Story Australian Int Season - RETIREMENT

[MWaugh]

Ponting - We Are Ready

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has sounded a firm warning in the direction of the Pakistan and Indian one day teams with the message that his team is ready to return to their best. Ahead of the 1st VB series match at the MCG against Pakistan, Ponting appeared confident in his charges and their chances in the competition.

"Obviously we are stilll stinging from the test series loss but the squad has been injected with some talented youth and we are really looking forward to this. Im sure that we can continue or good form in this competition and anything less than a competition victory will be a failure on our behalf."

Ricky Ponting
Australian Captain

Simon Katich, Brad Hogg and Damien Martyn have returned into a very strong team to take on the Pakistanis in the opening day night match at the MCG.

Australian team:
1. Adam Gilchrist (wk)(vc)
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. Damien Martyn
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Michael Clarke
7. Michael Hussey
8. Brad Hogg
9. Nathan Bracken
10. Brett Lee
11. Glenn McGrath



(Michael Clarke will look to continue his good form)

Pakistan team:
1. Shahid Afridi
2. Salman Butt
3. Inzimam ul Haq (c)
4. Mohammad Yousef
5. Younis Khan
6. Abdul Razzaq
7. Kamran Akmal
8. Mohammad Sami
9. Rana Naved
10. Shoaib Akhtar
11. Danish Kaneria



(Pakistan will be hoping Shahid Afridi can get them off to a great start against Australia)

 

[cricket doctor]

Nice to see Mcgrath in there. :happy Should be a very good contest.

 

[MWaugh]

Match Introduction - Coin Toss

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GAME 1​

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"Well this pitch looks nice and flat and im sure that it will be good to bat on. Hopefully we can get away to a good start not only in this match but also in this series with a first up victory. I think if we have a bat first we can control the game and dictate procedings."

Inzimam-ul Haq
(Pakistan Captain)


"I probably would have elected to bat aswell on this nice firm MCG deck. However we have Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath who are bowling really well so im sure that if we make some early breakthroughs that we can get right on top with our all round talent in this team. Not an overly bad toss to lose, i dont think it will decide the game."

Ricky Ponting
(Australian Captain)

 

[MWaugh]

Teams Take To The Field



The Australian and Pakistan teams have taken to the field for the opening match of the VB series. Shahid Afridi and Salman Butt will face the music from a pumped up Brett Lee and the always consistance Glenn McGrath. The Australian side have revealed their new one day kit to the sold out MCG crowd.

 

[Gunner786]

come on afridi!!

bretts gonna get slaughtered

 

[Wildwil]

Good luck Aus and Pak.

 

[MWaugh]

Pakistan Off To Cautious Start - Pakistan 0/39 (10.0)

Openers Shahid Afridi and Salman Butt got Pakistan off to a solid start in the opening match of the VB series with Australia at Melbourne. The tourists cautiously stepping to 0/39 at the 10 over point. The pair will now look to power on to raise the run rate on what is a very good batting wicket.



Pakistan 0/39
Shahid Afridi 24* (29)
Salman Butt 14* (31)

Brett Lee 0/23 (5.0)
Glenn McGrath 0/16 (5.0)

 

[Bala]

McGrath, miserly figures as ever.

 

[MWaugh]

McGrath Snares The Big One - Pakistan 1/44

Glenn McGrath claimed the crucial wicket of Pakistan opener Shahid Afridi for 25 as Pakistan lost their first wicket for 44. McGrath claimed one of the worlds most attacking batsmen after producing a mis timed shot from Afridi. Afridi clipped a top edge while attempting to blaze McGrath through the covers, the ball flying in the air to Michael Clarke at cover.

 

[MWaugh]

McGrath Takes His Second - Pakistan 2/71



Pakistan lost their second wicket with the score on 71 with the loss of Salman Butt for a slowly crafted 32. Glenn McGrath claimed the wicket of both openers as he bowled out his 10 over spell in full. McGrath left with figures of 2/31 from 10.



Pakistan 2/73
Salman Butt 32 (61)
Shahid Afridi 25 (33)
Inzimam ul Haq 12* (23)
Mohammed Yousef 1* (3)

Glenn McGrath 2/31 (10)
Brett Lee 0/28 (6)
Nathan Bracken 0/14 (4)

 

[MWaugh]

Yousef Doesnt Last Long - Pakistan 3/74

Pakistani middle order batsman Mohammad Yousef didnt hang around long enough to get settled when he was dismissed by Nathan Bracken for only 1. Yousef had his leg stump rattled after being bowled through the gates attempting to drive the left hand swing bowler.

 

[MWaugh]

Younis Falls Early - Pakistan 4/98

Middle order batsman Younis Khan didnt last long against the spin of Andrew Symonds as he was dismissed for 9 to leave Pakistan at 4/98, crawling along almost half way through their 50 over innings. Khan was caught at backward square leg by Ricky Ponting attempting to sweep Symonds. However the right hander could only manage a top edge that flew straight into the air.

 

[MWaugh]

Tourists Struggle - Pakistan 4/122

The Australia bowling attack has severly tightened the screws on a Pakistan team struggling score runs on what has been described as a batsman friendly deck. Inzimam ul Haq has lead by example with an unbeaten 39 from 54 balls while Abdul Razzaq has shown promising signs early with 9 from 13.



Pakistan 4/122
Inzimam ul Haq 39* (54)
Abdul Razzaq 9* (13)
Mohammad Yousef 1 (4)
Younis Khan 9 (15)

Nathan Bracken 1/34 (9)
Andrew Symonds 1/29 (5)

 

[madmick96]

hehe bracken looks funny and so does symonds (bald chinese dude *im not racist*)

 

[MWaugh]

Captain Reaches 50 - Pakistan 4/139

Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has produced a gutsy effort to lead his side to 4/139. Ul haq brought up his 50 from 60 balls and has taken particularly to Andrew Symonds in reaching his milestone.