ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

New Zealand 221/8 off 50 overs

South Africa 172 all out off 43.2 overs

New Zealand won by 49 runs


New Zealand got off to a poor start by losing 2 early wickets however a steady partnership between Ryder and Taylor which was worth 114 runs for the 3rd wicket after that wickets fell regularly and posted a below par score off 221. South Africa lost Amla early but a 61 run partnership between Kallis and Smith but like the England chase they collapsed from 108/2 to 172 all out after being at a decent postion to win the match.

The last 2 quarter finals have been great, excellent matches, and now it's just Sri lanka and England to play the last of the quarter finals. Sri Lanka have to be the favourites, but England have shown that they can win against (or lose to) anyone in this World Cup. With Pakistan and India meeting in the first sem-final there's already one Asian team guaranteed to be in the final, so if Sri Lanka can beat England and New Zealand it'll be an all-Asian final. I think England against New Zealand would make a good semi-final though. But it looks like England's start isn't the best today, 46/2 after 15 overs. The openers, Bell and Strauss, have both gone.

(26-03-2011 11:04 )cosmonaut Wrote:  The last 2 quarter finals have been great, excellent matches, and now it's just Sri lanka and England to play the last of the quarter finals. Sri Lanka have to be the favourites, but England have shown that they can win against (or lose to) anyone in this World Cup. With Pakistan and India meeting in the first sem-final there's already one Asian team guaranteed to be in the final, so if Sri Lanka can beat England and New Zealand it'll be an all-Asian final. I think England against New Zealand would make a good semi-final though. But it looks like England's start isn't the best today, 46/2 after 15 overs. The openers, Bell and Strauss, have both gone.

To be honest mate this whole world cup has been really great. Some excellent high drama matches in this world cup. Who says 50 over cricket is dead? Looks perfectly fine in terms of entertainment value to me.

england are having their trousers pull down and being spanked in public like little school boys. it would be great to see new zealand in the final.

i think you can put a fork in them, they're done.

England 229/6 off 50 overs

Sri Lanka 231/0 off 39.3 overs

Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets


England got off to a slow start however a good 4th wicket partnership between Trott and Morgan which was worth 91 runs as it got them to 229 which is about 25 to 30 runs short in my view and Sri Lanka were just simply too good for England.

New Zealand 217 all out off 48.5 overs

Sri Lanka 220/5 off 47.5 overs

Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets


New Zealand lost a few early wickets however a good 4th wicket partnership between Taylor and Styris which was worth 77 runs but after that wickets fell regularly and were all out for 217 which is pretty poor. Sri Lanka lost Tharanga early but Dilshan and Sangakkara put on 120 runs for the 2nd wicket but Sri Lanka suffered a mini collapse from 160/1 to 185/5 and therefore the match was a little bit closer but at the end they got there with ease.

Well done to Sri Lanka for reaching the final. Congratulations to them. Now comes the titanic clash today of India and Pakistan in the other semi-final. India were pre-tournament favourites for the World Cup due to their batting, but their bowling didn't look too good against England and South Africa. Pakistan's bowling attack on the other hand has been one of the best in the tournament, but their biggest test will come now against India's powerful batting. The news this morning is that India have won the toss and have chosen to bat.

India 260/9 off 50 overs

Pakistan 231 all out off 49.5 overs

India won by 29 runs


India got off to a fast start but lost Sehwag early on however a good 2nd wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Gambhir worth 68 runs after that wickets fell regularly as India laboured to 260 which is a par score. Pakistan started off brightly but were always behind the required run rate as they were bowled out for 231.

It is an India vs Sri Lanka final and will be on Saturday 2nd April.

Odds on the World Cup final (from Paddy Power):

India 4/7
Sri Lanka 11/8
Match tied and decided by the super over 25/1

Plus the following:
Tendulkar to be the highest runscorer 9/2
Either team scores 400 or more 50/1
Any batsman scores a double century 66/1