April 2007

Surrey blast their way to record

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Surrey have set a new one-day scoring record after firing an amazing 496-4 from 50 overs in their Friends Provident Trophy game against Gloucestershire. Openers Ali Brown and James Benning started the onslaught, amassing an opening stand of 294 with...Read more »

Harrison injury leads to Glamorgan search

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Glamorgan have indicated that they may look for an overseas replacement for David Harrison, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old has a back injury which requires surgery and the medium pacer will undergo...Read more »

County Championship foreign player focus

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Foreign players have been part of the English domestic cricket scene for decades now and will undoubtedly continue to be an influence, despite England and Wales Cricket Board moves to cut the numbers allowed from the end of the current...Read more »

Andrew Flintoff is set for pep talk

Editor / 29 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff is set for a pep talk from new England coach Peter Moores who is eager to get the all-rounder playing as well as he did in 2005. Flintoff has been criticised after a dramatic loss of form with...Read more »

McGrath retires as Player of the Tournament

Editor / 29 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Glenn McGrath crowned a glittering career by winning the World Cup's Player of the Tournament prize with a record 26 wickets. The 37-year-old bowler's figures of 1-31in victory over Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval were unremarkable, but his sustained...Read more »

Gough - the smile has returned

Editor / 28 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Yorkshire captain Darren Gough believes his club's early-season success is down to the laid-back attitude in the dressing room. The 36-year-old returned to skipper his home county this season after three years at Essex and he has guided the side...Read more »

Giles out for season

Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a comment

England spinner Ashley Giles' injury woes continue as he looks set to miss his second straight season of cricket through injury. The 34-year-old had to sit out the entire 2006 season in England due to a serious hip injury that...Read more »

Foxes poised for Proteas swoop

Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa bowler Charl Langeveldt is close to penning a short-term contract with County Championship Division Two side Leicestershire. The Proteas paceman has been targeted by the Foxes as cover for seamer RP Singh, who is due to join up...Read more »

Murali seeks career highligh

Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka bowler Muttiah Muralitharan says winning the World Cup final against Australia would surpass everything else he has achieved in cricket. The spin ace has taken over 1,000 wickets during his illustrious international career and helped his country win...Read more »

Record breaker McGrath on a roll

Editor / 26 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Glenn McGrath is in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's World Cup final and is looking to end his international career on the ultimate high. The veteran seamer set another record in Wednesday's semi-final against South Africa, taking his wickets tally...Read more »

Moores sets out England blueprint

Editor / 25 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Peter Moores, England's newly-appointed coach, has spoken of the challenges facing him and the side as well as confirming he will sit down with Michael Vaughan before making any decision on the captain's Test and One-Day role. Moores is charged...Read more »

Jayawardene confident of World Cup glory

Editor / 25 April 2007 / Leave a comment

said World Cup finalists Sri Lanka would not fear either Australia or South Africa when the Caribbean showpiece reaches its climax on Saturday in Barbados. The Sri Lankan captain led by example as his 115 secured his country an 81-run...Read more »

DOMESTIC CRICKET - ONE-DAY FOCUS

Editor / 25 April 2007 / Leave a comment

If four-day county cricket is not your thing, Betfair has plenty of markets to keep the one-day aficionados happy this season, with three competitions of different length and timing due to keep interest going right the way through until September....Read more »

Pollock out for revenge

Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa paceman Shaun Pollock has re-thought his tactics to try and counter the threat of Australia's Matthew Hayden at the top of the order. The 33-year-old has not been at his best in the Caribbean and has taken just...Read more »

Herschelle Gibbs the man - Smith

Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Herschelle Gibbs is the one man that Australia will be wary of as the two sides prepare to face each other on Wednesday. Gibbs was instrumental in the Proteas' incredible record-breaking victory over the...Read more »

Smith back in full training

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has returned to full training after the knee injury he suffered against England and will play against Australia on Wednesday. Smith picked up the problem in the field although it did not prevent him from...Read more »

Oram fit for Sri Lanka showdown

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand have been given a boost after all-rounder Jacob Oram insisted he will be fit for Tuesday's semi-final showdown with Sri Lanka. The big-hitting Kiwi missed Friday's record 215-run defeat at the hands of Australia because of a long-standing...Read more »

World Cup Semi Final 2

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Semi Final 2 - Australia v South Africa, Wednesday 14.30 The two pre-tournament favourites meet not in the final that many predicted, but in a repeat of their famous 1999 semi-final. Australia and South Africa have reached the...Read more »

Gough talks up Yorkshire chances

Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a comment

feels Yorkshire's opening performance in the County Championship indicates his side can have a successful season. The Tykes started their campaign with a comprehensive 346-run victory over Surrey at The Oval, a win that gave them 22 points and...Read more »

Kevin Pietersen upbeat after thrilling win

Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Kevin Pietersen is confident England will have a bright future, after helping the side defeat West Indies by one wicket in their final World Cup game. The Hampshire batsman smashed 100 off 91 balls as England gave Duncan Fletcher a...Read more »

World Cup Semi Final - New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Semi Final - New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Tuesday 15:30) The first semi final sees a clash between two of the tournament's dark horses. Both of these sides were expected to do well and they will play off...Read more »

Steve Harmison on the mend

Editor / 21 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Durham head coach Geoff Cook believes Steve Harmison is almost back to his best after destroying Worcestershire at New Road. The England strike bowler claimed 5-63 in Worcestershire's second innings, to take his tally to eight for the match and...Read more »

Boycott reveals Vaughan request for help

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Geoffrey Boycott has revealed that England skipper Michael Vaughan approached him in the winter to request some advice over his batting. Vaughan has struggled with the bat since his return to side following a long-term injury, joining up with the...Read more »

Ricky Ponting dismisses Fleming indifference

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has dismissed New Zealand counterpart Stephen Fleming's comments that his side will not have been damaged by Friday's humiliating defeat. The Aussies extended their World Cup unbeaten run to 21 matches with a 215-run humbling of...Read more »

Black Caps play down Shane Bond fears

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand are hopeful that Shane Bond will be fit for their World Cup semi-final, after the pace bowler was forced to miss Friday's game against Australia through illness. Bond was sidelined for his country's final Super 8 game at...Read more »

Duncan Fletcher's last stand

Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Duncan Fletcher is set to stand down as England coach following Saturday's final World Cup match against West Indies. After months of speculation over his future, Fletcher has decided to leave the position having enjoyed extreme highs and lows in...Read more »

Sri Lanka handed bowling boost

Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has revealed that Lasith Malinga should be fit for the World Cup semi-finals. The paceman has missed his country's last three Super 8 games, against New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, because of an ankle injury....Read more »

World Cup Super 8

Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Super 8's - Australia v New Zealand (Friday 14:30) A lot has happened since these two sides last met. New Zealand eased to a 3-0 win in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy that preceded the tournament, but Australia have since...Read more »

Ricky Ponting promises no let up

Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Ricky Ponting insists Australia will not take their foot off the gas for Friday's Super 8 clash with New Zealand, despite already reaching the semi-finals. The Aussie skipper is keen for his men to take their current momentum into the...Read more »

Smith fancies Proteas chances

Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa captain Graeme Smith feels his team showed what they are capable of in Tuesday's nine-wicket thrashing of England, which helped them reach the World Cup semi-finals. Following their shock Super 8's defeat to Bangladesh, there were question marks...Read more »

County Championship Preview

Editor / 17 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Although the eyes of the cricket world are mainly still on the action taking place in the World Cup over in the Caribbean, the domestic English season started last Friday when County Championship winners Sussex met the MCC in the...Read more »

Watson set for fitness check

Editor / 17 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Shane Watson is set to have a fitness check on his calf strain before a decision is taken if he will be fit to play in Australia's final Super 8 game against New Zealand on Friday. The Aussies would ideally...Read more »

Mahela Jayawardene defends decision

Editor / 17 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says they made a correct decision to rest their main bowlers despite the crushing seven-wicket defeat to Australia. Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas were left out of the side in Grenada as the Sri Lankan...Read more »

South Africa v England - PREVIEW

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa's defeat against New Zealand on Saturday night has turned Tuesday's Cricket World Cup clash with England back into what basically is summed up as an unofficial quarter-final, although defeat by Michael Vaughan's side would not necessarily mean the...Read more »

Giles to miss start of season

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Warwickshire's luckless vice-captain, Ashley Giles, will miss the start of the new domestic season after suffering a recurrence of his hip problem. Giles underwent two operations to cure hip and groin problems during an injury-plagued 2006 and a flare up...Read more »

England the focus for Pietersen

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

will not let his long-running feud with Graeme Smith detract him from guiding England to victory over South Africa. The pair famously clashed two winters ago when Pietersen returned to the country of his birth, with England's star batsman...Read more »

Fletcher admits Freddie's in a funk

Editor / 15 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Duncan Fletcher has admitted that England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is suffering from a loss of confidence. The big Lancastrian has fared well with the ball in the West Indies but has failed to hit the heights with the bat as...Read more »

Australia v Sri Lanka

Editor / 15 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Super 8 - Australia v Sri Lanka, Monday 14.30 Both of these sides are assured of semi-final places and this clash looks like it might be a rehearsal for the final. Australia currently top the Super 8 table...Read more »

Jacques Kallis - South Africa still capable

Editor / 15 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Jacques Kallis says South Africa are ready for whatever England throw at them in Tuesday's crunch Super 8 clash in Barbados and that they still capable of winning the World Cup. The talented all-rounder is aware how big the match...Read more »

James Anderson keen to kick on

Editor / 14 April 2007 / Leave a comment

England pace bowler James Anderson is aware his World Cup place is under threat ahead of Tuesday's Super 8 clash against South Africa in Barbados. Anderson has fared well in patches but has failed to hit the heights on a...Read more »

Ricky Ponting fires World Cup warning

Editor / 14 April 2007 / Leave a comment

warned Australia's World Cup opponents that his big-game players are peaking at the right time after they booked their place in the semi-finals. The red-hot Aussies needed less than 13 overs to seal a place in the last four,...Read more »

Andrew Strauss backs England to come good

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Top-order batsman Andrew Strauss is tipping England's form to improve as their encounters at the World Cup become more important. The 30-year-old Middlesex left-hander was left on the sidelines for England's opening five games at the tournament, but returned in...Read more »

South Africa v New Zealand

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa v New Zealand (Saturday, Grenada) Thanks to their defeat by Sri Lanka on Thursday, New Zealand remain in a tricky position going into this clash with South Africa, as a defeat would leave them needing to claim a...Read more »

Scott Styris remains upbeat despite defeat

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris is confident they can secure a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup despite losing to Sri Lanka. Styris was his side's shining light in Grenada as he fired an unbeaten 111 as New...Read more »

Andrew Symonds ready to step up

Editor / 12 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Symonds has warned Australia's World Cup opponents he is ready to spend some more time at the crease if needed. Symonds has been forced to watch on while his big-hitting countrymen Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke...Read more »

Room for improvement - Vaughan

Editor / 12 April 2007 / Leave a comment

has warned England that improvement is needed if they are to have any chance beating South Africa. England's bowlers appeared to have put the side on course for a routine victory after dismissing Bangladesh (who had been reduced to...Read more »

Sri Lanka rocked by Malinga blow

Editor / 11 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka have been hit by the news that Lasith Malinga will miss the clash with New Zealand on Thursday and could be sidelined for the rest of their Super 8 campaign. The 23-year-old slinger missed training on Tuesday and,...Read more »

Brian Lara set to stand down

Editor / 11 April 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies captain Brian Lara is still hopeful he can help the side learn something from the World Cup, after announcing he is to quit one-day internationals at the end of the tournament. The Caribbean outfit slumped to a 67-run...Read more »

Vaughan concedes missed chance

Editor / 11 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan feels his England side missed a good chance of beating Australia and strengthening their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals. The defending champions ran out seven-wicket winners against their old adversaries in Antigua, with Australia comfortably reaching...Read more »

New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - PREVIEW Two teams with a foot in the semi-finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup will meet at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, with the prize on offer for both New Zealand and...Read more »

Alan Pardew issues challenge to Charlton

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Alan Pardew insists his Charlton side can go unbeaten for the rest of the season after their goalless draw against Uefa Cup contenders Reading at The Valley on Easter Monday. Far from being downhearted at his side's failure to claim...Read more »

No time to sulk - Trent Johnston

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Trent Johnston told his Ireland team-mates to pick themselves up and look ahead following their World Cup drubbing by New Zealand. The Irish made a genuine fist of their Super 8 clash against the Kiwis in Guyana but an eventual...Read more »

Fletcher calls for focus

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Duncan Fletcher has warned England to forget about the permutations which could see England book a World Cup semi-finals spot - and instead focus on beating Bangladesh. The Three Lions must win their remaining three matches - and hope other...Read more »

Trescothick in fine county form

Editor / 09 April 2007 / Leave a comment

England star Marcus Trescothick fired an amazing 256 runs off 117 balls for Somerset in a pre-season friendly against Devon on Sunday. The left-hander withdrew from England's Ashes tour and the World Cup because of a stress-related illness, but it...Read more »

Cricket World Cup 2007 a carnival or disaster

Editor / 09 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Cricket World Cup 2007 - a carnival or a disaster? The first ever Caribbean World Cup was expected to be a celebration of the game and a chance to regenerate local interest in the sport. A smoothly run tournament and...Read more »

South Africa v West Indies

Editor / 08 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Super Eights - South Africa v West Indies, Tuesday 14.30 South Africa's stunning defeat by Bangladesh on Saturday has blown open the race for semi-final places. The Proteas' thrilling opening Super Eights win over Sri Lanka has been...Read more »

Bangladesh eyeing more shocks

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar insists his side is not at the World Cup to make up the numbers and is a genuine contender for a semi-final berth. The Tigers, ranked ninth in the world, pulled off another shock in the...Read more »

Downbeat Graeme Smith urges SA to regroup

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith admitted that the shock 67-run defeat to Bangladesh was hard to take and has called on his players to bounce back quickly. The Proteas won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat but let their...Read more »

Flintoff puzzled by run rut

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff has admitted he needs to improve with the bat as England look to finally announce themselves at the World Cup with victory over Australia. The all-rounder was expected to be one of the leading lights with the bat...Read more »

Andrew Strauss could get England nod

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Strauss could come back into the fold on Sunday when England take on Australia in a crunch Super 8 World Cup clash in Antigua. Strauss has not played since February 11 but could get the nod head of his...Read more »

Cricket World Cup England v Australia

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

England's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup are hanging by a thread going into yet another clash with old foes Australia in Antigua on Sunday after the narrow and heart-breaking defeat by Sri Lanka on...Read more »

Gilchrist wary of England threat

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist has warned his team-mates of the threat that England pose, as the two teams prepare to clash in Antigua on Sunday. The wicket-keeper was part of the Aussie squad that lost the Commonwealth Bank series to...Read more »

Adam Gilchrist wary of England threat

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Top Runscorer market feature

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

With the remaining eight teams moving islands over the next day or so, the 2007 Cricket World Cup takes a brief break until Saturday's huge showdown between old rivals Australia and England, which could see the end of Michael Vaughan's...Read more »

Aussies target England elimination

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Australia coach John Buchanan is keen to defeat England in Sunday's Super 8s clash as it will eliminate them from the World Cup. The two sides meet in Antigua with the Aussies aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the...Read more »

McMillan reveals confident Kiwis

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Craig McMillan says the New Zealand camp is more confident than ever that they can win the World Cup, with the Black Caps unbeaten in the tournament so far. The veteran batsman is in his third World Cup with New...Read more »

McMillan reveals confident Kiwis

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan feels England can make semis

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan remains upbeat about England's chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals, despite defeat to Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The England skipper saw his side slip to a two run defeat against one of the tournament favourites, a result...Read more »

Glenn McGrath - We'll beat England

Editor / 04 April 2007 / Leave a comment

has, as usual, stoked the fire ahead of Australia's clash with England on Sunday, in what could be his last encounter with the old enemy. The world champions take on Michael Vaughan's men in Antigua at the weekend with...Read more »

Smith praise for Proteas top order

Editor / 04 April 2007 / Leave a comment

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith paid tribute to his batsmen after they overcame Ireland by seven wickets on the Duckworth-Lewis system in Guyana. Set 153 for victory in 35 overs in a rain-affected match, the Proteas lost A B de...Read more »

World Cup Top wicket taker market

Editor / 04 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Some unexpected names feature in the top wicket taker market. Whilst the likes of Matthew Hayden, Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis spring no surprises in contesting the top runscorer market, few will have expected Lasith Malinga to lead...Read more »

Kevin Pietersen upbeat over task ahead

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Kevin Pietersen insists England have got to win one of their next two games if they want to give themselves a chance of making the semi-finals. England opened their Super 8 campaign with a win over minnows Ireland but now...Read more »

Michael Holding leads calls for Lara axe

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies legend Michael Holding has called for captain Brian Lara to be axed following the disastrous start to their Super 8 campaign. Despite winning all three group games to carry two points through to the next phase, the Windies'...Read more »

Kevin Pietersen upbeat over task ahead

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Fletcher confident of Vaughan revival

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

England coach Duncan Fletcher is confident skipper Michael Vaughan will eventually find his touch at the World Cup. The 32-year-old returned to England's one-day side in the Commonwealth Bank series Down Under after more than a year out of the...Read more »

Sangakkara relieved as Sri Lanka bounce back

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara was delighted with the response of his team-mates as they cruised to a 113-run victory over the West Indies on Sunday. The 1996 winners are many people's dark horses to go all the way in...Read more »

World Cup Super Eights

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World Cup Super Eights - England v Sri Lanka, Wednesday 14.30 The ninth match of the Super 8 stage might prove a pivotal one in the process of deciding the tournament's semi-finalists. Defeat for England would mean they had lost...Read more »

England ready to up their game - Andrew Flintoff

Editor / 01 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff believes that despite the unimpressive showings against the World Cup minnows, England are ready to up their game against the Test-playing nations. Betfair punters have Michael Vaughan's side currently available at 2.9 to reach the semi-finals of this...Read more »