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ICC World Cup 2011: The Road to the Quarter Finals – Australia – Part 2

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ICC World Cup 2011: The Road to the Quarter Finals – Australia – Part 2 
Australia were still unbeaten in the competition and had points on the board with another win securing qualification to the next round. In their way were Kenyans.
The Kenyans had been dismal in the World Cup and only a mad man would bet on anything other than an Australian win. Australia had Brad Haddin’s 65 runs, Mike Hussey’s 54 runs and Michael Clarke’s exquisite knock of 93 runs to thank for their huge total
of 324 runs in 50 overs.
The Australians seemed to be at the top of their game having punished the Kenyan bowlers as they looked to carry the same spirit into their bowling and get a quick result.
What they faced was something very different. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 had decided to show the world they too could play cricket, and although an Australia win was never in doubt the Kenyans battled hard and their valiant effort of 264 runs in 50 overs for the loss of
wickets was commendable.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 was through to the next round, though Kenya had exposed weaknesses with the Australian bowling line up. Something the Canadian side looked to exploit when the two sides met at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 did well for themselves scoring an impressive 211 runs in 45.4 overs against the defending champions. Brett Lee found his form taking four wickets in the match and with the knock out stages.
The Australian bowler and indeed the entire side would need to be at their best as they were set to play the last team that beat them in a World Cup: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
An uncharacteristic batting collapse by the Australians had them all out for 176 runs. Ripples were sent throughout the cricketing world as the defending champion’s first defeat in the competition since 1999 was more than just a possibility. Brad Haddin
who had been having a wonderful world cup with the bat was the Australian’s top scorer with 42 runs.
Pakistan was deemed to be Australia’s first true test in the world cup with their match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 abandoned due to rain. It was a game that had more to do with pride for the Australians at this point with top place in Group A a mere bonus.
Pakistan had to contend with Brett Lee who was bowling like a man possessed. After dismissing both the openers he went on to take the crucial wickets of Younis Khan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 in consecutive deliveries.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-c72382 was singlehandedly trying to win the match for the Australians and despite a passionate effort the Australian’s suffered a confidence shattering defeat. Their loss to Pakistan their first in over 13 years, and top spot in Group A had slipped away
from them.
There were a few positives however as Brett Lee’s form in the last two games of the Group Stage was something the Australian’s will hope continues as well as the form of wicket keeper Brad Haddin with the bat.
Australia will face http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the Quarterfinal which is a huge match in itself. With their invincible status now removed every team will be looking to exploit Australia’s short comings.
However the Australians will try and prove that the loss to Pakistan was just a blip in their immaculate form in the competition. Whatever the case the Australians qualified with little problems and are still favourites to win the tournament.

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