Thirteen Magic moments at the World Cup 2015

SYDNEY: Magic moments in the 2015 Cricket World Cup which concluded on Sunday:
1 Captain Morgan or invisible man?
England captain Eoin Morgan was introduced as ‘Eoin Rogers’ by the mayor of Wellington when the team arrived in the New Zealand capital. Morgan, 28, shrugged off the gaffe: “I’ve been called a lot worse. She got the hardest part right.”

2 Rambo inspires Afghanistan
Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan became a cult hero, charging in with bandanna strapped tightly around his head, with cheeks painted in the colours of the Afghan flag. He admitted his hero was Rambo but unlike Sylvester Stallone’s on-screen lone wolf, he performed a nifty cartwheel when he took a wicket. Hassan was also at the non-striker’s end when Shapoor Zadran hit the winning runs in the historic win over Scotland.

3 Gayle takes tweet revenge
If West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron was trying to get Chris Gayle fired up when he retweeted a call from a fan to pension off the star opener, it certainly did the trick.
“Gayle goes... Can’t buy a run. Let’s give him a retirement package ... Can’t fail repeatedly and still front up based on reputation,” was the fan’s post retweeted by the Windies boss.
Two days later, Gayle smashed the first-ever World Cup double century in the win over Bangladesh.

4 Joyce freed on bail
Ireland’s Ed Joyce had a lucky break when he survived the ball hitting the stumps while batting against the United Arab Emirates in Brisbane.
Amjad Javed thought he’d struck with his fourth ball when an inswinger beat left-hander Joyce’s defence and caused the LED lights on the bails to flash. But although the off-bail was disturbed, it landed back in its groove and Joyce was not out.



5 Choke’s on you, Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell joked with the Auckland crowd that New Zealand would crumble in their pursuit of a modest 152-run target to defeat his Australians in the pool phase by turning to the fans and making a choking gesture by clasping his hands around his throat. Moments later, Kane Williamson launched a six over Maxwell’s head for a dramatic one-wicket win.

6 That’s pants, Yasir
Pakistan leg spinner Yasir Shah made a brave but fruitless, diving attempt to prevent a four in the win against South Africa in Auckland. Worse was to follow as millions of TV viewers around the world got a glimpse of Yasir’s pristine white Y-fronts as his trousers got caught in the boundary ropes.

7 Bugs life in Hamilton
New Zealand and Bangladesh players had to call for insect sprays to fend off swarms of black bugs which descended on Hamilton’s Seddon Park.
On a steamy, muggy day in the city, bugs caused a number of brief stoppages as Bangladesh batted in the early afternoon.
It was also reported that nearby pharmacies had run out of insect repellent as players and fans sought relief.

8 Music while you work
Tournament DJs, supplying music snippets in between overs or during breaks, have been quick witted and quick off the mark. They played the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” when Pakistan were trying to chase down the West Indies in Christchurch and “Doctor, Doctor” by the Thompson Twins as New Zealand’s Martin Guptill was treated for cramp against Bangladesh.

9 Bangladesh’s ‘Bryan brothers’
Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza mimicked US tennis brothers Mike and Bob Bryan’s famous leaping chest bump celebration when Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed. It was a powerful collision, sending both men falling to the ground.

10 Sound of Wahab hands clapping
In a tense quarter-final between Pakistan and Australia, Wahab Riaz peppered Shane Watson with a series of short balls before eyeballing and applauding the veteran all-rounder. Wahab also blew him a kiss for luck during one of the tournament’s most hostile spells of fast bowling. Watson had the last laugh as he was dropped by Rahat Ali before leading his team to victory, although both men were later fined.

11 Guptill best ever — again
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill smashed a World Cup record 237 in the quarter-final against the West Indies, passing the previous best of 215 set by Gayle against Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament. He also beat his own personal record of 189, the previous best score in a one-day international by a New Zealand batsman.

12 South African kills off South Africa
Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott made an undefeated 84 in what proved to be a crucial match-clinching innings for New Zealand in a memorable semi-final against South Africa in Auckland. He secured victory with a huge six off Dale Steyn.

13 Clarke signs off in style
Australia captain Michael Clarke dedicated the World Cup title to Phillip Hughes, the team-mate who died after being hit on the head by a bouncer last year.
“I’m sure everybody standing on this stage will say we played this World Cup with 16 players,” said Clarke who made a 74 in the final. “This victory is dedicated to our little brother Phillip Hughes.”