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The Beach Cricket World Cup 2003 (story)

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Welcome to Blackpool for the first match of the Beach Cricket World Cup! In the preliminary round, Canada played Ireland for a place in the first round proper. Play began when Canadian opening batsman Harris started with patient batting against McCaubrey, but he eventually got a thick edge through to Patterson with the fifteenth ball and was out for 22.

Bagai went out with high hopes, but dollied his fourth ball straight back to Irish bowler McCoubrey and was out for 4. Canada were in all kinds of trouble as Chef de Groot was called from the pavilion to save their honours. And he started excellently, leading Canada to 62/2 after 5 overs with his 36 and suddenly they were in with a shout.

The Chef reached his fifty in thirty balls only to be clean bowled by McCoubrey with his next ball. John Davison was called out at 76/3 with 31 balls left in the Canadian innings. Davison started out well, getting to 31 in just 15 balls and rounding the 8th over off with an excellent four past square leg, Canada's first boundary of the game. Curry and McCallan did their best to stop him, however he reached 56 not out in 31 balls and took Canada to the respectable total of 132/3.

The crowd of 518 wildly applauded the Irish players as they strolled out on the windy Blackpool pitch after the innings break. Joyce opened the batting for Ireland with a two down leg side. He started out with a solid strike rate, hitting 11 from 6 balls, but then got an inside edge which the keeper Bagai was all too happy to gather.

Davison and Thuraisingam then restricted Patterson to singles, and Davison's sixth ball of the day trickled into his stumps - Ireland 17/2! Davison finished an excellent over with figures of 1/7, as Ireland struggled with all kinds of problems.

Curry however started out well, and by the end of the 4th over he had put 29 runs on the scoreboard. Still, he needed 14.5 an over to win the match for Ireland. He got 13 in the 5th, leaving himself to hit 74 from the last 40 balls. Curry then pulled himself together and hit twos and threes at will, bringing the RRR to 14.5 again after a 16-run 6th over.

Thuraisingam finished his 4-over spell with figures of 1/53, but failed to remove Curry from the crease. Chef de Groot was then punished with the first Irish boundary of the match with his first ball, Curry getting it past square leg for four. After a splendid 8th over he only needed 26 from 12 to send Ireland into the first round proper, and against Davison and Chef de Groot that should pose little trouble.

Or so the Irish fans thought. Two singles struck trouble again as Davison desperately tried to bowl difficult balls - but Curry replied with a three, a two and another three to bring up his century in 55 balls. With 11 balls to go, Ireland needed a further 16 with 3 wickets to spare.

The final nail in the coffin was hammered with another square leg drive to leave the Irish with a target of 10 in the last over. Chef de Groot tried some economical bowling, but Curry drew the match with three balls to spare and then hooked the penultimate ball for six. Ireland now face South Africa in the first round.
 

Neil Pickup

Cricket Web Moderator
I'm impressed that...

a) Someone likes Beach Cricket enough to do a story for it
b) You dug yourself out of that hole!

I'm assuming you're Ireland?
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Actually, the AI dug itself out of it. I'm Denmark...just doing a report on that game to start the Cup. Will probably go out after a couple of games...

Scotland without Rahul McDravid ;) beat UAE by 4 wickets with 27 balls to spare at Great Yarmouth. And the world's remaining superpower, USA, went out by 3 wickets with 12 balls to spare against Namibia.

Report on Denmark v Nepal to follow...
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Second instalment:

Danish Khan conquer Nepal

The Danish captain, Søren Vestergaard, won the toss and chose to have a bat in this classical encounter against Nepal at Blackpool, in front of 446 Englishmen who readily admitted that they didn't know that Danes played cricket, plus 2 Danish fans. Aftab Ahmed was set up as opener against Das, and he got his first boundary with the fifth ball of the first over. Denmark 10 for 0. Ahmed then hit 7 from 3 before whacking the ball past point for another four! Denmark 21 for 0 after 9 balls. An excellent start for the Danes. Sarraf continued to bowl poorly to Ahmed, who whacked a further 15 in the remaining seven balls of the over (36 for 0 after 16). The third four of the game came with the 23rd ball, when Agrawal misfielded a ball which trickled through his feet and down to the sea (52 for 0 after 23). Then a long hop by Sarraf enabled Ahmed to hook the ball back to mid-on for his first six of the day (73 for 0 after 31) and the quartet of fours was completed for Ahmed with the next ball (77 for 0 after 32). Ten balls later, however, the Danes despaired as the ball found its way between the bat and the pad and distorted the stumps (96 for 1 after 42). Frederik Klokker, the wicket-keeper, stepped on to continue the Danish run-chase. He hit tons of twos and threes, and ended the day on 72 not out - a very good knock by the young Dane. Denmark closed on 168/1.

Nepal's prime batsman, Agrawal, stepped on to the pitch. Amjad Khan tried to stop him from getting the runs, and did so in style - he could only manage two twos in his first over (10 for 0 after 8). Søren Vestergaard was just as good, and Nepal found themselves 147 behind with only 64 balls to go. Agrawal tried, but eventually leant back too far and was caught by Khan again (31 for 1 after 23). Thakuri then got a short beach cricket debut - he scooped the ball straight back to Khan and was out for a golden duck (31 for 2 after 24). Luniya got off to a solid start after that, getting 11 off Vestergaard in the 4th over (42 for 2 after 32) but it did not eliminate the fact that the strike rate needed was an immense 264. Luniya tried to get there, but eventually got a thick edge and keeper Klokker had an easy job to do (47 for 3 after 36). Sarraf, the fourth Nepalese batsman, started off in style, getting 20 off his first 10 balls and scaring the Danes a bit (67 for 3 after 46). Nevertheless, he had to hit three off every ball if he wanted to win the game for Nepal. He got his first boundary with his twenty-third ball, punishing Andersen for a long hop to make it 98 for 3. Andersen then tried to slow the pace of the game, and it worked - Sarraf eventually had to slow down and the strike rate was inflated to 441. Despite hitting three further fours, he eventually became too involved and Khan caught him at mid-off (132 for 4 after 75). Das then hit five singles to make it 137, but Denmark still win by 31 runs in a highly entertaining encounter. Aftab Ahmed Man of the Match with his splendid 96 knock off just 42 balls to make this possible for the Danes, who now face New Zealand in the first round proper.

Scorecards:

Denmark innings:

Aftab Ahmed................b Sarraf..........96 (42)
F Klokker.....................not out...........72 (38)
Total (for 1 wicket, 80 balls)............168

Bowling: Das 32-65-0, Sarraf 32-69-1, Luniya 16-34-0.

Nepal innings:

P Agrawal.............c & b Khan.............31 (23)
G Thakuri..............c & b Khan...............0 (1)
P Luniya.......c Klokker.b Khan............16 (12)
JP Sarraf......c Khan.....b Andersen.....85 (39)
BK Das........................not out..............5 (5)
Total (for 4 wickets, 80 balls)...........137

Bowling: Khan 32-52-3, Vestergaard 32-58-0, Andersen 16-27-1.

First round proper: Ireland v South Africa, West Indies v Zimbabwe, Scotland v Sri Lanka, India v Kenya, Namibia v Australia, England v Holland, Denmark v New Zealand, Pakistan v Bangladesh.
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
First round proper:

South Africa thrash Ireland
In a lop-sided encounter at Blackpool today, the South African side led by Herschell Gibbs was simply too strong for the unexperienced Irish side. Gibbs smacked 88 off just 34 balls before he made a daunting charge down the pitch. Patterson grabbed the ball and took the first Irish wicket. The Irish couldn't celebrate again though, Boucher putting on an unbeaten century for the second wicket and making the match as uneven as it could possibly be (188 for 1 at the close). Shaun Pollock ripped through the top order, with figures of 2-47, and despite McCallan's unbeaten 107, South Africa finished 57 runs ahead.

Jacobs see Windies through
The only man to take wickets for West Indies today, Mervyn Dillon managed to remove the key Zimbabwe batsmen of Taibu and Grant Flower at a cloudy Blackpool. Taibu had been on fire, hitting 52 from just 27 balls, while Flower only reached 16 before being clean bowled by an in-form Dillon. Heath Streak got 48 not out from 31 balls - a bit too slow - and could only set West Indies a target of 135. Brian Lara started in style, but failed six runs off his half-century - bowled by an excellent Hondo delivery. Jacobs continued the run-fest however, scoring 94 from just 38 balls out of the possible 60 and making the Zimbabweans look rather sorry.

Bowler show by Lankans against sorry Scots
At a rainy Filey, some 700 Scots had turned up to cheer for their underdog side against Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya started all right, scoring 104 from 56 balls, and Sangakkara supplied with a solid 43. The target of 148 didn't look too impossible, but that was before world-class spinner Muralitharan took to the pitch. Parsons faced a ball that spun right into his chest, desperately tried to flick it away but only to Arnold at mid-off. Scots 1 for 1. After Smith's dismissal in the 2nd over, Hamilton, Blain and Brinkley were all dismissed for less than three - Hamilton even for a golden duck! Scotland 18 all out after 19 balls - down by 129 runs.

Sehwag hero with bat and ball
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid had both been dismissed for low scores when Virender Sehwag was called in to protect the Indian wicket. India were reeling at 52 for 2 at the time, but Sehwag was up to the task and made 103 in just 51 balls on the windy Blackpool beach to set Kenya a target of 156. Tikolo certainly tried, but with 21 balls he was still 50 runs behind. The next four balls saw him hit only threes, followed by a spectacular square-leg four. However, that was all he got - Harbhajan was very economical with his next over, allowing only 13. With 8 balls left, Tikolo and Kenya needed 20 runs off Virender Sehwag's over - earlier the hero but now possibly the scapegoat. Harbhajan failed to grab the ball as it sailed over the long on boundary - Kenya needed 16 from 7. Tikolo then made a single before lifting it over the fielders for three. Kenya now needed 12 from 5. Two twos and a three meant that Tikolo now needed five runs to see Kenya through to the quarter-final. However, he could only make a single with his next ball - and then failed to hit that sorely needed four. Kenya finish one run short, and Sehwag became the hero with the ball as well.
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
I will - now for possibly the greatest shock of Beach Cricket ever:

Spirited Namibians whack Aussies back to Sydney
The 947 people who had expected Matt Hayden to set a new Beach Cricket record against Namibia was stuttering "Where the b***** h*** is Namibia?" This was due to two quick run-ous made by Karg and AJ Burger as Australia were at the bottom of the well at 14 for 2. Andrew Symonds then made a solid 74 from just 28 balls, but Andy Bichel and Glenn McGrath failed to build significantly on that. Australia were dismissed for 126 from just 70 balls, and Namibia could actually knock out the best team in world cricket over the past 10 years. And in what a way they tried to do it. AJ Burger did not try to start carefully and then build on. Instead, he ran for twos and threes when they weren't really there, he lofted balls over the fielders that really should have been caught but instead went out for four, but he eventually took one risk too many and Gilchrist got him stumped for 87. That nevertheless meant that Namibia had 47 balls to make 40 runs. Karg was out early and could only make 7, but then LJ Burger stepped on. He made 35 in just 16 balls and Namibia win by 3 wickets with 26 balls to spare.

(Neil, how about seeding the teams slightly - that was an outrage, however happy I am to see those Aussies out)

Trescothick send humiliated Holland back across the Channel
The English team got slightly lost on the way to the tiny Dorset beach town of Swanage, on account of nobody really knowing where the place was. Some 900 locals and ten Dutch fans did though, madly cheering for their team. Marcus Trescothick did the job for England, the seasoned opener making 185 in his 80 balls. In response, White took 3-6 and Caddick 2-14 to dismiss the Dutch for 20. England win by 165 runs.

Next - can the mighty Danes stand up to a test nation, or will they crumble like the Scottish and Dutch? And how about the classic old East v West Pakistan tie?
 

Neil Pickup

Cricket Web Moderator
Samuel_Vimes said:
(Neil, how about seeding the teams slightly - that was an outrage, however happy I am to see those Aussies out)
They are! I can't help if the entire Aussie team had a rush of blood to the head and batted and bowled and fielded like, well, England. :)

Still, where's the fun in a match that you can guarantee the victor? :saint:
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Danish dynamite fails to fire
The time had come. The final showdown. After that fine performance in the prelims against Nepal, it was time for a match against a proper Test nation. The Black Caps were opponents at Blackpool. Søren Vestergaard lost the toss for Denmark, and New Zealand naturally opted to bowl. Aftab Ahmed, however, was up to the task. He ran doubles and singles all over, and by the end of the 3rd over he had scored a solid 39 from 24 balls. Five balls later, however, the young NZ keeper McCullum managed to hold the thick edge that Aftab gave him, and the latter was out for 45. Frederik Klokker tried to be aggressive, but he is just not cut out for this game. Eventually Oram took a nice running catch as the keeper had to go to the pavillion for 41. Andersen certainly tried, but had the poor field to thank for most of his 33 runs. The bowling was a sorry story, and only offered one delight - Vestergaard's delivery that was so awfully mistimed by Fleming, who was caught for 91. McCullum wrapped it up with 22 balls to spare though, and the Danes make an early exit.

Scorecards:

Denmark innings:
Aftab Ahmed.....c McCullum...b Oram.......45 (29)
F Klokker.......c Oram.......b Styris.....41 (32)
LH Andersen..............not out..........33 (19)
Total (for 2 wickets, 80 balls)..........119

DNB: S Vestergaard, Amjad Khan.

Bowling: Bond 32-45-0, Oram 32-48-1, Styris 16-26-0.

New Zealand innings:
SP Fleming......c Andersen...b V'gaard....91 (42)
BB McCullum..............not out..........29 (16)
Total (for 1 wicket, 58 balls)...........120

DNB: SB Styris, JDP Oram, SE Bond.

Bowling: Amjad Khan 32-67-0, Vestergaard 24-49-1, Andersen 2-4-0.


Inzamam key as Pakistan sneak into quarters
Captain Inzamam won the toss for Pakistan in this classic West v East encounter, and chose to bowl. Mohammad Ashraful opened the batting for Bangladesh, and did so in style - hitting five fours and one six to bring Bangladesh to 81 for 1 after 35 balls before finally crumbling to a fine throw from just Inzamam-ul-Haq (who run somebody out for a change). However, that was to be their only wicket of the game. On the sunny Blackpool beach, Pakistan chased a target of 181 that was set up by a fine unbeaten 99 by Mashud. Inzamam smashed them all over the park, however, hitting 135 from just 53 balls in an excellent knock that set up the victory. Rashid Latif made 28 and Abdul Razzaq 19 not out to send Pakistan into the quarters.

So the quarter-final line-up:

South Africa play West Indies
India play Sri Lanka
England play Namibia
Pakistan play New Zealand

Edited font to make it look neater.
 
Last edited:

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Might as well post a couple of the quarters

Quarter-finals:

Kallis all-rounder of the day
On a rainy pitch at Blackpool, the bowlers were the heroes. Brian Lara started out slowly, but preserved his wicket until he swiped a ball and it found its way right into the middle stump. Out for 48. And it would only get worse for the Windies. Ridley Jacobs tried, but eventually got plumb leg-before to an excellent ball from Makhaya Ntini, and Gayle, Drakes and Dillon were all out for low scores. West Indies skittled for 86 off 64 balls. Herschell Gibbs started extraordinarily well on the tough batting wicket, but eventually got an edge into the stumps on 20. Boucher tried to keep his wicket, but came too far down the wicket on a short ball by Mervyn Dillon - Jacobs got him stumped and SA reeled on 31 for 2. On came the all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Earlier, he had taken 2-6 by removing Drakes and Dillon, now he supplied an excellent knock in the drizzle to lead SA to 88 for 3 with 33 balls to spare.

India squeeze through yet again
Jayasuriya wanted to continue on his fine 104 from the Scotland game, but was disappointed at humid Yarmouth. He was too keen on the 19th ball, taking a run that wasn't there, and Sachin Tendulkar duly threw the bails off and sent Jayasuriya off for 32. Kumar Sangakkara started slowly but safely, waiting till his 38th ball before picking up his first four - and then only due to a very poor fielding performance by Zaheer Khan. He completed his century in 54 balls with a lovely three over the off fielders, and managed to add another bouncing boundary to go to an unbeaten 118. Tendulkar, chasing 151 for the win, disappointed the hopeful crowd. He hit slowly, ran slowly, and was generally not the grand old Sachin that we all know. With three overs left, he needed to hit 59 - a virtually impossible task, especially considering his 92 was a no-boundary one. His first boundary came two balls later with a splendid cover drive, followed by a four past point with the last ball of the over. Part-timer Arnold was duly hit for 22 with his first over of the tournament. Vaas wasn't much better though, and Tendulkar hit another three fours, meaning that he only needed 18 from the last over. 17 came from the first seven balls, and the final two runs saw him to 152 not out and a last-ball 5-wicket win for India.

This is my double century post :)
 

Neil Pickup

Cricket Web Moderator
Samuel_Vimes said:
Tendulkar, chasing 151 for the win, disappointed the hopeful crowd. He hit slowly, ran slowly, and was generally not the grand old Sachin that we all know. With three overs left, he needed to hit 59 - a virtually impossible task, especially considering his 92 was a no-boundary one. His first boundary came two balls later with a splendid cover drive, followed by a four past point with the last ball of the over. Part-timer Arnold was duly hit for 22 with his first over of the tournament. Vaas wasn't much better though, and Tendulkar hit another three fours, meaning that he only needed 18 from the last over. 17 came from the first seven balls, and the final two runs saw him to 152 not out and a last-ball 5-wicket win for India.

This is my double century post :)
This is called highly intelligent AI pacing the run chase perfectly 8D

No idea how he managed it :duh:

Congrats on the 200 :)
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Neil Pickup said:
This is called highly intelligent AI pacing the run chase perfectly 8D
No, this is called Indian luck - India v Kenya, exactly the same thing, Kenyan batsman needed two from the last ball, could only get one. This is also called part-timer bowling :)
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Can England hold on against the fierce Namibian fighters? And will New Zealand show that their excellent performance against the Danes was not a one day streak of form?

One shocker is enough for amateurs
In the first match to be held at rainy Cleethorpes in this Beach World Cup, Neil Pickup could be seen there along with 882 anxious English. Would his team follow up on that fine performance which saw them defeat the Dutch? Or would these amateur Namibians, unknown before the tournament but now famous throughout the cricketing world thanks to that defeat of Australia, claim another major scalp? AJ Burger certainly seemed to think they could, hitting 25 from 15 balls before getting run out thanks to a freak injury he suffered half-way down the pitch. Karg was then clean bowled by Andy Caddick for 1, and the English crowd were breathing with relief. LJ Burger tried to save the innings, but his strike rate was way too low, and when Caddick caught him with an excellent run to long off, it was only a technicality. Craig White got the honour of removing the tail, and he did so in style - taking Kotze for 3 and van Vuuren for 4. The English innings was pretty boring, but it is worth noting that Marcus Trescothick at the moment has an average of infinity - seeing as he has not been out yet in this tournament. He made 92 today for a total of 277 so far - exactly equal to England's total amount of runs.

Solid team effort sends Pakistan into semis
The fourth quarter-final spot to be hampered by drizzle, Skegness welcomed New Zealand and Pakistan to what should be a great day of cricket. Inzamam continued in that fine style he played against Bangladesh, although admittedly his strike rate was a bit low in the first three overs with an unbeaten 44. He got his first four with the 36th ball, one that was shockingly poorly fielded by Jacob Oram, only to be the victim of a dodgy leg-before decision by referee Asoka DaSilva. The replay showed that the ball was going outside off. Still, nothing like some excitement to a match - not that Rashid Latif was very eager to provide it. He struggled with the aggression, and although it got better towards the end, an unbeaten 80 off 43 balls isn't very good in this form of the game. Stephen Fleming, who had batted so excellently against the Danish bowlers the other day, now had to chase 147 with his Black Cap mates under the lights. He started slowly, hitting 23 from the first two overs, mostly thanks to some great bowling by Waqar and Wasim. Just as he thought he had the strike rate up a bit, Wasim got the ball onto his pads and right into the stumps, and Fleming was out for 37. Young keeper Brendan McCullum certainly tried, but when he was out for 20 due to another splendid Wasim delivery, all hope was lost for NZ. Despite Oram's unbeaten 39, NZ finish a disappontingly high 45 runs behind.

So the semi-finals: England v Pakistan, South Africa v India
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Semi-finals:

Welcome to Majorca for CricketWeb.net's live coverage of the first Beach World Cup Semi-final between South Africa and India.

The weather continues fine and sunny, but the wind could certainly help the spinners.

India have struggled through this tournament so far, winning the games against Kenya and Sri Lanka by a gnat's whisker, while South Africa in contrast have eased through their matches against Ireland and West Indies. They have to be considered favourites.

India team: SR Tendulkar*, R Dravid+, V Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan.

South Africa team: HH Gibbs, MV Boucher+, J Kallis, SM Pollock*, M Ntini.

The players are gathered in the middle - the Spanish audience seems to wonder what the heck is going on - and we're off!

0.1 Ntini to Tendulkar, two runs, on the off stump, swept long, Kallis is there and saves two valuable runs
0.2 Ntini to Tendulkar, three runs, wide outside the off, sweeps it again, this time Kallis is unlucky
0.3 Ntini to Tendulkar, three runs, dear oh dear! this time Pollock misfields it at mid on and it runs away again
0.4 Ntini to Tendulkar, two runs, on the middle, cleared back to bowler, he can't gather it cleanly and it's two for Sachin
0.5 Ntini to Tendulkar, FOUR, short ball, good drive from Tendulkar but Gibbs really should have gathered that, first boundary
0.6 Ntini to Tendulkar, three runs, on leg, lifts it up, flies over everybody and three runs
0.7 Ntini to Tendulkar, one run, nearly same ball, but this time Pollock gathers and it's only a single
0.8 Ntini to Tendulkar, FOUR, nice way to end the over, way too wide and it runs away to third man

India 22/0 (SR Tendulkar 22*, 8b, 2x4)
Stand of 22
Ntini 8-22-0 - Palm Side End


1.1 Pollock to Tendulkar, three runs, misfielded again! this time it runs through Ntini's legs at mid-on
1.2 Pollock to Tendulkar, one run, on leg stump, tries to pull it but a nice stop from Pollock saves runs
1.3 Pollock to Tendulkar, three runs, excellent ball on middle, Sachin has to loft it up and does so in style
1.4 Pollock to Tendulkar, two runs, short ball, stopped well at long on for two
1.5 Pollock to Tendulkar, two runs, full toss, well timed shot smacked to mid-on
1.6 Pollock to Tendulkar, three runs, wide outside off and short, well timed again by Tendulkar
What a game that Tendulkar is having!
1.7 Pollock to Tendulkar, FOUR, and again! ball flies over slip and out to the third man boundary, this fielding is not commendable at all
1.8 Pollock to Tendulkar, two runs, short ball again, out to square leg but Kallis is there and stops the ball

India 42/0 (SR Tendulkar 42*, 16b, 3x4)
Stand of 42
Pollock 8-20-0 - Ian Botham End


2.1 Ntini to Tendulkar, two runs, on the middle, Tendulkar just whips it out but Pollock stops it before it runs to covers
2.2 Ntini to Tendulkar, two runs, again! good fielding from Pollock now
2.3 Ntini to Tendulkar, OUT, a real bouncer on middle stump, Sachin balloons it back to the bowler who has no problems, end of a good, aggressive innings for Tendulkar, Ntini strikes!

India 46/1, Stand of 46
SR Tendulkar c & b Ntini 46 (19b, 3x4, 0x6)
M Ntini 11-26-1


Dravid is the new batsman

2.4 Ntini to Dravid, two runs, short ball, outside the off, Dravid connects nicely and Kallis can't stop it
2.5 Ntini to Dravid, OUT, oh my! yorker on the off, Dravid gets it in his stomach, it just touches his bat and then goes down to hit his pad, Pollock runs up close and takes the low catch, India in trouble? Ntini strikes again!

India 48/2, Stand of 2
R Dravid c Pollock b Ntini 2 (2b, 0x4, 0x6)
M Ntini 13-28-2


Sehwag steps onto the crease

2.6 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, lifts it over the on fielder, but he runs back and stops, nice fielding there!
2.7 Ntini to Sehwag, three runs, good length, Sehwag gets it on his legs, turns it to square leg, no fielder there and he gets three
2.8 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, wide outside leg, batsman can only get an edge, Boucher nowhere near that

India 53/2 (V Sehwag 5*, 3b, 0x4)
Stand of 5
M Ntini 16-33-2 - Palm Side End


3.1 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, good length ball on the middle, drives it back past the bowler, Kallis picks it up and Sehwag has to be satisfied with the single
3.2 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, thick edge from Sehwag, but the keeper isn't quick enough and it bounces. Single.
3.3 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, short ball outside leg, tries to pull it but has no luck
3.4 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, bang! outside leg again, a bit short, Pollock is punished as Sehwag drives it to square leg and beyond
Small break here as the ball has to be dragged out of the vegetation - seems like a duck is holding on to it while screaming for Rikki Clarke - most amusing - a rather venerable man comes over and negotiates - yes, that's it, Pollock has the ball and we continue
3.5 Pollock to Sehwag, two runs, nicely smacked to mid-on, safe double from Sehwag
3.6 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, good length outside the off, controls it down gully and takes the quick single
3.7 Pollock to Sehwag, two runs, on the middle, driven through mid-on, fantastic shot but Gibbs stops it in style!
3.8 Pollock to Sehwag, two runs, and again! well done by Sehwag, but the fielders deny him the boundaries

India 67/2 (V Sehwag 19*, 11b, 1x4)
Stand of 19
SM Pollock 16-34-0 - Ian Bothan End


4.1 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, good length ball on the middle, drives it back with ease
4.2 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, on leg side, hits the pads and bounces off
4.3 Ntini to Sehwag, two runs, wide outside the off and short, well connected and that's another two runs
4.4 Ntini to Sehwag, three runs, oh well done! a bit short that ball, Sehwag with the drive and Pollock can't pick it up cleanly
4.5 Ntini to Sehwag, three runs, on leg stump, bit of a full toss that, Sehwag just flicks it off his pads with ease
4.6 Ntini to Sehwag, two runs, through mid-on again, well run there, nearly run out by Pollock
4.7 Ntini to Sehwag, FOUR, lucky! wide outside the off, Sehwag steps back only to get a thin edge, neither Kallis nor Boucher can gather it, it crosses the rope!
4.8 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, on the off and driven back

India 84/2 (V Sehwag 36*, 19b, 2x4)
Stand of 36
M Ntini 24-50-2 - Palm Side End


Match State: Drinks
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
We're back go again - Pollock bowls to Virender Sehwag

5.1 Pollock to Sehwag, three runs, stomach ball, none of the fielders can gather it
5.2 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, keeper can't get to that one quickly enough
5.3 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, on leg stump, cracker of a shot goes all the way to the boundary
5.4 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, good delivery that, just controlled down the gully by Sehwag, well done
5.5 Pollock to Sehwag, two runs, through leg side and nobody can pick it up, luckily it stops in the sand
5.6 Pollock to Sehwag, three runs, lifts it up and up, Kallis can't get under it properly, it runs away
And that's fifty in 25 balls for Sehwag, congratulations
5.7 Pollock to Sehwag, three runs, nice drive to mid-on, 100 for India
5.8 Pollock to Sehwag, OUT, good delivery there, tries to push it down gully but Boucher is there, bails off, Sehwag can't quite reach for the run and that's the end of the specialist batsmen for India

India 101/3, Stand of 53
V Sehwag run out (Boucher) 53 (27b, 3x4, 0x6)
SM Pollock 24-51-0


And it's Harbhajan to save the Indian innings against a hungry Ntini

6.1 Ntini to Harbhajan, one run, swept over mid-on fielder
6.2 Ntini to Harbhajan, one run, full toss, guided through leg side
6.3 Ntini to Harbhajan, one run, shorter this time, whacked uppishly back to the bowler, Ntini fumbles it
6.4 Ntini to Harbhajan, one run, pulled to mid-off
6.5 Ntini to Harbhajan, one run, pulled to mid-off again
6.6 Ntini to Harbhajan, OUT, good line, a bit outside the off, tries to drive but gets it way too high, Gibbs runs and runs and runs to square leg and grabs the ball, well fielded!

India 106/4, Stand of 5
Harbhajan Singh c Gibbs b Ntini 5 (6b, 0x4, 0x6)
M Ntini 30-55-3


Zaheer comes on

6.7 Ntini to Zaheer, OUT, all over! short ball for once, Zaheer charges down the pitch but gets a thick edge and Boucher is there immediately, bails off again, that's a golden duck! hats off to Boucher and South Africa for a fantastic bowling and fielding performance!

India 106/5, Stand of 0
Zaheer Khan st Boucher b Ntini 0 (1b, 0x4, 0x6)
M Ntini 31-55-4


We now take an early lunch here at Majorca - we'll be back soon

Welcome back - players are in the middle - it's Gibbs facing the golden duck man

SA need 107 off 80 balls

We're off!

0.1 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, lifts it to the mid-on fielder, can't gather it, lucky escape there!
0.2 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, nicely hit leg-byes there to square leg
0.3 Zaheer to Gibbs, FOUR, short ball on the leg stump, Gibbs isn't the one to be asked twice, whacks it past the square leg fielder! excellent stuff!
0.4 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, gets a thick edge and is lucky again
0.5 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, beautiful hook that is short and lands on mid-off, nobody gathers it and it's three
0.6 Zaheer to Gibbs, two runs, right through mid-on
0.7 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, yorker, Gibbs gets a thin edge but Dravid can't grab it cleanly.
0.8 Zaheer to Gibbs, two runs, on the middle, he smashed it out to long-on

South Africa 17/0 (HH Gibbs 17*, 8b, 1x4, RRR: 90/9 = 10.00)
Stand of 17
Zaheer Khan 8-17-0 - Palm Side End


1.1 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, edged again! keeper can't grab it, runs through, stops in the sand, must be embarrassing for Dravid
1.2 Harbhajan to Gibbs, one run, low ball, stays low, Gibbs can't connect cleanly, still gets the run though
1.3 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, safely to long on
1.4 Harbhajan to Gibbs, one run, controlled down gully, no worries
1.5 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, short ball, can't get a proper drive, goes through leg side
1.6 Harbhajan to Gibbs, three runs, on his legs again and out to square leg
1.7 Harbhajan to Gibbs, one run, edged yet again! Dravid's not having a good day at the moment
1.8 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, pulls it nicely to mid-on, the second run is safe too

South Africa 31/0 (HH Gibbs 31*, 16b, 1x4, RRR: 76/8 = 9.50)
Stand of 31
Harbhajan Singh 8-14-0 - Ian Botham End


2.1 Zaheer to Gibbs, FOUR, normal service resumed! ball is too wide outside leg, Gibbs says thank you very much and smashes it to the square leg boundary
2.2 Zaheer to Gibbs, two runs, edged again! ball is edged through to the keeper, but Dravid still can't grab it
2.3 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, well pulled to mid-off there
2.4 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, surprisingly he gets an edge and the keeper can't get it
2.5 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, and an edge again
2.6 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, ball hit to mid-on, there is Tendulkar and only has to grab it, ball runs through his legs, stops in the sand before the boundary
2.7 Zaheer to Gibbs, one run, continues to edge it
2.8 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, drives it to long on, nobody there to catch it, he's safe

South Africa 49/0 (HH Gibbs 49*, 24b, 2x4, RRR: 58/7 = 8.29)
Stand of 49
Zaheer Khan 16-35-0 - Palm Side End


3.1 Harbhajan to Gibbs, three runs, ball hits pads, flicks his legs to nobody at square leg
That's fifty plus two for Gibbs in 25 balls - remember Sehwag!
3.2 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, right through to mid on, perfect hit, Sehwag is there and stops the ball
3.3 Harbhajan to Gibbs, three runs, very well delvered, but Gibbs is up to the task and thrashes the ball to mid-off
3.4 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, well stopped at long off by Tendulkar
3.5 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, through mid on again, well timed and well struck
3.6 Harbhajan to Gibbs, three runs, yorker, but Gibbs is up to the task and drives it past mid on, excellent!
3.7 Harbhajan to Gibbs, one run, oh no! he hasn't forgotten how to edge the ball quite yet!
3.8 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, Zaheer at second slip isn't aware, ball whistles past him and downfield, luckily he catches up with it before the rope

South Africa 67/0 (HH Gibbs 67*, 32b, 2x4, RRR: 40/6 = 6.67)
Stand of 67
Harbhajan Singh 16-32-0 - Ian Botham End


4.1 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, short ball, Gibbs thanks him by driving it to mid on
4.2 Zaheer to Gibbs, two runs, Harbhajan is slip and can't catch it! oh dear! goes on to run twice
4.3 Zaheer to Gibbs, FOUR, Tendulkar is at mid-off and only has to grab it, it goes just wide of him and out, is that the final nail in the Indian coffin?
4.4 Zaheer to Gibbs, FOUR, and again! Tendulkar can't field right now, what's on his mind? A possible loss perhaps?
4.5 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, hard past the keeper, no chance there
4.6 Zaheer to Gibbs, SIX, shot! perfect hook shot, out of the book, short step backwards before smacking it out, surely there's no chance now
4.7 Zaheer to Gibbs, three runs, drives it over the fielders at mid on and out
4.8 Zaheer to Gibbs, two runs, to mid on, nobody there, gets a free run

South Africa 94/0 (HH Gibbs 94*, 40b, 4x4, 1x6, RRR: 13/5 = 2.60)
Stand of 94
Zaheer Khan 24-62-0 - Palm Side End


Match state: Drinks

5.1 Harbhajan to Gibbs, FOUR, shot! full toss, bit of a poor ball that, drives it hard and strong past mid on, no chance for the fielders, seeya India!
5.2 Harbhajan to Gibbs, FOUR, and again! bit short this time, charges forward, gets it to point and onward, that's the century for Herschell Gibbs!
Last fifty came from 17 balls!
5.3 Harbhajan to Gibbs, FOUR, yet again! fantastic drive past square leg, Zaheer doesn't stand a chance to field that one, one run needed from 37 balls
5.4 Harbhajan to Gibbs, two runs, wrapped up! drives it past bowler, takes an extra run of honour on the wicket for fun, the South African players storm out of the pavilion and celebrate the five-wicket win and final spot in this inaugural Beach World Cup

Match over

Man of the Match: HH Gibbs (SA) 108*, 1 catch

Scorecards:

India innings:
R B 4 6
SR Tendulkar*............c & b Ntini......46 19 3 0
R Dravid+.......c Pollock....b Ntini.......2 2 0 0
V Sehwag........run out (Boucher).........53 27 3 0
Harbhajan Singh.c Gibbs......b Ntini.......5 6 0 0
Zaheer Khan.....st Boucher...b Ntini.......0 1 0 0
Total (all out, 55 balls)................106

DNB: Zaheer Khan

Bowling: Ntini 31-55-4, Pollock 24-51-0.

South Africa innings (target: 107 from 80 balls):
HH Gibbs.................not out.........108 44 7 1
Total (for no wicket, 44 balls)..........108

DNB: MV Boucher+, J Kallis, SM Pollock*, M Ntini.

Bowling: Zaheer 24-62-0, Harbhajan 20-46-0.


Disclaimer: Any reference to any internet site, copy of framework or disclaimers used at any other internet side, or use of fictional figures, in particular ducks, devised by other people is fully unintentional

That's all from Majorca - we hope to see you again tomorrow for the live coverage of the second semi-final between England and Pakistan
 
Last edited:

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Welcome to Majorca again for the second Beach World Cup semi-final coverage, commentary for Cricketweb.net is by Samuel Vimes

England, with Trescothick on 277 not out so far in this tournament, the leading batsman, and with Craig White and Andy Caddick in top form, face a Pakistani side that for once is without the great stars, but fight like a team

We're up for a classic here, that's for sure

Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat under the sun

Here we go!

0.1 Caddick to Inzamam, one run, well pulled by Inzy, stopped at mid-on
0.2 Caddick to Inzamam, one run, edges it past the keeper
0.3 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, on the middle, a bit short, Inzy gets under it and whacks it uppishly to mid-on, fielders can't get under it and he whistles over the pitch thrice
0.4 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, outside off, uses his legs to twist the ball to square leg, no one picks it up
0.5 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, on leg, well struck, ball runs through mid-on and nearly to the rope, stops in the sand
0.6 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, first boundary! full toss on the off stump, ball well struck but low, Flintoff only has to pick it up at mid-off but it trickles through his legs, Inzy lucky to get his first four
0.7 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, outside leg, Inzy gives it a gentle little nudge and no one has a chance, two easy runs there
0.8 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, should have been stopped but instead runs away to deep midwicket, not good

Pakistan 19/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 19*, 8b, 1x4, 0x6)
Stand of 19
AR Caddick 8-19-0 - Palm Side End


1.1 White to Inzamam, one run, excellent ball on middle, drives it back and White can't gather it
1.2 White to Inzamam, two runs, well stopped at deep midwicket and thrown back with speed, nearly a run out that
1.3 White to Inzamam, two runs, outside leg, struck nicely, Stewart throws himself but can't quite stop it, double
1.4 White to Inzamam, FOUR, yet again a full toss, nice catching height, but Trescothick can't position himself quickly enough and it runs to long on boundary
1.5 White to Inzamam, two runs, on middle, well timed drive there, right between the fielders
1.6 White to Inzamam, one run, good length ball, has to push that one down gully to get a run
1.7 White to Inzamam, two runs, on leg stump again and Inzamam obliges
1.8 White to Inzamam, two runs, back to bowler, White loses it, can't pick it up again and Inzy trundles along for his second run

Pakistan 35/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 35*, 16b, 2x4, 0x6)
Stand of 35
C White 8-16-0 - Ian Botham End


2.1 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, short and wide outside leg, perfect height for Inzamam, one-bounce four to square leg
2.2 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, on the middle stump, okay delivery, excellently struck past mid-on, White didn't have a chance
2.3 Caddick to Inzamam, SIX, shot! way too short ball on the middle stump, steps back to it, hooks it perfectly and it flies into the Mediterranean, new ball please!
2.4 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, better delivery but still not perfect, to mid-off, there is Trescothick and stops it, well done
That's fifty in twenty balls - impressive
2.5 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, on middle stump, defends back to bowler, clumsily fielded, Inzy sprints for the second!
2.6 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, poor Caddick is not doing well at all, this time way outside the off, Inzamam says thank you and lifts it straight, should maybe have been caught there?
2.7 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, Flintoff saves a couple of runs at mid-on
2.8 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, outside the off, beautifully struck, fielders don't have a chance, ball stops before the ropes, end of a very poorly delivered over

Pakistan 61/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 61*, 24b, 4x4, 1x6)
Stand of 61
AR Caddick 16-45-0 - Palm Side End


3.1 White to Inzamam, two runs, perfect strike through leg side, field doesn't have a chance
3.2 White to Inzamam, one run, on the off, hits his pads and goes off, Trescothick picks it up and saves runs
3.3 White to Inzamam, three runs, off his pads again, this time to square leg, no fielder there
3.4 White to Inzamam, three runs, full toss on the middle, lifts it high, evades the field and buries deep into the sand, Inzamam strolls along for three
3.5 White to Inzamam, two runs, drives it back past White who doesn't have a chance of stopping that
3.6 White to Inzamam, two runs, on leg stump, struck well behind him, Stewart miscues it
3.7 White to Inzamam, three runs, gets a nice bounce to mid-off, evades the fielder
3.8 White to Inzaman, one run, short on middle, pulled to the on side, stopped by Caddick
That's 279 in the tournament - he's the new top run-scorer

Pakistan 78/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 78*, 32b, 4x4, 1x6)
Stand of 78
C White 16-33-0 - Ian Botham End


4.1 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, long hop on the off, nicely struck through leg side
4.2 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, short ball, Inzamam charges down the pitch, lovely strike to point, bounces a couple of times before it goes over the rope, fifth four!
4.3 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, fuller ball, Inzamam strikes it firmly to mid on
4.4 Caddick to Inzamam, one run, excellent yorker, Inzamam has to push it down gully to survive
4.5 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, bouncer, nicely cleared to mid on fielder
4.6 Caddick to Inzamam, one run, pulled well to silly midwicket, there is Flintoff and stops it
Not looking good for England at the moment
4.7 Caddick to Inzamam, three runs, wide outside leg, shuffles his feet to it, gets hit on the pad and ball bounces to square leg
4.8 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, lovely edge, Stewart doesn't have a chance on that one

Pakistan 96/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 96*, 40b, 5x4, 1x6)
Stand of 96
AR Caddick 24-63-0 - Palm Side End


Match state: Drinks
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
drinks break is over - Craig White to bowl to Inzamam

5.1 White to Inzamam, three runs, full toss, well taken on the volley and smacked to mid on
5.2 White to Inzamam, three runs, and again! this time to the other side though, and a bit shorter ball - still too full though
That's the century for Inzamam in just 42 balls - what are England gonna do here?
5.3 White to Inzamam, one run, hit him on his pads, loud appeals, umpire says no, good decision - was pitching way outside off
5.4 White to Inzamam, three runs, on leg stump, just the teensiest of touches from Inzy, beats Stewart and runs all the way down
5.5 White to Inzamam, three runs, on middle, hooks it high to long off, Trescothick drops the hard ball
5.6 White to Inzamam, SIX, long hop, goes back and pulls it over midwicket, high and wide, this time they get it before the Mediterranean
5.7 White to Inzamam, two runs, short low ball, keeps low, edged past Stewart
5.8 White to Inzamam, three runs, well done! was a full toss, calmly struck to mid off

Pakistan 120/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 120*, 48b, 5x4, 2x6)
Stand of 120
C White 24-57-0 - Ian Botham End


6.1 Caddick to Inzamam, SIX, way too short, gets punished with the hook, this time ball goes into the vegetation behind Caddick
6.2 Caddick to Inzamam, one run, fuller ball and low, gets a thick edge, luckily it hits the sand before Stewart can get under it
6.3 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, half-volley on the middle, driven to mid on
6.4 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, unlucky! excellent ball, very thick edge, high up in the air but Stewart miscues it and it bounces off behind him
6.5 Caddick to Inzamam, SIX, shot! short ball, you don't give this man an inch, what a fantastic strike by Inzamam, England up s*** creek at the moment
6.6 Caddick to Inzamam, FOUR, and again! gets down the pitch, hit safely to point
6.7 Caddick to Inzamam, SIX, yet again! Caddick can't bowl at the moment, another short ball is viciously punished
no slip fielders now, all at mid-on, mid-off or boundary
6.8 Caddick to Inzamam, two runs, breathing room for England, edged where there should have been a first slip
Caddick's spell is over - surely some English fans will like that

Pakistan 151/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 151*, 56b, 7x4, 5x6)
Stand of 151
AR Caddick 32-94-0 - Palm Side End


Flintoff to continue from the Ian Botham End
7.1 Flintoff to Inzamam, one run, excellent ball, why didn't he bowl before? pushed down gully for the single
7.2 Flintoff to Inzamam, two runs, outside off, drives it back past the bowler and out of range
7.3 Flintoff to Inzamam, two runs, on the middle, full toss, but well struck
7.4 Flintoff to Inzamam, FOUR, outside off again, edged by Inzamam, leaves everyone watching as it crawls to the rope
7.5 Flintoff to Inzamam, SIX, shot! magnificent! charges forward to the short ball, then leans backwards and thrashes it, marvellous!
7.6 Flintoff to Inzamam, two runs, drives to mid-on, easy second taken
7.7 Flintoff to Inzamam, FOUR, and again! ball is way too short, drives it excellently, goes past the mid-on fielder and out
7.8 Flintoff to Inzamam, three runs, yorker, doesn't help much, Inzy is on top of the world right now

Pakistan 175/0 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 175*, 64b, 9x4, 6x6)
Stand of 175
A Flintoff 8-24-0 - Ian Botham End


White moved to the palms now
8.1 White to Inzamam, one run, what a ball, Inzy can only edge it, but Stewart can't gather it
8.2 White to Inzamam, OUT, finally! White gets his reward, Inzy gets a thick edge, Stewart lashes onto it like a dragon and grabs the ball, terrific innings by Beefy comes to an end

Pakistan 176/1, Stand of 176
Inzamam-ul-Haq c Stewart b White 176 (66b, 9x4, 6x6)
C White 26-58-1


Rashid Latif joins the fray

8.3 White to Rashid, one run, wonderful ball again, well struck, but good fielding at silly mid on
8.4 White to Rashid, one run, and again! excellent ball from White, defended well, but stopped for a single
8.5 White to Rashid, three runs, that was too wide outside the off, Rashid gets hit on the pads and it bounces to square leg
8.6 White to Rashid, two runs, short ball, comes down the pitch, thrashes a hook shot but it's stopped at the boundary for two
8.7 White to Rashid, three runs, hits on the legs again and bounces to covers, stops in the sand
8.8 White to Rashid, SIX, sad end to a good over, ball is way too short, Rashid tanks him by hooking it way beyond long on, ball ends up 20 metres out in the waves

Pakistan 192/1 (Rashid Latif 16*, 6b, 0x4, 1x6)
Stand of 16
C White 32-74-1 - Palm Side End


Last over - can Flintoff do any better now?

9.1 Flintoff to Rashid, two runs, very good ball, but can't stop it when it comes back off the bat
9.2 Flintoff to Rashid, FOUR, honestly! ball is driven slowly and uppishly to mid-off, nobody can stop it, fielding is not up to scratch
9.3 Flintoff to Rashid, FOUR, yet again! charges down the pitch, gets it uppishly to point and not a single English fielder in sight, 200 up for Pakistan
9.4 Flintoff to Rashid, three runs, pounces on the short ball outside leg and sends it to long on
9.5 Flintoff to Rashid, one run, good delivery, Rashid gets a thin edge, no chance to catch it for Stewart
9.6 Flintoff to Rashid, two runs, good delivery, but can't field the return
9.7 Flintoff to Rashid, one run, excellent again, very untidy strike by Rashid, but it's out of range of the field
9.8 Flintoff To Rashid, two runs, well stopped at square leg to save two runs

Pakistan 211/1 (Rashid Latif 35*, 14b, 2x4, 1x6)
Stand of 35
A Flintoff 16-43-0 - Ian Botham End


Match state: Innings Break
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
Now, I bet you're all excited (not!) to hear how England performed against mighty Pakistan:

Welcome back, England chasing an unlikely 212 off 80 balls, but may we remind you that Trescothick is yet to be deemed out in this tournament - he could win the match for England today

And it's Waqar Younis to start bowling for Pakistan from the Palm End

And they're off!

0.1 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, slightly short ball, drives it well and the bowler is helpless
0.2 Waqar to Trescothick, one run, on the pads, huge appeal by Rashid behind the stumps, Bowden shakes his head
0.3 Waqar to Trescothick, FOUR, full toss, hit back with a straight bat, lofted into the air, nobody gets under it and Mark Trescothick gets his first boundary
0.4 Waqar to Trescothick, one run, short ball, but Trescothick can only edge it, goes past Rashid and it's a quick single
0.5 Waqar to Trescothick, FOUR, short ball again, but poorly hit, goes through the legs of Razzaq and to the long off ropes
0.6 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, outside leg stump, guided further down the leg side
0.7 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, outside leg again, this time he uses his pads to get it to square leg, nice stuff
0.8 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, on middle, driven well by Trescothick to mid-off, no chance for the field

England 20/0 (M Trescothick 20*, 8b, 2x4, 0x6, RRR: 192/9 = 21.33)
Stand of 20
Waqar Younis 8-20-0 - Palm Side End


1.1 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, full toss, well driven back to the bowler, goes through his legs and through everybody, unlikely three
1.2 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, shorter ball, hit off his pads again down gully
1.3 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, outside leg, between bowler and mid-on fielder, neither can quite grab it and the second is easy
1.4 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, outside off, edged by Trescothick, no one can grab it and it runs away
1.5 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, on the middle, hit down the leg side, runs fast now
1.6 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, does it again! hits well to mid off, Razzaq is there but can't quite field it
1.7 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, hit well all the way to long on, burrows down into the sand
1.8 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, drives back to the bowler and beyond

England 40/0 (M Trescothick 40*, 16b, 2x4, 0x6, RRR: 172/8 = 21.50)
Stand of 40
Wasim Akram 8-20-0 - Ian Botham End


2.1 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, lifts it to long on, over everybody, stops in the sand before the rope
2.2 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, on leg, full toss, times it well, gets it to square leg
2.3 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, excellently struck, well stopped at boundary by Inzamam
2.4 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, excellent ball on middle, on the off, had to edge it, but gets it past the keeper
2.5 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, good length on leg, well bowled again by Waqar, and again well defended to mid on
Fifty from 21 balls - one more than Inzamam
2.6 Waqar to Trescothick, one run, poorly struck to mid off and has to sprint
2.7 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, short ball, can't exploit it, ball goes to long on, no third run there
2.8 Waqar to Trescothick, FOUR, short ball, charges down the pitch and whacks it to covers, well done

England 58/0 (M Trescothick 58*, 24b, 3x4, 0x6, RRR: 154/7 = 22.00)
Stand of 58
Waqar Younis 16-38-0 - Palm Side End


3.1 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, on the off, turns it to the leg side
3.2 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, on middle stump, full toss, high ball, could have gone for four but Inzamam lashes out, fantastic stop
3.3 Wasim to Trescothick, one run, perfect line and length, can only get a thin edge, Rashid can't gather it
3.4 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, on middle, half-volley, can't exploit it properly
3.5 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, on leg stump, Trescothick twists his pads slightly and the ball sails to cover, stopped at boundary by Razzaq
3.6 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, at least he tries, drives it past mid on, should really have been run out but Waqar's throw is poor
3.7 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, denied! again Razzaq stops it at the boundary, he's all over that rope
3.8 Wasim to Trescothick, SIX, excellent! Wasim lapses in his delivery, Trescothick sees his chance, steps back before punishing Wasim and Pakistan with a hook, England still in with a shout?

England 79/0 (M Trescothick 79*, 32b, 3x4, 1x6, RRR: 133/6 = 22.16)
Stand of 79
Wasim Akram 16-41-0 - Ian Botham End


4.1 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, yorker, drives it back with the straight bat, gets a funny bounce and isn't gathered properly, second run taken
4.2 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, yorker again, Trescothick edges it but Rashid miscues it, it runs away and the second run is taken with ease
4.3 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, a bit shorter and Trescothick pounces, hacks it to mid-on and sprints like the devil is on his heels for the third
4.4 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, short ball, can't quite run that quickly this time
4.5 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, outside the leg stump, towards long on, Razzaq saves another run with good fielding
4.6 Waqar to Trescothick, one run, whoops! thick edge there, luckily for Trescothick and England Rashid can't gather it, another run on the scoreboard
4.7 Waqar to Trescothick, two runs, excellent line and length, drives it back past the bowler, can't get the third run
4.8 Waqar to Trescothick, FOUR, last ball of the over equals boundary! this time a drive with a straight bat, bounces to long off, nice end to the over

England 98/0 (M Trescothick 98*, 40b, 4x4, 1x6, RRR: 114/5 = 22.80)
Stand of 98
Waqar Younis 24-57-0 - Palm Side End


Still no crisis for England - Pakistan were 96/0 at this stage - they then had 24, 31, 24, 17, 19 from their last overs - drinks are taken

Match state: Drinks
 

Magrat Garlick

Global Moderator
5.1 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, three figures too! lifts it to mid on, beats Razzaq for once, 100 for England
Trescothick at 379 in the tournament - one more than Inzamam
5.2 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, and again! this time to the opposite side, and runs three like an Olympic sprinter
5.3 Wasim to Trescothick, two runs, past the bowler and out, looks for the third but it just isn't there
5.4 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, England are lucky! ball trickles through legs of Waqar at silly mid on and out
5.5 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, outside off, can't quite get it to the boundary but still excellent
5.6 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, full toss, marvellously struck, no chance for the field at all, burrows into the sand a couple of yards from the rope
5.7 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, short of a length and on leg, this time a nice little flick, sends it to deep backward square leg, sixth three of the over!
5.8 Wasim to Trescothick, three runs, lifts it over the fielders at mid on, seventh three from eight balls

England 121/0 (M Trescothick 121*, 48b, 4x4, 1x6, RRR: 91/4 = 22.75)
Stand of 121
Wasim Akram 24-64-0 - Ian Botham End


6.1 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, Pakistani field is lapsing a bit now, gives Trescothick another run
401 not out in three games for Trescothick
6.2 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, overthrown! was a single there, Rashid can't get it, Trescothick sprints for an extra couple
6.3 Waqar to Trescothick, one run, revenge is sweet, this time Trescothick trips over something as he runs along, still manages to get his bat to the crease
6.4 Waqar to Trescothick, three runs, back again! this time to long off, no fielder anywhere near it, tenth three from 12 balls!
6.5 Waqar to Trescothick, OUT, oh dear! yorker, wide outside leg, tries to hammer it but can only get a thin outside edge, finally Rashid holds on to an edge, they're all storming out to congratulate Rashid, end of a very fine innings, average 408 in this Cup for Trescothick, is this the end of England?

England 131/1, Stand of 131
M Trescothick c Rashid b Waqar 131 (53b, 4x4, 1x6)
Waqar Younis 29-67-1


Alec Stewart comes on

6.6 Waqar to Stewart, two runs, driven to mid on, looks desperately around for the third but it just isn't there
6.7 Waqar to Stewart, two runs, this time to square leg, very well fielded, has to lash his bat out in sheer desperation, it's good says the video umpire
6.8 Waqar to Stewart, two runs, outside leg, slight nudge from Stewart sends it right away from all fielders

England 137/1 (AJ Stewart 6*, 3b, 0x4, 0x6. RRR: 75/3 = 25.00)
Stand of 6
Waqar Younis 32-73-1 - Palm Side End


Abdul Razzaq to take over from Wasim

7.1 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, good ball, slight edge but the keeper can't get it this time
7.2 Razzaq to Stewart, two runs, short of a length, well driven to long on but Waqar stops it
7.3 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, good delivery, defended to silly mid on where Razzaq gets it
7.4 Razzaq to Stewart, two runs, outside leg, nearly to long on but Waqar stops it again
7.5 Razzaq to Stewart, two runs, on the middle, sends it hard and low to mid-off only to be stopped by Wasim
7.6 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, well delivered, on the middle, driven right back, stopped quickly, surely that was the end of all English hopes?
7.7 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, pushes it down gully to safety, quickly picked up
7.8 Razzaq to Stewart, three runs, finally! lifts it over the mid-on fielder, he struggles to get it, Stewart sprints across for three

England 150/1 (AJ Stewart 19*, 11b, 0x4, 0x6. RRR: 62/2 = 31.00)
Stand of 19
Abdul Razzaq 8-13-0 - Ian Botham End


Wasim moves to the palms for his last over

8.1 Wasim to Stewart, one run, denied! Wasim makes an excellent stop to a hard ball
8.2 Wasim to Stewart, two runs, ball to long on but not quite to the rope, Waqar throws it quickly back
8.3 Wasim to Stewart, three runs, finally some luck for Stewart but of course it's too late, Inzamam lets the ball through his legs
8.4 Wasim to Stewart, three runs, a fair go! smacks it hard to mid on, Inzamam throws it back after a bit of a hassle but Stewart has completed his third by then
8.5 Wasim to Stewart, two runs, short of a length, back past the bowler, third run just isn't there, Alec
8.6 Wasim to Stewart, three runs, good flick past the keeper, why wasn't your last over like this?
8.7 Wasim to Stewart, one run, edged the ball, keeper can't gather it cleanly
8.8 Wasim to Stewart, three runs, towards mid off, Waqar is there but can't get it thrown back quickly enough, well run

England 168/1 (AJ Stewart 37*, 19b, 0x4, 0x6. RRR: 44/2 = 44.00)
Stand of 37
Wasim Akram 32-82-0 - Palm Side End


Last over of England's tournament?

9.1 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, that's it, no extras in beach cricket and Pakistan has won, England can't make 43 from 7 balls
9.2 Razzaq to Stewart, three runs, lifts it past the mid on fielders
9.3 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, pulls it, but stopped for a single by the bowler
9.4 Razzaq to Stewart, three runs, off his pads to square leg
9.5 Razzaq to Stewart, three runs, drives the full toss to mid on
9.6 Razzaq to Stewart, FOUR, finally! he deserved that! full delivery, outside leg, smashes it to square leg again, eventually it crosses the rope
9.7 Razzaq to Stewart, one run, slow ball, not much in that
9.8 Razzaq to Stewart, two runs, and England's keeper finishes with an edge through to Rashid, Rashid is stretching his arms to the sky already, they're through to the final with South Africa

Match State: Match over

Man of the match of course Inzamam-ul-Haq after his 176 knock, needs 30 more than Trescothick to become run-scorer of the tournament

Thank you for following our live coverage, and hope you'll be with us for the final in Sydney next week. For now, good night from Majorca!

Scorecards:

Pakistan innings:
Inzamam-ul-Haq*.c Stewart....b White.....176 66 9 6
Rashid Latif+........... not out..........35 14 2 1
Total (for 1 wicket, 80 balls)...........211

DNB: Abdul Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis

Bowling: Caddick 32-94-0, White 32-74-1, Flintoff 16-43-0.

England innings (target: 212 from 80 balls):
M Trescothick...c Rashid.....b Waqar.....131 53 4 1
AJ Stewart+*.............not out..........55 27 1 0
Total (for 1 wicket, 80 balls)...........186

DNB: A Flintoff, C White, AR Caddick

Bowling: Waqar 32-73-1, Wasim 32-82-0, Razzaq 16-31-0
 

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