Match State: Match start scheduled for 10am local time (4am GMT)
welcome to CricInfo.com's coverage of the 4th ICC Champions Trophy
match between Australia and New Zealand at the Sinhalese Sports
Club Ground in Colombo, from Pool 1
it's another one of these early 'must win' matches, as the third
team in the pool is the struggling Bangladeshis, who haven't won
an ODI since the 1999 World Cup, and both would expect to beat
them, and with only one team from each pool advancing to the
semi-finals, this game should decide who advances, barring a
dramatic reversal of fortunes!
Australia have won the toss and chosen to bat first on a pretty
good looking batting strip, it is different to the one used here
two days ago in the last-ball thriller played between the South
Africans and West Indies
Darren Lehmann comes into the Australian starting XI, in place of
Jimmy Maher, from the side that contested the final of the tri-
series in Kenya against Pakistan recently
New Zealand haven't played an ODI since June 16 at Arnos Vale in
the West Indies, and the changes from that side are the absence of
Chris Nevin (Lou Vincent takes over the gloves), Craig McMillan
(not in Sri Lanka due to personal reasons, relating to the
bomb blast in Karachi earlier in the year), and Paul Hitchcock
(injured), with Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills taking
their places
the players make their way on to the field, and it'll be Adam
Gilchrist to take first strike to Shane Bond, with Matthew Hayden
at the non-striker's end
0.1 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
safely left alone as it angles away through to the keeper, a nice
quiet start
0.2 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, similar again, good lifting ball angling
well away outside off stump, Gilchrist thinks about playing at it
before holding the bat inside the line to leave to the keeper
0.3 Bond to Gilchrist, wide: no run, just a bit too wide this time,
pitched much fuller and seams a long way away, just cutting the
lines marked on the pitch to indicate a wide, so Australia are
underway
0.3 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, good ball! sharp paced delivery, on a
perfect length and lifting, just a fraction outside off stump,
squares Gilchrist up, does well to hold inside the line to let it
go through to Vincent untouched
0.4 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
Gilchrist pokes the bat at this one, chopping it down towards
point, mistimed somewhat as he didn't exact flail at it
0.5 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, fuller and quite wide outside off stump,
this time just stays inside the 'wide lines' so gets away with it,
left alone through to the keeper
0.6 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, similar again, a touch straighter and
shorter, Gilchrist happily shoulders arms, leaving alone through
to the keeper
End of over 1 (1 run) Australia 1/0 (RR: 1.00)
SE Bond 1-0-1-0 (1w) - South End
ML Hayden 0* (0b) AC Gilchrist 0* (6b)
a tidy start from Bond, Gilchrist decided to just get his eye in
against a bowler who caused him some trouble in Australia earlier
this year, a wise move perhaps
it'll be Kyle Mills to bowl from the Tennis Courts End to Hayden
1.1 Mills to Hayden, no run, rather straight, fullish ball angling in
on leg stump, tries to tuck it away but is himself tucked up,
rebounds from the pad towards square leg
1.2 Mills to Hayden, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump, a
buffet ball early from Mills and Hayden tucks in, just leans into
it, stroking effortlessly straight down the ground on the off
side, as easy as you please
1.3 Mills to Hayden, one run, better follow-up ball, but just as well
played by Hayden, gets it to swing back in, yorker length on off
stump, Hayden has to really dig it out, squeezing it into the
covers and they steal a smart single with relative ease
1.4 Mills to Gilchrist, one run, shortish ball cutting back in, just
straying a little to leg and Gilchrist is able to work him off the
hip down to long leg to get off the mark
1.5 Mills to Hayden, no run, fullish ball angling in on middle and leg,
taken on the pad, stifled shout for lbw as it clearly pitches well
outside the line of leg stump, rebounds back to the bowler
1.6 Mills to Hayden, no run, a low full toss, Hayden surprisingly
doesn't lay into it, tentatively poking it straight up to mid off,
though bounces well short of the fielder
End of over 2 (6 runs) Australia 7/0 (RR: 3.50)
KD Mills 1-0-6-0 - Tennis Courts End
AC Gilchrist 1* (7b) ML Hayden 5* (5b 1x4)
2.1 Bond to Gilchrist, FOUR, shot! short rising ball outside off stump,
Gilchrist imperiously cuts through backward point, finds the gap
perfectly and third man has no chance to cut that off on this
shaped ground
2.2 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, beaten! lovely back of a length ball
sliding on through just outside off stump, Gilchrist wafts at it,
beating the top edge through to the keeper
2.3 Bond to Gilchrist, two runs, much fuller just outside off stump,
punchily drives into the covers, just getting it past Sinclair at
extra cover, a fair chase and does well to prevent thoughts of a
third by using a relay throw
2.4 Bond to Gilchrist, FOUR, oh boy! Gilchrist throws the kitchen sink
at this one, for a moment it looked like he could be in trouble in
the third man region, as he has been in the past, but the slash to
a short, wide ball outside off stump flies harder and flatter, and
squarer
down there on the boundary, one bounce and over the rope
2.5 Bond to Gilchrist, one run, fuller outside off stump, runs it away
straight down to Vettori at third man, along the ground this time
2.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, good tight fullish, straight ball on off
stump, eases well forward, pushing it straight up to mid off
End of over 3 (11 runs) Australia 18/0 (RR: 6.00)
SE Bond 2-0-12-0 (1w) - South End
AC Gilchrist 12* (12b 2x4) ML Hayden 5* (6b 1x4)
3.1 Mills to Gilchrist, no run, tight, good length ball on off stump,
squeezed straight up to wide mid on in defence
3.2 Mills to Gilchrist, one run, fuller and angling on leg stump,
Gilchrist swivels on one leg, whipping it away wristily off the
hip, bouncing down to Tuffey at long leg, who has to watch it
closely, awkwardly fielding it
3.3 Mills to Hayden, one run, full and swinging down the leg side, gets
a little touch on to it, deflecting from the pad behind square on
the leg side
3.4 Mills to Gilchrist, FOUR, overpitches outside off stump, and just
like he was dispatched earlier by Hayden, Gilchrist joins in,
steps forward and smashes it straight down through the very
inviting gap at mid off
3.5 Mills to Gilchrist, no run, very full again, Gilchrist is drawn
forward and drives very strongly once more, but this time straight
back down the pitch and Mills fields himself to prevent another
boundary
3.6 Mills to Gilchrist, FOUR, oh dear, Mills does it again, outside off
stump and Gilchrist makes sure he gets it sufficiently wide of the
bowler for another easy boundary, through Hayden's legs
End of over 4 (10 runs) Australia 28/0 (RR: 7.00)
KD Mills 2-0-16-0 - Tennis Courts End
ML Hayden 6* (7b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 21* (17b 4x4)
4.1 Bond to Hayden, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump, stand
and deliver once again, powerfully driving through the covers,
beating the dive of Sinclair to his right at extra cover, no need
to run for that says the big 'Unit'
Australia off to a flyer, not having to invent much, just taking
advantage of loose bowling
4.2 Bond to Hayden, two runs, shortish, straight ball, swivels on the
crease to drag it down through vacant square leg, Styris has to
sprint around from deep backward square leg to cut it off, whips
it in very smartly but can't cut off a second run
4.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, shortish rising ball just outside off
stump, pivots on the crease to withdraw the bat well away from it,
left to the keeper
4.4 Bond to Hayden, no run, full and fairly wide outside off stump,
swinging further away, leaves alone to the keeper, Bond fortunate
to get away with no wide call there
4.5 Bond to Hayden, no run, oooh boy! Bond almost undoes Hayden, and in
spectacular fashion it would've been too, full and swinging into
the toes, Hayden digs it out, scooping it inside out back to the
bowler, Bond flings himself at it but just can't quite hold on to
the return
chance, a very difficult one, but one New Zealand needed right
about now
4.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, good fullish ball just outside off stump,
squirts it off the face to backward point in defence, a good
comeback in the over by Bond
End of over 5 (6 runs) Australia 34/0 (RR: 6.80)
SE Bond 3-0-18-0 (1w) - South End
AC Gilchrist 21* (17b 4x4) ML Hayden 12* (13b 2x4)
Daryl Tuffey replaces the expensive Mills at the Tennis Courts End
5.1 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off
the hip straight down to Styris at square leg
5.2 Tuffey to Gilchrist, two runs, full and straying down the leg side,
gets a little touch on it before deflecting off the pad down fine,
wide of the keeper, Mills around from fine leg to field just
inside the rope
5.3 Tuffey to Gilchrist, wide: no run, poor ball, shortish and straying
well down the leg side, Gilchrist tries to heave it away but
misses, through to the keeper for the bonus run
5.3 Tuffey to Gilchrist, FOUR, crack! fair length, straight shortish
ball, Gilchrist has his eye in and just steps half forward,
swinging it away through forward square leg, over Styris' head and
away it goes
5.4 Tuffey to Gilchrist, SIX, kapow! Gilchrist goes one step further,
this time picking up a similar ball on leg stump and high ho
silver .... away! over the deep backward square leg boundary
5.5 Tuffey to Gilchrist, one run, strays on leg stump again, very full
and turns it away through backward square leg, they look for a
second but smart fielding makes them think again
5.6 Tuffey to Hayden, wide: no run, Tuffey overcompensates for all his
leg stump bowling with a rather wide ball outside off stump, and
he gets pinged for it accordingly, a roughish call, but no
excuses, it was wide enough, left to the keeper
5.6 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, one decent ball in the over to end it,
shortish and rising just outside off stump, forces Hayden to raise
the arms up high to leave to the keeper
End of over 6 (15 runs) Australia 49/0 (RR: 8.17)
DR Tuffey 1-0-15-0 (2w) - Tennis Courts End
AC Gilchrist 34* (22b 5x4 1x6) ML Hayden 12* (14b 2x4)
Tuffey's ODI bowling nightmare continues, after being destroyed by
Chanderpaul in the series-deciding over at Arnos Vale, he steps up
to bowl a 15-run over here
6.1 Bond to Gilchrist, legbye: one run, full and swinging into the pads
on leg stump, rebounds away in close on the leg side, and another
single is stolen as the field seems remarkably wide open for this
pair - New Zealand clearly not bowling to their game plan as the
fielders have been
rarely seen in action so far, this left-hand pair bringing up a
superb 50 in just 6.1 overs
6.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, attempted yorker, good ball on off stump,
just nips back a fraction, dug out from the toes back on the leg
side of the pitch
6.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, oooh! another yorker, Bond knows where to
bowl now, this one is quite a bit straighter and almost gets
through Hayden's defences, just jamming bat and boot on it
simultaneously, stopping Bond's throat from clearing for an appeal
6.4 Bond to Hayden, three runs, Hayden comes up with a suitable riposte
as Bond goes for three in a row, this time it's more of a half
volley wider outside off stump, doesn't get fully hold of it, but
lofts well over Sinclair at mid off, a great chance to scoop it
just back inside
the rope to save a run by Sinclair
6.5 Bond to Gilchrist, legbye: FOUR, the carnage continues, even if it
wasn't exactly deliberate or controlled, Bond just strays to leg
stump, going for another inswinging yorker, takes the boot and
races away along the ground very fine, wide of the keeper
6.6 Bond to Gilchrist, FOUR, boy oh boy, Gilchrist is throwing the bat
around now! shortish rising ball outside off stump, slashes at it
and gets a big thick top edge over the slips, racing too fine for
third man to have a hope of stopping
End of over 7 (12 runs) Australia 61/0 (RR: 8.71)
SE Bond 4-0-25-0 (1w) - South End
ML Hayden 15* (17b 2x4) AC Gilchrist 38* (25b 6x4 1x6)
New Zealand completely without answers to this assault, the bowling
has been decidedly average and it seems like there's only about 3-
4 fielders out in the middle, such has been the general anonymity
of the remainder thus far, the huge gaps are being
found with regularity, as if it were a Test match, not an ODI
7.1 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish, straight ball cutting back in,
watchfully defended straight back to the bowler
7.2 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
deflected off the thigh pad to Astle now posted in a leg gully
position, Fleming having been forced to rearrange his field to
suit the 'two side of the wicket' attack
7.3 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease to tap it down to Fleming at short cover
we're in the 8th over, the ball is still swinging somewhat, the
pitch is flat admittedly, but there are no slips, victory in round
one - Australia (with a couple of knockdowns of New Zealand!)
7.4 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, tight fuller ball on off stump, pushed
away into the covers in defence
7.5 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fair length, straight ball, Hayden tries
to get inside it and whip it away through the leg side, misses and
is taken on the pad, tamely dribbles back to the bowler
7.6 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, much better delivery, fullish and
swinging back outside off stump, has Hayden drawn forward and
poking weakly at it, misses through to the keeper
End of over 8 (maiden) Australia 61/0 (RR: 7.62)
DR Tuffey 2-1-15-0 (2w) - Tennis Courts End
AC Gilchrist 38* (25b 6x4 1x6) ML Hayden 15* (23b 2x4)
an unbelievable sight amidst this thunderstorm of runs - a maiden!
Tuffey comes back from a 15-run pasting in his first with some
dignity in his second
Jacob Oram on to bowl at the South End, replacing Bond
8.1 Oram to Gilchrist, no run, Oram is the first bowler to even attempt
to bowl around the wicket at the two dominating left-handers,
comes in from wide on the crease, angling in tightly just outside
off stump to force a firm defensive push into the covers from
Gilchrist
8.2 Oram to Gilchrist, one run, shortish ball angling in from outside
off stump, chops it down into the ground, getting it down to third
man for an easy single
8.3 Oram to Hayden, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, stands tall on the crease, defending down in close on the
off side
8.4 Oram to Hayden, one run, shortish ball on off stump, just coming
back a little too straight, Hayden is able to get inside the line
and tap it down to a gap at midwicket for a cosy single
8.5 Oram to Gilchrist, one run, drags it down a little shorter, pulls
strongly but mistimes it, out to the man posted at deep square leg
8.6 Oram to Hayden, no run, good tight fuller ball just outside off
stump, Hayden plays watchfully from the crease, defending down
into the covers
End of over 9 (3 runs) Australia 64/0 (RR: 7.11)
JDP Oram 1-0-3-0 - South End
AC Gilchrist 40* (28b 6x4 1x6) ML Hayden 16* (26b 2x4)
9.1 Tuffey to Gilchrist, FOUR, Tuffey picks up the trick of coming
around the wicket belatedly, unfortunately for him he drops it in
too short outside off stump and Gilchrist says thank you very
much, swinging it away through midwicket, and there's nobody out
on that boundary inside
the first 15 overs
9.2 Tuffey to Gilchrist, OUT: but he gets it roughly right this time! a
bit wide outside off stump, but much fuller, Gilchrist tries to
stand and deliver, but gets under it a bit too much, lofting very
high in the air towards wide mid off, Sinclair runs back and takes
a
Australia 68/1, Partnership of 68
AC Gilchrist c Sinclair b Tuffey 44 (30b 7x4 1x6)
ML Hayden 16* (26b 2x4) DR Tuffey 2.2-1-19-1 (2w)
fine catch, falling to the ground awkwardly as he had to look back
for the catch
Gilchrist's cameo comes to an end, a brutal knock after a slow
start, getting his eye in and clearly benefited from it
Ricky Ponting the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the
batsmen crossed during the catch
9.3 Tuffey to Hayden, FOUR, oh boy oh boy! a superb delivery from
Tuffey and almost snares two-in-two, short and rising just outside
off stump, gets movement to boot and Hayden is well squared up by
it, gets a fine edge, but there's no slips and Vincent's valiant
dive fails to
get a glove on it, racing down to the boundary
9.4 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish ball on off stump, nudged down
into the covers in defence
9.5 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish, straight ball, defends down in
close on the leg side this time as he shuffles across the crease
9.6 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, good ball! Tuffey gets through Hayden's
defences once more, good length ball angling on off stump, drives
at it but misses, taken on the pad and there's a strong shout, but
umpire Tiffin quickly shakes the head, perhaps just angling away
past off
End of over 10 (8 runs) Australia 72/1 (RR: 7.20)
DR Tuffey 3-1-23-1 (2w) - Tennis Courts End
RT Ponting 0* (0b) ML Hayden 20* (30b 3x4)
10.1 Oram to Ponting, no run, full outside off stump, leans well
forward, driving crisply along the ground, but straight up to mid
off
10.2 Oram to Ponting, no run, beaten! beautiful ball from Oram, fullish
and draws Ponting forward, walking into a push into the off side,
does a little off the seam and shaves just past the outside edge
through to the keeper, Oram shouts but nobody joins in, just plain
old beaten
10.3 Oram to Ponting, FOUR, Ponting adds insult to injury with a
glorious straight drive down the ground on the off side to get off
the mark, Oram overpitching slightly and he times it to perfection
10.4 Oram to Ponting, no run, fullish ball wider outside off stump,
leans well forward but happily shoulders arms to leave to the
keeper
10.5 Oram to Ponting, FOUR, only two balls ago Fleming moves his mid off
man much straighter after the previous boundary, and now Ponting
teases the field with a drive through wide mid off, as Oram
pitches it a bit too full again
10.6 Oram to Ponting, no run, better length ball, wider outside off
stump to inviting the drive from Ponting, often his downfall -
particularly against NZ - in the past, but he has his runs for the
over and again happily elects to shoulder arms to the keeper
End of over 11 (8 runs) Australia 80/1 (RR: 7.27)
JDP Oram 2-0-11-0 - South End
ML Hayden 20* (30b 3x4) RT Ponting 8* (6b 2x4)
11.1 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fair length ball angling away outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
11.2 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, good length ball on off stump, Hayden
hops back in the crease, defending straight back to the bowler
along the pitch
a slip is brought in again for Hayden, whose scoring has just
slowed down recently
11.3 Tuffey to Hayden, FOUR, and he immediately decides to do something
about it, short rising ball outside off stump, plays aerially and
gets away with it, not perfectly timed, but slapped effectively
over extra cover, bisecting the field and there's no need to run
for that
11.4 Tuffey to Hayden, one run, fullish ball on off stump, gets right in
behind it, neatly nudges it up towards Vettori at mid on, able to
race through for a quick single with the shot, beating the shy at
the bowler's end, which misses anyway
11.5 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
shuffles forward into it, easing down into the covers in defence
11.6 Tuffey to Ponting, FOUR, thwack! full and a bit wide outside off
stump, Ponting chases after it, smacking it straight down the
ground on the off side, deliberately played to avoid the wider-
placed mid off
End of over 12 (9 runs) Australia 89/1 (RR: 7.42)
DR Tuffey 4-1-32-1 (2w) - Tennis Courts End
ML Hayden 25* (34b 4x4) RT Ponting 12* (8b 3x4)
12.1 Oram to Hayden, no run, angles in from around the wicket, good
shortish ball, Hayden looks to force it through the leg side but
is beaten by the angle and seam movement back in, rapped high on
the pads, loud shout for lbw led by the bowler, but umpire Orchard
shakes the head,
perhaps just striking outside the line of off, considering the
angle he was bowling from
12.2 Oram to Hayden, no run, good shortish ball just outside off stump,
shoulders arms to leave to the keeper
12.3 Oram to Hayden, no run, similar again, Hayden shuffles across
towards it, looking to play but raises the arms up high to leave
to the keeper
12.4 Oram to Hayden, one run, full outside off stump, leans forward,
firmly stroking it up towards Mills at mid off, sharp single taken
well, the shy at the bowler's end missing, was well safe anyway
12.5 Oram to Ponting, no run, inviting, fullish, wide ball outside off
stump, Ponting is not interested, shouldering arms to the keeper
12.6 Oram to Ponting, FOUR, and another over ends with a boundary,
Ponting scoring all his runs that way so far, shortish lifting
ball just outside off stump, slashes hard at it and gets a thick
edge, over the head's of the two slipsmen, down to the straight
third man rope
End of over 13 (5 runs) Australia 94/1 (RR: 7.23)
JDP Oram 3-0-16-0 - South End
ML Hayden 26* (38b 4x4) RT Ponting 16* (10b 4x4)
the run rate continues unabated at 7+ per over, despite the fall of
Gilchrist
13.1 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, oooh! super inswinging yorker from
Tuffey, Hayden is well beaten by it, rapped on the pads and
there's a big shout for lbw, umpire Tiffin calls for the TV umpire
to check for an inside edge, and indeed it's pretty clear from the
replay, Hayden's bacon
is saved as a result, and TV comes through to save the day in this
case! was a subtle edge, but clear enough from a super slow motion
replay, was otherwise pretty darned adjacent
13.2 Tuffey to Hayden, one run, good length ball, squeezed away off the
legs as it comes back into it, turned out to deep backward square
leg
13.3 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, short ball sits up rather wide outside
off stump, would've been called a wide had Ponting not actually
reached out and got the middle of the bat to it, drops down in
close on the off side
13.4 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
firmly defends down towards short cover
13.5 Tuffey to Ponting, wide: no run, full and wide outside off stump,
swinging further away, this time Ponting leaves it well alone to
the keeper to collect the free run
13.5 Tuffey to Ponting, wide: no run, fullish and fairly wide outside
off stump again, swinging a little away, again leaves to the
keeper, and umpire Tiffin is a bit more harsh in calling wide,
looked to be passing inside the wide guide lines marked on the
crease
13.5 Tuffey to Ponting, FOUR, overpitches outside off stump, only
slightly but the width is there also and Ponting comes well
forward, driving superbly straight down the ground on the off
side, just beats the dive of the fielder there, and brings up the
Australian 100 in just 13.5
the second 50 being a real labour for the Australians, taking a
massive 46 balls (as opposed to 37 for the first 50)
13.6 Tuffey to Ponting, one run, tries a slower ball, is rather full
just outside off stump, Ponting getting forward enough to turn it
into a very low full toss, wristily turns it wide of midwicket for
an easy single
End of over 14 (8 runs) Australia 102/1 (RR: 7.29)
DR Tuffey 5-1-40-1 (4w) - Tennis Courts End
RT Ponting 21* (14b 5x4) ML Hayden 27* (40b 4x4)
14.1 Oram to Ponting, no run, beaten! lovely short rising ball just
outside off stump, Ponting pushes forward at it, there's a noise
as it passes the outside edge through to the keeper, there's a
fair appeal but not entirely convincing, replays clearly show the
bat flicked the top
of the back pad, good decision
14.2 Oram to Ponting, one run, dropped! things just not going well for
New Zealand today, good shortish ball just outside off stump,
pushes forward at it again, edging down to the left of Astle at
second slip, has a clean go at it low down, but in and out and
trickles away for a run
14.3 Oram to Hayden, no run, shortish, straight ball, firmly tucked down
to midwicket off the hip
14.4 Oram to Hayden, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, playing it down into the
covers
14.5 Oram to Hayden, no run, similar again, Oram keeping it very tight,
this time Hayden eases it away towards point in defence
14.6 Oram to Hayden, SIX, but it's merely an illusion, as Hayden decided
to up the ante at a moment's notice, too full outside off stump,
takes one step forward, tees off, swinging through the line and
lofts it effortlessly well clear of the long off boundary
End of over 15 (7 runs) Australia 109/1 (RR: 7.27)
JDP Oram 4-0-23-0 - South End
RT Ponting 22* (16b 5x4) ML Hayden 33* (44b 4x4 1x6)
the fielding restrictions are at last allowed to be relaxed, if
Fleming chooses, as Australia have racked up the small sum of 109
runs in that period, the writing is on the wall already ... or at
least the spray cans are getting a good shake, nonetheless
immediately Fleming takes the opportunity to bring on a slow
bowler, in the form of Daniel Vettori, replacing Tuffey at the
Tennis Courts End
15.1 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up full on off stump, drives
strongly back on the off side of the pitch, just past the diving
Vettori up towards mid off, good sharp single taken with the shot
as Sinclair flicks it smartly with the palm, running to the ball,
hits the stumps
but Ponting is well safe
15.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up nicely a little wide outside
off stump, Hayden looks to drive through the covers but mistimes
it, dragging it back on the leg side of the pitch
15.3 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flatter ball angling in on off stump,
steps back in behind it, watchfully defending back on the off side
of the pitch
15.4 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up full on off stump, strongly
sweeps along the ground out to Harris at deep backward square leg
15.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up nicely just outside off
stump, watchfully leans forward, tapping it away to backward point
in defence
15.6 Vettori to Ponting, two runs, drops it in a little too short
outside off stump, cuts strongly through backward point, fine
tumbling save made just inside the rope by Mills, and gets it in
smartly to prevent a third run
End of over 16 (4 runs) Australia 113/1 (RR: 7.06)
DL Vettori 1-0-4-0 - Tennis Courts End
ML Hayden 34* (47b 4x4 1x6) RT Ponting 25* (19b 5x4)
time for a well-earned drinks break - for both slaying batsmen and
ball chasers
Match State: Drinks
interestingly, Bond returns, replacing Oram at the South End
16.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, low full toss on off stump, squared around
awkwardly, squirts it away straight to point
16.2 Bond to Hayden, (noball) one run, oversteps, full on leg stump,
swinging into the pads, takes the inside edge and rebounds away
just forward of square for an easy run
16.2 Bond to Ponting, no run, very full outside off stump, turns it into
a low full toss, firmly stroked into the covers
16.3 Bond to Ponting, no run, very full outside off stump, comes well
forward, powerfully drives, but straight to Sinclair at extra
cover
16.4 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, poor, another overpitched ball, a juicy full
toss outside off stump, Ponting takes care of that with no concern
at all, placing it between the extra cover and mid off men
16.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, very full outside off stump again,
strongly drives once more, rather straighter, and Styris is able
to tumble forward to his right at mid off to cut it off
16.6 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, shot! overpitches again, and Ponting takes
it to the cleaners again, this time it's on the legs and is on
driven through wide midwicket, lovely stroke
End of over 17 (10 runs) Australia 123/1 (RR: 7.24)
SE Bond 5-0-35-0 (1w 1nb) - South End
ML Hayden 35* (49b 4x4 1x6) RT Ponting 33* (24b 7x4)
17.1 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flat ball turning in from just outside
off stump, gets inside it to wristily whip it out to deep
midwicket for an easy single
17.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, oooh! Ponting almost commits suicide,
flighted ball on off stump, nudged just forward of point, he sets
off for a quick run but Hayden stays where he is, has to get back
smartly as Harris roams across from backward point, flings it to
the keeper but is
too slow to let it go, and it's too wide of the stumps, Ponting
dives home and escapes
17.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, gets
Ponting in a little tangle as he looks to come forward, taken on
the pad and rebounds away to point
17.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, quicker ball on off stump, cramped up
for room, forced to defend into the off side
17.5 Vettori to Ponting, FOUR, wonderful stroke, similar quicker ball
honing in tightly on off stump, Ponting frees the arms, cutting
ever so well backward of point, through a tiny gap in the field
and races away to the rope, looks to dice with danger but does it
in such a
controlled manner, frustrating the bowling side even further
17.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, pushed through fuller on off stump,
comes forward and allows it to take him on the pad, rebounding
into the off side
End of over 18 (5 runs) Australia 128/1 (RR: 7.11)
DL Vettori 2-0-9-0 - Tennis Courts End
ML Hayden 36* (50b 4x4 1x6) RT Ponting 37* (29b 8x4)
18.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, rather full outside off stump, leans well
forward, firmly stroking it along the ground straight up to mid
off
18.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, tight fullish ball just outside off stump,
firmly driven straight up towards straight mid off, looking for a
quick run but Oram is smartly across to cut it off
18.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, super yorker length ball, really has Hayden
taking quick action to keep it out of his defences, just squeezing
it up to mid on
18.4 Bond to Hayden, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip out to deep backward square leg
18.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, good length fullish ball just outside off
stump, again inviting Ponting to drive but he elects to shoulder
arms to the keeper
18.6 Bond to Ponting, OUT: and the packed off side field does the trick!
Ponting is invited to drive an identical ball, and with no slips
in place it provides the batsmen with the feeling of safety if he
were to go after it but edge it, but he ends up driving on the up,
Australia 129/2, Partnership of 61
RT Ponting c Fleming b Bond 37 (31b 8x4 0x6)
End of over 19 (1 run) Australia 129/2 (RR: 6.79)
SE Bond 6-0-36-1 (1w 1nb) - South End
ML Hayden 37* (54b 4x4 1x6)
straight to Fleming who snaps up a smart catch at short cover
Damien Martyn the new batsman
19.1 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up on the legs, turned away
through towards forward square leg for an easy single
19.2 Vettori to Martyn, no run, nicely flighted up on off stump, slides
on through to strike the knee roll of the thrust-forth front pad,
loud shout for lbw from Vettori, a fair one, but turned down by
the umpire, perhaps the stride helped create doubt
19.3 Vettori to Martyn, no run, tight ball on off stump, leans well
forward, easing it into the off side in defence
19.4 Vettori to Martyn, one run, flat ball on off stump, pretty tight
but does well to slice a cut away out to deep backward point to
get off the mar5k
19.5 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly sweeps out to deep backward square leg
19.6 Vettori to Martyn, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
leans well forward, defending into the covers
End of over 20 (3 runs) Australia 132/2 (RR: 6.60)
DL Vettori 3-0-12-0 - Tennis Courts End
ML Hayden 39* (56b 4x4 1x6) DR Martyn 1* (4b)
20.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, fair length ball angling away outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
20.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, full outside off stump, leans forward,
strongly driving but straight up to Oram at mid off
20.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, good shortish rising ball just outside off
stump, chops down into the off side of the pitch in defence
20.4 Bond to Hayden, no run, shortish, straight ball, cramped up and
forced to firmly stroke it straight back to the bowler
20.5 Bond to Hayden, two runs, full and swinging down the leg side, well
picked off the toes through backward square leg, very smart
running to steal back for a second on Mills' return to the
keeper's end
20.6 Bond to Hayden, wide: no run, full and rather wide outside off
stump, too wide for umpire Orchard's liking, left to the keeper
End of over 21 (4 runs) Australia 136/2 (RR: 6.47)
SE Bond 7-0-40-1 (2w 1nb) - South End
ML Hayden 42* (62b 4x4 1x6) DR Martyn 1* (4b)
20.6 Bond to Hayden, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tucked up
towards wide mid on, keeping the pace off the stroke to allow a
quick single to be taken with ease
21.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, nicely flighted outside off stump,
Hayden jumps down the track, looking for the lofted shot down the
ground but it dips short of him and he's forced to adjust, pushing
it back to the bowler
21.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted nicely outside off stump and
turning in, looks to sweep but doesn't make clean contact, bottom
edging back into the front pad, dropping away in close on the off
side, Vettori having a good tussle with Hayden here
21.3 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up outside off stump, Hayden
again likes to sweep, this time taking the toe of the bat and
hanging in the air dangerously, but doesn't carry all the way out
to the man posted at deep backward square leg
21.4 Vettori to Martyn, one run, flatter ball getting extra bounce as it
turns away just outside off stump, pats it down to deep point for
an easy single
21.5 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
comes well forward but can't do much with it, drives strongly
straight back to the bowler
21.6 Vettori to Hayden, no run, and another fine ball to the dangerous
Hayden against spin, keeping him quiet despite advancing down the
pitch once again, forces it back to the bowler on the leg side of
the pitch
End of over 22 (2 runs) Australia 138/2 (RR: 6.27)
DL Vettori 4-0-14-0 - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 2* (5b) ML Hayden 43* (67b 4x4 1x6)
just 10 runs from the last 4 overs, 15 from the last 5, the
Australians just being hauled back in, though the overall picture
is still incredibly healthy for them, running at 6.27 per over,
approaching the halfway mark, and plenty of quality wickets in
hand
Bond to bowl his 8th, rather early in the innings, Fleming's hand
being forced by the fine batting, to use his premier strike bowler
so much so early, but this should be the last of his spell, one
would expect
22.1 Bond to Martyn, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
22.2 Bond to Martyn, no run, shortish ball a bit wider outside off
stump, pokes it down into the gully on the bounce
Fleming adopting the same tactic with Martyn on strike as he did
during the VB Series, with a stack of fielders in the general
point region
22.3 Bond to Martyn, FOUR, oh boy! it almost comes to fruition too,
fuller ball outside off stump, Martyn drives, chasing the wider
one, gets a thick edge, very low to the right of Fleming at slip,
a chance but through the fingers and races to the boundary, Bond
is incredibly
frustrated by that one, the look on his face tells it all
22.4 Bond to Martyn, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, compactly
defends down into the off side
22.5 Bond to Martyn, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, chops
it down into the gully, Oram tumbling away to his left for a fine
stop on the bounce, though the crowd applaud as if it were a catch
22.6 Bond to Martyn, (noball) no run, oversteps, good sharp short rising
ball on off stump, Martyn hops on the crease to defend down in
close on the off side, pinging off the shoulder off the bat,
falling at his feet
22.6 Bond to Martyn, no run, good length ball outside off stump, steered
down into the gully on the bounce
End of over 23 (5 runs) Australia 143/2 (RR: 6.22)
SE Bond 8-0-45-1 (2w 2nb) - South End
ML Hayden 43* (67b 4x4 1x6) DR Martyn 6* (12b 1x4)
23.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up nicely, full outside off
stump, again tries to sweep but misses, taken on the pad and
rebounds away to backward point
23.2 Vettori to Hayden, OUT: brilliant bowling from Vettori! flighted up
very full outside off stump, this time inviting the drive and not
the sweep, had Hayden in two minds as he looked for the latter
first, ends up creating a big gate to drive a barge through,
turning
Australia 143/3, Partnership of 14
ML Hayden b Vettori 43 (69b 4x4 1x6)
DR Martyn 6* (12b 1x4) DL Vettori 4.2-0-14-1
sharply back into the stumps, Vettori totally outfoxing the batsmen
who has struck fear in most spin bowlers (including Vettori) in
the last couple of years with his demonstrative strokeplay, but
didn't have an answer himself this time
Darren Lehmann the new batsman
23.3 Vettori to Lehmann, one run, and off the mark straight away,
flighted up full and straight, turned off the toes towards wide
midwicket
23.4 Vettori to Martyn, one run, flighted up on off stump, paddle/sweeps
cleanly along the ground out to deep backward square leg
23.5 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flat ball turning sharply away down the
leg side, Lehmann has a dabble, Vincent fumbles the take, a slight
suggestion of a touch of glove or something on it, not called a
wide, and it was fairly wide, so one wonders if that was in fact a
chance dealt
with low key - we may never know!
23.6 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up full and straight, props
forward, defending down into the off side
End of over 24 (2 runs) Australia 145/3 (RR: 6.04)
DL Vettori 5-0-16-1 - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 7* (13b 1x4) DS Lehmann 1* (3b)
Oram returns, replacing Bond at the South End
24.1 Oram to Martyn, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease, tucking it down to mid on in defence
24.2 Oram to Martyn, two runs, Martyn continues to look decided
uncomfortable against the packed off side field and off side,
shortish bowling, rising on him and he spoons it in the air back
on the leg side, but safely past the bowler and straight of mid on
for a couple
24.3 Oram to Martyn, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, poked down
towards point in defence
24.4 Oram to Martyn, no run, fair length, wider ball outside off stump,
shuffles right across out to it but shoulders arms to the keeper
24.5 Oram to Martyn, one run, fuller ball outside off stump, comes well
forward to nudge it up towards wide mid off, quick single taken
easily as sub fielder Sulzberger is across to field (probably on
for Bond, who has finished his spell)
24.6 Oram to Lehmann, FOUR, oooh! fine bowling from Oram, but luck
continues to evade him, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, Lehmann chops at it, just squeezing it past the stumps from
an inside edge, and beats the dive of fine leg, down to the
boundary
End of over 25 (7 runs) Australia 152/3 (RR: 6.08)
JDP Oram 5-0-30-0 - South End
DR Martyn 10* (18b 1x4) DS Lehmann 5* (4b 1x4)
brings up the Australian 150 in exactly 25 overs, the third 50
taking 69 balls, gradually slowing throughout the innings
25.1 Vettori to Martyn, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
leans forward, easing it firmly along the ground up to mid off
25.2 Vettori to Martyn, no run, flighted invitingly on off stump,
watchfully props forward, defending down in close on the off side
25.3 Vettori to Martyn, no run, Martyn curiously hops right across his
crease to off stump, to a straight ball sliding on, just turns it
away off the legs, but straight to short fine leg
25.4 Vettori to Martyn, no run, nicely flighted on off stump, Martyn is
drawn half forward, poking it firmly straight up to mid off
25.5 Vettori to Martyn, no run, slower through the air, turns away wider
outside off stump, sitting up somewhat, but Martyn just tamely
pats it straight down to short cover
25.6 Vettori to Martyn, one run, shorter ball with extra bounce on off
stump, Martyn frees the arms to cut it away to deep point, another
tidy over from Vettori
End of over 26 (1 run) Australia 153/3 (RR: 5.88)
DL Vettori 6-0-17-1 - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 11* (24b 1x4) DS Lehmann 5* (4b 1x4)
26.1 Oram to Martyn, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
squeezed forcefully down into the gully
26.2 Oram to Martyn, FOUR, poor ball, far too short, sits up outside off
stump and Martyn welcomes the relief aid, pulling it hard through
vacant midwicket to the boundary, can't bowl there when you stack
your off side field
26.3 Oram to Martyn, no run, beaten! much better, quicker and fuller
outside off stump, Martyn pokes away from his body with
uncertainty, half looking to run it down to third man, but the
face of the bat is so open that it's basically closed! through to
the keeper
26.4 Oram to Martyn, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, steering it away into the point region
26.5 Oram to Martyn, no run, fielding! shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, strongly punched down into the covers off the
back foot, almost through the infield but Mills dives to his left
and stops it wonderfully, even preventing a run to be taken
26.6 Oram to Martyn, FOUR, but this time Martyn gets it right, very
similar ball and shot, but plays it a touch straighter, bisecting
Mills and Sulzberger at extra cover, the outfield is too quick for
that one to be overhauled
End of over 27 (8 runs) Australia 161/3 (RR: 5.96)
JDP Oram 6-0-38-0 - South End
DS Lehmann 5* (4b 1x4) DR Martyn 19* (30b 3x4)
yet another over from the New Zealand pacers where for a large part
they look in control, but still end up conceding 8 or more from it
no good at this level, particularly against Australia, if you bowl
4 good and 2 bad balls an over, you'll be taken apart
27.1 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
Lehmann jumps forward out to it, no real stroke offered in the
end, rebounding away from the pad to backward point
27.2 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flatter ball sliding on just outside
off stump, Lehmann props forward, with a little uncertainty,
inside edges into the pad, dribbles back down the pitch
27.3 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, nicely flighted on off stump, again is
half forward but only able to watchfully push it back to the
bowler
27.4 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, nicely flighted outside off stump,
turns into the front pad as Lehmann is again non-committal, drops
it down in close on the leg side
27.5 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, oooh! flighted up fuller on off stump,
drives firmly back on the leg side of the pitch, Vettori dives to
his left to field very well off his own bowling, great presence of
mind to fling it back at the stumps at his end as Martyn is stuck
out of his
crease, blocked by Vettori sprawled on the ground, but he misses
the stumps - Martyn would've been gone!
27.6 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up on off stump, defended back
on the off side of the pitch, Vettori completes just the second
maiden of the innings, great bowling
End of over 28 (maiden) Australia 161/3 (RR: 5.75)
DL Vettori 7-1-17-1 - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 19* (30b 3x4) DS Lehmann 5* (10b 1x4)
28.1 Oram to Martyn, no run, full outside off stump, firmly drives along
the ground straight up to mid off
28.2 Oram to Martyn, one run, oh boy! Martyn lives dangerously again,
good shortish lifting ball outside off stump, tries to force it
off the back foot, uppishly slices it just fine of Fleming in the
gully, down to third man
28.3 Oram to Lehmann, no run, comes around the wicket to the left-
hander, short lifting ball angling in on off stump, gets in behind
it, standing tall on the crease to defend back to the bowler
28.4 Oram to Lehmann, no run, similar again, Lehmann this time taking a
step or two down the wicket to try and break up the length, and do
something to counter the packed off side field, but it's on the
mark and he's forced to defend back on the off side of the pitch
28.5 Oram to Lehmann, one run, this time manages to get inside a similar
ball, just a little straighter, is able to turn it away just
forward of square leg for a quick single
28.6 Oram to Martyn, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, forced off
the back foot straight down to cover
End of over 29 (2 runs) Australia 163/3 (RR: 5.62)
JDP Oram 7-0-40-0 - South End
DS Lehmann 6* (13b 1x4) DR Martyn 20* (33b 3x4)
29.1 Vettori to Lehmann, one run, flighted up full on off stump, uses
the feet well to drive down towards long off for an easy single
29.2 Vettori to Martyn, no run, flighted up very nicely on off stump,
props forward, watchfully defending with the full face back on the
leg side
29.3 Vettori to Martyn, one run, very nicely flighted outside off stump,
Martyn nudges it away just forward of point, called through for a
comfortable enough quick single, though he was hesitant
29.4 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flatter ball, the one that goes
straight on, outside off stump, has Lehmann pushing forward but
defending with a dead bat, played back to the bowler
29.5 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up full and wider outside off
stump, advances to it, powerfully square driving, but straight to
Harris who stops it well at cover point
29.6 Vettori to Lehmann, one run, flatter ball turning into the pads,
nudges it around the corner to vacant square leg for an easy
single
End of over 30 (3 runs) Australia 166/3 (RR: 5.53)
DL Vettori 8-1-20-1 - Tennis Courts End
DS Lehmann 8* (17b 1x4) DR Martyn 21* (35b 3x4)
30.1 Oram to Lehmann, no run, tight shortish ball angling in from
outside off stump, forced straight down to cover
30.2 Oram to Lehmann, no run, short rising ball just outside off stump,
Lehmann comes right across outside off stump, looking to combat
the plan of attack again, but is well tangled up by it, taken on
the body and drops down in close on the off side
30.3 Oram to Lehmann, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, steered
straight down to wide third man
30.4 Oram to Martyn, one run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
Martyn flails at it, slicing a cut down to third man, in the air
but bounces well short, just fine of Fleming in the gully once
more, Martyn really not coping with this attack well
30.5 Oram to Lehmann, (noball) no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
props forward, tucking it down towards shortish midwicket
30.5 Oram to Lehmann, no run, similar again, a bit fuller and Lehmann
squirts it away to forward square leg
30.6 Oram to Lehmann, no run, shortish ball on off stump, forced
straight back down the pitch in defence
End of over 31 (6 runs) Australia 169/3 (RR: 5.45)
JDP Oram 8-0-43-0 (1nb) - South End
DR Martyn 22* (36b 3x4) DS Lehmann 9* (23b 1x4)
31.1 Vettori to Martyn, no run, flatter ball turning away outside off
stump, looks to cut but chops it into the ground, bounces away to
point
31.2 Vettori to Martyn, one run, similar again, this time sits up a bit
more, gets it out to deep cover point
31.3 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
jumps out of the crease to meet it, but can't execute the stroke
well, inside edges into the pad and drops at his feet, done for
turn and bounce
31.4 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up full on off stump, comes
forward, driving strongly back along the pitch to the bowler
31.5 Vettori to Lehmann, one run, flighted up full and a bit wider
outside off stump, drives along the ground straight down to long
on
31.6 Vettori to Martyn, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven straight down to long off
End of over 32 (3 runs) Australia 172/3 (RR: 5.38)
DL Vettori 9-1-23-1 - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 24* (39b 3x4) DS Lehmann 10* (26b 1x4)
time for another drinks break as the run rate continues to slow,
but Australia still set themselves up for a good launch at the end
of the innings
Match State: Drinks
Mills returns, replacing Oram at the South End
32.1 Mills to Martyn, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish ball outside
off stump, chopped down to backward point on the bounce
32.1 Mills to Martyn, no run, fullish ball swinging back into the pad,
looking to work it through midwicket but misses
32.2 Mills to Martyn, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forced
off the back foot down into the covers
32.3 Mills to Martyn, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, tries to force it off the back foot through the off side,
gets a streaky inside edge just past the leg stump, through to the
keeper, Martyn continuing to struggle
32.4 Mills to Martyn, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
chopped into the ground, straight to point
32.5 Mills to Martyn, no run, fuller ball just outside off stump,
shuffles a little forward, watchfully poking it up to mid on
32.6 Mills to Martyn, no run, short rising ball just outside off stump,
forced off the back foot straight down to point, another tight
over keeping Martyn contained
End of over 33 (1 run) Australia 173/3 (RR: 5.24)
KD Mills 3-0-17-0 (1nb) - South End
DS Lehmann 10* (26b 1x4) DR Martyn 24* (46b 3x4)
33.1 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
jumps forward down the track but doesn't get to the pitch of it,
turns into the front pad, rebounding into the off side
33.2 Vettori to Lehmann, legbye: one run, flat ball turning down the leg
side, rebounds from the pad towards vacant square leg, quick
single taken as Vincent chases after it from behind the stumps
33.3 Vettori to Martyn, one run, beautifully flighted outside off stump,
Martyn reaches a long way forward for it, just stroking it
straight of extra cover, down to wide long off
33.4 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven firmly but can't get it past Harris tumbling across in the
covers
33.5 Vettori to Lehmann, no run, quicker, flatter ball honing in on off
stump, leans well forward, turned away straight to Styris at
midwicket
33.6 Vettori to Lehmann, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven firmly along the ground out towards Astle roaming across at
wide long off, prevents a second and Vettori ends a superb spell,
taking 1-25 from 10 overs
End of over 34 (3 runs) Australia 176/3 (RR: 5.18)
DL Vettori 10-1-25-1 - Tennis Courts End
DS Lehmann 11* (31b 1x4) DR Martyn 25* (47b 3x4)
he's really helped turn things around at one end, with a top class
spin bowling display, genuinely troubling the batsmen, and forcing
a defensive approach in the end, just to see him off, in helpful
conditions
the run rate has slumped to 5.18 per over, these two are well set,
they must surely be looking to chase after the bowling very
shortly, with the batting they have left to come, they don't want
to ruin the start they had
34.1 Mills to Lehmann, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease, defending down into the off side
34.2 Mills to Lehmann, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, powerfully
drives into the covers, really leaning into it, but can't get it
past Sinclair falling back at extra cover
34.3 Mills to Lehmann, one run, very full on off stump, whips it
wristily away out to deep midwicket
34.4 Mills to Martyn, FOUR, and Martyn goes after it this time, short
lifting ball with some width outside off stump, uses the bounce
and uppercuts, slapping it away over backward point, sails wide of
third man, just bouncing inside the rope
a rare authoritative stroke from Martyn, the first boundary in
quite some time
34.5 Mills to Martyn, three runs, shortish ball just outside off stump,
forced off the back foot through the covers, the sweeper Astle
comes around the boundary as they hurry back for a second,
misfields and gives away a third
34.6 Mills to Lehmann, two runs, shortish ball on off stump, whips it
off the legs out to deep midwicket, Astle in action again as they
take a comfortable two
End of over 35 (10 runs) Australia 186/3 (RR: 5.31)
KD Mills 4-0-27-0 (1nb) - South End
DR Martyn 32* (49b 4x4) DS Lehmann 14* (35b 1x4)
a good over for Australia, 10 coming from it, as just like that
this pair look to go after the bowling, and with some initial
success
Chris Harris on to bowl, replacing Vettori at the Tennis Courts End
35.1 Harris to Martyn, no run, floated up very full outside off stump,
digs it out, straight up to mid off
35.2 Harris to Martyn, one run, floated up full and wider outside off
stump, square driven straight out to deep point
35.3 Harris to Lehmann, one run, comes around the wicket, floated up on
the legs as Lehmann comes inside the line and down the wicket,
working it off the legs out to deep midwicket
35.4 Harris to Martyn, one run, drops it in a little shorter outside off
stump, sits up to be cut down towards deep cover point
35.5 Harris to Lehmann, one run, drags it down too short, but gets away
with it, sitting up off this slow deck outside off stump, pulled
hard but straight out to deep midwicket
35.6 Harris to Martyn, no run, floated up slower on off stump, props
forward, defending down at his feet
End of over 36 (4 runs) Australia 190/3 (RR: 5.28)
CZ Harris 1-0-4-0 - Tennis Courts End
DS Lehmann 16* (37b 1x4) DR Martyn 34* (53b 4x4)
36.1 Mills to Lehmann, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
whipped away off the hip down to Vettori at fine leg
36.2 Mills to Martyn, one run, full ball outside off stump, leans on it,
guiding it down to Vettori at third man for another easy single
36.3 Mills to Lehmann, one run, a bit too short, rolling the wrist on
it, Lehmann swings it away down to Vettori in action once again,
quickly across to long leg to prevent a second
36.4 Mills to Martyn, one run, shortish ball angling in on off stump,
pulled down through vacant square leg to the man in the deep
36.5 Mills to Lehmann, no run, good fullish ball, swinging back in,
rapped on the pads as he looks to play across the line, appeal for
lbw but umpire Orchard says it pitched outside leg stump, no need
for the TV replay on that one, and he's quite right
36.6 Mills to Lehmann, one run, full and wide and angling further away
outside off stump, squeezes it down to wide third man, using the
pace
End of over 37 (5 runs) Australia 195/3 (RR: 5.27)
KD Mills 5-0-32-0 (1nb) - South End
DS Lehmann 19* (41b 1x4) DR Martyn 36* (55b 4x4)
37.1 Harris to Lehmann, one run, flighted up full on the toes, driven
down towards wide long on, good fielding prevents thoughts of a
second
37.2 Harris to Martyn, one run, floated up full on off stump, driven
straight down to Vettori at long on
37.3 Harris to Lehmann, FOUR, flat and wide outside off stump, cut very
well through backward point, finds the gap in the outfield
perfectly, bringing up the Australian 200, you can tell this pair
are really starting to purposefully up the tempo now that Vettori
has been seen off
37.4 Harris to Lehmann, no run, flat ball drifting down the leg side,
drops from the pad in close for Vincent to tidy up
37.5 Harris to Lehmann, one run, shorter ball just outside off stump,
moves back to free the arms, chopping a bottom edge into the
ground, getting it away to backward pointy for a smart single
37.6 Harris to Martyn, no run, slower, floater just outside off stump,
runs it off the face but straight to short third man
End of over 38 (7 runs) Australia 202/3 (RR: 5.32)
CZ Harris 2-0-11-0 - Tennis Courts End
DS Lehmann 25* (45b 2x4) DR Martyn 37* (57b 4x4)
38.1 Mills to Lehmann, no run, full and angling on off stump, drives
firmly but straight back to the bowler
38.2 Mills to Lehmann, one run, Lehmann charges a little early, Mills
spots it and digs it in much shorter, awkwardly pulled down to
long leg as it follows him
38.3 Mills to Martyn, no run, rather full outside off stump, drives
strongly, but straight back to the bowler on the bounce
38.4 Mills to Martyn, one run, drops it in short outside off stump,
pulled strongly, dragging it across the line to wide mid on, quick
run taken with the stroke
38.5 Mills to Lehmann, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
along the ground out to deep cover
38.6 Mills to Martyn, (noball) no run, oversteps to ruin an otherwise
good over, fullish, straight ball, driven up to mid on, can't get
a quick single as it's struck too hard
38.6 Mills to Martyn, one run, full outside off stump, driven firmly
straight out to the cover sweeper
End of over 39 (5 runs) Australia 207/3 (RR: 5.31)
KD Mills 6-0-37-0 (2nb) - South End
DR Martyn 39* (61b 4x4) DS Lehmann 27* (48b 2x4)
39.1 Harris to Martyn, one run, floated up outside off stump, nudged
away towards vacant point for an easy single as the fielder comes
from behind square to tidy up
39.2 Harris to Lehmann, one run, advances down the track to a floated,
full ball outside off stump, forced straight down to Vettori at
long off
39.3 Harris to Martyn, one run, flat ball angling on leg stump, worked
off the legs out to deep midwicket
39.4 Harris to Lehmann, FOUR, too short, sits up just outside off stump,
Lehmann stands back, freeing the arms, cutting wonderfully through
backward point, again there's a big gap inviting him there, and he
duly takes the boundary on offer
39.5 Harris to Lehmann, one run, floated up fuller and straight, driven
straight down to long on
39.6 Harris to Martyn, no run, floated up full outside off stump, drives
hard into the ground back on the off side of the pitch, Harris
leaps to his left to field sharply
End of over 40 (8 runs) Australia 215/3 (RR: 5.38)
CZ Harris 3-0-19-0 - Tennis Courts End
DS Lehmann 33* (51b 3x4) DR Martyn 41* (64b 4x4)
40.1 Mills to Lehmann, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, swings
it across the line, dragging it out through wide midwicket, Astle
around in the deep to field, can't prevent a smart two
40.2 Mills to Lehmann, OUT: Lehmann innovates but perhaps a bit too much
this time, coming well inside a short ball sitting up on leg
stump, swings it away, but neither soft nor powerfully, dragging
it flat and straight down the throat of Vettori at long leg
Australia 217/4, Partnership of 74
DS Lehmann c Vettori b Mills 35 (53b 3x4 0x6)
DR Martyn 41* (64b 4x4) KD Mills 6.2-0-39-1 (2nb)
another steady partnership is ended, just as it was really starting
to kick into gear, and another Aussie batsman falls between 35 and
44
but it gives them a chance to throw in a pinch-hitter now, if they
so choose, or go for the steady Bevan, who can give it a real
nudge when pressed, too
and it is indeed the latter option they go for, Michael Bevan to
take strike
40.3 Mills to Bevan, (noball) no run, digs in a very short one first up,
well down the leg side, but is called no-ball by the square leg
umpire for height
40.3 Mills to Bevan, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked off the
hip straight down to fine leg to get off the mark
40.4 Mills to Martyn, one run, full on off stump, squirts it away out
towards deep midwicket
40.5 Mills to Bevan, no run, tight ball on off stump, props forward,
defending away towards point
40.6 Mills to Bevan, no run, similar again, cramped up well by Mills,
forced to ease it away to backward point in defence
End of over 41 (5 runs) Australia 220/4 (RR: 5.37)
KD Mills 7-0-42-1 (3nb) - South End
DR Martyn 42* (65b 4x4) MG Bevan 1* (4b)
Tuffey returns, replacing Harris at the Tennis Courts End
41.1 Tuffey to Martyn, FOUR, not a good return, overpitches outside off
stump, Martyn picks up the half volley, smacking it wonderfully
back over his head, down to the straight long off boundary
41.2 Tuffey to Martyn, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, square
driven through backward point, Oram dives around the boundary,
scooping it up to Bond coming across from the other side from
third man, great teamwork keeps it to two
41.3 Tuffey to Martyn, FOUR, overpitches outside off stump, superbly
driven through extra cover, and brings up his 50 in style, Tuffey
has given him a helping hand after struggling against most of the
other bowlers
41.4 Tuffey to Martyn, one run, better shortish ball on off stump, hops
on the crease to tap it down just forward of point, quick run
taken with the shot, 11 off 4 balls in the over now
41.5 Tuffey to Bevan, FOUR, oh dear oh dear Tuffey, this time he does
Bevan but still goes for four, full outside off stump, drives and
gets a thick edge, but goes straight through vacant first slip,
and away it goes
41.6 Tuffey to Bevan, no run, tight ball on off stump, Bevan is right in
behind it, watchfully defending back on the off side of the pitch,
a dot at last for Tuffey to end the over
End of over 42 (15 runs) Australia 235/4 (RR: 5.60)
DR Tuffey 6-1-55-1 (4w) - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 53* (69b 6x4) MG Bevan 5* (6b 1x4)
Harris returns, oddly replacing Mills who has looked good in his
return spell at the South End
42.1 Harris to Martyn, one run, floated up rather full outside off
stump, frees the arms to scoop it out towards deep cover
42.2 Harris to Bevan, one run, flat, straight ball, simply leans forward
and turns it away just forward of square on the leg side for
another easy run
42.3 Harris to Martyn, no run, quicker ball angling in on the legs,
clipped away towards midwicket, good diving stop prevents a run
42.4 Harris to Martyn, one run, drops it a bit short outside off stump,
sits up to be slapped out towards the deep cover sweeper Mills,
looking for a second but can't get one
42.5 Harris to Bevan, one run, floated up full on leg stump, turned
around the corner towards Fleming roaming across at backward
square leg
42.6 Harris to Martyn, FOUR, Harris lets one slip, awful ball well wide
down the leg side, Martyn takes it apart, pulling it away through
backward square leg
End of over 43 (8 runs) Australia 243/4 (RR: 5.65)
CZ Harris 4-0-27-0 - South End
MG Bevan 7* (8b 1x4) DR Martyn 59* (73b 7x4)
very curious move to bring back Harris, having looked so
ineffective after initially coming on late in the piece to take
over from Vettori, and now Mills is yanked off after being in a
groove, and dismissing Lehmann
Mills is brought back, he too switches ends, replacing the
expensive Tuffey
43.1 Mills to Bevan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, runs it
off the face down towards wide third man
43.2 Mills to Martyn, no run, very full and straight, Martyn forced to
dig it out from his toes, back down the pitch to the bowler
43.3 Mills to Martyn, one run, full and angling in on the feet, driven
firmly straight down towards Styris at deepish mid on
43.4 Mills to Bevan, one run, full and rather wide outside off stump,
Bevan chases after it, chopping it away out to Vettori at deep
point
43.5 Mills to Martyn, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, comes
forward, driving hard into the ground, straight up to Tuffey at
mid off, running with the shot
43.6 Mills to Bevan, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
keeps Bevan well cramped up, forced to defend back down the pitch
End of over 44 (4 runs) Australia 247/4 (RR: 5.61)
KD Mills 8-0-46-1 (3nb) - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 61* (76b 7x4) MG Bevan 9* (11b 1x4)
44.1 Harris to Martyn, one run, shortish ball sits up outside off stump,
cut away out to deep cover
44.2 Harris to Bevan, one run, floated up very full on off stump, driven
from the toes straight down to long on
44.3 Harris to Martyn, FOUR, terrible bowling, far, far, far too short
from the dibbly dobbly Harris, pasted away over wide midwicket by
Martyn, who had all the time in the world to rock back and pull,
and place it wherever he chose
44.4 Harris to Martyn, one run, short outside off stump, sits up and is
cut away out towards Mills at deep cover point
44.5 Harris to Bevan, no run, floated up full outside off stump, drives
but mistimes it towards mid off
44.6 Harris to Bevan, FOUR, flat ball, too wide outside off stump, cut
away through backward point, wide of the man inside the circle and
that boundary is favoured by the left-handers against Harris yet
again
End of over 45 (11 runs) Australia 258/4 (RR: 5.73)
CZ Harris 5-0-38-0 - South End
DR Martyn 67* (79b 8x4) MG Bevan 14* (14b 2x4)
the bowling changes employed at the death are strange to say the
least, when better options such as Oram sit idly by being ignored
- the lack of pace from Harris is not helping against batsmen with
their eye in and urgency
45.1 Mills to Martyn, no run, low full toss outside off stump, Martyn
fails to do anything with it, mistiming a drive straight to
Sinclair in the covers
45.2 Mills to Martyn, one run, good length ball angling in on off stump,
forced down towards Styris at long on
45.3 Mills to Bevan, one run, shortish ball on off stump, shuffles to
leg to give himself some room, nudged away through a gap in the
covers
45.4 Mills to Martyn, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tries to
swing it away through the leg side, misplays it, dragging an
inside edge down in close square on the leg side, falling short of
any fielder so an easy run avails itself nevertheless
45.5 Mills to Bevan, no run, very full outside off stump, drives hard at
it but into the deck, straight up to Styris at cover
45.6 Mills to Bevan, no run, good shortish ball seaming away outside off
stump, Bevan tries to run it down to third man but misses, through
to the keeper
End of over 46 (3 runs) Australia 261/4 (RR: 5.67)
KD Mills 9-0-49-1 (3nb) - Tennis Courts End
DR Martyn 69* (82b 8x4) MG Bevan 15* (17b 2x4)
Bond returns, replacing Harris at the South End, so he's not going
to be bowling the 50th over, that duty will probably fall to Oram
- coming from the cold, too
46.1 Bond to Martyn, one run, attempts a yorker straight away, very full
and straight, just gets some leverage on it, chipping it back over
the bowler's head, bounces just short of long on racing up towards
it
46.2 Bond to Bevan, no run, another attempted yorker, cramps Bevan up,
squeezed out from the toes back on the leg side of the pitch, Bond
darts across to field himself to prevent thoughts of a quick run
46.3 Bond to Bevan, one run, another very good, full and straight ball,
Bevan jumps out to leg to free the arms, chops a tight full toss
into the deck, bounces over the bowler and gets a single as long
off and long on converge
46.4 Bond to Martyn, one run, very full and straight, shuffles to leg to
free the arms again, drives powerfully into the covers, but super
fielding by Harris diving to his left at extra cover, keeps them
to just a single, was a certain boundary otherwise
46.5 Bond to Bevan, wide: no run, full and swinging down the leg side,
Bevan can't make any contact but happily collects the bonus run
from the wide signalled by umpire Orchard
46.5 Bond to Bevan, two runs, full outside off stump, drives strongly
through extra cover, the sweeper has a bit of work to get to it, a
lazily jogged two are taken
46.6 Bond to Bevan, no run, Bond switches to come around the wicket, and
angles a fine attempted yorker in on off stump, Bevan again moves
to leg to give himself some room, looking to deflect it wide of
short third man, but has to chop it into the deck, back to the
bowler
End of over 47 (6 runs) Australia 267/4 (RR: 5.68)
SE Bond 9-0-51-1 (3w 2nb) - South End
DR Martyn 71* (84b 8x4) MG Bevan 18* (21b 2x4)
3 overs left, a rough chance of hitting 300, needing 33 from them,
but in any case, Australia have mounted a very defendable total,
which will be hard to chase as this pitch gets slower as the day
wears on
Mills is taken off an over short of his 10, despite being the best
of the lot in the latter stages, and Oram comes on, so he doesn't
have to bowl the 50th cold
47.1 Oram to Martyn, one run, very full outside off stump, driven out
towards deep cover
47.2 Oram to Bevan, two runs, full outside off stump, powerfully driven
straight down the ground on the off side, Mills tumbles across
from long off to save the boundary, good fielding
47.3 Oram to Bevan, one run, full toss outside off stump, slapped
strongly straight to the man on the circle edge at extra cover,
easy single taken with the shot
47.4 Oram to Martyn, one run, good length ball just outside off stump,
Martyn heaves across the line, mistiming it completely, dragging
it away to Styris at wide midwicket on the circle edge
47.5 Oram to Bevan, OUT: Bevan swings across the line to a near yorker
length ball angling in from around the wicket, strikes the base of
off stump and Oram has some success
Australia 272/5, Partnership of 55
MG Bevan b Oram 21 (24b 2x4 0x6)
DR Martyn 73* (86b 8x4) JDP Oram 8.5-0-48-1 (1nb)
Shane Watson the new batsman
47.6 Oram to Watson, one run, drops it in very short outside off stump,
pulled strongly, but straight out to deep midwicket on the bounce,
off the mark
End of over 48 (6 runs) Australia 273/5 (RR: 5.69)
JDP Oram 9-0-49-1 (1nb) - Tennis Courts End
SR Watson 1* (1b) DR Martyn 73* (86b 8x4)
48.1 Bond to Watson, two runs, full on leg stump, glanced away low
through the air out to Tuffey at deep backward square leg on the
bounce
48.2 Bond to Watson, one run, very full on off stump, strongly lofts it
down to Astle on the second bounce at long off
48.3 Bond to Martyn, OUT: good yorker length ball, Martyn tries to pick
it up over midwicket, but gets a big leading edge, pops straight
up to Harris at cover for the simplest of catches
Australia 276/6, Partnership of 4
DR Martyn c Harris b Bond 73 (87b 8x4 0x6)
SR Watson 4* (3b) SE Bond 9.3-0-54-2 (3w 2nb)
Martyn departs for 73, an up and down innings, not his most
classical, certainly struggled for a long period in the first half
of his innings, but once he got underway, looked far more composed
and the runs came flowing
Shane Warne the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as they
crossed during the catch
48.4 Bond to Watson, two runs, shortish ball, swung away through wide
midwicket, a relay throw and a shy at the bowler's end as they
sprint back for a second, but get home safely
48.5 Bond to Watson, SIX, shot! comes down the track, gives himself some
room, turns it into a half volley, and times the lofted shot over
long off very well, just clearing the boundary
48.6 Bond to Watson, one run, full on the legs, turned away down to long
leg to retain the strike for the final over
End of over 49 (12 runs) Australia 285/6 (RR: 5.82)
SE Bond 10-0-63-2 (3w 2nb) - South End
SR Watson 13* (6b 1x6) SK Warne 0* (0b)
49.1 Oram to Watson, FOUR, shot! full half volley outside off stump,
Watson lays into this one superbly, slamming it straight back over
the bowler's head, one bounce and into the sightscreen
dragged that one around nicely, was a fair bit of width outside off
stump, got on knee and dispatched it
49.2 Oram to Watson, one run, full outside off stump, tries to do it
again but it's a bit too full, drags it out to wide long on, they
look for a second but miscommunication means they don't come back
49.3 Oram to Warne, OUT: full just outside off stump, Warne gives
himself a mountain of room, but has to reach for it, slicing it
straight to Bond at short third man, takes a good clean catch and
Warne departs for a golden duck
Australia 290/7, Partnership of 14
SK Warne c Bond b Oram 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
SR Watson 18* (8b 1x4 1x6) JDP Oram 9.3-0-54-2 (1nb)
Brett Lee the new batsman
49.4 Oram to Lee, one run, full outside off stump, advances down the
track, squeezing it strongly out towards Vettori at deep cover,
unable to get a second with a good return
49.5 Oram to Watson, (noball) one run, high full toss, called no-ball
for overstepping anyway, swung away out to deep midwicket on the
bounce, costly error by Oram at this stage of the innings, still 2
balls to bowl - 300 still a rough chance!
49.5 Oram to Lee, one run, low full toss on off stump, swung away
through wide long off, Sinclair around to field just inside the
boundary, one short called however
49.6 Oram to Lee, two runs, very full outside off stump, chopped into
the ground, bounces over the bowler's head, down to straight long
off, quickly back for a comfortable two, and Australia finish on
296/7 from their 50 overs - equalling the ground record
End of over 50 (11 runs) Australia 296/7 (RR: 5.92)
JDP Oram 10-0-60-2 (2nb) - Tennis Courts End
SR Watson 19* (9b 1x4 1x6) B Lee 4* (3b)
Australia post a very competitive total, though not as much as
perhaps they would've liked after reaching 109 after just 15
overs, but credit to the likes of Vettori and Oram, who reigned
them back in in the middle stages with controlled bowling to a
plan, then Mills towards the end, coming back after his initial
hammering, and despite some good overs from the others, it was too
much of an up and down performance, conceding 1-2 boundary balls
in what were otherwise excellent overs, and they added up
in the end, with Bond and Oram having expensive figures, and Tuffey
nightmare ones - 6 overs costing 55, and remember that one of them
was a maiden!
on the batting side of the equation, it was a very consistent top
order performance, but what they lacked was one big innings (and
partnership) that would've no doubt kicked them on past 320, maybe
quite a few more, as wickets were chipped out at regular
(though not frequent) intervals, with stands of 68, 61, 14, 74 and
55 for the first five wickets, and everyone in the top seven
making double figures, but only one reaching 50
Gilchrist and Ponting were especially dangerous at the top, scoring
a very high percentage of boundaries (66 of their combined 81
runs, in all from just 61 balls), avoiding being dismissed by
falling into the bowling and fielding plans that had worked so
effectively to counter them during the VB Series earlier in the
year
Hayden was the junior partner in the first two stands, happy to
watch from the sidelines as those two blazed, and he was
eventually undone in a fascinating battle with Vettori
Lehmann and Martyn then crawled along to begin with, then picked up
the pace at the drop of a hat, though some might say just a few
overs too late, considering the batting they still had to come
Watson then contributed a useful cameo at the death, just as the
boundaries were drying up, his 19 off just 9 balls almost seeing
Australia to 300
New Zealand may run into some over rate troubles, as they were a
fair few minutes over time, but there will be some allowances for
the long time it takes for a new batsmen to get to the middle, and
such, but it wouldn't be surprising if they got docked
one over - which would be awful enough in itself, considering the
mountainous target they have ahead of them, against a quality
bowling outfit
play is set to resume in around 20 minutes time at 2:15pm local
time (0815 GMT), please join us then
any comments about today's coverage so far can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field, it'll be Stephen Fleming to take
first strike to Glenn McGrath, with Nathan Astle at the other end
it would seem that there have been no overs docked from New
Zealand's innings, sufficient allowances have been made
0.1 McGrath to Fleming, no run, fair length ball with some width
outside off stump, angling away through to the keeper, left alone
0.2 McGrath to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, cuts
back off the seam, tucked down towards square leg, well cramped up
0.3 McGrath to Fleming, no run, props forward to a tight shortish ball
on off stump, tucked down towards forward square leg again
0.4 McGrath to Fleming, FOUR, strays down the leg side, Fleming comes
inside it, deftly helping it on its way, glancing it fine of the
keeper, and too straight for fine leg to cut off, Fleming and New
Zealand underway
0.5 McGrath to Fleming, FOUR, shot! overpitches outside off stump,
imitates Gilchrist and Hayden with one step down the track,
driving powerfully straight of Lee at mid off, to the boundary for
four more
0.6 McGrath to Fleming, no run, better ball, fullish and straight,
cutting back off the seam from just outside off stump, leans
forward, shouldering arms to the keeper
End of over 1 (8 runs) New Zealand 8/0 (RR: 8.00 RRR: 289/49 = 5.90)
GD McGrath 1-0-8-0 - South End
NJ Astle 0* (0b) SP Fleming 8* (6b 2x4)
Jason Gillespie to open the bowling from the Tennis Courts End
1.1 Gillespie to Astle, wide: no run, full and swinging away down the
leg side, pretty sharp ball, sounds like it flicks the pad on its
way through to the diving Gilchrist, but umpire Tiffin calls wide
- replays show it's in fact an excellent call
1.1 Gillespie to Astle, no run, another good sharp skidding delivery
cutting back off the seam, rapped on the pads, shout for lbw is
stifled, just a bit much bounce and heading down the leg side
1.2 Gillespie to Astle, OUT: but not this time! this one is much
straighter, seams back in from just outside off stump, strikes in
line with off stump, hopping on the crease, struck on the knee
roll, and umpire Tiffin raises the finger
New Zealand 9/1, Partnership of 9
NJ Astle lbw b Gillespie 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 8* (6b 2x4) JN Gillespie 0.2-0-1-1 (1w)
Mathew Sinclair the new batsman
1.3 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, props forward in defence to a
similar ball, just outside the line of off stump, played back down
the pitch
1.4 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, tight fullish ball just outside off
stump, props forward to defend into the covers
1.5 Gillespie to Sinclair, FOUR, full and swinging in on off stump,
mistimes a forceful shot through the leg side, but gets enough
gusto behind it, and runs away to the wide midwicket boundary
End of over 2 (5 runs) New Zealand 13/1 (RR: 6.50 RRR: 284/48 = 5.92)
JN Gillespie 1-0-5-1 (1w) - Tennis Courts End
SP Fleming 8* (6b 2x4) MS Sinclair 4* (3b 1x4)
umpire Tiffin miscounts, counting the wide as a ball faced, it
would seem, a 5-ball over there
2.1 McGrath to Fleming, no run, shortish rising ball just outside off
stump, leans well forward, shoulders arms to the keeper
2.2 McGrath to Fleming, no run, similar again, leaves well alone again
through to the keeper
2.3 McGrath to Fleming, no run, fair length, straight ball on off
stump, props forward, waiting for it to arrive, quietly defends
back on the leg side of the pitch
2.4 McGrath to Fleming, FOUR, shot! only just slightly overpitched
outside off stump, a bit of width and Fleming steps forward,
driving through the line, played on the up and superbly too, past
extra cover and races away
2.5 McGrath to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, Fleming steps forward, shouldering arms to the keeper
2.6 McGrath to Fleming, OUT: and another one bites the dust! two lbws
within an over, Fleming looking to drive a good fullish ball, gets
a bit of swing back into him though, and misses, rapped on the
pads, struck in line with middle, going straight on, umpire
Orchard
New Zealand 17/2, Partnership of 8
SP Fleming lbw b McGrath 12 (12b 3x4 0x6)
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 17/2 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 280/47 = 5.96)
GD McGrath 2-0-12-1 - South End
MS Sinclair 4* (3b 1x4)
raises the finger and New Zealand are off to a nightmarish start in
search of an imposing target
Lou Vincent the new batsman
unbelievably, after Tiffin calls a 5-ball over last over, now
umpire Orchard calls a 7-ball over, allowing a bonus ball for
McGrath to even things up
2.6 McGrath to Vincent, OUT: and can you believe it! from the bonus
ball, McGrath strikes, NZ in all sorts of bother, Vincent pokes at
a good rising ball just outside off stump, edging to Martyn who
snaps it up very smartly at second slip
New Zealand 17/3, Partnership of 0
L Vincent c Martyn b McGrath 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 17/3 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 280/47 = 5.96)
GD McGrath 2-0-12-2 - South End
MS Sinclair 4* (3b 1x4)
Scott Styris the new batsman
3.1 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
leaves alone through to the keeper
3.2 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, beaten! lovely shortish ball just
outside off stump, has a dabble at it, missing to the keeper
3.3 Gillespie to Sinclair, legbye: one run, shortish ball seaming into
the body down the leg side, drops from the thigh pad just behind
square
3.4 Gillespie to Styris, two runs, good ball! short and sharply rising
on off stump, Styris pokes forward at it, fending it from the
glove down just forward of square on the leg side, deep backward
square leg around to field
3.5 Gillespie to Styris, FOUR, shot! shortish ball lifting just outside
off stump, powerfully forces it off the back foot, down through
cover point, pierces the infield and it races away
3.6 Gillespie to Styris, no run, good tight fullish ball on off stump,
watchfully stroked back down the pitch to the bowler from the
crease
End of over 4 (7 runs) New Zealand 24/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 273/46 = 5.93)
JN Gillespie 2-0-11-1 (1w) - Tennis Courts End
MS Sinclair 4* (6b 1x4) SB Styris 6* (3b 1x4)
McGrath to bowl to Sinclair, on a hat-trick after wickets with the
last two balls of his previous over
4.1 McGrath to Sinclair, no run, oooh! and how close can you get?! good
shortish ball nipping back off the seam just outside off stump,
Sinclair plays weakly at it, through the gate and beats the inside
edge through to the keeper
4.2 McGrath to Sinclair, FOUR, overpitches outside off stump, gets a
little away swing, but Sinclair uses the feet well, driving very
nicely wide of mid off, and the outfield is still as fast as ever
4.3 McGrath to Sinclair, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
4.4 McGrath to Sinclair, two runs, overpitches once more, looking for
the extra swing still around with the new ball, drives firmly
through the covers, this time striking it more into the ground
initially so it slows up inside the rope, just time for two as
Bevan chases it down
4.5 McGrath to Sinclair, no run, fair length ball left well alone
through to the keeper outside off stump
McGrath bowling to a very attacking field at the moment, three
slips, two gullies, point and cover, it's more like a Test match,
and he can certainly afford it with three early scalps
4.6 McGrath to Sinclair, no run, similar ball, shoulders arms once more
outside off stump through to the keeper
End of over 5 (6 runs) New Zealand 30/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 267/45 = 5.93)
GD McGrath 3-0-18-2 - South End
SB Styris 6* (3b 1x4) MS Sinclair 10* (12b 2x4)
5.1 Gillespie to Styris, one run, oh boy oh boy! almost another! quick
and fullish outside off stump, invites the drive, Styris half goes
after it, not committing until late, gets a thick edge which flies
quickly to Ponting's right at third slip, flings himself in the
air at it, gets
a good amount of his hands on it, but is too hot to handle, and
runs away towards third man, would've been a stunner
5.2 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
5.3 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, beaten! good length ball, just
leaving Sinclair slightly outside off stump, has a nibble at it,
pushing away from his body, through to Gilchrist low down
5.4 Gillespie to Sinclair, (noball) no run, oversteps, good sharp
shortish ball seaming back in a long way, has Sinclair in a
tangle, taken high on the pad and deflects away into the slips
5.4 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, oh goodness! Gillespie causing all
sorts of bother, another cracking ball with real pace, off a back
of a length and seams back sharply from outside off stump,
Sinclair dices with death by shouldering arms as it just shaves
past the off bail, through t
the keeper
5.5 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, quicker, full ball outside off
stump, this one goes straight on, shoulders arms to the keeper
again
5.6 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, beaten again! another fine shortish
ball seaming back in, Sinclair leaves the gate open again,
prodding at it and is done for pace and movement, there's a clear
nick as it passes through to the keeper, but everyone seems to
know that it was the top of
End of over 6 (2 runs) New Zealand 32/3 (RR: 5.33 RRR: 265/44 = 6.02)
JN Gillespie 3-0-13-1 (1w 1nb) - Tennis Courts End
SB Styris 7* (4b 1x4) MS Sinclair 10* (18b 2x4)
the pad and not the inside edge, so the appeal is stifled, and
umpire Tiffin signals accordingly
6.1 McGrath to Styris, no run, good tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, stands tall on the crease to force it down into the covers
in defence
6.2 McGrath to Styris, no run, similar again, this one even straighter
and cramps Styris up, forced down into the covers again
6.3 McGrath to Styris, FOUR, just strays to leg stump, a bit too full
also and Styris is strong in that area, wristily turning it away
wide of Lee at mid on, he has a fair chase but the outfield
carries it just beyond his reach
a bizarre start to the New Zealand innings, dealing pretty much in
4s, dots and wickets - 28 of the first 33 runs off the bat in
boundaries
6.4 McGrath to Styris, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, back
on his metronomic line and length again, defended watchfully into
the covers
6.5 McGrath to Styris, FOUR, oooh! it continues to be all or nothing
here, shortish lifting ball just outside off stump, Styris flays
the bat at it, gets a thick edge which flies high and wide of
Ponting at third slip, and is too hot for third man to handle,
running too fine and
quickly to be cut off
6.6 McGrath to Styris, no run, full and straight, Styris on to the
drive, powerfully straight back down the pitch, but too straight,
hits the stumps at the other end, with Sinclair well stranded, but
McGrath didn't get a touch on it so no drama
End of over 7 (8 runs) New Zealand 40/3 (RR: 5.71 RRR: 257/43 = 5.98)
GD McGrath 4-0-26-2 - South End
MS Sinclair 10* (18b 2x4) SB Styris 15* (10b 3x4)
7.1 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, good shortish ball just outside off
stump, left alone to the keeper
7.2 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, propped forward, watchfully defended into the covers
7.3 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, tight fuller ball just outside off
stump, looks to force it through the covers but mistimes it into
the deck, bouncing away to cover
7.4 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, similar again, just outside off
stump, props forward to firmly stroke it back on the leg side of
the pitch
7.5 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, nice and full just outside off stump
again, firmly stroked away towards cover
7.6 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, beaten! super extra pace delivery
cutting back sharply off the seam from outside off stump, cuts
Sinclair in half, through the gate and through to keeper Gilchrist
End of over 8 (maiden) New Zealand 40/3 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 257/42 = 6.12)
JN Gillespie 4-1-13-1 (1w 1nb) - Tennis Courts End
SB Styris 15* (10b 3x4) MS Sinclair 10* (24b 2x4)
8.1 McGrath to Styris, one run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, forced away down through backward point for an easy single
8.2 McGrath to Sinclair, two runs, slightly overpitched outside off
stump, Sinclair goes after it, strongly square driving through
backward point, Gillespie races around from third man to stop it
just inside the boundary
8.3 McGrath to Sinclair, one run, fair length ball just outside off
stump, leans forward to ease it down just short of Bevan in the
covers, quick single taken and Bevan fails to take cleanly,
rolling through his legs so comfortably taken in the end
8.4 McGrath to Styris, no run, beaten! good length ball outside off
stump has Styris pushing forward away from his body at it, just
enough seam movement away to defeat the outside edge to the keeper
8.5 McGrath to Styris, no run, short lifting ball outside off stump,
tries to crack it off the back foot through the covers but
mistimes it, the extra bounce doing him in, drops away to extra
cover
8.6 McGrath to Styris, OUT: yet another one bites the dust, Styris
throws his bat at everything and pays the price eventually, short
lifting ball outside off stump, swivels to pull it, looking to
drag it a long way around, and there was extra seam movement
further away
New Zealand 44/4, Partnership of 27
SB Styris c Gilchrist b McGrath 16 (14b 3x4 0x6)
End of over 9 (4 runs) New Zealand 44/4 (RR: 4.89 RRR: 253/41 = 6.17)
GD McGrath 5-0-30-3 - South End
MS Sinclair 13* (26b 2x4)
from him, gets a clear edge from the front of the pad, straight
through to Gilchrist who takes it leaping up to his right
Chris Harris the new batsman
9.1 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, chops it away towards cover point in defence
9.2 Gillespie to Sinclair, FOUR, shot! just strays a bit full on the
legs, Sinclair whips it away crisply through forward square leg,
and New Zealand continue to score boundaries or dots (or get out)
9.3 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, shoulders arms to the keeper
9.4 Gillespie to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
chopped into the ground, straight to backward point
9.5 Gillespie to Sinclair, one run, short lifting straight ball, tucked
off the hip down in close on the leg side for a smartly taken
quick single as midwicket comes charging in to field
9.6 Gillespie to Harris, no run, shortish ball angling further away
from the seam outside off stump, shoulders arms to the keeper
End of over 10 (5 runs) New Zealand 49/4 (RR: 4.90 RRR: 248/40 = 6.20)
JN Gillespie 5-1-18-1 (1w 1nb) - Tennis Courts End
MS Sinclair 18* (31b 3x4) CZ Harris 0* (1b)
10.1 McGrath to Sinclair, no run, beaten! lovely length ball moving away
a touch off the seam outside off stump, draws Sinclair half
forward, has a nibble but luckily for him, doesn't get a bite,
through to the keeper
10.2 McGrath to Sinclair, OUT: and another one bites, and another one
bites, and another one bites the dust ... this time Sinclair
successfully nibbles the outside edge to a near identical delivery
outside off stump, and with minimal fuss, the Australians
celebrate five down
New Zealand 49/5, Partnership of 5
MS Sinclair c Gilchrist b McGrath 18 (33b 3x4 0x6)
CZ Harris 0* (1b) GD McGrath 5.2-0-30-4
New Zealand halfway to ignominy of being (almost certainly) dumped
out of the tournament that they are defending the title of in
double quick time
Jacob Oram the new batsman
10.3 McGrath to Oram, no run, welcome to the crease Mr Oram, McGrath
digs in a short one, comes back at him on leg stump, forced to
duck underneath it to let it go to the keeper
10.4 McGrath to Oram, no run, oooh! very smart or very brave leave by
Oram, short lifting ball just outside off stump, shoulders arms
and it shaves just past the off bail through to the keeper
10.5 McGrath to Oram, no run, this one's considerably wider and angling
away outside off stump, no problems leaving that one to the keeper
this time
10.6 McGrath to Oram, no run, similar again, a touch straighter but able
to leave to the keeper again, a wicket-maiden for McGrath
End of over 11 (maiden) New Zealand 49/5 (RR: 4.45 RRR: 248/39 = 6.36)
GD McGrath 6-1-30-4 - South End
CZ Harris 0* (1b) JDP Oram 0* (4b)
11.1 Gillespie to Harris, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, shoulders arms to the keeper as it swings back in late
11.2 Gillespie to Harris, no run, full and angling away outside off
stump, shoulders arms to leave to the keeper again
11.3 Gillespie to Harris, no run, full and deadly straight, Harris gets
inside it to watchfully stroke it back along the pitch on the off
side, Gillespie darts across to field himself
11.4 Gillespie to Harris, one run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, taps it down in close on the off side, quick single
taken to get off the mark as it falls well short of the cover
field, brings up the 50 in 11.4 overs
11.5 Gillespie to Oram, no run, digs it in very short on leg stump, Oram
ducks underneath the bouncer, both pace bowlers wanting to welcome
the rather tall Oram to the crease in 'positive' fashion
11.6 Gillespie to Oram, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, drives
at it and gets a thick outside edge, but safely wide of the slips
and low to the ground, down to third man to get off the mark
End of over 12 (2 runs) New Zealand 51/5 (RR: 4.25 RRR: 246/38 = 6.47)
JN Gillespie 6-1-20-1 (1w 1nb) - Tennis Courts End
JDP Oram 1* (6b) CZ Harris 1* (5b)
12.1 McGrath to Oram, no run, McGrath continues, shortish lifting ball
on off stump, stands tall on the crease to tuck it away to
midwicket in defence
12.2 McGrath to Oram, OUT: dear oh dear oh dear, it's going from bad to
worse for New Zealand, McGrath is cleaning them out in classy
fashion, this is a good length ball, straightens off the seam on a
line of off stump, Oram fatally shoulders arms, thinking it'll
angle
New Zealand 51/6, Partnership of 2
JDP Oram b McGrath 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)
CZ Harris 1* (5b) GD McGrath 6.2-1-30-5
away outside off stump to the keeper, only to see his off stump
knocked back, and McGrath raises the ball to the crowd, to
celebrate his 5-wicket haul, and his 250th wicket in One-Day
Internationals
McGrath now has a prime opportunity to absolutely humble New
Zealand, and also threaten the Australian ODI bowling record of 6-
14, held by Gary Gilmour, taken all of 27 years ago
Daniel Vettori the new batsman, surprisingly coming out ahead of
Kyle Mills
12.3 McGrath to Vettori, one run, oooh boy! almost another, shortish
lifting ball on off stump, chops a thick inside edge *just* past
leg stump, down to fine leg to get off the mark in the streakiest
of fashions
12.4 McGrath to Harris, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, stands
on one leg, trying to pull it away, misses and it drops down in
close on the leg side
12.5 McGrath to Harris, two runs, full on the legs, clipped away wide of
midwicket, quickly back for a second as the infielder has a small
chase
12.6 McGrath to Harris, FOUR, a bit too short from McGrath and Harris
gets this one away nicely, standing on one leg and pulling through
midwicket, just has enough juice to trickle into the rope as the
chasing fielder has too much ground to cover from the infield
End of over 13 (7 runs) New Zealand 58/6 (RR: 4.46 RRR: 239/37 = 6.46)
GD McGrath 7-1-37-5 - South End
DL Vettori 1* (1b) CZ Harris 7* (8b 1x4)
McGrath now with the odd-looking figures of 5-37 from 7 overs, this
from a man whose ODI career economy rate is barely 3.9 per over!
13.1 Gillespie to Vettori, one run, shortish lifting ball angling on leg
stump, gets inside the line to whip it off the hip down to fine
leg
13.2 Gillespie to Harris, no run, good quick fullish ball on off stump,
Harris thrusts the front pad forward at it, flicks bat/pad at the
same tickle and squirts through into the slips on the bounce
New Zealand may just avoid their worst effort in ODIs, that of 64
against Pakistan at Sharjah in 1985/86
13.3 Gillespie to Harris, FOUR, and that stroke almost guarantees it,
slightly overpitched outside off stump, leans forward, stroking it
beautifully down the ground on the off side of the pitch, straight
of mid off and races to the boundary rope
13.4 Gillespie to Harris, no run, shortish ball angling away just
outside off stump, Harris swings across the line, looked to be a
little pre-determined, misses by quite some distance as it passes
well below the bat through to the keeper
13.5 Gillespie to Harris, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
gets right in behind it, watchfully defending back down the pitch
to the bowler
13.6 Gillespie to Harris, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump,
Harris plays another lovely drive down the ground on the off side,
straight of mid off and races away
End of over 14 (9 runs) New Zealand 67/6 (RR: 4.79 RRR: 230/36 = 6.39)
JN Gillespie 7-1-29-1 (1w 1nb) - Tennis Courts End
DL Vettori 2* (2b) CZ Harris 15* (13b 3x4)
time for a drinks break, so everyone can recover their breath from
all the action in the first 14 overs of the New Zealand innings,
which have sealed the fate of the match at such an early stage
Match State: Drinks
the first bowling change, Brett Lee on for McGrath, who may not get
the chance to get any more than five wickets now, at the rate this
innings has progressed!
14.1 Lee to Vettori, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, chops
it into the ground, bounces away into the covers
14.2 Lee to Vettori, FOUR, shot! shortish ball just outside off stump,
just enough room for Vettori to free the arms and play his
favourite stroke, a rasping back cut through backward point,
leaves Hayden for dead in the gully
14.3 Lee to Vettori, OUT: Lee hurries a good ball on to Vettori, rather
straight and comes back into him, trapped creasebound, umpire
Orchard calls for the TV replay on this one, which shows it just
pitches on the edge of the leg stump line, looks to be going
straight
New Zealand 71/7, Partnership of 20
DL Vettori lbw b Lee 6 (5b 1x4 0x6)
CZ Harris 15* (13b 3x4) B Lee 0.3-0-4-1
on to take middle stump, that information is relayed back to umpire
Orchard who raises the finger, and Vettori joins the 'infamous'
lbw-by-TV club, with New Zealand slumping further into
embarrassment
Kyle Mills the new batsman
14.4 Lee to Mills, one run, shortish ball on off stump, stands back on
the crease, tapping it down just short of the cover field, sets
off for a tight single to get off the mark, the underarm throw at
the bowler's end by Bevan just misses, was probably just safe in
any case
14.5 Lee to Harris, legbye: one run, fullish ball straying to leg stump,
deflects away from the pad just behind square on the leg side for
an easy single
14.6 Lee to Mills, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms to the keeper
End of over 15 (6 runs) New Zealand 73/7 (RR: 4.87 RRR: 224/35 = 6.40)
B Lee 1-0-5-1 - South End
CZ Harris 15* (14b 3x4) KD Mills 1* (2b)
a double bowling change, with Shane Watson on for Gillespie at the
Tennis Courts End
15.1 Watson to Harris, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling down the
leg side, glanced off the pad down to fine leg
15.2 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
15.3 Watson to Mills, no run, a bit fuller, relatively innocuous stuff,
shoulders arms through to the keeper again
15.4 Watson to Mills, no run, full outside off stump, steers it firmly
along the ground to backward point
15.5 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
tall on the crease to punch it down to Bevan in the covers
15.6 Watson to Mills, no run, fullish, fairly wide ball outside off
stump, a bit flash of the bat, driving and missing to the keeper
End of over 16 (1 run, maiden) New Zealand 74/7 (RR: 4.62 RRR: 223/34 = 6.56)
SR Watson 1-1-0-0 - Tennis Courts End
CZ Harris 15* (15b 3x4) KD Mills 1* (7b)
16.1 Lee to Harris, no run, short lifting ball angling away outside off
stump, hops on the crease to poke it down towards point
16.2 Lee to Harris, FOUR, what an extraordinary shot! Lee digs it in
very short outside off stump, Harris goes back and leaps to pull
it powerfully over wide midwicket, remarkable stuff
16.3 Lee to Harris, OUT: take that, Mr Harris! full on off stump and
swinging back in, Harris looks to drive but is just far too slow
to react, through the gate and strikes off stump low down
New Zealand 78/8, Partnership of 7
CZ Harris b Lee 19 (18b 4x4 0x6)
KD Mills 1* (7b) B Lee 1.3-0-9-2
eight pins down, two to go, New Zealand heading for what would
easily be their largest ODI defeat - the previous worst effort
being that of 174 runs against India at Hyderabad in 1999/00
Daryl Tuffey the new batsman
16.4 Lee to Tuffey, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, poked
away towards backward point in defence
16.5 Lee to Tuffey, no run, beaten! fullish ball just outside off stump,
Tuffey weakly pokes at it, missing through to the keeper
16.6 Lee to Tuffey, no run, and again! this one is much closer to off
stump, dabbles and misses to the keeper once more
End of over 17 (4 runs) New Zealand 78/8 (RR: 4.59 RRR: 219/33 = 6.64)
B Lee 2-0-9-2 - South End
KD Mills 1* (7b) DR Tuffey 0* (3b)
17.1 Watson to Mills, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stroked
firmly back down the pitch to the bowler
17.2 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, moving
away late, Mills leans back to flay it through the covers but
misses to the keeper
17.3 Watson to Mills, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, gets
right in behind it, firmly stroking up to mid on
17.4 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
punched off the back foot straight up to Bevan at mid off
17.5 Watson to Mills, three runs, shortish ball just drifting down the
leg side, well tucked off the hip out through midwicket, a
comfortable three taken as Gillespie gives chase
17.6 Watson to Tuffey, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
End of over 18 (3 runs) New Zealand 81/8 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 216/32 = 6.75)
SR Watson 2-1-3-0 - Tennis Courts End
KD Mills 4* (12b) DR Tuffey 0* (4b)
18.1 Lee to Mills, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, forced from
the crease straight to point
18.2 Lee to Mills, no run, beaten! shorter lifting ball outside off
stump, looks to force off the back foot through the covers but
plays and misses to the keeper
18.3 Lee to Mills, no run, and again! this one's much fuller, Mills
drives and misses through to the keeper this time
18.4 Lee to Mills, one run, very similar again, but this time Mills
makes contact, stroking it into the ground into the covers, tight
quick single taken as Bevan darts across to field from cover
point, underarms at the bowler's end but misses, Mills was safely
home in any case
18.5 Lee to Tuffey, no run, full and quite wide outside off stump,
leaves well alone through to the keeper
18.6 Lee to Tuffey, OUT: and another one bites, and ... you know the
rest of the words by now, it's Tuffey's turn, good tight shortish
ball angling in on off stump, Tuffey pokes the bat at it, finds
the outside edge, straight to Warne at first slip
New Zealand 82/9, Partnership of 4
DR Tuffey c Warne b Lee 0 (6b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 19 (1 run) New Zealand 82/9 (RR: 4.32 RRR: 215/31 = 6.94)
B Lee 3-0-10-3 - South End
KD Mills 5* (16b)
to say this is just too easy for the Australians would be an
understatement, they're all over the hapless Black Caps like a
rather nasty virus
Shane Bond the final batsman to the crease
New Zealand's shortest innings in ODIs (when dismissed) is 24.4
overs, so they're well on track to smash that rather pathetic
record
19.1 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
wafts at it and misses, through to the keeper
19.2 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
punched from the crease back on the off side of the pitch
19.3 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
forced off the back foot straight up to mid off, they look for a
run before Mills says no
19.4 Watson to Mills, FOUR, shot! drops it in a little short and Mills
throws the bat at it, pulling away through square leg, which is
pretty vacant thanks to the Test match-like fields set for much of
the innings now, long leg can't cut it off
19.5 Watson to Mills, no run, fair length ball outside off stump, has
another in a long string of laconic swings and misses through to
the keeper
19.6 Watson to Mills, no run, dropped! Watson has the opportunity to
finish it all there and then, but decides not to be so merciful,
as Mills punches a shortish, straight ball off the back foot
straight back to him, but he puts it down, a sharp chance but
certainly gettable
End of over 20 (4 runs) New Zealand 86/9 (RR: 4.30 RRR: 211/30 = 7.03)
SR Watson 3-1-7-0 - Tennis Courts End
SE Bond 0* (0b) KD Mills 9* (22b 1x4)
20.1 Lee to Bond, wide: no run, full and rather wide outside off stump,
left alone to the keeper and is just wide enough to be called wide
20.1 Lee to Bond, FOUR, shot! Bond's first legitimate ball and he
clobbers it! full and straight, shuffles to leg, smashing it from
his toes, back past the bowler to the rope
20.2 Lee to Bond, no run, good response from Lee, shortish ball angling
back in on off stump, squirts it off the face down into the gully
on the bounce
20.3 Lee to Bond, FOUR, and Bond does it again! overpitched outside off
stump, absolutely hammered away through the covers, the No 11 is
enjoying this
suddenly New Zealand have the slightest of glimpses of escaping
with three figures
nevertheless, Ponting persists with the three slips, two gullies
and point
20.4 Lee to Bond, no run, attempted yorker, excellent length but just a
fraction outside off stump, Bond jams the bat down on it but
misses, through to the keeper
20.5 Lee to Bond, no run, oooh! Lee restarts his intimidatory tactics
against the tail-ender, banging it in very short, angling at the
body and Bond does well to sway back down out of the way to let it
go untouched to the keeper
20.6 Lee to Bond, no run, and another short ball angling into the body,
flinches away from it but can't avoid it this time, cops it on the
body, dropping down at his feet
End of over 21 (9 runs) New Zealand 95/9 (RR: 4.52 RRR: 202/29 = 6.97)
B Lee 4-0-19-3 (1w) - South End
KD Mills 9* (22b 1x4) SE Bond 8* (6b 2x4)
21.1 Watson to Mills, two runs, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
forced off the back foot down the ground on the leg side, mid off
and mid on give chase as a leisurely two are taken
21.2 Watson to Mills, no run, tight shortish ball angling in on off
stump, gets right in behind it to punch it straight back to the
bowler
21.3 Watson to Mills, no run, beaten! lovely line and length, probing at
Mills just a fraction outside off stump, props forward in defence
and is just plain beaten off the seam through to the keeper,
Watson lets out a cry of anguish as he fails to get in on the
wicket action again
21.4 Watson to Mills, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, defends
firmly from the crease, straight up towards wide mid on
21.5 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, stands
tall in behind it, forcefully defending straight back on the off
side of the pitch
21.6 Watson to Mills, no run, quicker, shortish lifting ball on off
stump, Mills takes a hand off the handle as it awkwardly defends
down into the off side
End of over 22 (2 runs) New Zealand 97/9 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 200/28 = 7.14)
SR Watson 4-1-9-0 - Tennis Courts End
SE Bond 8* (6b 2x4) KD Mills 11* (28b 1x4)
22.1 Lee to Bond, no run, digs it in short to Bond again, angling into
the body, hops on the crease to tuck it down towards midwicket in
defence
22.2 Lee to Bond, one run, another attempted yorker, Bond gets inside it
and drives straight down towards straight mid on
22.3 Lee to Mills, no run, fullish ball on off stump, props forward,
steering it away to Hayden at backward point in defence
22.4 Lee to Mills, three runs, and New Zealand reach three figures!
overpitched outside off stump, strongly drives down the ground on
the off side past the bowler, just overhauled inside the rope as
they grab a third run
22.5 Lee to Bond, no run, oooh! that was almost it, Bond teeing off at a
fullish, dead straight ball, looking to hit a home run over wide
midwicket, gets a big thick inside edge into the pad, dribbles
away past the stumps, had he not got that touch on it, the stumps
would've
been in a miss
22.6 Lee to Bond, no run, Lee digs in another short ball, Bond leaps on
the crease to get over the top of it, fending it down into the
pitch, surviving the assault for another over
End of over 23 (4 runs) New Zealand 101/9 (RR: 4.39 RRR: 196/27 = 7.26)
B Lee 5-0-23-3 (1w) - South End
KD Mills 14* (30b 1x4) SE Bond 9* (10b 2x4)
23.1 Watson to Mills, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
nudged away just forward of point, comfortable quick single taken
as Hayden fields from behind square
23.2 Watson to Bond, no run, shortish ball on middle and off, stands
tall on the crease, defending down into the covers
23.3 Watson to Bond, no run, similar again, this time pushes it firmly
straight back to the bowler, Watson looking rather annoyed as this
stubborn last pair resist further
23.4 Watson to Bond, one run, dear oh dear oh dear! full ball, Bond tees
off, launching it a mile up into the air, straight down the throat
of Bevan at mid off who lines it up, to finish off the match ...
but he makes a right mess of it, through the hands and rebounds
away off his
shoulder, and Watson can not believe his luck, if looks could kill
...
23.5 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball on off stump, firmly played
back on the off side of the pitch
23.6 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish ball almost scoots through the
defences as it's dead straight, Mills propping forward to push it
into the covers
End of over 24 (2 runs) New Zealand 103/9 (RR: 4.29 RRR: 194/26 = 7.46)
SR Watson 5-1-11-0 - Tennis Courts End
SE Bond 10* (13b 2x4) KD Mills 15* (33b 1x4)
24.1 Lee to Bond, no run, slower ball, Bond shuffles right outside leg
stump, preparing for the worst, but it comes out the back of the
hand, is able to adjust and ease it away to Hayden in the gully
24.2 Lee to Bond, FOUR, shot! Bond enjoying his tussle with Lee,
overpitched as it angles in on the toes, shuffles outside leg
stump and gets hold of this one cleanly, driving straight down the
ground on the leg side
Bond threatening to overtake Mills, and heck, maybe even top score
in the innings, at this rate!
24.3 Lee to Bond, (noball) no run, and more drama, in the most
entertaining part of the innings, Lee digs it in rather short and
at the batsmen, but Bond shuffles further outside leg stump to
give himself some room, tries to slash it away over point but
misses, Gilchrist leaps up to
take it, and Lee is no-balled not for height (it was fine), but for
overstepping
24.3 Lee to Bond, FOUR, can you believe this! fullish ball, Bond again
moves the feet to get under it, lofting it over mid off's head,
bouncing just inside the rope, good clean clubbing by the No 11
24.4 Lee to Bond, bye: FOUR, four more! this is amazing stuff, Lee tries
another yorker, but it's down the leg side, Bond tries to jam the
bat down on it but misses, so does Gilchrist however and it races
down to the fine leg boundary
24.5 Lee to Bond, two runs, full and swinging well down the leg side,
Bond goes right out there to meet it, whipping it away through
backward square leg, Watson fumbles in the deep as they take an
easy two
24.6 Lee to Bond, FOUR, what an amazing over! tries another yorker and
Bond digs it out, and times it superbly what's more, through the
covers and beats long off coming around, four more!
End of over 25 (19 runs) New Zealand 122/9 (RR: 4.88 RRR: 175/25 = 7.00)
B Lee 6-0-38-3 (1w 1nb) - South End
KD Mills 15* (33b 1x4) SE Bond 24* (20b 5x4)
19 from the over, and Bond is clearly the top scorer of the innings
now, as this is also the top partnership of the innings, and now
also the longest partnership of the innings
(and New Zealand have also avoided their shortest innings in ODI
history too!)
25.1 Watson to Mills, two runs, boy oh boy oh boy, shortish ball on off
stump, forced from the crease straight up to Bevan at mid off,
another duffer of a misfield, through his legs and concedes two
runs
now even Ponting can see the funny side of all this, though we're
sure Watson can't!
25.2 Watson to Mills, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, Mills
fends it back down the pitch in defence, Watson has a bit of aggro
about him, saying a few sharp words to the batsmen
25.3 Watson to Mills, SIX, shot! Mills joins in on the act, picking up a
fair length ball superbly, swung away high over wide long on, just
pitching beyond the rope, and that's his highest score in ODIs
25.4 Watson to Mills, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, strongly
driven but straight to short cover
25.5 Watson to Mills, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
chops an inside edge into the pad and it just trickles wide of off
stump
25.6 Watson to Mills, no run, full outside off stump, drives strongly
along the ground, but straight up to Bevan who ensures his entire
body is behind this one as he fields it
End of over 26 (8 runs) New Zealand 130/9 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 167/24 = 6.96)
SR Watson 6-1-19-0 - Tennis Courts End
SE Bond 24* (20b 5x4) KD Mills 23* (39b 1x4 1x6)
an extraordinary 10th wicket stand of 48 from just 43 balls, and
New Zealand have now not only avoided a double figure total, but
also their largest defeat in ODIs!
the 19-run last over from Lee has forced Ponting to try something
different, and Shane Warne does get a bowl today after all, on at
the South End
26.1 Warne to Bond, two runs, can you believe it! another one goes down
... a catching chance, not a wicket, that is! flighted up and Bond
throws the bat at it, gets a big thick top edge, out towards
Ponting running back at cover, he dives backwards but can't hold
on, dropping it
behind him and they grab a couple of runs to post an extraordinary
50-run partnership!
26.2 Warne to Bond, OUT: but it's all over for good now, Bond advances
down the track and is beaten in the flight, is stranded well out
of his crease and Gilchrist does the needful to finish it off
New Zealand 132/10, Partnership of 50
SE Bond st Gilchrist b Warne 26 (22b 5x4 0x6)
KD Mills 23* (39b 1x4 1x6) SK Warne 0.2-0-2-1
Australia win comprehensively by 164 runs, New Zealand's 2nd
highest defeat (by a runs) margin in ODIs, and is also Australia's
3rd highest win in ODIs
the final wicket stand of 50 was not only easily the largest of the
innings, but also the longest in duration, and a record for New
Zealand against Australia for the 10th wicket (previously 33 by
Chris Harris and Shayne O'Connor at Melbourne in 1997/98)
it in fact is the 2nd highest final-wicket stand in all ODIs for
New Zealand, only beaten by a 65 between Martin Snedden and Ewen
Chatfield against Sri Lanka at Derby in 1983
but that can't disguise a woeful performance by the New Zealanders,
with this stand only just papering over a couple of cracks out of
a few dozen that exposed themselves in this match
the defending champions have been well and truly bundled out of the
tournament at the first hurdle (barring a remarkable result by
Bangladesh over Australia - and even then the margin of victory in
this match would still make that a near-impossible feat!
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming says that times have changed,
after being defending champs 2 years ago, and they failed to
execute their game plan properly today and paid the price
Australian captain Ricky Ponting picks up the winner's cheque, and
is thoroughly delighted with his team's effort, and is looking
forward to a couple of easy days relaxation now before the
Bangladesh encounter - if the coach allows them!
the Man of the Match is awarded to Glenn McGrath for his 5-37 from
7 overs, unusual figures from him, but he says he'll take them -
he says he was either taking wickets or being hit for four, it was
a funny old day
the wicket got slower, and McGrath looked to hit the wicket a bit
more to extract more seam movement, and he looks forward to a few
days off like his captain does
a one-sided match comes to an end, Australia firmly set now to meet
hosts Sri Lanka in one semi-final, barring any hiccups for either
team, so we're almost assured of having one finalist who has yet
to win this title
Sri Lanka meet the Netherlands tomorrow, in a day/nighter at
Premadasa Stadium, and victory there will seal their berth in that
semi-final, set down for Friday the 27th
the Australians meanwhile have a few days off before they meet
Bangladesh on Thursday the 19th, for their chance to book their
semi-final berth, while the poor New Zealanders now have to hang
around for over a week before their match-up with Bangladesh
on Monday the 23rd - which will be a relatively meaningless
encounter unless their four days of praying for miracles bears
fruit before then
that's all from the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, we
hope you've enjoyed CricInfo.com's coverage of the ICC Champions
Trophy, please join us again tomorrow, with play starting at
2:30pm local time (0830 GMT), until then it's goodbye from us!
any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
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