West Indies Thrash Pakistan, Rain Rules in Brisbane and More from Day 8
Saturday's action at the World Cup will perhaps not live too long in the memory: We saw a one-sided contest in Christchurch and no contest at all in Brisbane.
To the game that did actually see some play first, and West Indies opened their account at this year's tournament with a 150-run thrashing of Pakistan at the Hagley Oval.
Half-centuries from Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons, as well as a stunning late cameo from Andre Russell, helped West Indies post a formidable 310-6.
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Having been unable to defend a score of more than 300 in their opening Group B match against Ireland, Jason Holder's side quickly made sure history didn't repeat itself.
Pakistan were reduced to an astonishing 1-4 (yes, that really is one run for the loss of four wickets) before eventually being bowled out for 160, leaving them without a point to their name after two games.
At the Gabba, however, the only winner was Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
Even though Marcia had been downgraded to a "tropical low," per ABC.net.au, there was still no chance of play getting underway in the fixture between co-hosts Australia and Bangladesh.
The teams take a point apiece, meaning they both have three to their name in the Group A table.
Shot of the day
Andre Russell hit three fours and four sixes as he clobbered 42 off just 13 deliveries for West Indies.
His first maximum saw him pull a short ball way beyond the boundary rope at square leg, while the second was a cross-batted swipe over wide long-on that wouldn't have looked out of place in a baseball game.
The third, however, was the best of the lot. Dealing with a delivery pitched up and aimed at his pads, Russell moved his front foot out of the way and nonchalantly flicked it for six over mid-wicket.
It was a blow that looked ridiculously easy as he sent the ball towards the dressing rooms where his team-mates were sitting.
As for his last six, that was a low, skimming effort straight down the ground.
His display of hitting demonstrated just how big a danger Russell can be in the closing overs of an innings.
Delivery of the day
West Indies seamer Jerome Taylor picked up three wickets in the opening defeat to Ireland, though he went for 71 runs from his 8.5 overs.
Against Pakistan, however, he claimed the same number of wickets in his first 12 deliveries.
He had Nasir Jamshed caught off just the second ball of Pakistan's reply, then followed that up by finishing the opening over with the prized scalp of Younis Khan.
The veteran right-hander was somewhat stuck in the crease to a full-length delivery that moved away late. Unable to do anything but prod his bat at it, Younis was caught behind for a duck.
Not content with his double strike, Taylor also removed Harris Sohail in his next over, meaning all three of his victims failed to trouble the scorers.
Taylor finished with 3-15 from his seven overs, a real contrast to his final figures against the Irish.
Catch of the day
Pakistan had a few problems in the field:
A bad case of butter fingers proved extremely costly.
It doesn't do much to aid the cause of fielding coach Grant Luden; he had reportedly handed in his resignation earlier in the tournament, per ESPN Cricinfo, after an issue at a practice session.
Luden remains in his job, for now, but may now have wished the Pakistan Cricket Board had accepted the letter to terminate his role with the team.
However, Pakistan did manage to hang on to some of the chances that came their way, including a well-judged grab by Wahab Riaz.
A Chris Gayle pull shot went high into the air and Riaz managed to get himself into a good position to dive forward and take the ball.
Reason for Pakistan fans to be cheerful
"In 1992 Pakistan lost their first 2 matches but went on to win the World Cup. History will repeat itself inshAllah!!
— Umair (@urhhy) February 21, 2015"
Reason for Pakistan fans to be worried
Injury issue
The only disappointment on the day for West Indies was the sight of Darren Bravo being forced to retire hurt.
The batsman had reached 49 after taking a quick single, only to then pull up once he had made his ground at the bowler's end.
Bravo immediately retired hurt, leaving the field on a cart, and did not return during the rest of his side's innings.
He is expected to miss the next two group matches, per ESPN Cricinfo.
Sunday at the World Cup
Another pair of fixtures to come on Sunday (weather permitting, of course), starting with Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan at the University Oval in Dunedin.
However, the game of the day takes place at the MCG.
The clash between India against South Africa could go a long way to deciding who ends up winning Group B, and the fact it is a day-nighter will only add to the spectacle.
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