Story New Zealand V Australia: Test and ODI series [C2005]

[gamerkid22]

I have selected your story for Sky Sports Planetcricket Updates .... :happy :happy ....check my thread.

 

[Cricket_60]

AUSTRALIA WINS BY 5 WICKETS

Australia has eventually won by 5 wickets. The 3 runs required where brought up in the 49th over, which shows the positive type of bowling that the Kiwis served up even when the game was gone. Australia now has a 1-0 lead in the series...

Australia always had the requried run rate in check. Although the 3 quick wickets at the start gave them a scare, the partnership between Ponting and Symonds and then Hussey and Clarke ensured that Australia could glide home with ease....

Aus: 5/256 (49)
Australia won by 5 wickets
MOM: R.Ponting

 

[m_vaughan]

Congratulations to Australia and especially the captain, Ricky Ponting.

 

[gamerkid22]

good win for Aussies but was a tight match in the end ...well played Ponting good finish to the match by Hussey and Clarke .

 

[surendar]

Captain played the crucial role for Aussies!!! Well done aussies

 

[Cricket_60]

PONTING HAPPY WITH PERFORMANCE

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is happy with the performance of his team in its 5 wicket win over New Zealand. Australia's middle order again backed up a reasonable top order innings to ensure the Aussies take a commanding one nil lead into the second game. "The whole team did well both in the field and with the bat, I'm sure the guys who missed out will be eager to get out there and get a few runs next match." Ponting also announced that Glen McGrath would return to cricket during the next series Australia played. "Glen is training well away from the team and has the ok from his wife to play our next tour" "I do feel that we have played well without a key player and with a lot of new guys in the team." There are no current injury concerns for Australia who lead the series 1-0, and the team is looking better then ever as it heads into its next match. The home team also has no injury concerns but will be hurting from the loss to Australia, can they produce the same form as they did in the last two matches of the test series?

Punter talks to the media

 

[m_vaughan]

I think the remaining matches will be a lot closer. Good to see both teams have no major injury concerns, and good to hear about McGrath's return.

 

[Left_Hander]

Good win for Australia. Nice to see McGrath back. Good luck for the rest of the series. Good work with the presenation .

,
Left_Hander

 

[Cricket_60]

SECOND ODI, KEY FACTORS

BOWLING

1) Shane Bond V Brett Lee

Both of these speedsters have had a huge impact on the ODI?s. Bonds presence within the team gave the Kiwis a huge boost despite not getting over the line against Australia while Lee has let his figures do all the talking. Bond may be a more fluent bowler but what Lee lacks in skill he makes up for in raw aggression. Both bowlers can swing the ball brilliantly but Bond again has the better of Lee in movement off the pitch, something which will continue to trouble the Australian batsmen?

Lee and Bond go head to head

2) Kiwi bowlers

The Kiwis bowlers had a tough time in the absence of Bond and really had sporadic periods of form, with no one bowler being fully able to dominate over the Australian batsmen for a whole match. Franklin was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, he was by far the most consistent and dangerous bowler that took to the field. Chris Martin had a lean tour and will be looking forward to getting into form again after his heel injury. Daniel Vettori also seemed out of sorts with a similar injury, unlike Chris Martin however, he still seems to be struggling with this injury despite Captain Stephen Fleming assuring the press that he is fully fit?

Franklin will be looking to get back into his test form

3) Australia?s injury concerns

Australia are supposedly injury free, however bowlers Brad Hogg and Stuart Clark appear to be carrying injuries of some sort. While Ponting like Fleming, said that Australia had no injuries it is clear that something isn?t right with Brad Hogg. Hogg is said to have a strained calf, which would explain the recent run of form he has had. Stuart Clark on the other hand is returning from a knee injury. Clark had a moderate impact on the game but was not bowling at his full pace, it is speculated that Clark was rushed back into the side to strengthen Australia?s attack at the cost of his fitness?

Hogg is under an injury cloud

BATTING

1) Ricky Ponting

The Australian captain made a prolific return to form during the last match with a game winning century. Ponting failed to have his normal impact on the test series, struggling to keep his wicket early in the innings and after scoring his 50?s. While he didn?t have a bad series Ponting definitely seems to be back for the ODI?s. His century was one of his usual style and composure, something which has boosted the Australian top order. If Ponting continues to fire things could get nasty for the Kiwis who will be looking to use their test tactics on him in the ODI arena?

Punter is back in form

2) Nathan Astle

Nathan Astle scored a game winning century in the last test which virtually saved the Kiwis from a series defeat. Before that however, Astle was very quiet and did not look comfortable against a seaming and swinging ball. Having Astle back in form would be a major boost for the Kiwis as his skill is often required to steady the innings after a collapse or to keep the pressure on the bowlers. Australia must watch out for this man in the next two matches?

Astle is looking dangerous

3) Form

Both teams have had both their in form batsmen (Martyn, Fleming, How) and their out of form counterparts. Clarke and Marshall have been the young guns who have failed to fire in the test series, with both making contributions but with no outstanding innings?. Adam Gilchrist won the man of the series award for his brilliant work with the gloves and his powerful century in the first match. However, after this century he was very quiet with the bat and did not look his usual dangerous self. Gilchrist is the one man who you definitely don?t want in form when the ODI?s come around, so the Kiwis will be praying hard for his early aggression to cost him his wicket in the next two matches?

Marto's batting was a highlight of the test matches, can he do the same in the ODI's?

Both teams are fired up for this clash, Australia are looking to close out the series while the Kiwis will be looking to redeem themselves after their defeat at the hands of the Aussies last time. All this sets us up for a thrilling second match?

 

[m_vaughan]

Well the absence of Bond is hurting the Kiwiz. Personally I am a big fan of Franklyn, but it seems he can only bowl well when the conditions suit him.

Ponting is no doubt one of the key factors, as far as batting is concerned. I can go as far as saying that he has either won games for or saved Australia the maximum number of times in recent times.

 

[Cricket_60]

Yeah mate all your points are definitely valid. Punter is definitely a match winner while Franklin can be as well if the conditions suit him, but when they dont he can get slogged around a bit.

As soon as Bond came back the Kiwi bowling attack had more firepower and almost beat Australia.

 

[m_vaughan]

Cheers mate. Cant wait for the 2nd match to start. When you planning to play/post it?

 

[surendar]

Yeah i go with Vaughan, Bond's absence is the major drawback!!! Franklin needs someone like Bond to support him!!!

But Aussies are in great form at the moment... This series is really :boxing between Aussies and Kiwis!!!

 

[m_vaughan]

I think Franklyn would be the one supporting Bond.

 

[Cricket_60]

Yeah i go with Vaughan, Bond's absence is the major drawback!!! Franklin needs someone like Bond to support him!!!

But Aussies are in great form at the moment... This series is really :boxing between Aussies and Kiwis!!!

Yeah but Bond will play the remaining ODI's, dont forget they still managed to draw the test series without him and with injuries to Martin and Vettori.

And m_vaughan, I have already played it and the final margin is interesting to say the least