A Bronx cheer for Pakistan
From Pakistan's sloppy work in the field to West Indies' struggle in the Powerplay - the plays of the day from Christchurch
Brydon Coverdale
21-Feb-2015
On a day full of dropped catches, Sulieman Benn's effort to get rid of Sohaib Maqsood stood out • AFP
Contrast of the day
In the fifth over of the West Indies innings, Dwayne Smith got a thick edge off Mohammad Irfan that flew high to third man, where the sliding Nasir Jamshed put down the chance. On the very next ball there was a similar opportunity in almost exactly the same spot on the ground, when Chris Gayle's top-edged pull flew high to fine leg. Wahab Riaz though made no mistake, holding on with a tumbling catch.
In the fifth over of the West Indies innings, Dwayne Smith got a thick edge off Mohammad Irfan that flew high to third man, where the sliding Nasir Jamshed put down the chance. On the very next ball there was a similar opportunity in almost exactly the same spot on the ground, when Chris Gayle's top-edged pull flew high to fine leg. Wahab Riaz though made no mistake, holding on with a tumbling catch.
Catch of the day
On a day full of dropped chances, Sulieman Benn's catch to get rid of Sohaib Maqsood stood out. Maqsood miscued a Darren Sammy full toss and lobbed it up over the bowler's head; Benn ran around from mid-on and dived full length to take the catch, clinging on even as his arms and the rest of his body hit the ground.
On a day full of dropped chances, Sulieman Benn's catch to get rid of Sohaib Maqsood stood out. Maqsood miscued a Darren Sammy full toss and lobbed it up over the bowler's head; Benn ran around from mid-on and dived full length to take the catch, clinging on even as his arms and the rest of his body hit the ground.
Wides of the day
Pakistan's fielding was abysmal throughout the West Indies innings, but as if to prove that it was not only the players who could make mistakes, umpire Nigel Llong chipped in during the 15th over. Darren Bravo went for a sweep of Shahid Afridi and the ball flew off his thigh pad and away to the boundary. But Llong had missed the deflection and called wides. Afridi not surprisingly was upset - five runs instead of four, an extra ball to be bowled, and the runs went on his tally - and wanted a review. Alas, only wickets or appeals can be reviewed, and the wides stood.
Pakistan's fielding was abysmal throughout the West Indies innings, but as if to prove that it was not only the players who could make mistakes, umpire Nigel Llong chipped in during the 15th over. Darren Bravo went for a sweep of Shahid Afridi and the ball flew off his thigh pad and away to the boundary. But Llong had missed the deflection and called wides. Afridi not surprisingly was upset - five runs instead of four, an extra ball to be bowled, and the runs went on his tally - and wanted a review. Alas, only wickets or appeals can be reviewed, and the wides stood.
Batting teams often take the Powerplay at the latest possible time, but with Darren Bravo and Denesh Ramdin well set, West Indies decided to take it after 31 overs with the score at 151 for 3. But two balls in, Bravo was forced to retire with a hamstring injury, Lendl Simmons made a slow start and, the runs dried up. The only boundary in the Powerplay came from its fourth-last ball, and West Indies scored 16 runs for no loss in the five overs.
Bronx cheer of the day
The first 26 balls of Pakistan's innings broke down as such: four wickets, one run, 21 dots. At 1 for 4 in the fifth over, spectators were starting to wonder where Pakistan's next run was going to come from. The answer came from the captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who worked a single towards square leg off Jerome Taylor from the 27th ball of the innings. Not surprisingly, the Hagley Oval crowd cheered in unison. Bronx cheered, that is.
The first 26 balls of Pakistan's innings broke down as such: four wickets, one run, 21 dots. At 1 for 4 in the fifth over, spectators were starting to wonder where Pakistan's next run was going to come from. The answer came from the captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who worked a single towards square leg off Jerome Taylor from the 27th ball of the innings. Not surprisingly, the Hagley Oval crowd cheered in unison. Bronx cheered, that is.
Blow of the day
Bravo ended up retiring hurt due to a hamstring injury, but earlier it was a hit to the head that had the West Indies camp worried. Bravo took off for a single after Marlon Samuels played the ball to cover and was struck on the side of the helmet by a Younis Khan throw, while making his ground at the striker's end. He appeared to be in considerable pain, and sat on the ground for several minutes being assessed by the physio. Eventually, it was decided he would bat on. Younis was the first to check on Bravo, and the last to leave.
Bravo ended up retiring hurt due to a hamstring injury, but earlier it was a hit to the head that had the West Indies camp worried. Bravo took off for a single after Marlon Samuels played the ball to cover and was struck on the side of the helmet by a Younis Khan throw, while making his ground at the striker's end. He appeared to be in considerable pain, and sat on the ground for several minutes being assessed by the physio. Eventually, it was decided he would bat on. Younis was the first to check on Bravo, and the last to leave.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale