Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how the Netherlands did.
Began the tournament so well against England, but that proved their high point. Thereafter they struggled, twice losing by over 200 runs, with the side overly reliant on Ryan ten Doeschate. The bowling was a real problem, though left-arm spinner Pieter Selar has promise. In the final game of the tournament, Ireland overhauled their total of 306 with absolute ease.
Star man
Ten Doeschate came into the tournament with a reputation as the best associate player in the world, and, with a century that fused brawn and finesse against England, he quickly went about justifying it. He later scored a 50 against Bangladesh and another century against Ireland, as well as bowling usefully.
Disappointment
Alexei Kervezee is a regular for Worcestershire, with an array of classy shots. He was expected to back up ten Doeschate, but the 21-year-old seemed overwhelmed, averaging only 13.
Prospects
Cricket remains a minority sport in the Netherlands and that isn’t about to change. A few more ODIs and Twenty20s against the big sides, and regular appearances at World Twenty20s, is probably the summit of their ambition.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Tournament review: Zimbabwe
Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how Zimbabwe did.
With their array of spinners, Zimbabwe had realistic hopes of achieving an upset, probably against New Zealand. In the event their batting folded against the Kiwis, who raced to a 10-wicket win. It was much the same throughout, with Brendan Taylor’s clean-hitting 80 against Sri Lanka the exception. The bowling was a little better, albeit over-reliant on Ray Price. That Ireland did markedly better in a tougher group told its own story.
Star man
Ray Price is renowned for his on-field theatrics, but he is also a left-arm spinner of great guile. Adept opening the bowling or operating in the middle overs, he claimed nine wickets whilst going for only 3.44 an over.
Disappointment
Skipper Elton Chigumbura has a reputation as a big hitter, but he averaged less than 20, while his bowling went for over seven an over. The stats suggest the captaincy has reduced his effectiveness.
Prospects
Their return to Test cricket this year could be painful if their World Cup performances are a good guide. With batting prone to collapsing and an abject shortage of quick bowling they need to entice players like Sean Ervine, who has chosen Hampshire over his country, back to protect their competitiveness.
With their array of spinners, Zimbabwe had realistic hopes of achieving an upset, probably against New Zealand. In the event their batting folded against the Kiwis, who raced to a 10-wicket win. It was much the same throughout, with Brendan Taylor’s clean-hitting 80 against Sri Lanka the exception. The bowling was a little better, albeit over-reliant on Ray Price. That Ireland did markedly better in a tougher group told its own story.
Star man
Ray Price is renowned for his on-field theatrics, but he is also a left-arm spinner of great guile. Adept opening the bowling or operating in the middle overs, he claimed nine wickets whilst going for only 3.44 an over.
Disappointment
Skipper Elton Chigumbura has a reputation as a big hitter, but he averaged less than 20, while his bowling went for over seven an over. The stats suggest the captaincy has reduced his effectiveness.
Prospects
Their return to Test cricket this year could be painful if their World Cup performances are a good guide. With batting prone to collapsing and an abject shortage of quick bowling they need to entice players like Sean Ervine, who has chosen Hampshire over his country, back to protect their competitiveness.
Tournament review: South Africa
Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how South Africa did.
The cliché that South Africa always choke in World Cups was given new credence by their spectacular implosion against New Zealand. In topping their group ahead of India, South Africa showed they possessed a range of wicket-taking options they have not always possessed, with Imran Tahir exceptional. The batting, led by AB de Villiers, was also powerful. Yet they were ultimately exposed by a weak lower middle-order, with Johan Botha (ODI average of 19) never good enough to be a number seven.
Star man
It could have been de Villiers, Tahir or even Robin Petersen, but Dale Steyn showed his class again. His bowling against India, when he claimed five wickets, part of a total of 12, to trigger a collapse of 9/29, showed off the brilliance of his yorkers.
Disappointment
Outgoing captain Graeme Smith failed to score a half-century in the tournament, suggesting he may find it hard to continue to merit a place in the ODI side.
Prospects
They remain an excellent side in all three formats, but the c word will remain their biggest nemesis. Need some allrounders – Albie Morkel, perhaps? – to ensure they bat deeper. In search of a new coach too, Gary Kirsten would do very nicely.
The cliché that South Africa always choke in World Cups was given new credence by their spectacular implosion against New Zealand. In topping their group ahead of India, South Africa showed they possessed a range of wicket-taking options they have not always possessed, with Imran Tahir exceptional. The batting, led by AB de Villiers, was also powerful. Yet they were ultimately exposed by a weak lower middle-order, with Johan Botha (ODI average of 19) never good enough to be a number seven.
Star man
It could have been de Villiers, Tahir or even Robin Petersen, but Dale Steyn showed his class again. His bowling against India, when he claimed five wickets, part of a total of 12, to trigger a collapse of 9/29, showed off the brilliance of his yorkers.
Disappointment
Outgoing captain Graeme Smith failed to score a half-century in the tournament, suggesting he may find it hard to continue to merit a place in the ODI side.
Prospects
They remain an excellent side in all three formats, but the c word will remain their biggest nemesis. Need some allrounders – Albie Morkel, perhaps? – to ensure they bat deeper. In search of a new coach too, Gary Kirsten would do very nicely.
Tournament review: Pakistan
Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how Pakistan did.
An honourable semi-final defeat was better than many had expected of Pakistan – and if they hadn’t given Sachin Tendulkar so many lives, they could well have made the final. Key to their success was their varied bowling attack, with Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul superb until the semi-final. But their batting always looked prone to collapse.
Star man
Shahid Afridi finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, the subtle variations and accuracy of his leg breaks claiming 21 scalps in just eight games. But don’t mention the batting.
Disappointment
It was hoped that 19-year old Ahmed Shezhad would bring much-needed solidity to the top order. Instead he managed 44 runs in five innings.
Prospects
Invariably hard to assess. If they can shore up their top order they will become even more dangerous but, with Younis Khan and Misbah ul-Haq nearing the end, it could get even worse.
An honourable semi-final defeat was better than many had expected of Pakistan – and if they hadn’t given Sachin Tendulkar so many lives, they could well have made the final. Key to their success was their varied bowling attack, with Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul superb until the semi-final. But their batting always looked prone to collapse.
Star man
Shahid Afridi finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, the subtle variations and accuracy of his leg breaks claiming 21 scalps in just eight games. But don’t mention the batting.
Disappointment
It was hoped that 19-year old Ahmed Shezhad would bring much-needed solidity to the top order. Instead he managed 44 runs in five innings.
Prospects
Invariably hard to assess. If they can shore up their top order they will become even more dangerous but, with Younis Khan and Misbah ul-Haq nearing the end, it could get even worse.
Tournament review: New Zealand
Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how New Zealand did.
Did better than probably even they expected to reach the semi-finals, beating Pakistan and South Africa. Ross Taylor’s 131* against Pakistan was one of the innings of the tournament but Jesse Ryder and especially Brendan McCullum did too little to support him. With the ball, Dan Vettori disappointed somewhat, but the unheralded Nathan McCullum was outstanding in the victory over South Africa, as was Jacob Oram. And, in the great Kiwi tradition, the fielding was terrific.
Star man
Bowling coach Allan Donald’s praise – that Tim Southee “could become the best swing bowler in world cricket” is understandable. With late movement allied to pace, Southee was never short of wicket-taking venom, taking 18 wickets at an average of 17, including 3/25 against Pakistan.
Disappointment
Opening the batting, McCullum was too often guilty of injudicious shot selection, failing to pass 16 in five innings against quarter-final qualifiers.
Prospects
The wily John Wright has already made a difference as coach. Though Vettori has quite as ODI captain, with Taylor the likely replacement, New Zealand will be optimistic about continuing their improvement, especially if Southee, Ryder and Kane Williamson develop.
Star man
Bowling coach Allan Donald’s praise – that Tim Southee “could become the best swing bowler in world cricket” is understandable. With late movement allied to pace, Southee was never short of wicket-taking venom, taking 18 wickets at an average of 17, including 3/25 against Pakistan.
Disappointment
Opening the batting, McCullum was too often guilty of injudicious shot selection, failing to pass 16 in five innings against quarter-final qualifiers.
Prospects
The wily John Wright has already made a difference as coach. Though Vettori has quite as ODI captain, with Taylor the likely replacement, New Zealand will be optimistic about continuing their improvement, especially if Southee, Ryder and Kane Williamson develop.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Tournament review: Australia
Continuing our tournament reviews, here is an assessment of how Australia did.
Their 34-game unbeaten run in World Cups was ended by
Star man
Brett Lee, 34 but as ebullient as ever, claimed 11 wickets, including 4/28 against
Disappointment
Cameron White has a reputation for late-order destructiveness, so a tournament average of 17 proved a major hindrance for his side.
Prospects
They now have a new captain in Michael Clarke; don’t expect their rut to go on too long. Never seem short of batsmen, but their one-day bowling will suffer after Shaun Tait’s decision to only play Twenty20, especially with Lee ageing. Need a spinner from somewhere.
Tournament review: Ireland
Beginning our assessment of how each of the 14 teams fared in the World Cup, this is the verdict on Ireland.
Ireland's remarkable victory against
Star man
With flight, guile and unrelenting accuracy, George Dockrell claimed 2/23 against Bangaldesh and two more wickets, including Sachin Tendulkar, against
Disappointment
Paul Stirling hit a spectacular 72-ball 102 against the
Prospects
Proved they are the best associate – and they showed themselves a better side than
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