Transcendence

The NZ bowlers skittled out Kenya for 69, in a WC match at Chennai. Southee struck first blood, removing Obanda. The Kenyans were all at sea against some accurate Kiwi bowling. No upset happened, as NZ scored 72/0 and won the match with ten wickets to spare. Bennett was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, taking 4/16. Big man Oram finished with 3/2 ! Kenya has crashed to their lowest total in the WC. Guptill and McCullum scored 72 and the match was over.

The minnows of the game should not be despised, says Hadlee. I remember in the 1983 World Cup inaugural match, 33/1 favourites India surprised West Indies and Zimbabwe suprised Australia. In the 2007 WC, Ireland beat Pakistan and BD India. So the smaller teams are capable of creating upsets. "I still feel that there will be many upsets in this WC" says Sir Richard Hadlee. Rod Marsh, the coach of Global Academy, Dubai and ex wicket keeper had assured him that the minnows of the game had prepared well for the ICC WC. In 1996, Kenya upset WI. They beat SL in 2003 ! "I feel that Ireland will create an upset in this WC" says the giant allrounder. Netherlands, Kenya, Canada, Zimbabwe - all these teams are capable of creating upsets. Many Pakis could not tolerate Pak's loss to Ireland ! Upsets are charming, they neutrallise all calculations and the upsetting teams get pulbicity galore !

Sehwag said he is happy to equal the record of Kapil Dev. Kapil had blasted the Zimbabweans for a blistering 175 not in a World Cup match at Turnbridge Wells, in 1983. He said he wanted to bat the entire 50 overs and scoring a double hundred was never in his mind. "No, not at all. I never thought about getting a double century. When I got out less then three overs were left. I could have got a maximum of 15 balls and score 25 runs.I didn't even think about getting a double century. My target was to play 50 overs." the whirlwind hitter said. "I am happy and honoured to have equalled his (Kapil Dev) score in the World Cup. People will now speak about both of us getting 175." "My strike rate was still more than 100. My aim was to bat minimum 30-40 overs and when I batted 47 I was happy that at least once in my career I had batted for so long. I was planning to bat 50 overs but could not do that today. Hopefully will do that some time." "I think I hit

Sehwag said he is happy to equal the record of Kapil Dev. Kapil had blasted the Zimbabweans for a blistering 175 not in a World Cup match at Turnbridge Wells, in 1983. He said he wanted to bat the entire 50 overs and scoring a double hundred was never in his mind. "No, not at all. I never thought about getting a double century. When I got out less then three overs were left. I could have got a maximum of 15 balls and score 25 runs.I didn't even think about getting a double century. My target was to play 50 overs." the whirlwind hitter said. "I am happy and honoured to have equalled his (Kapil Dev) score in the World Cup. People will now speak about both of us getting 175." "My strike rate was still more than 100. My aim was to bat minimum 30-40 overs and when I batted 47 I was happy that at least once in my career I had batted for so long. I was planning to bat 50 overs but could not do that today. Hopefully will do that some time." "I think I hit

Many go by the performance in the warm up matches. But then Australia will bounce back, feels Mark Waugh. The format of this World Cup favours the Kangaroos, said the great batsman. Once they win a match, then they know how to stay on top. Mark Waugh's perspective display Aussie determination. It should be remembered that Australia were in dire straits, facing the threat of elimination, when Gibbsy dropped S Waugh. Steve Waugh then went on to score a century and the Kangaroos won the match. Aussies won the Cup in 1999 and have not looked back. They have the best bowling attack in the world, with Tait, Lee, Johnson, Bollinger, Krejza, Watson and Hastings. So dont write them off ! If you include the warm up matches, India scored more than 350 against BD and NZ. But not against Australia and all that India could muster was 214. India, of course, won the match, due to world class spin bowling ! Mark Waugh said that it is time Cameroon White justified the faith reposed in him by the sel

The Mirpur stadium watched in awe and disbelief as Indian batsmen went on the rampage. If Sehwag was a monster unleashed, young Kohli was Poetry in Motion ! The World Cup was inaugurated magnificently, with the first ball hit for for four by Sehwag. Sehwag smote Islam for three fours in the first over and what a grand way to begin the tenth edition of the World Cup ! The dance of devastation unleashed by the Indians now ensures packed and filled stadiums in India, which will make the Cup a financial success ! Sehwag was born in the constellation of the Lion, Leo and his activities are like a lion unleashed. He does not care for anything and plays his natural game. This time he was more cautious, as he had said earlier that his intention was to bat the entire 50 overs. Sachin's determination is also the same and both do not have to fear as India has now many batsmen in form. Only Yuvraj's form with the bat is suspect, but he will come back to form at any moment. ( Stuart Broad

The fires burned in the Indian oven. In the Lion of Bengal stadium, the Goddess of Victory smiled on India. The first match spoke volumes of Indian dominance. A victory achieved by the patience of Sehwag. A victory that was impertively needed. Even though nothing can be said till the last ball is bowled, India seems to be in the drivers seat. The World Cup started with a bang, with some vintage batting by India. Two centuries, 175 by Sehwag and 100 not out by young Kohli lit up the proceedings. There are many who said that Kohli, Pathan and Raina do not have WC experience. But then, they have been playing for a long time. Kohli was the Indian captain of the Under 19 team, which won the Under 19 World Cup ! Pathan and Raina have been playing for years and they are not inexperienced ! Sehwag's 175 was embellished with 14 fours and five sixes ! He recorded his highest score in the WC. So did Kohli, the ex Indian captain of the Under 19 team who brought the World Cup ! India has won c