Friday, March 25, 2011

Cricket World Cup Wrapup - Second and Third Quarterfinal Matches

The 3-time defending champs have been ousted! For the first time since 1996, the World Cup Champion will be someone other than Australia as the Aussies were defeated by India yesterday 261-260 by 5 wickets with 14 balls remaining. India overcame a huge game from Australia's team captain Ricky Ponting who scored 104 runs off 118 balls, but they were able to grind out a win with 53 runs from Sachin Tendulkar, 50 runs from Gautam Gambhir and 57 from Yuvraj Singh. Singh also bowled 10 overs and took 2 wickets while allowing just 44 runs and was named the man of the match. For Australia it's the first time they didn't at least reach the final since 1992. India now gets ready to face Pakistan in the semifinals.

Photo Courtesy: zimbio.com

In a surprising upset, South Africa, the top seed from Group B was eliminated this morning by New Zealand, the number 4 seed in Group A 221-172. Jacob Oram and Nathan McCullum combined to take 7 wickets and no South African batsman was able to produce more than 50 runs. Jesse Ryder led the Kiwi Attack with 83 runs off 121 balls, but it was Oram who was named the man of the match. New Zealand, who has never been to the finals of the World Cup, is now just one match away from doing just that. They will face off against the winner of Sri Lanka vs England on March 29th.

Photo Courtesy: zimbio.com

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