2015 World Cup form guide: Everyone has a chance even MS Dhoni's India

January 14, 2015

2015 World Cup

Sydney, Jan 14: The 2015 World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand from February 14-March 29 where India will be the defending champions in the 14-nation tournament. One month out from the start, here's assesing the current form and prospects of the competing teams:

Pool A

AFGHANISTAN

- Afghanistan's main target for the World Cup is to beat Bangladesh and fellow associates Scotland. If they win both those pool games then the country's maiden appearance will be judged a success. Afghanistan will look to their four pace bowlers -- Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam and Hamid Hassan -- for breakthroughs. Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari and Javed Ahmadi will take care of the spin department. Former coach Kabir Khan has warned against any major expectations. "Don't expect any super performance from the Afghan team," said Kabir. A 3-1 series defeat against United Arab Emirates in November and a loss to Ireland in Dubai this week highlighted batting frailties, which may be further exposed on the hard, bouncy pitches of Australia and New Zealand.

AUSTRALIA

- Hosts Australia head into the World Cup on the back of a 4-1 series win over South Africa in November and will have their final hit-out in a tri-series against defending champions India and England. Michael Clarke has been named as captain depending on a fitness test after recent hamstring surgery with George Bailey standing by should he not make the deadline. Selectors named a strong 15-man squad, featuring David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and all-rounders James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. The Aussies will be among the favourites for a record fifth World Cup after wins in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007. India ended the Australians' 12-year reign as champions with victory in the quarter-finals of the last 2011 event in Ahmedabad.

BANGLADESH

- So poor has been Bangladesh's international record over the past year that even a 3-0 Test thrashing at home of fellow wooden-spooners Zimbabwe followed by a 5-0 sweep in the one-dayers was regarded as a moment to celebrate for millions of their supporters. Those were the only wins for the Tigers through 2014, but still it gives them belief that all is not lost. Gone are the heady days when Bangladesh stunned Australia in a one-dayer in England and knocked India out of the 2007 World Cup. They now hope to turn over a new leaf under new one-day captain Mashrafe Mortaza, with support from star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and dependable wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim. Still, with four other Test nations in their group, Bangladesh will be considered to have done well if they qualify for the knock-out rounds.

ENGLAND

- Test skipper Alastair Cook, who had scored just one fifty in his last 22 one-day innings, has been replaced as captain by former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan. However, Morgan has been struggling for runs as much as Cook in recent times with an ODI average of just 16 during the past 12 months. But England are banking on the fact that captaincy appears to agree with the Middlesex batsman -- in eight matches leading his adopted country he averages 71. England have never won the World Cup and, while the return to fitness of strike bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad promises to bolster their hopes, few expect them to be crowned champions at this year's edition. Meanwhile, just when England thought the furore surrounding former captain Kevin Pietersen might be calming down, the axed batsman -- playing in Australia's domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament -- stirred the pot further on Tuesday by saying Morgan would "love to have me in the England team".

NEW ZEALAND

- Co-hosts New Zealand go into the World Cup brimming with confidence after posting ODI series wins against South Africa India, Pakistan and the West Indies over the past two years. The Black Caps have reached the semi-finals six times (1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007, 2011) and are desperate to shed the tag of perennial also-rans on home soil. Under captain Brendon McCullum, they have become a disciplined, aggressive unit boasting youthful talent such as batsman Kane Williamson alongside veterans like Dan Vettori, who will be contesting his fifth World Cup.

SCOTLAND

- The scale of the task facing a Scotland side taking part in the World Cup for the first tims since 2007 was emphasised when they suffered a crushing eight-wicket defeat by Afghanistan in Dubai last week. Getting sufficient runs on the board to keep themselves in the game promises to be a major issue for a Scotland side who did though see Matt Machan make 86 in a total of 216 for nine in their loss to Ireland on Tuesday. Scotland will look to make use of the local knowledge of their New Zealand-born coach Grant Bradburn ahead of their clash against England in Christchurch on February 23 while their backroom staff also includes former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood.

SRI LANKA

- This could be Sri Lanka's year after heartbreaking failures to cross the final hurdle on the last two occasions. The 1996 champions were beaten by Australia in the 2007 final and lost in another title clash four years later to India. But the signs this time are encouraging. One of the most consistent teams in recent years, Sri Lanka finally broke through the final hurdle again to win the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh last year. In Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka boast the most successful one-day batsman of 2014 with 1,256 runs in 28 innings at 46.51. The veteran left-hander is in prime form in all forms of the game and with long-time team-mate Mahela Jayawardene holds the key to the team's success in the World Cup. And in sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka has one of the most devastating one-day bowlers.

Pool B

INDIA

- The defending champions go into the World Cup with a revamped team that includes just four players who were part of the winning combination in 2011. The young team got a taste of tough Australian conditions during the unsuccessful Test series and will hope to recover morale in the tri-series against England and Australia prior to the World Cup. Inspirational captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's sudden retirement from Test cricket gives him space to plot his team's strategy to defend the title. With a modest bowling attack, India will rely heavily on the skills of its batsmen like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Dhoni himself to chase down any target set by the opposition. But doubts remain over whether the team can play consistently well during the long six-week campaign.

IRELAND

- The Irish will be looking to add to a list of Test nation World Cup scalps that includes Pakistan (2007) and England (2011) with a squad where five players including skipper William Porterfield and brothers Kevin and Niall O'Brien will be taking part in their third edition of the tournament. Warwickshire batsman Porterfield is one of several players with English county experience including Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh. However, the paceman suffered a foot injury during the team's training camp in Dubai and faces a race against time to be fit. Last Saturday saw Ireland beat Afghanistan by three wickets and they defeated Scotland by the same margin on Monday.

PAKISTAN

- Without their outstanding spinner Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan will hope their inexperienced bowling attack come good to take them to the knock-out stages. Ajmal withdrew over an illegal bowling action, forcing Pakistan to select unheralded leg-spinner Yasir Shah instead. Pakistan will also hope suspended all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez clears a bowling action test later in January. Pakistan, the 1992 champions, must win at least one of their first two games against India and the West Indies to qualify for the quarter-finals. If not they will face a real test against Ireland in their last group game, where the ghosts of the 2007 World Cup defeat may return to haunt them.

SOUTH AFRICA

- The return to full fitness of Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy is a priority for South Africa, who will be among the tournament favourites. The combined talents of De Kock, a dashing opening batsman and capable wicketkeeper, and Duminy, a solid middle order batsman and useful off-spinner, are essential elements in a squad short on quality all-rounders. De Kock is out of action because of an ankle injury but hopes to be fit for the start of the World Cup. Captain AB de Villiers could keep wicket in the early games but is too valuable a batsman to be burdened with the gloves throughout the campaign. Duminy was sorely missed when South Africa were beaten 4-1 in an away series by Australia and his return from a knee injury was twice postponed ahead of a current one-day series against the West Indies. South Africa, yet to win a World Cup knock-out game, are keen to play seven batsmen in most games, which could leave them light on bowling, with Duminy having to play a key role.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

- The United Arab Emirates are playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1996 and only booked their 2015 spot via the final round of qualifying in New Zealand last year. Coached by former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed, the UAE also reached the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in 2014. Dubai native Mohammed Tauqir, 43, and the oldest player at the tournament, has been named as captain replacing Pakistan-born Khurram Khan who had been in charge for seven years. UAE officials justified their decision on the basis that the sport needs to grow amongst local Emiratis and not just feed off expatriate talent. Tauqir is no mere figurehead, however. In November he became the oldest player to make a ODI century when his 132 helped the UAE to victory over fellow World Cup qualifiers Afghanistan.

WEST INDIES

- The champions of the first two editions in 1975 and 1979, the West Indies head for the 2015 World Cup in familiar turmoil. The selectors' decision to axe former ODI captain Dwayne Bravo as well as Kieron Pollard -- two potential match-winners -- sparked accusations of victimisation from superstar batsman Chris Gayle after the pair was pinpointed as ringleaders in the squad's controversial decision to abandon the October tour of India over a pay dispute. Jason Holder, the 23-year-old Barbados fast bowler, with just 21 ODIs under his belt, will skipper a side which has at least been buoyed by the return to fitness of strike bowler Kemar Roach as well as key spinner Sunil Narine despite questions raised over his action last year.

ZIMBABWE

- Zimbabwe have not played a full international since December 1, when Bangladesh completed a 5-0 rout of the touring team. In the aftermath of that series five players failed to make the World Cup squad while eccentric coach, Stephen Mangongo, was fired and replaced by the much-travelled Australian, Dav Whatmore. Five of the squad played for Zimbabwe A in a four-match series against Canada but no other matches are scheduled ahead of a pre-tournament camp in Dubai and Zimbabwe's two official World Cup warm-up matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Among those brought in for the World Cup are Stuart Matsikenyeri and Chamu Chibhabha, who have not played for their country since 2012 and 2013 respectively, while the experienced Prosper Utseya, banned from bowling off-spin because of an illegal action, has been selected after converting himself into an accurate bowler of medium-pace cutters.

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Agencies
August 5,2020

New Delhi, Aug 5: Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Harmanpreet Kaur were on Wednesday appointed as the global brand ambassadors of the WTF Sports.

Raina is also joining the brand as a Strategic Partner. WTF Sports, a fantasy sports gaming platform, was today formally launched in India and globally.

The announcement was made through a web conference with prominent cricket host, Vikram Sathaye moderating and hosting the webinar and Vinit Bhatia, Manit Parikh and Yash Kadakia Co-Founders - India and Global, WTF Sports introducing the cricketers as the Global Brand Ambassadors.

Kaur said it was a perfect fit for her and she can use her strategy and experience while playing.
"WTF Sports was the perfect fit with me, I can use strategy and my experience while playing, I've actually learnt to strategize better as I've played along. Additionally, when we were under lockdown and I couldn't really practice, it was fun to come on the platform and feel like I'm still playing," Kaur said in a statement.

On the other hand, Raina said, "It is exciting to be a part of a fantasy sports platform like WTF Sports not just as an ambassador but also as the strategic partner, it is everything that I embody and what I believe in, it's fierce, fun and competitive."

The app currently hosts three major sports, multiple playing modes, and exciting contests, ensuring that sports fans can get more skillful by letting them strategize and use their sports knowledge into rewarding behaviour.

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News Network
May 12,2020

New Delhi, May 12: Chennai Super Kings have rejected the idea of an IPL with only Indian players in the near future, differing with Rajasthan Royals, the franchise which is keen on the option given the circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IPL, which is indefinitely postponed, can be held in the September-October window if the scheduled T20 World Cup in Australia doesn't take place.

"CSK is not keen to do an IPL with only Indian players. That way it would be playing another Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (domestic T20 competition). The franchise has not been in touch with the BCCI of late as the situation is worsening," a CSK source said on conditions of anonymity.

"Let's hope we can have the IPL later this year," he added.

CSK are three-time IPL champions, making them the second most successful team in the event's history after Mumbai Indians, who have won the tournament four times.

The BCCI is also very keen to stage the IPL and if it doesn't happen, the world's richest board would be in financial trouble like Cricket Australia.

"The board will take a revenue hit of Rs 4000 crore if it doesn't happen. The board will be in a big problem," BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said earlier this week.

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in India, the board and IPL team officials see little point in discussing when the event can be held.

"There has been no discussion with the BCCI ever since it postponed the IPL. There is no point in discussing also as things are unlikely to be okay anytime soon," the CSK source said.

"We expect the BCCI to take the best possible decision when the time comes," he added.

For the IPL to happen with foreign players, travel restrictions, which are currently in place, will have to be eased.

There is an option of conducting the IPL outside India and Sri Lanka Cricket has even offered to host the biggest T20 league in the world.

M S Dhoni was expected to make a much-awaited comeback with the IPL but that too has been postponed indefinitely.

Teammates like Suresh Raina and Piyush Chawla have already spoken about how eager Dhoni was to return.

According to them, Dhoni had the determination of a youngster before the league was suspended due to the lockdown imposed to contain the pandemic.

"Dhoni is his own man but I see him playing the IPL for at least two three years. When it comes to playing for India, only he knows best," the source added.

Last month, Rajasthan Royals executive chairman Ranjit Barthakur had said the franchise was open to a shortened IPL with only Indian players.

"Earlier we could not think of an Indians-only IPL but now there is enough quality to choose from. It is better to have an Indians-only IPL than not have it at all," he had told news agency.

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News Network
June 3,2020

Colorado, Jun 3: Formula One boss Chase Carey has said that races will go ahead even if a driver tests positive for coronavirus.

His remarks come as organisers revealed a revised 2020 calendar and the schedule for the first eight races was put in the public domain.

"An individual having been found with a positive infection will not lead to a cancellation of a race. We encourage teams to have procedures in place so if an individual has to be put in quarantine, we have the ability to quarantine them at a hotel and to replace that individual," the official website of Formula One quoted Carey as saying.

"Some things we'd have to talk through and work through. The array of 'what ifs' are too wide to play out every one of them, but a team not being able to race would not cancel the race. I do not think I could sit here and lay out the consequences," he said.

Carey added the organisers will be having the necessary procedures in place so that the race does not get cancelled if a driver ends up testing positive for coronavirus.

"But we will have a procedure in place that finding infection will not lead to a cancellation. If a driver has an infection, teams have reserve drivers available," Carey said.

"We would not be going forward if we were not highly confident we have necessary procedures and expertise and capabilities to provide a safe environment and manage whatever issues arrive," he added.

The Formula One 2020 season will be beginning with the Austrian Grand Prix in July.

F1 currently expects the opening races to be closed events but hopes that fans will be able to attend again when it is safe to do so.

The season will kick off with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on July 5, followed a week later by a second race on the same track.

The Hungarian Grand Prix will follow a week after that, before a break. There will be then two back to back races at Silverstone, followed by the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

The Belgian Grand Prix will follow that, with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza a week later on September 6.

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