Argy-bargy and overkicks
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the World Cup, Group A match between Pakistan and Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo
As tempers boil over, Brad Haddin shoves Younis Khan, while Kamran Akmal does his best to calm the situation • Getty Images
Referral of the day
Pakistan haven't been too hot in their usage of the DRS in this World Cup, their batsmen and bowlers both too eager to go upstairs to challenge decisions that, to the naked eye, have mostly looked right in the first place. But when Ricky Ponting edged Mohammad Hafeez - and it was so huge, it nearly came off the face of the bat - and Marais Erasmus turned it down, they asked for it straight away. They'd already wasted one early in the innings but as replays confirmed, the edge was so massive Kamran Akmal did remarkably well to hold on to it. Perhaps Akmal holding on to an actual edge was what Erasmus couldn't believe? We're not sure what Ponting was hoping to achieve by hanging around but this is surely why the DRS exists.
Pakistan haven't been too hot in their usage of the DRS in this World Cup, their batsmen and bowlers both too eager to go upstairs to challenge decisions that, to the naked eye, have mostly looked right in the first place. But when Ricky Ponting edged Mohammad Hafeez - and it was so huge, it nearly came off the face of the bat - and Marais Erasmus turned it down, they asked for it straight away. They'd already wasted one early in the innings but as replays confirmed, the edge was so massive Kamran Akmal did remarkably well to hold on to it. Perhaps Akmal holding on to an actual edge was what Erasmus couldn't believe? We're not sure what Ponting was hoping to achieve by hanging around but this is surely why the DRS exists.
Scrap of the day
Bragging rights and a favourable quarter-final draw were the only incentives in a game of two sides already assured knock-out spots. It could've been a low-tension stroll through the Premadasa but low intensity is not something associated with these two sides. Pakistan announced their intent by not giving into emotion and keeping Shoaib Akhtar out. Through the day there was chatter among opponents, though Umar Akmal and Brad Haddin took it to another level with their feisty tete-a-tete after the Ricky Ponting referral. Words were exchanged - not nice ones - and fingers pointed, before Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan tried to calm things down. They didn't and the situation seemed to get worse with what appeared to be a little shove of Younis by Haddin. Ah, dead group games…
Bragging rights and a favourable quarter-final draw were the only incentives in a game of two sides already assured knock-out spots. It could've been a low-tension stroll through the Premadasa but low intensity is not something associated with these two sides. Pakistan announced their intent by not giving into emotion and keeping Shoaib Akhtar out. Through the day there was chatter among opponents, though Umar Akmal and Brad Haddin took it to another level with their feisty tete-a-tete after the Ricky Ponting referral. Words were exchanged - not nice ones - and fingers pointed, before Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan tried to calm things down. They didn't and the situation seemed to get worse with what appeared to be a little shove of Younis by Haddin. Ah, dead group games…
Double of the day
The result was drifting towards foregone-conclusion territory with Pakistan needing 79 more runs with eight wickets in hand, when Brett Lee gave the game some spark. Lee had removed both the openers in his first spell, and as soon as he came back for his second, he struck a double blow. Younis Khan edged behind from the fourth ball of Lee's second spell and the next delivery Misbah-ul-Haq also nicked through to Brad Haddin. It was the lift the Australians needed, but unfortunately for Lee, his was proving to be a solo effort.
The result was drifting towards foregone-conclusion territory with Pakistan needing 79 more runs with eight wickets in hand, when Brett Lee gave the game some spark. Lee had removed both the openers in his first spell, and as soon as he came back for his second, he struck a double blow. Younis Khan edged behind from the fourth ball of Lee's second spell and the next delivery Misbah-ul-Haq also nicked through to Brad Haddin. It was the lift the Australians needed, but unfortunately for Lee, his was proving to be a solo effort.
Soccer of the day
Lee did some fine work with the ball in this match, but this was not his best moment. He dug the ball in to Umar Akmal, who kept it out, though not without a certain awkwardness, and in his follow-through Lee looked set to collect the ball. Instead, he decided to kick it off the ground towards the wicketkeeper - the only problem being that it skewed off the side of his boot and ran away towards fine leg for an overthrow. Or, more correctly, an overkick.
Lee did some fine work with the ball in this match, but this was not his best moment. He dug the ball in to Umar Akmal, who kept it out, though not without a certain awkwardness, and in his follow-through Lee looked set to collect the ball. Instead, he decided to kick it off the ground towards the wicketkeeper - the only problem being that it skewed off the side of his boot and ran away towards fine leg for an overthrow. Or, more correctly, an overkick.