Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Aussies take Lead after Captain’s Ton

Ponting remained unbeaten on 107 as Australia won by seven wickets

Aussies continued to prove their No 1 spot in ODI’s yet again when their team beat New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first of the three one dayers in Adelaide Oval on 14th December.After thrashing New Zealand in the T20 match on Tuesday,it was no different for the New Zealanders when they faced Ausies.The last time when Chappel-Hadlee series was played on their home soil-earlier this year, New Zealand made much of them by thrashing them 3-0.This time,I guess it was time for Ponting's men to call the shots.





Brett Lee gets rid of Lou Vincent in his third over to see early break through for Australia





It all started with New Zealand’s new captain Daniel Vettori winning the toss and electing to bat.After Brett Lee struck in his first spell-removing Lou Vincent at 15/1,wicket keeper batsman Brendon Mccullum and How put up a 99 run partnership,before J M How fell to Tait.But still all was not lost for New Zealand-with Taylor(50,52b,1X4,3X6) notching up his half century,followed by some decent batting from captain Vettori and all rounder Jacob Oram(32,38b,3X4),saw New Zealand cross the 250 run mark. New Zealand’s innings ended at 254/7.This score was however below par when compared to the depth in the Aussie batting line up.



Brendon McCullum(Right) played aggressively and led New Zealand's quick start.McCullum scored 96 but still his effort was overshadowed by Ponting's brilliance.




As usual,the Australian openers –Adam Gichrist and Mathew Hayden started the innings with a bang,with Gilchrist
plundering 51 off just 29 deliveries.Gilchrist’s innings consisted of 6 fours and 2 sixes.Gilchrist departed after doing much of the damage,to leave it to his captain to complete the formalities.Ponting-who entered the crease after Gilchrist,also was as merciless,who went on to score his 24th ODI hundred which came run a ball.In addition,even Michael Clarke(48,76b,6X4) and Andrew Symonds(28,28b,3X4) also joined the party to seal the match with almost 8overs remaining.The highlites of the day was ofcourse Ponting who lit up the stadium with his bat scoring 107* off 108
balls consisting of 13 fours.Ponting is now only one century behind Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya to become the second highest century maker in ODIs.






Adam Gilchrist ambushed New Zealand by scoring 51 off 29 balls










So Australia now go into the third match(with the wash out of second match owing to rains) with an unbeatable lead of 1-0.It all looks like Ponting's men will wrap up this series with a 2-0 win to come out of the 3-0 loss to New Zealand earlier this year.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 254/7-Bendon McCullum 96;Oram 32;vettori 26;Shaun Tait 3/59;B.Lee 2/48;
Australia 255/3 in 42.3 overs-Ponting 107*;Gilchrist 51;Clarke 48;Mills 2/68;
MoM:Ricky Ponting



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