Story Australian Int Season - RETIREMENT

[MWaugh]

Lee Claims Breakthrough - South Africa 6/183

Young tearaway quick Brett Lee claimed a crucial breakthrough to put South Africa further onto the back foot when he took the wicket of Mark Boucher with the score on 6/183 as the innings starts to reach its climax.

After dotting up Boucher and Dippenaar, the NSW quick fired an away swinging yorker in at Bouchers leg stump. The wicketkeeper batsman attempted to deflect the ball to fine leg but instead played to early on the ball and hit sharp catch to the velcro like hands of Ricky Ponting. Boucher eventually departing for a hard fought 31 from 51 balls.

 

[MWaugh]

Dippenaar And Pollock Search For Runs - South Africa 5/165 (40.0)

With only 10 overs remaining in the innings Boeta Dippenaar and Shaun Pollock will be scrapping for runs in an attempt to get the South African total above 200 to give their bowlers something to bowl at and give themselves a chance of winning the 3rd and final ODI.

 

[S_Harmison]

Well contained, thats the hardest thing to do when youve got them on the ropes early, keep the pressure on even when the wickets dont come, well done. I still feel SA have a chance though, you never know with cricket.

 

[Briggsey]

Feel this one is within the Aussies grasp now, anything below 200 will be comfortable to chase but with the changes made to the team, anything is possible!

 

[MWaugh]

Hopes Strikes Dangerman - South Africa 7/191

James Hopes produced the vital wicket for Australia as South Africa again slipped up, this time to be 7/191 with only 4 overs remaining in the innings. Hopes had South Africas backbone for the innings, Boeata Dippenaar, caught at square leg by Ricky Ponting for 85 as Australia put an end to the only resilient knock of the innings.

Hopes had Dippenaar decieved by a slower ball pitched on middle and leg that Dippenaar attempted to flick through the square leg/fine leg region but instead flew straight into the air and easily dropped into the hands of Ponting.

 

[MWaugh]

Pollock Fails To Add To Total - South Africa 8/191

Shaun Pollock was unable to help his team out of trouble after falling to Brett Lee for only 1 as South Africa lost another wicket with the score at 191. Lee had Pollock caught at deep mid wicket by Simon Katich as the home side fell to 8/191, making 200 look still quite a long way away.

Nicky Boje will now be forced to bat with the tail of Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel in the hope of posting a competitive target.

 

[tsyrmas]

are you using a patch, because i am (i can't remember wihich one, lol) and the computer are ridiculously aggresive. i was South Austrlia, and NSW were 0-140 of 13 overs. how do you get the computer to play the way they do?

 

[MWaugh]

no patched used. thats why its so much fun. nothign has had to be altered and ive had all of the games come down to the wire. although i am very much on top in this game

 

[tsyrmas]

righteo then. cheers mate.

 

[MWaugh]

Ntini Runs Himself Out - South Africa 9/206

Makhaya Ntini ran himself out in the desperate chase for runs as the South African innings winds down. South Africa, helped by Nicky Boje, managed to make it past 200 before Ntini called for a stupid run on 206 to be run out while he was on 3.



Australia Wrap Up Innings - South Africa 10/218

Australian quick Brett Lee wrapped up the South African tail to conclude the innings at 10/218. Leaving Australia 219 to chase down for victory and a 3-0 series whitewash against an unlucky South African one day unit.

The Australians will have to score at 4.36 per over to ensure victory.

 

[Briggsey]

218 isnt that bad to say the trouble the South Africans were in at one point. Should be a win for the Aussies but im sure it wont be easy!

 

[MWaugh]

Scorecards

 

[S_Harmison]

They started to get extras runs at the end, im not sure they will be too costly though, good perforance by the bowlers, well done again!

 

[MWaugh]

What They Said...

"A very dissapointing display by our batsmen today. Unfortunatly we appeared to show a lack of determination when we were out in the middle. We talked about needing to work in pairs out there and unfortunatly we couldnt commit. Full credit to the Australians, they bowled really well. We will have to play out our best to come back from this position."

Graeme Smith
(South African Captain)

"Im very happy with the performance of the bowlers today. I think most people had a feeling that Glenn (McGrath) and Brett (Lee) were going to come back strongly after the treatment they received in the 2nd match and both Pidgeon and Binga showed they class with a really controlled performance. This match isnt even close to over yet. We will have to still be at the top of our game to ensure a result"

Ricky Ponting
(Australian Captain)



(Glenn McGrath showed his character as he returned with a sensational 4/42 from 10 overs)

 

[S_Harmison]

I think Ponting is being a bit modest there with the " we have to be at our best" rubbish. Not that the result matters in the context of the series.