The teams that did not make it – Part 2 – ICC World Cup 2011
Ray http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 was bowled out for a mere 123 runs, as the Zimbabweans had their first
two points of the World Cup.
In the end they beat the Canadians by a crushing margin of 175 runs, as they looked to carry the momentum into their next match, as they returned to the Sardar Patel Stadium hey took on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in their third match of the group stages.
Zimbabwe won the toss and as they did with some success against the Canadians, decided to bat first. Opening batsman Brendan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 played a valiant innings of 44 runs from 106 balls, as his side collapsed around him. Only Prosper Utseya came close to a
reasonable innings with his 36 run contribution, as the Zimbabweans struggled their way to a total of 162 runs in 46.2 overs after being bowled all out.
The bowlers were left with a job to do, but the Kiwi batsmen were on top of their game, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Martin-c74834 Guptill and Brendan McCullum made a 166 run opening stand that ensured the Zimbabwean side would leave the match empty handed.
The result was not something the Zimbabweans would have liked with their next two games against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and with a feeling of dread they entered the Pallekele Stadium to face off against the host nation Sri Lanka.
Things started on a bright enough note for the Zimbabweans who won the toss and opted to send the Sri Lankans in to bat in the first innings. A decision they were soon made to regret, as the opening pair of Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan put together
an awe inspiring partnership of 282 runs.
The Zimbabweans did fight back however with bowler Chris Mpofu who ripped through the Sri Lankan middle-order ending with figures of four wickets for 62 runs in seven overs. The Zimbabwe batsmen took to the pitch in the second innings needing 328 runs to
cause one of the greatest upsets in cricketing history.
Brendan Taylor and Regis Chakabva got their side off to a near perfect start with a 116 run opening stand. Taylor continued his impressive form with the bat scoring 80 runs. The rest of the side could not match their openers though, as they collapsed faster
than a deck of cards and crashed to a disappointing total of 188 runs in 39 overs.
Zimbabwe’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages were all but over and only a victory against the in-form Pakistan side could salvage the slimmest of hopes of qualification for their side. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 had made a habit of winning tosses and they did
the same at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and opted to bat first in the hopes of putting Pakistan under some pressure.
To their disappointment the Zimbabwean top order did not hold up and were 13 runs for three wickets in the sixth over. Craig Ervine did well to steady the ship for his side as his 52 runs helped guide the Zimbabweans to 151 run total before rain interrupted
play.
Continued in Part 3
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