CWC 2015: Chris Gayle absolutely destroys a Zimbabwe outfit with no answer to the onslaught

Chris Gayle goes down the track (photo: ICC)

Here’s some stats about THAT Chris Gayle innings:
-He scored a six off every Zimbabwe bowler
-First 50 took 51 balls, he reached his ton in 105
-100-200 took just 33 balls
-He equalled AB de Villiers record of 16 sixes in an ODI game
-Chris Gayle is the ONLY player to score a T20I century, ODI double century and test triple century
-This is his second ODI ton or better in his last 21 innings

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CWC 2015: Kiwis are very hard to crack. Cricketers are even harder

Trent Boult screams for an appeal (photo: ICC)

After just two matches, it is abundantly clear why everyone’s talking New Zealand in this World Cup.

They’re consistent, they’re like glue that doesn’t pull apart, and it’s extremely hard for most opposing teams to breakthrough the top six. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

Scratchy and patchy might best describe the Kiwis road back to confidence. Household names now were just little specs in 2013. The biggest winning margin was 86 runs, whereas in 2014, they had four wins bigger than 50 runs or five wickets – a testament to the hard work the squad made to get back to an ultra-competitive level.

CWC 2015: New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Kiwis are intimidating at home

Kane Williamson against Sri Lanka (photo: Getty Images)

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP

New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Hagley Oval, 12pm AEDT

(Prediction: New Zealand. They’ve spent months at home preparing)

New Zealand

Like Australia, New Zealand have expectations placed upon them to do well at the World Cup.  One advantage for the Black Caps is they do not have to play a single game away from home, until the final, assuming they progress through the rounds.

CWC 2015: Australia v England – Aussies set to fire at home

Steve Smith in the ODI Tri-Series (photo: Getty Images)

(Read here for the same post on Infinity Cricket)

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP: AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

(Prediction: Australia. Both teams have talent, but Australia is putting it together with consistent performances)

AUSTRALIA

A home ground advantage in sport usually equates to visiting opponents being clinically beaten.

The way the Australians have prepared for the World Cup is ideal.  Back atop the ODI rankings, and a very convincing tri-series against England and India means their opponents need to watch out.

DRS is here, India; don’t complain to anyone

Umpire refers upstairs for the DRS (photo: Google Images)

Such is the controversy over cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS), the Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) has completely banned it from any series involving their national side.

Just how much longer remains a big question, however, with the Cricket World Cup literally on our front doorstep.