Ruthless Australia thump Kiwis by seven wickets

NAGPUR: Ruthless Australia compounded the miseries of rivals New Zealand by notching up a seven-wicket victory in their World Cup match on Friday.

Chasing an easy target of 207 runs for victory, Australia openers Shane Watson (62) and Brad Haddin (55) piled on 133 for the first wicket in just 18 overs as they punished the erratic bowling of New Zealand in the Group A encounter.

The start ensured that there were no hiccups, though both openers departed in the same over to paceman Hamish Bennett.

Captain Ricky Ponting (12) followed soon after, stumped brilliantly down the leg side by Brendon McCullum off Tim Southee.

Vice captain Michael Clarke and Cameron White saw Australia home in just 34 overs with an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 40
runs to extend their team’s unbeaten run in World Cup to 31 matches.
The Kiwi bowlers did not help their cause by bowling 32 extras, which included 29 wides.

The match was played against a somber backdrop following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch earlier this week.

Both teams observed a minute’s silence and wore black arm-bands, while the New Zealand flag flew at half mast in memory of the victims of the earthquake, which has claimed at least 113 lives with 228 people still missing.

Some of New Zealand players struggled to keep their emotions in check as they linked arms while their national anthem was being played before the start of the match.

After the solemn start, the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait vindicated Ponting’s decision to field first by skittling New Zealand for a 206.

Overnight rain and a little cloud cover prompted Ponting to bowl first in the day match and some fiery fast bowling saw the
Kiwis lose their first six wickets with just 73 runs on the board.
Johnson (four for 33) and Tait (three for 35) shared seven wickets among themselves, while Brett Lee and Shane Watson also chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Steve Smith was the only spinner to pick up a wicket. AGENCIES

Indian spinners rock Australia after Tendulkar’s double ton

BANGALORE: The second and final test between India and Australia was heading for a gripping climax after bowlers dominated the fourth day on Tuesday.

The Indian spinners reduced Australia to 202 for seven at the close, with Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Hauritz facing the task of extending a slender lead of 185 runs for the touring side who lost the first test by one wicket.

Captain Ricky Ponting made a defiant 72 to hold the innings together before falling to Zaheer Khan in the final session.

The tourists were let down by their top order which struggled against Indian spinners Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh.

Ojha removed in-form opener Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey, while Harbhajan accounted for Simon Katich and Marcus North.

“I’m not satisfied. I will be satisfied if we can get them out early tomorrow and get those runs,”

Ponting leads Australia recovery in second test

BANGALORE: Captain Ricky Ponting top-scored with a resolute 77 as Australia recovered from a wobbly afternoon session to reach 285 for five on the opening day of the second and final test against India on Saturday.

Australia, 1-0 down in the series, appeared to have squandered a perfect start when they lost three wickets for 33 runs after lunch.

Ponting then featured in two half-century partnerships with Mike Hussey (34) and Marcus North before the skipper fell in the 76th over.

North was unbeaten on 43 and Tim Paine eight not out when bad light stopped play for the day.

Earlier, Ponting’s decision to bat first on a slow track was vindicated when the in-form Shane Watson (57) put on 99 for the first wicket with Simon Katich (43).

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh removed Katich in the first over after lunch and followed up by dismissing Michael

Australia Romp To easy Win over West Indies

Australia Romp To easy Win over West Indies

Australia 171-2 (26.3 ovs)
West Indies 170 (34.4 ovs)
After white washing Pakistan the world champions are now getting ready to clean sweep West Indies. Pace bowler Doug Bollinger took 4-28 as Australia trounced West Indies by eight wickets in the second one-day international in Adelaide.
The tourists were bowled out for 170 in 39.4 overs. Dwayne Smith top-scoring with 43.

Watch Live Cricket

Shane Watson got Australia off to a good start in reply with 53 from 50 balls before being caught behind. Captain Ricky Ponting saw them home with an unbeaten 57 off 55 balls. Aussies are leading the series by 2-0.

---

Australia Romp To easy Win over West Indies was first posted on February 9, 2010 at 5:15 pm.