Cricket World Cup 2015: Top 10 Moments from Week 1
The first week of the 2015 Cricket World Cup is at an end and has already seen plenty of memorable moments as teams make their first steps in the competition.
There is still plenty of action to come, but it's also a great deal to reflect on.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 moments from the first week of the tournament.
10. Nuwan Kulasekara Gets World Cup Underway
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It may have only been a dot ball, but Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Kulasekara’s opening delivery to New Zealand opener Martin Guptill kicked the whole World Cup off.
After all the buildup, it was a significant moment in the first week of the tournament.
9. Brendon McCullum Bowled by Chris Woakes' Full Toss
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Brendon McCullum had smote England all around to make 77 from just 24 balls and take his side to the brink of victory.
After so many boundaries, his innings ended in something of a damp squib as he missed a full toss from Chris Woakes and was bowled.
It was an almost laughable end to a brilliant attacking innings.
8. Zimbabwe’s Regis Chakabva Out Hit Wicket vs. UAE
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Against the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe opener Regis Chakabva was out in the most peculiar way, as he backed into his own stumps to be out hit wicket.
It is a dismissal that is not seen very often, with Mohammad Tauqir the bowler to profit from his error.
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7. Tim Southee Bowls James Taylor
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Against England’s batsmen, Tim Southee was truly dominant, and he reached his zenith with his removal of James Taylor for a duck.
It was a ball that swung in and then moved away from the right-hander and left his stumps shattered.
Southee went on to take 7-33 in nine overs as New Zealand took an easy victory.
6. AB de Villiers Runs Out Elton Chigumbura
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South Africa captain AB de Villiers is also an electrifying fielder, and he was at his best as he ran out his opposite number for Zimbabwe, Elton Chigumbura.
Coming in from mid-off, De Villiers speared in a hard throw that hit the stumps directly with Chigumbura out of his ground as he attempted a quick single.
It was a superb piece of fielding that helped the Proteas to a comfortable win.
5. Aaron Finch Scores 1st Century of 2015 Cricket World Cup
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It did not take long for a batsman to reach three figures, as in just the second match of the tournament, Australian Aaron Finch brought up his century against England.
It was the first 100 of the tournament, and in the end Finch finished with 135 from 128 balls as Australia reached 342 from their 50 overs.
4. David Miller Hits 30 off an Over for South Africa
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South African David Miller is an aggressive stroke-maker who hits the ball very hard, and in the 48th over off Solomon Mire, he took it to another level.
Miller hit three fours and three maximums to take Mire for 30 in an over in a brilliant display of hitting, on his way to an unbeaten 138.
3. Virat Kohli Brilliantly Catches Shahid Afridi
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Still one of Pakistan’s most prized wickets is Shahid Afridi, and he looked good as he reached 22 from 21 balls with his side chasing 301 for victory.
However, he aimed to hammer a full toss from Mohammed Shami out the ground, but he only succeeded in getting a top edge into the covers.
Virat Kohli ran back as the ball spiralled above him and took a brilliant catch just outside the fielding circle to remove the dangerous Afridi.
2. John Mooney Hits Winning Runs for Ireland over the West Indies
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Ireland were not expected to get close to their victory target of 305 against the West Indies, but led by Ed Joyce, Paul Stirling and Niall O’Brien, they were looking good for the win.
Then, with two needed to win, No. 8 John Mooney managed to squirt the ball away for four off Jerome Taylor and deliver the Irish another famous upset victory.
They continue to spring surprises as an Associate member, and this was just the latest in a long line that stretches back several tournaments.
1. Afghanistan Begins 1st-Ever Cricket World Cup Match
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They may have gone down to a heavy defeat to Bangladesh, but their game in Canberra was very significant as Afghanistan played their first-ever match in the Cricket World Cup.
It has been quite a journey for the Afghans amid ongoing turmoil in their country, and this latest appearance on the world stage is the continuation of their superb progress in the sport.
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