Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne

One can take champions out of cricket but one cannot take cricket out of champions. This seems to be true in case of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne who are all set to renew their rivalry in the Cricket All Stars series that starts in New York.

Right from Sydney in January 1992, when Warne made his Test debut in the third match of the series in which Tendulkar smashed an unbeaten 148, to the numerous T20 Matches in the Indian Premier League, the two greatest cricketers of the past two decades have fought enduring battles on the pitch which have become part of cricket folklore.

The draw for the teams was conducted at the Times Square garden in New York and 27 players were assigned randomly to Sachin Blasters and Warne Warriors. The two greatest batsman of their generation Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, were drawn on the same team. Australian big hitters like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Andrew Symonds ended up with Warne. Sachin Blasters will also have swashbuckling Virender Sehwag, the wristy VVS Laxman, and the enigmatic Saurav Ganguly.

It will be surely be a sight for the eyes when these batsmen take guard against a bowling attack comprising Warne, Courtney Walsh, Allan Donald and Wasim Akram. Tendulkar bowling attack will have Muttiah Muralitharan and great pacers Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Pollock and Shoaib Akhtar. Apart from these legends Blasters will also have Mahela Jayawardene, Carl Hooper, Lance Klusener, Moin Khan, and Graeme Swann.

Michael Vaughan, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, Jonty Rhodes, Saqlain Mushtaq, Daniel Vettori and Ajit Agarkar complete the team of warriors. These ICC sanctioned matches will be played on drop in pitches at major baseball fields in New York, Houston, and Los Angeles.

World Cup 2015: AB makes history again

World Cup 2015, all teams have competed with at least three teams and results are not as expected. England and Pakistan are in the end of the tables. Australia and West Indies are in the middle of the table. India and New Zealand are among the best performing teams so far. In a recent match against West Indies, AB de Villiers again broke fastest 150 runs record. He broke fastest half century and century record against same team. Day is not far when AB will break fastest 200 record of Chris Gayle.

AB scored 162 runs in this match, the second highest for any South African batsman in World Cup. He scored his century in 52 balls, which is second fastest in World Cup. As a captain he scored 9 centuries, the most as a South African Captain. He is now among the six batsmen to score four centuries in World Cup. Only Sachin and Ponting are ahead of him. South Africa beat West Indies by 257 runs, the biggest in World Cup equaling India record against Bermuda.

South African team scored 408 runs, the second highest in World Cup. Jason Holder conceded 104 runs in ten overs, the most by any West Indies bowler. AB scored 76 runs against Holder, the most by any batsman against a bowler. Previous record was hold by MS Dhoni, when he scored 61 runs against Upul Chandana in Jaipur. Partnership between AB and Behardien was of 80 runs in just 20 balls with a run rate of 24, the best 50+ partnership ever.

In last 15 overs, 222 runs are scored by South Africa, the second most in an ODI. The most runs record is of 230 runs, which is also hold by South Africa against West Indies earlier this year. West Indies have now conceded 400+ runs three times in ODI innings, the most by any team. Sri Lanka and South Africa have conceded 400+ twice each. These were some of the records made in match between West Indies and South Africa. In last match, West Indies broke many records but in this match records were broken against them.

Cricket World Cup 2015

The 2015 Cricket World Cup is the 11^th Cricket World Cup, currently being hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14 February 2015 to 29 March 2015. Fourteen teams will play 49 matches in 14 venues, with Australia staging 26 games and New Zealand hosting 23 games. The final match of the tournament will take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The ICC has named Sachin Tendulkar as the 2015 Cricket World Cup Ambassador for the second time, after 2011 Cricket World Cup where he was the Ambassador. India is the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2011 defeating Sri Lanka in the finals. Now, let us have a look on all teams and key players from each team.

Afghanistan- This debutant team of this year got good experience in T20 Cricket and beaten both Ireland and Scotland in 2015. Key Players are Nawroz Mangal and Captain Mohammad Nabil.

Australia- The hosts, the favorites, and the team to beat. They have won 11 of their last 13 ODI. Key Players are David Warner, Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell. Captain Michael Clarke is also in good form and Coach Darren Lehmann guidance can make this team fifth time champion.

Bangladesh- Always a threat but not quite the dangerous underdogs they were in 2007 and 2011. Whitewashed Zimbabwe in recently but have not beaten any of the top eight team since 2013. Key Players are Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, and Tamim Iqbal. Captain is Mashrafe Mortaza.

England- Founder country of Cricket but have never won the World Cup. This time they got some all-rounders and a captain in form. Key Players are Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Joe Root, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson. Their Captain is Eoin Morgan.

India- Defending champions and good performer team in last four years in major tournaments. Played three major finals and won two. Current conditions are little shaky but captain cool is always good to watch. Key players are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Captain is Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Ireland- Famous win over Pakistan in 2007 and England in 2011 are still remembered. This team can beat any top performing team. Key Player is Ed Joyce and captain is William Porterfield.

New Zealand- Currently the best team in form and favorite to win the tournament. Played six semi-finals until now. Key Players are Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Boult, Vettori, and Southee. Captain is Brendon McCullum.

Pakistan- Line up looks shaky after absence of Hafeez. Star batsman Afridi is in good form. Key players are Umar Akmal, Afridi, Irfan, and Ahmed Shahzad. Captain is Misbah-Ul-Haq.

Scotland- Goal is to register first win at World Cup. Good performing team with key player and captain Preston Mommsen.

South Africa- Top most team in ODI with a star line up. This is the team to watch out for in this season. This team have never won any major tournament. Key Players are Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Philander, Morkel, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, and Duminy. Captain is AB de Villiers.

Sri Lanka- Runner up of last two world cup tournaments and winner of 2014 T20 World Cup. Most consistent performing team always. Key Players are Lasith Malinga, Jayawardene, Sangakkara, and Dilshan. Captain is Angelo Mattews.

UAE- Another opportunity to play in World Cup. Key Player is Khurram Khan, 43 year old all rounder and oldest player in the tournament. Captain is Mohammad Tauqir.

West Indies- Never Underestimated team with huge and power hitters. Key Players are Chris Gayle, Smith, Sammy, Russell, and Samuels. Captain is Jason Holder.

Zimbabwe- One of the underdog’s team from the past. They have experienced and consistent players in the team. Key Players is Brendan Taylor. Captain is Elton Chigumbura.

These are the 14 teams of the tournament this year. Event will start on 14 February 2015. Opening match will be played between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Auckland.