Story Australian Int Season - RETIREMENT

[Cricketman]

Hussey Scrambles For A Single...

AUSTRALIA WIN FROM THE LAST BALL

Australia pulled off one of the truely great lower order fightbacks to capture the first ODI against South Africa thanks to an unbeaten 29 from Western Australian batsman Michael Hussey.

Hussey used his feet well to clip Jacques Rudolph down the ground for a hurried single to give hand his side the victory, after a pressure packed final 10 overs came down to the last ball of the match.



(Michael Hussey clips one down to mid off for a single and then celebrates a remarkable victory)

The 37 ball innings from Hussey showed Australian fans of the level of toughness that is involved in Husseys game as he kept a cool head to win in one of the most dramatic finishes in one day cricket since these two teams clashed at the 1999 world cup in England.

(The Australian fans who turned out were extactic with their sides victory)

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! What a match!! Good way ti build up the anticipation!!

 

[Cricketman]

great thread...waiting for this match to start

 

[sid_19840]

Just read this thread for the first time,amazing levels of detail MWaugh,i just cant understand how you get the time for modding the stories thread as well as making this fabulous story,keep it up.

Siddharth(sid_19840)

 

[MWaugh]

Match Introduction

The Toss - What They Said

Australia won the toss and elected to bat on a field which was described by many as being "rock hard and favouring the batsman".

"Well just looking at this pitch its pretty obvious that it is going to hold together well. Im sure that if you can get set on a wicket like this then its going to be hard to keep the score down. Its always an advantage in one day cricket to set the pace. We have Shane Watson in to bolster the batting and im sure that we can set a large run chase here."

Ricky Ponting
Australian Captain

"I think both teams would have loved to have batted on this wicket. Jo'burg of late has been very flat which takes some of the sting out of the pace attacks and it hasnt turned alot. However Nicky Boje is here to tie down the runs. You may find that the pace of Brett Lee is also taken out of the game on this wicket. Im not totally unhappy to bat last here. We can chase, and we do chase well. We just have to execute our plans to each player and hopefully perform well."

Graeme Smith
South African Captain



(The teams for the 2nd One Day International at Johannesburg)



(The teams take to the field and await the start of play)

 

[MWaugh]

Pollock Captures Hayden - Australia 1/7 (0.5 Overs)

Shaun Pollock took the early wicket of Matthew Hayden to set the standard for the Proteas as they look to make early in-roads to the Australian batting lineup on a wicket which, although early on, doesnt appear to be favouring the bowlers.

Hayden was trapped on the crease and showed no footwork as he chipped the ball from middle stump to Ashwell Prince at square leg on the 5th ball of the 1st over of play. Australia 1/7 and on the backfoot.



(Matthew Hayden heads to the sheds after a dissapointing start)

 

[MWaugh]

Ponting and Gilchrist Launch Australia To Perfect Start - AUS 1/77 (10.0)

Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting fired Australia into a very strong position after 10 overs of the first ODI against South Africa. After losing the key wicket of Matthew Hayden for 5 in the first over, Gilchrist and Ponting went on the attack to take Australia to be 1/77 from only 10 overs as Australia cruised at 7.7 runs per over.

Gilchrist (33 from 28 balls) and Ponting (33 from 29 balls) put on 70 runs in 9 overs as a pair to put Australia in a commanding position.

Below are some of the highlights from a sensational start to the 2nd one day international, a game South Africa must win if they hope to win the series.

 

[Cricketman]

Good batting under pressure...

 

[SaiSrini]

Just was reading your thread and must say an excellent read! Superb job MWaugh! You seem to have become the best in writing stories!

 

[brettLee]

oh great start!!!..
gilly at his best...
all the snaps look so dynamic..excellent work

 

[MWaugh]

Gilly Smashes 50 from 40 balls - Australia 1/100

Adam Gilchrist continued on his crushing ways as he brought up a smashing 50 from only 40 balls to take Australia to 1/100 in only the 13th over of the match.

Gilchrist has sent shockwaves through the South African attack as Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Jacques Kallis all take the brunt of the West Australians aggression.

 

[MWaugh]

Ponting Reaches Milestone - Australia 1/139

Ricky Ponting joined his vice captain in the half century club with a quickfire 50 from 55 balls on the batsman friendly New Wanderers stadium at Johannesburg.

Ponting scored at a strike rate of 90.9 to bring up his half century and put Australia in a very strong position of 1/139 after only 19 overs of the match.

 

[S_Harmison]

Two cracking half centuries, well batted, Hayden will be kicking himself about missing out!! Maybee you should drop him, it worked in real like

 

[MWaugh]

Australia Build Strong Lead - AUS 1/140 (20.0 Overs)

Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist continued on their ways as they pushed Australia to be 1/140 after 20 overs of the one day international against South Africa.

Gilchrist (77 from 62 balls) continued to smash the bowlers around the ground as he looks on track for yet another one day century while Ponting (50 from 55) has played a magnificent supporting role to keep the score ticking over.

 

[MWaugh]

Two cracking half centuries, well batted, Hayden will be kicking himself about missing out!! Maybee you should drop him, it worked in real like

if i am able to wrap up the series in this match maybe it might be worth a chance in the next game

 

[m_vaughan]

Excellent partnership between captain and vice captain has put the visitors on top here. The home side are under pressure.