Australian Matthew Hayden hit the fastest century in World Cup
history on Saturday as a match between cricket's super powers
finally drew some attention from the hunt for coach Bob Woolmer's
murderer.
The burly opener's glittering 66-ball ton propelled Australia to
an 83-run victory over South Africa to set the holders up for a
perfect finale to the first round stage which finished
yesterday.
Hayden's spectacular hitting, however, could not distract much
of the Caribbean's focus from the police investigation into the
killing of Pakistan coach Woolmer which has rocked a sport played
chiefly by countries from the former British empire.
After seven traumatic days the Pakistan team finally left
Jamaica, beginning their long journey home in Montego Bay with
stopovers in Kingston and London ahead of completing the final leg
to Pakistan.
Before they left the country, Jamaican police again questioned
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, team manager Talat Ali and
assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed just three hours before their
scheduled departure.
"It was nothing special but I think it was something he (an
unnamed police officer) missed," Inzamam told reporters.
"He told me 'please go home, there is nothing else'."
Woolmer, 58, was found strangled in a Jamaican hotel room last
Sunday less than 24 hours after his team had lost to Ireland, a
non-test playing country considered virtual no-hopers.
Free to leave
Jamaica deputy police commissioner Mark Shields confirmed the
Pakistan party had been free to leave Jamaica.
"There is nothing to suggest that any of them are a suspect at
this stage," he told a news conference in Kingston.
On the pitch, Hayden anchored a dauntingly high total of 377 for
six aided by the small boundaries at Warner Park in the final Group
A match against South Africa.
AB de Villiers, stroking the ball with a beguiling combination
of power and finesse, reached 92 from 70 balls as South Africa
raced to 160 without loss.
A splendid piece of fielding by Shane Watson, who hit the stumps
from the boundary, accounted for de Villiers and from then on the
South Africans fell steadily behind the required run rate.
They were eventually bowled out for 294 with two overs to spare
to give Australia victory.
The match was the most eagerly anticipated in the first round
after Australia lost their number one ranking to South Africa last
month and confirmed the champions, who are aiming for an
unprecedented hat-trick of victories, are back at the top of their
game.
Neither the players nor the estimated crowd of 8,000 spectators
noticed a prison riot that happened just 400 meters away from
Warner Park.
Marijuana seized
The national security ministry issued a statement saying an
uprising had erupted in the prison on Friday night after inmates
fought off warders who wanted to search a cell.
"The prisoners were eventually subdued and the search of the
cell was conducted resulting in a small quantity of marijuana being
seized," the statement said.
In Saturday's other match, England ensured they would advance to
the second-stage Super Eights, starting with Australia versus West
Indies tomorrow, with a seven-wicket win over Kenya in St
Lucia.
Opener Ed Joyce scored 75 and combined with Kevin Pietersen, who
scored 56 not out, to eliminate the Africans in a match reduced to
43 overs a side after rain delayed the start by two hours.
The first round concluded yesterday with Bangladesh hoping to
cement their place in the next round by avoiding defeat against
Bermuda in Trinidad.
Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, West
Indies and Ireland are already through to contest the round-robin
Super Eights with the top four playing in the semifinals.
The tournament concludes with the final in Barbados on April
28.
(China Daily via Agencies March 26, 2007)