara. Both have been in brilliant form, notching up over 400 runs each and their faces-off promises to be a treat.
17/03/2015 3:18 PM IST
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Ireland's defeat on Sunday has ensured that four full ICC members from the sub-continent are now in the World Cup quarter-final for the first time. The big surprise in this is not so much Bangladesh's entry, but that Pakistan were the last to make the cut.
16/03/2015 7:20 PM IST
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Ayaz Memon talks to India pace bowler RP Singh in which they discuss India's excellent performance in the cup so far, the nation's bowling bench strength at the domestic level, India's successful bowl...
15/03/2015 7:03 PM IST
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There was nobody who wouldn't have felt some remorse for Brendan Taylor, the Zimbabwe captain, who signed off his international career with a spectacular century. The sadness wasn't about his finishing on the losing side, but that he was quitting at 29!
14/03/2015 10:42 PM IST
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New Zealand may have won the match, but Bangladesh won hearts with their spirited performance, except perhaps in the Indian team, where I suspect there will now be growing trepidation about their quarter-final opponents.
13/03/2015 9:26 PM IST
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Ayaz Memon speaks to former India spinner Murali Kartik on the future of spin bowling, the added pressure on slow bowlers to stay relevant on the face of heavier bats and smaller stadiums.
12/03/2015 11:33 PM IST
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South Africa beat UAE by a whopping 146 runs in their last match of the league phase to ensure a place in the quarter-finals, but I am not sure how pleased AB de Villiers would have been after the game.
12/03/2015 6:17 PM IST
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The ability to read the game differently and place full faith in his players has made Dhoni unarguably the best captain of his era in limited overs cricket. The fact that India won their ninth consecutive match in World Cup tournaments, and that he now has the highest number of wins by an Indian captain in ODIs is testimony to Dhoni's grip on limited overs cricket.
10/03/2015 6:37 PM IST
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Out of the comfort zone of playing in Australia for more than four months now, India take the field in New Zealand against Ireland on Tuesday. Having already qualified for the quarter finals, the pres...
09/03/2015 1:12 PM IST
