‘Self-belief' helped us beat India in 2003 WC final: Martyn
Perth: Notwithstanding India's good showing en route to the 2003 World Cup final, former batsman Damien Martyn said that it was Australia's 'self-belief' that helped them in outplaying the Sourav Ganguly-led side in the title clash. Put into bat, the defending champions rode on a 234-run unbeaten third-wicket partnership between Ponting (140) and Martyn (88) to post 359 and then managed to bundle out the Men in Blue for 234 in 39.2 overs. Martyn recalls the memorable day. "Everybody was excited and there was a lot of energy in the group about the big Final. It was a good wicket, a good outfield and a good crowd. We batted well and got a big score on the board. "Even in India's run-chase we never took it easy after Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal. India had a lot of other good guys in the line-up apart from Tendulkar and we knew that with a good wicket and outfield on offer anybody could chase down a target on a given day. "We just tried to keep doing what we had done through the whole World Cup and we did it in the Final," said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
Captains should emulate what Dhoni did in 2011: Fleming
Christchurch: Setting India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni as an example worth emulating, former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming Sunday said team captains should emulate what Dhoni did in the 2011 World Cup final by leading his pack with good skills and performances. “I know that good captains grasp the nettle. Just look at the way M.S. Dhoni pushed himself up the batting order in the 2011 final as a prime example of that idea,” Fleming wrote in a column for the International Cricket Council (ICC) website. Dhoni rose to the occasion in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri lanka in Mumbai by promoting himself up the batting order and scoring a match-winning knock while chasing a challenging total.
The former left-handed batsman said that during his stint with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier league (IPl), Dhoni had told him the decision was an instinctive one. The 41-year-old added that hesitancy in a team can create havoc. “Dhoni said it was an instinct that it was his time to lead from the front. Positivity and decisiveness like that can galvanise a team whereas hesitancy can flow through each player and create paralysis," said Fleming. "And in World Cups, where the matches come thick and fast and momentum and winning confidence can be crucial, that is a key point to remember.”
Windies' Miller hoping to fill void left by sunil Narine
Kingston, (Jamaica): left-arm spinner Nikita Miller hopes to fill the void left by off-spinner Sunil Narine for the West Indies in the upcoming cricket World Cup. The 32-year-old seasoned Jamaican replaced Narine for the prestigious event which runs from Feb 14 to March 29 in Australia and New Zealand. He has not played for the West Indies in nearly a year but has the experience of 45 One-Day Internationals (ODI) where he has taken 40 wickets, reports CMC. "I'm honoured and happy to be selected. I'm replacing Narine but it is unfortunate he had to pull out because he has been great for the West Indies," said Miller. Narine was named in the World Cup squad in January but pulled out Tuesday, citing the need to continue work on his bowling action. He has been doing remedial work on his action ever since being reported for having a suspected illegal action during the Champions league Twenty20 in September last year. Hopefully, I can fill that void efficiently. Hopefully, I can do a good job for the team where required and give my best," said Miller. Miller was leaving Jamaica Saturday to join his teammates, who arrived in Sydney Friday for an eight-day training stint that focuses on death bowling, power play bowling and fielding. There has been surprise in some quarters at Miller’s selection ahead of others, such as left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who has taken eight wickets at 30 runs apiece in six outings for the West Indies.