February 2007

Oram prepared to 'lose finger'

Editor / 28 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand star all-rounder Jacob Oram has sensationally revealed that he would be willing to amputate his finger if it means he can then play in the World Cup. The hard-hitting Kiwi broke his ring finger in the first Chappell-Hadlee...Read more »

Ponting backs Aussies to shine

Editor / 28 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is unconcerned about his side's poor form going into the World Cup and feels they will be competitive in the Caribbean. The defending champions were most people's favourites for the tournament after dominating the sport in...Read more »

Razzaq out of World Cup

Editor / 28 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Pakistan have been hit by the news that all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury. The veteran of 229 one-day internationals was struck on the knee by a ball during practice on...Read more »

New Zealand - PROFILE

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand, clad in their all-black kit, are one of the dark horses for success at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, despite the fact that their 15-man squad lacks star quality and the excitement appeal of the...Read more »

Hussey warns of World Cup threats

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand will be the biggest challengers to Australia at the World Cup, according to Mike Hussey. Hussey is confident the out-of-sorts Aussies can recover from their recent dip in form to land their...Read more »

Pietersen concerned by Freddie form

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Kevin Pietersen says he fears for Andrew Flintoff's form going into the World Cup due to his forgettable spell as captain in Australia. 'Freddy' has struggled with the bat but performed well with the ball during his spell captaining the...Read more »

World Cup Profile - South Africa

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Despite entering the tournament as the top ranked team in the world, South Africa remain second favourites to win the trophy behind Australia, at 5.4. As well as the Proteas have played recently - they have won seven of their...Read more »

Lara eyes West Indies run

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Brian Lara feels the West Indies need to at least target a place in the semi-finals of the upcoming World Cup. The Windies skipper was part of the squad that was knocked out at the first round stage four years...Read more »

McCullum a big Gilchrist fan

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand star Brendon McCullum says Adam Gilchrist has inspired wicket-keepers around the world to improve their batting. The 35-year-old Australian is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket in both forms of the game,...Read more »

Kumble hints at one-day swansong

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Veteran India leg-spinner Anil Kumble has hinted he could retire from one-day cricket after confirming the upcoming World Cup will be his last. Kumble is the leading Indian wicket-taker in one-day international cricket history, with 334 wickets from 270 matches....Read more »

Tait up for the task

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Shaun Tait is confident he can bowl Australia to World Cup glory in the absence of Brett Lee. Lee's withdrawal because of torn ankle ligaments was confirmed on Friday, leaving Tait in the running with Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark...Read more »

Gilchrist available for Australia

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia have confirmed that vice-captain will be available for the start of the World Cup following the birth of his third child, Archie, on Saturday. The prolific one-day opening batsman missed the recent Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series defeat to New Zealand...Read more »

Pakistan receive double fitness boost

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Pakistan pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul are both winning their race to be fit for the World Cup. Shoaib has been included in his country's 15-man squad for the Caribbean tournament, even though the selectors want assurances over...Read more »

West Indies - World Cup profile

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies cricket has been enjoying something of a resurgence over the last three years since their exciting win in the 2004 Champions Trophy final against England, and they go into the World Cup on their home turf as a...Read more »

Australia suffer Lee blow

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia officials have confirmed that Brett Lee will miss the World Cup because of his ankle injury. The New South Wales paceman injured ligaments in his left ankle in training last week and despite extensive treatment and rest, Lee will...Read more »

World Cup Profile - Australia

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia's recent problems have made the tournament a much more appealing prospect than it might have been; as it now seems wide open amongst the major nations. The holders were in such dominant form at the beginning of the recent...Read more »

Lee will be given every chance

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia paceman Brett Lee will be given until the last minute to prove he has recovered from torn ankle ligaments ahead of the World Cup. The Aussies leave for the Caribbean next Tuesday but scans on Lee's left ankle have...Read more »

Buchanan has faith in Australia

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia coach John Buchanan insists that the camp is full of confidence heading into the World Cup, despite an alarming slump in form. The Aussies were seemingly invincible less than a month ago, cruising in the recent triangular one-day series...Read more »

Arnold gets the call

Editor / 21 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka have named veteran batsman Russel Arnold in their 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup ahead of teenager Chamara Kapugedera. The 33-year-old, who has scored 3,744 runs in 167 one-day matches, is currently in the side who lead...Read more »

Lara wary of home support

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies skipper Brian Lara feels that playing the World Cup in the Caribbean could work against his side due to the added pressure of the vocal home crowd. The Windies last reached the final of the tournament back in...Read more »

Williams triumphs on comeback

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams has made a winning return to action at the Cellular South Cup after four months out of the sport with a wrist injury. The 26-year-old suffered an injury-ravaged 2006, missing large parts of the season with the problem...Read more »

Double blow for Aussies

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Matthew Hayden hit an unbeaten 181 for Australia but broke his toe in the process as New Zealand completed a 3-0 series whitewash over the Aussies. Having already taken the Chapple-Hadlee Trophy 2-0, the Black Caps were looking to inflict...Read more »

World Cup focus - Pitches

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Pitches are likely to be a big factor on deciding where the World Cup trophy will go, so this feature will have a look at all eight of the main venues to be used in the Caribbean. Remember also that...Read more »

Fleming on World Cup battle

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming feels any one of eight teams can win the World Cup, particularly after Australia's recent slump in form. Having lost their last four One Day Internationals, many punters may have been put off backing the...Read more »

Cricket Betting News

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Kiwis play down injury claims New Zealand will be without Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori for their third and final Chappell-Hadlee one-day match, but insist the pair should be fit for the World Cup. Bond has been suffering with a...Read more »

Richards not convinced by England

Editor / 18 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Sir Viv Richards is not convinced England are good enough to win the World Cup. The Three Lions head to the Caribbean in buoyant mood after three one-day international wins on the spin over world champions Australia. But former Windies...Read more »

Aussies slip after latest defeat

Editor / 18 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia's five-wicket defeat to New Zealand in their latest one-day encounter has seen them slip behind South Africa in the rankings. Following their humiliating first-ever 10-wicket reverse against the Black Caps in Wellington on Friday, the Aussies made it four...Read more »

Oram injury hands England boost

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand will be without all-rounder Jacob Oram in their opening World Cup match against England, but the Kiwi camp are confident he will be back later in the tournament. Big-hitting Oram broke the ring finger on his left hand...Read more »

Singh on song as India clinch series

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

India clinched a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka as Yuvraj Singh (95) and Sourav Ganguly (58no) chased down Sri Lanka's total with six overs to spare in Visakhapatnam. Sri Lanka set a respectable total of 259-7 in a game...Read more »

Confidence high in SA camp

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa captain Graeme Smith insists confidence is high in the camp for the upcoming World Cup, after the selectors kept faith with the squad that battered Pakistan. The Proteas dismantled a talented Pakistan side 3-1 in their recent one-day...Read more »

Aussie confidence battered in Wellington

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Stand-in skipper Mike Hussey has admitted the ten-wicket drubbing at the hands of New Zealand in the opening clash of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series has left the Australia side demoralised. The reigning world champions suffered their third consecutive defeat in...Read more »

Lee gives Aussies WC concern

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

The Australian camp has been dealt a major blow ahead of the fast-approaching World Cup with the news that pace bowler Brett Lee is a major doubt after sustaining a training-ground injury. The 30-year-old was involved in a training exercise...Read more »

New Zealand v Australia, Chappell-Hadlee Trophy Match Two, Saturday 22.00

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

It is premature to deem Australia's World Cup preparations as being in disarray, but they are no longer the red-hot favourites that they once were to win their third consecutive World Cup. Their ten wicket hammering by New Zealand at...Read more »

Petrova battles through pain

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Third seed Nadia Petrova feels she is on top of her game and believes she has a good chance of landing the spoils at the Diamond Games in Antwerp. Betfair punters currently make her the second favourite in the win...Read more »

What's in a skipper?

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

There are batsmen, there are bowlers and there are all-rounders, but is there any role as important in international cricket as the captain? Depending on the country, he may set the batting order, the bowling rotation, who fields where, but...Read more »

Clark interested in Hants chance

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters who are already considering the next domestic season will certainly have been alerted to the fact that Hampshire could potentially have the two leading bowlers from the Ashes series at their disposal. Although the new season is still...Read more »

Bopara handed World Cup place

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Essex ace Ravi Bopara has been selected in England's 15-man World Cup squad, with Lancashire's Mal Loye missing out. Both players featured in England's Commonwealth Bank series campaign, but it's the 21-year-old Bopara who has been given the nod by...Read more »

Hussey - Australia need to rebuild confidence

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Stand-in captain Mike Hussey feels Australia need a successful Chappell-Hadlee One Day series in New Zealand in order to boost confidence ahead of the World Cup. The world champions will play three ODI's against the Black Caps, starting with the...Read more »

A winter Down Under - Englands tour of Australia 2006 07

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England head to the upcoming World Cup with renewed confidence after the triumphant climax to their tour of Australia. Expectations might not be as high as when they arrived in Australia in November, but quiet confidence might help their campaign...Read more »

South Africa v Pakistan, 5th ODI, Wednesday 12.30

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Both sides have considerable incentives in this final match of the series. A victory for the hosts would see them go into the World Cup as the world's top ranked team should Australia lose their forthcoming series in New Zealand,...Read more »

Warne backs Collingwood MBE

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Shane Warne has tipped Paul Collingwood to be the star of the World Cup after his three successive match-wining innings in the triangular tournament. The two players enjoyed a fierce rivalry during the Ashes campaign and exchanged words on several...Read more »

Symonds gets Aussie call

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia have named Andrew Symonds in their 15-man World Cup squad despite the fact he has only just undergone surgery. The 31-year-old tore a bicep tendon during a group game against England in the recent Commonwealth Bank series and had...Read more »

England secure Commonwealth Bank glory

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England defeated Australia by 34 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-hit clash in Sydney to win the Commonwealth Bank Series. Paul Collingwood, England's century hero of Friday's first best-of-three finals success in Melbourne, was instrumental once again at...Read more »

Proteas punish poor Pakistan

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers inspired South Africa to a crushing 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth one-day international in Cape Town. The openers were in no mood to hang around as they responded to Pakistan's 107 in...Read more »

Fletcher cautiously optimistic

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England coach Duncan Fletcher is refusing to get carried away with England's one-day success but believes his young side are ahead of schedule in their development. The tourists shocked the cricket world and the Australian public with their 2-0 finals...Read more »

McGrath admits wake-up call

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Glenn McGrath says he believes Friday's one-day defeat to England could help Australia in the remainder of the tournament and in their preparations for the World Cup. The bowling legend endured a shocking 37th birthday at the MCG, getting bowled...Read more »

Australia v England - Commonwealth Bank Series Final

Editor / 10 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia v England - Commonwealth Bank Series Final (Match 2) - Sunday 3:15am GMT They say a week is a long time in politics; well it looks like that old adage can now be applied to cricket after the last...Read more »

Hussey handed Aussie skipper role

Editor / 09 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Mike Hussey will captain Australia for their forthcoming one-day series in New Zealand, with Ricky Ponting ordered to rest a back problem. Hussey has been handed the role ahead of regular vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, who has also been given a...Read more »

Injury forces Vaughan out

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England captain Michael Vaughan has aggravated his hamstring injury and will not play in the one-day series final against Australia. The 32-year-old returned from a five-match absence to lead England to a 14-run win over New Zealand on Tuesday, which...Read more »

Kiwis rocked by Mills blow

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand have been dealt a massive blow with the news that paceman Kyle Mills will miss the World Cup due to a serious knee injury. The Auckland Aces will undergo surgery next week to repair a patella tendon and...Read more »

Commonwealth Bank Triangular Series Finals - Australia v England

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England's strong finish to the group phase of this tournament has earned them the chance to partially redeem themselves on this disappointing tour Down Under. They looked to be heading home after losing five of their opening six matches, but...Read more »

Freddie happy as one of the lads

Editor / 07 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England coach Duncan Fletcher has admitted that Andrew Flintoff is a more effective player when not burdened with the captaincy. The 29-year-old captained England in the Ashes series as Michael Vaughan's knee injury kept him out of the 5-0 humiliation,...Read more »

The importance of fielding

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Although much of the press goes to bowlers who take five wickets or batsmen who score big centuries, the third aspect of a cricket game can often be as important, so this feature will take a look at some of...Read more »

Collingwood lifts England into final

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Paul Collingwood's century helped England beat New Zealand by 14 runs and set up a final with Australia in the Commonwealth Bank series. The Durham man began the tour on a high with 96 in the first Test in Brisbane...Read more »

Watson back to boost Aussies

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia have received a boost with the return to fitness of talented all-rounder Shane Watson. The 25-year-old looked set to play a full part in the Ashes campaign but suffered a hamstring injury prior to the five-match series with Andrew...Read more »

Broad gets the call

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Leicestershire seamer Stuart Broad has been called into the England squad for the Commonwealth Bank finals as Jon Lewis and Chris Tremlett are flying home. England are set to face Australia in the three-match encounter, with the first game scheduled...Read more »

England v New Zealand

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England v New Zealand - Commonwealth Bank Series Match 12 - Tuesday 3.15 England's win over Australia on Friday has provided them with an unexpected chance to reach the series final. Their One Day performances hit rock bottom during this...Read more »

Kiwis admit injury concern

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand could be without seam bowler Kyle Mills for next month's World Cup due to a knee injury. The 27-year-old has been struggling with the problem for the last year and after making just one appearance in the Commonwealth...Read more »

Mahmood handed Pakistan call-up

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Pakistan have flown all-rounder Azhar Mahmood out to South Africa to join up with the squad because of a long list of injury problems. The 31-year-old last played a one-day international in February 2005, but the selectors have handed him...Read more »

Australia defeat Black Caps

Editor / 04 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England are still in with a chance of reaching the Commonwealth Bank Series final after Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets. It means a victory for England against the Kiwis on Tuesday will see them go through to the...Read more »

Vaughan eyes New Zealand clash

Editor / 04 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan is hopeful of returning from a hamstring injury for England's must-win one-dayer against New Zealand on Tuesday. The country's cricket captain suffered the injury against the Kiwis during their Commonwealth bank Series clash three weeks ago and has...Read more »

Australia's World Cup preparations have been dealt a blow

Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia's World Cup preparations have been dealt a blow by the news that all-rounder Andrew Symonds is out for the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series with an arm injury. Symonds ruptured a tendon in his right shoulder during the...Read more »

Sehwag recalled for Indian middle order role

Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a comment

India have outlined a new role for Virender Sehwag after recalling the struggling batsman for their final World Cup warm-up series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old was axed for the recent one-day series against West Indies after a poor run...Read more »

England pull off shock victory

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

England have given themselves a lifeline in their attempts to make the Commonwealth Bank series finals, after a 92-run victory over Australia in Sydney. The tourists picked their first success over the home side in the tour Down Under, with...Read more »

Symonds gives Australia cause for concern

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Symonds is an injury worry for Australia as they prepare for the Commonwealth Bank series finals and the World Cup. The all-rounder suffered a bicep injury during Friday's one-day defeat to England in Sydney, which eventually forced him to...Read more »

Ponting eyes perfect ten

Editor / 01 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Ricky Ponting says there will be no let up against England on Friday as they want to complete a clean sweep of ten victories against the tourists. England have yet to beat Australia on the current tour Down Under -...Read more »

Preview of England's upcoming six months

Editor / 01 February 2007 / Leave a comment

The major tournament on the horizon for Michael Vaughan's (or Andy Flintoff's, or Andrew Strauss') side is the World Cup, which kicks off in the West Indies in March. Currently England are in the position you would expect in the...Read more »