The ICC Cricket World 2014-2015 ODI Tournament ended at the Melbourne Ground in Australia with the Aussies defeating New Zealand by seven wickets. New Zealand won the toss, batted first and they ran into early trouble losing their captain without scoring.
Brendon McCullum was bowled by Mitchell Starc, struggling at 39 runs for 3 wickets after the fall of McCullum for 0, K. Williamson for 12 and M. Guptill for 15. A 111 runs partnership between Ross Taylor and G.D. Elliot. Taylor fell for 40 runs from 72 balls at 150 for 4 in the 36th over. Elliot fell in the 42nd over for 83 runs from 82 balls. New Zealand was bowled out for 183 runs from 45 overs. J.P. Faulkner picked up 3 for 36 from 9 overs, Mitchell Johnson 3 for 30 from 9 overs and Mitchell Starc 2 for 20 from 8 overs.
Australia scored 186 runs in 33.1 overs. Australia completed victory in style by scoring 186 runs for 3 wickets in 33.1 overs. Steve Smith scored 56 runs not out, opener David Warner 45 from 46 and Captain Michael Clarke 74 for 72. Smith and Captain Michael Clarke batted well for a partnership of 112 runs.
Note: J P Faulkner won the most valuable player award for the finals. Mitchell Starc won the player of the series award.
WEST INDIES SQUAD
West Indies selectors named 20-member squad for a training camp in preparation for the English Tour. The squad comprises: Devin Smith, Kraigg Braithwaite, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel, Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Braithwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Shane Dowrich, Veerasammy Permaul, Leon Johnson, Miguel Cummins and Shai Hope. Camp starts April 5.
ITINERARY FOR ENGLISH TOUR
Monday, April 6 – Tour match in St. Kitts.
Wednesday, April 8 – Tour match in St. Kitts.
Monday, April 13 – First Test match at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Tuesday, April 21-25 – Second Test match at Grenada National Stadium.
Friday, May 1-5 – Third Test match at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
POOR SHOWING
West Indies cricketers ought to learn quickly and adapt standards to better improve their quality of cricket. Players should take a comprehensive look at themselves and their approach to the game at large and ask themselves, “Am I doing my share significantly as a player representing the West Indies Cricket team?”
