Daily Sports News

Australia second successive victory and became the first team to secure following a six wicket victory over New Zealand at Centurion Park for the ICC Champions Trophy. Century from Shane Watson was mainly responsible for Aussie team success after their success against South Africa three years ago.

Australia limited New Zealand by 200 runs with the lost of nine wickets. It was not at all a smooth and clear victory for Australia. New Zealand decided to bat first and found themselves in big trouble   New Zealand fast bowlers Kyle Mills and Shane Bond claimed a wicket each in the first three over the match. Watson and White batted with intelligence and serenity to secure the world champion trophy. Watson who failed to score in first two matches came back strongly with successive centuries with unbeaten 105 runs while included 10 fours and 4 sixes. His unbeaten century got the title and award of Man of the match. Watson was the second highest scorer in the tournament after Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting with 265 runs. Ponting said after the match that Watson is portraying everybody how good he can be whereas Elliott proved himself with his remarkable performances with both bat and ball. White also batted well with 62 runs with Michael Hussey 11 runs and James Hopes 22 runs ensured Australia to reach the target in 45.2 over. Australia became the first country to win Champions Trophy twice.

Ricky Ponting Australian captain uttered his team needs to be the best to beat New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. Australia won against England in the semi final.Ponting mentioned his team requires playing the best game in the final champion’s trophy.

Ponting added saying team will not be happy until they the peak the achievement. Australia has won three World Cups and the reigning Champions Trophy holder. This year tournament some of their revival team is out of the tournament so it would be interesting to watch as well as play the game against New Zealand. Ponting was fined 20% of his match fee for a slow over rate against England and his teammate fined 10%. Ponting uttered saying winning the game gives a lot of satisfaction. He said this is the first time in few years we have not been ranked the number one team as if for now we are probably world’s number three or four. Aussie team is happy the way we played one-day cricket over the last three to four weeks. The record in these events speaks for itself and expectation has always high. New Zealand beat Pakistan in semi final. Daniel Vettori the captain of New Zealand said his team is hungry to win the competition. He added saying once you reach the immense level you realize an immense desire to go all the way.

ICC Champions Trophy India against Australia was forsaken due to heavy rains. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first there total score was on 234 runs by four wickets out of 42.3 overs. Match was called off at 1840 local time as expected rainstorm arrived.

India still has the possibility of achieving and getting into semi finals when India defeats West Indies credibly well. Pakistan entered semi finals with the victory of two matches. India and Australia both still have chances of entering semi-finals Australia needs to beat Pakistan in the match happening on Wednesday and if Pakistan beats, Australia by similar margin then Mahendra Singh Dhoni captain of India will get a chance to decide on run rate. However if they Australia beats Pakistan then India needs to return home likewise in 2007 World Cup. All Indian eyes are on the 30 September match praying and hoping for Pakistan victory so that India will not be out of the tournament. In history, it has never happened Indian praying for Pakistan victory. Australia was playing well in recent months they defeated England 6-1 in One Day International series. In 2006, the match that held in India they were champions of ICC trophy by defeating West Indies in the final match.

Yuvraj Singh Indian Batsman has been excluded from Champions Trophy after a finger fracture during the practice of fielding session in Johannesburg. He was injured just three days left before the teams opening match played against Pakistan.

Indian cricket board declared in a statement that Yuvraj singh would be out of the game for another six weeks. Virat Kohli will substitute Yuvraj in the tournament held in South Africa. India will plays against Pakistan on Saturday and later with Australia and West Indies. In one-day international, he has scored 7,098 runs and caught 76 wickets. India is the much loved among the eight-team tournament but the team by now has lost  two leading players opening batsman Virender Sehwag and pace bowler Zaheer Khan through injury however opener Gautam Gambhir has groin strain and is under fitness  worry.

Champions Trophy 2009 held to begin from the 22 September to 5 October at Wanderers Stadium and Centurion Park in Johannesberg in South Africa. Two teams from two group of four will form the semi finals with the final played on 5 October.

Last year tournament was supposed to be happen in Pakistan but was postponed until October 2009 due to security concerns after the attack on Sri Lankan teams. Group A consists of Australia, India, Pakistan and West Indies Group B consists of England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen stars of England team will not play for ICC Champions. Australia defeated England in the recent 50 over series and England became the first team to lose a series by 7-0. After the beginning of Twenty20, the popularity of 50 over game has declined.

Australia reclaimed topped one day ranking after their 111 runs victory against England in Nottingham, Australia in lead of 6-0 in seven match series must win the final match to enter the Champion Trophy. The main contribution for sixth one-day match for Australia is from wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

Tim Paine made 111 runs out of 148 balls with the total score of 296-8 went ahead of current world leaders South Africa in ODI and returned to top world ranking. Miserable defeat of England just leaves one defeat away to 7-0 series somewhat that never happened in international series of cricket. Captain Strauss was hurt by his team poor performance and cannot defend his team when few days remained to begin ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. He described his team batting as a horror show and a poor performance.

Australia defeated England in the one-day international series, even though England reached its highest total in five matches with 299 all out. Australia to 302-6 with 10 balls remaining. A superb century from captain Ricky Ponting scores of 126 from 109 balls, which include 14 fours and 3 sixes, gave Australia a four wicket win and lead of 5-0 against England.

Just two games victory away for Australia to retrieve the world’s number one ranking. Michael Clarke partnerships also hits 52 and Ponting stayed until his team scored 261 but later Owais Shah caught him out then later Cameron White and Mitchell Johnson guided the team. Defeat uncovered England inadequacy with poor fielding and loose bowling. Ponting uttered to the reporters Aussie is playing some good cricket now. Sixth match of series will be held on Thursday at Trent Bridge and the last series on Sunday at Riverside.

Luke Wright all- rounder of England is uncertain of playing for the fifth one-day international after been injured by the bowling machine and has stitches while practicing at the National Cricket Performance in Loughborough. England will play against Australia at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Wright injury may obstruct England’s selection, as England is sprawling 4-0 in ODI series. He an all-rounder had taken three wickets in the series so his absence will matter a lot. In the meantime Captain Andrew Strauss, uttered saying other teammate has to stand up. He added saying we all are capable of scoring hundreds but we have not done it until someone does it so now we are going to find things bit tough.