T20 World Cup News
Injury Forces Murlitharan Out of T20 World Cup
In a severe blow to Sri Lanka’s T20 World cup prospect, Muttiah Muralitharan suffered a groin strain and would not be able to participate in the remaining of T20 World Cup 2010.
Team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan has sustained a grade one strain on his right adductor muscle and will need up to three weeks’ rest.
On Monday, in a do or die situation Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka after losing the first match has to win this match if they wish to move to super eights.
Brett Lee Out Off T20 World Cup
In a warm up match against Zimbabwe at Beausejour Cricket Ground, Brett Lee got a muscle strain in his right forearm and is doubtful for T20 World Cup.
It’s a muscle strain,” the team spokesman said. “We have gone to the ICC Technical Committee to ask for a replacement player,” he added.
The replacement is not announced yet but Doug Bollinger or Ryan Harris may be called as his replacement.
Sehwag Out of T20 World Cup
The swashbuckling opening batsmen from India, Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of T20 World Cup starting 30th April due to a shoulder injury.
Gautam Gambhir will is now vice captain of Indian team. As a replacement,Tamil Nadu batsman Murli Vijay is given the opportunity due to his excellent form in Indian Premier League.
IPL Is Useful For Preparation Of World Cup
Indian team’s two of the biggest hitters, Yusuf Pathan and Virender Sehwag agreed on one single point, and that is – IPL has helped a lot in preparing for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.
Yusuf said “Everybody is playing in IPL. We are getting good practice. It’s a good opportunity for us that we are playing real matches. It’s (IPL) a big tournament and it’s Twenty20 format same that of the T20 World Cup. You have the momentum,”
“There is a problem when you switch from 50 overs to T20 format. There you need some time to adjust. But here we are in the T20 mode. So it is giving us a good practice ahead of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies,” he added.
Sehwag earlier said that IPL was far better way to prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup than practicing in the nets.
“I’m not too worried about us not being all together until just before the tournament starts as we’re all practising together here in India during the IPL and it’s good to be playing T20 matches rather than practicing for four hours,” said Sehwag.
India had won the inaugural edition of Twenty20 World Cup 2007 and does hope to repeat the same this year.
Dual Blow To Pakistan World Cup Preparations
In a dual blow to the preparations for T20 World Cup 2010, Pakistan’s two superstar Umar Gul and all-rounder Yasir Arafat have been ruled out due to fitness problems
“We have recommended the names of fast bowler Mohammad Sami and another young pace bowler Mohammad Irfan to the board Chairman for final approval as replacements for the World Cup,” chief selector Mohsin Khan told reporters on Sunday.
No Warm Up Matches For India
Team India will not play in warm up matches ahead of T20 World Cup which starts on 30th April in West Indies.
“India has elected not to play any warm-up matches while Sri Lanka has opted to play only one warm-up match,” the ICC said in a statement detailing the schedule of the practice games of other teams.
“With just 16 days to go before the first match takes place in Guyana on April 30, both the men’s and women’s teams will play a series of warm-up matches against either other competing teams or host XIs where a competing team is not available,” the ICC said.
“The men’s teams will play their warm-ups from 27 to 29 April in Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana while the women will play on 2 and 3 May in St Kitts.