ICC World Twenty20: Day 5 Round Up

South Africa beat hosts in rain affected match

22/9/12- South Africa78-4 7 overs(de Villiers 30) beat Sri Lanka 46-5 7 overs (Steyn 2-10) by 32 runs @ Hambantota

South Africa must feel the rain has followed them around or year, but today, it favoured them as they comfortably beat Sri Lanka by 32 runs in Hambantota. The match was reduced to 7 overs a side after heavy rain, and Sri Lanka elected to field first. However, Hashim Amla once again got his side off to a good start, and skipper AB de Villiers played a rapid knock of 30 off 13 balls, as they reached an above par score of 78 off their allotted overs, with a wicket each for Herath, Kulasakera, Malinga and Perera.

Sri Lanka just didn’t get going at all in their innings, as they lost their most powerful batsman Dilshan run out without facing a ball in the first over of the reply. Jayawardene and Sangakarra followed him back to the dugout soon after, as the result was inevitable before even half of the overs had been bowled.

So 2 out of 2 for South Africa, after their win against Zimbabwe on Thursday, and even though this wasn’t a full Twenty20, it is important to have momentum going into the knockout stages of a World competition. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be disappointed that they couldn’t put up a better fight and prove to the doubters that they can perform against the best, but they are also through to the next round, and still have time to impress.

Man of the Match: AB de Villiers for his 30 off 13 balls. He added much needed energy and explosion to the South African innings, and ultimately, won the game for his side.

Aussies through to Super 8’s

22/9/12- Australia 100-1 9.1 overs (Watson 41*) beat West Indies 191-8 20 overs (Gayle 54, Samuels 50, Starc 3-35) by 19 runs (D/L) @ Colombo

Australia have beaten the West Indies by 19 runs via the Duckworth Lewis method in Colombo. Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat first. Chris Gayle usually allows himself to get settled at the crease before going berserk, but there was no waiting today, and even though he lost Smith early, he went on an assault of the Australia bowlers. He bludgeoned 4 sixes and 5 fours in his 26 ball fifty, before falling to Watson. It was then over to Marlon Samuels to continue from where Gayle left off, and his innings was as good as Gayle’s containing the same amount of maximums, as the West Indies posted a formidable 191-8 off their 20 overs.

David Warner started superbly for Australia, taking 22 off the second over, but he was then caught behind off Edwards for 28. Watson took over from him though, taking apart the West Indian bowlers, especially Marlon Samuels, who went for 22 of his solitary over. Watson and Hussey took Australia to 100-1 in just the 10^th over, which was when the rain came. It didn’t relent, and the Aussies were well past the D/L score.

So back-to-back victories for Australia, and they look a real threat in the competition if Watson can keep up his form at the top of the order. West Indies batted superbly, but there bowling was some what erratic at times, and they will have to improve that in a must win game against Ireland.

Man of the Match: Shane Watson for his unbeaten 41. A second man of the match for Watson in the tournament, and he also picked up 2 wickets in 4 economical overs, proving why he is one of the better all rounder’s in world cricket.