Email Us Forum Mail Article Print Article

Australia defeat New Zealand

Thursday, October 30 2003

In the 3rd TVS Cup match at the Nahar Singh Stadium at Faridabad, Australia have beaten Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by 8 wickets.

With Chris Cairns out injuried, Chris Nevan came in for him, meanwhile Australia named a unchanged line-up. Black Caps Captain Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat on a fresh wicket with some movement assisting the seamers in the first half hour, however it was a good batting wicket. Ricky Ponting said he would of done the same thing.

Nathan Bracken struck in the second ball of the day, trapping Chris Nevin plumb LBW playing from the crease on the back foot. New Zealand were 0-1.

Brad Williams opened the bowling with Bracken had trouble with his line and length early conceding wides down the leg side and wide of the off stump.

Fleming survived a chance from Bracken, the ball beat the bat, clipped the thigh guard and Ponting took a great catch but Bracken didnt appeal and a inquiry from Ponting and Matt Hayden did cause a converstation between David Sheperd and Srinvas Venkataraghavan but Fleming survived.

However, a good ball that was swinging away on off stump drew an edge from Fleming and wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist did the rest. Fleming departed for 2 and New Zealand were 11-2. A double breakthrough by Australia as Williams dismissed Lou Vincent coming in at number 3. A short ball from outside off stump, Vincent attempted to hook, but the ball bounced a little bit extra and skied a catch to Andy Bichel at mid off.

Craig McMillan joined Scott Styris at the crease and despite a boundary from Styris, Williams made another breakthough 9 runs later. A ball outside off stump attempted Styris into a drive and it drew a catch to Ponting at first slip for 7 and New Zealand were 20-4.

More joy for Australia as Bracken struck again dismissing Jacob Oram for 0. A ball outside off stump that swang away and it caught Oram moving on the crease and it drew the edge and Gilchrist took the edge and New Zealand were 21-5 and Fleming was regretting his choice to bat first.

It could of been 28-6 as Williams drew an edge from McMillan and Gilchrist took the edge, but umpire Ventkataraghavan said no and McMillan survived.

Despite consistant wides from Australia and some play and misses and a few turned down LBW descisions, Chris Harris and McMillan were able to show some resistance by putting on a 52 run partnership before medium pacer Ian Harvey trapped Harris plumb LBW for 14 and the Black Caps were 73-6.

Wicket Keeper Brendon McCullum came in and hit a four through the covers off his second ball bowled by Harvey. Gilchrist was standing up to the stumps to Harvey, but moved back when McCullum came in.

However, Bichel made another breakthrough trapping McMillan LBW for a top score of 24 taking the score to 77-7. More extras from the Australians took New Zeland to 80, before McCullums was dismissed to an unbelievable catch. A short ball from Williams - replacing Bichel at the same end, McCullum hooked - doing everything right in keeping the ball down and yet Damien Martyn who was fielding at square leg was able to take a catch to his right just before it hit the ground. Everybody (including the writer) was stunned. The score was New Zealand 80-8.

It was then 80-9 when Harvey trapped Daniel Vettori LBW for 0. The ball hit the pad and then it hit the ball and it rolled toward Harvey who picked it up but still appealed and Shepperd gave Vettori out.

Paul Hitchcock joined Daryl Tuffey at the crease. Tuffey and Hitchcock put on 17 together. Hitchcock made 10 before Williams had Hitchcock caught in the slips by Hayden and New Zealand were all out for 97.

Gilchrist and Hayden came out to bat with 7 overs remaining. Gilchrist started with a rush of blood taking apart Tuffey's first over.

Oram made a breakthrough taking a return catch off Gilchrist for 29 (off a brist 18 balls) with the score on 47. Australia went in at lunch 51-1 off 7 overs.

Ponting joined Hayden at the crease and they put on another 53 runs before Tuffey had Ponting caught behind by McCullum off 12 with the score on 90.

Hayden hit the winning runs with a four off Tuffey taking the Australian total to 101-2 and a victory margin by 8 wickets and he brought up his 50, finshing with 51* and continuing his good form in the last month.

Posted by James