The four warm up matches today produced largely expected results, except for one match where upstarts Ireland almost pulled off a shocker over number 1 ODI team South Africa.
In Jamaica at the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium, site of the opening ceremony, the West Indies dispatched Kenya. The West Indies tallied 268/6 off their 50 overs with in form Marlon Samuels top scoring with an even undefeated hundred. Upon reaching his hundred, he immediately retired to give Kieron Pollard some time in the middle. Obviously the selectors are looking at giving him some playing time at the World Cup, a decision that should be given careful consideration as he may not be ready just yet. Pollard scored 14 in limited action and went for 56 off his 8 overs. Chris Gayle ably supported Samuels with 75 off 90 balls. With their turn at bat, the Kenyans weren't able to get on top of the bowlers, save for Pollard and Collymore, who probably won't be in the starting XI against Pakistan. Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor and Marlon Samuels helped restrict the Kenyans who never really looked like they would seriously threaten the Windies' total, although the result was closer than they would have liked. Interestingly, Lendl Simmons got a game at wicketkeeper. His skills as an emergency keeper probably ensured his place in the Windies 15 man squad.
In Trinidad, the real shocker of the day almost took place as, if not for Andrew Hall, Ireland would surely have defeated South Africa. Electing to bat, the Proteas were stunningly reduced to 91 for 8, before Hall's unbeaten 67 gave a measure of respectability to the South Africans' eventual total of 192. Medium pacer Dave Langford-Smith and Trent Johnston destroyed the top and middle order of the Africans' line up. Hall then returned to limit the Irish batting claiming 3 for 30 from 9 overs. Charl Langeveldt scalped 4 wickets at the death to cut down the Irish when they were within striking distance. It's ironic that the Irish batting was supposed to be their strength, while the bowling the weakness. However on this day, the opposite was true as the batsmen couldn't quite muster the 193 needed for victory, falling for 157. Ireland is a very dangerous side. One of the big sides is going to lose to them at this World Cup and I'm looking right at Pakistan.
In St Vincent, the English destroyed the Bermudian batting as the islanders looked the part of rank outsiders. Batting first, the English were surprisingly limited to 286 for 8, as Dwayne Leverock took 2 for 32 from his 10 overs with his left arm spin. Jamie Dalrymple helped put together a decent score for the English with his almost run a ball 76. At their turn to bat, the Bermudians gave full credence to all those disatisfied at the presence of the minnows in the tournament, as they were embarrassingly dismissed for 45. Much has been said against the inclusion of the minnows and Bermuda will have to work hard to prove the naysayers wrong.
In Barbados, the Sri Lankans stamped their class on the Scots, racking up 294 for 7 with quickfire knocks of 77 from Jayasuriya and 81 from Sangakkara. The Sri Lankans then demolished the Scots for 135 to win by 159 runs.
The South Africans will have to go back to the drawing board after their shocking performance today. The Irish as well as the Kenyans must be licking their chops at the prospects of knocking off some of the big boys.
The warm ups continue tomorrow with India against the Netherlands, Australia versus Zimbabwe, Pakistan against Canada and New Zealand taking on Bangladesh.
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