Dwayne Smith Becomes the Man of the Match of the First Match of the World Cup Cricket 2007

Dwayne Smith was selected the Man of the Match of the first match of the World Cup Cricket 2007 against Pakistan. For his all round performance in the match made the task of the adjudicators easy to select him for the award. With the bat, this young all rounder played a 15 ball 32 in which he scored three 4s and two 6s. Actually, his devastating batting could fuel the West Indies innings to reach very close to the 250.

However, with the ball he made the main contribution as he took three most dangerous batsmen of the Pakistan- Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal. He took the wicket of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal in two consecutive balls and I think, that was the turning point of the match. In 10 overs he conceded 36 runs. So, with his all round performance he helps West Indies to sail safely.

Shoaib Malik: The Only Successful Pakistani Batsman in the First Match against West Indies

Pakistani all rounder Shoaib Malik made a brilliant half century in the first match of the World Cup Cricket 2007 against West Indies. It is true that his 54 ball 62 could not resist West Indies from winning the match. To tell the truth, his stylish 50 gave a good look to the Pakistan score of 187. In the way of playing such an important innings he hit six 4s and one 6. He got out as the last batsman of the Pakistan innings.

The only thing that made me astonished regarding his batting is his responsible batting according to the situation under a huge pressure. When he came to the crease, Pakistan was on 99 for 4 struggling against the West Indies bowlers. From then on, Pakistan lost wickets at a regular interval. However, Shoaib Malik could continue showing his hard hitting batting at the one hand. If any batsman could support this young batsman, the result of the match might have been changed.

I think, Shoaib Malik is a key player for Pakistan cricket team in the coming matches. So, Pakistan may use Shoaib Malik more effectively taking him up in the batting order.

Marlon Samuels Got the First 50 of the World Cup Cricket 2007

Marlon Samuels scored the first half century of the World Cup Cricket 2007 in the way of playing 63 runs in his 70 ball innings. He seemed very confidence while playing in a crucial situation along with Brian Lara. In his innings he played some lofty shots which entertained the host crowd in the Sabina Park stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Earlier, he looked very slow in taking runs but with the time passes he got set to the wickets and started playing free hand shots. In his brilliant 50, he hit three 6s and five 4s being the first 6 hitter of the World Cup Cricket 2007.

I think, with the time pass he is becoming more matured but he was needed to carry on the innings to the end so that he could make the West Indies score 250 up. He has lot of shots in his hand and can be very important for West Indies in the following innings. For your kind information, I would like to make you know that he is an occasional off spin bowlers too. So, considering his skill, you can bet on this outstanding performer.

Marlon Samuels: The First Six Hitter of the World Cup Cricket 2007

West Indian batsman Marlon Samuels hit the first over boundary or six of the World Cup Cricket 2007. It was first ball of the 28^th over of the West Indies innings. The bowler was Iftikhar Anjum. It was a half pitched ball and very close to the off stump but not too much bouncy. The batsman Marlon Samuels got too much room to make such an excellent straight shot. Brian Lara was at the crease at that moment.

However, both Samuels and Lara have backed to the pavilion. Now West Indies is 181 for 6. Having lost three early wickets both Marlon Samuels and Brian Lara could hold the match up in favor of West Indies. Now the host team is really struggling.

West Indies Seems Up According to the Betting

The first match of the World Cup Cricket 2007 is now going on at the Sabina Park stadium at Kingston, Jamaica. You have to wait at least another 7 hours to know who is going to win the match. However, the pre-match betting shows that West Indies is the favorite for this match but Pakistan is not too much away from them. So, it seems that betters are also in a dilemma regarding the first match. Jackpot reported:

West Indies go into the game favourites at 8/13, buoyed by their fanatic home support, with Pakistan at 6/5.

It may be wise to then focus on the top runscorers for each team. As probably one of the most talented batsman the game has ever seen, Brian Lara is at enticing odds of 9/2 to be the top runscorer for the West Indies with Paddy Power.

Pakistani captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, is at 5/1 to be lead runscorer for the talented Asians with Coral.

Betting for the Man of the Match market could offer to most value for punters. Man of the Match awards usually go to performances by batsmen so there is no surprise to see them dominating the betting. Charismatic West Indies opener Chris Gayle is favourite for to win the award at 8/1 with Ladbrokes.

I think, betters are more concerned with their penny so they become puzzled whom they should bet on. However, with the excitement of cricket, betters are also getting excited. Though betting is a way of income for some people, I think, ICC should ensure that betting has no impact in the matches.

West Indies Vs. Pakistan, The Battle of the World Cup Cricket 2007 Starts

Having seen an excellent opening ceremony of the World Cup Cricket 2007, the whole world is now experiencing the first match of this biggest occasion of world cricket. Yes, the World Cup Cricket 2007 is now in the field. The first match is now going on between two former champions Pakistan and West Indies at the Sabina Park stadium, Kingston, Jamaica. Winning the toss Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul- Haq has decided to field first. It was expected that Umar Gul would get the new ball but as his partner Naved-ul-Hasan (Rana Navid) was not expected. On the other hand, Rao Iftikhar Anjum got the award of playing well in the warm up matches.

Pakistani bowler Umar Gul has already taken the wicket of the dangerous opening batsman Chris Gayle putting some pressure on the West Indies. Now, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are in the crease and playing well.

The wicket of the Sabina Park seems helpful for the pacers as both Umar Gul and Rana Navid are getting bounce and swing from both side. However, it is a bit hard to predict anything abut the success of the spinners. Danish Kaneria can be dangerous for the West Indies batsmen in the middle of the innings.

ICC to Send a Team to Investigate the Marlon Samuels’ Accusation of Sending Information to a Bookie

ICC will go through the West Indian batsman Marlon Samuels’ allegation of providing information regarding matches to a bookie Kochar. The police of Nagpur, India first accused Marlon Samuels based on a tapped conversation between Samuels and the bookie Kochar.

NDTV reported:

The team, mainly comprising of ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit officials, will be in Nagpur by Monday for detailed discussions with the Nagpur police, said a top BCCI source.

"We have received a communication that a team from ICC will be going to Nagpur. We are ready to cooperate in the investigations," the source said.

During their stay in Nagpur, the ACU officials will also interact with the staff of the hotel where the West Indian cricketers had put up for their ODI against India last month.

The ACU team will try to ascertain whether any other cricketer was involved in leaking information to bookies.

The team will submit its report to the ICC which would then recommend what action could be taken against the West Indian all-rounder who has been accused of leaking information on team composition to alleged bookie Mukesh Kocchar.

"The ICC then will forward the report to the West Indies Cricket Board, which will have to take action if the player is found to be guilty," the source said.

This is a good decision as they will send a team to investigate the matter which will be helpful for both ICC and Marlon Samuels. Here it is also a question that why police has specially tapped the conversation of Samuels. The mystery over the issue is roaming around the cricket world.

West Indies Captain Brian Lara to Launch a TV Game “Brian Lara International Cricket 2007” in England

West Indies captain and star batsman Brian Lara is now in England in order to launch a computer game named after him, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007. This is not the first time Brian Lara TV game is going to be on public rather there were a number of episode of Brian Lara cricket TV game. He went England as the promotional activities of the TV game.

NDTV reported:

West Indies captain Brian Lara flew into London for a day on Thursday to promote the launch of his new computer game - 'Brian Lara International Cricket 2007'.

Lara will be in charge of the side when they try and win the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil in a few weeks time.

He said that Rickey Ponting, Glenn McGrath and Sachin Tendulkar might be dangerous in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. However, he has not talked about the Marlon Samuels’ allegation of having connection with a bookie Kochar.

This TV game will make a boom in the market as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is coming with full pace.

Ramnaresh Sarwan Fall in Another Injury ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

Ramnaresh Sarwan, the benevolent batsman of West Indies has fallen in a bone injury while playing in domestic cricket. He has recently come back after having another bad injury with hairline fracture in the right instep. The coming ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is now knocking at the door and that is why, the injury creates a fear among the fans. However, it has been reported that the batsman will be fit enough to play after three weeks. The first match of West Indies in the World Cup Cricket 2007 is about five weeks away. So, the injury may not be able to stop him going for the World Cup Cricket 2007.

Nation News reported:

The Guyana and West Indies captain sustained the blow from Fidel Edwards mid-way into the opening day of the Carib Beer Series match against Barbados at Bourda on Monday, and an X-ray, along with a MRI scan, confirmed the nature of the injury.

It comes just when he was recovering from a hairline fracture of the right instep he sustained in Pakistan last December and more significantly, five weeks ahead of the West Indies' opening match of the World Cup on March 11.

Sarwan, however, is optimistic that he'll be ready for the mega-event.

"I'm very confident. It is just a matter of doing the right things over the next three weeks. I will start getting therapy in probably another two weeks," he told MIDWEEK SPORT yesterday.

Though it is sure that Ramnaresh Sarwan will be fit after three weeks but the question mark still appears in his form as three weeks is a long time. What do you think?