Match State: Match start scheduled for 2pm local time (0100 GMT)
welcome to Carisbrook in Dunedin for the 5th and final National
Bank Series One-Day International between New Zealand and England
it's the deciding game of the series after England have fought back
superbly from 2-0 down at Wellington and looking completely down
and out there after a record hiding, to a re-invigorated unit who
have competed most impressively at Napier and Auckland
to get themselves back on level terms going into this match,
mirroring performances recently in India where they managed to
draw the 6-match series 3-3 after being 3-1 down, but it's even
better for them this time - a series victory is on offer here
New Zealand were eyeing up a whitewash after Wellington, but you've
first got to win the series before you can win it in a clean
sweep, one step at a time, as they say, and are now battling for
respectability and to avoid the rare embarrassment of being
a side to lose 3-2 at home after being 2-0 up
England have won the toss and decided to bat first, unsurprisingly,
on what is becoming a traditional Carisbrook belter, very brown
and hard, there are green patches but nothing that should do
anything alarming outside of the first few overs, expect a
dead true surface and plenty of runs - New Zealand chasing 286
successfully against Pakistan last season and managing 260 chasing
Australia's 310 the year before that here
there's just one change from the 22 players which contested the
fourth match at Auckland - an enforced one with Owais Shah
returning to the England line-up after Michael Vaughan was ruled
out due to a shoulder injury sustained while fielding there
it's a sad blow for England as Vaughan made a remarkably good
impression in his first appearance in this series, but it has
turned out also be his last
New Zealand have named Ian Butler as their 12th man again, giving
home lad Brendon McCullum a chance to play in front of his own
crowd for the first time for New Zealand
the umpires make their way on to the field, including Steve Dunne -
the first umpire to stand in 100 One-Day Internationals, followed
by the New Zealand players and England's openers Nick Knight and
Marcus Trescothick
it's a lovely day here in Dunedin, a fair breeze blowing across the
ground, should be fine all evening for a cracking game (we hope)
it'll be Daryl Tuffey to open the bowling from the Railway Stand
End to Trescothick, with two slips, third man, point, cover, mid
off, mid on, square leg and long leg in place
0.1 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, good start for Tuffey, very full on
off stump, jams the bat down on it in defence, squeezing it out
into the covers
0.2 Tuffey to Trescothick, FOUR, and a very good start for Trescothick!
overpitched outside off stump, strongly driven through the covers,
just leans on it, no need to run for those sorts of shots square
at Carisbrook, races away
0.3 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, better line and length just outside
off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
0.4 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, oooh! plays and misses, another good
line and length ball outside off stump, just moving a fraction
away, Trescothick chases after it, missing through to the keeper
0.5 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, similar, but wider ball outside off
stump, more wisely decides to shoulder arms through to the keeper
this time
0.6 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease to tap it down in close on the off side
in defence
End of over 1 (4 runs) England 4/0 (RR: 4.00)
DR Tuffey 1-0-4-0 - Railway Stand End
NV Knight 0* (0b) ME Trescothick 4* (6b 1x4)
it's Andre Adams to open the bowling from the other end, with two
slips, third man, backward point, cover point, wide mid off, mid
on, square leg and long leg in place
1.1 Adams to Knight, one run, Knight is underway immediately, shortish
ball outside off stump, opens the face and steers it down to
Cairns at third man
1.2 Adams to Trescothick, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, nudging it away towards point
where Vincent roams
1.3 Adams to Trescothick, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
square drives at it, but can't get it past a nice diving save by
Harris at backward point to his right
1.4 Adams to Trescothick, one run, full outside off stump, firmly
nudged up towards wide mid off, quick single taken with the shot
as Vettori shuffles across to his right to field, throws down the
stumps at the keeper's end but it's a good call and Knight is well
home
1.5 Adams to Knight, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, opens
the face, running it away down to third man
1.6 Adams to Trescothick, no run, quick shortish ball on leg stump,
drops from the pad down in close on the leg side, McCullum
athletically scoots in to throw down the stumps from side on, but
Trescothick is back
End of over 2 (3 runs) England 7/0 (RR: 3.50)
AR Adams 1-0-3-0 - Hillside End
NV Knight 2* (2b) ME Trescothick 5* (10b 1x4)
2.1 Tuffey to Knight, one run, full outside off stump, drives firmly at
it, running a thick outside edge along the ground straight down to
third man
2.2 Tuffey to Trescothick, no run, beaten! a rip snorter from Tuffey!
back of a length and rising just a fraction outside off stump,
Trescothick withdraws the bat just inside the line just in time
2.3 Tuffey to Trescothick, OUT: soft dismissal for Trescothick, fair
length ball outside off stump, plays half-heartedly at it,
scooping up a tame catch straight to Harris at point who
gratefully accepts the catch
England 8/1, Partnership of 8
ME Trescothick c Harris b Tuffey 5 (12b 1x4 0x6)
NV Knight 3* (3b) DR Tuffey 1.3-0-5-1
Nasser Hussain the new batsman
2.4 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
2.5 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump again, this time Hussain tries to get over the top of it and
punch it through cover point, bottom edges into the ground,
chopping it away square
2.6 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, superb fielding by Vincent! tight
shortish ball on off stump, forces it strongly down into the
covers, looking for a single but it's not on as Vincent lunges
across to his right to pluck the ball, then throws down the stumps
at the bowler's end for
End of over 3 (1 run) England 8/1 (RR: 2.67)
DR Tuffey 2-0-5-1 - Railway Stand End
NV Knight 3* (3b) N Hussain 0* (3b)
good measure though Knight was always safely back in his crease
3.1 Adams to Knight, no run, good shortish ball just outside of stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper, swings back a little late
through to the keeper
3.2 Adams to Knight, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, stands on one
leg looking to pull from the hip but misses out, drops down in
close on the leg side
3.3 Adams to Knight, FOUR, oooh! shortish ball with some width outside
off stump, slashes hard at it and gets a big thick top edge
straight over the slips, well clear and too straight for Cairns at
third man to cut off
3.4 Adams to Knight, no run, beaten! probes forward at a good length
ball angling away outside off stump, slides past the outside edge
through to the keeper
3.5 Adams to Knight, FOUR, drops it in far too short and is punished
duly, swung away from the hip through forward square leg, no
protection out there so no need to run
3.6 Adams to Knight, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans
well forward on it, stroking it up wide of Vettori at mid off for
an easy single taken with the shot
End of over 4 (9 runs) England 17/1 (RR: 4.25)
AR Adams 2-0-12-0 - Hillside End
NV Knight 12* (9b 2x4) N Hussain 0* (3b)
4.1 Tuffey to Knight, no run, fullish, straight ball on off stump,
leans forward, firmly drives back on the leg side of the pitch
4.2 Tuffey to Knight, no run, good tight ball on off stump, not on a
driveable length and Knight reaches forward to it, only able to
inside edgily stroke it back down the pitch
4.3 Tuffey to Knight, one run, drops it in rather short and straight,
strongly pulled away in the air safely through backward square
leg, Adams around the boundary in the deep to field
4.4 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly chops it into the ground, straight to Vincent at cover
4.5 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, a bit too straight on the legs, firmly
stroked along the ground straight up to Vettori at mid on
4.6 Tuffey to Hussain, FOUR, shot! scything stuff from Hussain! not too
bad a length ball, perhaps a fraction short but Hussain saw it so
early, pulling imperiously through midwicket from off stump,
cracking blow
End of over 5 (5 runs) England 22/1 (RR: 4.40)
DR Tuffey 3-0-10-1 - Railway Stand End
NV Knight 13* (12b 2x4) N Hussain 4* (6b 1x4)
5.1 Adams to Knight, FOUR, shot! charges down the track to meet a
shortish ball on the up, square slashes it hard and flat over
backward point, too good for Cairns roaming down at wide third man
5.2 Adams to Knight, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, firmly driving straight up to Vettori at mid off
5.3 Adams to Knight, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly clipped off
the legs, but can't get it past a good diving save by McCullum at
square leg
5.4 Adams to Knight, no run, good quick shortish ball outside off
stump, swinging away late as Knight elects to leave it well alone
5.5 Adams to Knight, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease, forcing it straight back down the pitch
to the bowler in defence
5.6 Adams to Knight, no run, full and straight on the toes, firmly
stroked back on the leg side of the pitch, Adams across to field
himself
End of over 6 (4 runs) England 26/1 (RR: 4.33)
AR Adams 3-0-16-0 - Hillside End
N Hussain 4* (6b 1x4) NV Knight 17* (18b 3x4)
6.1 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, good shortish rising ball outside off
stump, Hussain shapes to cut at it before wafting the bat out of
the line very late, through to keeper Nevin
6.2 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
chopped down into the covers from the crease
6.3 Tuffey to Hussain, two runs, ooooh! Hussain charges down the track
to a fair length ball outside off stump, looking to smash it over
the top but isn't quite to it, just skies it safely over Cairns'
head running back at mid off, pitching in the deep
6.4 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, firmly defending with bat/pad stoutly together,
into the covers
6.5 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, oh boy, Hussain charges down the track
far too early again, Tuffey drops it in shorter, seams back a long
way as he stops mid-pitch and has a wild heave across the line,
taken on the body and deflects away to backward point
Hussain still briefly looks for a run but it's not on, Hussain a
bit two-dimensional in his play, the charge being one very large
dimension!
6.6 Tuffey to Hussain, FOUR, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
this time plays from the crease, pulling uppishly over midwicket,
not quite assured but had enough power on it to easily clear the
infield, pitches just inside the boundary and bounces away
End of over 7 (6 runs) England 32/1 (RR: 4.57)
DR Tuffey 4-0-16-1 - Railway Stand End
NV Knight 17* (18b 3x4) N Hussain 10* (12b 2x4)
7.1 Adams to Knight, no run, oooh! deceptive movement from Adams,
Knight is well beaten by a shortish ball on off stump, swings away
late and has him completely done, half-hearted appeal from behind
the stumps but the noise was bat/pad flicking one another
7.2 Adams to Knight, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, firmly
tapped down into the covers, Vincent across to field to his left
7.3 Adams to Knight, one run, strays to leg stump, but Tuffey has been
moved from fine leg out to deep backward square leg, is able to
make good ground to fling it back in as Knight clipped it through
vacant midwicket, keeps them to just one
7.4 Adams to Hussain, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans well forward, firmly stroking it straight up to McMillan at
mid off in defence
7.5 Adams to Hussain, no run, full outside off stump, looks to force it
strongly through the covers but mistimes the stroke, played
straight to Vincent in the covers
7.6 Adams to Hussain, FOUR, strays on to leg stump and is punished,
firmly clipped off the legs, played wide of McCullum at short fine
leg, sprints after it but the boundary isn't long enough for him
to overhaul it
End of over 8 (5 runs) England 37/1 (RR: 4.62)
AR Adams 4-0-21-0 - Hillside End
NV Knight 18* (21b 3x4) N Hussain 14* (15b 3x4)
8.1 Tuffey to Knight, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
tries to force it down the ground but misplays it, dragging it
back on the leg side of the pitch to the bowler
8.2 Tuffey to Knight, FOUR, shot! a bit too full on off stump and
Knight spanks it almightily straight down the ground on the leg
side, too straight for Cairns at widish mid on and he gives up the
chase immediately
just stepped a pace down the track to turn it into a half volley,
easy as pie on a true surface
8.3 Tuffey to Knight, two runs, full and too straight, well clipped
away low in the air safely through backward square leg, quickly
back for a second as Adams runs around the boundary from long leg
to field
8.4 Tuffey to Knight, OUT: can you believe it! two for Tuffey, two for
Harris, very loose shot, fair length ball outside off stump,
angling away, just reaches after it and steers a simple catch
straight to backward point
England 43/2, Partnership of 35
NV Knight c Harris b Tuffey 24 (25b 4x4 0x6)
N Hussain 14* (15b 3x4) DR Tuffey 4.4-0-22-2
England try their hardest to lose momentum after gathering it with
ease themselves, though key man Graham Thorpe now walks to the
crease and he's who England will be looking to to tick it over
well after the 15 over mark - albeit in a bit too early now
8.5 Tuffey to Thorpe, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, hangs the bat well back out of the way to leave to the
keeper
8.6 Tuffey to Thorpe, no run, shortish, fairly wide ball angling away
outside off stump, leaves it well alone through to the keeper,
just cuts the inside of the wide lines on the pitch so gets away
with it
End of over 9 (6 runs) England 43/2 (RR: 4.78)
DR Tuffey 5-0-22-2 - Railway Stand End
N Hussain 14* (15b 3x4) GP Thorpe 0* (2b)
9.1 Adams to Hussain, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
powerfully drives into the ground towards cover, Vincent makes a
tremendous dive to his right to palm it down and save a certain
boundary, the crowd momentarily go up thinking it was a spilt
catching chance
9.2 Adams to Hussain, one run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, dabbed away straight down to Tuffey at third man
9.3 Adams to Thorpe, no run, Adams throws in a quicker one, looks like
a disguised ball and has Thorpe in wonderland briefly, chops the
bat down on it very late, playing all over the top of it, swings
back late past the stumps through to Nevin, doesn't pass too wide
of off stump
9.4 Adams to Thorpe, no run, another quick, full ball outside off
stump, Thorpe plays a bit of a nothing shot at it from the crease,
cutting and missing through to the keeper
9.5 Adams to Thorpe, no run, fullish, straight ball, drives firmly
straight up to McMIllan at wide mid on
9.6 Adams to Thorpe, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leaves it
well alone through to the keeper
End of over 10 (1 run) England 44/2 (RR: 4.40)
AR Adams 5-0-22-0 - Hillside End
N Hussain 15* (17b 3x4) GP Thorpe 0* (6b)
10.1 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
10.2 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, chops it hard into the ground, bouncing away to Vincent in
the covers
10.3 Tuffey to Hussain, one run, shortish, straight ball on middle and
leg, tapped down in close on the leg side, easy single taken with
the shot as it's played into space
10.4 Tuffey to Thorpe, one run, strays to leg stump, strongly clipped
away through backward square leg, Adams around the boundary from
long leg to field
10.5 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, yikes! that one takes off! rather full
outside off stump but seems to hit something in the deck, pings
very high in the air, surprises keeper Nevin who has to leap up
high, palming it up in the air and Astle has to take it at slip
behind him
10.6 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
nudged away square on the off side in defence
End of over 11 (2 runs) England 46/2 (RR: 4.18)
DR Tuffey 6-0-24-2 - Railway Stand End
GP Thorpe 1* (7b) N Hussain 16* (22b 3x4)
11.1 Adams to Thorpe, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, strongly
square drives, piercing the backed square off side field, Cairns
races around from third man to field well in the deep but can't
prevent a comfortably taken two
11.2 Adams to Thorpe, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
driven from the toes, straight up to Vettori at mid off
11.3 Adams to Thorpe, one run, well played, fullish ball outside off
stump, nudged firmly along the ground wide of Vettori at mid off,
quick single easily taken with the shot as it's flung well wide at
the keeper's end
11.4 Adams to Hussain, no run, rather full and straight, firmly clipped
off the toes but can't get it past McCullum diving forward to his
left at square leg
11.5 Adams to Hussain, FOUR, oooh! not a bad ball outside off stump,
Hussain drives strongly at it, never quite to it, getting a thick
outside edge low to the ground, but wide of backward point and
races to the boundary, too quick for Tuffey at third man, brings
up the England 50
11.6 Adams to Hussain, FOUR, much better! too full outside off stump,
strongly square driven, but this time controlled far better
forward of point, there's a packed field in that region but he
still pierces it to perfection, Adams proving expensive today
End of over 12 (11 runs) England 57/2 (RR: 4.75)
AR Adams 6-0-33-0 - Hillside End
GP Thorpe 4* (10b) N Hussain 24* (25b 5x4)
Chris Cairns into the bowling attack, replacing Tuffey at the
Railway Stand End
slip, third man, gully, backward point, cover, wide mid off, wide
mid on, square leg and fine leg in place
12.1 Cairns to Thorpe, no run, shortish ball angling in from around the
wicket, defends firmly from the crease, tapping it up on the leg
side of the pitch
12.2 Cairns to Thorpe, no run, good tight shortish ball angling in from
just outside off stump, forced away into the covers in defence
erk! Cairns attempts to deliver the next ball but bails out as his
foot stumbles at the crease, but doesn't look like he's in any
sort of bother
12.3 Cairns to Thorpe, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
Thorpe looks to thump it through the covers but only manages to
find Vettori up at deepish mid off
12.4 Cairns to Thorpe, no run, oooh! good shortish ball angling in from
around the wicket outside off stump, Thorpe tries to swivel on the
crease and pull it away through midwicket but goes beneath the
bottom edge through to the keeper
12.5 Cairns to Thorpe, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, chopped
away down to McMillan at third man
12.6 Cairns to Hussain, no run, good tight straight, full ball, Hussain
watchfully gets right in behind it, defending with a straight bat
back on the off side of the pitch to the bowler
End of over 13 (1 run) England 58/2 (RR: 4.46)
CL Cairns 1-0-1-0 - Railway Stand End
GP Thorpe 5* (15b) N Hussain 24* (26b 5x4)
13.1 Adams to Thorpe, FOUR, shot! sublime from Thorpe considering just
how tightly packed that region at backward point or thereabouts is
for him on strike, fair length ball with width outside off stump
and he forces it away to perfection
that only makes Fleming alter the field there even more, making it
look even stranger with two gullies as well
13.2 Adams to Thorpe, OUT: a beauty! Adams takes the field out of the
equation with a super inswinger, pitching on off stump but comes
right back through the gate to clean up middle and leg, Thorpe
helpless as he looked to drive but was never to it, plays all
around it
England 62/3, Partnership of 19
GP Thorpe b Adams 9 (17b 1x4 0x6)
N Hussain 24* (26b 5x4) AR Adams 6.2-0-37-1
a big breakthrough for New Zealand, Thorpe had proved to be a real
danger in the middle stages, but they have him out before the
fielding restrictions have been relaxed
Owais Shah the new batsman
13.3 Adams to Shah, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, runs it
away straight down to Tuffey at third man to get off the mark
straight away
13.4 Adams to Hussain, no run, good yorker length ball outside off
stump, jams the bat down on it but misses, through to the keeper
13.5 Adams to Hussain, no run, very full ball outside off stump, this
time tamely gets the bat to it, steering it away to Vincent at
cover point
13.6 Adams to Hussain, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
hops on the crease, dabbing it down towards point in defence
End of over 14 (5 runs) England 63/3 (RR: 4.50)
AR Adams 7-0-38-1 - Hillside End
OA Shah 1* (1b) N Hussain 24* (29b 5x4)
Fleming's risk to keep the expensive Adams on for another extended
spell pays off as he grabs a wicket in his 7th over
14.1 Cairns to Shah, no run, fullish ball on off stump, squared around a
little on the crease, nudging it away to Fleming in the gully
14.2 Cairns to Shah, no run, tight fullish ball outside off stump,
firmly driven straight up to Vettori at mid off
14.3 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms well over the top of it to leave to the keeper
14.4 Cairns to Shah, no run, good tight fullish ball just outside off
stump, tapped away in close on the off side, looking for a quick
single but it's not on as the cheetah in the infield, Lou Vincent,
dashes forward to field it
14.5 Cairns to Shah, (noball) no run, oversteps, good inswinging full
ball, looks to clip it to leg but misses as he's rapped full on
the pads, not even a half shout from the bowler as he heard the
no-ball call
14.5 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish, straight ball, hops on the
crease, defending tamely with a dead bat back on the leg side of
the pitch
14.6 Cairns to Shah, one run, full and just straying to leg stump,
firmly clipped away off the legs down to McMillan at long leg
End of over 15 (2 runs) England 65/3 (RR: 4.33)
CL Cairns 2-0-3-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 2* (8b) N Hussain 24* (29b 5x4)
England complete their 15 overs, 65/3 a median effort today, a
wicket or two too many for their liking and the runs have just
dried up a little in recent overs as a result
15.1 Adams to Shah, legbye: one run, shortish, straight ball, drops it
down in close on the leg side from the pad, a tight quick single
taken with the shot, Adams dives forward in front of Hussain to
field, but flicks the ball into his own body anyway, so no threat
for Hussain as Adams
tumbles away, almost a bit of argy-bargy there!
15.2 Adams to Hussain, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
drives along the ground but straight to Vincent at cover
15.3 Adams to Hussain, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked away off
the legs up towards widish mid on where Vettori fields
15.4 Adams to Shah, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, firmly stroking it straight up to McMillan at mid off
15.5 Adams to Shah, no run, shuffles right across to off stump to get in
behind a shortish, straight ball, firmly taps it back on the leg
side of the pitch in defence
15.6 Adams to Shah, no run, shortish, straight ball, defends from the
crease again, tapping it back on the leg side of the pitch
End of over 16 (2 runs) England 67/3 (RR: 4.19)
AR Adams 8-0-39-1 - Hillside End
N Hussain 25* (31b 5x4) OA Shah 2* (12b)
16.1 Cairns to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
squared around a little on the crease, firmly tapping it away
towards point
16.2 Cairns to Hussain, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, runs
it off the face straight down to third man
16.3 Cairns to Shah, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, hops on
the crease, tapping it down to Vincent in the covers
16.4 Cairns to Shah, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, drives
firmly at it, squirting a thick outside edge along the ground,
well fielded by Fleming at fourth slip diving to his right (there
are no first or second slips!)
16.5 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
16.6 Cairns to Shah, FOUR, overpitched on the legs, strongly clipped
away through backward square leg, lovely shot and finds the gap
perfectly
End of over 17 (5 runs) England 72/3 (RR: 4.24)
CL Cairns 3-0-8-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
N Hussain 26* (33b 5x4) OA Shah 6* (16b 1x4)
Daniel Vettori on to bowl for Adams at the Hillside End
17.1 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up full on off stump, leans
forward to defend down in close on the off side
17.2 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flat ball on off stump, gives himself
room, slices a cut down to Fleming at short third man on the
bounce
17.3 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
leans well forward, firmly pushing back on the off side of the
pitch in defence
17.4 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full and straight, swept
around the corner to vacant short fine leg for an easy single
17.5 Vettori to Shah, one run, oooh! flighted up on off stump, tapped
down into the covers, very tight single taken, thrown at the
bowler's end, had it hit there was real danger
17.6 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
nudges it away into the covers in defence
End of over 18 (2 runs) England 74/3 (RR: 4.11)
DL Vettori 1-0-2-0 - Hillside End
OA Shah 7* (17b 1x4) N Hussain 27* (38b 5x4)
time for the first drinks break with the game interestingly poised
Match State: Drinks
18.1 Cairns to Shah, no run, good quick, dead straight ball, Shah is
well squared around, squirting it away into the covers to Vincent
Fleming persists with two slips - in the third and fourth slip
positions!
18.2 Cairns to Shah, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked away off
the hip just wide of McCullum at square leg to his right, easy
single taken as a result
18.3 Cairns to Hussain, no run, good shortish ball just outside off
stump, cuts from the crease but not the required width there,
plays all over the top of it as it nips well back off the seam,
through to Nevin
18.4 Cairns to Hussain, two runs, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, cramps him up a little but cleverly opens the face from
close to the body, steering it down fine through the vacant
first/second slips, Adams tumbles around well to field at third
man, easy two taken
18.5 Cairns to Hussain, no run, oooh! quicker ball outside off stump,
dropped it in shorter and wider, but Hussain's cut doesn't connect
as he's done a little for pace and bounce, through to Nevin again
18.6 Cairns to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, nudged
away down to Fleming at gully on the bounce
End of over 19 (3 runs) England 77/3 (RR: 4.05)
CL Cairns 4-0-11-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 8* (19b 1x4) N Hussain 29* (42b 5x4)
Fleming constantly shuffling his field around, but off side themes
prevail mostly, and to their credit today, the bowler's have
mostly been able to bowl to them
plenty of innovations like what was seen in Australia, particularly
against Australia, with two gullies, multiple men just behind
point and so forth
19.1 Vettori to Shah, one run, flighted up full and straight, swept away
down to Cairns at fine leg
19.2 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flat ball just outside off stump,
Hussain shuffles to leg to free the arms, cutting it straight out
to Tuffey at deep point
19.3 Vettori to Shah, one run, flat ball outside off stump, powerfully
cuts hard and flat through point, Tuffey fields low to his left
out in the deep, just palming it down as the bounce was a little
awkward
19.4 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full and straight, lapped
nicely around the corner for another milked single, Cairns around
from long leg to field
19.5 Vettori to Shah, no run, slower, flighted ball just outside off
stump, leans forward to quietly defend down in close on the off
side
19.6 Vettori to Shah, one run, again the sweep from outside off stump is
unfurled, lapping a flighted ball away out to Cairns at long leg
End of over 20 (5 runs) England 82/3 (RR: 4.10)
DL Vettori 2-0-7-0 - Hillside End
OA Shah 11* (23b 1x4) N Hussain 31* (44b 5x4)
the Mexican wave makes its way around the ground a few times as we
hit the collection phase of the innings - not exactly a one-day
crowd's favourite!
20.1 Cairns to Shah, no run, good sharp short lifting ball from a back
of a length just outside off stump, Shah has a nibble at it but is
well beaten through to the keeper
20.2 Cairns to Shah, wide: no run, sharp short rising ball, but much
wider, too wide, outside off stump, leaves alone to the keeper
20.2 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
20.3 Cairns to Shah, no run, shuffles right across outside off stump to
get in behind a full, straight ball, firmly stroking it straight
back down the pitch to the bowler
20.4 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish lifting ball in a good channel
just outside off stump, shoulders arms through to keeper Nevin
once again
20.5 Cairns to Shah, no run, much fuller and quicker, swinging away late
outside off stump as Cairns just loses his line, left well alone
to the keeper
20.6 Cairns to Shah, one run, shortish, straight ball, turned off the
hip down to McMillan at fine leg as he gets inside the line of it
End of over 21 (2 runs) England 84/3 (RR: 4.00)
CL Cairns 5-0-13-0 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 12* (29b 1x4) N Hussain 31* (44b 5x4)
the field is rather more spread now, with just the six men inside
the circle, overall a particular emphasis for protection behind
square on either side
21.1 Vettori to Shah, no run, flighted up full on off stump, leans well
forward, defending quietly down in close on the off side
21.2 Vettori to Shah, no run, quicker, flat ball pushed through, taken
on the front pad, loud shout for lbw from the bowler but umpire
Quested isn't interested, Shah initially shaped to turn it down
leg, not a bad shout as he was struck in line with off stump
21.3 Vettori to Shah, one run, jumps down the track to meet the next
flighted ball outside off stump, well stroked along the ground up
to McMillan at wide long off
21.4 Vettori to Hussain, FOUR, oh dear! flat ball just outside off
stump, Hussain slices a tight cut from off stump, gets a thick top
edge, but it finds the gap between the diving Harris and Astle
behind point, seemed a bit of comedy there, perhaps lost in the
sun
21.5 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up full and straight, defends
firmly back on the off side of the pitch
21.6 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full just outside off
stump, nudged away just forward of point, working it nicely for an
easy single
End of over 22 (6 runs) England 90/3 (RR: 4.09)
DL Vettori 3-0-13-0 - Hillside End
N Hussain 36* (47b 6x4) OA Shah 13* (32b 1x4)
22.1 Cairns to Hussain, one run, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, hops on the crease, running it off the face down to Adams
at third man
22.2 Cairns to Shah, no run, fair length ball with some width outside
off stump, firmly taps it from the crease, straight to Vincent at
cover
22.3 Cairns to Shah, FOUR, shot! a bit too short and wide outside off
stump, Shah plunders it, a cracking square cut forward of Harris
at point, no men in the deep out there while they attack Shah
but that's quickly rectified as Astle is taken out from the slips
to deep point, England looking to Shah to play a Vaughan-like
innings here
22.4 Cairns to Shah, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, hops
on the crease, firmly tapping it down to Vincent in the covers
22.5 Cairns to Shah, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, forced
strongly from the crease but plays it into the ground, straight to
Vincent in the covers again
22.6 Cairns to Shah, one run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, stands
tall on one leg, whipping it around the corner down to McMillan at
fine leg
End of over 23 (6 runs) England 96/3 (RR: 4.17)
CL Cairns 6-0-19-0 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 18* (37b 2x4) N Hussain 37* (48b 6x4)
23.1 Vettori to Shah, one run, advances down the track to meet a well
flighted ball on off stump, drives along the ground straight up to
McMillan at long off, looking for a second is Shah, but it's
definitely not on
23.2 Vettori to Hussain, one run, well played and run! flighted up full
on off stump, eases forward on it, tip'n'run stuff, dabbing it
well short of vacant point, Vincent has to tumble in from cover
and the run is well completed with ease
23.3 Vettori to Shah, no run, flighted up well on off stump, leans well
forward, defending down in close on the off side
23.4 Vettori to Shah, (noball) one run, ooooh! oversteps, flat ball on
middle and off, gives himself some room, chopping it away backward
of point, a very tight quick single is taken, Harris fires it at
the bowler's end but misses, looked close
23.4 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up well on off stump, leans
well forward in defence, played down in close on the off side
23.5 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flat ball outside off stump, cut
straight out to Tuffey at deep point
23.6 Vettori to Shah, no run, well flighted up on off stump, leans
forward, quietly defending away towards point
End of over 24 (5 runs) England 101/3 (RR: 4.21)
DL Vettori 4-0-18-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
N Hussain 39* (51b 6x4) OA Shah 20* (41b 2x4)
Chris replaces Chris, it's Harris on for Cairns at the Railway
Stand End
24.1 Harris to Hussain, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly drives into the ground, bouncing straight up to Vincent
at cover
24.2 Harris to Hussain, one run, nicely floated up outside off stump,
but is easily driveable by Hussain, waiting for it to arc down,
driving straight down to Vettori at long off
24.3 Harris to Shah, no run, shuffles right in behind a floated, full
and straight ball, defends with a straight bat, playing it away to
McCullum at midwicket
24.4 Harris to Shah, two runs, Shah plays a pre-determined paddle shot,
floated up full outside off stump, turns it around the corner
well, quickly back for a second as McMillan comes in from long leg
to field, can't prevent the second as it goes through the middle
of the pitch as
Hussain scrambled to the bowler's end
24.5 Harris to Shah, no run, quicker ball on off stump, nudged away to
backward point, can't get it through the infield
24.6 Harris to Shah, no run, looks to paddle in a pre-determined fashion
again, but Harris holds it back, ends up tamely dribbling straight
back down the pitch from an off stump line
End of over 25 (3 runs) England 104/3 (RR: 4.16)
CZ Harris 1-0-3-0 - Railway Stand End
N Hussain 40* (53b 6x4) OA Shah 22* (45b 2x4)
25.1 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full on off stump, nudged
away just backward of point, smartly playing it short of the two
fielders in that region to allow the quick single
25.2 Vettori to Shah, no run, flighted up full and straight, nudged away
towards Adams at wide midwicket in defence
25.3 Vettori to Shah, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven firmly along the ground straight down to McMillan at long
off
25.4 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up full and very straight,
squares Hussain around a she looks to work it to leg, rebounds
away towards point
25.5 Vettori to Hussain, no run, quicker ball on off stump, forced to
defend firmly away to Harris at backward point
25.6 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
lapped around the corner down to McCullum coming in to field from
long leg
End of over 26 (3 runs) England 107/3 (RR: 4.12)
DL Vettori 5-0-21-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
N Hussain 42* (57b 6x4) OA Shah 23* (47b 2x4)
26.1 Harris to Hussain, no run, floated up nicely on off stump, props
forward in defence, nudging it away into the covers in defence
26.2 Harris to Hussain, one run, Hussain gives himself plenty of room,
floated up full and straight, mis-hits a lofted off drive down the
ground, bouncing well short of Vettori at lon goff
26.3 Harris to Shah, one run, advances down the pitch in Hussaineque
fashion, and is almost deceived too as he looks to force the pace,
just squirts a full ball away inside edgily down to McMillan at
long leg
26.4 Harris to Hussain, no run, floated up full just outside off stump,
nudged away to Adams at backward point
26.5 Harris to Hussain, no run, well floated up on a probing length on
off stump, Hussain reaches forward to it, falsely playing it away
to midwicket
26.6 Harris to Hussain, one run, floated up very full outside off stump,
powerfully square driven along the ground, but straight out to
Cairns roaming at deep cover
End of over 27 (3 runs) England 110/3 (RR: 4.07)
CZ Harris 2-0-6-0 - Railway Stand End
N Hussain 44* (62b 6x4) OA Shah 24* (48b 2x4)
27.1 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flat ball just outside off stump, cut
hard into the ground, straight out to Tuffey at deep point
27.2 Vettori to Shah, no run, well flighted up outside off stump, runs
it off the face straight down to the Harris/Astle cordon at
backward point
27.3 Vettori to Shah, no run, tight, flighted full ball on off stump,
squeezes it away straight to Vincent at cover
27.4 Vettori to Shah, one run, quicker, flatter ball just outside off
stump, cuts hard at it, gets a thick edge that flicks Nevin's
gloves and flies away to Astle at short third man on the bounce,
quick single taken to bring up the 50 partnership
27.5 Vettori to Hussain, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
firmly stroked straight to Vincent at cover
27.6 Vettori to Hussain, one run, flighted up full and straight, swept
around the corner out to McCullum at long leg
End of over 28 (3 runs) England 113/3 (RR: 4.04)
DL Vettori 6-0-24-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
N Hussain 46* (65b 6x4) OA Shah 25* (51b 2x4)
28.1 Harris to Hussain, no run, quicker, shortish ball sliding through
just outside off stump, Hussain has a nibble at it trying to run
it away but plays and misses
28.2 Harris to Hussain, no run, flighted up invitingly full outside off
stump, Hussain powerfully drives from the crease but can't get it
past Vincent, making a good clean stop at extra cover
28.3 Harris to Hussain, (noball) no run, oversteps, floated up on off
stump, falsely pushes it back on the leg side of the pitch, inside
edgily
28.3 Harris to Hussain, no run, floated up teasingly on off stump,
watchfully forward, nudging it back on the off side of the pitch,
Harris darts across to his left to make a sliding save himself
28.4 Harris to Hussain, no run, quicker, fullish ball outside off stump,
runs it off the face but straight to Fleming at short third man
28.5 Harris to Hussain, one run, floated up full and straight on the
toes, strongly driven straight down to Astle at long on
28.6 Harris to Shah, one run, floated up full and straight, Shah reels
out the lap again, straight down to McMillan at long leg, covering
good ground quickly to prevent a cheeky second
End of over 29 (3 runs) England 116/3 (RR: 4.00)
CZ Harris 3-0-9-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 26* (52b 2x4) N Hussain 47* (71b 6x4)
29.1 Vettori to Shah, FOUR, shot! dances down the track to meet a
flighted, straight ball, picks it up on the half volley and sends
it sailing back over the bowler's head
29.2 Vettori to Shah, FOUR, two in two balls! advances again, this time
scooping a flighted ball outside off stump over extra cover,
deftly played and finds another wide open gap in the outfield
29.3 Vettori to Shah, one run, flighted up on off stump, dabs it away
towards point, tight quick single taken with the shot, Harris
fires it in to the keeper from side on, needed a direct hit to
have a chance but can't find it
29.4 Vettori to Hussain, three runs, flighted up full and straight,
sweeps fine, quickly sprints back for a third as McCullum slides
around from long leg to field in the deep, Nevin whips off the
bails and umpire Dunne refers it to the third umpire, but he's
easily home
29.5 Vettori to Shah, no run, shorter, flat ball on off stump, forced
away straight to Harris roaming at point
29.6 Vettori to Shah, no run, flighted up full and straight, nudged away
to Adams at midwicket, an excellent over to break the shackles for
England, 12 coming from it and the run rate remains steady
End of over 30 (12 runs) England 128/3 (RR: 4.27)
DL Vettori 7-0-34-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
N Hussain 48* (72b 6x4) OA Shah 35* (57b 4x4)
30.1 Harris to Hussain, one run, flighted up full on the legs, firmly
clipped away through vacant square leg for an easy single, Tuffey
and McMillan in from the deep to tidy up
30.2 Harris to Shah, no run, floated up full outside off stump, runs a
thick outside edge away along the ground to Fleming at short third
man
30.3 Harris to Shah, one run, clever shot! comes forward to a floated,
full ball on off stump, never quite to the pitch of it so just
scoops it quietly over the bowler's head, safely chipping it well
short and straight of Vettori down at long off, would've been two
on offer but
Shah slipped as he turned at the bowler's end
30.4 Harris to Hussain, no run, floated up full on off stump, nudged
away towards Adams at point
30.5 Harris to Hussain, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
nudged away into the covers, looking for a tight quick single but
has to scurry back, Vincent runs in and gets a direct hit at the
keeper's end, but he was safely back and gets the run to bring up
his 50 from the
ricochet to vacant square leg
30.6 Harris to Shah, two runs, floated up full toss, strongly clipped
away through midwicket, Tuffey makes great ground around in the
deep to slide and save it just inside the boundary
End of over 31 (5 runs) England 133/3 (RR: 4.29)
CZ Harris 4-0-14-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
N Hussain 50* (75b 6x4) OA Shah 38* (60b 4x4)
Tuffey returns, replacing Vettori at the Hillside End after an
expensive over
31.1 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, dabs
it away down to Fleming at short third man on the bounce
31.2 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, jumps down the track to a shortish,
straight ball, not quite in the slot he wanted, forces it into the
pitch and straight back to Tuffey on his follow through
31.3 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, cuts
ferociously into the ground, bouncing straight up to Harris who
fields sharply at backward point
31.4 Tuffey to Hussain, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, once
again cut only cut into the ground, bouncing away to Harris at
backward point
31.5 Tuffey to Hussain, OUT: and Tuffey makes the breakthrough! Hussain
is frustrated by four good tight balls for no run, goes for a huge
swing across the line, connecting wonderfully but pulls it
straight down the throat of Cairns at deep midwicket
England 133/4, Partnership of 71
N Hussain c Cairns b Tuffey 50 (80b 6x4 0x6)
OA Shah 38* (60b 4x4) DR Tuffey 6.5-0-24-3
another useful hand from the captain, but again he fails to go on
when his team would've loved him to
Paul Collingwood the new batsman
31.6 Tuffey to Shah, no run, shortish, straight ball, shuffles forward,
tapping it back down the pitch in defence, a wicket maiden - the
first runless over of the entire innings
End of over 32 (maiden) England 133/4 (RR: 4.16)
DR Tuffey 7-1-24-3 - Hillside End
PD Collingwood 0* (0b) OA Shah 38* (61b 4x4)
a very good bowling change nets the desired result for Fleming,
relieving a bit of building pressure
32.1 Harris to Collingwood, one run, flighted up full on the legs,
firmly clipped away through midwicket, missed by the diving
McCullum inside the circle to allow the easy run as the sweeper
has to tidy up in the deep
32.2 Harris to Shah, two runs, flat ball outside off stump, well cut
down through backward point, a chase for Cairns from deepish
cover, just managing to slide and stop it inside the rope
32.3 Harris to Shah, no run, shuffles right across to off stump to play
a floated, straight ball, forced to defend with bat/pad back down
the pitch to the bowler
32.4 Harris to Shah, one run, floated up full and just a bit to the leg
side, worked away just behind square for an easy single as
McMillan fields from the circle edge at short fine leg
32.5 Harris to Collingwood, no run, floated up full outside off stump,
leans well forward, firmly easing it away towards Adams at point
32.6 Harris to Collingwood, no run, similar again, leans well forward to
a floated ball just outside off stump, Adams scoots in to field
again
End of over 33 (4 runs) England 137/4 (RR: 4.15)
CZ Harris 5-0-18-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
OA Shah 41* (64b 4x4) PD Collingwood 1* (3b)
33.1 Tuffey to Shah, FOUR, well played! shortish ball straying down the
leg side, deftly flicks it away and it's too good for McCullum
posted too square out at long leg to save
33.2 Tuffey to Shah, one run, oooh! taps a fair length ball down in
close square on the off side, they set off for a dangerously tight
quick single, but the dive throw attempt at the stumps lobs up and
goes wide
33.3 Tuffey to Collingwood, FOUR, shot! short outside off stump and
Collingwood cracks it through backward point, piercing a narrow
gap and it scorches to the boundary, great stuff
33.4 Tuffey to Collingwood, no run, leans well forward in defence to a
fullish ball outside off stump, firmly played back on the off side
of teh pitch
33.5 Tuffey to Collingwood, no run, fullish, straight ball, squeezed
along the ground straight up to Adams at mid on
33.6 Tuffey to Collingwood, no run, shortish ball angling down the leg
side, flicks the pad through to Nevin, saving a wide call
End of over 34 (9 runs) England 146/4 (RR: 4.29)
DR Tuffey 8-1-33-3 - Hillside End
OA Shah 46* (66b 5x4) PD Collingwood 5* (7b 1x4)
34.1 Harris to Shah, no run, floated up very full and straight on off
stump, leans forward to watchfully defend away to Vincent at extra
cover
34.2 Harris to Shah, one run, oooh! advances down the track to a
floated, straight ball, powerfully chipping it back over Harris'
head, leaps up and just gets a finger or two to it, down to
Vettori at long off
34.3 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full on off stump, laps
it away straight to McMillan at short fine leg on the bounce,
running the single with the stroke
34.4 Harris to Shah, one run, quicker, fuller ball angling on leg stump,
tapped away just forward of vacant square leg, another easy run
taken as McCullum fields from midwicket
34.5 Harris to Collingwood, one run, drops it in shorter outside off
stump, looked to go forward but rocks back to punch it straight
down to Vettori at long off from the crease, brings up the 150
34.6 Harris to Shah, no run, props forward in defence to a floated,
fullish ball on off stump, dropping it down in close on the off
side for Vincent to field from cover
End of over 35 (4 runs) England 150/4 (RR: 4.29)
CZ Harris 6-0-22-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
PD Collingwood 7* (9b 1x4) OA Shah 48* (70b 5x4)
Nathan Astle on to bowl, replacing Tuffey at the Hillside End
35.1 Astle to Collingwood, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, nudging it straight to Vincent at cover
35.2 Astle to Collingwood, one run, pushed through full on the legs,
clipped firmly straight out to Cairns at deep square leg
35.3 Astle to Shah, wide: no run, quick and full, pushed through down
the leg side, has a dabble at it but misses, Nevin whips off the
bails for effect alone, can't prevent the wide call
35.3 Astle to Shah, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
shuffles across in behind it, firmly stroking it straight back to
the bowler
35.4 Astle to Shah, legbye: one run, pushes through another quicker
ball, seaming back in well, taken high on the pad and deflects
fine down to Tuffey at third man, loud shout for lbw from Astle
ignored by umpire Quested
35.5 Astle to Collingwood, no run, good tight shortish ball on off
stump, forced from the crease straight down to Vincent at cover
35.6 Astle to Collingwood, no run, shuffles across the crease to get in
behind a fullish ball on off stump, stroked straight back to the
bowler
End of over 36 (3 runs) England 153/4 (RR: 4.25)
NJ Astle 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Hillside End
OA Shah 48* (72b 5x4) PD Collingwood 8* (13b 1x4)
36.1 Harris to Shah, wide: no run, quicker ball pushed through but
straying down the leg side, Shah misses the pre-determined paddle,
but gets the bonus run and ball anyway
36.1 Harris to Shah, one run, floated up very full and straight,
strongly driven from the toes just past Harris on the leg side of
the pitch, down to Tuffey at long on
36.2 Harris to Collingwood, no run, floated up full just outside off
stump, nudged straight to Adams at point
36.3 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full on the legs, firmly
clipped away out towards Astle at deep midwicket
36.4 Harris to Shah, no run, floated up nicely full outside off stump,
firmly drives back on the off side of the pitch, Harris makes
tremendous ground to dive to his left and stop it and cut off the
single
36.5 Harris to Shah, one run, advances down the pitch to a similar ball,
getting to the pitch of it, driving straight down to long on where
Tuffey fields, bringing up his 50 in 75 balls, the same as Hussain
36.6 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full on the legs,
clipped away out towards deep midwicket for another milked single
End of over 37 (5 runs) England 158/4 (RR: 4.27)
CZ Harris 7-0-27-0 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
PD Collingwood 10* (16b 1x4) OA Shah 50* (75b 5x4)
time for the second drinks break of the innings as England just
start to up the ante with more singles, ready for the blast at the
end, shaping for a score of 250 if they do it reasonably well,
plenty more if they fire
37.1 Astle to Collingwood, one run, shortish ball on off stump, punched
straight down to McMillan at long off
37.2 Astle to Shah, no run, shuffles well forward to a tight, full ball,
tries to whip it to the leg side but misses, drops down at his
feet from the pads
37.3 Astle to Shah, one run, full and straight, swung away low and flat
through the air, dragging it down to Vettori at long leg on the
bounce
37.4 Astle to Collingwood, one run, full outside off stump, firmly
driven along the ground straight down to McMillan at long off
37.5 Astle to Shah, one run, shortish, straight ball, whipped away
through midwicket, just beating the diving Adams inside the
circle, out to 12th man Butler in the deep
37.6 Astle to Collingwood, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, runs it off the face down to Tuffey at third man
End of over 38 (5 runs) England 163/4 (RR: 4.29)
NJ Astle 2-0-7-0 (1w) - Hillside End
PD Collingwood 13* (19b 1x4) OA Shah 52* (78b 5x4)
Chris replaces Chris again, Cairns on for Harris at the Railway
Stand End
38.1 Cairns to Collingwood, no run, Collingwood advances down the track,
perhaps a little too early as Cairns gives him the slower ball, a
full toss and he ends up patting it quietly back down the pitch in
defence
38.2 Cairns to Collingwood, one run, full outside off stump, firmly
squeezed away into the covers, quick single taken with the shot as
Vincent makes a good diving save, fires it at the keeper's end,
just wide, no overthrows as Nevin bumps into Shah running through,
though
38.3 Cairns to Shah, one run, fair length, straight ball on off stump,
driven up towards Tuffey at mid on, quick single taken with the
shot
38.4 Cairns to Collingwood, one run, fullish ball angling on leg stump,
firmly clipped away down to McMillan at long leg
38.5 Cairns to Shah, FOUR, shot! shuffled right across to off stump to
wristily whip a low full toss off the legs through backward square
leg, McMillan scampers around from long leg but it leaves him
gasping as his dive comes up short, too well played
38.6 Cairns to Shah, OUT: Cairns has immediate revenge though, trying to
whip another full ball to leg, but is taken full on the toe and
umpire Dunne raises the finger very quickly to Cairns' appeal,
looked fairly adjacent
England 170/5, Partnership of 37
OA Shah lbw b Cairns 57 (81b 6x4 0x6)
End of over 39 (7 runs) England 170/5 (RR: 4.36)
CL Cairns 7-0-26-1 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
PD Collingwood 15* (22b 1x4)
only question may have been whether it struck him outside the line,
but Dunne was very quick and sure of his decision, Shah helped
things by looking trapped as he shuffled across the crease
Andrew Flintoff the new batsman
Harris returns, switching ends and replacing Astle at the Hillside
End
39.1 Harris to Collingwood, no run, floated up full on off stump, leans
forward, easing it away to cover
39.2 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full on the legs, laps
it away down to Vettori at long leg
39.3 Harris to Flintoff, no run, floated up fullish outside off stump,
tries to cut but toe ends it, squirting it away down to Fleming at
short third man
39.4 Harris to Flintoff, no run, well floated up full on off stump,
firmly pushes it back on the off side of the pitch to the bowler
39.5 Harris to Flintoff, no run, well floated up on off stump,
watchfully strokes it straight back down the pitch to the bowler
again
39.6 Harris to Flintoff, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
driven straight down to McMillan at long off to get off the mark
End of over 40 (2 runs) England 172/5 (RR: 4.30)
CZ Harris 8-0-29-0 (1w 1nb) - Hillside End
A Flintoff 1* (4b) PD Collingwood 16* (24b 1x4)
40.1 Cairns to Flintoff, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, opens
the face, firmly tapping it away to Harris at point
40.2 Cairns to Flintoff, no run, shortish ball on off stump, again
cramped for room and can only run it away to Harris at point
40.3 Cairns to Flintoff, no run, floats up a slower ball outside off
stump, Flintoff tees off but is through the shot too early, drags
it away to Tuffey at mid on, mistiming it
40.4 Cairns to Flintoff, OUT: Flintoff fails to fire again, done by a
dead straight slower ball, gave himself plenty of room but played
all over the top of it, takes the top of middle and leg
England 172/6, Partnership of 2
A Flintoff b Cairns 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)
PD Collingwood 16* (24b 1x4) CL Cairns 7.4-0-26-2 (1w 1nb)
a quick double blow gets New Zealand right back into this game as
England perhaps were just threatening to cut free a couple of
overs ago
but now with only four wickets in hand and still 9.2 overs to bat,
they'll have to balance their charge a bit better - these overs
are crucial now, as England will be looking to avoid their
Christchurch collapse from a very good position at all costs
Craig White the new batsman
40.5 Cairns to White, no run, and a cracker he receives first up! short
and rising sharply outside off stump, just withdraws the bat down
inside the line to leave it alone
40.6 Cairns to White, one run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, nudges it away forward of point for an easy single to get
off the mark
End of over 41 (1 run) England 173/6 (RR: 4.22)
CL Cairns 8-0-27-2 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
C White 1* (2b) PD Collingwood 16* (24b 1x4)
41.1 Harris to White, no run, floated up on off stump, defends from back
in the crease, pushing it back on the off side of the pitch
41.2 Harris to White, no run, floated up well on off stump, defends
firmly back on the leg side of the pitch
41.3 Harris to White, one run, floated up full outside off stump, drives
along the ground straight down to McMillan at long off
41.4 Harris to Collingwood, no run, floated up full outside off stump,
firmly stroked back on the off side of the pitch, HArris does well
to dive across to his left and stop it getting past for a single
to long off
41.5 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full and straight, laps
it away down to Vettori at fine leg
41.6 Harris to White, one run, quicker, shortish ball outside off stump,
chopped away down through backward point, Tuffey around from deep
point to field on the boundary
End of over 42 (3 runs) England 176/6 (RR: 4.19)
CZ Harris 9-0-32-0 (1w 1nb) - Hillside End
C White 3* (6b) PD Collingwood 17* (26b 1x4)
Vettori returns, replacing Cairns at the Railway Stand End
42.1 Vettori to White, one run, flighted up full on off stump, driven
firmly along the ground straight down to McCullum at long off
42.2 Vettori to Collingwood, one run, flighted up full and straight,
comes well forward to drive it strongly along the ground down to
Tuffey at long on
42.3 Vettori to White, one run, flighted up full toss, laps it away and
doesn't make full value from it as McMIllan is quickly around from
long leg to fire it in
42.4 Vettori to Collingwood, no run, pushes through an arm ball,
Collingwood has to readjust as he looked for a lap also, ends up
opening the face to guide it to Astle at point
42.5 Vettori to Collingwood, no run, flighted up very nicely outside off
stump, runs it off the face to Fleming at backward point
42.6 Vettori to Collingwood, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
strongly forced back on the off side of the pitch, just gets past
the diving Vettori to his left, deflecting up off his forearm down
towards long off
End of over 43 (4 runs) England 180/6 (RR: 4.19)
DL Vettori 8-0-38-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
PD Collingwood 19* (30b 1x4) C White 5* (8b)
43.1 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full and straight,
driven from the toes down to Astle at wide long on
43.2 Harris to White, no run, floated up full and straight on off stump,
watchfully pushed back down the pitch to the bowler
43.3 Harris to White, no run, similar again, this time drives strongly
into the pitch, straight back to Harris
43.4 Harris to White, one run, quicker, fuller ball outside off stump,
gives himself a little room to force it away along the ground to
Tuffey at deep point
43.5 Harris to Collingwood, no run, quick, full ball on off stump,
firmly pushed away into the covers, can't get it past the quick
Vincent in the covers for a single
43.6 Harris to Collingwood, one run, floated up full, just drifting to
leg, flicked away down to Vettori at long leg
End of over 44 (3 runs) England 183/6 (RR: 4.16)
CZ Harris 10-0-35-0 (1w 1nb) - Hillside End
PD Collingwood 21* (33b 1x4) C White 6* (11b)
just the one over for Vettori, replaced again by Cairns at the
Railway Stand End, now the pace bowlers can complete their overs
44.1 Cairns to Collingwood, OUT: another bowling change, another wicket!
shortish lifting ball outside off stump, tries to scoop it over
backward point but Fleming's too tall, leaps up and plucks it very
nicely, England really losing their way now
England 183/7, Partnership of 11
PD Collingwood c Fleming b Cairns 21 (34b 1x4 0x6)
C White 6* (11b) CL Cairns 8.1-0-27-3 (1w 1nb)
Ashley Giles walks out to the wicket to the tune of "Dad's Army" to
the amusement of many in the crowd
44.2 Cairns to Giles, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease to defend it down to backward point
44.3 Cairns to Giles, no run, Cairns tries a slower ball, full outside
off stump, nudged away towards Harris at point in defence
44.4 Cairns to Giles, no run, oooh! very good shortish lifting ball
outside off stump, withdraws the bat well inside the line, leaving
to the keeper
44.5 Cairns to Giles, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
nudged straight to Vincent at cover
44.6 Cairns to Giles, one run, oooh! fullish ball outside off stump,
taps it away just forward of point, they take a desperate quick
single to avoid a maiden over in the 45th, Harris darts in, could
fire at either end, throws to the keeper's end but just misses
End of over 45 (1 run) England 184/7 (RR: 4.09)
CL Cairns 9-0-28-3 (1w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
AF Giles 1* (5b) C White 6* (11b)
England would probably settle for 220 from here with 5 overs to go,
a far cry from the 250+ they were shaping up for just a few overs
ago
Fleming mixes up his bowlers, doing something different at the
death, Vettori comes back again, this time at the Hillside End
45.1 Vettori to Giles, two runs, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly driven out to deep cover, quickly back for a safe second
as Tuffey fields from a bit squarer in the deep
45.2 Vettori to Giles, two runs, flighted full outside off stump,
strongly square driven through backward point, has Tuffey running
in the other direction in the deep this time, scampering back for
another couple
45.3 Vettori to Giles, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven along the ground straight to Vincent at cover
45.4 Vettori to Giles, no run, quicker, tight ball on off stump, gives
himself a little room, dabbing it away to Harris at backward point
45.5 Vettori to Giles, FOUR, shot! Giles showing some enterprise,
stepping forward and lofting a flighted ball on off stump over
extra cover, finds the gap in the deep to perfection
45.6 Vettori to Giles, two runs, and Giles completes an expensive
Vettori over with another double, forcing a flighted ball outside
off stump through cover, Tuffey around from squarer in the deep to
field, throwing to the bowler's end as they race back
End of over 46 (10 runs) England 194/7 (RR: 4.22)
DL Vettori 9-0-48-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
C White 6* (11b) AF Giles 11* (11b 1x4)
46.1 Cairns to White, no run, fullish ball on off stump, squeezed away
straight to Harris at point
46.2 Cairns to White, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, nudged
away straight to Harris quickly darting across to field at cover
point
46.3 Cairns to White, one run, full outside off stump, very well square
driven along the ground, straight out to cover sweeper McCullum
46.4 Cairns to Giles, no run, oooh! good sharp short rising ball outside
off stump, Giles drops the hands to let the hot potato pass
through untouched to keeper Nevin
46.5 Cairns to Giles, no run, an off spinner from Cairns, Giles has a
big heave across the line, looking to swing it from off stump over
midwicket but is through the shot, inside edges into the pad,
drops down in close on the off side
46.6 Cairns to Giles, (noball) one run, oversteps, shortish ball outside
off stump, drives at it, running a thick outside edge along the
ground down to wide third man
46.6 Cairns to White, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip to vacant midwicket for an easy single, Cairns finishes up
with 3-32 from 10 overs
End of over 47 (4 runs) England 198/7 (RR: 4.21)
CL Cairns 10-0-32-3 (1w 2nb) - Railway Stand End
C White 8* (15b) AF Giles 12* (14b 1x4)
Vettori finishes with another one-over spell, it's Adams back to
bowl at the Hillside End
England shaping for 220 here, maybe a little more if White and
Giles can continue this spunky little stand that could frustrate
the home team
47.1 Adams to White, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip towards vacant square leg, easy single taken with the shot as
Harris is across to field from midwicket
47.2 Adams to Giles, one run, full on off stump, strongly driven
straight down the ground to long off, brings up the England 200
47.3 Adams to White, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
straight down the ground to McCullum at long off again
47.4 Adams to Giles, one run, shuffles right outside leg stump to a
yorker length ball, jams it into the ground, bouncing up to
Fleming at backward point, quick single taken with the shot
47.5 Adams to White, one run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
along the ground down to McCullum running in to field at wide long
off
47.6 Adams to Giles, one run, full and straight, tries to free the arms
and loft over the covers but is cramped up, can only squeeze it
into the ground short of the cover field, easy single taken
End of over 48 (6 runs) England 204/7 (RR: 4.25)
AR Adams 9-0-45-1 - Hillside End
AF Giles 15* (17b 1x4) C White 11* (18b)
Tuffey back for just one over at the Railway Stand End to complete
the overs at this end
48.1 Tuffey to Giles, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, squeezed
away towards vacant mid off for an easy single
48.2 Tuffey to White, one run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
along the ground straight down to Vincent posted strategically at
long off
48.3 Tuffey to Giles, one run, full just outside off stump, gives
himself plenty of room, gets a thick outside edge low in the air,
bouncing down to Astle at third man as he looked to swing it over
the top
48.4 Tuffey to White, one run, very full just outside off stump, drives
down to Vincent scooting in to field from long off, mistiming the
stroke, not been given anything but singles at the death here
48.5 Tuffey to Giles, one run, dishes up a full toss on middle and leg,
Giles with his open stance only manages to smack it straight down
to Vincent at long off for the 13th single in a row in the innings
48.6 Tuffey to White, FOUR, excellent shot! shuffles across the crease
to off stump, getting inside a low, straight full toss, whips it
off his legs through backward square leg, spying the gap with fine
leg up inside the circle and picks it off, Adams unable to stop it
from deep
End of over 49 (9 runs) England 213/7 (RR: 4.35)
DR Tuffey 9-1-42-3 - Railway Stand End
AF Giles 18* (20b 1x4) C White 17* (21b 1x4)
square leg
runs from all of the last 14 balls, just one not being a single,
the last one, still very handy runs in the situation for England,
they'll need them all on this surface
49.1 Adams to Giles, one run, fair length ball on off stump, gives
himself some room, forcing it strongly straight down to McCullum
at widish long off
49.2 Adams to White, OUT: White tries to go for something more than a
single but holes out, picking up a rather full, straight ball,
straight down to Astle running around straighter from long on,
completing a comfortable catch
England 214/8, Partnership of 31
C White c Astle b Adams 17 (22b 1x4 0x6)
AF Giles 19* (21b 1x4) AR Adams 9.2-0-46-2
Darren Gough the new batsman
49.3 Adams to Giles, one run, again Giles gives himself some room,
smacking a shortish straight ball straight down to McCullum at
long off
49.4 Adams to Gough, one run, full and straight, pushes it firmly
straight back past the bowler on the leg side, they settle for a
single as Astle comes across from long on to field
49.5 Adams to Giles, one run, shortish ball following Giles to the leg
side, drags a pull along the ground out to Vincent at deep square
leg
49.6 Adams to Gough, one run, very full and straight, Gough can only
force it into the covers, mistiming it away for Harris to field on
the circle edge, they take a simple single
End of over 50 (5 runs) England 218/8 (RR: 4.36)
AR Adams 10-0-50-2 - Hillside End
D Gough 2* (2b) AF Giles 21* (23b 1x4)
England will be rather disappointed with this total considering the
conditions, and the position they were in after 38 overs, but they
were only able to muster 48 from the last 12 overs for the loss of
4 wickets
there was a little late rally by White and Giles to avoid a
Christchurchesque collapse which saw them fall short of 200 and
batting out their full allotment of overs, but nonetheless they
won't be happy
Giles finished on his career-best ODI score in 17 matches, beating
a previous best of 18
after a shaky, though brisk, start the real foundation was laid by
a 71-run partnership between Hussain and Shah for the 4th wicket
Shah built on this somewhat with Collingwood's assistance, but
that's when things went to pot - both Hussain and Shah guilty of
not kicking on to post a 80+ score to set England up for 250+
which always seemed on for much of the innings
Tuffey and Cairns impressed the most with the ball today,
consistently proving difficult to get away but for the occasional
fine stroke
Fleming innovated with his fielding positions and bowling changes
in particular today - 12 of those in all, keeping the batsmen on
their toes throughout, and to a fair degree of success
though England's total is far short of what they would've liked,
this game is far from over, given how well they have defended
moderate to good totals in the last two matches, that fighting
spirit suggests we could still have a tight finish on our hands
to decide the series in just over 55 minutes time at 6:15pm local
time (0515) when New Zealand will come out in search of 219 at a
required run rate of 4.38 per over
any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field, and it'll be Darren Gough to bowl
from the Railway Stand End to Chris Nevin, with Nathan Astle at
the non-striker's end
two slips, third man, point, shortish cover point, extra cover, mid
off, mid on and long leg in place
0.1 Gough to Nevin, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, squirts
it away just backward of point, beating a diving attempt there and
away for a run immediately, the embankment let out a huge roar as
it gets past the diving White
0.2 Gough to Astle, no run, shortish, straight ball, hops on the crease
to tuck it off his hop to forward square leg
0.3 Gough to Astle, no run, oooh! an early shout for Gough, stretches
the front pad well forward outside off stump, nips back off the
seam, belated appeal for lbw is prolonged, flicks through to the
keeper, didn't come back far enough, good call from umpire Dunne
0.4 Gough to Astle, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
0.5 Gough to Astle, no run, good tight fullish, straight ball on off
stump, hops to firmly tap it up towards Giles at mid on, half
looking for a quick single but it's not there
0.6 Gough to Astle, no run, oooooooooh! Astle charges down the track to
a good length ball, has a wild swing over the top of it, missing
through to the keeper, heart in mouth stuff for the nervous but
excited home crowd
End of over 1 (1 run) New Zealand 1/0 (RR: 1.00 RRR: 218/49 = 4.45)
D Gough 1-0-1-0 - Railway Stand End
CJ Nevin 1* (1b) NJ Astle 0* (5b)
Matthew Hoggard to bowl from the Hillside End, with two slips,
third man, backward point, short point, cover, wide mid off, mid
on and long leg in place
1.1 Hoggard to Nevin, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish ball outside
off stump, nudges it away to backward point in defence
1.1 Hoggard to Nevin, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, chopped
into the ground, runs away down to Collingwood at third man
1.2 Hoggard to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, hops on
the crease to defend firmly straight down towards point
1.3 Hoggard to Astle, no run, similar, tight shortish ball on off
stump, shuffles forward, tapping it firmly up towards Giles at mid
on
1.4 Hoggard to Astle, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, firmly stroking it back on the off side of the pitch,
Hoggard fields very well, sharply reaching down to his left to
grab it on his follow through
1.5 Hoggard to Astle, no run, full and fairly wide outside off stump,
Astle has a wild flash at it, never really anywhere near it,
passes through just inside the wide lines to the keeper
1.6 Hoggard to Astle, one run, oooh! a nervous start for Astle, full
with a fair amount of width outside off stump, Astle chases after
this one too, slicing a thick outside edge in the air wide of
second slip, straight down to third man to get off the mark after
9 balls
End of over 2 (3 runs) New Zealand 4/0 (RR: 2.00 RRR: 215/48 = 4.48)
MJ Hoggard 1-0-3-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 1* (10b) CJ Nevin 2* (3b)
2.1 Gough to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, stroking it straight to Shah
at cover
2.2 Gough to Astle, no run, hops on the crease to a shortish,
straightening ball nipping back into the pads, drops down in close
on the leg side, looking for a quick run but Gough's hustle
prevents it
2.3 Gough to Astle, FOUR, whoosh! shortish lifting straight ball, Astle
hops on to one leg and pulls it thunderously in the air through
midwicket, but goodness it wasn't far wide of Thorpe fielding at
forward square leg
2.4 Gough to Astle, FOUR, shot! fairly tight shortish ball on off
stump, strongly punches it down into the ground just forward of
point, beats the diving Shah and races to the short square
boundary
2.5 Gough to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, hops on
the crease once more, pushing at it and getting a thick inside
edge down into the pad, tamely drops down in close on the off side
2.6 Gough to Astle, no run, quicker, fuller and quite straight, nips
back in from the seam, taken on the pad as he again is caught on
the crease hopping, loud shout for lbw quickly turned down by
umpire Dunne, suggestion it was just doing too much to leg
End of over 3 (8 runs) New Zealand 12/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 207/47 = 4.40)
D Gough 2-0-9-0 - Railway Stand End
CJ Nevin 2* (3b) NJ Astle 9* (16b 2x4)
3.1 Hoggard to Nevin, no run, shuffles forward to a fullish, straight
ball just outside off stump, pushes it back down the pitch to the
bowler from bat/pad
3.2 Hoggard to Nevin, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
hops on the crease to tap it straight back down the pitch to the
bowler
3.3 Hoggard to Nevin, no run, very full and straight, squeezes it from
the toes straight back down the track to Hoggard
3.4 Hoggard to Nevin, three runs, overpitched on the toes, strongly
driven straight down the ground on the leg side between bowler and
Giles who has to give chase from mid on, overhauled well inside
the boundary as they scamper back for a comfortable third
3.5 Hoggard to Astle, SIX, amazing! what a remarkable hit! Astle
charges down the track to meet a full pitched ball with some width
outside off stump, gets a fair amount of clout on this one, goes a
long, long way up in the air but carries all the way to the point
boundary,
hits the roof and drops straight down, three men chased after it
from all directions but had no show
3.6 Hoggard to Astle, no run, good reply from Hoggard, shortish ball
seaming back in, has Astle cramped up and squirts a leading edge
away towards cover point, just falling short of the fielder
End of over 4 (9 runs) New Zealand 21/0 (RR: 5.25 RRR: 198/46 = 4.30)
MJ Hoggard 2-0-12-0 (1nb) - Hillside End
CJ Nevin 5* (7b) NJ Astle 15* (18b 2x4 1x6)
4.1 Gough to Nevin, no run, good tight fullish, straight ball on off
stump, defends from the crease, stroking it firmly straight up to
Giles at mid on
4.2 Gough to Nevin, no run, and again, dead on off stump, forced to
defend from the crease straight down to Shah in the covers
4.3 Gough to Nevin, no run, shortish ball just a fraction outside off
stump, defends from the crease, inside edging into the top of the
front pad, tamely drops down at his feet
4.4 Gough to Nevin, no run, oooh! Nevin stands on the crease and has a
bit of a swish across the line, but line and length does him,
dragging an inside edge back into his pads
4.5 Gough to Nevin, no run, good tight fullish ball on off stump, props
forward in compact defence with bat/pad tucked together, nudging
it straight to Shah in the covers
4.6 Gough to Nevin, FOUR, shot! short lifting ball outside off stump, a
bit of width and Nevin loves those, deliberately uppercutting over
the top, well clear of cover point
End of over 5 (4 runs) New Zealand 25/0 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 194/45 = 4.31)
D Gough 3-0-13-0 - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 15* (18b 2x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 9* (13b 1x4)
5.1 Hoggard to Astle, no run, dropped! a tough chance but a chance no
less, fullish ball outside off stump, Astle drives on the up,
Knight dives to his right at cover, getting a good hand to it but
through it goes, will that come back to hurt England later?
5.2 Hoggard to Astle, FOUR, it hurts them one ball later, at least,
shortish ball just outside off stump, strongly punched down
through backward point, the field is fairly tight in that zone but
he still finds a way through
5.3 Hoggard to Astle, FOUR, oh dear oh dear! and another one, this time
almost a catching chance too but Collingwood couldn't decide and
mucks it up altogether, Astle going for an expansive drive off a
fullish ball outside off stump, slices it low in the air down
towards third
man, Collingwood comes forward to try and catch it, then to try and
scoop it up on the half volley as he realises he's short, but
misses the ball altogether!
5.4 Hoggard to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball seaming in, inside
edges into the pad, dropping down in close on the leg side
5.5 Hoggard to Astle, no run, oooh! Astle lives yet again, shortish
ball just outside off stump, chops a thick inside edge just back
past the stumps towards square leg
5.6 Hoggard to Astle, (noball) no run, oversteps, quick, full and
straight, taken on the pad and rebounds away towards point
5.6 Hoggard to Astle, one run, a charmed over comes to an end, swinging
in rather full on the toes, squeezes a thick outside edge away
along the ground down to Collingwood at third man
End of over 6 (10 runs) New Zealand 35/0 (RR: 5.83 RRR: 184/44 = 4.18)
MJ Hoggard 3-0-22-0 (2nb) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 24* (25b 4x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 9* (13b 1x4)
6.1 Gough to Astle, FOUR, the field is more spread for Astle but that
doesn't bother him, charges down the track to a fullish, straight
ball, swinging it away through wide midwicket, Giles has no chance
at mid on to stop that one
6.2 Gough to Astle, no run, hops on the crease to play a good length
ball just angling into the legs, clipped away straight to square
leg
6.3 Gough to Astle, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forces
it from the crease as he hops, played up wide of Giles at mid on
who fields across to his right as an easy single is taken
6.4 Gough to Nevin, one run, oooooooh dear oh dear! don't they say
"never run on a misfield?", well Nevin will probably wish he
didn't there, as he punched a shortish ball on off stump into the
covers, Shah bends down to field but it rebounds away off his
knee, a bit of mid-pitch
confusion sees Nevin well short of his ground going to the bowler's
end as the throw from Shah goes *just* wide of the stumps
6.5 Gough to Astle, no run, hops on the crease to a shortish, straight
ball, gets a thick inside edge into the front pad, nullifying
Gough's appeal for lbw
6.6 Gough to Astle, no run, attempts a yorker, Astle is equal to it,
digging it out strongly up towards Giles at mid on
End of over 7 (6 runs) New Zealand 41/0 (RR: 5.86 RRR: 178/43 = 4.14)
D Gough 4-0-19-0 - Railway Stand End
CJ Nevin 10* (14b 1x4) NJ Astle 29* (30b 5x4 1x6)
England with a few early problems, as this pair build a good little
opening stand in quick time
7.1 Hoggard to Nevin, one run, fullish, straight ball, just jams the
bat on it, squirting an inside edge away down to deep backward
square leg
7.2 Hoggard to Astle, SIX, *awesome* hit! Astle looking in fine touch
all of a sudden today, picks up a half volley and slams it
mightily over wide long on, threatens the replay screen but just
lands short
7.3 Hoggard to Astle, legbye: one run, good response from Hoggard,
quick and seaming back into the pad, deflects away down to
Collingwood at third man
7.4 Hoggard to Nevin, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly strokes it
off the toes straight to short midwicket
7.5 Hoggard to Nevin, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
forces it from the crease, punching it straight down to sKnight at
shortish cover
7.6 Hoggard to Nevin, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly cut straight down to Collingwood who baubles it low to
the ground at third man
End of over 8 (9 runs) New Zealand 50/0 (RR: 6.25 RRR: 169/42 = 4.02)
MJ Hoggard 4-0-30-0 (2nb) - Hillside End
CJ Nevin 12* (18b 1x4) NJ Astle 35* (32b 5x4 2x6)
8.1 Gough to Nevin, no run, tight back of a length, straight ball,
Nevin plays it a little awkwardly, working it to Thorpe at
midwicket
8.2 Gough to Nevin, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease to punch it straight down to Knight at shortish
cover
8.3 Gough to Nevin, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forced
from the crease, straight down to Knight at shortish cover again
8.4 Gough to Nevin, one run, fullish, straight ball, Nevin scoops it
down the ground on the leg side, good half stop made by Giles
falling across to his left at mid on, palms it away towards
Hussain at mid off, conceding the single
8.5 Gough to Astle, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off stump,
opens the face to ease it firmly away to White at point in defence
8.6 Gough to Astle, legbye: two runs, quick and full but straying down
the leg side, glanced off the pads, fine leg around in the deep to
field
End of over 9 (3 runs) New Zealand 53/0 (RR: 5.89 RRR: 166/41 = 4.05)
D Gough 5-0-20-0 - Railway Stand End
CJ Nevin 13* (22b 1x4) NJ Astle 35* (34b 5x4 2x6)
the first bowling change is forced by the quickfire start, Hoggard
copping much of the stick, and it'll be Andrew Flintoff to replace
him at the Hillside End
no slips, third man, gully, backward point, cover point, short
cover, wide mid off, mid on, square leg and deep backward square
leg in place
9.1 Flintoff to Nevin, two runs, a bit too short outside off stump,
cuts hard into the ground just backward of point, White dives to
his left, making a partial stop but it gets away for a couple of
runs as Collingwood has to come around from third man to field
9.2 Flintoff to Nevin, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forces
it straight back down the pitch from the crease in defence
9.3 Flintoff to Nevin, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, firmly
plays it down towards point in defence, there's an enquiring shy
at the bowler's end to keep Astle on his guard backing up, but he
is
9.4 Flintoff to Nevin, no run, back of a length ball on off stump,
forced off the back foot straight down to cover point
9.5 Flintoff to Nevin, OUT: Flintoff strikes! the bowling change does
the trick, dropped in a fair bit shorter outside off stump, again
Nevin looked to force it through the covers but misses out, thin
top edge straight through to the keeper
New Zealand 55/1, Partnership of 55
CJ Nevin c Trescothick b Flintoff 15 (27b 1x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 35* (34b 5x4 2x6) A Flintoff 0.5-0-2-1
Flintoff is excited and England finally get a sense of being back
in the game in these early stages of the chase
Brendon McCullum, the local boy, comes out to bat for the first
time on his home ground for New Zealand
a slip instantly comes into play, removing one of the men in the
backward point region
9.6 Flintoff to McCullum, one run, underway immediately, fullish ball
angling into the legs, firmly clipped away through backward square
leg, Gough around from long leg to field in the deep
End of over 10 (3 runs) New Zealand 56/1 (RR: 5.60 RRR: 163/40 = 4.07)
A Flintoff 1-0-3-1 - Hillside End
BB McCullum 1* (1b) NJ Astle 35* (34b 5x4 2x6)
10.1 Gough to McCullum, (noball) no run, oooh! Gough digs in a rather
short one to welcome McCullum to the crease, tries to hook it but
misses, umpire Dunne gets the signal from square leg and promptly
calls no-ball himself, over head height
10.1 Gough to McCullum, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucks it down
in close on the leg side in defence, Thorpe scoots in from forward
square leg to prevent a quick single
10.2 Gough to McCullum, no run, oooh! Goughie gives it his all, but his
imploring appeal has no effect on umpire Dunne, seaming a good
length ball back in, simultaneously hits the bat and the front
pad, defended up towards mid off
10.3 Gough to McCullum, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
spoons a thick outside edge through vacant gully, good diving stop
made down at third man by Collingwood, McCullum sprints back well
for a tight second
10.4 Gough to McCullum, no run, fullish, straight ball, squirts a thick
inside edge away to Knight at short midwicket as he looked to
drive
10.5 Gough to McCullum, no run, oooh! good back of a length rising ball
outside off stump, McCullum has a swish and a miss, through to
keeper Trescothick
10.6 Gough to McCullum, FOUR, shot! Gough drops it in a little too
short, McCullum swivels on the crease, strongly pulling through
forward square leg, deep backward square leg runs around the
boundary but can't cut it off with the short square boundaries
here
End of over 11 (7 runs) New Zealand 63/1 (RR: 5.73 RRR: 156/39 = 4.00)
D Gough 6-0-27-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 35* (34b 5x4 2x6) BB McCullum 7* (8b 1x4)
11.1 Flintoff to Astle, FOUR, shot! short rising ball outside off stump,
Astle gets over the top of the bounce, unlike Nevin, and controls
an aerial back cut, slashing it away through vacant gully, too
good for third man Collingwood to stop
11.2 Flintoff to Astle, no run, similar shortish ball just outside off
stump, cuts strongly but straight down to White who makes a good
stop on the bounce, falling to his left at backward point
11.3 Flintoff to Astle, SIX, *incredible* stuff from Astle, he is on
fire! advances down the track to a fullish ball from Flintoff,
turns it into a rank half volley and pummels it over long off,
sails very high and lands comfortable clear over the boundary
perimeter
long discussions between Flintoff and captain Hussain now, England
realise trouble has but one name and it's spelt 'Astle' right now
11.4 Flintoff to Astle, no run, good follow-up ball, tight and seaming
in slightly from off stump, chops it away straight to Shah in the
covers
11.5 Flintoff to Astle, FOUR, shortish lifting ball just angling on leg
stump, Astle pulls, getting a bit of a glove on it, so it flies
high and fine, long leg is miles away from that one
now the chants go out from the embankment crowd 'Astle! Astle!',
just as they worshipped Cairns much earlier today
11.6 Flintoff to Astle, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
body straight to shortish midwicket
End of over 12 (14 runs) New Zealand 77/1 (RR: 6.42 RRR: 142/38 = 3.74)
A Flintoff 2-0-17-1 - Hillside End
BB McCullum 7* (8b 1x4) NJ Astle 49* (40b 7x4 3x6)
another bowling change, with Gough being held back for one or two
later bursts if England can haul this lightning start back before
then, it's Craig White on at the Railway Stand End
12.1 White to McCullum, no run, tight shortish ball, seams back in, hits
the front pad then the full face of the bat, half-hearted appeal
as it was heading well down leg, played down to cover
12.2 White to McCullum, OUT: oh dear! very tight shortish ball seaming
right back in from outside off stump, tries to give himself a
little room but only succeeds in chopping it straight down on to
his off stump, the only deflection was a straight-downwards one!
New Zealand 77/2, Partnership of 22
BB McCullum b White 7 (10b 1x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 49* (40b 7x4 3x6) C White 0.2-0-0-1
McCullum has to turn around and realise the off bail is dislodged
as the noise from the crowd and the reaction from all but Craig
White is rather silent for a few moments, England chip another one
out to just keep it interesting
captain Stephen Fleming the new batsman
just like a few occasions in the England innings, the bowling
changes seem to be what produce the wickets - Hussain might be
looking to have about 8 more
12.3 White to Fleming, no run, White comes around the wicket to the
left-hander, shortish ball left well alone outside off stump to
the keeper, White slips over as he completes the delivery
12.4 White to Fleming, no run, fuller ball just outside off stump, again
leaves well alone through to the keeper
12.5 White to Fleming, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
shuffles forward, watchfully nudging it away towards cover point
in defence
White threatening to bowl a wicket maiden, and just the second
maiden of the match so far
12.6 White to Fleming, one run, but he fails to, a bit full on the legs,
firmly clipped away through vacant forward square leg for an easy
single to get off the mark, Fleming almost trips over White
sprawled on the pitch once again after delivering the ball!
End of over 13 (1 run) New Zealand 78/2 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 141/37 = 3.81)
C White 1-0-1-1 - Railway Stand End
SP Fleming 1* (4b) NJ Astle 49* (40b 7x4 3x6)
13.1 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
stretches forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
13.2 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, similar again, Flintoff inviting
Fleming to drive but the batsman declines again, letting it go to
the keeper
13.3 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, shuffles across to off stump to get in
behind a shortish, straight ball, firmly strokes it away to
midwicket
13.4 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, Fleming leans forward, opening the face and steers it away
to Knight at second slip on the bounce, moving to his left
13.5 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, full outside off stump, stretches
forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
13.6 Flintoff to Fleming, wide: no run, Flintoff conspires to avoid
bowling the first maiden of the innings, full and too wide outside
off stump, left alone to the keeper
13.6 Flintoff to Fleming, no run, fair length, straight ball, shuffles
in behind it, firmly strokes it straight up to mid on
End of over 14 (1 run) New Zealand 79/2 (RR: 5.64 RRR: 140/36 = 3.89)
A Flintoff 3-0-18-1 (1w) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 49* (40b 7x4 3x6) SP Fleming 1* (10b)
a rather spread infield set for Astle on strike, kept away from it
for a while, the keeper's up to the stumps and a leg gully is also
in place
14.1 White to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly driven from
the crease straight up to Giles at mid on
14.2 White to Astle, one run, fullish, straight ball, very similar but
this time Astle manages to push it straighter and not quite as
hard, quick single taken with the shot as Giles fields to his left
at mid on, brings up Astle's 50 in just 42 balls, 7x4, 3x6 in his
150th match
14.3 White to Fleming, no run, oooh! good shortish ball just outside off
stump, gets a thick outside edge which falls well short of first
slip
14.4 White to Fleming, OUT: but this time it carries! good fullish ball
just outside off stump, drives at it and gets a bit thick outside
edge to Knight, falls to his right at second slip, only *just*
managing to hang on to it though!
New Zealand 80/3, Partnership of 3
SP Fleming c Knight b White 1 (12b 0x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 50* (42b 7x4 3x6) C White 1.4-0-2-2
Knight has had a dreaded run in the field this series, so that's a
relieving catch and a key blow, he hugged it to his hip on the
second grab and gives a wry smile
game on" as they say, England doing the next best thing to getting
Astle out - getting rid of a number of his partners at the other
end!
Craig McMillan is the newest and fourth of these, striding to the
crease
White with the amazingly contrasting figures of 2-2 from 1.4 overs
whilst the rest have received a bit of a pasting
14.5 White to McMillan, no run, bouncer! this one's a good height
though, no no-ball there as McMillan ducks well underneath it to
let it go to the keeper
14.6 White to McMillan, no run, oooooh! quick and full, rapped on the
pads, a huge shout for lbw from White but umpire Dunne says no,
there'll be a fair few people who want to have a look at that one
on the replay! looked very handy
End of over 15 (1 run) New Zealand 80/3 (RR: 5.33 RRR: 139/35 = 3.97)
C White 2-0-2-2 - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 50* (42b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 0* (2b)
15.1 Flintoff to Astle, no run, tight shortish, straight ball on off
stump, hops on the crease to defend it up towards Giles at mid on
15.2 Flintoff to Astle, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
hops on the crease to defend once more, played down towards mid
off
15.3 Flintoff to Astle, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
hops on the crease, tapping it down in close on the off side in
defence
after 77 runs came from the first 12 overs, there have been just 3
runs from the next 3.3 overs and 2 wickets to boot
15.4 Flintoff to Astle, one run, shortish lifting, straight ball, tucked
down in close on the leg side for an easy single as Giles has to
field from up at mid on
15.5 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
plays with a dead bat in defence from the crease, dropping it down
in close on the off side
15.6 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, shuffles right across the crease to
get in behind a fullish, straight ball, taken on the pad and
rebounds away towards mid on, half-hearted appeal for lbw from the
bowler alone
End of over 16 (1 run) New Zealand 81/3 (RR: 5.06 RRR: 138/34 = 4.06)
A Flintoff 4-0-19-1 (1w) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 51* (46b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 0* (4b)
16.1 White to Astle, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
strongly drives, inside edgily into the deck, playing it up to
Giles at mid on
16.2 White to Astle, (noball) no run, oversteps, tight fullish ball on
off stump, defends from the crease, firmly stroking it straight up
towards Gough at mid off
16.2 White to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
chops it hard into the ground away to Hussain in the covers,
threatens to throw the stumps down at the bowler's end as McMillan
backs up ... except he forgot to properly field the ball and get
it into his
hand first!
16.3 White to Astle, no run, oooh! good ball seaming back in, taken high
on the pad and squirts away to backward point, well defeated
16.4 White to Astle, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly cuts down through cover point, but there is protection in
the deep and Knight makes very good ground patrolling from deep
cover to pick it up inside the rope and keep them to just one
16.5 White to McMillan, no run, shuffles across outside off stump,
shouldering arms to a shortish ball just outside off stump
16.6 White to McMillan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
firmly nudged away just forward of point, Shah across to field to
his right there
End of over 17 (2 runs) New Zealand 83/3 (RR: 4.88 RRR: 136/33 = 4.12)
C White 3-0-4-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 52* (51b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 0* (6b)
17.1 Flintoff to Astle, no run, shuffles half forward to a shortish ball
on off stump, drops a bottom edge into the apds, rebounding back
down the pitch to the bowler
17.2 Flintoff to Astle, one run, oh boy oh boy! shortish lifting
straight ball, Astle picks it up off his hip, lobs high over
backward square leg, Collingwood runs in from deep square leg, but
it bounces short of him, it was a chance but he perhaps just lost
it in the sun, an awkward
part of the field there with the shadows now stretching well across
much of the ground
17.3 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
17.4 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, tapped firmly straight down to Hussain at shortish cover
point
17.5 Flintoff to McMillan, wide: no run, quick and full, but swinging
away well down the leg side, McMillan can't catch up to it,
Trescothick dives across to his left to complete a good take
17.5 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly
stroked along the ground straight up to Giles, getting right in
behind it
17.6 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, similar again, shuffles right across
the crease, tucking a shortish, straight ball off the legs to
midwicket
End of over 18 (2 runs) New Zealand 85/3 (RR: 4.72 RRR: 134/32 = 4.19)
A Flintoff 5-0-21-1 (2w) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 53* (53b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 0* (10b)
now just 8 runs coming from the last 6 overs - yet surprisingly
still not a single maiden in the innings, England clawing right
back into this one
18.1 White to Astle, no run, shortish ball seams back in from a fairly
straight line, taken high on the pad and drops down in close on
the off isde
18.2 White to Astle, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, stands tall on the crease and forces it straight down to
Hussain at short cover
18.3 White to Astle, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly forced away through backward point, Collingwood scoots
around from third man to field in the deep
18.4 White to McMillan, one run, McMillan underway after 11 balls,
shortish lifting delivery outside off stump, gets over the top of
it, forcing it away through backward point, Collingwood around
from third man to field
18.5 White to Astle, no run, full just outside off stump, strongly
driven along the carpet straight up to Gough at mid off
18.6 White to Astle, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump but Astle
manages to free the arms enough, punching it away past the cover
point man, out to the deep cover sweeper
End of over 19 (3 runs) New Zealand 88/3 (RR: 4.63 RRR: 131/31 = 4.23)
C White 4-0-7-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 55* (58b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 1* (11b)
19.1 Flintoff to Astle, one run, fullish, straight ball, firmly clipped
off the legs through vacant square leg, out to Collingwood roaming
in the deep out there
19.2 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
19.3 Flintoff to McMillan, (noball) no run, oversteps, good quick
shortish ball seams right back in to McMillan from a back of a
length, taken high on the pad, rebounds away into the covers,
tickled him up a little
19.3 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, hops on the crease to play a shortish
ball just outside off stump, chops a bottom edge into the pad,
drops away in close on the off side
19.4 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
strongly driven back down the pitch on the off side, Flintoff does
well to reach down and field on his follow through
19.5 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly
clipped off the legs but finds the fielder again, straight to
midwicket
19.6 Flintoff to McMillan, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump,
strongly driven straight down the ground on the off side, the gap
was there and inviting the drive with the fielder posted much
squarer at mid off and McMillan finds it
End of over 20 (6 runs) New Zealand 94/3 (RR: 4.70 RRR: 125/30 = 4.17)
A Flintoff 6-0-27-1 (2w 1nb) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 56* (59b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 5* (17b 1x4)
20.1 White to Astle, one run, fullish, straight ball, firmly driven
straight down the ground on the leg side past the bowler, Giles
makes a good stop falling to his left from mid on
20.2 White to McMillan, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, tapping it down in close on the leg side
20.3 White to McMillan, no run, good tight fullish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease again, firmly playing it away
towards cover
20.4 White to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, strongly punched into the deck, bouncing up to Hussain in
the covers, shies at the bowler's end to keep Astle honest, though
he misses
20.5 White to McMillan, no run, and another good line and length ball,
chops it away down into the covers in defence from off stump
20.6 White to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, again
chops it away into the covers in defence
End of over 21 (1 run) New Zealand 95/3 (RR: 4.52 RRR: 124/29 = 4.28)
C White 5-0-8-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 57* (60b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 5* (22b 1x4)
Ashley Giles on to bowl, replacing Flintoff after a tidy spell at
the Hillside End
short third man, backward point, deep cover, extra cover, long off,
mid on, midwicket, deep square leg and short fine leg in place
21.1 Giles to Astle, one run, flat ball just outside off stump, gives
himself some room to cut, chopping it straight out to deep cover
point
21.2 Giles to McMillan, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
stretches well forward, driving straight down to wide long off
21.3 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, watchfully
stroked back along the pitch to the bowler
21.4 Giles to Astle, no run, good tight ball just outside off stump,
nicely flighted and slides straight on, beats a cut from Astle,
through to the keeper
21.5 Giles to Astle, no run, flatter ball turning into the legs, drops
it down in close on the leg side from the pad
21.6 Giles to Astle, no run, quicker, full and straight ball, clipped
away from the legs straight to shortish midwicket
End of over 22 (2 runs) New Zealand 97/3 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 122/28 = 4.36)
AF Giles 1-0-2-0 - Hillside End
CD McMillan 6* (23b 1x4) NJ Astle 58* (65b 7x4 3x6)
the current and required run rates are threatening to meet again
now, things getting decidedly interesting
22.1 White to McMillan, two runs, shortish lifting straight ball, pulled
away through backward square leg, Hoggard slides around the
boundary to field in the deep but fumbles it, allowing a second to
be taken, a bit sloppy
22.2 White to McMillan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
strongly driven into the ground, bounces straight up to Hussain at
shortish extr acover
22.3 White to McMillan, one run, fullish ball straying on the legs,
firmly clipped away through forward square leg, they look for a
second but it's not a quickly run first and Hoggard does better in
the deep to cut it off this time, brings up the NZ 100
22.4 White to Astle, two runs, shortish ball angling down the leg side,
well tucked off the hip through backward square leg, more work for
Hoggard in the deep, sliding to field well inside the boundary,
easy second taken with no aiding misfield this time
22.5 White to Astle, no run, oooh! good quicker, good length ball just
outside off stump, Astle tries to force it from the crease through
the covers, plays and misses, done for bounce, and plenty of it, a
very tricky take for Trescothick, dropping it from his chest
standing up
22.6 White to Astle, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, strongly
square drive through backward point, third man around to field in
the deep
End of over 23 (6 runs) New Zealand 103/3 (RR: 4.48 RRR: 116/27 = 4.30)
C White 6-0-14-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 61* (68b 7x4 3x6) CD McMillan 9* (26b 1x4)
23.1 Giles to Astle, FOUR, shot! superlative back cut flows from the
blade of Astle, flat ball outside off stump, a little width and
it's timed beautifully, Thorpe does his best to slide and save it
in the deep but he only gets a partial hand on it
23.2 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full just outside off stump,
leans well forward, defending quietly back down the pitch to the
bowler
23.3 Giles to Astle, no run, drops it a bit shorter on off stump,
shuffles across the crease, tucking it down to midwicket in
defencee
23.4 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full outside off stump, leans
well forward, watchfully defending with the ball taking the front
pad and rebounding back to the bowler
23.5 Giles to Astle, no run, quicker ball pushed through, turning into
the pads and drops down in close on the leg side, belated appeal
from Giles but angling well down the leg side
23.6 Giles to Astle, one run, flighted up full on the legs, turned away
to vacant backward square leg for an easy single
End of over 24 (5 runs) New Zealand 108/3 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 111/26 = 4.27)
AF Giles 2-0-7-0 - Hillside End
NJ Astle 66* (74b 8x4 3x6) CD McMillan 9* (26b 1x4)
time for another acid test, it's Paul Collingwood on to bowl to see
if he can get the ball to swerve in the air in the cooling Dunedin
evening on what's been a lovely day, replacing White after an
excellent spell of 2-14 from 6 overs at the Railway Stand
24.1 Collingwood to Astle, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
strongly driven along the ground straight up to Gough at mid off
third man, backward point, deep cover, shortish extra cover, mid
off, mid on, short midwicket, deep midwicket and deep backward
square leg in place
24.2 Collingwood to Astle, two runs, fullish ball just angling down the
leg side, glances it nice and fine, scoots very quickly back for a
second as Hoggard's around from deep backward square leg to fire
it in to the keeper
the bails are whipped off but Astle is home
24.3 Collingwood to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly drives
straight back down teh pitch to the bowler
24.4 Collingwood to Astle, one run, fullish ball angling on leg stump,
easily turned away out towards the midwicket sweeper Shah for an
easy single
24.5 Collingwood to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
shuffles across to it, squaring around to defend down in close on
the off side
24.6 Collingwood to McMillan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans well forward to firmly defend straight down to short cover
End of over 25 (3 runs) New Zealand 111/3 (RR: 4.44 RRR: 108/25 = 4.32)
PD Collingwood 1-0-3-0 - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 69* (78b 8x4 3x6) CD McMillan 9* (28b 1x4)
we're at the halfway stage now, with New Zealand having 111 on the
board and another 108 needed in the second stanza, you'd say
they're just in front right now, but they reached a similar
position at Napier in their chase before self-destructing
25.1 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full on the legs, tickled
around the corner straight to Knight at short fine leg, no quick
single on offer there and a loud shout of 'no!' is the call
25.2 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full on off stump, stretches
well forward, defending quietly away to cover
25.3 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full on the toes, turned away
straight to Hussain at midwicket
25.4 Giles to Astle, no run, ooh! Astle jumps half forward, ready to
play a big shot but has to bail out as it's not quite there for
it, defends with bat/pad together, dropping it down in close on
the off side
25.5 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, turned away
from the toes to Hussain at midwicket
25.6 Giles to Astle, one run, flighted up very full on the toes, driven
along the ground straight down to Flintoff at long off, and again
the first maiden of the innings is avoided at the last moment
End of over 26 (1 run) New Zealand 112/3 (RR: 4.31 RRR: 107/24 = 4.46)
AF Giles 3-0-8-0 - Hillside End
NJ Astle 70* (84b 8x4 3x6) CD McMillan 9* (28b 1x4)
the required run rate now creeps above the current rate, after
threatening to kiss before but not quite making it the full way,
still well inside worrying levels for the chasing side
26.1 Collingwood to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball, hops on the
crease to defend away towards midwicket
26.2 Collingwood to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, forced from the crease away towards point
26.3 Collingwood to Astle, no run, good quicker ball outside off stump,
Astle cuts and misses from the crease, done for pace as it slides
straight on, Trescothick takes well and whips off the bails for
effect alone
26.4 Collingwood to Astle, one run, full and straight, firmly stroked
along the ground straight up towards Giles at mid on, quick single
run with the shot
26.5 Collingwood to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
powerfully back cut through backward point, but only gets one for
it as Flintoff is smartly around to field from third man and he
has a strong return to boot
26.6 Collingwood to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
straight down to Flintoff at wide third man, less work in the
outfield for him this time as it goes straight to him
End of over 27 (3 runs) New Zealand 115/3 (RR: 4.26 RRR: 104/23 = 4.52)
PD Collingwood 2-0-6-0 - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 72* (89b 8x4 3x6) CD McMillan 10* (29b 1x4)
27.1 Giles to Astle, FOUR, Astle'll take those! flat ball sliding on
outside off stump, Astle cuts down on it, goes very fine, too
quick and straight for Thorpe at short third man, slice of luck
but a well played late cut in the end
27.2 Giles to Astle, no run, pushes through a quicker one sliding into
the pad, angling down the leg side, appeal from Giles turned down,
a hint of inside edge too, looked a bit closer on the second
replay but a fair decision from umpire Quested
27.3 Giles to Astle, one run, flighted up full and straight, driven down
to long off for an easy single
27.4 Giles to McMillan, SIX, shot! flighted up full and straight, on to
one knee and McMillan hoists it hard and flat over midwicket, a
big blow and just helps relieve things further as the singles also
come a bit more frequently
27.5 Giles to McMillan, two runs, oooooh! very lucky stuff next up from
McMillan though, flighted up very full outside off stump, jams the
bat down on it and gets a thick inside edge between himself and
just past leg stump, fine of Knight who has to give chase from
short fine leg, just
fielding inside the rope, he was shaping for another big hoist over
midwicket but had to bail out as it wasn't quite there for it
27.6 Giles to McMillan, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven uppishly down the ground, straight to wide long off
End of over 28 (14 runs) New Zealand 129/3 (RR: 4.61 RRR: 90/22 = 4.09)
AF Giles 4-0-22-0 - Hillside End
CD McMillan 19* (32b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 77* (92b 9x4 3x6)
28.1 Collingwood to McMillan, no run, fullish, straight ball, shuffles
in behind it, firmly defending up towards Giles at mid on
28.2 Collingwood to McMillan, one run, full and angling on the legs,
clipped along the ground out to deep backward square leg, brings
up the 50 partnership
28.3 Collingwood to Astle, no run, beaten! good shortish ball just
outside off stump, has a dabble at but misses
28.4 Collingwood to Astle, no run, fullish ball on off stump, firmly
drives straight to Hussain at extra cover
28.5 Collingwood to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, punching it straight to Hussain again
28.6 Collingwood to Astle, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
tucked away strongly straight to midwicket
End of over 29 (1 run) New Zealand 130/3 (RR: 4.48 RRR: 89/21 = 4.24)
PD Collingwood 3-0-7-0 - Railway Stand End
CD McMillan 20* (34b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 77* (96b 9x4 3x6)
Hoggard returns, replacing Giles at the Hillside End, England
needing a wicket right about now to keep the balance nice and
even, the big last over from that end helped kick New Zealand back
into life
the lights are just starting to take effect, albeit slowly, as the
shadows have crossed the entire field and the natural sunlight
disappears for the day
29.1 Hoggard to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
29.2 Hoggard to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
shuffles across to get in behind it, firmly defending back on the
off side of the pitch
a rather large Mexican wave roars around the ground, a *LOT* of
debris flying high in the air, let's hope it's all just paper and
not more unsavoury items ...
29.3 Hoggard to McMillan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, drives firmly along the ground straight up to mid
off
29.4 Hoggard to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly forced away out to Shah at deep cover point
29.5 Hoggard to Astle, no run, oooh! Astle jumps a pace down the track,
looking to hit Hoggard over the top but has to commpletely
readjust as it's dug in very short, hangs the bat out of the way
and lets it sail past his shoulders through to the keeper
untouched
29.6 Hoggard to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, punched
into the ground straight to cover, Hussain again threatens to
throw down the stumps at the bowler's end but does so without the
ball actually in hand!
End of over 30 (1 run) New Zealand 131/3 (RR: 4.37 RRR: 88/20 = 4.40)
MJ Hoggard 5-0-31-0 (2nb) - Hillside End
CD McMillan 21* (38b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 77* (98b 9x4 3x6)
30.1 Collingwood to McMillan, one run, fullish ball drifting into the
legs, firmly clipped away along the ground out to Shah at deep
midwicket
30.2 Collingwood to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, forced from the crease straight back to the bowler on the
off side of the pitch
30.3 Collingwood to Astle, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, Astle shapes to play with a straight bat but cleverly
readjusts late, deflecting it away from the face down to Flintoff
at wide third man
30.4 Collingwood to McMillan, one run, fullish ball angling on leg
stump, firmly turned away out to Shah at deep midwicket
30.5 Collingwood to Astle, no run, beaten! good quicker ball on a good
length outside off stump, Astle drives and misses playing from the
crease, never really there for that, made a late decision to play
at it in that manner
30.6 Collingwood to Astle, no run, shuffles forward to a full, straight
ball, clips it along the ground straight to Thorpe at midwicket
End of over 31 (3 runs) New Zealand 134/3 (RR: 4.32 RRR: 85/19 = 4.47)
PD Collingwood 4-0-10-0 - Railway Stand End
CD McMillan 23* (40b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 78* (102b 9x4 3x6)
on comes sub fielder Ben Hollioake for Thorpe at the end of that
over
31.1 Hoggard to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
punches it into the ground, straight to Holliaoke roaming across
to his right from backward point
31.2 Hoggard to McMillan, FOUR, shot! superb from McMillan, overpitched
on his toes, powerfully driven straight down the ground on the leg
side, far too straight for White at mid on and it's merely a
collection job
31.3 Hoggard to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly cut into the ground, bouncing straight out to Shah at
deep cover
31.4 Hoggard to Astle, one run, good length ball outside off stump,
drives firmly at it, getting a thick outside edge, safely flying
through the vacant slips, down to Giles who tumbles to stop it
well to his left down at third man
31.5 Hoggard to McMillan, FOUR, dear oh dear! now a slip is put in place
for McMillan on strike, but not only does Hoggard stray to the leg
side, but as it's clipped away into space through square leg,
Gough has it covered from finer in the deep, but slides over the
boundary with the
ball as he tried to scoop it back inside to a close-by man!
31.6 Hoggard to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
End of over 32 (10 runs) New Zealand 144/3 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 75/18 = 4.17)
MJ Hoggard 6-0-41-0 (2nb) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 79* (103b 9x4 3x6) CD McMillan 32* (45b 3x4 1x6)
not what the English doctor ordered from that over, 10 from it and
the requirements become just that much easier for New Zealand
32.1 Collingwood to Astle, no run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
tries to pull it away but misses, drops from the pad down in close
on the leg side, Trescothick tidies up
32.2 Collingwood to Astle, no run, fullish ball on off stump, inside
edgily pushes it away towards midwicket, Astle yells 'no!' to a
tight single as White fields to his right there, sending McMillan
back
32.3 Collingwood to Astle, wide: no run, full and wide, angling down the
leg side, tries to glance it fine but misses, through to the
keeper
32.3 Collingwood to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, strongly
drives along the ground, straight up to Gough at mid off, struck
too well to nab a quick single with the stroke
32.4 Collingwood to Astle, one run, full and straight on the toes,
firmly drives up towards Giles at mid on, this time working it
well for a quick single with the shot, throws to the keeper's end
as they make it through easily
32.5 Collingwood to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, chops it into the ground straight to backward point
32.6 Collingwood to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, runs it off the face straight down to third man
End of over 33 (3 runs) New Zealand 147/3 (RR: 4.45 RRR: 72/17 = 4.24)
PD Collingwood 5-0-13-0 (1w) - Railway Stand End
CD McMillan 33* (47b 3x4 1x6) NJ Astle 80* (107b 9x4 3x6)
time for drinks as New Zealand have it under control at present,
but can they hold their nerve in the final 17 overs?
Match State: Drinks
Flintoff returns, replacing Hoggard at the Hillside End
however it must surely be all but the time when England go back to
their number one striker, Darren Gough, to try and produce the
desperately-needed breakthrough
33.1 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
forced away straight up to Hussain at extra cover
33.2 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, cuts it hard into the ground, straight down to White at
backward point
33.3 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball seaming in from
just outside off stump, taps it away towards Shah at cover point
33.4 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, another good tight ball honing in on
off stump, forces it away towards Shah at cover point again
33.5 Flintoff to McMillan, no run, and again! very similar ball, this
time McMillan is only able to nudge it away to White at backward
point
will it be umpteenth time lucky and the sixth ball out of six will
be a dot this innings?
33.6 Flintoff to McMillan, two runs, the plain answer is: no. Flintoff
can't keep his line up, straying to leg stump, easily worked off
the hip through backward square leg, Gough around from long leg to
field inside the boundary
End of over 34 (2 runs) New Zealand 149/3 (RR: 4.38 RRR: 70/16 = 4.38)
A Flintoff 7-0-29-1 (2w 1nb) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 80* (107b 9x4 3x6) CD McMillan 35* (53b 3x4 1x6)
and the expected change has come, it'll be Gough to replace
Collingwood at the Railway Stand End
an inspirational burst like that which came in the middle of the
innings under lights at Christchurch wouldn't go astray for
England here - and even better to remove top scorer of the match,
Astle, first of all
34.1 Gough to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, punched down to cover
34.2 Gough to Astle, no run, good fielding! shortish ball just outside
off stump, forced down towards extra cover, Collingwood slides
across and fields very well to his right to prevent any runs
34.3 Gough to Astle, FOUR, shot! Astle in scintillating touch, just
biding his time before hitting boundaries at this stage of the
innings, Gough drops it a little too short outside off stump and
it's dispatched through cover point, with Hussain on the attack
there's no cover
out in the deep there
34.4 Gough to Astle, two runs, overpitches on the toes this time,
strongly clips it away through forward square leg, Hoggard around
in the deep to field from backward square leg
34.5 Gough to Astle, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
stroked down into the covers, good quick single taken with the
shot as Collingwood fields to his right at cover
34.6 Gough to McMillan, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump and
McMillan tucks in, wonderfully straight driving down the ground on
the off side, once it gets past mid off the chase is aborted, too
well struck
End of over 35 (11 runs) New Zealand 160/3 (RR: 4.57 RRR: 59/15 = 3.93)
D Gough 7-0-38-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 87* (112b 10x4 3x6) CD McMillan 39* (54b 4x4 1x6)
35.1 Flintoff to Astle, FOUR, shot! magnificent stuff from this pair as
they tuck in well and truly now, short rising ball outside off
stump, powerfully cut down through backward point, scythes across
the grass, Giles doesn't even bother to move at third man
35.2 Flintoff to Astle, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, forced from the crease straight down to Shah in the covers
just two men outside the circle right now, at fine leg and third
man, as HUssain is forced to attack all out now, though only one
of the seven inside the circle is a slip
35.3 Flintoff to Astle, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
firmly defended back on the off side of the pitch
35.4 Flintoff to Astle, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, just
leans forward on it and eases it away through cover point, very
nicely timed, only just overhauled inside the rope by White
sliding to save it
35.5 Flintoff to Astle, one run, a bit too straight, angling into the
legs and again easy pickings, clipped away wide of mid on for an
easy single
35.6 Flintoff to McMillan, one run, fullish ball angling on the legs,
glanced away down to Gough at fine leg
End of over 36 (8 runs) New Zealand 168/3 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 51/14 = 3.64)
A Flintoff 8-0-37-1 (2w 1nb) - Hillside End
CD McMillan 40* (55b 4x4 1x6) NJ Astle 94* (117b 11x4 3x6)
the last few overs have been rather profitable for New Zealand,
this pair particularly enjoying the increased pace on the ball,
which is doing little in the evening air on this belter of a track
51 needed from 14 overs to win with 7 wickets in hand, it'll
require a great effort from England's bowlers to pull this one out
of the fire now
36.1 Gough to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, tapping it down in close on the off side
36.2 Gough to McMillan, no run, attempts an inswinging yorker, it does
come back in a little late, but it's a low full toss, strongly
driven into the pitch, back to Gough who clutches it above his
head on his follow through
36.3 Gough to McMillan, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
chopped away through cover point, easy twos or more on offer now
once the infield is pierced
36.4 Gough to McMillan, no run, full on the legs, clipped away strongly
but can't get it past a diving Thorpe at midwicket
36.5 Gough to McMillan, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly driven
straight up towards Giles at mid on
36.6 Gough to McMillan, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
pushed firmly up towards Giles at mid on, the treat of
interception from Thorpe at midwicket prevents them from
attempting a quick single
End of over 37 (2 runs) New Zealand 170/3 (RR: 4.59 RRR: 49/13 = 3.77)
D Gough 8-0-40-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 94* (117b 11x4 3x6) CD McMillan 42* (61b 4x4 1x6)
good tight over from Gough just stems the flow, though how
temporarily?
White returns, replacing Hoggard at the Hillside End
the only bowler to really come out with some credit on England's
behalf so far tonight, can he do the trick again?
37.1 White to Astle, no run, very full and straight, driven from the
toes straight up to Hoggard at mid on
37.2 White to Astle, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
forces it straight back to the bowler in defence
37.3 White to Astle, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
shuffles half forward to push it straight up to mid off where
Hussain fields
now Trescothick comes right up to the stumps for Astle on strike as
he looks to advance more
37.4 White to Astle, one run, oooh! shortish ball just outside off
stump, chops a thick inside edge down between himself and the
stumps, played in a rather Gallic manner down to Gough at long leg
37.5 White to McMillan, one run, digs it in a little shorter, McMillan
hops across his crease to get inside the line, pulling it straight
down to Gough at long leg, along the ground
the chants start up again 'Astle! Astle!' as the embankment crowd
sense a possible repeat of his performance here last year, when he
made a century against Pakistan
37.6 White to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
chopped into the turf, bounces away to short cover where it's very
well fielded
End of over 38 (2 runs) New Zealand 172/3 (RR: 4.53 RRR: 47/12 = 3.92)
C White 7-0-16-2 (1nb) - Hillside End
CD McMillan 43* (62b 4x4 1x6) NJ Astle 95* (122b 11x4 3x6)
38.1 Gough to McMillan, no run, slower, fullish ball just outside off
stump, McMillan is watchfully in behind it, defending firmly
straight back down the pitch
38.2 Gough to McMillan, no run, fullish ball on off stump, jams the bat
well down on it, squeezing it back down the pitch in defence
38.3 Gough to McMillan, legbye: one run, much quicker, fullish ball
angling on leg stump, thuds into the pad and rebounds away to
vacant backward square leg for an easy single
the chants of 'Astle! Astle!' start up again, though he'd need one
big hit from this position, a bit optimistic from the fiery
bowling of Gough!
38.4 Gough to Astle, no run, and he digs this one in short, very good
sharp short rising ball just outside off stump, sways back out of
the way to leave to the keeper
38.5 Gough to Astle, no run, ooooooooooooooooooh boy! Gough almost
undoes Astle with a good quick ball seaming sharply back in, taken
on the pad as he hops across the crease, a massive appeal by Gough
is turned down by umpire Dunne, just heading down leg perhaps
38.6 Gough to Astle, one run, and Astle lives a little dangerously
again, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly driven up towards
mid off, tight single taken as the shy at the bowler's end *just*
misses
End of over 39 (2 runs) New Zealand 174/3 (RR: 4.46 RRR: 45/11 = 4.09)
D Gough 9-0-41-0 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 96* (125b 11x4 3x6) CD McMillan 43* (65b 4x4 1x6)
39.1 White to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball, deflects it away
down to Gough at long leg, a bit edgily
39.2 White to McMillan, no run, 'Big Macca' has a bit of a go at this
one, good length ball on off stump, White calls for his to be
respected but McMillan steps away and tries to flog it through the
covers, but White wins this mini-battle as he mistimes it up to
mid off
39.3 White to McMillan, no run, fuller, straight ball, firmly clipped
away up to mid on
39.4 White to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
runs a thick outside edge down to Giles at third man
the chants for Astle grow louder again
39.5 White to Astle, FOUR, and he's done it! short ball outside off
stump, punished through point and Astle immediately raises his
arms and punches the air in delight as it races through the gap,
that's his 12th One-Day International century, his second in
succession at Dunedin
the crowd erupt, it also brings up the 100 partnership between this
pair, and now a lunatic from the terraces races on to the ground
to try and congratulate Astle, but just as he reaches his hero,
he's caught in a storming tackle by a security guard!
bowled over, handcuffed and carted off the ground to the jeers of
the exciteable crowd
39.6 White to Astle, no run, shortish, straight ball, firmly stroked
back down the pitch to White in defence
End of over 40 (6 runs) New Zealand 180/3 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 39/10 = 3.90)
C White 8-0-22-2 (1nb) - Hillside End
CD McMillan 44* (68b 4x4 1x6) NJ Astle 101* (128b 12x4 3x6)
40.1 Gough to McMillan, OUT: Gough is determined to believe this game
can't be over yet and try and do the near impossible in his final
over, he traps McMillan plumb on the crease with a sharply seaming
ball coming back in, umpire Dunne raises the finger immediately
New Zealand 180/4, Partnership of 100
CD McMillan lbw b Gough 44 (69b 4x4 1x6)
NJ Astle 101* (128b 12x4 3x6) D Gough 9.1-0-41-1 (1nb)
Chris Cairns the new batsman comes out to another massive cheer,
with 39 needed for victory in 59 balls, with 6 wickets in hand
the fat lady certainly hasn't sung yet, but she is practicing out
back in readiness - can Gough and Company give her a nasty cold
and send her packing off home again?
40.2 Gough to Cairns, no run, oooooh! Cairns is impetuous immediately,
short lifting ball outside off stump, tries to flay it through the
covers but wasn't there for that, plays and misses through to the
keeper
40.3 Gough to Cairns, no run, beaten! another corker from the Dazzler,
shortish ball just nips back a little from the seam, passes by the
outside edge through to the keeper
40.4 Gough to Cairns, OUT: dear oh dear! Gough strikes again and Cairns
fails to get off the mark, driving a good length ball outside off
stump on the up, scooping it straight to Hussain who pouches it
with ease at mid off
New Zealand 180/5, Partnership of 0
CL Cairns c Hussain b Gough 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 101* (128b 12x4 3x6) D Gough 9.4-0-41-2 (1nb)
one can hear the dangerous tones of deja vu ringing around the
ground, or is that the sound of the odd smoke 'bomb' exploding on
the terraces? oh, no, it's 'Louie, Louie' as Lou Vincent walks out
to the middle
remembering back to Christchurch, Vincent was out for a golden duck
immediately after Cairns' departure, suddenly the heat is a bit on
and Astle has some added responsibility to see NZ home
40.5 Gough to Vincent, no run, but Vincent survives, the first one at
least, short and rising outside off stump, shoulders arms through
to the keeper
40.6 Gough to Vincent, one run, and a reliever to follow, Vincent off
the mark as he clips a full toss swinging into his legs away to
deep midwicket
End of over 41 (1 run) New Zealand 181/5 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 38/9 = 4.22)
D Gough 10-0-42-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
L Vincent 1* (2b) NJ Astle 101* (128b 12x4 3x6)
Gough completes his 10 overs, another inspired finish - just
conceding 2 runs off the bat in his final 2 overs, and taking 2
wickets to boot
Giles returns, replacing White at the Hillside End
41.1 Giles to Vincent, no run, flighted up nicely, full and straight,
tries to work it to leg but misses the turn, into the front pad
and drops away in close on the off side, optimistic appeal for lbw
from the bowler as it was heading well down leg
41.2 Giles to Vincent, no run, a silly point comes in for Vincent now,
well flighted on off stump, chops an inside edge into the ground,
played in close on the leg side
41.3 Giles to Vincent, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven out to vacant extra cover for an easy single, looking for a
second but Shah is in quickly enough to threaten from deep cover
just a smidge more tension here now, still 37 needed with just 5
wickets in hand, and the required rate, though still low, is back
touching the current rate again
41.4 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, turned away
in close on the leg side in defence
41.5 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
defends back on the leg side of the pitch in defence
41.6 Giles to Astle, two runs, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven along the ground through the covers, Vincent scoots
back for a quick second to the danger end as Shah throws it to the
bowler's end, safely home
End of over 42 (3 runs) New Zealand 184/5 (RR: 4.38 RRR: 35/8 = 4.38)
AF Giles 5-0-25-0 - Hillside End
L Vincent 2* (5b) NJ Astle 103* (131b 12x4 3x6)
White returns, replacing Gough at the Railway Stand End
not only are preceedings here suddenly feeling awfully similar to
Christchurch, but also to the last ODI here at Dunedin, where New
Zealand were largely in control in their chase, but then suddenly
found themselves teetering with a few dozen runs to get
after a middle order collapse, though they did get there in the end
42.1 White to Vincent, no run, good shortish ball seaming back in, taken
high on the pad and brings a strained shout for lbw, umpire Dunne
not interested
42.2 White to Vincent, no run, Trescothick up to the stumps now,
shortish ball on off stump, steered away straight to point in
defence
42.3 White to Vincent, two runs, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, gets over it well, strongly punching it into the covers,
just pierces the infield and suddenly starts gathering pace, easy
two taken as Collingwood chases it down from point
42.4 White to Vincent, no run, fuller ball, seaming into the pad angling
down leg, lets it take the pad and balloon away to midwicket
42.5 White to Vincent, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
tries to force it through the covers but mistimes it, bottom
edging it back down the pitch to White
42.6 White to Vincent, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump, strongly
square driven through cover point, normally that would just be a
single to the sweeper at this stage of the innings, but with
Hussain looking for wickets it races to the unprotected boundary
End of over 43 (6 runs) New Zealand 190/5 (RR: 4.42 RRR: 29/7 = 4.14)
C White 9-0-28-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 103* (131b 12x4 3x6) L Vincent 8* (11b 1x4)
43.1 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
stroked along the ground up towards Hoggard at mid on, Giles bumps
into Vincent as the batsman tries to reclaim his crease
43.2 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up invitingly outside off stump,
Astle just leans forward on it, quietly defending to Hussain at
short cover
43.3 Giles to Astle, one run, flighted up full on the toes, turned away
out through vacant square leg, Knight around from deep backward
square leg to field
43.4 Giles to Vincent, one run, flighted up full on the legs, glanced
away wide of Hollioake at short fine leg, good diving stop made to
his left, can't prevent an easy single
43.5 Giles to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
stroked back along the pitch to the bowler
43.6 Giles to Astle, one run, flighted up full on the legs, glanced away
down to Hollioake down at fine leg, having moved down there for
the last ball of the over
End of over 44 (3 runs) New Zealand 193/5 (RR: 4.39 RRR: 26/6 = 4.33)
AF Giles 6-0-28-0 - Hillside End
NJ Astle 105* (136b 12x4 3x6) L Vincent 9* (12b 1x4)
26 needed in 6 overs, 5 wickets in hand, getting a little simpler
and a little less worrying for New Zealand
44.1 White to Astle, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, driven
firmly along the ground straight up to Flintoff at mid off
44.2 White to Astle, no run, quicker, shortish ball with a fair amount
of width outside off stump, plays a slashing cut but misses,
Trescothick fumbles the take, just came back off the seam to beat
Astle
44.3 White to Astle, one run, ooooh! heart in mouth stuff for the home
fans, shortish ball angling into the body, Astle picks it off the
hip, hard and flat in the air, out to Thorpe at deep backward
square leg but he's slow to move forward and has to awkwardly stop
it on the half v
44.4 White to Vincent, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
stroked along the ground straight up to Flintoff at mid off
44.5 White to Vincent, no run, tight fullish ball on off stump, tapped
away to Hussain in the covers, Astle keen for a single but is sent
back before there's any danger
44.6 White to Vincent, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, square
driven through backward point, third man around in the deep to
field
End of over 45 (2 runs) New Zealand 195/5 (RR: 4.33 RRR: 24/5 = 4.80)
C White 10-0-30-2 (1nb) - Railway Stand End
L Vincent 10* (15b 1x4) NJ Astle 106* (139b 12x4 3x6)
Vincent retains the strike, keeping Astle's chances of reaching
5000 ODI runs down a little, needing two more out of the remaining
24 required
45.1 Giles to Vincent, two runs, flighted up full and straight, well
swept strongly along the ground through backward square leg,
Knight around in the deep from much squarer to field
45.2 Giles to Vincent, one run, flighted up very full and straight,
squeezed from the toes up towards mid on, very well run single
taken with the shot
45.3 Giles to Astle, no run, oooh! Astle looks for the big hit over the
top with so many men inside the circle, but it's not quite where
he wanted it, turns it into a streaky sweep around the corner,
straight to Hollioake at short fine leg
now Hollioake goes right back to long leg
45.4 Giles to Astle, one run, and that's precisely where Astle plays it,
sweeping it straight out to him
45.5 Giles to Vincent, one run, flighted up full on the legs, sweeps
along the ground straight out to Knight at deep backward square
leg, brings up the New Zealand 200
45.6 Giles to Astle, no run, Astle looks to advance again but Giles does
well to again stop him in his tracks, turning on leg stump and a
fair bit shorter, forced to let it take the pad and drop down in
close on the off side
End of over 46 (5 runs) New Zealand 200/5 (RR: 4.35 RRR: 19/4 = 4.75)
AF Giles 7-0-33-0 - Hillside End
L Vincent 14* (18b 1x4) NJ Astle 107* (142b 12x4 3x6)
19 needed from 24 balls, a very good over here for England would
actually put some reasonable pressure back on to NZ again
Flintoff returns, replacing White at the Railway Stand End
46.1 Flintoff to Vincent, wide: no run, not a good start for Flintoff,
full down the leg side, through to Trescothick for a free run
46.1 Flintoff to Vincent, two runs, full outside off stump, strongly
driven through extra cover, the sweeper is around in the deep to
field well inside the boundary
46.2 Flintoff to Vincent, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
firmly tapped away straight to Shah at point
46.3 Flintoff to Vincent, one run, well played and well run! good tight
short lifting ball on off stump, hops on the crease to drop it
dead at his feet, excellent quick single taken with the shot as
Shah scoots in to field from point
46.4 Flintoff to Astle, no run, ooooh! Astle tries to hook a bouncer,
swings and misses, passing just above shoulder height through to
the keeper on an off stump line, that's his one bouncer allowed
this over
46.5 Flintoff to Astle, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully
drives from the crease, straight up to White at long off
46.6 Flintoff to Vincent, no run, full and swinging away down the leg
side, tries to clip it very fine but only manages a little touch
through to Trescothick, who falls to his left to glove it on the
bounce
End of over 47 (5 runs) New Zealand 205/5 (RR: 4.36 RRR: 14/3 = 4.67)
A Flintoff 9-0-42-1 (3w 1nb) - Railway Stand End
NJ Astle 108* (144b 12x4 3x6) L Vincent 17* (22b 1x4)
47.1 Giles to Astle, no run, good tight ball spearing in on the body,
Astle is cramped up, forcing it straight back to the bowler
47.2 Giles to Astle, one run, boy oh boy! Astle larrups a flighted, full
ball on off stump, looked to swing it over midwicket but drags it
low and very hard straight back to the bowler, Giles grasps at it
low down but can't hold on to it, tight quick single sprinted
through as mid
on runs in to field, but he half injures his hand trying to pick up
and throw too!
47.3 Giles to Vincent, wide: no run, flighted up full and turning well
down the leg side, Vincent tries to sweep on bended knee but
misses
47.3 Giles to Vincent, two runs, fielding! flighted up full and
straight, strongly swept along the ground through backward square
leg, Knight does very well to dive to his left on the boundary
rope and just save it
47.4 Giles to Vincent, no run, tries to sweep a similar ball but misses
out, into the pad and drops down in close on the off side, dead at
his feet
47.5 Giles to Vincent, no run, and again! this one's much straighter and
he can't get it away, paddling a low full toss into his helmet
from a top edge and drops down in close on the off side
47.6 Giles to Vincent, no run, flighted up very full and straight,
strongly drives straight back down the pitch to the bowler
End of over 48 (4 runs) New Zealand 209/5 (RR: 4.35 RRR: 10/2 = 5.00)
AF Giles 8-0-37-0 (1w) - Hillside End
NJ Astle 109* (146b 12x4 3x6) L Vincent 19* (26b 1x4)
down to 10 needed from 12 balls! New Zealand making very hard work
from this one! a couple of good balls for England here could put
the scares through them!@
48.1 Flintoff to Astle, SIX, MAGNIFICENT! Astle seals the fate of this
game in one *almighty* blow, a full bunger and and it's sent
packing a mile over long on, brilliant strike
4 needed from 11 balls, and Astle needs 3 of them to be the first
NZ player to score 5000 ODI runs
48.2 Flintoff to Astle, no run, oooh! digs in a real short one, tries to
hook it but swings and misses, there's his bouncer for the over
48.3 Flintoff to Astle, one run, and Astle might miss out tonight, only
able to jam an attempted inswinging yorker into his toe, drops
down in close on the off side and they nab a quick single
3 needed for victory, Astle needs 2 for 5000 runs but Vincent on
strike
48.4 Flintoff to Vincent, one run, but he does well for Astle's cause,
low full toss on leg stump is clipped away along the ground out to
deep backward square leg
2 needed by both Astle and New Zealand now
48.5 Flintoff to Astle, SIX, and what a way to do it! absolutely
brilliant stuff! a terrible ball from Flintoff, full toss swinging
down the leg side and Astle picks it up over midwicket, a huge hit
to finish it off
New Zealand win by 5 wickets with 7 balls to spare, to win the
National Bank Series 3-2 and with his 5th six in his (New Zealand
record 12th ODI century) brings up 5000 runs in One-Day
Internationals, the first New Zealander to reach the milestone
that six also brings up Astle's highest score in One-Day
Internationals, beating the 120 he managed twice prior, against
Zimbabwe at Auckland in 1995/96 and against India at Rajkot in
1999/00
it ended up being a lot closer for comfort than New Zealand
would've liked, but such was the English fighting spirit that they
dragged it to the very end, but just couldn't quite pull off three
in a row
their chief failing really being that they didn't manage enough
runs on a very good pitch batting first, and they were well for a
big total too, but failed to kick on in the final 15 overs
Gough and White both the stand-out English bowlers, but besides a
brief spell from Collingwood in the middle overs, the rest just
couldn't contain a rampant Astle, who judged his innings to
perfecting, getting them off to a cracking start, then pacing
the middle overs, before having a small dash at the end to finish
it off, and the choice for Man of the Match is unquestionable
tonight
the New Zealand players come out to the middle, giving a hand to
the crowd for their great support tonight, though the official
gate was only 13,807, they made plenty more noise than you'd
expect from one that size
the scenes here are very reminiscent from last year's series-
decider against Pakistan, similar crowd, similarly comfortable-
then-tight-then-comfortable again chase by the home team to
squeeze through for the series win
the presentations will be held shortly, please stick with us for
all the comment and awards
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden thanks the
teams, the crowd and pays tribute to Nathan Astle for his sterling
efforts and achievements in his career so far, as improved upon
wonderfully tonight
and there's no surprises as National Bank sponsorship manager Gavin
Larsen announces Nathan Astle as Man of the Match
England captain Nasser Hussain is called upon to say a few words,
paying credit tro his team for their fighting comeback, though
losing at the last hurdle, and congratulating New Zealand for
their performance
now New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is called upon to receive
the National Bank Series trophy and say a few words
he thanks the crowd for their support, and says he's looking
forward to the Test series now - "the purer form of the game and
we all enjoy it"
that's all from nzcricket.co.nz powered by CricInfo.com in Dunedin,
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International Series, but it's not all over yet
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