Story ICC Best Of The Rest Championship

[Short Leg]

Australia Down And Almost Out​

2nd Pepsi ODI - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Australia 7/194
40 overs

Hogg 3(10)*
Lee 5(6)*

Pathan 1/42
Khan 0/28
Kartik 2/53
Sree Santh 1/23
Harbhajan Singh 1/29
Tendulkar 2/17

Australia Require 68 runs at 6.80 runs an over

Australia are in big trouble as this Kolkata pitch has deteriorated very quickly. As a result the visitors have given catching practise to the keeper Dhoni all day and are now stearing down the barrel of a loss. Katich and Symonds had done all the hard work before getting themselves out after both reaching the half century.

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Lee has proven that he is no mug with the bat and combined with a solid Brad Hogg Australia aren't out of it yet althought it will be very very tough. It will be interesting to see if they can regroup in these final few overs so they can achieve the total.

Line and length should do the job for India here as its Australia who need to take risks to win the match but at the moment it looks like India will be squaring the one day series at 1-1.

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Crush There Own Chances​

2nd Pepsi ODI - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Australia All Out 245
48.3 Overs

India win by 16 runs

A dissapointing end to the 2nd ODI in Kolkata for Australia as they appeared to be coming back from the jaws of death. Some good shot selection combined with good fortune sore Hogg and Lee get the Australians in a position where they could win the game for Australia needing 20 runs from the final 2 overs when it all turned sour.

Brett Lee had been run out in the 46th over leaving Hogg and Bracken at the crease. Needing to push it alone and also needing to keep strike Bradley Hogg pushed to mid on and ran. It appeared to be a brain explosion as he was left short of his crease.

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Brad Hogg's brain explosion led to his run out on 28​

In anbeliable turn of event just two balls later Bracken suffered the same fate after being run out by a long way and leaving Australia short of the target.

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A dissapointing end for Australia as India will now move up the ICC ODI rankings table. This leaves an iteresting 3rd and final ODI ahead of us.

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A press conference to be held by Australia shortly.

 

[Short Leg]

Australian 2nd ODI Press Conference​

Ricky Ponting will have first words after his team?s performance in the 2nd ODI.

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I thought we started off very well obviously we had them in a lot of trouble in the early stages. We failed to keep the pressure on in the later overs and hat led to them getting a competitive total. The bowlers bowled poorly in the closing overs and as a result paid the price they gave to much room to be hit over the fence.

The batting side of it wasn?t great either. Only a couple of blokes got starts and even then failed to go on with it. It really isn?t good enough in international cricket. The tail did well towards the end to give us a chance but then some stupid mistakes put us out of a match we feel was ours for must of the day and one that we should of won.

Im not sure what the selectors are playing in terms of the team for the next match all we have to worry about is playing good cricket that can win us matches and that we know we play most days when we walk onto the field. I?ll be hoping to win the toss in the next match as the crumbly pitches here in India seem to fall into the hands of the team with the score on the board.

Obviously a disappointed Ricky Ponting there on his teams poor performance today in this match. As he pointed out there was little done right by the Australians after the start where they were dominating.

Left arm Chinaman and handy lower order batsman Brad Hogg who played a vital role with bat and ball tonight had a few words to say at the press conference as well.

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A bit disappointed at the moment because we had them at stages throughout the match and we felt that all we needed to do was finish it off. But as the scorecard tells us that we didn?t do that and as a result we lost the match. We have no choice but to take positives away from the match and come back stronger in the final match of the One Day series.

I was happy with my own performance in the match but um yeah I would have liked to get the team home.

I thought there was a run there so I went. I probably let the pressure of a big situation get to me and I have to live with the consequences. Losing a few big named batsman is never going to make a run chase easy and to come up just 16 runs short when we should have restricted India to a total a lot lower is devastating.

At the beginning of the series there was a belief that if John Buchanan was not successful in this series then he would lose his job as Australian cricket coach. With this in mind lets see how he reacts to his teams poor performance in a series leveler.

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We just weren?t good enough today. We didn?t do the simple things that we are normally so good at well enough to win this match. We can?t have many days like these otherwise we aren?t going to win enough matches, matches that we should win.

There will be some hell to pay if we do not win the final match of the series. Heads will role at the selection table. We have blokes in that team capable of winning a match off there own bat or with the ball. Brad Hogg almost showed that today. No matter how many wickets down we art there?s always someone that is capable of getting the job done. It was just left unfinished today.

There is nothing wrong within the team all the boys are getting along together and we all fully support each other?s place in the team. We will be looking forward to getting back what?s ours in the 3rd and final ODI.

 

[Short Leg]

Great For Cricket​

Former Australian cricket hero and now Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody has announced his opinion on the upcoming 3rd ODI between Australia and India.

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It would be great for cricket if India won the series against Australia. Having played for Australia I know that it wont be easy for India to come out on top as Australia always up the ante in tight situations and when the chips are down.

Im enjoying my role with Sri Lankan cricket team and we are looking forward to playing Australia in the not to distant future. A win for India could give other countries the confidence to stand up to Australia that know one has found constantly.

That?s what Australia does to you. They win the mental battle before the war has even begun. India is one of the few teams to have the firepower to challenge the Australians. I wish both teams the best of luck.

Tom Moody?s contract with Sri Lanka expires shortly and has been rumored to be a candidate to take the job of John Buchanan should he be seen unfit to coach Australia.

 

[Short Leg]

Pepsi Preview
Australia In India
3rd One Day International

The Pepsi series is at boiling point going into the final ODI and with India and Australia locked at a game apiece the decider will be a beauty.

Its anyone?s guess who will get on top in this one with such closely matched teams it may just come down to who?s better on the day. Both the cricketing giants are topping the table of the ODI Rankings and could be an even money chance to be the finalists.

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So lets get down to business. India has been strong on paper with there batting lineups but are yet to post a huge total that we know there capable of. 260 in both matches can be enough to win but they will be looking for more of a 280 to 300 score if they are to be on top. There bowling has been unpredictable at times with the likes of Pathan and Khan staying consistent with the new ball but haven?t had great support from the rest of the lineup apart from Harbhajan Singh.

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Australia on the other have also looked strong in batting. It is often up to Gilchrist to set the pace for the innings. If he gets going then the sh*t could hit the fan or they could consolidate through the likes of Katich and aim to do there scoring in the later overs. The bowling has been performing with the new ball but they seem to be lacking a good at the death bowler that can keep the economy rate down to prevent the Indians getting away form them.

It looks to be a promising 3rd ODI ahead at Kolkata with so much to play for. Australia could be playing for there place in the side as coach Buchanan has promised that the axe will fall if the team loses. Who knows the axe may even fall on Buchanan. As for the Indians none of their places have been safe throughout the series and its looks to be no deferent here.

A hell of a series has started and the Test Series hasn?t even began yet.

 

[Short Leg]

3rd Pepsi One Day International - Eden Gardens, Kokata​

A great day for the final match of the Pepsi One Day Series. If this one lives up to the expectations of the crowd here then it should be a cracka. Lets find out the conditions of todays game.

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Ravi Shastri Pitch Report
I've got a good feeling about this one. This looks to be the pitch that hwe have expect but havent seen in this series. Well here it is. Flat and hard with a lightning outfeild and a bowlers vision of hell. Look out for Gilchrist if Australia win the toss here. I really think the runs will stack up here and the team winning the toss will be licking there lips.

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Umpires Aleem Dar and Darell Hair

The Toss Ricky Ponting wins the toss

Yeah its nice to win my first toss here today and were going to bat first. It looks a beauty one we will love to have first use on and post a good total to put ourselfes in the position to win the series.

It would of been nice to of batted first but we will do our best in the feild to restrict Australia to an achieveable total that we can chase tonight. It should be a good contest

There you have it both captains not really wanting to talk they just want to get on the feild and fight it out for the Pepsi Cup.

India Line-up

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A couple of changes which is interesting seeing as they have beaten Australia but none the less a few men coming in. Gambhir is coming into open the batting with Sehwag which puts Tendulkar down to number 4 perhaps a more suited role for the little master. Raina the allrounder in for his offspin and handy middle order batting aswell as the return of Agarkar. A solid looking lineup to finish the series.

Australia Line-up

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No change for Australia as they will look to get revenge from the 2nd ODI loss with the usual team. It may be the last tim the team goes unchanged however if they are defeated here. Will Gilchrist get Australia off to the start that Ravi Shastri predicted.

Enough talk lets get down to the action in the decider of the series. Whos dreams will be made in this one?

 

[Short Leg]

Australia Away To A Flyer​

3rd Pepsi ODI - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Australia 0/147
20 overs

Gilchrist 90(67)*
Katich 47(53)*

Agarkar 0/41
Sreesanth 0/73
Tendulkar 0/9
Harbhajan Singh 0/21

Today would have to declared a national holiday in memory of Adam Gilchrist as he tured it on in the opening overs in pursuit of a massive total on the flatest of tracks.

The Australian 50 came up in just the 6th over as Gilchrist and Katich looked uninterested in picking up 1s and 2s as they dispatched with ease to the boundary. Sreesanth and Argarkar who shared the new pill could do nothing as the Australian pair where just to good.

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Aleemd Dar and Darrel Hair had a workout signaling 4s and 6s all over the shop.

Gilchrist was quick fire in bring up his 50 it took just 34 balls to do so. This included 7 fours and the 1 maximum. At the 15 over mark Gilchrist and Katich had taken Australia to 0/117 what a toss to win for Ricky Ponting.

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Even the best of batsman are human and Gilchrist proved this was a fact as he hit the simplest of catches on 78 to the allrounder Raina at square leg attempting to sweep but to everyones amazment it went to ground.

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Australia are now well on track for a score over 300 but both teams get to bat on this pitch so you never know what will happen. It shouldn't crumble like the last pitch here did and will provide even bounce all day.

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[IloveGilly]

Another great story, i seem to love your stories!

 

[Cricket_60]

Great start for the Aussies

 

[UsmanCHADDA]

Brilliant start by Australia. Gilchrist on fire!!!

 

[Short Leg]

Gilchrist Bat's For Immortality​

3rd Pepsi ODI - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Australia 3/271
40 overs

Gilchrist 162(135)*
Symonds 4(9)*

Agarkar 0/41
Sreesanth 0/73
Tendulkar 0/9
Harbhajan Singh 0/69
Pathan 1/26
Raina 1/43

Adam Gilchrist continued to fire in the middle overs of the innings without to much support. It's not like he needed any anyway. He proved impossible to bowl to as he found gaps in the feild that even Bradman would struggle to get balls through.

Gilchrist was done another favour by the Indians when he was dropped on 124 again off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh who wasnt a hapy chappy and you could understand why because it really was a soda.

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He's Out..................................Maybe not​

Raina got Katich soon after reaching 50 as he was beaten by filght and chipped a catch to Harbhajan. In addition to the dismissals column skipper Ricky Ponting was bowled swinging across the line and Damien Martyne was runout in a direct hit from the bowler. With Symonds at the crease partnering Gilchrist the Indians could soon be out of it as both men are fantastic strikers of the leather.

Again making the Indians pay for missed opportunities Gilchrist reached his 150 in fine style and got the recignition from the capacity crowd at Eden Gardens.

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Gilchrist reaches a milestone few men would dream of​

With another 10 overs remaining Australia are looking at a massive total of something along the lines of 320 plus tax. Gilchrist himself may even become the first man in ODI history to reach 200. Still alot to play for in this innings and a good chase to follow in the decider of the series.

 

[Short Leg]

Australia In Fine Position​

3rd Pepsi ODI ? Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Australia 8/339
Close Of Innings

Gilchrist 165(142)
Katich 56(80)

Tendulkar 2/19
Raina 1/50

At the close of innings Australia is sitting pretty on a massive total on one of the flattest tracks India has produced. This total will take some chasing from India so it is essential that there openers get them away to a good start if they are to have a chance of winning the series under lights.

Gilchrist the feature perormance with a cracking innings that lasted into the final overs but came to an end when he was caught on the fence by Tendulkar of the bowling of Sreesanth for a modest 165. That innings will go up amounst the greatest ever played in history of ODI cricket.

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It wasn?t the greatest of finishes from Australia as they crashed to 8 down but some handy willow wielding from Hussey helped to push the total to 339. A few low scores including another fail from Clarke who was out for just a single in a mix up that resulted in him being run out by the smallest of margins. 39 extras from India didn?t help there cause as they could have been chasing something more towards the 300 mark.

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An interesting chase to follow as the sun sets on Eden Gardens for the last time in the ODI series. It?s still all the play for as the players make there way back out onto the field.

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[Cricket_60]

What an innings by Gilly

 

[jazz]

excellent score there by australia

 

[Short Leg]

India Not Invited To Australia's Pajama Party​

3rd Pepsi ODI - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India 4/110
20 overs

Tendulkar 2(2)*
Dhoni 1(1)*

McGrath 1/33
Lee 1/33
Bracken 0/29
Hogg 2/15

India require 230 runs at 7.67 runs an over

Comparison after 20 overs
Australia 0/147
India 4/110

Virenda Sehwag made sure of his intent on his arrival at the crease with opening partner Gambhir. Sehwag took the approach of his normal One Day game only with more aggression. Yeah I didn?t know it was possible either before the little fella unleached the fury on Glenn McGrath. He reached 22 off just 11 balls before giving the simplest of catches to Brad Hogg at mid off.

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Worried australian skipper watches Sehwag take up the attack​

India could do no wrong when Yuvraj Singh hit form bringing up his 50 while Gambhir at the other end struggled to get going.

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Yuvraj Singh keeps India in the match​

Gambhir went not to long after Yuvraj reached his milestone as he attempted to go aerial after the Australains frustrated him by blocking his scoring options.

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The fight from Gambhir comes to an end​

Disasted struck when India then suffered a mini collapse with there captain out for a golden duck along with Yuvraj Singh. It is now up to senior member and superstar of the game Sachin Tendulkar to get India close to this massive total Australia have set but to do that they will still need to go at over 7 an over. Ricky Ponting can now afford to attack and make the new batsman force over the top in a bid to get quick runs.

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India in real trouble now​

Its looking better and better for Australia now as they will be in the box seat. Indias only real hope lies with this pair scoring big runs quickly it will be a long road to the finish from here.