Who said this was going to be batsman World Cup? Four matches and four first innings totals over 300 has made chasing very difficult in the early stages of this World Cup. All of the favourites have flexed some muscle in their opening wins, even if coming in slightly different circumstances. Let’s have a look at the day 2 results.
Day 2 Results
1. South Africa v Zimbabwe
It’s pretty rare that a side can bounce back from losing Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quintin de Kock each for 25 runs or less and still go on to post 339/4 in their 50 overs. But that’s exactly what South Africa managed against Zimbabwe in Hamilton in their World Cup opener. Batting first on a sticky wicket, South Africa lost the plot against accurate but unthreatening bowling, plummeting to 83/4 before a record breaking partnership ensued between JP Duminy and David Miller. Miller made a masterful 138* proving he’s much more than a late over finisher, and Duminy proved his value to the side with an equally well-paced hundred in one of his first games back from a long injury layoff. South Africa set a 2015 tournament record of 89 from the final overs to post the third consecutive total of over 300 from teams batting first in the Cup.
Zimbabwe showed plenty of character in their chase, but eventually fell some 62 runs short. They were close for a large portion of the run-chase and in particular with Brendon Taylor still in the middle had a chance, however, as the asking rate increased the pressure did too and Zimbabwe found fewer boundaries and resorted to calculated slogs to try and get their. It was a valiant effort mind you, and their form over 7o off the hundred overs, outlines just how dangerous they’ll be against others in their pool. Zimbabwe will (and deserve too) take great heart from their effort; South Africa will just be grateful their blushes were spared (mainly by Miller and Duminy).
South Africa 339 for 4 (Miller 138*, Duminy 115*) beat Zimbabwe 277 (Masakadza 80, Chibhabha 64, Tahir 3-36) by 62 runs
2. India v Pakistan
Adelaide Oval seemed a world away from Australia as over 50,000 Indian and Pakistan fans packed in to watch the latest editions of one of sports great rivalries. In stark contrast to the sedate Hamilton ground in the earlier game, Adelaide was a cauldron of noise and excitement as the two Asian heavyweights launched their World Cup campaigns. India would get the better of the occasion thanks to another Adelaide Oval hundred from Virat Kohli. India posted 300/7 with Kohl’s and Suresh Raina’s 75 the difference between an above par and below par score. In fairness, they actually should have scored more and their return of 27 from the final five overs is easily the worst in the competition thus far.
Pakistan’s mecurail batting lineup never threatened the total. The Indian bowlers finally seemed to appreciate the length to bowl in Australia and masterfully mixed a fuller regular length with excellent directed short balls – used sparingly. The seamers combined well with spinners Ashwin and Jadeja to restrict runs and take wickets. Pakistan look to be struggling without Mohammad Hafeez and will need to figure out their best use of Umar Akmal and Sarfraz (even if Akmal was unfairly adjudged caught behind – in my view). Misbah was again the rock of the flailing chase, he managed another ODI half century and could be a good fantasy banker on today’s evidence.
India 300 for 7 (Kohli 107, Raina 74, Dhawan 73, Sohail 5-55) beat Pakistan 224 (Misbah 76, Shehzad 47, Shami 4-35) by 76 runs
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
