Upsets aplenty in warm ups

Twenty20 World Cup favourites Australia fell to home side South Africa in the second day of warm ups ahead of the Championship starting on Tuesday.

Like against New Zealand, Australia’s top order failed to make an impact when Pollock struck early to remove Gilchrist, Hodge and Haddin for all under double digits. Andrew Symonds provided valuable runs in Australia’s middle order with 45 off 26 and Hogg and Johnson played valuable cameos to take Australia to a respectable 179 from their 20 overs.

However, in reply, South Africa never looked in trouble as captain Graeme Smith, 89 not out off 61, and AB de Villiers, 65 from, showed why the Proteas would be a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament.

Pakistan recorded an easy five wicket win over Sri Lanka after winning the toss and electing to field. Mohammad Asif returned from his dressing room injury to take the wicket of opener Upul Tharanga who managed a brisk 30 off 19 balls. Sanath Jayasuriya held his own at the other end with 27 before an ineffective middle order was rescued by Jehan Mubarak who put on 42 off 29 to take Sri Lanka’s score to 162 from their 20 overs.

Pakistan’s openers Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez then put on a splendid partnership to ensure the result was never in doubt, scoring 94 runs together in Pakistan’s five wicket victory.

Kenya managed a top notch upset over Bangladesh at Benoni when solid bowling restricted Bangladesh to 116. Only Tamim Iqbal was successful for the Tigers, with 56 from 41 after the Kenyan bowlers managed to takes wickets regularly and stem any flow of runs. Intelligent batting in reply from the Kenyan batsmen saw them win by six wickets with just a ball to spare.

At Potchefstroom, Scotland were outplayed by Zimbabwe when Ryan Watson’s 64 was not enough to get his side across the line. Setting Zimbabwe 156 to win, scores of 42 from Vusi Sibanda and 43 from Chamu Chibhabha ensured Zimbabwe were able to reach the target with one over to spare.

The West Indies launched themselves as the dark horse of the tournament with the help of a stunning spell from Daren Powell who ended with amazing figures of 3 wickets for four runs against New Zealand. Darren Sammy also took 3/21 to limit the Kiwis to only 115 in their chase for 150. Only Peter Fulton showed any resistance with 51 off 43 but it wasn’t enough as the West Indies emerged victorious by 35 runs.

Australia 179/8
Andrew Symonds 45, Mitchell Johnson 30
Shaun Pollock 2-16, Morne Morkel 2-37

South Africa 183/2
Graeme Smith 89, AB de Villiers
Ben Hilfenhaus 1-24

South Africa won by eight wickets

Sri Lanka 162/7
Jehan Mubarak 42, Upul Tharanga
Mohammad Hafeez 2-18

Pakistan 163/5
Salman Butt 51, Mohammad Hafeez 45
Dilhara Fernando 2-33

Pakistan won by five wickets

Bangladesh 116
Tamim Iqbal 56
Nehemiah Odhiambo 3-37, Lameck Onyango 2-19

Kenya 117/4
Steve Tikolo 36
Mohammad Ashraful 2-19

Kenya won by six wickets

Scotland 155/6
Ryan Watson 64, Navdeep Poonia 36

Zimbabwe 156/5
Chamu Chibhabha 43, Vusi Sibanda 42
Majid Haq 2-29

Zimbabwe won by five wickets

West Indies 150/6
Dwayne Smith 47, Narsingh Deonarine 36
Chris Martin 2-22, Mark Gillespie 2-35

New Zealand 115
Peter Fulton 51
Daren Powell 3-4, Darren Sammy 3-21

West Indies won by 35 runs