Story SouthAfrica's International Diary(ICC CT 2009) - Boucher tries to Steady the Ship

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 34 overs

Indian Spinners Slowdown the Run-Rate​

Australians needed 185 in 180 balls and it was not at all a difficult task since the arrival of Twenty20 cricket. Dhoni decided to give his spinner the ball. In the past the Indian spinners have been able to maintain run-flow and increase the required run-rate and Dhoni was hoping for the same and it did happen today. Harbhajan and Yuvraj Singh were given the ball and they bowl brilliantly in the right line and lengths and troubling the two batsman out there in the middle. But the two batsman rotated the strike but the runs didnt come easily. Soon Shaun Marsh raised his well deserved half century with a fine cut shot past the short third man fielder for four. Harbhajan Singh was bowling brilliantly and taking the responsibility of India's number one spinner by not conceding for than three runs per over. Harbhajan Singh varied his deliveries and troubled the batsman. Ponting and Marsh decided to rotate the strike instead of taking the risk and going for the boundaries. The two kept the scoreboard ticking and soon decided to attack the part-timer Yuraj Singh. Shaun Marsh played the leg glance against Yuraj Singh for four beating Zaheer Khan at short fine leg.

In the next over Marsh played the same shot which resulted in another boundary. It was patience what the Australians needed as they were getting almost five runs per over and the required run-rate was under six and a half runs per over which was quite chaseable. Yuvraj Singh after his four over costing twenty three runs was given a break and Dhoni decided to bring back medium-pacer Irfan Pathan back into the attack. Irfan started round the wicket and tried the bring the ball back in the right handers and he was successful in doing so but it didn't create any problem for Ponting. Ponting and Marsh soon congratulated each other as the two had added hundred runs between the them and were hoping for more. Indians weren't able to stop the easy singles all round the park. Ponting to raised his half century with brilliant flick of the wrist for four of the bowling of Virender Sehwag who had replaced Harbhajan Singh. Irfan Pathan went for almost twelve runs in his two over spell and at the end of 34 overs the match is evenly poised.

Australians are 167 runs for the loss of one wicket. They still need 114 runs in 16 overs at the rate of 7.12 runs per over. Its a difficult task but not at all impossible. Shaun Marsh and Ponting are looking in good touch and are eager to convert this start in to a big innings. Harbhajan Singh has been the pick of the bowlers for the Indians going for twenty nine in eaight overs but the faster bowlers need to keep the run rate down and support him.

Australia: 167/1(34 overs)
Ponting: 58(70)
Marsh: 78(110)
Extras: 15

Last Wicket(s):
Warner c Pathan b Sharma 16(24)

I.Pathan 7-0-32-0
H.Singh 8-0-29-0
Y.Singh 4-0-23-0
V.Sehwag 1-0-9-0

 

[Roofrom50]

Come on Aussies you can do it. It's going to be a dog chase in the end, but they can still do it.

Good stuff mate, kiu

 

[Jaztheman]

7.12 runs an over is possible when you've got two set batsmen at the crease and 9 wickets in hand. I'd say the match is definitely in the balance and the next few overs are going to be vital for both sides.

It says end of 20 overs at the top of the update.

Great stuff, Shantanu.

 

[Highlander999]

Ponting and Marsh are batting superbly. If these two can just keep the runs ticking over, then I think Australia can do it. If India pick up a wicket though....it'll be a close finish.

Great works Shan, top class effort

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 41 overs

Marsh Reaches Hundred, but Indians Strike Twice in Quick Succession ​

The match was evenly poised as Australians need 114 runs with still 9 wickets in hand in 16 overs. Indians have bowled well but they need wickets to put pressure on the Australians. Dhoni gave Harbhajan Singh a break and brought back Yusuf Pathan into the attack. The two Australian bowlers were finding it very easy to hit the ball in the gap and rotate the strike. The Aussies were scoring at least five to six runs per over. Soon the two Aussie batsman pressed the accelerator and decided to go after the bowlers. First Marsh cut away Yuvraj Singh fine for a boundary which was followed by Ricky Ponting smashing Zaheer Khan through the covers for four. This match was surely going down to wire now as the Aussies were scoring about six-seven runs per over.

Marsh who had batted brilliantly under pressure for the Australians raised his maiden one day century. He reached his century in style smashing Zaheer Khan over extra cover for a huge six. The crowd watching the match stood up and gave Marsh a huge applause, Marsh also received a pat on the back from skipper Ponting and Marsh would only be hoping that his maiden century doesn't go in vain. But the next ball it was Zaheer Khan who got his revenge. Zaheer Khan pitched it fuller and Marsh went for the huge hit straight down the ground but didn't timed it well and gave a catch to Suresh Raina at covers. Indians finally broke the 176 runs partnership for the second wicket as Marsh departed back to pavilion accepting the huge applause from the crowd.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke came in but he would be on the non-strikers end as Marsh was dismissed on the last ball of the over. Dhoni turned towards Ishant Sharma who had gone for 44 runs in his 7 overs. Sharma went for a single towards deep-point of the first ball. But the next ball it was Ishant Sharma who gave the Indians their second wicket in quick succession by getting rid of Michael Clarke. Sharma pitched the ball in the good length area and Clarke going for the square cut completely missed the ball and was clean bowled. Michael Hussey"Mr Cricket" was the next man in. Sharma bowled brilliantly and conceded just a single of the last ball to keep Hussey on strike.

Indians are back in the game by getting rid of the settled Shaun Marsh who scored a brilliant century and the vice-captain Michael Clarke. But still the ball is in Australia's court as they have a lot of batting to follow and their skipper Ponting is still in the middle. Australians still need 66 runs from 54 balls at 7.33 runs per over. Will the Australians reach the target or will the Indians stop them? Only time will tell.

Australia: 216/3(41 overs)
R.Ponting: 76(86)
M.Hussey: 1(4)
Extras: 20

Last Wicket(s):
M.Clarke b Sharma 0(1)
S.Marsh c Raina b Khan 103(130)

Z.Khan 7-0-38-1
I.Sharma 8-0-46-2
I.Pathan 8-0-35-0
Y.Pathan 4-0-29-0
Y.Singh 5-0-29-0

 

[Highlander999]

I still think the Aussies can do this. They have plenty of wickets in hand and Ponting is settled so I still think Aus have a good chance of winning this.

Great works once again

 

[Jaztheman]

Australia should still do this, regardless of the Indian efforts, but if India get Ponting out very soon then I feel India will have the upper hand. Marsh was incredible for Australia to get his century and Ponting seems to be following suit. I doubt he'll get his hundred, for some reason though.

Good writing and graphics, Shan. Keep it up.

 

[saladguy]

I feel that for the Aussies their captain, Ponting holds the key. Their middle order can be strong and Mike Hussey is a gem too

 

[Roofrom50]

Hussey will come out and blast away, and Australia will cruise to victory. lol thats my prediction

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 47 overs

Match Set for Last Ball Thriller​

Indians were back in the game as they had got rid settled Shaun Marsh and vice captain Michael Clarke within three balls and the match was evenly balanced. Ponting who batting really well was still there in the middle along with new batsman Michael Hussey. Zaheer Khan continued and bowled really well bringing to play all his experience and bowling a perfect line and length and not going over a run a ball. Australians needed boundaries as the run-rate was slowly but steadily increasing. Ponting went for the big shot and tried to smash Irfan Pathan over covers but didn't get the timing right and gave a simple catch to Suresh Raina at covers. Ricky Ponting received a huge applause as he made his way back to the pavilion and was replaced by second of the Hussey brothers David Hussey. It was upto the Hussey brothers to take the Aussies home.

As expected it was not gonna be easy. Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan bowled brilliantly between them. Boundaries were becoming very difficult to come by for the two Hussey brothers but they kept the scoreboard ticking with the ones and twos. Finally Michael Hussey scored the first boundary after almost four overs with a fine late cut for four beating Sachin Tendulkar at short third man. Two balls later Michael Hussey swept a slow yorker from Irfan Pathan for four between deep mid-wicket and long-on. The boundary was followed by some clever cricket by taking a single. David Hussey also joined the party as he hit two sweep shots which went for four. First was over the mid-wicket fielder for four and the next between fine-leg and deep mid-wicket. Aussies had scored 18 runs of the over and suddenly the run-rate which was above 8.5 had dropped down to 6.5. The game was swinging as a pendulum and could go either way.

Dhoni gave Ishant Sharma the ball and the first ball he struck the main wicket of dangerous Michael Hussey. Sharma pitched the ball in the good length area and Hussey trying to hit on the off-side completely missed it and was clean bowled. New man in was wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin and he got of the mark straight-away with a risky single towards point. Sharma bowled brilliantly conceding just three runs of the over. Dhoni again made a change in the bowling bringing Harbhajan Singh back in the attack and he struck the first ball. Haddin going to sweep Harbhajan completely missed the ball and was plumed leg before. Clearly the ball could have hit off and middle stump. Cameron White was the new man and he to got of the mark straight-away with a leg glance towards fine-leg for a single. Bhajji bowled brilliantly giving away just four singles of the over.

Indians have once again pulled the match back from the Australians. The match is still evenly poised and is swinging from one end to another end like a pendulum. Australians have lost most of their batsman and settled skipper. But still Cameron White and David Hussey who both play for the Bushrangers have the capacity to hit huge. Indians need to bowl well and keep is as tight as possible. Australians need 26 runs from 18 balls at 8.67 runs per over.

Australia: 256/6(47 overs)
D.Hussey: 14(11)
C.White: 2(2)
Extras: 20

Last Wicket(s):
B.Haddin lbw b H.Singh 2(4)
M.Hussey b Sharma 19(18)
R.Ponting c Raina b Pathan 80(92)

Z.Khan 9-0-52-1
I.Sharma 9-0-49-3
I.Pathan 10-0-54-0
H.Singh 9-0-33-1

Who will win the match?

a)Australia
b)India
c)Tie​

 

[saladguy]

Too close to call I'm afraid, so I'm going for a tie!

 

[Jaztheman]

b) India

Brilliant stuff, Shan. I feel Sharma will get a wicket in his last over and Singh will bowl tight. Not quite sure what Khan will do but I reckon India will win it one way or another.

And by the way you keep spelling Sharma wrong in the bowlers bit at the end, in most updates.

 

[Roofrom50]

Im going to say b aswell.
If it's going to be like anything like real life cricket, Dussey and White were in terrible form, not being able to hit big, so Sharma and Singh will bowl particually well. Sharma will be looking for the yorkers

Great update mate, this is a wonderful read

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 50 overs

Indians Win Last Over Thriller​

Well, with 26 runs required from the last three overs its never going to be easy. Australians had just David Hussey who was just looking settled along with new batsman Cameron White. The pressure out there in the middle was intense. MS Dhoni who looked calm as ever gave the ball to Ishant Sharma for his last over of his spell. Ishant Sharma got of to the worst possible start by conceding two boundaries of the first two balls. Both the balls were pitched wide outside off stump. First was a bit short and Dave Hussey cut it away for four while the next one was a bit fuller but Hussey smashed it through covers for consecutive boundaries. Sharma conceded just two runs of the next four balls of his last over and went for ten runs in the over. Australians needed 16 runs of the last 2 overs.

Ms Dhoni now gave the ball to his number one spinner Harbhajan Singh, who took a lot of time to get his fielding right. Bhajji started the over well by bowling two dot balls and was able to get some spin and bounce from the pitch. But the third ball Cameron White who had just been there in the middle for just six balls decided to sweep Harbhajan Singh against the turn for four beating Irfan Pathan at fine-leg. The game was getting very interesting and the pressure on both the teams increased. But Bhajji used all his experience again and bowled two brilliant yorkers and Cameron White was unable to score any runs of them. And of the last ball of Harbhajan Singh's economical spell he got the wicket of Cameron White. White again going for the sweep against the spin missed the ball and was clean bowled.

As expected Zaheer Khan who had been India's best bowler in teh recent past was given the ball to bowl the final over. Australians needed 12 runs to win and they had just four wickets in hand. David Hussey was on the strike. Zaheer like Harbhajan took some time to get his field right. Zaheer had a deep-point, long-off, long-on, fine-leg and deep mid-wicket in place as the five fielders out side the circle.

Indians missed a glorious of the first ball opportunity of putting a lot of pressure on the Aussies and exposing their tail. Zaheer pitched it wide outside off-stump, Hussey smashed it but mistimed the shot and gave an easy catch to Irfan Pathan at deep-point who made a completely mess and dropped a sitter. Johnson gave strike to Hussey straight-away with a single towards long-off. Next ball David Hussey smashed Zaheer over covers for a boundary putting Indians under a lot of pressure as Aussies needed just 6 runs of the last three balls. Aussie fans look confident but Zaheer Khan had some other plans. Zaheer pitched the ball on middle and leg stump. Hussey made room and tried to hit over covers missed the ball completely and was clean bowled. Indians were in the game as the dangerous Hussey departed.

Australians needed 6 runs of the last two balls and it was Nathan Bracken on strike. Zaheer this time pitched it short and Bracken went for the pull but completely miss-timed the shot and gave an easy catch o Gautam Gambhir at short fine-leg. Indians celebrated and were smelling victory in the first match of the quadrangular series here in Melbourne. Aussies needed 6 runs of the last ball and it was last man Shaun Tait to face the last ball of the game. Zaheer Khan who was on a hatrick, bowled a slow yorker. Shaun Tait went for the sweep and miss the ball and was clean bowled. Indians were escatic about the victory and Zaheer Khan celebrated his first ever hatrick.

It was Zaheer Khan's experience which came into play in the last over. Australians were in a great position at 214 for the loss of one wicket, but since lost wickets at regular interval after the fall of Shaun Marsh. Indian bowlers brought India back in the game brilliantly and they completely deserved the win. India win by 5 runs in a thrilling encounter at Melbourne and what a way to kick start this exciting and entertaining quadrangular series.

 

[Amiya]

Great last over from Zaheer. Aussies kept loosing their wicket after a brilliant partnership between Ponting and Marsh. Well played India. Nice update Shantanu. Keep it up.