Monday, June 1, 2009

Ireland and Aussies win warm-ups

ICC WORLD TWENTY20
Venues: Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge Date: 5-21 June
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Radio 4 LW, Red Button and online, with live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles. Live TV coverage on Sky Sports with highlights on BBC

Andre Botha
Andre Botha goes on the attack for Ireland at Lord's

Ireland and Australia secured warm-up wins on the first day of practice games ahead of the World Twenty20 in England.

Ireland needed a "super-over" to beat Netherlands after a tie in which both teams scored 135 in their 20 overs.

Australia enjoyed an easy 38-run win against Bangladesh in the sunshine at Trent Bridge. Shane Watson made 52 from 23 balls in a total of 219-6.

Favourites India lost to New Zealand by nine runs while South Africa impressed in a 59-run win over Pakistan.

In the first of Monday's two matches at Lord's, Ireland could only score six runs from their one-over eliminator - in which both teams are permitted to lose just two wickets.

Dirk Nannes, the Australian paceman who qualifies via a Dutch passport, sent down an excellent over, and Gary Wilson perished in attempting a big hit, Ireland scrambling three of their runs with extras.

Trent Johnston bowled Ireland's super-over, and Bas Zuiderent clipped a couple off the first ball to make the Dutch favourites.

But former Sussex pro Zuiderent failed to score off the next and was stumped off the third when the ball dribbled back off the batsman's body.

Victory was completed moments later when Johnston seized on the ball in his follow-through and ran out Essex's Ryan ten Doeschate with a direct hit at the non-striker's end.

The contest had gone into overtime after Ireland tail-ender Regan West could only manage a single from left-arm spinner Pieter Seelar's final delivery.

Irish captain William Porterfield, the Gloucestershire batsman, cited a key area for improvement.

Dan Vettori
Daniel Vettori put New Zealand on top at the vital stage in the chase

"In the middle period with the bat we should have been a bit more clinical," he said. "We gave a few soft dismissals away, so that's something to work on, but in patches we played really well."

The batting performance of all-rounder Watson was a positive for Australia, but afterwards he said the team needed to work on their bowling after allowing Bangladesh to plunder 181-7, in which Saqibul Hasan smashed 54 off 29 balls.

Watson did not bowl himself, but said: "As a bowling group, we were a little out - but that will come with practice. That is what practice games are for, so that when the real stuff comes you can make sure you're absolutely on your game."

New Zealand produced a typically resourceful brand of cricket, with contributions from various batsmen in a total of 170-7.

And despite a 45-run blitz from Suresh Raina off just 24 balls, Daniel Vettori produced a timely spell of 3-24 in three overs to take the initiative away from India, who finished on 161-6 after failing to get the 21 they needed from the last over, bowled by Jacob Oram.

Pakistan looked rusty and South Africa looked very much the opposite in the evening match in Nottingham. A well-paced 70 from Graeme Smith and a brutal 32 by Albie Morkel took the Proteas to 186-7.

Salman Butt fell in the first over as Pakistan never threatened with their chase. Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe and Johan Botha all picked up two wickets and none proved expensive as Pakistan were all out for 127.

ะพ 10:53 AM

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