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Australia bowl out New Zealand for 183
Melbourne: Australian bowlers put up an impressive performance to give themselves a strong chance of winning the fifth cricket World Cup as New Zealand were bowled out for a paltry score of 183 in 45 overs in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here on Sunday.
After New Zealand were reduced to 39/3 in the 13th over, Grant Elliot (83) and Ross Taylor (40) defied the odds with a 111-run stand for the fourth wicket. But four-time World Cup champions Australia got the ascendancy eventually by bowling out the maiden finalists for a bare 183.
Admirably supported by inspiring fielding, Australia’s seamers Mitchell Starc (2-20), Mitchell Johnson (3-30), James Faulkner (3-36) and spinner Glenn Maxwell (1-37) were all over the New Zealanders, who lost the final seven wickets for just 33 runs.
After winning the toss, New Zealand had a nightmarish start as they lost skipper Brendon McCullum (0) in the first over. The right-handed batsman had his stumps shattered by left-arm pacer Starc.
With this wicket, Australia completely took control of the match. With seamers starc, Josh Hazzlewood and Johnson operating with probing line and length, New Zealand batsmen Martin Guptill (15) and Kane Williamson (12) just managed to resist the threats.
The home bowlers persisted with their disciplined show and didn’t allow the visiting batsmen to score freely. As a result of this, New Zealand reached 31/2 in first 10 overs.
After Australia brought in spinner Maxwell, New zealand batsmen tried to cash in on the opportunity. But their ploy backfired as Guptill misread the length and was bowled by Maxwell to leave the team in a spot of bother at 33/2 in the 12th over.
However, Guptill (547 runs) took top spot as the highest run-scorer in the tournament, pushing Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (541) to second place.
Johnson dealt another blow to New Zealand as vice-captain Williamson offered a return catch to the left-arm fast bowler.
After 15 overs, New Zealand reeled at 47/3 and in the next five overs Elliot and Taylor scored just 19 runs without losing any wickets.
Elliot, who scored an unbeaten 84 to down South Africa in the semi-finals, registered his ninth half-century in One-Day International cricket. He led the recovery charge with a nicely paced knock.
The 36-year-old got good support from experienced Taylor as the duo collected 55 runs in the next 10 overs to take New Zealand to 121/3 in 30 overs.
Mixing ones and twos with occasional boundaries, New Zealand recovered from a woeful start following the partnership between Elliot and Taylor.
In the first ball of the 36th over, left-armer pacer Faulkner broke the 111-run stand, forcing right-hander Taylor to edge behind. Two balls later, Faulkner rattled new batsman Corey Anderson’s stumps to deal two quick blows.
Starc removed Luke Ronchi before the wicketkeeper-batsman could open his account. Michael Clarke took a sharp catch at slip to reduce New Zealand to 151/6.
Elliot’s defining innings of 83 ended as he edged a slow Faulkner delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. After his fall, New Zealand tail-enders failed to trouble the score-keepers.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.