Australia win VB series

Glenn McGrath was at his best today (Sunday, February 6) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as he demolished the Pakistan top order returning terrific figures of 5-27, after they were set a gettable target of 240, which they failed to chase, resulting in Australia clinching the VB series 2-0 in the finals.

Despite getting off to a blazing start, batting first, thanks largely due to Gilchrist's customary smashing innings of 40 in just 30 balls. Damien Martyn and Ricky Ponting both contributed with scores in the 40s, however Australia lost there way in the middle, a combination of both rash batting, as well as intelligent bowling.

Pakistan's chase never looked to be on track, as McGrath's initial out-burst, in which he scalped three of the first four wickets to fall, left them in tatters. Despite showing glimpes of staging a revival, first when Youhana seemed to be countering the opposition well, and next when Abdul Razzaq was involved in a 48-run ninth wicket stand with Rana Naved-ul-Hassan, they never really posed a threat strong enough to mentally pressurise the ever-confident Aussie bowlers.

A detailed report will be posted shortly.

Score Summary:
Australia: 239 for 9 in 50 overs
AC Gilchrist 40, RT Ponting 41, DR Martyn 43, Abdul Razzaq 2/51, Shahid Afridi 2/38
Pakistan: 208 all out in 45.4 overs
Yousuf Youhana 51, Abdul Razzaq 43, GD McGrath 5/27, GB Hogg 2/63

Man of the Match: GD McGrath
Man of the Series: B Lee

Posted by Sudeep