Story The world takes on the world... [c2007]

[BigCrickNan]

TEST XI CONTINUE TO PILE ON THE RUNS

The World Test XI is still dominating the ODI XI at tea on the first day of the Gabba despite 2 wickets falling in consecutive deliverys. The Test XI recovered after the the breakthroughs to sit at 268/2 at tea.

The openers came out after lunch hoping to continue their assault on the ODI XI bowlers and did just that with Langer hitting some great shots including a reverse sweep 4 off Murali to bring up his 50 in the 31st over from 85 balls. Ponting brought on Jayasuriya to bowl in partnership and the plan worked as Langer was run-out trying to get a quick single into the leg-side. Vaughan strode out to the middle with a fantastic record in Australia, only to be castled first ball by Jayasuriya. His dismissal was an absolute $%?@* joke though as he left a ball outside off-stump which went past the stumps, turned round and hit off-stump to leave the score at 181/2 in the 42nd over. Ricky Ponting came out next and began to dominate some poor bowling as Hayden brought up a brutal 100 in the 50th over off 149 balls by square driving Murali through point. Ponting also made 50 off 53 balls in the last over before the tea break.

Screens: Langer hits Murali, Langer Ran-out, Scorecard

 

[plympilgrim]

nice batting so far by the test 11, pollock almost at his 100 too

 

[Murali]

i love them screenies and the kits!!! dhaka will of course end up in australia but good luck and im looking forward to it.

 

[Jaztheman]

nice batting by the world and bowling

 

[BigCrickNan]

END OF DAY REPORT: TEST XI SMASH LACKLUSTRE ODI XI

Day 1: World Test XI 393/3 87 overs - Hayden 165*, Ponting 103

The World Test XI have totally dominated the first day of the first test at the Gabba. They will get a good nights sleep after this performance which leaves them closing in on 400 by the close.

The base was set by the openers Langer and Hayden, who came out in the morning looking to set the tone, which they did by hitting the opening bowlers around the park including a mighty six into the third tier off Pollock. Hayden brought his fifty up in the 17th over as the Test XI proceeded to lunch without losing a wicket. The pitch did show some good signs for the ODI XI, with Murali getting the ball to grip so early in the game. Although this is more likely to aid Davie and Warne for the Test XI.

The afternoon session brought some success for the ODI XI, although the Test XI remained dominant. The first wicket came after Langer had brought up his fifty, going for a quick single he was ran out thanks to the lightning arm of Murali. The captain Michael Vaughan was the new batsman, but he didn't last to long thanks to some cheating $^%? after the ball missed the stumps, turned round and hit them. Ricky Ponting was next in, and he played some brutal shots to bring up a superb fifty just before tea off 53 deliverys. But not before Hayden brought up his hundred, off just 149 balls.

Things were still looking good for the Test XI as Ponting contined on his merry way and brought up yet another test hundred off just 90 balls flicking Streak through midwicket. He went the very next ball though trying to drive a ball that nipped in a bit from Streak and took out his off pole. This brought the West Indian master Brian Lara to the middle who batted solidly as Hayden made 150 to bring the day to a close.


Photo Gallery:

Ponting brings up a fine hundred

Then is bowled next ball...

Lara hits one sweetly

Scorecards
​

 

[BigCrickNan]

I've fixed the screens now

 

[plympilgrim]

mcGrath with nly 5 overs, very underused

 

[Jaztheman]

jayasuria has been the best for me out of the bowlers, is hayden still going lol

 

[mehkar]

Hey!
drew its good to see you writing story....nice work sofar
cool story to read enjoying your work,.great presentation mate looking forward for the next update keep on

MHC

 

[BigCrickNan]

TEST XI COLLAPSE BUT STILL IN CONTROL

The World Test XI made a mighty collapse on the second morning of the first test at the Gabba. They were cruising along at 475-4 before an inspired spell of bowling by Sanath Jayasuriya left the Test XI short of what they expected at 513ao in just 26 frantic overs.

The second day started just as the first ended with Brian Lara and Matthew Hayden milking an average attack around the Gabba, before Lara fell to Jayasuriya mistiming a sweep shot up in the air to McGrath at mid on. In came England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff who came in and showed some intent by blasting the bowlers about, and having a fascinating duel with Heath Steak, whom he hit for six. The Zimbabwean returned the favour though by clattering Flintoff twice with rapid short balls. Jayasuriya struck again to start the collapse, doing Hayden in the flight to bowl him for a magnificent 189 over 7 hours. With the Test XI still in a good position at 474-5, Jayasuriya began to work his magic.

Flintoff was next man out attempting a pull shot off Streak that was too far outside off stump and was skyed to mid on. The ODI XI were on a role, and Streak had won the battle. Jayasuriya cleaned up what in the end was a poor showing from the tailender, with Vaas, McGrath and Warne all out sweeping caught by the man at 45. The other Glenn McGrath picked up a solitary wicket, when Gilchrist got the better of when he edged a cover drive to himself behind the stumps, causing all kinds of accusations of match-fixing, ball-tampering and taking nandrolone. These were stopped when it was discovered Shoaib Akhtar was not in the team.

So, the Test XI have the upper hand after scoring 500+, but 6-100 from Jayasuriya will give the ODI XI some long due hope.

Screens:

Lara can't find the changing rooms

Hayden goes for 189

Scorecards

 

[ZoraxDoom]

The other Glenn McGrath picked up a solitary wicket, when Gilchrist got the better of when he edged a cover drive to himself behind the stumps, causing all kinds of accusations of match-fixing, ball-tampering and taking nandrolone. These were stopped when it was discovered Shoaib Akhtar was not in the team.

Only problem is, scorecard shows Gilchrist caught Ponting

 

[BigCrickNan]

You what?

 

[plympilgrim]

nice batting from the test team, although the collapse spoiled things

 

[treva]

on the one before last update it says 393/7 instead of 393/3!

just thought I'd tell you

good stuff Drew and great batting by the Test XI even with a big collapse