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Aus v Zim: Match Abandoned

Friday, January 30 2004

After a solid first innings effort from the Australian batting order, the heavy dark clouds over Melbourne opened up and poured down on the MCG as the match was called off.

Australia got off to a good start with Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden's aggressive strokeplay. However Zimbabwe stayed in the game by taking regular wickets.

Martyn fell for a quickfire 42 as he was lbw to Heath Streak, and Hayden fell cheaply for 23 bowled by Douglas Hondo. Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting started to consolidate as well as keep the run rate as high as possible.

Then Blessing Mahwire pulled off a peach of a delivery, as Clarke's off stump was uprooted as he shouldered arms and let the ball go. A sheer misjudgement by Clarke, but good bowling by Mahwire nonetheless.

Harvey and Ponting continued to consolidate, but Harvey was run out and then Ponting (35) skied a Ray Price delievery straight down deep mid wicket's throat.

The man for the crisis, Michael Bevan and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin combined to save Australia's blushes. Bevan finished up with a crucial 56, whilst Haddin pitched in with a valuable 32.

Australia finished up with a competitive yet attainable target of 9/263. But the Melbourne weather never improved, and the rain simply kept on pouring. In the end, Clive Lloyd deemed that the match was indeed a washout with both teams receiving three valuable points each.

Brief Score Summary:

Australia: 9/263 (Bevan 56, Ponting 35, Haddin 32, Streak 2/47, Hondo 1/35, Mahwire 1/35)

Match Abandoned

Posted by Sangrah