Another upset on the cards?
Guyana - Maybe I鈥檓 sticking my neck out a little early here but, after Bangladesh knocked out 251-8 - their highest ever World Cup score - against South Africa, this feels like the best chance yet of a Super 8 upset.
The Tigers admitted they would have bowled first after they won the toss but survived the new-ball threat of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini well before beginning to build.
Mohammad Ashraful, who scored a century when Bangladesh beat Australia in Cardiff almost two years ago, was in outstanding form.
He has lived dangerously, with a cavalier hook and an outlandish flick while stepping across his stumps but has also shown maturity in keeping the score moving throughout his 83-ball 87.
This is a good batting track but the heat will make it slower as the day progresses and South Africa are not at their best against the sort of stifling spin purveyed by Bangladesh鈥檚 three left-armers.
Andre Nel made things happen in his first game of the tournament and Shaun Pollock was tidy through two spells but the rest of the pace battery looked well below par and Smith was ineffective as the only spin option.
Makhaya Ntini can have had few more chastening experiences than being smashed for 28 off two overs by lower-order bat Mashrafee Mortaza.
South Africa have admitted over the last fortnight they have struggling to stay switched on while they are in Guyana.
They have had to make do with some difficult nets, had practises cancelled because of rain and generally remained rooted in their hotel for the rest of the time.
It is easy to say in hindsight but it appears as if they have taken their period of preparation for this match too lightly.
Graeme Smith is normally an each-game-as-it-comes sort of captain but on the eve of the match he allowed himself to look past this fixture at more challenging opponents ahead.
He said: 鈥淭hese two points tomorrow are crucial then we move on to West Indies and New Zealand in Grenada.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to stepping it up now and get into the meat of the World Cup.
鈥淚t鈥檚 impossible to be at the level you want to play at for two months. The 15 days in Guyana have been very low key but it鈥檚 difficult then to get into games and training.鈥
He may be left wishing he had been less low-key.
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What's happened to the usual 成人快手 scorecard format for this game? The one showing at the moment looks as if it's being typed in hastily and minimally.
And while I'm at it, why no "run-by-run" box for the toolbar? - We who can only follow text for this World Cup are being deprived yet further. No tv. No radio commentary (my favourite). - Now we have no run-by-run update. Do I have to move to the Caribbean to find out what's going on?
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Good Call. 251 certainly is a good score and a good chance for Bangladesh to prove that they're a "Surprise Package" rather than a minnow as Whatmore has been insisting. To their advantage is the fact they have 3 left arm spinners with economy rate of less that 4 and historically SA is a team that plays spin awfully at best.
Ashraful innings was a treat to watch. Some shots would've pleased the hardcore Tendulkar fans who bought tickets for the game. He's pretty good all around the wicket.
It reminds me of a Young Aravinda De Silva. Hopefully these guys cn learn that it's important to be consistent with showcasing their talent rather than being brilliant every so often.
Make no mistake. If Bangladesh stick to this young squad and plans properly, they'll pull off what Sri Lanka did in '96.
(63/2; Game on)
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As it stands Bangla Desh is at an advantage to win South Africa. My reasons for saying so include: it is a big score on a relatively slow wicket. It is quite hot in Georgetown and after three hours of running in the heat , South Africans are quite tired. Smith's out early put a lot more worry in the other batsmen.If Gibbs goes cheaply, Bangla should win. The bowling is rather unfamiliar, new and sound. If Gibbs and Boucher score well, South Africa will win . Kallis alone
cannot do it. Pollock can add some runs but not enough. Kent may make a big difference in rate.
It is not clear why Smith chose to bowl first. It seemed to pay off at first, but not at the end.
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Woa... 20 overs gone 4 down... martin... u r bullseye.. lets hope it comes true
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SA: 4 down for 70 and with the required run rate over 6 already, BD is in with a chance!
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or are they setting herchelle gibbs up for another awesome knock, good game :D
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as of now 4 down. Pollock, Gibbs to come before the tail. My money is still on South Africa.
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Now its six down. Pollock and Gibbs in the middle.
I am ready to put my money on Bangladesh.
Can I talk to Ponting who said Bangl shouldnt be here
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Looks like your predicition could be right with the South Africans really struggling on this slow pitch. Current score is 88 for 6 this is excellent for the New Zealand side in fact it will make it even easier for us to qualify for the semis.
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At 95-6 maybe just maybe
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come on you tigers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I am besides myself! My friends invited me to watch the game with them and I declined thinking SA would crush my beloved Tigers. Shame on me for having so little faith!!!!!!!!!!
Instead I am resigned to follow another history in the making game (for Bangladesh) from my computer.....
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As we say here... you da man - good call.
250 was always going to be a fighting target.
Kudos to the Tigers. Does anyone still think that they are minnows?
Great crowd at Providence. Bourda once had a schoolsboys stand or at least we called it that. Maybe they could keep that tradition going at Providence.. would keep the young uns interested.
West Indies, India and Pakistan could learn a thing or two from the Bangladeshis.
Go Tigers!!
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This is a choke, from the cricketings worlds finest choking outfit
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Looks like SA is giving up.
It would be an even greater achievement if the Tigers are able to get SA all out.
But I will settle for just a victory.
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we'ce CLAWS!
...ehehehheheh :-)
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What cricket for s.africa if they cant win bagaladesh.How will nelsonmandela think of s af.
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In reply to Gunnamatta's comment on choking:
Do you think the Tamims superb throw is also part of this choking?
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never think this is an upset...... Bangladesh played like a professional team in batting, bowiling, fielding. They played well and they deserved that victory.
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really be turned on by their opponents arrogance. remember india's kumble & his comment about the short break between the end of the world-cup; that spurred their bowlers.
similarly smith saying he looks forward to the tougher test after the 2vpoints from bangladesh.
all underdogs can take heart from the tigers' response.
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Thats right they got "CLAWS!
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Well done Bangla Desh but can we trust the result as South Africa has form when one considers match fixing ie Gibbs Cronje et al.
Also to be noted that Pakistan and India both eliminated have organised and dubious gambling empires connected to ruthless standover mafias who's tentacles encircle the globe and have very likely cause phyiscal harm and mental anguish even in Jamacia and who appear to operate with impunity.
Thank goodness The Don is not with us to witness such developments.
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If south africa is not good enough to play spinners,how can they are world number one team.Those proteas players didn't have a clue how to play those Bangladeshi quality spinners.All credit to bangladesh team coz they played outstanding cricket thats why they won it.Weldone tigers.
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