Watson fires Aussies into Semi’s
30/9/12-Australia 147-2
17.4 overs (Watson 70) beat South Africa 146-5 20 overs (Doherty 3-20) by 8
wickets @ Colombo
Australia have qualified for the Semi Finals of the ICC
World Twenty 20, after beating South
Africa by 8 wickets in Colombo.
George Bailey won the toss and stuck South Africa in to
bat, which immediately looked to be the correct decision. Xavier Doherty was
brought back into the side and bowled Levi in the first over, before having
Kallis caught in the 3rd. The star man of the tournament, Shane
Watson, then had the danger man Amla caught behind, as South Africa were
struggling against the variety of the Aussie attack. de Villiers and Duminy
also couldn’t get going, but thanks to 54 from the final 5 overs, South Africa
managed to reach 147-5 off their 20 overs, with Robin Peterson top scoring with
a 19-ball 32.
Australia lost David Warner early, when Morne Morkel
bowled him for 5, but as long as Watson was at the crease, they always looked
comfortable. He raced to his 3rd half century of the tournament,
coming off 35 balls, becoming the leading run scorer in the competition in the
process. He couldn’t see his side fully home though, as he was caught at long
off for 70, but the job had already been done. Mike Hussey struck an unbeaten
45, as Australia completed a comfortable victory.
Another convincing win for the Aussies, and they really
are looking one of the stronger teams in the tournament. South Africa on the
other hand, tipped by many before the competition began, are all but out, and
needed India to beat Pakistan in the later game to stand any chance of getting
through.
Man of the Match: Shane Watson for his 70 and
2-29. What more can you say about Shane Watson. He is the leading run scorer in
the competition, the leading wicket taker, and has hit the most sixes out of
anyone, and this is his 4th Man of the Match award out of 4 games.
Kohli eases India past Pakistan
30/9/12-India 129-2
17 overs (Kohli 74*) beat Pakistan 128 all out 19.4 overs (Balaji 3-22) by 8
wickets @ Colombo
India have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the
Semi Finals of the ICC World Twenty 20, after easing to victory over Pakistan.
Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and elected to bat first,
but as it was for South Africa, run scoring was proving difficult. The
Pakistani top order has already fired a few times in the tournament, but today
it didn’t, as Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal failed to make double
figures, and the skipper fell for a 28 ball 15. Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal
added some much needed impetus to the innings, but the damage was already done
by India, as Pakistan were eventually all out in the 20th over for
128, with Ashwin and Yuvraj both claiming 2 victims.
Despite losing Gautam Gambhir in the first over, the
Indians didn’t look in any trouble as they hunted down the Pakistani score.
Virendar Sehwag found some sort of form, but wasn’t anywhere near his fluent
best in 24 ball 29. But it was India’s star man of the last year, Virat Kohli,
who led his side to a comfortable victory inside 17 overs, scoring an unbeaten
78 with 8 fours and 2 sixes.
A very good win for India, and they have now given
themselves a good chance of qualifying for the Semi Finals. Pakistan cannot
string two consistent performances together, which hopefully means for them
that they will win their final game against Australia.
Man of the Match: Virat Kohli for his unbeaten 74.
Looks a fantastic talent, and has had a superb 2012.
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