A nice post here, on Willow and Leather, if, for no other reason than the headline - "Name any sport or Geisha Yells" - nice one!
Looks like no changes?
Tait and Johnson have been included in the Australia 13 for the second Test in Adelaide, but no MacGill - you expect therefore, no change.
Watson has been declared still unfit - maybe a bit of face saving for him, seeing as though Clarke got 50 in the first Test.
Australia vs England - First Test - Day Five
Well...morning Five at least. Even Kevin Pietersen, who gave us so much entertainment yesterday, folded this morning on just the second ball of the day. Many will say "that's just how he bats - unpredictable", well I would suggest he may need to work on a predictable side of his game because that soft dismissal this morning let himself and his side down.
While many will point out that Australia were 1-0 up, 15 months ago and lost the Ashes, there are actually more similarities to the last Ashes series in Australia (4 yrs ago), right down to the way the English came out a applauded the Barmy Army after being smashed at the Gabba that time as well.
Let's look back to the last series, when Australia led 1-0 after the first test. England will be trying to take heart in the fact that they regained the Ashes from there. In that Test, Harmisson had made a big statement and Australia had been rolled cheaply in the first innings. Langer and Ponting had been struck early by a venemous spell from Steve (Harmisson). Only McGrath's brilliance had kept Australia in the match on day one. Gillespie had been flogged to all parts and Australia were struggling in the field.
Now lets look at Brisbane - Harmisson, well, well - all over the shop, enough said. The above mentioned batsmen made 438 runs between them, both with not outs, averaging therefore 219! Australia's bowling too never looked like being bettered, save perhaps one session on day 4 when England were just 600 odd behind and little mattered. Remember too that in England last year, England had already beaten Australia in a few one dayers and a 20/20, and Australia had lost to Bangladesh. This time, we come off an ICC Champions Trophy won, for the first time by the Aussies, smashing England along the way. Amazingly too, for the first time in an illustrious era, every available trophy could be in the Aussie cabinet in a few months.
I would suggest the similarities so far, with 2005 end at the scoreline after just one test. The similarities with the last tour, in which Australia won the first 4 are far greater.
The only English batsmen to offer any real resistance in this match, Collingwood and Pietersen, threw away centuries with soft dismissals, Pietersen, when the glimour of hope for a draw still existed - although that about snuffed it out, second ball of the day.
So a big disappointment for England in this Test. Can they regroup by next Thursday? Of course they can. They are professional sportsman led by one of the most gallant warriors they've had. But have they actually got the cattle to go with the in form Aussies, over 5 days, I doubt it. A lot will depend on match winners like Pietersen and Flintoff, Australia will seem to have big performances by those guys, covered somewhere - as they have so many options.
Just a note though, for other over optimistic Aussies like me - I did predict on this site only last week, a 3 - 1 win for the Aussies with a live final Test in Sydney. In that prediction I said they'd probably win the first two (thinking mistakenly that the second Test was in Perth like it usually is - so granted that equate to 2 out of the first 3), so a win in Brisbane was part of the plan...maybe best not to get too carried away.
One big question which will now get a lot of press over the coming 3 or 4 days will be, will anyone have to make way for Watson and/or MacGill. It's very hard to see that happening, especially now that Australia has a one/nil lead. Mess with a winning line up? - I doubt it!
A "tad" hypocritical?
I read where English fans complained of music being played during on of the breaks at the Gabba - a Greg Champion song no less. Does this strike anyone as hypocritical - when it was the Aussies on the receiving end last year I remember nothing but smiles, particularly Brett Lee who was particularly harshly dealt with.
Australia vs England - First Test - Day Four
Well England finally showed some fight today. After slumping again again to 3 for less than 100 Collingwood and Pietersen got together and showed attack was the best form of defence even when you need 600! Collingwood was solid yet aggressive until bought undone by some school boy tactics, which he will forever be kicking himself for. Warne bought the field up a bit, entice him to go over the top to bring up his hundred, then tossed up an inviting, but pretty much stock standard leg spinner (if you could ever call a Warne delivery standard) and showed us that even at this level players can be sucked in. The ball spun away from the bat to a waiting Gilchrist and Collingwood was strandard out of his crease on 96. It looked like local third grade cricket at that point, but prior to that, it was anything but... Pietersen was awesome, smashing McGrath to the cover boundary three times in two overs and sweeping Warne in front of square repeatedly.
Prior to that Bell had shown he still can't pick Shane Warne - especially the "slider" and Strauss was out hooking again, caught by substitute Ryan "Pratt" Broad - ironically replacing Ricky Ponting.
One doubts England can last a full day with only five wickets in hand, but if do, and Pietersen finds support from Jones and Giles, he'll have scored about 350!
There is a storm on the horizon, and I think the Aussies would like to take a couple in the first hour, just in case...
Australia vs England - First Test - Day Three
This has been England's most humiliating day of the three so far. Their much publicised lack-luster bowling performance was worse than ordinary on Day 1, but things can go wrong in a session or two. We were willing to forgive in the hope of better to come.
Day 2, Australia capitalised on a great situation as either side probably would have.
Day 3 was their chance to bat their way to a big total and negate all of Australia's good work.
When cracks opened up in the wicket and McGrath started jagging the ball all over the place, I started to feel a little sorry for England (well not really but I did have to note the apparent possibly result changing advantage given to Australia by winning the toss). Batting was difficult and Bell was the only one who looked prepared to battle it out to earn a score. Pietersen battled hard for awhile but you sensed Australia always fancied their chances with him. Strauss needs to adjust the way he hooks here in Australia as will Bell although I repeat, Bell did well and I may be forced to reassess my opinion of him as the summer progresses. However then away the rest fell - all out 157. But the most humiliating part was still to come. Despite a 475 run deficit and no chance of winning the Test, Harmisson, Flintoff, Anderson and Hoggard had their chance on a wicket that was now starting to play tricks. They could walk away from this match with something. Nothing short of a miracle would save them now, but surely, they could bowl well, and limit the difference in this Test, to just that one massive first innings and maybe even attribute it all to a great knock by Ponting.
It wasn't to be. One of the best (supposedly) seam attacks in the world were in-effectual on a pitch that only hours before had looked close to unplayable. The only Australian wicket to fall was the suicidal run out of Hayden - who was looking in great 'nic', and even then, it took every bit of technology to proove that he was out by less than a centimetre.
A disappointing day, a disappointing effort and an anti-climax. The question now is can England regroup, on a tour that, give the tight time frames, is going to offer very little time to do so, and give a big advantage to the side with the mometum. We know Freddie Flintoff has the heart, courage and ability to do so, but his effort has already been momentus. On a personal front, he can't do much more than he has. He needs some mates, and he needs them quickly.
Maybe now, people will stop talking about the ageing Australian side and start calling them battle hardened and experienced, and also start talking about the inexperience nnd under-prepared English side who doesn't really have the hard knocks under their belts to go with the Aussies.
(Cross posted on Cricket 24x7)
Australia vs England - First Test - Day Two
No time for long winded wrap ups today - suffice to say, Australia capitalised on a great first day to put themselves into a no-lose situation. Some great batting from Hussey and Ponting, and some fantastic tail end slogging, which for some reason seems so much easier when the score is 550 than when it is 250.
McGrath then announced his return to Test cricket, and dispelled any doubts with two early wickets.
This was a disasterous toss to lose for England. They would've been better off not having to take the field, nervous as they were, on Day 1 - Harmisson could've done with a spell in the dressing rooms to settle in, and not only that, but now they will get the complete rough end of the stick with regards to this wicket aa well.
England are not as bad as the scoreline is showing - how much damage this start does, to the rest of the match and tour remains to be seen, but I suspect they'll come back.
One other disadvantage though is the tight schedule for the Test. Momentum will be important.
On a more subjective and emmotive note though, as an Aussie, Geez it's good to see "Dad's Army" getting some revenge - bring it on!
Australia vs England - First Test - Day One
While Harmisson's start smacked of nervousness, you can't say the same for Andrew Flintoff. When you're in the slips and the ball comes your way, from a wild fast bowler, and natural inclination is to brace yourself for it, maybe shy sideways or whatever - not Flintoff, who just calmly took it at about knee height at second slip! almost like it was all part of the plan.
Incredible stuff.
Then Langer set about showing just why he was the correct choice as opener. Phil Jaques will get his turn - no doubt. But Langer is class. A quick 50 was a very positive start to Langer.
Hayden didn't quite look right today - although it was pleasing to see him settle down and not assume the big, bullying millionaire batting style of early innings in England last year. He ensured Langer's great work was not to no avail.
But Australia at 1 down for 106 at lunch was far better than I expected. I seriously thought there would be more life in the GABBA wicket and we'd be 4 or 5 down. I thought Harmisson would be better and Flintoff more penetrating. But this was only the first session of potentially 75 sessions But England's bowlers didn't bowler sensibly. The succumbed to the occasion and Langer particularly, capitalised.
With all the hype and publicity, it would be the side that played the percentages, kept their heads and trusted their game. In Session 1, this was Australia, and it certainly wasn't England. There is a long way to go.
To the second session, and England bowled much better, but by now the Aussies were in. Langer started agressively, then failed to contain himself, and dollied a catch to Pietersen. I think he got a little over confident and missed the opportunity to open the series with a ton. Martyn got settled in but also couldn't go on. Ponting, worked his way to 50 and set up a ig last session. Would it be Flintoff and England who could expose the Australian tail before the end of day one, or would be Ponting and Hussey to set up a big total and possibly a winning first innings total.
Then in the final session, that old feeling of comfort returned for us spectators. It's a feeling that until last year we were quite used to - where you walk into the room and casually ask, "Sso how many's Hussey/Ponting?" - "70 odd" - "hmmm?" you reply. "I go and watch when he gets his hundred." It a great feeling really, but far less exciting than we came to expect last series. So what will change this for England? Who will lead them back into this match? Don't forget they lost the first Test, convincingly in that series we all remember so well - what is in store? Well England know they have what it takes to beat Australia these days. One thing is for sure, they won't give up after just one bad day. A big performance in the first session tomorrow and all is not lost. The pitch should stag in good shape for at least a couple of days.
The biggest worry for England would have to be the bounce and turn Pietersen got. If a part time can do it, well I don't have to remind you do I. One call from an ABC commentator was, well "he" could end up with all 20 wickets!
Ashes Eve
'Twas the night before Brisbane
When all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse,
The pitch has been watered and rolled flat with care,
A small urn full of Ashes would soon be right there.
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of Edgbaston fresh in their heads.
The fans were now wrestless,
We've all had our say,
It's time to get started,
Get things underway.
It's different this time say the Aussies, we're ready!
But have they the batsmen, to take on Big Freddie?
There's Hoggard and Pietersen, Harmisson too,
Will Ian Bell, show us what he can do?
Australia have new guys,
To try make ammends,
Can Hayden or Gilchrist make more than just ten?
Our bowlers are better,
They're faster, they're fit,
Warne and McGrath just won't seem to quit.
So sit down, get ready, and strap yourself in,
It's going to be a corker - and may the best team win!
Blogs a-plenty
Here's a nice Ashes Blog I stumbled across recently - definetly worth a look.
Flintoff's Ashes, check it out.
Exciting Times
These sure are exciting times down here is Aus! There are only two days to go until the Ashes are once again, up for grabs. Cricket is all over the place too, with radio competitions (on popular, trendy radio stations!) offering Ashes tickets, "Ashes to Ashes"specials on the major TV network - cricketers are hip, cricket is the talk of the town. One concern I have, is that these Test Matches will now be full of ODI style, Mexican wave doing, beer throwing "fans". Let's hope not - of course there is so much more to take from Test cricket that will be completely losts on a majority of these fans, but really, if this possibly short lived popularity introduces just a handfull of people who would otherwise not have noticed, to the world of Test cricket, it's got to be a good thing right? 10 or so years back, there was doubt about the future of Test Cricket. Now check it out!
Pakistani chuckers
There seems to be something of an epidemic of chucking in Pakistan. (See this article). I haven't seen footage yet but have heard some disparaging comments about Tait's action too, since his shoulder surgery...hmmmm.
Boofa...again
Darren Lehmann today showed once again his demise in Test cricket was premature, with 99 against the touring English side. It should give the Aussie batsman confidence though. There has been a big score against the English bolwers in every outing so far.
Tait has also struck early, to do his chances no harm. He'll need another 5 or so tomorrow you'd think to get ahead of the others. (Scorecard is here.)
My Sides
Australia
1. Langer
2. Hayden
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. Hussey
6. Watson
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Lee
10. Clarke (S)
11. McGrath
So this leave waiting in the wings...Clarke (M) (watch out Martyn and Watson). Also, Tait, Johnson and MacGill. Jaques will also provide backup support, with Hodge hanging around too. Symonds is also an option after an up and down series against South Africa, really only filling a space waiting for Watson to get fit. So enough options to be confident.
I'd have Clarke in front of Tait and Johnson because England struggle more under consistent relentless bowlers rather than the more unpredicatable (potentially explosive) ones. I think Australia will need to be misers especially in the first Test, to get England on the back foot and Clarke prooved his worth, stepping into McGrath's shoes in South Africa earlier in the year. Unlucky of course, is Gillespie, who will now most likely go down as perhaps the only player to be dropped after making a double century in his last Test.
England (I'll struggle coz I don't know enough about their depth but...) it seems like it should be...
England
1. Strauss
2. Joyce
3. Cook
4. Collingwood
5. Pietersen
6. Flintoff
7. Jones
8. Mahmood
9. Harmisson
10. Hoggard
11. Panesar
Obviously, this won't happen in the first Test! Bell won't be left out. He's been in pretty good form except against Australia - but that's who they're playing right? He is overrated and I feel, will be out of the side by the end of the tour.
I'd have Mahmood in, because he's capable of one of those spells that could swing the match England's way.
I'd open with Joyce because he's all that is left, after I dropped Bell ;-)
I'd bat Collingwood ahead of Pietersen for some stability then let the terrible two (Pietersen and Flintoff) go crazy later in the innings.
Time to stick your neck out
Okay - it's time. I've been told more than once, Stu, it's time to make a call. My attitude has changed a lot over the past few months. 6 Months ago, I thought England would retain the Ashes...now, I don't.
My tip - Australia 3 - 1. But this result will be more thrilling than that scoreline sounds. Australia to win in Brisbane, then Perth. (2 nil up). From there England fight back with a draw and a win out of Adelaide and Melbourne (not sure on the combination). So a 2 - 1 scoreline going into Sydney, means the Ashes are still up for grabs - 2 ALL, means England retain. Enter SCG (both by name and nature)MacGill and Australia take the 3rd Test and the Ashes.
Now there are some qualifications - Mssrs Pietersen, Flintoff and Harmisson have the ability to change everything, right off the bat. If Harmisson makes a big impact early in Brisbane or Perth, of FLintoff/Pietersen play one of those innings, the above scenario is out the window. For once, it is Ausstralia's opposition that has the wild cards - Australia's performance will be predicatbly quite good. One of the stars will do enough to win those matches, but the real work will be done, in stopping England's counter attack. The bowling line up is performing better than last time around, which is why I feel inclined to go for the scoreline I have. McGrath will need to be on song for at least 3 and half of the matches. Lee firey and of course Warne, well he needs to be Warney - perhaps another scandle before the first test, just to get things really set up ;-)
There you go, I've stuck my neck out, 3 - 1. (Either this will come back to haunt me big time, or I'll claim bragging rights in a few months.)
Keep an eye on the "enemy"
Now is probably an apt time to mentioned a nice blog brought to my attention just the other day - The Third Umpire. Some very informative, player by player analysis of the English side here leading up to the Ashes. Check it out.
Prime Minister's XI versus England
Well, I guess you shouldn't read much into a Prime Minister's XI, 50 over match in Canberra, but then again, they said not to read too much into this one either...
Aussies target Flintoff - a bold move!?
I read where Australia have continued what is now becoming a "tradition" (of sorts) making a point to target the opposition captain, during tours of Australia. "Target" - in terms of intense pressure, exploiting some known weakeness, getting some negative press...whatever, to make the tour as hard as possible and bring down some other team mates along with a key player.
I'm not sure whether this means they don't always apply the same amount of pressure to all members of the oposition or not...go figure?
This time, of course therefore, they've "targeted" Andrew Flintoff and I feel, this is where they make a mistake. Usually, this practice involves targeting a batsman, and usually a high order batsman. Think back to Hussain, Atherton, even Lara, Tendulka, Flemming, Graeme Smith. These guys are therefore going up, time after time against Glenn McGrath, with a new ball, on fast Australian pitches. They're bound to fail a bit, and when they do, you look clever for having pointed it out. They probably were quite clever in being able to exploit whatever weakeness they've identified, but with Andrew Flintoff, it's a different story.
For starters, he is at his devastating best when bowling. Sure he is a powerful batsman too, but he won most of those matches, or was certainly most influential, as a fast, menacing bowler in the last Ashes series. So how does a side target a fast bowler, day after day, match after match across a summer.
You see for a bowler, he only needs to win once, and a batsman is out, sitting "in the shed for the rest of the day" and you remember it. For a batsman to "target" a bowler is quite different. He would need to not just survive, not just survive and score runs, but to really devastate him, he needs to score at something like 4 or more an over. So when that happens, the result is, the bowler is taken off, goes to field somewhere a regroup for awhile, then comes back again, maybe after a wicket has just fallen, and start again. He gets, 2, 3 maybe 4 chances a day. If still he has no success, he comes back tomorrow. For a bowler, paticularly a fast bowler, momentum and adrenallin are such a major factor and these things can come to you at any time. Even after being dominated for 2 and half session, take a couple of wickets in the last half hour, and you're right back in it. These aspects of the game are where Flintoff especially, excels.
Any minor victories the Australian batsmen have over him, can be undone in one short but devastating spell. And such a spell, will also serve to bring on his confidence with the bat as well. We saw this in England last year - Flintoff started very slowly with the bat, but as he came into the game with the ball, so he did, with the bat.
So I fear that this tactic by the Aussies, while not destined to work with any great success anyway, may in-fact backfire. Flintoff can be inspirational to his side anyway, but as the first opposition captain to tour Australia and conquer the dreaded "targeting" by the Aussie side, just how inspirational will he be? This may just be the factor that lifts the English to win that extra Test they need and retain the Ashes.
Australia back in town, with a familiar swagger
Bouyed by the ICC Champions Trophy win, it's on to the only trophy currently missing from the Aussies' cabinet these days, and the most prestigous of them all the Ashes.
And the Aussies seem to have re-aquired that familiar, some might say arrogant, others, confident, attitude. They: pushed an official off the podium in India, Ponting has had a crack at the "nay-sayers" regarding their "too happy" one minute, too grumpy the next attitude even citing sources close to the team and Damien Martyn has even critised the untouchable, Dennis Lillee.
Things are hotting up. The English are in for a baptism of fire (the new guys at least) but lets not forget, for the first time in a long time, they have some fire of their own to throw back.
This is going to be great.
15 days to go!
More support for Darrell Hair
Despite some outspoken opinions around the place, there is a large amount of support for Darrell Hair and plenty of critisicm of the ICC. Here's a guy making his own protest.
Hair Sacking bad for cricket
The travesty that was the sacking of Darrell Hair from the ICC's elite panel of umpires this week is going to be very bad for cricket. This is simply infuriating!
Not only, as is pointed out here, in the Daily Telegraph, are umpires going to think twice before making anything like a controversial decision against any Asian countries. but we are now in for a wave of video replays over practically every decision that can possibly be replayed. Cricket will head down the path of Rugby League, where video based decisions are the "norm" not the exception, and umpires simply turn and gestures for the replay whenever anything happens. They are being relegated to hat and coat stands.
Another interesting point in all this is why is it just Darrell Hair? He is a scape goat! There was another umpire on the field, a third umpire and an inactive match referee at the Oval that fateful day. They still have their jobs. Why? - it's deeper than ball tampering - it's about money and power and someone (people) on the sub-continent with a grudge.
Well it may just backfire...Lee, McGrath and other Aussies who have been widely complained about, especially from the Asian supporter base, will now have recourse should there be any course of action instigated against them, that they feel is accusatory and unfair - and what action isn't accusatory? This is a slippery slope, and with a spineless ICC leading the way, things can go down that slope very quickly.
What will be the reaction next time Brett Lee slips in the dewy conditions in Christchurch, and lets go a 150km/hr thunderbolt at a Kiwi batsmen's head? Can he seriously be accused of cheating now? If he is, there will be plenty of cries from this country, for that official's scalp let me tell you.
All in all, weak and reactionary. This was their chance to back an official and encourage some proper umpiring - officials that we all know we need, and we need performing well - instead, they hung him out to dry.. The elite umpires have been completely undermined and it won't benefit the game one bit.
ICC Champions Trophy
So the trophy that so long eluded the Aussies is on it's way "down under" and into the cabinet, leaving one noticable void - one that Freddie Flintoff and his mates have just arrived to defend (days before the Australian team arrives mind you). And just quietly, we'd swap the lot to get these Ashes back!
In the final itself, the West Indies won the toss and elected to bat. They had a clear game plan - the same as every other for the tournament, blast the opposition early, because you never know what may happen to this batting line up. Earlier in the week it came off against SA, and for 5 or so awesome overs, we looked in store for still more...
After the loss of their second wicket, I remarked to my wife that “the problem for the West Indies here is, that they’re just as likely to be bowled out for 160 now…” I was wrong – after a start that saw their 50 come up in 5 overs and still scoring 9 an over well after that, they managed just 138. Australia rallied to take 10 for 89.
The start by the West Indies was certainly exciting. Even for an Aussie, the batting was just thrilling. Gayle in particular, was just awesome. The standup, on drive off Lee, where Lee simply let the ball go assuming mid-on would collect it for him was for me, the shot of the tournament. Mid-on was never going to get it. The ball hit the fence, and Gayle’s bat had extended no further than should height on the follow through. "Poetry in motion". What an imposing and awesome batsmen he is. He had few friends though. And for once, it wasn’t McGrath or Lee who swung it for Australia. It was the world’s number 4 one day bowler, Nathan Bracken who kept his head, varied is pace and had the courage to mix it up a lot, who started taking wickets. As we’ve seen so often, once the wickets start for the WIndies, things are fairly brittle.
McGrath, returned figures of 2 for 24 from 7. Nothing that out of the ordinary there, except that after 2 overs, his figures read, 0 for 22! If that wasn’t amazing enough, how about 5 overs conceding just 2 runs. Astounding.
The transformation and form reversal was complete when Andrew “Roy” Symonds picked of Collymore, with a through from midwicket, when a run was not even being taken, to wrap things up.
Ricky Ponting’s captaincy was questioned here, and it has to be said he stood up. He encouraged the bowlers, made the changes when required, adjusted the field to the slow wicket, and got his side back in it.
So, a strange scenario where Australia had to bat for short stint, before a “tea” break. An horrendous disadvantage in a ODI and a strange (read stupid) rule.
The West Indies took full advantage picking up Gilchrist and then Ponting, with haunting similarities to so many Gilchrist/Ponting dismisals in the past. This Gilchrist thing, outside off stump from around the wicket, is getting ridiculous and I feel, could sound the beginning of the end for Gilly, who is of course one those not expected to last beyond the World Cup. Ponting was showing these “falling across off stump signs last year too, but look how things went then!
Two balls before the break, Martyn submitted a challenge to Gayle for shot of tournament, with a front foot nudge between a tight gap and extra cover. The ball just didn’t slow down and he picked up four valuable runs – he is just so fine to watch when he is on song.
Then rain made Australia's job that little bit easier, reducing the target to 116, and the overs to 35. With two wickets down, those 22 less runs probably helped the confidence just a little and Martyn and Watson cruised to victory.
So with that over, it really is bring on the Ashes...can England settle in, with unprooven players and repeat last years performance? Can Australia change gear and hit Test Cricket mode in just 17 days! Increasingly, I'm thinking Australia will do it, but I'm far from convinced just yet.
Australia verses New Zealand First Semi-Final
Well just a flying post to lay down some thoughts at the half way mark (pressuming the Kiwi's bat the full 50 overs, which would mean they'd win one suspects) of the champions trophy semi-final.
The New Zelanders controlled this Australian innings as well as a one day innings against the world champs can be controlled and as such have found themselves in a very good position to progress through to the final. There is a long way to go of course and one suspects, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee will have something to say about this, but they will have to, and they'll have to do it early, if Australia are to win this one.
Steve Flemming captained brilliantly, as usual and the bowlers back him up by bowling to a plan and to their field.
They got a dream start, with Australia on 2 for 4 after 3 overs. This will happen when you have bowlers the calibre of Mills and Bond. Ponting showed his class, well supported by Martyn who was very unlucky that Steve Bucknor has been given a semi-final to umpire - a joke of an LBW decision from a joke of an umpire - a left arm bowler, bowling around the wicket...come on - but I digress.
Hussey also played an important role to get Australia into a position to launch an attack on 260 or 270, but then a bold move by Flemming. He bought Franklyn back on, who was going for the wrong side of 7 per over. This was probably just a bit earlier than Australia really wanted to put the foot down and lift the scoring rate, but Franklyn seemed to be the designated bowler to take advantage of. This showed, in Hussey's up and under cut shot, from a slow, wide delivery from Franklyn, which "dollied" to gully - a disappointing dismissal.
Franklyn, lifted and preceded to bowl what could be the first wicket maiden in the 40th over to an Australian side ever (in an ODI). Flemming had challenged the Aussies to break their game plan a little and it came off.
The Kiwi's then kept the Aussies "boundary-less" for 10 overs (35 - 45). Clarke managed one then it wasn't until the final over that Bracken (of all people) smacked a towering six, then a four down to fine-leg, making it just three boundaries in the final 15 overs! In this time, Franklyn and Astle bowled. Good bowling, good field placement and good captaincy.
We'll need to see just how the wicket plays before we know just how good 240 is, but I suspect it will take a vintage Glenn McGrath start, for the Aussie's to win this one. Please let him take the new ball...it's midnight here, I'll watch the first few overs, then make a call before turning in...
================================
Okay - good start by the Aussies. New Zealand started cautiously and just when it looked like they'd have some wickets in hand for a decent assault on this, McGrath and Lee produce a couple of rippers, and they're 2 for 22.
Well, I'm going to have to get some sleep now - I feel confident Australia will pull this off now, but not if Steve Flemming sticks around. They'll have to get another wicket before 50 or 60 to keep this pressure on. NZ will try to play their way out of it. If they do manage that, lifting the tempo down the track 15 overs or so, will prove to be the next vital point in their innings.
Anyway, that's the end of an over analysed one day match for now - I'll pop a final comment on in the morning, when I wake up to the result on the 6.30am news - hmmm, that's not that far away now :-(
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Looks like I should've hung around another 15 minutes or s0 - at 6 for 36 NZ were out of it. Vetori, as is so often the case, had other ideas, but from those early overs, they were never going to threaten 240.
McGrath, awesome in conditions that suited him. Great stuff - exciting for the upcoming Ashes.
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