England knock out New Zealand, Pakistan into semis

England proved there was more to their batting than Kevin Pietersen as they knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket win on Monday.

Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66 for four at the Beausejour Stadium.

But, together with Luke Wright, who made 24, the former Ireland left-hander swung the game back England's way in a stand of 52 in just more than six overs.

Morgan got out just before the finish but man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan, unbeaten on 23 after taking one wicket for 20, finished the contest with five balls to spare when he pulled Kyle Mills for four.

Read more...

Australia thrash Lanka to enter semis

Cameron White smashed a gutsy 49-ball 85 as a rampaging Australia stormed into the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 after trouncing Sri Lanka by 81 runs in their Super Eights match here on Sunday.

Battling all odds, White came up a with a stunner of an innings that lifted Australia to 168 for five from a calamitous start after electing to bat.

White's crafty knock and his unbeaten 101-run partnership with Mike Hussey (39) snatched the initiative from the Sri Lankans, who had reduced the Australians to 67 for five.

Read more...

India virtually knocked out of World T20

2007 Champions India are on the brink of elimination from the World Twenty20 after suffering a 14-run defeat against West Indies in their Group F Super Eight match here on Sunday.

Chasing 170 to win, India made 155 for nine as their top order once against collapsed against sustained fast bowling.

Suresh Raina hit a 25-ball 32 but it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) and Harbhajan Singh (14) who raised India hopes in the death overs, but some outstanding fielding and bowling by Dwayne Bravo fizzled out India's challenge.

Read more...

Mahela magic leave Windies spellbound

Mahela Jaywardene's superb form at the World Twenty20 continued as he made an unbeaten 98 in Sri Lanka's 57-run win over the West Indies in the Super Eights on Friday.

The opener's entrancing innings at the Kensington Oval was the centrepiece of Sri Lanka's total of 195 for three - the best by any side this tournament.

But the West Indies helped last year's losing finalists greatly by missing six chances during a wretched fielding display as they lost for the first time this tournament.

Jayawardene, given two reprieves, faced 56 balls with four sixes and nine fours as he followed up his 81 against New Zealand and 100 against Zimbabwe with another dominant innings.

The former captain's average for the tournament now stands at a scarcely credible 139.5.

Read more...