Match State: Match start scheduled for 0800 GMT (10:00 local)
This, ladies and gentlemen, is it.
The culmination of one and a half months of what has essentially
been a carnival of cricket gets under way in less than half an
hour, when India take on Australia in the 2003 World Cup final at
the Wanderers, Johannesburg
Almost every analyst will agree that the two best teams in this
tournament are fighting it out for the title of World Champions in
one-day cricket.
Australia have been so dominant in this tournament that they stand
a very good chance of going through it undefeated, a rare feat
indeed.
Australia have won all their 10 games in this World Cup, coming
back often from seemingly challenging positions to go on to win
the match - often comfortably.
India have won nine of their 10 games, but Australia will take
heart from the fact that they are the team India lost to in that
one game out of 10!
Since that early loss in the tournament, however, India have
rebounded strongly, winning comfortably in almost all their
matches and showing a batting strength only matched by the bite in
their bowling.
That batting, more than anything else, has become more crucial now
that Sourav Ganguly won the toss and boldly opted to have a bowl
first.
Only two teams have won the World Cup final batting second, but
those two occasions were the last two World Cup finals - in 1999
and 1996.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting declared his satisfaction with the
outcome of the toss, saying that he would have had a bat first
anyway.
Admittedly India's bowling has come on well in recent times, but
even if Australia manage to post 250-odd, India will face both a
rampaging Aussie attack as well as the pressure when they chase it
down.
India play an unchanged team for this all-too-crucial match, while
Australia bring back Damien Martyn, recovered from his injury, for
Ian Harvey.
Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist,
Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Brad
Hogg, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath
India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar,
Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, Dinesh
Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan
Singh
The Australian openers now striding out to the middle, while Zaheer
Khan takes the new ball to open the bowling for India.
0.1 Khan to Gilchrist, (noball) no run, and not an auspicious start for
Zaheer, overstepping even as he pitches the ball short and wide
outside the off, much too far for Gilchrist to be tempted into the
square cut
0.1 Khan to Gilchrist, no run, better ball this time, not only does he
not overstep, but he gets added bounce outside the off stump, and
Gilchrist flashes at it and misses. Zaheer having a few words with
the batsman after that one!
0.2 Khan to Gilchrist, (noball) legbye: two runs, down the legside, and
Zaheer oversteps again, Gilchrist tries to pull it away and gets
thigh pad on it. Srinath fumbles at fine leg, so they get two leg
byes. Nervousness!!
0.2 Khan to Gilchrist, one run, Gilchrist plays at this one away from
his body, and the extra bounce takes it high on the bat face and
goes through where gully would - and should - have been, to third
man for a single
0.3 Khan to Hayden, no run, wonderful bowling, Zaheer getting not only
the bounce but also prodigious seam movement away from Hayden, who
flashes iffily at it and misses completely, Dravid taking this
chest high almost in front of first slip
0.4 Khan to Hayden, no run, better shot from Hayden, keeping his high
on the ball and playing it down into the covers, setting off for a
single but being sent back. Zaheer pumped here, exchanging more
words with Hayden this time.
0.5 Khan to Hayden, wide: FOUR, and Zaheer perhaps trying too hard,
straying down the legside and umpire David Shepherd signals four
wides
0.5 Khan to Hayden, FOUR, half volley outside the off stump, and Hayden
latches onto this one easily enough, driving sweetly through the
mid-off region, to the long off fence for four, nice-looking shot!
0.6 Khan to Hayden, wide: no run, and another wide to Zaheer, this one
starting on middle and swinging further down leg, Dravid taking it
nicely, the length right up there but not the line
0.6 Khan to Hayden, no run, full and on the middle and leg stump, and
Hayden plays it away quietly enough into the legside. Movement for
Zaheer in his first over, but 15 runs coming off it, an expensive
one!
End of over 1 (15 runs) Australia 15/0 (RR: 15.00)
Z Khan 1-0-15-0 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
AC Gilchrist 1* (4b) ML Hayden 4* (4b 1x4)
1.1 Srinath to Gilchrist, one run, just short of a length, and
Gilchrist stands tall and guides the ball down just behind point
on the offside, getting a single
1.2 Srinath to Hayden, no run, angled across the left hander, and
Hayden sees that the angle will take the ball away from him and
leaves it alone
1.3 Srinath to Hayden, no run, well bowled, Srinath getting this one to
nip back in just a touch off the wicket, and Hayden essays a good
leave, the ball passing just outside the off stump and going
through to Dravid
1.4 Srinath to Hayden, wide: no run, angled across the left hander, and
Hayden shoulders arms, the ball seaming further away and umpire
Bucknor signalling the wide
1.4 Srinath to Hayden, no run, better line this time, the ball just on
the off stump and Hayden pushing back onto his back foot and
straight-batting the ball back down the ground
1.5 Srinath to Hayden, no run, loud appeal for leg before, but Srinath
is clearly pitching outside leg here as Hayden tries to work it
away to the onside and misses the line of the ball
1.6 Srinath to Hayden, no run, just short of a length, and this one too
nips back off the pitch, Hayden's second relatively dangerous
leave of the over
End of over 2 (2 runs) Australia 17/0 (RR: 8.50)
J Srinath 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
AC Gilchrist 4* (5b) ML Hayden 4* (9b 1x4)
2.1 Khan to Gilchrist, FOUR, what a shot! pitched upt outside the off
stump, much too full, and Gilchrist absolutely flays that through
the mid off region, exactly where Hayden hit it before, and gets
four to almost the same point at the long off fence
2.2 Khan to Gilchrist, no run, Zaheer avoids the full length this time,
the ball short of a length and just outside the off, and Gilchrist
standing tall and pushing the ball into the covers
2.3 Khan to Gilchrist, legbye: one run, drifting down the legside, just
a touch, and Gilchrist tries to flick it away and gets some pad on
it, the ball running away into the square leg region for a single
leg bye
2.4 Khan to Hayden, no run, outside the off, just short of a length,
and Hayden leaves the ball alone, the ball seaming away off the
track towards the slip cordon
2.5 Khan to Hayden, no run, loud appeal for Zaheer, the ball swinging
in for the bowler on this occasion, and Hayden tries to play
across the line, misses, is rapped on the pads, but the ball is
heading down leg and the batsman is too far forward
2.6 Khan to Hayden, no run, outside the off and left alone by Hayden,
who is standing outside the crease by a considerable distance to
negate whatever swing the Indian bowlers may hope to get
End of over 3 (5 runs) Australia 22/0 (RR: 7.33)
Z Khan 2-0-19-0 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
AC Gilchrist 8* (8b 1x4) ML Hayden 4* (12b 1x4)
3.1 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, very nice delivery, just short of a
bowling length and on the middle stump, moving away with the angle
across the probing bat face of Gilchrist, who is beaten
comprehensively
3.2 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, a similar ball, Srinath getting the
line bang on middle stump, but Gilchrist is wiser this time,
preferring to not play at the delivery
3.3 Srinath to Gilchrist, two runs, short of a length, and at first it
looks too close to cut, but Gilchrist uses the short length well,
guiding the ball just behind square on the offside and getting two
as third man runs around to field
3.4 Srinath to Gilchrist, FOUR, short ball again, and this time the
line is bad too, just on leg stump, and Gilchrist pounces,
swivelling on his back foot as he pulls it away to square leg for
four
3.5 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, the line back outside the off now,
Gilchrist content to leave the ball alone as it goes straight
through to the keeper without any lateral movement
3.6 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, on the legs, and Gilchrist cannot
work this one away successfully enough, trying to tickle it
through to fine leg and getting only pad on it
End of over 4 (6 runs) Australia 28/0 (RR: 7.00)
J Srinath 2-0-8-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
ML Hayden 4* (12b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 14* (14b 2x4)
4.1 Khan to Hayden, no run, drifting down the legside, and the ball
strikes pad and running away towards the square leg fielder, so
Gilchrist turns down the offer of a single
4.2 Khan to Hayden, no run, wide outside the off stump, Hayden looking
at the umpire as Zaheer flirts with the wide call
4.3 Khan to Hayden, wide: no run, this one is wided by umpire Shepherd,
the ball starting outside the off and seaming further away, Dravid
collecting almost in front of first slip
4.3 Khan to Hayden, no run, better line outside the off, but still more
than enough width for Hayden to comfortably leave it alone
4.4 Khan to Hayden, three runs, full and outside the off, and Hayden
wants to drive it through mid off for another four to long off,
but he drags the ball courtesy a twisting bat face to mid on, and
the batsmen run three very well-run singles
4.5 Khan to Gilchrist, wide: no run, short and speared down the
legside, Zaheer very erratic here indeed, perhaps a bit too pumped
4.5 Khan to Gilchrist, no run, outside the off stump again, and
Gilchrist shoulders arms to this one, better line from AZaheer
4.6 Khan to Gilchrist, FOUR, short and wide, and Gilchrist flashes at
this one riskily but flashes hard, the ball spooning over the slip
cordon and to the third man ropes for four
End of over 5 (9 runs) Australia 37/0 (RR: 7.40)
Z Khan 3-0-28-0 (4w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
ML Hayden 7* (16b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 18* (16b 3x4)
5.1 Srinath to Hayden, no run, Srinath bowls with another fielder on
the legside this time, no man at gully after his last over, and
this one is outside the off, Hayden striding forward and leaving
the ball alone
5.2 Srinath to Hayden, one run, similar line just outside the off, but
this delivery is a touch fuller, and Hayden plays the ball
fluently into the covers, just the single
5.3 Srinath to Gilchrist, FOUR, just pitching marginally short and
outside the off, and Gilchrist is quick to rock onto the back foot
and slash the ball just behind a diving point and to the fence for
four more
5.4 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, outside the off stump, better line as
Srinath angles it across Gilchrist and forces the batsman to leave
it alone
5.5 Srinath to Gilchrist, FOUR, another one, but this one in front of
square on the offside! Srinath pitches it short, and Gilchrist
slams this one in front of point, to the fence for four more.
Gilchrist going well here!
5.6 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, better ball, just outside the off, a
shade of movement back into the left hander, and Gilchrist merely
watches it pass
End of over 6 (9 runs) Australia 46/0 (RR: 7.67)
J Srinath 3-0-17-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
ML Hayden 8* (18b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 26* (20b 5x4)
And an erratic Zaheer Khan is now replaced by another left-arm
pacer, Ashish Nehra
6.1 Nehra to Hayden, no run, a blatant loosener, outside the off and
short of a length, no sign of movement yet for Nehra, and Hayden
gets in a big step forward before leaving it alone
6.2 Nehra to Hayden, one run, fuller and just on middle and leg, and
Hayden works this one into the vacant midwicket area inside the
circle and gets a hurriedly run single
6.3 Nehra to Gilchrist, no run, nice delivery from Gilchrist, the ball
short and getting extra bounce and some movement away, and
Gilchrist tries to cut it away and misses, the ball beating the
upper edge of the bat by some margin
6.4 Nehra to Gilchrist, no run, movement into the batsman this time,
and very prodigious at that, the ball seaming in and beating the
drive, passing between pad and bat
6.5 Nehra to Gilchrist, two runs, too short again, and the ball is on
middle and leg, and Gilchrist works it away nicely into the
legside, the batsmen scurrying two as the square leg fielder runs
around to collect
6.6 Nehra to Gilchrist, legbye: one run, and with fine leg inside the
circle, Nehra drifts down the legside, but fortunately Gilchrist
gets only a pad on it as it runs away, a leg bye bringing up
Australia's 50
End of over 7 (4 runs) Australia 50/0 (RR: 7.14)
A Nehra 1-0-3-0 - Corlett Drive End
AC Gilchrist 28* (24b 5x4) ML Hayden 9* (20b 1x4)
7.1 Srinath to Gilchrist, (noball) FOUR, Srinath comes around the
wicket, pitches short and oversteps, and Gilchrist smashes this
one again through the covers, and although a diving fielder slows
the ball down, he cannot stop what seems to be a unstoppable
progress to the ropes
7.1 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, too short again, but outside the off,
and Gilchrist is reluctant to have a go at that one, allowing it
to go through to Dravid untouched
7.2 Srinath to Gilchrist, FOUR, short again and on middle stump, and
Gilchrist thrives on this length, swivelling on the back foot and
pulling it away over the head of the short midwicket fielder to
the midwicket ropes for four more
7.3 Srinath to Gilchrist, no run, loud appeal from Srinath for leg
before, India really desperate for a breakthrough, but the ball is
not only pitching outside off but is also hitting him too high and
when he is too far forward
7.4 Srinath to Gilchrist, SIX, and this one goes all the way! Srinath
still persisting in pitching short, and Gilchrist picks it early
and rocks back, pulling the ball over the midwicket fence with
minimum effort for the first six of the World Cup final
7.5 Srinath to Gilchrist, one run, fuller and Gilchrist tries to drive
it but the ball stops on him a touch and bobbles away into the
legside, the batsman getting the single all the same
7.6 Srinath to Hayden, no run, and Hayden at the other end continues to
play sedately, leaving this one alone outside the off to go
through to Dravid
End of over 8 (16 runs) Australia 66/0 (RR: 8.25)
J Srinath 4-0-33-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
AC Gilchrist 43* (30b 7x4 1x6) ML Hayden 9* (21b 1x4)
8.1 Nehra to Gilchrist, one run, outside the off, and Gilchrist
cleverly just chops the ball down into the ground close to the
wicket and gets a single to third man
8.2 Nehra to Hayden, two runs, drifting down the legside, and Hayden
flicks this one away behind square on the onside, Srinath running
around from fine leg to field as the batsmen get two more
8.3 Nehra to Hayden, no run, bang on target, short of a length and just
on the off stump, and Hayden comes forward and blocks solidly into
the offside, bat and body fully behind the line of the ball
8.4 Nehra to Hayden, FOUR, this time Nehra drops short, and Hayden has
oodles of time to pull it away powerfully to square leg for his
second four of the innings
8.5 Nehra to Hayden, no run, fuller and outside the off, and Hayden
drives at it and misses as the ball moves into him and flicks pad
before going through to Dravid. Nehra does not appeal, but Ganguly
in the slip cordon does!
8.6 Nehra to Hayden, one run, worked off the pads past a diving short
midwicket fielder, the single easily taken as mid on has to run
around to field
End of over 9 (8 runs) Australia 74/0 (RR: 8.22)
A Nehra 2-0-11-0 - Corlett Drive End
ML Hayden 16* (26b 2x4) AC Gilchrist 44* (31b 7x4 1x6)
Harbhajan Singh, India's fourth bowling option, introduced inside
the first 10 overs, India's pace attack not able to deliver as
they have in this tournament before
9.1 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, one run, tossed up and outside the off,
and Hayden, who was so successful against Harbhajan in India,
easily strokes it away past short midwicket for a single
9.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, no run, outside the off, and
Gilchrist comes forward and pushes at the ball, getting it just to
the cover fieldsman
9.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, no run, floated outside the off, and
Gilchrist drives this powerfully but straight back down the ground
for the mid off fielder to collect
9.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, one run, on the pads, and this one
Gilchrist flicks away easily enough to deep midwicket for one
9.5 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, ooh, very nicely bowled.
Harbhajan pitches it on middle and leg, the ball turns
prodigiously away from Hayden, who is beaten as Dravid collects
almost standing up!
9.6 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, FOUR, floated again, and Hayden sweeps
this one powerfully, almost walloping it to the square leg ropes
for four, six runs from Harbhajan's first over
End of over 10 (6 runs) Australia 80/0 (RR: 8.00)
Harbhajan Singh 1-0-6-0 - Golf Course End
AC Gilchrist 45* (34b 7x4 1x6) ML Hayden 21* (29b 3x4)
10.1 Nehra to Gilchrist, legbye: one run, angled into the batsman, and
Gilchrist trying to work it to leg misses, the ball striking high
on the thigh pad and running away to fine leg for a leg bye
10.2 Nehra to Hayden, no run, full and outside the off, and Hayden tries
to drive it away through the covers and mistimes, the ball finally
not even working its way off the square!
10.3 Nehra to Hayden, wide: no run, much, much too wide outside the off,
and the movement for Nehra takes the ball further from the left
hander, so another wide to the total
10.3 Nehra to Hayden, wide: no run, another wide, this time Nehra
drifting down the legside, India's bowlers really not getting into
a disciplined rhythm here
10.3 Nehra to Hayden, no run, good line, movement from outside the off
into the batsman, and Hayden shuffles to off and tries to play at
it, the ball defeats the bat and hits him on the thigh before
running away to Dravid
10.4 Nehra to Hayden, no run, better line and length, Hayden content to
leave the ball alone as the ball seams away
10.5 Nehra to Hayden, FOUR, wonderful shot! this is overpitched outside
the off, and Hayden just gets the stride to the pitch of the ball
and pushes at it firmly past mid off to the long off ropes for
four more
10.6 Nehra to Hayden, no run, and what a comeback from Nehra, this one
just short of driving length, angled into the batsman before
moving away off the wicket, and Hayden is really squared up, the
ball beating the bat's outside edge
End of over 11 (7 runs) Australia 87/0 (RR: 7.91)
A Nehra 3-0-17-0 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
AC Gilchrist 45* (35b 7x4 1x6) ML Hayden 25* (34b 4x4)
11.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, one run, Gilchrist gets a huge lunge
forward and sweeps the ball in front of square on the legside.
Zaheer has to run around from fine leg to field, but Hayden for
some reason refuses the second
11.2 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, another attempted sweep, but the
sharp turn from middle and leg takes the ball past the bat to thud
into the wicket-keeper's gloes
11.3 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, two runs, just dropped short, and Hayden
rocks back and thumps the ball between mid off and cover, getting
two
11.4 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, FOUR, an even better shot, this one
tossed up outside the off, and Hayden drives off the front foot
this time, past the cover fielder to the ropes for his fifth four
of this innings
11.5 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, another sweep attempted, but
this one is pushed through a touch quicker, and Hayden is beaten
in the stroke for the second time this over
11.6 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, oooh, nice ball! just short of
driving length, and Hayden, not knowing whether to go forward or
back, is beaten half-cocked outside the off, Dravid collecting
well standing up
End of over 12 (7 runs) Australia 94/0 (RR: 7.83)
Harbhajan Singh 2-0-13-0 - Golf Course End
AC Gilchrist 46* (36b 7x4 1x6) ML Hayden 31* (39b 5x4)
12.1 Nehra to Gilchrist, no run, just short of a length, and Gilchrist
tries to late-cut it to third man, but the ball does not bounce as
much as expected, beating the bottom edge of the bat
12.2 Nehra to Gilchrist, no run, full and on the off stump, and
Gilchrist tries to smash it away to long off again, but the mid
off fielder is deeper and straighter, and no runs this time for
Gilchrist
12.3 Nehra to Gilchrist, two runs, short of a length, and Gilchrist
tries to pull it away for six, but the ball takes the upper edge
and goes high into the air, unfortunately for the Indians landing
safely in the midwicket region
12.4 Nehra to Gilchrist, two runs, streaky shot, Gilchrist tries to pull
this to square leg and gets an under edge that beats fine leg
inside the circle for two, getting to his 50. Very entertaining
innings indeed!
12.5 Nehra to Gilchrist, no run, outside the off, nipping into
Gilchrist, and he gets a slight inside edge onto his pad, plus the
ball is hitting rather high, so the loud appeal is turned down
12.6 Nehra to Gilchrist, one run, dropped down just at his feet, and
Gilchrist calls early and sets off, and although Nehra lopes after
the ball to field, he cannot prevent the pinched single
End of over 13 (5 runs) Australia 99/0 (RR: 7.62)
A Nehra 4-0-22-0 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
AC Gilchrist 51* (42b 7x4 1x6) ML Hayden 31* (39b 5x4)
13.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, no run, pitching on leg stump and
turning almost square, Gilchrist tries to work it to leg and
misses, the ball hits pad and Ganguly takes it very closely on the
first bounce and thinks it is out, but umpire Bucknor is hardly
impressed
Loud boos as the replays show that the ball bounced before Ganguly
caught it
13.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, no run, defended on the front foot
solidly enough this time
13.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, no run, short of a length, and
Gilchrist tries to pull it away and tries to hit it too hard, the
ball not bouncing enough and thudding into pad
13.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, FOUR, short of a length and turning
away from Gilchrist, and the batsman flashes hard at that one,
cutting it away fiercely in front of point on the offside for four
Australian 100 up with that boundary
13.5 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, two runs, on middle stump and
Gilchrist sweeps this one powerfully in front of square on the
legside, the fine leg runs around to try for the tough catch and
misses, two more to Gilchrist, who looks a touch too belligerent
for his own good here
13.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gilchrist, OUT: and sure enough, Gilchrist tries
for the huge heave over the legside infield once too often, the
ball turning enough to catch the top edge that steeples high in
the air for Sehwag to take it on the edge of the circle
Australia 105/1, Partnership of 105
AC Gilchrist c Sehwag b Harbhajan Singh 57 (48b 8x4 1x6)
End of over 14 (6 runs) Australia 105/1 (RR: 7.50)
Harbhajan Singh 3-0-19-1 - Golf Course End
ML Hayden 31* (39b 5x4)
Harbhajan finally gets the breakthrough for India, but a great
start for Australia, Gilchrist and Hayden adding 105 for the first
wicket in quick time
14.1 Nehra to Ponting, no run, angled across the new batsman, who gets a
long stride in and then lets it go past his front pad to the
wicket keeper
14.2 Nehra to Ponting, no run, shorter but still just outside the off
stump, and Ponting gets to the pitch and then shoulders arms yet
again, the ball moving a shade into the batsman this time
14.3 Nehra to Ponting, legbye: one run, on the pads, and Ponting tries
to work it away to fine leg and gets only pad on it, the leg bye
taken
14.4 Nehra to Hayden, no run, just short of driving length, outside the
off and moving into the batsman prodigiously, and Hayden essays a
rather dangerous leave, considering the movement available for
Nehra
14.5 Nehra to Hayden, no run, fuller and closer to the batsman, and
although there is comparitively little movement this time, Hayden
drives ambitiously and misses completely
14.6 Nehra to Hayden, wide: no run
14.6 Nehra to Hayden, no run, down the legside, and Hayden does not play
a shot at that one, so although it strikes his gluteus maximus and
runs away to the fine leg ropes, umpire Shepher signals dead ball
End of over 15 (2 runs) Australia 107/1 (RR: 7.13)
A Nehra 5-0-23-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 0* (3b) ML Hayden 31* (42b 5x4)
15.1 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, on the leg stump, and Ponting
turns it away behind square on the legside with ease and gets a
single, Ganguly keeping two close catchers even after 15 overs
15.2 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, pitched on leg, and Hayden
shuffles back and plays a limpid defensive shot that is beaten by
the huge turn across the bat face
15.3 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, one run, swept away behind square on the
legside, Hayden covering the spin well on this occasion
15.4 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, no run, just short of a length, which
makes Ponting think he can rock abck and cut, but the turn on the
ball follows him and the ball is finally just chopped down into
the ground close to the stumps
15.5 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, two runs, drifting down leg, and
Ponting gets a touch on it to fine leg, and the batsmen steam
between the wickets for two as fine leg runs around to field
15.6 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, a little shuffle down the
wicket, and Ponting converts the line into a legside one and
flicks the ball off the pads, over the short midwicket fielder,
not getting hold of it too well but getting one all the same
End of over 16 (5 runs) Australia 112/1 (RR: 7.00)
Harbhajan Singh 4-0-24-1 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 4* (6b) ML Hayden 32* (45b 5x4)
16.1 Nehra to Ponting, one run, on the pads, and much too full, and
Ponting clips it away behind square on the legside for a
comfortable single. Ganguly may think soon about having spin at
both ends, considering the turn Harbhajan is getting
16.2 Nehra to Hayden, one run, full and just on middle and leg, and
Hayden flicks it away through the mid on region for another single
16.3 Nehra to Ponting, no run, just short of a length and angled across
the batsman, the line taking it away from him, and Ponting is
happy to let it past
16.4 Nehra to Ponting, no run, another leave from Ponting, the ball
holding its line this time outside the off, but well left by the
batsman all th esame
16.5 Nehra to Ponting, no run, turned away into the legside, just short
of the short midwicket fielder, who fields nicely to prevent the
single
16.6 Nehra to Ponting, no run, rapped on the pads, but Ponting is wisely
playing forward and also shuffling to the off stump, so the appeal
is turned down
End of over 17 (2 runs) Australia 114/1 (RR: 6.71)
A Nehra 6-0-25-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
ML Hayden 33* (46b 5x4) RT Ponting 5* (11b)
17.1 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, one run, shuffling to the off stump,
Hayden then plays Harbhajan literally off his pads, into the
midwicket region for a single
17.2 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, a late cut of sorts, just
delicately dabbed down to third man, and the Australians get a
pinched single yet again
17.3 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, trying for the huge sweep,
Hayden is rapped almost on the chest as the ball bounces to beat
the bat and the stroke
17.4 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, one run, pushed into the offside, gently
enough to mid off for the batsmen to run the single well,
intelligent cricket
17.5 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, legbye: two runs, turning down the
legside, and Ponting gets some pad on it to fine leg, where the
fielder fumbles the take to allow the second leg bye to be run as
well
17.6 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, swept away almost at the last
minute by Ponting, picking it from outside off and clumsily
sending it to fine leg for a single, six runs off that over
End of over 18 (6 runs) Australia 120/1 (RR: 6.67)
Harbhajan Singh 5-0-28-1 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 7* (14b) ML Hayden 35* (49b 5x4)
Srinath back into the attack replacing Nehra from the Corlett Drive
End
18.1 Srinath to Ponting, no run, just short of a length, and on the off
stump, and Srinath gets some additional bounce that sees the ball
hit high on the bat as the batsman strides into the forward
defensive
18.2 Srinath to Ponting, no run, outside the off, short of a length
again, and Ponting leaves this one alone to go through to the
keeper
18.3 Srinath to Ponting, (noball) one run, Srinath oversteps, but this
ball just balloons off the pitch and seams into the batsman, who
is defeated in turning it to leg, the ball taking outside edge and
running away to third man
18.3 Srinath to Hayden, one run, full and outside the off, and Hayden
drives through the covers nicely to the sweeper on the fence for
one
18.4 Srinath to Ponting, no run, defended solidly enough on the front
foot, Ponting pushing the ball gently just wide of the short extra
cover fielder
18.5 Srinath to Ponting, no run, outside the off, and some more movement
for Srinath, the ball nipping in to Ponting, who chooses to leave
it alone regardless
18.6 Srinath to Ponting, no run, more nip into the batsman, and Ponting
defends this one right back down the track to Srinath, good over
from the veteran pacer, just three runs from it
End of over 19 (3 runs) Australia 123/1 (RR: 6.47)
J Srinath 5-0-36-0 (1w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
ML Hayden 36* (50b 5x4) RT Ponting 8* (20b)
19.1 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, tossed up on leg, and Hayden
dances down the wicket, but the ball is pushed through flatter,
and the batsman can play it only to cover
19.2 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, no run, an attempted sweep again, but
this one does not come off, the ball bobbling away into the
legside just behind the wicket keeper
19.3 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, one run, a better stroke this time,
Hayden getting the booming sweep right to square leg, and Srinath
fielding is slow to get to the ball, but Hayden cannot get the
second
19.4 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, Ponting comes onto the front
foot and drives to long on, the ball full and not appreciable turn
on this occasion
19.5 Harbhajan Singh to Hayden, OUT: beautiful delivery, the ball
pitching on leg stump and turning viciously across Hayden,
catching the thin outside edge and finding its way into Dravid's
gloves, who takes a fine catch standing up
Australia 125/2, Partnership of 20
ML Hayden c Dravid b Harbhajan Singh 37 (54b 5x4 0x6)
RT Ponting 9* (21b) Harbhajan Singh 5.5-0-30-2
19.6 Harbhajan Singh to Martyn, legbye: one run, turn again for
Harbhajan now, and Martyn comes forward and tries to work it to
leg, the ball takes pad and runs away for the leg bye
End of over 20 (3 runs) Australia 126/2 (RR: 6.30)
Harbhajan Singh 6-0-30-2 - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 0* (1b) RT Ponting 9* (21b)
20.1 Srinath to Martyn, no run, angled into the batsman, full and good
line from Srinath as well, and Ponting defends the ball solidly
into the offside
20.2 Srinath to Martyn, no run, a similar stroke from Ponting to a
similar ball from Srinath, the bat and body right behind the line
of the ball, bat face perfectly vertical
20.3 Srinath to Martyn, one run, prodded into the covers, and Ganguly
has to run around to pick it up, so Ponting calls early and gets
the single, Martyn home comfortably when the throw passes the
stumps
20.4 Srinath to Ponting, one run, probing forward on the front foot,
Ponting getting a slight inside edge that runs into the legside
for another quick single
20.5 Srinath to Martyn, no run, solid defence from Martyn again, pushed
into the legside with a vertical bat
20.6 Srinath to Martyn, FOUR, full and outside the off, and Martyn flash
at that one and smashes it in front of point uppishly but well,
getting four to the deep point region
End of over 21 (6 runs) Australia 132/2 (RR: 6.29)
J Srinath 6-0-42-0 (1w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 10* (22b) DR Martyn 5* (6b 1x4)
21.1 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, no run, defended on the front foot, the
ball dribbling just off the wicket into the silly point region
21.2 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, two runs, awkwardly swept behind square
on the legside, and Ponting is quick to try and come back for the
second, getting there comfortably in the end
21.3 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, two runs, turned neatly into the
legside, just in front of square, and Australia again get two with
some good running
21.4 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, swept away behind square on
the legside again, and although Ponting is not normally a good
sweeper, he is getting the ball to stay on the ground and playing
it safely
21.5 Harbhajan Singh to Martyn, no run, oooh, well bowled, Harbhajan's
doosra that goes on with the arm, and Martyn shuffles to off,
plays for the turn, and is beaten outside the off
21.6 Harbhajan Singh to Martyn, no run, Martyn does a shimmy outside the
off and finally ends up padding Harbhajan away into the legside,
not knowing how to read the offie
End of over 22 (5 runs) Australia 137/2 (RR: 6.23)
Harbhajan Singh 7-0-35-2 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 15* (26b) DR Martyn 5* (8b 1x4)
22.1 Srinath to Ponting, one run, on middle and leg, and Ponting plays
the ball down and dabs it into the legside, just off the wicket,
and the quick single taken, even as Srinath runs across to try and
field
22.2 Srinath to Martyn, one run, short of a length, on the legs, and
Martyn flicks it away uppishly into the fine leg region, the ball
getting to the fielder there on the first bounce
22.3 Srinath to Ponting, no run, guided nicely backward of point,
Ponting getting well on top of it, and Yuvraj in that position
dives full length to his left and comes up with a fantastic stop,
very well done indeed
22.4 Srinath to Ponting, no run, guided down again, into the ground and
straight to backward point, Yuvraj having an easier task of
stopping this one
22.5 Srinath to Ponting, FOUR, what a shot! Srinath does not really
pitch too short, but Ponting is a great puller, and he swivels
around on the back foot, merely helping it along almost at knee-
height behind square on the legside for four
22.6 Srinath to Ponting, one run, short of a length, and Ponting gets on
his toes and guides it between point and cover to the deep in the
offside for one
End of over 23 (7 runs) Australia 144/2 (RR: 6.26)
J Srinath 7-0-49-0 (1w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 21* (31b 1x4) DR Martyn 6* (9b 1x4)
And rather later than expected, the second spinner introduced into
the attack, Virender Sehwag replacing Harbhajan
23.1 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, on the back foot, punched away into the
legside, towards mid on
23.2 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, worked behind square on the legside
gently, but no run taken
23.3 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, well fielded by Sehwag diving to his
left to stop the ball off his own bowling
23.4 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, swept rather uppishly, the ball landing
on first bounce in front of leg gully
23.5 Sehwag to Ponting, one run, steered into the offside as Sehwag
pitches a touch short, and the first single off this over
23.6 Sehwag to Martyn, one run, worked behind square, tucked away nicely
for a single, two runs off Sehwag's first over
End of over 24 (2 runs) Australia 146/2 (RR: 6.08)
V Sehwag 1-0-2-0 - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 7* (10b 1x4) RT Ponting 22* (36b 1x4)
Sachin Tendulkar into the attack now, and a huge roar goes up from
the crowd
24.1 Tendulkar to Martyn, FOUR, tossed up, outside the off, the ball
turns away and Martyn late-cuts it rather nicely to beat the third
man inside the circle and get four to bring up the team's 150
24.2 Tendulkar to Martyn, one run, worked into the legside, just wide of
the midwicket fielder, and a single comfortably taken
24.3 Tendulkar to Ponting, one run, tossed up, and Ponting drives this
one sweetly to the long off region, where the fielder is
stationed, one more to the total
24.4 Tendulkar to Martyn, one run, full toss on the leg stump, and
Martyn thumps it away to the long on fielder for yet another
single
24.5 Tendulkar to Ponting, wide: no run, turning sharply, wide called
appropriately enough by umpire Shepherd
24.5 Tendulkar to Ponting, one run, picked away to the legside for
another single, Australia getting into the milking-the-bowling
stage
24.6 Tendulkar to Martyn, no run, sharp turn again for Tendulkar, well
bowled indeed, the ball turning sharply and Martyn forced to
defend into the covers
End of over 25 (9 runs) Australia 155/2 (RR: 6.20)
SR Tendulkar 1-0-9-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 24* (38b 1x4) DR Martyn 13* (14b 2x4)
25.1 Sehwag to Ponting, one run, a few steps down the track, but Sehwag
bowls it rather flat, and so Ponting just drives to long on for
one
25.2 Sehwag to Martyn, one run, just short of a length, and Martyn
thumps this between point and cover, and the batsman wants the
second but Sachin Tendulkar is quick to field and deter them from
it
25.3 Sehwag to Ponting, one run, clipped away into the legside, wide of
long on, for another single
25.4 Sehwag to Martyn, two runs, short and sharp turn into the batsman,
but Martyn does well to cut and keep the ball down in front of
point on the offside for two
25.5 Sehwag to Martyn, one run, flicked away wristily off the pads into
the legside, to the vacant midwicket region, for one more
25.6 Sehwag to Ponting, one run, just short of a length, and Ponting
pulls, or rather just guides, the ball behind square on the
legside, yet another single to the total
End of over 26 (7 runs) Australia 162/2 (RR: 6.23)
V Sehwag 2-0-9-0 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 27* (41b 1x4) DR Martyn 17* (17b 2x4)
26.1 Tendulkar to Ponting, one run, tossed up, and Ponting takes the
ball on the full and drives it down to the long off fielder for
one
26.2 Tendulkar to Martyn, FOUR, full toss on middle stump, and Martyn,
or indeed any top-level batsman, does not miss out on those,
whacking it away to the midwicket fence for four
26.3 Tendulkar to Martyn, one run, a little shuffle down the wicket, and
Martyn ends up clipping this one off the toes into the midwicket
region for one
26.4 Tendulkar to Ponting, no run, defended on the back foot, guided
away into the offside
26.5 Tendulkar to Ponting, no run, defended on the front foot this time
by Ponting
26.6 Tendulkar to Ponting, no run, trying to guide it away into the
offside, Ponting gets a slight under edge that chops the ball into
the ground close to the wicket
End of over 27 (6 runs) Australia 168/2 (RR: 6.22)
SR Tendulkar 2-0-15-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 22* (19b 3x4) RT Ponting 28* (45b 1x4)
27.1 Sehwag to Martyn, one run, slow turn for Sehwag here, and Martyn
patiently waits for it to spin before flicking it away to square
leg for a single
27.2 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, on middle and leg, spinning down legside
and Dravid collects outside leg stump, the batsman looks for the
wide call but is disapppointed
27.3 Sehwag to Ponting, two runs, a shimmy down the track and Ponting
lofts the ball over the infield and into the midwicket region,
wide of long on, for two more
27.4 Sehwag to Ponting, one run, worked away into the legside again,
Australia doing this eminently sensibly in the middle overs,
scoring off the part time spinners with a lot of ease
27.5 Sehwag to Martyn, one run, turned away into the square leg region
neatly for a single
27.6 Sehwag to Ponting, no run, outside the off, spinning back into
Ponting, who rocks back and jams down on the ball, defending into
the offside
End of over 28 (5 runs) Australia 173/2 (RR: 6.18)
V Sehwag 3-0-14-0 - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 24* (21b 3x4) RT Ponting 31* (49b 1x4)
28.1 Tendulkar to Martyn, one run, tossed up on middle and off, and
Martyn drives the ball to long off easily enough for a single
28.2 Tendulkar to Ponting, one run, Ponting moves down the wicket and
takes the ball on the full, stroking it away to midwicket
28.3 Tendulkar to Martyn, two runs, full toss again on leg stump, and
Martyn thumps this one to long on and calls early for the runs,
getting two easily this time
28.4 Tendulkar to Martyn, one run, short this time, and Martyn cuts this
away in front of point, the sweeper cover running around to field
as the batsmen run the easy single
28.5 Tendulkar to Ponting, no run, flighted outside the off, and Ponting
drives well but straight to cover
28.6 Tendulkar to Ponting, no run, Ponting tries to drive it to the
right of cover this time, but the fielder is alert to the
possibility and does well to move to his right and cut the runs
off
End of over 29 (5 runs) Australia 178/2 (RR: 6.14)
SR Tendulkar 3-0-20-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 28* (24b 3x4) RT Ponting 32* (52b 1x4)
Dinesh Mongia into the attack now, Ganguly trying out all his spin
options here
29.1 Mongia to Martyn, no run, short of a length, but Martyn cannot
capitalise, cutting straight to the backward point fieldsman
29.2 Mongia to Martyn, no run, driven into the covers this time as
Mongia gives it more air
29.3 Mongia to Martyn, FOUR, super shot! the placement is exquisite as
Martyn waits for it and then cuts between point and backward
point, to the fence for four
29.4 Mongia to Martyn, no run
29.5 Mongia to Martyn, two runs, stroked into the deep on the offside,
wide of the sweeper cover, and the placement nets Martyn more
runs, two this time
29.6 Mongia to Martyn, no run, worked into the legside, six runs from
that Mongia over
End of over 30 (6 runs) Australia 184/2 (RR: 6.13)
D Mongia 1-0-6-0 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 32* (52b 1x4) DR Martyn 34* (30b 4x4)
Zaheer Khan replaces Tendulkar here
30.1 Khan to Ponting, one run, just short of a length and on the pads,
Ponting walks across his stumps and tucks the ball down to fine
leg
30.2 Khan to Martyn, no run, fuller and pushed through a bit wider to
the off stump, defended back down the wicket
30.3 Khan to Martyn, one run, fullish anbd on the off, Martyn tries to
thump the ball through covers off the back foot, the ball takes
the inside edge and squirts away to square leg
30.4 Khan to Ponting, one run, good length ball on the stumps, defended,
the ball jams the edge and goes off the pad to the on side
30.5 Khan to Martyn, two runs, overpitched and on the off, driv4en
silkily towards mid off where Ganguly has to dive to stop the
ball, half stopped, saved a certain boundary
30.6 Khan to Martyn, legbye: one run
End of over 31 (6 runs) Australia 190/2 (RR: 6.13)
Z Khan 4-0-33-0 (4w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 37* (34b 4x4) RT Ponting 34* (54b 1x4)
31.1 Mongia to Martyn, no run, .;full and straight, driven to the bowler
31.2 Mongia to Martyn, no run, slower and a bit short, cut well but
straight to the man at point
31.3 Mongia to Martyn, no run
31.4 Mongia to Martyn, one run, worked away to square leg
31.5 Mongia to Ponting, one run
31.6 Mongia to Martyn, no run
End of over 32 (2 runs) Australia 192/2 (RR: 6.00)
D Mongia 2-0-8-0 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 35* (55b 1x4) DR Martyn 38* (39b 4x4)
32.1 Khan to Ponting, two runs, short of a length and on the off,
Ponting comes down the wicket and drives inside out and over the
top of cover, Srinath runs around well and fields on the ropes
32.2 Khan to Ponting, two runs, fullish and on the off, Ponting goes for
the big hit trying to hit Zaheer Khan into the stands behind long
off, the top edge swirls up but eludes Ganguly who runs back from
mid off
32.3 Khan to Ponting, wide: no run, bouncer attempted, badly directed
32.3 Khan to Ponting, one run, just short of a length and on the off,
Ponting jams the bat on the ball and sets off for a quick single
as the ball lands at his feet
32.4 Khan to Martyn, wide: no run, down the leg side, yet another wide
from Zaheer Khan who seems to be trying a bit too hard
32.4 Khan to Martyn, FOUR, overpitched and way down the leg side,
terrible piece of bowling, the ball races away to the fine leg
fence as Martyn just helps it on its way
32.5 Khan to Martyn, one run
32.6 Khan to Ponting, one run, just short of a length and on the off,
played to the ons ide with soft hands, quick single stolen
End of over 33 (13 runs) Australia 205/2 (RR: 6.21)
Z Khan 5-0-46-0 (6w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 41* (59b 1x4) DR Martyn 43* (41b 5x4)
Match State: Drinks
And the players get a rest as they take drinks
33.1 Mongia to Ponting, no run, Mongia continuing, and Ponting strides
forward and defends solidly into the offside
33.2 Mongia to Ponting, no run, Ponting prances down the track to this
one, but Mongia bowls it flatter, and the batsman can only play it
away to short midwicket
33.3 Mongia to Ponting, one run, stroked to long on easily enough, a
single to Ponting
33.4 Mongia to Martyn, no run, just short of a length, Martyn cutting
away fiercely behind point on the offside, well fielded by Yuvraj
Singh
33.5 Mongia to Martyn, no run, worked into the legside, but for no run
33.6 Mongia to Martyn, two runs, very good running indeed, Martyn
stroking the ball to long on, seeing the fielder was slow to get
off the blocks, and sprinting the first harder to get an easy
second
End of over 34 (3 runs) Australia 208/2 (RR: 6.12)
D Mongia 3-0-11-0 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 42* (62b 1x4) DR Martyn 45* (44b 5x4)
Yuvraj Singh into the attack now
34.1 Yuvraj Singh to Ponting, one run, pushed delicately into the off,
and again the Aussies get the single with some good running
34.2 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, one run, rather easier single on offer
here, stroked to long off and the batsmen almost walk that one!
34.3 Yuvraj Singh to Ponting, no run, cut away fiercely, but the point
fielder does well to collect, although for a second he does not
know where the ball has gone
34.4 Yuvraj Singh to Ponting, one run, turned behind square on the
legside, another easy single on offer
34.5 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, FOUR, just a touch short, and Martyn rocks
back and pulls the ball away in front of square on the onside,
getting four to midwicket and getting to a fine, fine fifty
34.6 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, one run, pushed firmly to long off, and a
single taken, eight runs off Yuvraj's first over
End of over 35 (8 runs) Australia 216/2 (RR: 6.17)
Yuvraj Singh 1-0-8-0 - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 51* (47b 6x4) RT Ponting 44* (65b 1x4)
35.1 Mongia to Martyn, one run, the left-arm tandem attack goes on, as
does the good running, Martyn yet again dabbing the ball just
short of cover and sprinting the one
35.2 Mongia to Ponting, one run, hit hard and straight to long off,
Australia milking these spinners for all they are worth
35.3 Mongia to Martyn, no run, cut away hard behind square, but straight
to backward point
35.4 Mongia to Martyn, no run, hit well but too hard into the offside,
straight to the cover fieldsman
35.5 Mongia to Martyn, no run, Martyn goes for the cut again, but he
misses the ball this time, the ball thudding into Dravid's gloves
35.6 Mongia to Martyn, one run, Martyn plays straighter this time,
taking the ball on the full from off and sending it to long on for
a single
End of over 36 (3 runs) Australia 219/2 (RR: 6.08)
D Mongia 4-0-14-0 - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 53* (52b 6x4) RT Ponting 45* (66b 1x4)
36.1 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, no run, defended on the front foot, the
ball dribbling off the square into the offside
36.2 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, no run
36.3 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, two runs, short ball, and Martyn pulls it
straight to short midwicket, but the fielder fumbles, and Martyn
runs two off the mifield, poor fielding from Ganguly
36.4 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, no run, slashed away to the offside,
straight to the point fielder
36.5 Yuvraj Singh to Martyn, one run, outside the off, and Ponting
sweeps on the front foot and does well, keeping the ball on the
ground and sending it to midwicket for one
36.6 Yuvraj Singh to Ponting, one run, stroked to long on by Ponting
End of over 37 (4 runs) Australia 223/2 (RR: 6.03)
Yuvraj Singh 2-0-12-0 - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 46* (67b 1x4) DR Martyn 56* (57b 6x4)
37.1 Mongia to Ponting, no run, loud shout for leg before as Ponting
tries to heave the ball over midwicket and misses, the ball
hitting in line with the stumps, but umpire Bucknor does not
uphold the appeal
37.2 Mongia to Ponting, no run
37.3 Mongia to Ponting, two runs, stroked through the offside cordon,
wide of cover, and two more to Ponting, that brings up the 100
partnership, a fine one at that
37.4 Mongia to Ponting, no run, hit again into the covers, but the
fielder stationed there does well diving to his left this time to
stop th eball
37.5 Mongia to Ponting, one run, turned behind square neatly on the
legside for one
37.6 Mongia to Martyn, no run, driven to short extra cover, and the
fielder misfields slightly, but Australia's batsmen decide against
the single
End of over 38 (3 runs) Australia 226/2 (RR: 5.95)
D Mongia 5-0-17-0 - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 49* (72b 1x4) DR Martyn 56* (58b 6x4)
India's only successful bowler in this match, Harbhajan Singh,
comes back into the attack
38.1 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, no run, turned to the legside, just
wide of the short midwicket fieldsman
38.2 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, one run, and yet another batsman in
this side gets to fifty, Australia's skipper turning this one
behind square on the legside
38.3 Harbhajan Singh to Martyn, one run, swept uppishly but short of the
square leg fielder Dinesh Mongia
38.4 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, SIX, and a wonderful shot, Ponting
dancing down the track and picking it up wonderfully, sending it
flat and fast over the midwicket ropes for six!
38.5 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, SIX, and another! Ponting comes down
the wicket again and whacks this one even higher, getting under it
and hitting it with the spin, beyond the stands for six more!
Some delay in the game as the ball is being retrieved from beyond
the stands!
The ball looks lost outside the ground, so a replacement ball is
now being chosen
38.6 Harbhajan Singh to Ponting, no run, innocuous enough stroke this
time, turned into the legside just wide of the short midwicket
fielder, 14 runs from that Harbhajan over
End of over 39 (14 runs) Australia 240/2 (RR: 6.15)
Harbhajan Singh 8-0-49-2 - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 57* (59b 6x4) RT Ponting 62* (77b 1x4 2x6)
39.1 Mongia to Martyn, one run, short ball, and Ponting rocks back and
makes room for himself, cutting the ball away in front of square
for one
39.2 Mongia to Ponting, one run, and Martyn makes his intentions clear
as well, dancing down the wicket but getting only one to long on
39.3 Mongia to Martyn, one run, trying to slog it over cover, Martyn
gets an inside edge into the onside but gets a single anyway
39.4 Mongia to Ponting, (noball) no run, appeal for leg before, but
Mongia has overstepped anyway
39.4 Mongia to Ponting, one run, stroked to long on for a single
39.5 Mongia to Martyn, FOUR, hit over extra cover nicely, four more to
the cover fence as Martyn uses his feet well to punish the errant
length
39.6 Mongia to Martyn, one run, pushed to long off easily enough, 10
runs from that over
End of over 40 (10 runs) Australia 250/2 (RR: 6.25)
D Mongia 6-0-27-0 (1nb) - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 64* (63b 7x4) RT Ponting 64* (80b 1x4 2x6)
Nehra back into the attack, replacing Harbhajan, who was very
expensive in his return spell's first over
40.1 Nehra to Martyn, one run, cut away behind point on the offside as
the ball climbs on Martyn
40.2 Nehra to Ponting, two runs, slower ball, and Ponting spots it and
clips it away off his toes behind square on the onside, and some
sloppy fielding from Harbhajan gives them two where there should
have been one
40.3 Nehra to Ponting, no run, driven hard and fast, but straight to the
cover fieldsman, who hams it up at having a shy at the stumps
40.4 Nehra to Ponting, SIX, slower ball but it comes out as a full toss,
and Ponting gets under it and almost one-handed tonks it over
square leg for six, his third of the innings and a finely adjusted
one
40.5 Nehra to Ponting, two runs, struck hard and straight to long on,
Sachin Tendulkar, who throws well over the stumps but Ponting is
fast enough to come back for the second in time
40.6 Nehra to Ponting, no run, yorker length delivery, and Ponting digs
it out well, getting it back to Nehra on first bounce
End of over 41 (11 runs) Australia 261/2 (RR: 6.37)
A Nehra 7-0-36-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 65* (64b 7x4) RT Ponting 74* (85b 1x4 3x6)
41.1 Mongia to Martyn, (noball) one run, Mongia oversteps, and Martyn
strikes the ball into the deep covers for a single, Mongia doing a
decent enough job but is going to be cannon fodder for the batsmen
when they decide to take him on
41.1 Mongia to Ponting, SIX, and sure enough, Ponting dances down the
track and picks it up cleanly from the off stump, the ball not
doing anything special, smashing it into the stands at long on for
yet another six!
41.2 Mongia to Ponting, two runs, stroked into the legside, down to
widish long on, and since the fielder has to run around to
collect, Ponting gets two more
41.3 Mongia to Ponting, no run, driven into the covers
41.4 Mongia to Ponting, one run, Ponting goes for yet another big hit,
but he mistimes this one, and it falls just short of Nehra at long
on
41.5 Mongia to Martyn, one run, struck over extra cover, and Harbhajan
in the deep does well to run to his left and field and keep it
down to one
41.6 Mongia to Ponting, no run, defended on the front foot, Ponting
happy to play out the last ball of this over after 12 runs came
off the first five
End of over 42 (12 runs) Australia 273/2 (RR: 6.50)
D Mongia 7-0-39-0 (2nb) - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 67* (66b 7x4) RT Ponting 83* (90b 1x4 4x6)
Sourav Ganguly no doubt regretting the decision to bowl first right
about now!
42.1 Nehra to Martyn, one run, full and outside the off, and Martyn
smashes it to long off, content to give the strike back to Ponting
42.2 Nehra to Ponting, no run, full and straight, good ball from Nehra,
and Ponting can only just jam it out and play it back to Nehra
42.3 Nehra to Ponting, no run, Ponting on the walk, trying to put the
bowler off by moving around the crease, but Nehra keeps his cool,
attacks middle stump by bowling full, and the batsman can only
play it back to Nehra
42.4 Nehra to Ponting, one run, nicely bowled again, but this one
Ponting manages to get to the offside, to long off for a single,
bringing up the partnership of 150
42.5 Nehra to Martyn, no run, turned to leg, and Ponting is backing up
too far, and a direct hit may have had him in trouble at the non
striker's end
42.6 Nehra to Martyn, two runs, turned wristily wide of the fielder this
time, and good running - combined with not-so-great fielding -
gets Martyn two
End of over 43 (4 runs) Australia 277/2 (RR: 6.44)
A Nehra 8-0-40-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 84* (93b 1x4 4x6) DR Martyn 70* (69b 7x4)
India seeing this rapidly slipping away from them now, and even
chasing 278 will be difficult...and there are seven overs to go!
43.1 Khan to Ponting, one run, just short of a length, and Ponting hits
it to long off, but mistimes it, getting a single only
43.2 Khan to Martyn, one run, glided cleverly to third man for another
single, Martyn playing the perfect foil to Ponting's aggression
here
43.3 Khan to Ponting, FOUR, what a shot!!!! It is not easy to hit a fast
bowler back over his head, and Ponting does it so easily, taking
the overpitched delivery from middle stump and hitting Zaheer back
over his head for four!
43.4 Khan to Ponting, SIX, and an even better shot! this is a full toss
on leg stump, around knee height, and Ponting just flicks it away
wristily, timing it exquisitely to send it flying over the
midwicket ropes for an effortless six
43.5 Khan to Ponting, no run, pushed back down the track, towards
Zaheer, who fields well off his own bowling
43.6 Khan to Ponting, no run, full and on the off, and Ponting slaps
that back at Zaheer again, 12 runs from that over
End of over 44 (12 runs) Australia 289/2 (RR: 6.57)
Z Khan 6-0-58-0 (6w 2nb) - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 71* (70b 7x4) RT Ponting 95* (98b 2x4 5x6)
Australia rapidly approaching the record for the highest score in a
World Cup final
44.1 Nehra to Martyn, one run, cut away to the deep point region for a
single
44.2 Nehra to Ponting, one run, full toss outside the off, and Ponting
guides this behind square on the offside and gets the single
44.3 Nehra to Martyn, one run, stroked to long on, and that single gives
Australia the highest ever total in a World Cup final, the
previous best being the West Indies' 291 in 1975 - and that was in
60 overs!
44.4 Nehra to Ponting, one run, supremely easy now for the batsmen,
pushed into the legside for another single and getting it
comfortably
44.5 Nehra to Martyn, one run, moving to leg, Martyn takes the ball on
middle stump and dabs it into the covers, past the cover fielder,
for a single
44.6 Nehra to Ponting, one run, hit into the offside, to the deep cover
region, six singles off that over - normally not done in the final
five, but Australia can even afford a maiden at this point!
End of over 45 (6 runs) Australia 295/2 (RR: 6.56)
A Nehra 9-0-46-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 98* (101b 2x4 5x6) DR Martyn 74* (73b 7x4)
Srinath back into the attack now
45.1 Srinath to Ponting, one run, slower ball, and Ponting waits for it
and then just pats it down to long on for a single, one run short
of becoming only the fourth centurion in a World Cup final, after
Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and Aravinda de Silva
45.2 Srinath to Martyn, wide: no run, much, much too far down leg, and
wide appropriately claled
45.2 Srinath to Martyn, one run, patted to cover, and Zaheer fields and
could have tried for the direct hit, but nobody is backing up, so
he gives up that idea
45.3 Srinath to Ponting, one run, and century No. 13 for Ponting,
undoubtedly the best of them so far, as skipper in a World Cup
final. What could get better for a batsman?
45.4 Srinath to Martyn, one run, stroked to long on, and Martyn even
this late in his innings is still looking for the second! very
very professional stuff here from the Aussies
45.5 Srinath to Ponting, two runs, squeezed uppishly over backward
point, and two more as the sweeper cover runs around to field
45.6 Srinath to Ponting, (noball) one run, high full toss outside the
off, a definite no ball that Ponting realises and tennis-ball-
swats it to square leg for a single, Srinath getting his first
warning for bowling a beamer
45.6 Srinath to Martyn, one run, slower ball comes out right this time,
but the ball is on the leg stump, and Martyn just picks it away to
square leg for another single
End of over 46 (10 runs) Australia 305/2 (RR: 6.63)
J Srinath 8-0-59-0 (2w 3nb) - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 77* (76b 7x4) RT Ponting 103* (105b 2x4 5x6)
46.1 Nehra to Martyn, SIX, great, great shot! Martyn gives himself room
and then hits it inside out over extra cover off the back foot,
using the errant length to smash it for six over covers. Martyn
coming into his own as well here!
46.2 Nehra to Martyn, one run, full toss outside the off, and Martyn
smashes this one away, but just one to sweeper cover
46.3 Nehra to Ponting, two runs, full and on the middle and leg stump,
and Ponting shuffles to off and tries to cheekily chip it off his
toes over the fine leg inside the circle but he gets two to square
leg instead
46.4 Nehra to Ponting, one run, smashed back down the ground, almost
hobbling Martyn at the non-striker's end, and another single to
long off
46.5 Nehra to Martyn, no run, well bowled, the batsman moving to leg and
Nehra learning from the first ball, following him and pitching it
up, so Martyn only pats it back at the bowler
46.6 Nehra to Martyn, one run, driven into the covers for another
single, 11 runs off that over, and Australia rapidly shutting
India out of this game, if they had not done so already earlier
End of over 47 (11 runs) Australia 316/2 (RR: 6.72)
A Nehra 10-0-57-0 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
DR Martyn 85* (80b 7x4 1x6) RT Ponting 106* (107b 2x4 5x6)
47.1 Srinath to Martyn, one run, slower delivery, and Martyn tries to
thump it away to the ropes but gets it uppishly in the air, but
nothing going India's way as the ball lands safely in the deep
covers
47.2 Srinath to Ponting, SIX, Srinath looks for the yorker and gifts a
full toss instead, the ball dispatched promptly by Ponting over
the midwicket ropes, Ponting hitting his sixth six there!
47.3 Srinath to Ponting, two runs, another full toss, and again Ponting
tries to hit it over the ropes but mistimes this one, yet he is
safe as the ball flies in the air and lands safely in midwicket
47.4 Srinath to Ponting, two runs, straight ball and Ponting tries to go
straight down the ground for four, but Mongia at long on does well
to run around and field to prevent the four
47.5 Srinath to Ponting, no run, slower ball, full and outside the off,
and Ponting is disappointed that he could not thrash it through
the offside after reading it well
47.6 Srinath to Ponting, one run, moving to leg, and Ponting drags this
one clumsily into the legside, but wide enough of the short
midwicket region for a single. 12 runs from that over, and Ponting
continues to unconsciously hog the strike!
End of over 48 (12 runs) Australia 328/2 (RR: 6.83)
J Srinath 9-0-71-0 (2w 3nb) - Golf Course End
RT Ponting 117* (112b 2x4 6x6) DR Martyn 86* (81b 7x4 1x6)
Zaheer back into the attack now
48.1 Khan to Ponting, legbye: FOUR, short and on the legs, and Ponting
tries to pull it away and gets only pad on it, but the ball
nevertheless runs away to the fine leg ropes for four leg byes -
all runs that Australia will gladly take!
48.2 Khan to Ponting, SIX, short ball and Zaheer's off cutter goes
nowhere, Ponting rocking back and pulling it away in front of
square on the legside for six into the stands again!
48.3 Khan to Ponting, one run, down the track, and Zaheer does the right
thing and bowls it full, Ponting slashes it away to off and Yuvraj
does well to field and keep it down to one
48.4 Khan to Martyn, one run, shuffling to off, Martyn clips the ball
off his toes on middle stump and sends it to square leg for one
48.5 Khan to Ponting, one run, much much too full, this is just shoddy
now from India, and Ponting thumps it away to long on for a single
48.6 Khan to Martyn, no run, backing to leg, and Martyn tries to slash
it away as Zaheer spears it outside off, misses and the ball goes
through to Dravid. Martyn needs 13 if he is to get to his hundred
off the last over
End of over 49 (13 runs) Australia 341/2 (RR: 6.96)
Z Khan 7-0-67-0 (6w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
RT Ponting 125* (116b 2x4 7x6) DR Martyn 87* (83b 7x4 1x6)
49.1 Srinath to Ponting, bye: two runs, Ponting comes down the track and
misses the hit over the bowler's head, the ball goes between bat
and pad, wide of Dravid, and Australia gets two byes
49.2 Srinath to Ponting, FOUR, more runs! Ponting backs to leg and
Srinath bowls a slower fuller ball, so the batsman just takes it
on the full and tonks it away to midwicket for four
49.3 Srinath to Ponting, one run, smashed tolong on for one, and Martyn
now needs a four and a six to get to his 100 off the last few
balls of this match
49.4 Srinath to Martyn, one run, another slower ball, and Martyn pushes
this one wide of long off and wants the second but is sent back by
Ponting - and wisely
49.5 Srinath to Ponting, SIX, just short of a length, and Ponting gets
under that and absolutely wallops it over long on for six more,
that one taking him past Richards and Ganguly for the most sixes
in a World Cup innings!
49.6 Srinath to Ponting, FOUR, and on the leg stump, Ponting just chips
it cleverly into the legside, wide of the fine leg inside the
circle, and four more to Ponting, who now has the highest score in
a World Cup final
End of over 50 (18 runs) Australia 359/2 (RR: 7.18)
J Srinath 10-0-87-0 (2w 3nb) - Golf Course End
DR Martyn 88* (84b 7x4 1x6) RT Ponting 140* (121b 4x4 8x6)
Match State: Innings Break
So just what does one say? Cricket may be a game of glorious
uncertainties and all that, but surely Australia may as well start
packing the World Cup for the flight back home.
No team has ever chased a total above even 340, and despite India's
much-vaunted batting line-up, this has absolutely got to be beyond
them.
Of course, this commentator will be only too happy to be proved
wrong, for that would mean a second innings of such entertainment
that it will go down in cricketing history for a long long time.
But the odds are heavily stacked, and Ganguly cannot but help rue
his decision to bowl first.
Ganguly's bowlers were either too full or too short, and the
figures tell the story. Srinath conceded 87 runs in 10 overs,
Zaheer gave 67 in seven, and it hardly looked like the incisive
attack from earlier in the tournament.
Not to take anything away from the batsmen. They started with a
bang and the whimper just never came. First Gilchrist and Hayden
put the bowlers to the sword...
...and then Ponting and Martyn added 234 runs in just 30.1 overs,
the former hitting eight sixes in what is an innings sure to prove
a gold-mine for statisticians.
India, at the very least, must perforce start and continue as if
their tails were on fire. The clouds seem far away, and their even
that very slim hope of winning lies in smashing the ball around
the park like nobody's business.
Join us on the other side of this break as we bring you the
definitive conclusion to the 2003 World Cup
Hello all for the post-lunch session, we will see if India can
chase 360, a huge task in hand for the likes of Tendulkar, Sehwag
and Ganguly who really have no choice except to go for it.
India have a good chasing record and we think this is not all over
yet>
McGrath and Lee have lots of runs to defend and will naturally be
wanting to make early inroads, so this is shaping up to be a good
contest, will it be ball v bat or bat v ball?
Out on the field, there have been some fun and games, some
gymnastics, drumming, Zulu dancing and what not
The umps will be doing a step or two soon too
A 3 plane (huge ones) doing a fly past, wow! airliners in a
formation in a vee, I certainly did not know airliners do this
type of thing.
Deafening noise and the umps and players have finally gone out
there
Sachin to face McGrath, he wants first go!
0.1 McGrath to Tendulkar, no run, pitched outside off and swung away,
left alone
0.2 McGrath to Tendulkar, no run, this one came in and whizzed past off
stump as he left it
Sight screen adjustments
0.3 McGrath to Tendulkar, no run, outside off is this one and he leaves
it alone
0.4 McGrath to Tendulkar, FOUR, Shot!, short and the crowd wakes up
immediately, SRT leant back and pulled it to mid wicket
0.5 McGrath to Tendulkar, OUT: short of a length, went for a pull, some
extra bounce and its skied to short mid wicket and McGrath wanted
it all by himself, a major blow to India
India 4/1, Partnership of 4
SR Tendulkar c & b McGrath 4 (5b 1x4 0x6)
V Sehwag 0* (0b) GD McGrath 0.5-0-4-1
Aussies jubilate as Sachin walks back
Skipper ganguly in
0.6 McGrath to Ganguly, no run, tries a drive to a ball on the stumps,
mistimes to mid wicket
End of over 1 (4 runs) India 4/1 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 356/49 = 7.27)
GD McGrath 1-0-4-1 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 0* (0b) SC Ganguly 0* (1b)
Brett Lee to bowl over 2
1.1 Lee to Sehwag, no run, pitched up outside off, Sehwag decides he
want to go for it and misses
1.2 Lee to Sehwag, no run, a 150.6kph ball moving away off the seam, he
moves across but decided to let it go by
1.3 Lee to Sehwag, no run, builds up a head to 154 plus kph and again
outside off, left alone
1.4 Lee to Sehwag, no run, short and he has to duck, Lee almost reaches
the batsman on an aggressive follow through
1.5 Lee to Sehwag, no run, drift to legstump and its whipped to short
backward square leg
1.6 Lee to Sehwag, no run, a superb ball, left him sparring at thin air
outside off
End of over 2 (maiden) India 4/1 (RR: 2.00 RRR: 356/48 = 7.42)
B Lee 1-1-0-0 - Golf Course End
SC Ganguly 0* (1b) V Sehwag 0* (6b)
2.1 McGrath to Ganguly, no run, Wow! a rush out of his crease, went for
broke and missed, smiles from McGrath in return
2.2 McGrath to Ganguly, one run, short on the legstump, turned to long
leg
2.3 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, good ball and carry as he leaves it,
there are 2 slips in for Sehwag
2.4 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, a flowing off drive to a full ball but
it races straight to mid off
2.5 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, short of a length, stands up and defends
to short cover
2.6 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, on the line, the McGrath line, defends
to point
End of over 3 (1 run) India 5/1 (RR: 1.67 RRR: 355/47 = 7.55)
GD McGrath 2-0-5-1 - Corlett Drive End
SC Ganguly 1* (3b) V Sehwag 0* (10b)
3.1 Lee to Ganguly, one run, short and outside off, driven a bit
uppishly to backward point
3.2 Lee to Sehwag, (noball) no run, oversteps his quickest so far,
156kph
3.2 Lee to Sehwag, wide: no run, outside off, he slashes at it and
misses
3.2 Lee to Sehwag, FOUR, A one bouncer, a lovely flick off his legs to
long leg
3.3 Lee to Sehwag, no run, a fast and nasty bouncer in reply, ducked
down and took his eyes off the ball
3.4 Lee to Sehwag, no run, a swing and miss outside off, no foot
movement, bat catches air under the ball
3.5 Lee to Sehwag, (noball) no run, caught off it, shortish and flicked
straight to Martyn at square leg, celebrations end in dismay
3.5 Lee to Sehwag, wide: no run, more exercise for Bucknor, way outside
off
3.5 Lee to Sehwag, no run, chases after it, miles away from his body,
misses
3.6 Lee to Sehwag, no run, again away from his body, connects bit
straight to point
End of over 4 (9 runs) India 14/1 (RR: 3.50 RRR: 346/46 = 7.52)
B Lee 2-1-9-0 (2w 2nb) - Golf Course End
SC Ganguly 2* (4b) V Sehwag 4* (17b 1x4)
4.1 McGrath to Ganguly, FOUR, short and he pulls and another funny!,
tope edged over the keeper, seems Ganguly wants runs
4.2 McGrath to Ganguly, SIX, Bang! moved away and cuts visciously, way
over backward point
4.3 McGrath to Ganguly, one run, writily turned to mid wicket
4.4 McGrath to Sehwag, two runs, tries a backfoot cut and it flies off
the edge to third man, Lee does well to get to it
4.5 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, outisde off, went back to a length ball
and beaten
4.6 McGrath to Sehwag, SIX, A six cut!;, went for a cut and its
superbly timed over backward point rope
End of over 5 (19 runs) India 33/1 (RR: 6.60 RRR: 327/45 = 7.27)
GD McGrath 3-0-24-1 - Corlett Drive End
SC Ganguly 13* (7b 1x4 1x6) V Sehwag 12* (20b 1x4 1x6)
5.1 Lee to Ganguly, no run, over pitched outside off, driven to cover
5.2 Lee to Ganguly, no run, short outside off and he went back to
defend to cover again, both looking confident now
5.3 Lee to Ganguly, no run, moves away, hoiks and ball passes over
middle stump, this was certainly not to Lee's liking
5.4 Lee to Ganguly, no run, fast and a stare as he goes back and
defends
Sehwag has completed 2000 runs in odi's
5.5 Lee to Ganguly, FOUR, backed away and quare drives through cover
5.6 Lee to Ganguly, no run, short and angling to off stump, hops back
and defends
End of over 6 (4 runs) India 37/1 (RR: 6.17 RRR: 323/44 = 7.34)
B Lee 3-1-13-0 (2w 2nb) - Golf Course End
V Sehwag 12* (20b 1x4 1x6) SC Ganguly 17* (13b 2x4 1x6)
Ganguly and Sehwag going for it, seems the only thing they can do
6.1 McGrath to Sehwag, FOUR, comes down the wicket and slices it over
backward point
6.2 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, short ball, backs away and the slash
misses
6.3 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, on the line and he is forced back in
defence
6.4 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, back of a length, goes for a pull,
bottom batted to mid on
6.5 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, somehow misses the legstump, moved to
the off and swung at it towards leg and missed
6.6 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, short and he pulls, mistimed and it
balloons ove mcGrath's hed
End of over 7 (5 runs) India 42/1 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 318/43 = 7.40)
GD McGrath 4-0-29-1 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 17* (26b 2x4 1x6) SC Ganguly 17* (13b 2x4 1x6)
7.1 Lee to Sehwag, no run, short and he does not duck takes it on the
gloves
7.2 Lee to Sehwag, two runs, flicked nicely to long leg
7.3 Lee to Sehwag, no run, a nasty one again, short and a big follow
thru with advice as he defends awkwardly, off gloves to the off
7.4 Lee to Sehwag, one run, tucked off his legs to long leg
7.5 Lee to Ganguly, one run, chops at it, bending down and it runs to
thiord man
7.6 Lee to Sehwag, FOUR, Smash! a lovely cover drive to a pitched up
ball as we hear some thunder in the distance and clouds coming in
End of over 8 (8 runs) India 50/1 (RR: 6.25 RRR: 310/42 = 7.38)
B Lee 4-1-21-0 (2w 2nb) - Golf Course End
SC Ganguly 18* (14b 2x4 1x6) V Sehwag 24* (31b 3x4 1x6)
8.1 McGrath to Ganguly, FOUR, moves away and drives another overpitched
ball through cover
8.2 McGrath to Ganguly, no run, short and he goes back, pulls and
mistimed to midwicket
8.3 McGrath to Ganguly, one run, short and he again pulls, mistimes to
leg
8.4 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, inside edged onto pads and its off to
mid wicket, a quick single taken
8.5 McGrath to Ganguly, no run, a bouncer that makes him duck
8.6 McGrath to Ganguly, one run, short and he pulls, gets a top edge
that lands safely between square leg and long leg
End of over 9 (7 runs) India 57/1 (RR: 6.33 RRR: 303/41 = 7.39)
GD McGrath 5-0-36-1 - Corlett Drive End
SC Ganguly 24* (19b 3x4 1x6) V Sehwag 25* (32b 3x4 1x6)
9.1 Lee to Ganguly, no run, outside off and beaten
9.2 Lee to Ganguly, no run, moves away,, has a swing and misses
A deep point brought in and only 2 on the leg now
9.3 Lee to Ganguly, no run, on the stumps, Ganguly lunged to the off to
try a hook, misses
9.4 Lee to Ganguly, (noball) no run, oversteps but is driven to cover
9.4 Lee to Ganguly, no run, tries a coverdrive, inside edged to square
leg and throw misses at the bowlers end as he was backing up too
far, Lee destroys the stumps trying to get to the ball
9.5 Lee to Ganguly, OUT: a pull off a short ball too many, scoops it to
mid on and Lehmann does not drop those
India 58/2, Partnership of 54
SC Ganguly c Lehmann b Lee 24 (25b 3x4 1x6)
V Sehwag 25* (32b 3x4 1x6) B Lee 4.5-1-22-1 (2w 3nb)
Muhammad Kaif in
9.6 Lee to Kaif, no run, short and outside off, left alone
End of over 10 (1 run) India 58/2 (RR: 5.80 RRR: 302/40 = 7.55)
B Lee 5-1-22-1 (2w 3nb) - Golf Course End
V Sehwag 25* (32b 3x4 1x6) M Kaif 0* (1b)
10.1 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, cut to third man
10.2 McGrath to Kaif, no run, hops back to a ball on off stump and
defends
10.3 McGrath to Kaif, OUT: Paid for maintaing his line and length, not
much footwork and his cut away from the body is caught by
Gilchrist, more trouble for india now
India 59/3, Partnership of 1
M Kaif c Gilchrist b McGrath 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
V Sehwag 26* (33b 3x4 1x6) GD McGrath 5.3-0-37-2
Rahul Dravid in
10.4 McGrath to Dravid, no run, outside off and left alone
10.5 McGrath to Dravid, no run, outside off and left alone
10.6 McGrath to Dravid, two runs, short and he goes back to punch to
bacward point
End of over 11 (3 runs) India 61/3 (RR: 5.55 RRR: 299/39 = 7.67)
GD McGrath 6-0-39-2 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 26* (33b 3x4 1x6) R Dravid 2* (3b)
11.1 Lee to Sehwag, (noball) no run, turned to square leg
11.1 Lee to Sehwag, no run, jumps and awkwardly defends off the handle
to point
11.2 Lee to Sehwag, no run, beaten outside off
11.3 Lee to Sehwag, no run, left alone outside off
11.4 Lee to Sehwag, no run, defends to cover
11.5 Lee to Sehwag, no run, defends to cover again
11.6 Lee to Sehwag, no run, short, tries a cut and mistimed to point
End of over 12 (1 run) India 62/3 (RR: 5.17 RRR: 298/38 = 7.84)
B Lee 6-1-23-1 (2w 4nb) - Golf Course End
R Dravid 2* (3b) V Sehwag 26* (40b 3x4 1x6)
hogg on for legspin
12.1 Hogg to Dravid, no run, turned to mid wicket
12.2 Hogg to Dravid, no run, short and a google, went back and misread
it and mistimed to square leg
12.3 Hogg to Dravid, two runs, short and he goes back to turn it to long
leg
12.4 Hogg to Dravid, no run, tossed up and driven back
12.5 Hogg to Dravid, no run, short, goes back to drive it to mid off
12.6 Hogg to Dravid, no run, short, he goes back and punches it to Hogg
who shows some aggressive intentions with the ball in his hand
End of over 13 (2 runs) India 64/3 (RR: 4.92 RRR: 296/37 = 8.00)
GB Hogg 1-0-2-0 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 26* (40b 3x4 1x6) R Dravid 4* (9b)
Lehmann on as its getting cloudy and overs needed
13.1 Lehmann to Sehwag, no run, on legstump, tries a turn and takes it
on the pads
13.2 Lehmann to Sehwag, FOUR, picked off his toes to deep square leg
13.3 Lehmann to Sehwag, FOUR, comes out of his crease and slams it over
mid on
13.4 Lehmann to Sehwag, FOUR, down the wicket and over mid on it goes
13.5 Lehmann to Sehwag, no run, comes out, wanted to hit it away, beaten
and taken on the pads
13.6 Lehmann to Sehwag, no run, a faster one on the legside, a pull
missed
End of over 14 (12 runs) India 76/3 (RR: 5.43 RRR: 284/36 = 7.89)
DS Lehmann 1-0-12-0 - Golf Course End
R Dravid 4* (9b) V Sehwag 38* (46b 6x4 1x6)
Chances of rain being talked about here
14.1 Hogg to Dravid, one run, turned to mid wicket for a quick single,
Ponting threw and Gilchrist not quick enough to get the run out
14.2 Hogg to Sehwag, FOUR, short and he goes back to send it over extra
cover
14.3 Hogg to Sehwag, SIX, tossed up and its heaved over mid wicket, off
the meat
14.4 Hogg to Sehwag, one run, a full toss, driven to long on
14.5 Hogg to Dravid, no run, turned to short fine leg a bit uppishly
14.6 Hogg to Dravid, no run, sweeps and it well stopped by Martyn at
short fine leg
End of over 15 (12 runs) India 88/3 (RR: 5.87 RRR: 272/35 = 7.77)
GB Hogg 2-0-14-0 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 49* (49b 7x4 2x6) R Dravid 5* (12b)
Match State: Drinks
The first session full of wicket and runs and some chance for rain
too, now its upto Sehwag to keep the scoring rate up
Bichel on
15.1 Bichel to Sehwag, wide: no run, down the legside
15.1 Bichel to Sehwag, one run, cut to backward point and a good fifty
for Sehwag after a bit of an uncertain start
15.2 Bichel to Dravid, no run, turned to square leg and we have a bit of
rain out there
15.3 Bichel to Dravid, FOUR, a Bauty! on the leg stump and its flicked
to leg
15.4 Bichel to Dravid, no run, beaten outside off as rain increases
15.5 Bichel to Dravid, one run, driven uppishly to deep cover, more rain
too
15.6 Bichel to Sehwag, one run, a turn to leg, but inside edged to
backward point and a run out attempt by Bichel fails
End of over 16 (8 runs) India 96/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 264/34 = 7.76)
AJ Bichel 1-0-8-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
V Sehwag 51* (51b 7x4 2x6) R Dravid 10* (16b 1x4)
McGrath back on and lights turned on
16.1 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, steered to third man
16.2 McGrath to Dravid, one run, tapped to cover for a quick run
16.3 McGrath to Sehwag, two runs, short and its pulled well to deep mid
wicket
16.4 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, short and he goes back to punch to
cover
16.5 McGrath to Dravid, one run, guided to third man, rain still coming
down
16.6 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, chops down at it and it drops at his
feet, takes off for a quick run, sun comes ouyt to help the rain
End of over 17 (7 runs) India 103/3 (RR: 6.06 RRR: 257/33 = 7.79)
GD McGrath 7-0-46-2 - Corlett Drive End
V Sehwag 56* (55b 7x4 2x6) R Dravid 12* (18b 1x4)
But its still pouring and covers come on for now
Lots of cheering for the covers
Literally pouring down now, seems it may be a quick shower as the
sky is clear behind the main cloud over the stadium
Local experts believe it wont be a long break
Match State: Delay - Rain
* overs needed for a match and there is sunshine too apart from the
wet stuff
There is a rainbow out too
The question is which side will the rainbow bring the luck too?
Judy Garland beware, somewhere across there may burst into song!
The covers are coming off
The water hog sucking in some of the water around the covers
There is no rain falling right now
Playto start soon, clear weather, blue patches and sunshine, so
will prolly be a fifty over game, at least for now
A last minuter, 'roping in' of the remaining water being done using
2 tractors with a strip spanning between them dragging the wAter
off
It seems there will be no overs lost
Strong sun being used by the grateful crowd to dry-off too
Umps appear and smiles too on Aussie fans out there
Aus fielders too come out after a fine effort by the groundstaff
No overs lost as per the rules there has to be a 1 hour loss before
deductions
Bichel to carry on to Sehwag
17.1 Bichel to Sehwag, wide: no run, outside off, a slash and a miss,
its a pity everyone has to restart from scratch, get their eye in
and on the line"
17.1 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, on a good line and length, beaten trying
to defend
17.2 Bichel to Sehwag, one run, tucked off his pads to deep square leg
17.3 Bichel to Dravid, one run, tapped to backward point for a quick
single
A collision between bichel and Dravid
17.4 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, uppishly pushed back goes a bit wide of
the bowler
17.5 Bichel to Sehwag, two runs, short and off the front foot, nicely
guides backward of point
17.6 Bichel to Sehwag, one run, a solid backfoot push to mid on, a good
slide by Lee
End of over 18 (6 runs) India 109/3 (RR: 6.06 RRR: 251/32 = 7.84)
AJ Bichel 2-0-14-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
V Sehwag 60* (60b 7x4 2x6) R Dravid 13* (19b 1x4)
18.1 McGrath to Sehwag, one run, short and he goes back to cut, a good
save by Hogg at point
18.2 McGrath to Dravid, five runs, short ball, defends to point and
Symonds throw misses, would have been out if it had hit the
bowlers end stumps, ran over the mid on rope
18.3 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, outside off and beaten
18.4 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, short ball, moved away to make room to
cut, misses
18.5 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, short of a length, the cut try misses
again
18.6 McGrath to Sehwag, no run, short and another cut misses
End of over 19 (6 runs) India 115/3 (RR: 6.05 RRR: 245/31 = 7.90)
GD McGrath 8-0-52-2 - Corlett Drive End
R Dravid 18* (20b 1x4) V Sehwag 61* (65b 7x4 2x6)
19.1 Bichel to Dravid, one run, turned to square leg
19.2 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, short and outside off, Sehwag sways away
19.3 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, short and outside off, Ponting attacks
the ball at cover and does well
19.4 Bichel to Sehwag, FOUR, meated to mid wicket, latched on it quicly
to pull it
19.5 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, short and he goes back to punch to mid
off, they decide no run there
19.6 Bichel to Sehwag, two runs, short and again a nice pull to mid
wicket
End of over 20 (7 runs) India 122/3 (RR: 6.10 RRR: 238/30 = 7.93)
AJ Bichel 3-0-21-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
R Dravid 19* (21b 1x4) V Sehwag 67* (70b 8x4 2x6)
Hogg coming back on
20.1 Hogg to Dravid, no run, on the stumps, goes back and drives to mid
on
20.2 Hogg to Dravid, one run, takes a step forward then back and turns
it to leg
20.3 Hogg to Sehwag, FOUR, into the gap between mid wicket and long on,
good blow against the spin
20.4 Hogg to Sehwag, one run, turned to mid wicket
20.5 Hogg to Dravid, one run, goes back and turns to mid wicket
20.6 Hogg to Sehwag, no run, a full toss but cant get it past a diving
symonds at cover
End of over 21 (7 runs) India 129/3 (RR: 6.14 RRR: 231/29 = 7.97)
GB Hogg 3-0-21-0 - Corlett Drive End
R Dravid 21* (24b 1x4) V Sehwag 72* (73b 9x4 2x6)
21.1 Bichel to Dravid, legbye: one run, tuns to leg and misses; Bichel
appeals and then tries to kick the ball into the stumps
21.2 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, turned to mid wicket
21.3 Bichel to Sehwag, one run, sliced uppishly and dropped by Hogg
there, a difficult chance to his wrong hand
21.4 Bichel to Dravid, no run, short and rising outside off, beaten
21.5 Bichel to Dravid, one run, defends in front of point for a quick
single
21.6 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, short and a late cut is bottom edged to
the keeper along the grass
End of over 22 (3 runs) India 132/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 228/28 = 8.14)
AJ Bichel 4-0-23-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
R Dravid 22* (27b 1x4) V Sehwag 73* (76b 9x4 2x6)
22.1 Hogg to Dravid, two runs, nicely paddled from outside off to fine
leg
22.2 Hogg to Dravid, one run, a good push into the cover gap, good work
by Dravid, giving the strike back to Sehwag
22.3 Hogg to Sehwag, SIX, Maxed! down on one knee and slammed way
outside the stadium
22.4 Hogg to Sehwag, no run, a google, a late cut but is beaten
22.5 Hogg to Sehwag, no run, a flipper, tries a pull and inside edge off
a pull to fine leg
22.6 Hogg to Sehwag, FOUR, A one bouncer! slammed off the front foot
over extra cover
End of over 23 (13 runs) India 145/3 (RR: 6.30 RRR: 215/27 = 7.96)
GB Hogg 4-0-34-0 - Corlett Drive End
R Dravid 25* (29b 1x4) V Sehwag 83* (80b 10x4 3x6)
23.1 Bichel to Dravid, no run, left alone outside off
23.2 Bichel to Dravid, wide: no run, down the legside
23.2 Bichel to Dravid, no run, a loud no no as the effort ball on off
stump is defended to the off
23.3 Bichel to Dravid, no run, off the front foot, gently driven to
point
23.4 Bichel to Dravid, one run, turned to fine leg
23.5 Bichel to Sehwag, no run, driven to mid off for a quick single,
Lehmann there throws the stumps down at boelers end on a direct
throw, Aussies are sure Sehwag was short, TV called in for a
decision
India 147/4, Partnership of 88
V Sehwag run out (Lehmann) 82 (81b 10x4 3x6)
Yuvraj in now
23.6 Bichel to Dravid, one run, steered to third man
End of over 24 (3 runs) India 148/4 (RR: 6.17 RRR: 212/26 = 8.15)
AJ Bichel 5-0-26-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
R Dravid 27* (34b 1x4) Yuvraj Singh 0* (0b)
24.1 Hogg to Dravid, one run, short and off the backfoot, cut to deep
cover
24.2 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, turned to mid wicket
24.3 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, a bat and pad together push to the
off
24.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, wide: no run, the flipper is too far to leg
24.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven to long off
24.5 Hogg to Dravid, one run, a googly and he turns it to short third
man at the last minute
24.6 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, tossed up outside off and driven to
xtra cover
End of over 25 (6 runs) India 154/4 (RR: 6.16 RRR: 206/25 = 8.24)
GB Hogg 5-0-39-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
R Dravid 29* (36b 1x4) Yuvraj Singh 3* (4b)
We do have a match now as 25 overs have been done with
25.1 Bichel to Dravid, no run, outside off and left
25.2 Bichel to Dravid, two runs, tries a drive and gets an inside edge
to fine leg
25.3 Bichel to Dravid, FOUR, Superb! a full ball driven to mid on,
lovely
25.4 Bichel to Dravid, one run, pushed to the off for a quick run
25.5 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, one run, dropped by Ponting in the solitary
slip position, was nicked off a turn to leg and even the dive to
his right but only one hand to it
25.6 Bichel to Dravid, no run, defends to point, Yuvraj sends him back
End of over 26 (8 runs) India 162/4 (RR: 6.23 RRR: 198/24 = 8.25)
AJ Bichel 6-0-34-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
Yuvraj Singh 4* (5b) R Dravid 36* (41b 2x4)
26.1 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, a flipper, turned to fine leg
26.2 Hogg to Dravid, no run, on the pads and driven to mid on
26.3 Hogg to Dravid, one run, tossed up and driven to long on
26.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, on off stump and Yuvraj prods it to
point and wants a run, sent back
26.5 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, guides it to gully was the wrong'un
26.6 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, Nerves? a sweep top edged to mid
wicket for a conventional catch but Martyn made a mess of it,
bounced out
End of over 27 (3 runs) India 165/4 (RR: 6.11 RRR: 195/23 = 8.48)
GB Hogg 6-0-42-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
Yuvraj Singh 6* (9b) R Dravid 37* (43b 2x4)
27.1 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short and pulled to deep square
leg
27.2 Bichel to Dravid, one run, pushed backward of point
27.3 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, drives to mid on off the backfoot
and Lee chases from mid off
27.4 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, a fuller ball, driven to mid on
27.5 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, driven ionto the covers
27.6 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short and he turned to mid wicket,
had to rush back but the throw in missed the stumps
End of over 28 (4 runs) India 169/4 (RR: 6.04 RRR: 191/22 = 8.68)
AJ Bichel 7-0-38-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
R Dravid 38* (44b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 9* (14b)
28.1 Hogg to Dravid, no run, sweeps and misses, googly too, off the back
leg to the off
28.2 Hogg to Dravid, one run, works it backward of point
28.3 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good ball, a proper leg brak that
turned and forced to play at it late to slip
28.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pushed through, the flipper, driven
to long on
28.5 Hogg to Dravid, two runs, nicely placed cut backward of point
28.6 Hogg to Dravid, no run, turned to short fine leg, throw hit but
safe
End of over 29 (4 runs) India 173/4 (RR: 5.97 RRR: 187/21 = 8.90)
GB Hogg 7-0-46-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
Yuvraj Singh 10* (16b) R Dravid 41* (48b 2x4)
29.1 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, confidently driven to mid off
29.2 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, chipped in the air to long off,
no one there, clever shot
29.3 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, one run, leans into it and cuts to the
cover sweeper
29.4 Bichel to Dravid, one run, prodded to the off, soft handedly, has 4
fielders on the off side
29.5 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short ball, chopped to third man
A complete ring on the off side but Dravid can still get singles to
the off
29.6 Bichel to Dravid, no run, short and he goes back to cut, Hogg
throws at the bowlers end, Yuvraj rushes back
End of over 30 (5 runs) India 178/4 (RR: 5.93 RRR: 182/20 = 9.10)
AJ Bichel 8-0-43-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
Yuvraj Singh 14* (20b) R Dravid 42* (50b 2x4)
30.1 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pushed to long off
30.2 Hogg to Dravid, no run, a flipper outside off, move away and tries
a cut and misses as the run rate pressure mounts, he is carrying a
paer in his pocket, prolly the D/L data
30.3 Hogg to Dravid, one run, driven along the ground to long on
30.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, wide: no run, a flipper, becomes a full toss
outside leg, pull misses
30.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven down the ground to long off
30.5 Hogg to Dravid, one run, short and Dravid goes back to punch it to
long off
30.6 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, a full toss, pulled to short mid
wicket
End of over 31 (5 runs) India 183/4 (RR: 5.90 RRR: 177/19 = 9.32)
GB Hogg 8-0-51-0 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
R Dravid 44* (53b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 16* (23b)
Symods dropped it at short mid wicket
31.1 Bichel to Dravid, one run, well outside off and he steers it to
short third man
Aus fielding today is not as hot as usual, at least 3 dropped
31.2 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, one run, outisde off, goes for a drive and
edges past gully, wide of him
31.3 Bichel to Dravid, two runs, slow outfield helps prevent the four,
slammed to backward point and it looked to have four written all
over it
31.4 Bichel to Dravid, no run, defends to cover
31.5 Bichel to Dravid, OUT: dragged it off the inside edge into the
stumps, just as it looked that those drops were letting go of this
final
India 187/5, Partnership of 40
R Dravid b Bichel 47 (57b 2x4 0x6)
Yuvraj Singh 17* (24b) AJ Bichel 8.5-0-47-1 (3w)
Dinesh Mongia in
31.6 Bichel to Mongia, no run, overpiotched and a good diving save by
Symonds at cover
End of over 32 (4 runs) India 187/5 (RR: 5.84 RRR: 173/18 = 9.61)
AJ Bichel 9-0-47-1 (3w) - Golf Course End
Yuvraj Singh 17* (24b) D Mongia 0* (1b)
32.1 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, short and he goes back to drive
well to extra cover
32.2 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, beaten outside off
32.3 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, Good Sweep!, rushes over the backward
square rope
32.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, pushed to cover nad the skiper dives
to save runs
32.5 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, tossed up and comes rushing out and
checks his stroke
32.6 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short and Yuvraj punches it back
End of over 33 (6 runs) India 193/5 (RR: 5.85 RRR: 167/17 = 9.82)
GB Hogg 9-0-57-0 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
D Mongia 0* (1b) Yuvraj Singh 23* (30b 1x4)
33.1 Bichel to Mongia, FOUR, a good square drive past point
33.2 Bichel to Mongia, no run, good ball just outside off, beaten
33.3 Bichel to Mongia, FOUR, Shot! slammed standing tall, past point,
flashed away and on the up too
33.4 Bichel to Mongia, no run, a bit further away and a massive drive
misses
33.5 Bichel to Mongia, wide: no run, a huge bouncer after some
frustration
33.5 Bichel to Mongia, one run, goes for another drive to the off,
sliced to fall safe in front of third man
33.6 Bichel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, cut to point and bichel completes
his world cup quota
End of over 34 (10 runs) India 203/5 (RR: 5.97 RRR: 157/16 = 9.81)
AJ Bichel 10-0-57-1 (4w) - Golf Course End
D Mongia 9* (6b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 23* (31b 1x4)
Match State: Drinks
34.1 Hogg to Mongia, three runs, tucked to fine leg
34.2 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, one run, goes back and turns it to mid wicket
34.3 Hogg to Mongia, legbye: one run, was the flipper, hit back pad and
appeal declined by ump Bucknow, looked a good shout
34.4 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, no run, sweeps and misses
34.5 Hogg to Yuvraj Singh, OUT: sweeps against the spin and top edges to
deep mid wicket, Lee makes lots of ground and holds on. That might
well be the world cup catch
India 208/6, Partnership of 21
Yuvraj Singh c Lee b Hogg 24 (34b 1x4 0x6)
D Mongia 12* (8b 2x4) GB Hogg 9.5-0-61-1 (2w)
They crossed so Mongia to face and is joined by Harbhajan Singh
34.6 Hogg to Mongia, legbye: one run, runs off the pads to fine leg
End of over 35 (6 runs) India 209/6 (RR: 5.97 RRR: 151/15 = 10.07)
GB Hogg 10-0-61-1 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
D Mongia 12* (9b 2x4) Harbhajan Singh 0* (0b)
Symonds on
35.1 Symonds to Mongia, no run, pitched up and driven back
35.2 Symonds to Mongia, OUT: Catch of the Day! drives trying to go over
the top, Martyn makes up, running back and diving at long off and
holding on despite a broken finger is grabbed and pushed into the
air by his teammates
India 209/7, Partnership of 1
D Mongia c Martyn b Symonds 12 (11b 2x4 0x6)
Harbhajan Singh 0* (0b) A Symonds 0.2-0-0-1
35.3 Symonds to Harbhajan Singh, one run, turned to mid wicket
35.4 Symonds to Khan, one run, tucked off his legs to deep square
35.5 Symonds to Harbhajan Singh, no run, defended back
35.6 Symonds to Harbhajan Singh, two runs, chipped in the air to mid
wicket
End of over 36 (4 runs) India 213/7 (RR: 5.92 RRR: 147/14 = 10.50)
A Symonds 1-0-4-1 - Golf Course End
Z Khan 1* (1b) Harbhajan Singh 3* (3b)
Lehmann in
36.1 Lehmann to Khan, one run, comes out and lofts to long off
36.2 Lehmann to Harbhajan Singh, no run, a round armer, defends it
forward
36.3 Lehmann to Harbhajan Singh, three runs, edged to third man, long
chase for martyn
36.4 Lehmann to Khan, one run, turned to fine leg and hogg dives to save
36.5 Lehmann to Harbhajan Singh, bye: FOUR, was a big miss trying to
loft it and a possible missed stumping
36.6 Lehmann to Harbhajan Singh, one run, a cross batted swipe to mid
wicket, could not time it for a four
End of over 37 (10 runs) India 223/7 (RR: 6.03 RRR: 137/13 = 10.54)
DS Lehmann 2-0-18-0 - Corlett Drive End
Harbhajan Singh 7* (7b) Z Khan 3* (3b)
37.1 Symonds to Harbhajan Singh, OUT: a short one and it rose, Harby
went for a pull and sent it down McGrath's throat at fine leg
India 223/8, Partnership of 14
Harbhajan Singh c McGrath b Symonds 7 (8b 0x4 0x6)
Z Khan 3* (3b) A Symonds 1.1-0-4-2
Srinath in but Khan to face as they did cross
37.2 Symonds to Khan, wide: no run, down the legside
37.2 Symonds to Khan, no run, an inside edge and its very close to leg
stump
37.3 Symonds to Khan, no run, beaten outside off
37.4 Symonds to Khan, one run, tucks it off his legs to deep square
37.5 Symonds to Srinath, no run, defends to mid on
37.6 Symonds to Srinath, one run, short and he pulls, drops well in
front of lee at long leg
End of over 38 (3 runs) India 226/8 (RR: 5.95 RRR: 134/12 = 11.17)
A Symonds 2-0-7-2 (1w) - Golf Course End
J Srinath 1* (2b) Z Khan 4* (6b)
Lee brought on to boaw at the co-pacers
38.1 Lee to Srinath, no run, makes room, moving to leg, heaves and edges
to short mid wicket
38.2 Lee to Srinath, OUT: Yorked! moved away and its through, leg stump
gone and 22 wickets for lee this cup
India 226/9, Partnership of 3
J Srinath b Lee 1 (4b 0x4 0x6)
Z Khan 4* (6b) B Lee 6.2-1-23-2 (2w 4nb)
Lee needs 1 more to equal Vaas this world cup
Last man Nehra in
38.3 Lee to Nehra, no run, another yorking try, dug out to short cover
38.4 Lee to Nehra, no run, another full ball, drives aNd edges to mid on
38.5 Lee to Nehra, FOUR, in the slot, drives it in the air over mid off
38.6 Lee to Nehra, FOUR, Another! take that Nehra says after field set
for aggression, slams the most consistent fast bowler in the world
to long on
End of over 39 (8 runs) India 234/9 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 126/11 = 11.45)
B Lee 7-1-31-2 (2w 4nb) - Corlett Drive End
Z Khan 4* (6b) A Nehra 8* (4b 2x4)
A comical scene, Bucknor picks up one of McGrats shoes and walks
away while he was changing them
39.1 McGrath to Khan, no run, a yorker dug out to leg
39.2 McGrath to Khan, OUT: Thats the 3rd World Cup for Australia! short
and he tried a pull skied for a simple one to Lehmann at mid on.
Celebrations in the Aussie ranks, deservedly a great win by 125
runs
India 234/10, Partnership of 8
Z Khan c Lehmann b McGrath 4 (8b 0x4 0x6)
A Nehra 8* (4b 2x4) GD McGrath 8.2-0-52-3
Cheers and Aus team carries their flag and take bows from the crowd
as they take a lap of honour
India still had a chance when even after losing Tendulkar Sehwag
took over the role, were keeping up with the rate but Australian
bowlers carried on professionally and got home easily at the end
We shall soon have the cermonies folk so please stand by
A please Dr bacher summarised the game and said it was a great
success (meaning the world cup and the final)
We are ready for the ceremonies
The first hour of play was India's undoing when Hayden and
Gilchrist were on song
Aussie players carryin Aus flags
There is the odd stuffed kangaroo too, Bichel has one
holding is the MC today for the final, intros all the ICC and other
top brass
Graeme Pollock and Sobers out there too
ICC boss Malcolm Grey pays compliments to South Africa for so well
organising this Cup
Congratulates Ponting and his team and Ganguly and his team
Various other congrats to officials and their awards
Indian players come up for their medals
USD 800,000 to the losing teams and Ganguly says he is disappointed
but Australia did well
Congratulates his team and says they got us here and made us proud
and also thanks his supporters
Man of the Match Ricky Ponting
Says everything went well and batsmen did the job
Man of the Tournament is Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin says we did not start well and pressure was on the bowlers
but have bowled well for the tournament
Aus team gets the medals
Holding first says 2000 and on Pontings query, corrects to USD 2
million, and goes and lifts the World Cup!
We hope you liked the coverage of this world cup and we look
forward to bringing the next one from West Indies in 4 years, tho
there will be lots of cricket in between
Good Bye all