Match Update - Australias Innings
The first one day international of the season got under way today with two of the best one day teams taking the field. Australia hosted south africa in melbourne infront of a packed MCG crowd.
The australians appeared on the front foot early in the match, Gilchrist finding superb form in the first few overs as the Australians took advantage of the fielding restrictions. However the first 20 overs proved to be fruitful for the South Africans, keeping australia paced at only 4 runs per over and taking the wickets of Gilchrist (16), Ponting (29), Martyn (13) and Symonds (2) to have the home side in slight difficulty at 4/110. The main performer with the ball in the first 25 overs was Jacques Kallis, picking up Ponting and Martyn on his way to 2/55 (10).
This brought Michael Clarke to the middle with Hayden, and in a crucial period for both teams it was Australia who claimed the upper hand. The proteas struggled to contain Clarke and Hayden as they eventually took the score to 4/269 from their allotted 50 overs. The stars with the bat Matthew Hayden with a brililant 153* (155) and Michael Clarke 51* (60).
Below:
- Hayden finds the front foot early
- Ponting has his stumps rattled by a fired up Kallis
- Clarke's coverdrive, one of the best in the game currently