Story The Dominators - Global Challenge

[MWaugh]

Match Report - Lunch Day 3

Australias top order again struggled against the new ball to put the tourists in dangerous waters against an aggressive New Zealand bowling attack in the first session of day 3 in Wellington.
The 16 overs faced by Australia yeilded 61 runs at a run rate of 3.81 however it also brought with it the loss of 3 wickets. Shane Bond typified the New Zealand mindset, claiming 2 wickets through aggressive pitched up bowling however also going for 37 runs. Again the Australias top order put the rest of the lineup in a dangerous position as they search for the 228 runs required for victory.

Matthew Hayden was the first to go, inside edging a full pitched Bond ball onto middle stump for 5. Opening partner Justin Langer was then dismissed after edging a Darryl Tuffy ball to Lou Vincent at first slip. Australia were feeling the pressure with Langer gone at 2/37 and things failed to get better, loosing Damien Martyn (trapped LBW by Bond for 1) 3 overs later with only one run added to the board. Michael Clarke (11*) and Ricky Ponting (26*)were able to add another 23 runs before the lunch interval came. Australia heading to the sheds with the score at 3/61, still requiring another 167 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

Below - Images from australias second innings
- Hayden edges one onto middle stump
- Langer edges to vincent at first slip
- Ponting cuts the ball to point

 

[MWaugh]

Lunch Report - Richie Benaud and Martin Crowe

Richie Benaud - Welcome to the lunch report here from a cold Wellington in New Zealand. With me i have New Zealand great Martin Crowe, Martin you would have to be very pleased with the way the guys are playing out there?

Martin Crowe - Hello Richie, yes this has been a great performance from the whole team. They are very difficult conditions out there for all the players and the boys have definatly made the most of their opportunities. This is the best team in the world and the New Zealanders have a big chance of winning this game.

Benaud - They are a definate chance. The only concern i have martin is the fact that they may be going after it a little to strongly. They have bowled very full in this session and Ponting has made them pay. I would think that if they played the way they did in the first session they would be in a much stronger position. You dont want to give away runs to early when you are only defending a total of around 230.

Crowe - Yes that is a big concern. The bowlers have bowled well but if ponting and clarke get some runs under their belts and get set then this match could go to australia.

Benaud - Well we will have to see how things pan out. Thanks for joining us as we take you back now to the middle.

Below:
- Scorecards at lunch on day 3 from wellington
- Shane Bond - Bowling to full? Taking wickets none the less

 

[The Champ]

Excellent performance by bond, Aus in some trouble there

 

[SaiSrini]

New Zealand in a good position here. A lead of over 250+ would spell trouble for Australia on this wicket!

 

[m_vaughan]

Aussies in trouble, but I am expecting Punter to play a match winning knock here!

Also good to see Bond do what he does best.......take wickets!!

 

[The Champ]

But u cant expect Aus to go down, i expect them to come on top

 

[MWaugh]

Match Report - Tea Day 3

A terrific unbeaten 118 run partnership between captain Ricky Ponting and young star Michael Clarke put Australia in a commanding position at tea on day three of the test match vs New Zealand at Wellington. The much needed partnership rescued the tourists from danger at 3/38 to sit comfortably at 3/154, needing only 74 runs for victory.

An inspired captains knock of 82* from 120 balls from Ponting, and crafty supporting role from number 5 batsmen Clarke 45* from 88 balls, enabled Australia to be on the verge of yet another test match victory.

The Australian pair took full advantage of some ill-disciplined bowling from the New Zealands pace attack of Bond, Tuffey and Cairns, who were all guilty of bowling top full and as a result were punished on many occasions. Ponting rattling off 15 boundaries, many straight down the ground and Clarke 8.

It appears the only way New Zealand came achieve a result in this match is to dismiss both Ponting and Clarke shortly after lunch and hope to rip through the lower order. However 74 runs with still 7 wickets in hand appears an enourmous challenge or a team bowling the way they are currently.

Below - Images from 2nd session, day 3
- Ricky Ponting Drives through the off
- Scorecards at tea on day 3
- Pontings pie chart, illustrating the fullish nature of deliveries bowled by the New Zealand attack.

 

[The Champ]

As i said earlier there is the fight back by the Aussies

 

[faraz haider]

great show by aussies.

 

[SaiSrini]

Should be a win here for the Aussies. I dont expect any turnaround here!

 

[The Champ]

Ya tremdous fight back by the Aussie

 

[m_vaughan]

A very important innings there from Ponting.....well played.

 

[faraz haider]

ponting is fighting like a champion here.

 

[jazz]

look like australia will win this one

great story mate

 

[MWaugh]

Australia Closes In On Victory - Stumps Day 3

A dashing century from Ricky Ponting and a careful 50 from Michael Clarke has put Australia on the brink of their third staright test victory, this one against New Zealand in Wellington. Thanks to Pontings 175 ball innings of 107 and Clarkes well crafted 64 from 135 balls, Australia now need only 10 runs for victory when play resumes at 11.00 tomorrow. However the final session of play proved exciting and eventful as Australia, appearing to cruise to victory, suffered at the hands of a spirited New Zealand fightback to be 6 down in their run chase.

After celebrating their respective milestones, both Ponting and Clarke fell at the hands of Daniel Vettori. Ponting, caught behind by McCullum on 107 and Clarke bowled on 64. Australias problems worsened when Simon Katich continued his patchy form by scoring only 5 before he too was bowled by Vettori, Australia beginning to look slightly shakey with Gilchrist and the tail now in the firing line. However the vice captain stepped up well for the his side, compiling a slow but stable 13* (from 32 balls) and Shane Warne finished the days play on 1* (from 11 balls).

It appears a miracle is needed for New Zealand to recover and win this test match however with a hint of luck and some disciplined bowling there may yet be hope in the trans tasman showdown.

Below - Images from the final session on day 3, leaving Australia needing 10 runs for victory with 4 wickets in hand, Gilchrist and Warne the not out batsmen.

- Vettori and McCullum celebrate the wicket of Clarke
- Austrlian scorecard, stumps day 3.
- Ricky Ponting - again proving the saviour for his country.