Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Haddin, Ponting hand Australia series lead

Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting put on a great batting display to help Australia cruise to victory over New Zealand in the third ODI at Hamilton.

New Zealand got off to a quick start in the first Power Play, scoring 55 runs but lost the wickets of both their openers, Peter Ingram and Brendon McCullum. Martin Guptill failed to perform yet again, picked up by Mitchell Johson in the Bowling Power Play. Ross Taylor and Neil Broom pulled things back for the Kiwis with a 70 run stand for the fourth wicket before Johnson struck again to pick up Broom. Scott Styris took charge of things after Taylor’s dismissal and was supported well by Gareth Hopkins. The duo added 67 runs as they head into the Extreme Performance overs. Things went horribly wrong from the 42nd over as New Zealand lost five wickets in a span of six overs and were bowled out for just 245.

Australia started cautiously in their run chase, scoring just 39 runs in the Quick start overs after losing the wicket of Shane Watson. Brad Haddin looked to be in great knick and was enjoying being in the middle with his skipper, Ricky Ponting. The duo went on to share a mammoth 151-run stand for the second wicket, which put the game firmly in Australia’s favour. Brad Haddin scored his second ODI century before being stumped off Vettori. Cameron White finished the job for Australia as he took them home in the 48th over. It was a disappointing performance from the black caps as they struggled to match Australia in any department.

Brad Haddin was adjudged Man of the Match for his 110 off 121 balls which came with a Batting Momentum off 144.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

West Indies back on level terms

Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Deonarine scored valuable half centuries as West Indies beat Zimbabwe in the second ODI to level the series at 1-1.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first on a slow and dry wicket. They got off to a decent start with 52 runs in the Quick start overs but lost two crucial wickets of Vusimusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza in that period. Tatenda Taibu and Brendan Taylor steadied the ship with a 59 run stand for the third wicket. But the hosts struck back with three wickets in quick succession and Zimbabwe were reduced to 107 for the loss of five wickets at the end of 26 overs. Elton Chigumbura and Greg Lamb batted responsibly and batted steadily through the middle overs. The duo went on to share a 79 run partnership for the sixth wicket before losing their wickets in the Batting Power Play. Zimbabwe could not press further in the Extreme Performance overs and were bowled out for 206.

The hosts knew they were chasing a modest total and could plan their innings accordingly. They scored 47 runs in the first Power Play but lost the wickets of Adrian Barath and David Bernard. Chris Gayle looked to be finding some form back after a dry patch. After Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Andre Fletcher were picked up cheaply, Gayle and Deonarine brought things back under control with an 83-run stand for the fifth wicket. Gayle was out at a crucial stage in the run chase but Deonarine held up one end and scored at a good rate to get his side over the line. West Indies finished with 208 for the loss of six wickets in 47.5 overs to claim their first win of the series.

Ramnaresh Deonarine was adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten 65 in the West Indies run chase.