Tri-Series 2007 Game 11: Australia chase down New Zealand's 290
Thank the curators - we were treated to another high scoring match tonight as Australia successfully chased 291 to defeat the Black Caps. New Zealand have improved throughout the series, much like England. I wondered how Lou Vincent would go after his rant against Australia and to his credit he put his money (or cricket bat) where his mouth was scoring 90.
Vincent put on a 151 run partnership with Fulton that set a perfect platform for their big hitters to finish off at the death. Supported by brief but big hitting cameos from Oram, McCullum and Franklin, Styris returned from injury to score 34 at the death and take New Zealand to 7 for 290. Australia's best was Shaun Tait who had a much better match than his Friday debacle. He bowled with great pace, reaching 160kph and took a McGrath-like 2 for 26 off his 10 overs.
Australia faced a run chase similar to England's 293. On Friday, they didn't even come close but there was one major difference tonight - Ricky Ponting. While Hayden and Gilchrist started well (certainly better than Gilchrist's first ball duck), it was Ponting's century which was the glue that held the innings together. What can you say about the guy - he's a machine.
When Clarke was dismissed, Australia looked vulnerable at 3 for 112. Dark horse Brad Hodge was under great pressure but like Shaun Tait redeemed himself (and virtually guaranteed a World Cup berth) with a crucial 99 off 86 balls. He started scratchily but hit his straps around the 30 mark and punished the Black Cap bowlers. He and Ponting must've been channelling Michael Bevan as they paced their run chase coolly with calculator like precision through the middle of the innings.
However, there were a few stutters before the end. Ponting holed out to deep mid-off with only 24 runs to go. Hussey was run out with 12 runs left. But Hodge got us home with 10 balls spare, stranded on 99 not out. It was a record win by the Aussies, the highest ever run chase at the MCG. The Black Caps are playing at near full strength and running on all cylinders. They've had a strong World Cup preparation so far and yet they just can't finish Australia off. I thought ex-Black Cap Adam Parore was a bit harsh saying New Zealand had no chance of winning tonight but maybe he's onto something. Despite the close margins, Australia have defeated New Zealand 20 times in their last 22 encounters. I wouldn't call them big game chokers - maybe just Australia-game chokers.
Cricket Australia have to be patting themselves on how the much maligned Tri-Series has panned out, especially considering the appallingly one-sided early matches. Australia made it into the finals comfortably which was always the #1 priority, remembering the disastrous summer when Australia were eliminated and Steve Waugh's ODI career terminated. The other two teams have had to fight tooth and nail right up to the final qualifying match to decide who meets Australia in the finals. Tuesday's match will be a cracker and I'm picking a New Zealand victory (but barracking for England).
| Posted by JC on Sun 4 Feb |  7 comments |
Same here, I want to see England make the finals. We've got a whole 'nother series coming up against the Kiwi's...
And besides, the poms won their last game against us. RE-MATCH!
As for todays game, Tait definately redeemed himself. Hodge too, felt sorry for him at the end (99*) but he still had a smile on his face so I don't think he's too upset about it.
Tuesday's game will be a cracker... I will have to sneak my radio into work again. :)
Posted by Timbo on 2007-02-05 00:35:41
And besides, the poms won their last game against us. RE-MATCH!
As for todays game, Tait definately redeemed himself. Hodge too, felt sorry for him at the end (99*) but he still had a smile on his face so I don't think he's too upset about it.
Tuesday's game will be a cracker... I will have to sneak my radio into work again. :)
Posted by Timbo on 2007-02-05 00:35:41
I don't know how anyone ever gets Ponting out once he's got his eye in. He has an answer for whatever is bowled at him.
It's not just his individual batting performance that impresses me, though. In my opinion he shares some of the credit for Brad Hodge's solid 99, anchoring and supporting Hodge particularly in those early stages when Hodge could only find singles. Ponting played a similar role in Hayden's form-finding century the other week.
And meanwhile, he racks up his own huge scores as a matter of course.
Brett Lee borrowed Shaun Tait's Sydney figures for the night, while Tait, as you say JC, borrowed McGrath's. Wonder what absent spirit will possess Tait's body next time?
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-05 06:16:54
It's not just his individual batting performance that impresses me, though. In my opinion he shares some of the credit for Brad Hodge's solid 99, anchoring and supporting Hodge particularly in those early stages when Hodge could only find singles. Ponting played a similar role in Hayden's form-finding century the other week.
And meanwhile, he racks up his own huge scores as a matter of course.
Brett Lee borrowed Shaun Tait's Sydney figures for the night, while Tait, as you say JC, borrowed McGrath's. Wonder what absent spirit will possess Tait's body next time?
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-05 06:16:54
Finally an exciting game (with the right result!).
Reckon, though, that there should only be four certainties thus far for the Caribbean, namely Ponting, McGrath, Gilchrist and Hussey. To me there are question marks over the remainder of the squad.
As well as Tait bowled, he must prove he can reproduce that sort of bowling time and again.
Lee, Clark, Bracken and Mitchell are having more off days than on, and it's definitely time for Hogg to be given a trundle. Hope conditions suit somewhere in the finals.
If Ponting isn't now the best batsman in the world in both forms of the game, yes better than Tendulkar and Lara, I'll eat dirt. With Ponting you could tell from his first moments at the crease yesterday that he was up for a big one.
Also hope the Poms reach the final, just so we can give them one more (make that two more) moments of misery before they leave our shores.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-05 08:15:41
Reckon, though, that there should only be four certainties thus far for the Caribbean, namely Ponting, McGrath, Gilchrist and Hussey. To me there are question marks over the remainder of the squad.
As well as Tait bowled, he must prove he can reproduce that sort of bowling time and again.
Lee, Clark, Bracken and Mitchell are having more off days than on, and it's definitely time for Hogg to be given a trundle. Hope conditions suit somewhere in the finals.
If Ponting isn't now the best batsman in the world in both forms of the game, yes better than Tendulkar and Lara, I'll eat dirt. With Ponting you could tell from his first moments at the crease yesterday that he was up for a big one.
Also hope the Poms reach the final, just so we can give them one more (make that two more) moments of misery before they leave our shores.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-05 08:15:41
My motivation for an England/Australia final was because we're playing NZ a few days later anyway. But that's a good point - we wouldn't want England leaving our shores with our last game against them being a defeat. They might actually leave the country smiling!
Lliam makes a good point about Ponting. It's not just the 100 runs he scores but the stability and partnerships he provides. He's had an incredible year and you'd have to think he just has to turn up to the Allan Border Medal tonight to walk away with the gong.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-05 10:04:08
Lliam makes a good point about Ponting. It's not just the 100 runs he scores but the stability and partnerships he provides. He's had an incredible year and you'd have to think he just has to turn up to the Allan Border Medal tonight to walk away with the gong.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-05 10:04:08
Yes, I agree. Absolute humiliation of England before they go home is pretty desirable considering the World Cup is coming up. Bunnies need to remain bunnies.
But, did you notice how all the Aussie dismissals last night were 'soft' -- going for the tonk or going after a ball normally left alone?
Posted by TA on 2007-02-05 11:10:45
But, did you notice how all the Aussie dismissals last night were 'soft' -- going for the tonk or going after a ball normally left alone?
Posted by TA on 2007-02-05 11:10:45
They were soft dismissals. And have you noticed too that Michael Clarke, when someone else is struggling at the other end, feels a need to take it all on his own shoulders to get things going. Led to the rash shot that got him out game before last when Hayden was finding it tough. Then as soon as Clarke got out Hayden got it together and made a half century. He really needs to concentrate on his game and let his teammates worry about theirs.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-05 11:35:00
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-05 11:35:00
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