ICC World Cup 2019
Part 31 - 2015 World Cup "Aussies never give up"
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Second time world cup history Australia and New zealand hosts world cup together after 1992. Lot of matches were interrupted due to rain in 1992 world cup. Because of that this world cup was started in February and ends before April month. Most of the senior players from all over the world retired and many teams going to play with new talents. India played their first world cup after 1987 without Sachin Tendulkar. Australia's key players ponting, Lee, Hussey were retired. Jayawardena and Muralidharan retired for Sri lanka. Like this each and every team lost many legendary players. But South Africa alone had a perfect team to win the world cup. They had a lineup like Amla, Decock, AB Devilliers, Morne, Steyn, Faf Du plesis, Miller, Duminy, tahir and the list goes on. While on the other side India and New Zealand looks pretty much strong enough to fight for trophy.
Fans expected a new team like South Africa or New Zeland will win the world cup. But Kangaroos wont give up that much easily. Once again they proved they are always best in the world. Aussie usually love challenges, this time they faced many challenges under the captaincy of Michael Clarke and finally won the trophy for 5th time in cricket history. 2015 world cup was conducted based on the same format as 2011 world cup. Same amount of 14 teams into two groups, four quarter finals, two semi finals and finals. Lot of unexpected records created, broke in this season.
Participated Countries:
Group A:
Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, England, Scotland, Sri lanka and Afghanistan
Group B:
India, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland, Zimbabwe and UAE
Fourteen teams played in this world cup. After a long gap UAE played in 2015 world cup. Afghanistan came as new entry in this world cup. But its seems they are not new entry, being a minnow they played like a proficient and gave challenge to top teams more than people expected from them.
League Round:
From Group A, New Zealand won all the games and finished as top with 12 points. Their opening pair Brendon Mccullum and Martin Guptil played like Hayden and Gilly did for Australia in previous tournaments. They struggled a bit against Australia only but some how beat them by 1 wicket. Australia came as second with 4 wins and a loss against New Zealand. A match between Australia and Bangladesh was abandoned and each team received one points. Australia scored their first ever 400plus in world cups in a match against Afghanistan. Warner scored 178 runs, Smith scored 95 runs, but Maxwell screwed afghans by scoring 88 runs from 39 balls and Australia registered 417 runs in that match. Srilanka won 4 matches and came as 3rd from group A.
England once again failed at group stage itself. Last world cup they lost against Ireland and this time they were defeated by Bangladesh. Because of that lose Bangladesh finished as fourth and England became 5th. Bangladesh qualified for quarter finals. New team Afghanistan registered their first ever world cup win against Scotland and added their name among world cricket fans.
From Group B, Defending champions India won all the matches and finished at top. In the very first match itself they played against their rivals Pakistan. They beat Pakistan by 76 runs and retaining the record of didnt lose against them at world cups. South Africa and Pakistan won 4 matches each by a greater run rate South Africa came at 2nd and Pakistan went to 3rd. South African skipper ABD scored a 360 degree knock of 162 runs from 66 balls with 17 fours and 8 sixes against West Indies. Just before world cups only Devilliers scored fastest century against the same West Indies in just 31 balls. He played the same kind of innings in this match too.
West Indies and Ireland finished with 3 wins each. West Indies qualified for quarter finals with a greater run rate. In 2011 world cup Ireland gave shock to England by chasing 300+ runs. In 2015 once again they gave shock, but this time for West Indies. West Indies scored 304 runs from 50 overs and Ireland chased that target in 46th over itself with the help of Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Neil O Brien's half century. Apart from West Indies, Ireland beat Zimbabwe and UAE also. Finally they left the tournament as their best. During a match against Zimbabwe, West Indies predator Chris Gayle scored first ever double century in world cups. In 2010 itself Master Blaster Sachin achieved double century in ODI. But in 2015 only it became possible in world cups. Gayle scored 215 runs from 147 balls with 10 boundaries and 16 sixes. Even Marlon Samuels also scored century in that match. Gayle and Samuels duo created the best ever partnership in world cups as 372 runs stand, also this is the highest ever partnership for any wickets in ODI cricket. UAE lost all the matches and finished at bottom. Zimbabwe won only one that too against UAE.
Quarter Finals:
At first semi finals, last time runners Srilanka faced the chokers South Africa. Dilshan and Sangakkara was in good form for Srilanka but the problem is their bowling department. On the other side South Africa looks strong with a lag in strategy during match. Both looking forward their one more semi finals. Sri lanka bat first and expected Steyn and Morne will be threat for them. But spinners Tahir and Duminy came out of syllabus. They both together collapsed Sri lankan batting lineup. Sangakkara and Thirimanne alone managed to get more than 40 runs. Sri lanka lost all of their wickets for just 133 runs in 38th over itself. Tahir took 4 and Duminy took 3. South Africa chased the target in 18th over itself with 1 wicket loss. Quinton Decock finished the match alone. Proteas know quarter finals will be easy for them. But their main villian is Semi final only.
Bangladesh made their first ever world cup Quarter Finals in this season. But their bad luck, they faced India in that match. India came with 100% win in group stage. Once again Indian openers did a great job and scored 75 runs for first wicket. After the loss of Dhawan they struggled a bit with loss of wickets. But Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma put a brilliant partnership of 122 runs for 4th wicket. Rohit completed his century and he scored 137 runs which is much needed at crucial match. Raina scored half century 65 runs and supported Rohit when the team needs. Jadeja scored some quickie at end and India scored 302 runs at the end of 50 overs. 303 is chasable target for Bangladesh at their current form. But they lost wickets at regular intervals, no one stand to build partnership and they went all out for 193 runs. Umesh took 4 wickets and Shami took 2 wickets.
1992 world cup finalists Australia and Pakistan played the 3rd quarter finals of this season. Australia once again showed to the world that who is the boss in knock out stage? Their bowling and fielding performance were too good which makes Pakistan kneel down against them. Pakistan scored only 213 runs with loss of 10 wickets just one ball spare to complete 1st innings. Australia bowling line up Starc, Hazlewood, Faulkner and Watson bowled very consistent. No one have economy more than 4.0 thats how champions will play. Captain Steve Smith and experienced Shane Watson takes Australia home with their half centuries eventhough they lost Finch and Warner earlier.
Cohosts of 2015 world cup New Zealand faced West Indies at last quarter finals. The Black caps won all the matches in group stage and looks too strong with Mccullum batting and Boult, Southee bowling. On the other hand West Indies thrashed Zimbabwe at group, Chris gayle scored double century in that. In this situation New Zealand bat first in that match. They lost the dangerous opener Mccullum for 12 runs and consistent skipper Williamson for 33 runs. But another opener Martin Guptil erupted like a New Zeland Volcano. Guptil scored the first double century for New zealand. He scored 237* runs from 163 balls with 24 boundaries and 11 sixes. Because of him New Zealand scored 393 runs. West Indies went all out for 250 runs while chasing except Gayle and Holder no one supported for Carribeans. Gayle scored 61 runs from 33 balls and Holder scored 42 runs from 26 balls. Both went in vein and New Zealand made their seventh world cup semi finals.
Semi Finals:
India, Australia, South Africa and New Zeland at Semi Finals. What else need for cricket fans in world cup except this??????? Top four teams came to semi. India is the only country from Asia qualified for semi's in this world cup. But fate played in the form of semi final match schedule. Both India and Australia already lift world cup. While other two didnt cross semi finals. As per schedule India going to face Australia and South Africa facing New Zealand. Any one either Protea or Kiwi's will qualify for finals for the first time. Either India or Australia will get one more chance in finals. First semi finals is thrilling till end. So we will see second semi first.
2011 world cup quarter finals rivals India Australia played second semi finals of this tournament. Australia never ever forget the loss presented by India in last world cup. That loss stopped them from lifting world cup for 4th consecutive time. This match looks like same as 2003 world cup finals even result too. Australia bat first Aaronch finch played well and scored 81 runs. If its ponting for 2003 world cup finals, its steve smith for 2015 world cup semi. Smith scored century in this match 105 runs from 93 balls. Finally Australia scored 328 runs for 7 wicket loss at the end of 50 overs. Once again Indian openers done their job perfectly. But expected run machine Kohli gone for single run. Rahane tried for some time with his 44 runs. Skipper Dhoni alone scored half century and finally he gone for 65 runs. India went all out for 233 runs. Once again Aussie bowlers Johnson, Starc and Faulker screwed opponent. These trio alone picked 7 wickets. Australia going to play their 7th finals at their home.
1st semi final of 2015 world cup is the most expected game of the tournament from all over the world. Because both the teams going to face first time at semi and both have never seen finals in their history. New Zealand and South Africa both teams does not have much haters. Fans love both the teams. Even many fans including me confused to whom we support. In that situation being a South Africa's semi final match more than bat, bat and stumps Rain is the mandatory thing. Yes rain came again and match overs reduced to 43 for each side. South Africa bat first and scored 281 runs in 43 overs. Faf Du Plesis, De villiers and Miller done a perfect job for South Africa by scoring 82, 65 and 49 runs respectively. A target of 298 runs set for New Zealand due to rain again DL method here. Guptil and Bazz played a wonderful opening partnership of 71 runs from just 6 overs. Fans wondered whether its ODI or T20. Brendon and Corey Anderson scored half century for New Zealand. Everything going all right for Protea. But this south africa itself created a villian for them. He named Grand Elliot, a south african playing for New Zealand against South Africa and spoiled South Africans dream. He played his lifetime innings of 84* runs with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Once Kiwi's need 5 runs from 2 balls to win with Steyn at bowler end. That time also match were in the hands of South Africa. But Elliot doesnt need two balls to finish the game. He smashed six in 5th ball of the innings and made the win possible for New Zealand. Kiwi's made their first ever world cup finals in the past 40years. On the other side first time ever in history South African players sat down in ground itself and felt bad for losing the best chance to lift world cup. Even AB Devilliers and Morne Morkel cried it made fans to felt sad for Protea.
Finals:
So its the finals of 2015 world cup between the sibling Hosts Australia and Cohosts New Zealand at the epic MCG. After 1992 world cup fans witnessed the world cup finals without any asian teams. Both teams played good in this tournament. But New Zealand had slight advantage over Australia as they beat them in group stage. But they forget to remember it is Aussie. What ever the situation may and whom ever may be the opponent if its coming to big tournaments Australia is a dangerous team and they will give their full potential. Kiwi's bat first at the finals and lost Bazz for duck. Guptil and Williamson went pavilion for 15 and 12 runs respectively. Semi final Hero Elliot and Ross Taylor alone saved New Zealand from a low scoring game. Taylor score 40 runs and Elliot scored 83 runs. Lower middle order and tail enders went quicker. New Zealand went all out for 183 runs. Fans expected a match like 1983 world cup finals. That time champion India to scored 183 at finals and beat West Indies, more over they beat West Indies in league stage too.
But this is Aussie, they will never do any mistakes in knock out games especially in world cup finals. Finch gone for duck but warner scored a valuable 45 runs. Steve Smith and Captain Michael Clarke scored half centuries. Smith scored 56 runs and Clarke scored 74 runs. Without committing any mistakes Aussie won the match and became world champions for the fifth time. James Faulkner was declared as Man of the Match for his valuable 3 wicket pick. It includes Elliot, Taylor and Anderson. Once again Aussie proved they are the king of world tournaments in cricket. With the title of defending champions they are going to play in 2019 world cup. Lets see whether they will increase the count as six or not.
Most Runs: Martin Guptil (Nz) with 547 runs
Kumar Sangakkara (SL) with 541 runs
Most Wickets: Mitchel Starc(Aus) and Trent Boult (Nz) with 22 wickets
Interesting Moments:
1. Sangakkara's four centuries
Sri lanka's legendary wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara scored 4 centuries in the tournament in group stage itself. He scored centuries against Scotland, Australia, England and Bangladesh. Sangakkara created a record of most of centuries by individual in world cups. Previous best is Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly hit 3 centuries in 2003 world cup. Sangakkara broke that record and set a new one. Lets see who will break this record in future and how long it will take?
2. Least survived record in world cup
Till this world cup Viv Richards 188 runs was the highest total by a batsman in world cup's. After a long gap Chris Gayle beat that record and also scored the first ever double century in world cup against Zimbabwe. Later in quarter finals Martin Guptil beat Chris Gayle's record by scoring a double century against West Indies itself. Now Martin Guptil is the highest individual scorer in world cups with 237* runs.
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