Story Beneath The Southern Cross - The C2005 Australia Story

[kookaburra69]

great interview there,i hope that ramdin can work the west indies out of this mess and post a competive total.

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks mate and yes some competition wouldn't go astray

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Vs West Indies
Samsung Tri-Series - 12 September
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

With Dinesh Ramdin walking to the wicket and the West Indies looking like a grade cricket side few people would have still been on the bandwagon. The Australian bowlers are all bowling a treat finding a nice line and length early and frustrating the scoring options. At 5/107 past the half way mark of 25 overs the West Indies run rate looked a joke from what it was in the early overs with Gayle hitting them in the middle of the willow. All of a sudden Ramnaresh Sarwan started to hit a few out of the middle from the bowling of Brad Hogg to record a 10 runs over including 2 fours which may be what the West Indies need to get a kick start.

The recall of Brett Lee came for the 27th over with Ricky Ponting looking for the breakthrough that will break whatever is left of the West Indies spirits. Lee was right on target just like his opening spell and went pasta the bat a handful of times. Hearts were in mouths when the express bowler got one to seem back off a good length as Sarwan played over the top of it and it narrowly missed the off stump. 5/125 after 28 overs meant that the partnership was worth a valuable 24 runs so far but it is going to need to be a lot more if the West Indies are going to have half a chance of defending their total.

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A quick two over spell from Brett lee concluded with just 4 runs the result whilst Hogg continued from the other end. Hogg looked the best option for the West Indies to score their runs at around 4 an over and that?s what they set out to do. A couple of good overs bring the score along to 5/136 at the 30 over mark with 20 overs remaining wickets in hand are going to be the key for the West Indies with 5 still in the bank with the score a modest 5/136. The Sarwan and Ramdin partnership stands at 35 at this point in time. Ramnaresh Sarwan is now the man fro the West Indies as he looks to score runs whilst Ramdin is happy to give him the strike if it means that the team can go forward. Ricky Ponting and his boys will want a wicket soon to prevent the West Indies from getting anywhere near a respectable score which they haven?t deserved to make to this point in the match.

West Indies 5/136
30 Overs
Run Rate ? 4.53
Projected Total ? 226

Sarwan 29(33)*
Ramdin 13(20)*

McGrath 0/24 (6)
Lee 2/28 (6)
Gillespie 0/21 (5)
Symonds 2/21 (7)
Hogg 1/38 (6)

 

[Bala]

I guess any total near 200 would be stiff in this "Terrorist" of a pitch! Sarwan and Ramdin have started the consolidation, but has to go on!

 

[GrayNicolls]

Windies are going at a good rate here. They could post a challenging total if they don't get bowled out.

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Vs West Indies
Samsung Tri-Series - 12 September
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Andrew Symonds was recalled back into the attack for the 31st over whilst Brad Hogg continued to bowl straight out. The West Indies who have now got back into the match through the handy work of Sarwan and Ramdin. It was clear that the Australians needed a wicket but yet they were reluctant to bring men inside the circle for fear of Sarwan going over the top. The pair adopted the cut shot very successfully hitting a number of boundaries behind and in front of point. The pair brought up their 50 partnerships and more importantly the team 150 in the 35th over which has given the team a massive chance of reaching over 200.

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Jason Gillespie was brought on for the 37th over after Brad Hogg completed a successful spell of 1/55 from his allotted 10 overs. It was then that Sarwan started to up the ante by playing some more attacking shots and boost the West Indies run rate. It was 69 balls in the making and some very hard work from Ramnaresh Sarwan to get the West Indies back into the match, which would have made reaching 50 all the more satisfying for the middle order batsmen.

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Who knows what will happen after Ramnaresh Sarwan with a little help from Dinesh Ramdin have turned the match into a winnable one with their unbeaten partnership of 75 for the West Indies. Australia will be desperate in these last 10 overs for a wicket or two that will bring Bravo to the crease followed by the tailenders. If Sarwan can keep it going here then the West Indies could be in for a total of around 230 but if he fails then the West Indies will have to settle for around 200. Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath are due back in the attack, which will make for a very interesting battle between bat and ball in these last 60 balls of the innings.

West Indies 5/176
40 Overs
Run Rate ? 4.40
Projected Total ? 220

Sarwan 50(69)*
Ramdin 31(44)*

McGrath 0/24 (6)
Lee 2/32 (7)
Gillespie 0/28 (7)
Symonds 2/33 (10)
Hogg 1/55 (10)

 

[smssia0112]

Australia arrives in Kuala Lumpur

Australia have touched down in their new home for the next fortnight ahead of the Samsung Tri Series here in Malaysia. The teams arrival marks the day that Australia returns to cricket with a massive summer ahead.

Although the flight wasn't as long as an international touring team would normally have to deal with the Australian touring party was keen to avoid the media and head straight to the team bus however the players did stop for a few quick words before heading off to the team hotel.

As always the Australia captain is positive about his sides chances of coming away with a series win. ?All the boys are fresh and ready to go. We?ve had a good build up through training and we are all just keen to get back out on the cricket field again.? Commented the skipper.

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Matthew "Dos" Hayden ​

Opening batsman Matthew Hayden also seemed in a positive frame of mind about being re called to the one-day side after such a long spell on the pine. ?Obviously im very happy to be back in the side. The one-day team is different to the test team and I guess I really did miss playing one-day cricket. Hopefully I can hold onto this opportunity and make some runs out on the field. Kuala Lumpur is a beautiful place so I?ll definitely enjoy my stay.?

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Errol Alcott - Physio​

Errol Alcott the team physio was asked to comment on the fitness of the Australian team after such a long lay off from the game. ?Make no mistake about it the boys are all ready to go. We have had a strict fitness program in place for the best part of 2 months leading into this summer. The vibe amongst the team is very positive leading towards some crunch games this season. Im happy to say that every member of the squad is 100% fit and injury free. I believe we have the advantage going into a long summer with so much depth in our squad that will allow us to get through a massive amount of time spent on the field in these next 7 months.?

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Glenn "Pigeon" McGrath​

One of the experienced campaigners of the side and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time Glenn McGrath also had a few comments to make. ?The body is feeling great after a rest from cricket. The good news for batsman is that I won?t be targeting anyone in particular for this series but the bad news is that I?ll be targeting all the batsman for the series. Since I?ve come back im actually bowling quicker then I used to so that?s something for everyone to look forward to. Im predicting that we go undefeated and win the tri series against India in the final.?

The Australian coach John Buchanan has informed us of the press conference that will be held in the not to distant future that will feature all three captains for their respective sides. Make sure you join us then.

Hi mate, good story so far, two things though, Alcott quit a few months ago (not that it matters) and Hadlee is spelt with double e not ey. Sorry, it's a nervous habit, but keep up the wonderful story!

 

[Bala]

Sarwan is doing what he does best. Rescuing a sinking Windies. Great rear guard action by the Windies. 230 would be huge in this track.

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks for that aus5892 i didn't know that Alcott quit do you know who replaced him? Hadlee was a typo so no worries. Thanks to Bala to for the continued support.

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Vs West Indies
Samsung Tri-Series - 12 September
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Jason Gillespie delivered the 41st over and was surprised as the West Indies batsmen took the attack right up to him with a boundary backward of point first ball of the over followed by another just 2 balls later. 9 runs came from the over sending a message to Ricky Ponting and his men that they are well and truly back in the hunt. Glenn McGrath took up the attack in the next over and he took was showed no respect ending up conceding 7 from the over. At 5/192 after 42 overs a total of more then 230 which once looked impossible could be a reality. Just 2 from the next Gillespie over as the Sarwan and Ramdin partnership moved along to 95 after the team was in all sorts of trouble at 5/101 before half way. Glenn McGrath was then welcomed by a six from Ramnaresh Sarwan as he looked to up his tempo another notch.

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4 runs down the ground from the final over of Jason Gillespie?s spell meant that the wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Ramdin had registered his half-century from a very respectable 62 balls. A very important knock to go with his partner Sarwan?s 50. At one stage it looked like Ramdin would be tied down by the Australia pace attack but to his credit he was able to keep the scoreboard rolling. In an amazing turn around the West Indies are now in control of the match as the partnership moves on to an unbeaten 111 runs.

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There are still 5 overs left for this West Indies pair to add more runs which will be vital to the teams chances as this pitch isn?t expected to get any better this afternoon when Australia come out to bat and chase the West Indies total. If Sarwan can stay in he will provide the hitting power to get near 240-250. McGrath and Lee are now the only bowlers left for Australia so it will be important for them to bowl full and straight to stop the run flow in an important 30 balls here.

West Indies 5/212
45 Overs
Run Rate ? 4.71
Projected Total ? 235

Sarwan 66(78)*
Ramdin 51(65)*

McGrath 0/41 (8)
Lee 2/32 (7)
Gillespie 0/47 (10)
Symonds 2/33 (10)
Hogg 1/55 (10)

 

[treva]

Great batting at the moment from the Windies on this @Terrorist Pitch@

Great presentation slats keep it up

 

[Bala]

yes! Sarwan has almost done it. A strong finish and Australia would have to fight tooth and nail.

 

[GrayNicolls]

Well played Sarwan and Ramdin. Come on you Windies!

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Vs West Indies
Samsung Tri-Series - 12 September
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Brett Lee had the duty of bowling over number 46 and his pace was targeted by the West Indies batsmen although they were unable to find the rope with Lee conceding just 3 from chip shots over the in field from the over. It was Glenn McGrath from the other end who also kept it clean and the Australians were still in favour of keeping the West Indies to a total around 230. 5/219 the score after 47 overs. Some good strokes off the bowling of Brett Lee?s next over including a wonderful flick over the top off the pads forward of square leg from Ramdin to pick up a boundary which moved the score along to 5/225 after 48 overs.

Glenn McGrath felt what it was like to go for half a dozen in one shot as a leg side ball was amazingly picked up over long leg by Ramdin, which cleared the grand stand and went into the bushes at the back of the ground. After a few minutes spent trying to find the ball McGrath continued with his confidence slightly dinted back to Ramdin but this time the wicket keeper batsmen didn?t get all of it and was caught by Symonds on the long on fence for a well-made 66. The fall of the 6th wicket means that the partnership of 130 is broken with Sarwan still at the crease now with the job of hitting the boundaries in these last couple of overs to give the West Indies vital runs coming up to the close of innings.

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The West Indies now has just 10 balls to get as many runs as possible. This has certainly been one of the great comebacks powered by Sarwan and Ramdin, which now gives the West Indies a big chance at winning the match. McGrath and Lee will have to be right on target here to prevent any boundaries in these last 10 balls.

West Indies 6/231
48.2 Overs
Run Rate ? 4.71
Projected Total ? 235

Sarwan 69(84)*
Ramdin 66(79)

McGrath 1/51 (9.2)
Lee 2/41 (9)
Gillespie 0/47 (10)
Symonds 2/33 (10)
Hogg 1/55 (10)

 

[kookaburra69]

wow,sarwan and ramdin have saved the west indies here,this is quite a compative total on this pitch.