Story The Dominators - Global Challenge

[MWaugh]

Post Innings Review - With Richie Benaud and Mark Taylor

Benaud - Welcome back to the MCG here after a superb start to this one day international season. Some great hitting by Hayden, some tight bowling in the middle of the innings from Boje and some great support play from Clarke. Mark this game has had it all?
Taylor - My word Richie. We always have high expectations of games featuring these two teams and this has not let us down so far. Hopefully the South Africans will put up a very strong showing with the bat here this afternoon.
Benaud - Yes a strong peformance from both teams is definatly required here. Mark youve been in the same position as Matthew Hayden before, facing a slight form slump, how must he be feeling now?
Taylor - On top of the world i would say Rich. Its all about confidence and hopefully he can take that onto the next game. You only have to look at young Michael Clarke there. He is oozing with confidence and eagerness.
Benaud - Very much so, it appears to be rubbing off on guys like Ricky Ponting and now Matthew Hayden. What about the total? South African will chase 270 at a run rate of 5.4 an over. Will it be enough?
Taylor - Yes i think so rich. One thing to take into account is that it is always a little bit more difficult to bat second in a one dayer against australia here in melbourne. They generally set totals well and can defend very well. I think 270 may be just a few to many for south africa to get. However with Smith, Gibbs, Kallis and Pollock in the lineup they will definatly give it quite a shake.

Benaud - Yes especially Kallis, probably the best allrounder in the world at the moment. Lets also have a look at the scorecards from todays play and then we will return you down to the action from the second innings here in melbourne.

Below-
- Australias scorecard
- South africas bowling. Allthough the figures dont suggest it Boje bowled very well
- Matthew Haydens pie chart. Take note of the straight 6's showing his amazing power

 

[The Champ]

Look a competitive score by the Aussies, SA have their task cut out,:upray

 

[MWaugh]

South Africa Run Chase

Chasing 270 from 50 overs, South African openers Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs made an emphatic start to the run chase under the floodlights at the MCG. Opening bowlers Lee and McGrath took heavy punishment with the fielding restrictions in place until Lee cracked Smith, having him caught at square leg for 12 attempting to flick one off his pads by Jason Gillespie. The score was 1/46 from only 5 overs bowled. Kallis and Gibbs continued to punish McGrath 1/36 (4.3) and Lee 2/40 (9.0) until the pacemen were replaced by Andrew Symonds and Brad Hogg.

The tatic proved an immidiate success. Symonds had Gibbs caught in the deep on 43 from as many balls faced and Hogg bowled Kallis (25) leg stump trying to cut a ball that spun back and bounced. The tides had turned in Australias favour. The south african middle order collapsed loosing Rudolph (22), McKenzie (0) and Boucher (0) to have the visitors struggling at 4/91.
Symonds the chief destroyer taking 4/26 (9.0). Pollock put up some resistance making 44 from 68 but in the end South Africa were bowled out for 195 still 75 runs off Australias total.

Below - Action shots from South Africas run chase under lights at the MCG
- Gibbs gets lucky as he edges past Gilchrist
- Gibbs holes out to Symonds as Gilchrist looks on
- Kallis, bowled by Hogg late cutting a ball that spun back

 

[MWaugh]

Match Rap Up - Mark Taylor and Richie Benaud

Benaud - Hello and welcome back. If you have just joined us Australia has wrapped up this one day international by a convincing 75 runs. For me, Andrew Symonds the pick of the bowlers, not only did he take some crucial wickets but he also kept it really tight. Mark how did you see the game?
Taylor - Yes Richie, figures of 4/26 show the way he bowled his off spin. He is such a value to this team and acts as a 5th or 6th bowler. A really great asset to have.

Benaud - Well ive always been a big fan of symonds since his 2003 world cup performance against pakistan but this time he really chipped in with the ball to help his team out in a desperate situation. Well we take you down to Tony Greig now with the presentation and the captains.

Greig - Thank you very much Richie. Yes i have with me here Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith. Ricky we will start with you. Happy with the display today?

Ponting - Yeh Tony very happy. I said at the toss that i felt 260-280 was going to be a good total and we got there. 269 on this wicket was always going to be difficult to chase. Thanks to Matty getting amongst the runs we were saved from a total probably around 210-220. Once again Clarkey proved so valuable and then Simmo (Andrew Symonds) with the ball. Theres a really good team spirit amongst the boys at the moment.

Greig - Great to hear Ricky. Best of luck against New Zealand next week. And now to Graeme Smith, Graeme you put up a good fight today.

Smith - Our start was great today. With both the bat and the ball, unfortunatly we just couldnt keep it up. But they are a class side Australia and im sure we will have many more tight games throughout the year.

Greig - Im sure you will. And now to the man of the match and its no suprise that todays award goes to Matthew Hayden with a well compiled 153* from 155 balls. Matthew a spectacular return to form.

Hayden - Thank you very much Tony. It definatly feels good to be hitting the ball the way i did today. Hopefully i can take that form to New Zealand but our batting order is playing some really good cricket at the moment.

Greig - Thank you very much. Well this raps it up from down here on the ground. Back to you in the studio.

Benaud - Yes thats it from here in melbourne. Stay with us as we follow australias season to New Zealand for the test match starting next week.

Below -
- The MCG at night, providing a great atmosphere for one day cricket
- South Africa scorecard. Gibbs and Pollock leading well but it wasnt enough.
- Australia bowling figures. Symonds proving his worth with 4/26

 

[gold639]

Brilliant bowling by Symonds.

I like the presentation of this story.

All the stories now-a-days are awesome!

 

[MWaugh]

Brilliant bowling by Symonds.

I like the presentation of this story.

All the stories now-a-days are awesome!

thanks gold. trying my best for everyone

 

[The Champ]

Mate why cant u put enough details abt the SA chase, anyway good work mate

 

[MWaugh]

Media Report

Media Report

Australia arrived in Auckland today ahead of this weeks test match against the black caps in Auckland. Fresh off a emphatic victory over a defiant Zimbabwe unit in Harare recently, Ricky Ponting and his men arrived looking slightly tired after an hectic 2 weeks of cricket in which they also completed a test victory over Pakistan in Melbourne and a one day victory over South Africa. When asked wether australia will go in with an unchanged lineup for the New Zealand match ponting responded:

Our current thinking is that we probably will go with the same team. Our bowling has been very strong, the contributions of McGrath, Gillespie and Warne are giving the batsman alot of support. So far our openers and middle order have struggled to bat as a complete unit. You know it was myself and clarkey in Melbourne, Clarkey in the first in Harare and then myself and gilly in the second.

We will really be looking for some contributions from matty (hayden) and justin (langer). Kat (Simon Katich) has been playing ok and marto is still searching for some runs. But i have full confidence in our unit at the moment. Binga (Brett Lee) shouldnt be far off some wickets either. So fingers cross everyone will fire soon enough

It appears that australia will field an unchanged lineup going into the test against New Zealand, the wether here in Auckland appears to fine and sunny however wether reports have confirmed that grey skies are expected for the match.

Below:
- Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and Adam Gilchrist relax with a game of touch, in New Zealand
- Matthew Hayden, looking to continue from his 153* against South Africa
- Brett Lee stretches before training

 

[m_vaughan]

What a superb innings that was from Matty Hayden. Good work!!

 

[boss]

nicely broadcasted rather presented story thread mate!, keep it up!

Boss

 

[MWaugh]

Thread Updates

Story Thread Updates:
Once again thanks for these guys for posting in my story

West Indies 10/330 (S. Chanderpaul 122*) take 4 run lead into second innings vs New Zealand 10/326 (L. Vincent 119).

Visit 4th Test West Indies vs New Zealand live from Guyana - The Champ

South Africa 0/110 after 15.0 overs (H. Gibbs 71*) chasing West Indies 3/342 (R. Sarwan 158, W. Hinds 109) in a high scoring affair in the 2nd ODI.

Visit the 2nd ODI between South Africa and the West Indies - Jazz

England cruise to 51 run victory over South Africa in 5th ODI. England 9/238 (I. Bell 43) defeated South Africa 10/187 (A. Giles 4/61)

Visit the 6th ODI from South Africa at Durban - M_Vaughn

 

[The Champ]

Nicely presented buddy u rock some rep for u

 

[MWaugh]

Australia Vs New Zealand - Pre Match commentary

Richie Benaud - Good morning and welcome here to a very dark and gloomy New Zealand day as we are here live from Wellington curtousy of Fox Sports. With me in the commentary box today is Ian Healy and New Zealand great Martin Crowe. Now Ian and Martin, trans tasman rivalries will be re-ignited today?

Healy - Yes i think so Richie. As is always the case when these teams meet, there is a lot of passion in the game. New Zealand are always trying to chase the Australian team and match them. Here in New Zealand it may be a little bit more difficult for the Aussies. Wellington has sure thrown up some hometown weather.

Benaud - Yes no favours here for Australia. It is very overcast and im no weatherman but i think it may just rain in the next 5 days.

Crowe - Yes boys welcome to New Zealand. Its days like today that i dont mind sitting up here in our Fox Sports box. Its really cold out there and as you said richie i think we will probably get some rain over the course of the match. As for the game today, these games are always something special. Any kiwi game against Australia is important as we use it as a benchmark to track our progress. I feel we may have a slight chance today.

Benaud - Thank you very much guys, just before we go, Ian and Martin, firstly who will win and also who will be the key players for both teams.

Crowe - Im hoping New Zealand Richie but i think australia, just so strong in all areas. Key players, Gilchrist and Ponting for Australia and Cairns and Vetorri for New Zealand.

Healy - Australia for sure Richie. Key players... Hayden and Gillespie - both are due to fire in the tests. And for New Zealand, i think Astle and Cairns.

Benaud - Thank you guys and here are the team sheets for both teams. We will head down to Ian Chapell with all the facts about the cracks and the glitches with the pitches in just a moment. Stay tuned!

 

[m_vaughan]

Should be another awesome game between the trans tasman rivals.

Also good to see you post updates from other threads.....you deserve some rep from me!!

Keep up the good work!

 

[MWaugh]

Pitch report and toss - Ian Chappel

Ian Chappel - Thank you very much and welcome to the centre of what is a very cold and gloomy Westpac Trust Stadium here in Wellington. There has been alot of rain here lately and that has most definatly affected the wicket here out in the middle. The result of the week worth of rain is that we have a very damp surface here for cricket. I think this wicket will play low and slow. Probably benefit the bowlers. Especially the spinners as it will play low and not come onto the bat a great deal. If i won the toss here, id probably have a bowl, but its a tricky one.

Im here with the two captains, Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming, and the report is that Ricky Ponting has won the toss here. Ricky what would you like to do?

Ponting - We will have a bowl thanks Ian

Ian - Any thoughts on this pitch?

Ponting - Well as you said i think it will play very slow and keep very low. This will benefit our team. Its still going to be tough bowling on it but i feel if we have a crack first it will be our best bet.

Chappel - Ok and ive also got kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming with me, Stephen, happy to have a bat?

Fleming - Yes Ian that wont worry us at all. We know that this wicket is going to be difficult to bat on. But its also not easy to bowl on. If we can get a good 250-300 total here we will be very competitive at home.

Chappel - Well there you have it, New Zealand will be putting the pads on first here in Wellington as we get set for another trans-tasman clash.