India v South Africa: Rohit Sharma hits century in Cricket World Cup victory
This was one of those games where you could be deceived into thinking that India had control throughout, had you watched the whole game.
They didn't. Having restricted South Africa to such a modest total, it was never going to be a cakewalk.
They were soon at 54/2 as Rabada got Dhawan and de Kock took a stunning catch to dismiss Kohli.
But India re so streetwise. They played exactly the right kond of 'no risk' cricket to whittle down the runs.
Rohit, once past his century, did his absolute best to get out, skying one that when it fell into du Plessis's mitts and he fumbled it, he just watched it go, not making an a second attempt to grab which looked a bit iffy.
In India and when I was writing on a couple of boards during the IPL, there are a fair number that think the whole competition is fixed and so that is the only real reason that I mention that the attempt or lack of it looked suspect.
In the end, India were home with a couple of overs to spare. It is the first time that the South Africans have lost three World Cup matches on the spin but there is time yet for them to turn things around.
SA look all over the place. They werent one of my favourites to get into the semis. However I didnt think they would be this bad. India start of with a win. Good comfortableish win for India.
I just checked the score! Australia 81 for 5 against the Windies!
Aussie should have made 300 really.
West Indies trundling along nicely.
133/3 (25).
What a catch earlier.Sensational.
Another great match. WI should have restricted the Aussies to around 220-240. I think this match shows why Aussies are one of the favourites. Being 81/5 down, to turn it around by posting a decent total and then putting in a decent bowling performance.
I have to agree with Holding, the umpiring in this match was atrocious. I was working from home yesterday, so had the match on as I worked data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7. The umpiring was poor, these are meant to be the best umpires around. The ball before Gayle was out, was a massive no ball. Its very poor that it was missed by the umpire.
The Pak v SL start is delayed. Pak should win this match. Its teams like SL they have to beat if they want to reach the semis.
No chance of any cricket today.
A day of covers, umbrellas and match replays.
Yes, the umpiring was pretty gutless, that final one the best example of the lot, lured into giving it out by Zampa's over-insistence yet it was proved to be nowhere close to being out.
India off to a slow steady start on a slow Oval pitch with no swing, with a side stacked with spinners. Should be a good one!
Very good team performance by India and well worth a Sunday’s viewing.