Strauss Blasts Boycott For Yardy Comments

England skipper Andrew Strauss on Friday hit out at former test star Geoffrey Boycott on his scathing criticism of the release of Michael Yardy in the World Cup because of depression.

Strauss said his team was "very disappointed" by the comments boycott and a team of compassion for their teammates the situation.

"I don't think your cricketing ability or what you have achieved has anything to do with it whatsoever,"said Strauss.

"There are significant pressures, and as you get older a lot of us have kids and what not, which makes touring harder."

"As I said, it's important to draw attention to the fact that it's different from having a hard time being away from home and actually suffering from depression. Two very different things."

2011 World Cup Australia Set 261 Target For India

Ricky Ponting broke his 30th ODI century to return to the form and power of Australia 260-6 against India in the second 2011 World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.

Ponting (104) won a good start on a slow running track at Sardar Patel Stadium, where he figured 250 would be a good total.

He and Brad Haddin (53) then provided that the total has exceeded their expectations.

Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ashwin Ravichandran claimed two wickets each as India have used seven bowlers in the match, including Sachin Tendulkar, who last rode his bowling arm in 2009 against the same opponents.

For Australia, Shane Watson fell Opens (25) after a slow start but Haddin played without complex and was particularly severe on Munaf Patel.

On-Haddin partnership Ponting had 70 runs when Yuvraj once again underlined his importance as a bowler part time, who dismissed Michael Clarke and Haddin.

Mike Hussey stay was interrupted by Zaheer Khan (2-53), but his brother David (38 not out) played a small role in business Ponting to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Australia milked 44 runs from their batting powerplay overs - 44th to 48th without losing any wicket and Ponting htook a single off Ashwin to reach his fifth World Cup century before giving his wicket to the off-spinner in the penultimate over.

Ponting Planned To Retire After WCup 2011

Australia captain Ricky Ponting denied Wednesday he intends to quit International Cricket in the midst of reports that he was ready to walk way.

The 36-year-old Ponting, who has been under intense pressure from the Ashes defeat, and for his controversial behavior on the World Cup, says his international retirement has never crossed his mind.

This morning, that he planned to retire from the international scene at the end of the World Cup and finished his career with English county.

"I've never ever thought about retirement or where the finish line might be," he told Australian media on the eve of the champions' quarter-final against India.

"I've been trying to prepare myself as best I can as a player and lead the team as well as possible. For some reason, these retirement things keep popping up all the time."

Waugh Lauds Steely South Africa

The former Australian captain Steve Waugh says the old rivals South Africa are no longer the brittle team of the nineties and and have become a standout team in the World Cup.

Waugh was captain of the team that beat South Africa in a must-win Super Six match in 1999 World Cup on the way to win the title triumph against Pakistan at Lord's.

The game against Leeds in South Africa still remembers a past taken by Waugh and how Proteas slumped to hand the Aussies a key win.

Waugh was 56 when he flicked over midwicket Lance Klusener where Herschelle Gibbs took the catch, but has much to celebrate, dropped the ball.

Australian skipper, who went on to make a match-winning 120 not out, as reported Gibbs said "you're the guy just dropped the World Cup." Both he and Gibbs has since denied this happened.

Waugh said the current South African team has become one of the leading contenders for the coveted crown.

Sri Lanka Won Against New Zealand in 2011 World Cup

Kumar Sangakkara 63 ODIs to break the drought of the century goes all the way until June 2008, but after his 11th ODI century (the first World Cup), finally, finally came, it was an immaculately conceived, Silken Stroke and steelly resolve in the same way. And conveniently enough, is in Sri Lanka to win the first game outside the comfort zone of their home grounds.

What has Sangakkara's innings was a memorable context. He had opted for first strike on winning the toss, even if it seemed that could cause rue his decision.

Kiwi bowlers in favor of joint opportunities with a damp track and supported by Fielding and athletics is hardly credible in Mumbai reeling under record high temperatures for this time of year, strangled, of course, jubilant opener Lanka into submission.

So unyielding were the kiwis Upul Tharanga who was run off the last ball of the third over, the combination of the opening of explosives had only managed 13 labored runs.

Pakistan Trio Face British Trial on May 20

Three Pakistani cricketers accused of spot-fixing in a test match against England last year were ordered Thursday to stand trial before a British court on May 20

Former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer Fast Bowling appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates Court for the first time since they were charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments.

The Judge Howard Riddle said the charges against the players and their agents, Mazhar Majeed, were "very serious."

"On the face of it, there is clear evidence against all of you in varying degrees," he said.

The judge ordered four men to stand trial in Southwark Crown Court in London.

The players, who all live in Pakistan, was granted unconditional freedom, although the UK-based Majeed was released on condition that surrender his passport and not apply to international travel documents.

Australia Moves atop Group A After Beating Canada

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin made an opening stand order of 183 to lead Australia to a seven wicket victory against Canada on Wednesday, lifting the defending World Cup champion atop Group A with one match remaining.

After failing in a bowl Sunday Kenya suffered major attacks Australia's batting attack at the beginning of the courageous young Hiral Patel, who broke a half-century dazzling 37-ball, who helped Canada reach 50 faster than any team in the tournament.

But Brett Lee took 4-46 in Australia leading to the recovery of Canada which bowled 211 in 45.4 moves.

Watson (94) and Haddin (88) Australia best starting partnership in the at a World Cup that the three-time champion has reached its goal in the 35th over, finishing 212-3.

Australia took the defeat of the World Cup run to 34 matches and remains the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

Borren Slams Reckless Batting After Fifth Loss

Dutch captain Peter Borren accused six wicket defeat to beat the poor of Bangladesh on Monday, the fifth consecutive loss for the minnows have a miserable campaign.

The Dutch were sacrificed per 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first knock on the window slowly, Bangladesh a target more than 42 back with your left hand Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.

Ryan ten Doeschate top scorer, for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but no other batsman 30, six failed to reach double and four of them ran out.

Borren said that ""We just kept losing wickets at crucial times. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."

Bangladesh left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to Bowling with Abdur Razzak is leading with 3-29 in 10 stable. Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one each.

But Borren credicted Bangladesh's seamer Shafiul Islam, who has admitted to only seven points in his first six overs such as the Dutch reached 28-0 by the ninth.

Borren said that "Shafiul very upset today. He was consistent and did not bowl bad balls. We were looking at opportunities of scoring in the initial powerplays when the ball was hard, but to be honest Shafiul did not allow us to do that. He went without a wicket, but probably deserved many."

Dhoni Banks on Openers To Fire

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he was trying to Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opens fire on the top of the order that the eyes of the host country in the quarterfinals.

"If we can hit open as long as possible, it will be good for us because from what we saw Sachin and Sehwag start if it is difficult to stop them," Dhoni said on the eve of their Group B match against South Africa.

"I am just hoping that in coming games we have slightly bigger partnerships so that the middle and the lower middle order can use the explosive power well."

"We rely on momentum and if we get a good start, our lower order can really cash in on the platform that is provided to us."

The explosive Sehwag and Tendulkar are capable of dominating any attack but the greatest increase in the World Cup so far has been 69.

Dilshan Guides Sri Lanka Into Quarter Finals

Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed 144 before taking 4-4 ​​to help Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 139 runs and reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

Together with Upul Tharanga opens his compatriot, wwho hit a career-best 133, Dilshan put on a new World Cup opening stand 282 to guide Sri Lanka to an impressive 327-6 before a packed crowd at 30,000 crowd at Pallekele stage.

Zimbabwe had an answer struggling with Brendon Taylor (80) and Regis Chakabva (35) to a great start of implementation of 116 before the entrance collapsed, losing their last nine windows last just 63 runs.

Dilshan, who surpassed his previous best of 4-29 against India in Dambulla in 2005 also became the 11th all rounder, and one in Sri Lanka behind Sanath Jayasuriya behind to score a hundred and take four wickets in an ODI.

The result meant Sri Lanka, which has seven points in five games, has become the first side to enter the last eight.

New Zealand, with six points from four matches, Pakistan (six from four) and defending champions Australia (from five to three) are almost certain to fill the remaining three qualifying places in the group.

India Ready To Experiment With Ashwin, Nehra

India wants to test fringe Bowling Ashish Nehra and Ravichandran Ashwin at some point during his campaign World Cup group, "said captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday, referring to the fight with wrestlers Holland could be the ideal opportunity to experiment.

Collaboration with the host and the pre-tournament favorite has relied heavily on the presentation of his powerful batting line-up, and Dhoni said he was still looking for the best combination of bowling.

India has persisted with only four specialists in their three Group B matches Bowling so far, and if Dhoni insisted these figures will not change, leftarm seam Nehra and offspinner Ashwin could queue for a match against the Dutch in New Delhi Wednesday.

Answerer Slowpitch Kotla Ashwin, in particular, and Nehra has recovered after a back injury and discomfort tonight's practice session after the press conference Dhoni.

"It's always good to have all players to see what options you have," said Dhoni. "The important thing is to win every game, but we will give them (Ashwin and Nehra) an opportunity, especially at the stage of the league before entering the second round."

India's current bowling conceded 283 in Bangladesh, 338 in a draw against England was not exactly dominant against Ireland, and the team is short of time to get it right before the quarter- final.

Fiery Tait Eager For Fresh Cup Aggro

Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has said he hopes his dust with Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan are things of things to come to the World Cup as he attempts to get under the skin of drummers.

There was a time during the leaching of Colombo last Saturday Slingshot Speedster Tait and beautiful Dilshan exchange some heated words.

In the second over of the match, cutting the cord Dilshan Tait slip for a first-ball boundary, which is rarely appreciated by any fast bowler.

"Things started a bit ago," said Tait, who had his revenge three balls later when he dismissed Dilshan.

"It's a dangerous player, so I attack your mind and try to get under his skin a little and vice versa, that was mine."

"If you start both and there are few words exchanged, it's nice to get the wicket. It worked pretty well for me."

The 28 year old Tait international cricket left in 2008 because of repeated injuries and decided to concentrate on shorter formats to ensure that it still has a career.

Aussies Braced For 'Brilliant' Malinga

Australia versatile Steve Smith praised on Wednesday the story Lasith Malinga manufacturer as "brilliant" as the defending champions have drawn up plans to combat deflector Sri Lanka in the World Cup.

Malinga brand Assembly New Yorkers and feet, crushing helped a career-best 6 to 38, including a second World Cup hat-trick as the home team defeated Kenya by nine wickets on Tuesday.

On Saturday, in turn, Australia to deal with Malinga, who is now fully recovered from back injury that prevented him from their first two games of the tournament.

"Malinga was brilliant," said Smith. "The field (R. Premadasa Stadium) varied little, and helped to swing the ball. Sri Lanka to be a good challenge for us. "

Australia, who defeated Sri Lanka 2007 final, and the fourth World Cup race saw looked impressive so far away from Zimbabwe, 91 tracks, and enjoy a seven-wicket victory against New Zealand.

"For us, the great challenge of playing against Sri Lanka here. They play really well in these conditions. "

Sri Lanka defeated Australia away from home in November and 21 leg-break bowler Smith hopes to slam brakes free scoring batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

We're Back in Business, Says Sangakkara

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday described his strike bowler Lasith Malinga destroy Kenya, said his team had proved to be back in business after the defeat in Pakistan.

Kenya scan to 142 all out off 43.4 Transfers of R. Premadasa Stadium, Collins Obuya scoring 52 and his brother David Obuya to 51

But Malinga destroy all hopes of Africans had been to Sri Lanka a total challenge, taking 6-38 in a devastating wave of fast bowling, including his second World Cup hat-trick.

"I thought it was important the way back from the Saturday," Sangakkara said, referring to his defeat by Pakistan 11.

"It was a good game and were unlucky to have lost their loved ones, but we've shown that we are a good team, strong in mind and came out and finished the game quite well."

"We tried to stop whenever we can and keep wickets so that should be the end and Lasith as usual, the sample which is in turn the ball, did a good job for us," added the skipper .