Story World Cup 2008

[Roofrom50]

England vs New Zealand - World Series Final at Melbourne - MCG
Day - Normal - Sunny - Hot

England's 11

1. A. Strauss
2. M. Trescothick
3. M. Vaughan
4. K. Pietersen
5. P. Collingwood
6. A. Flintoff
7. G. Jones
8. A. Giles
9. D. Gough
10. S. Harmison
11. J. Anderson


New Zealand's 11

1. L. Vincent
2. M. Sinclair
3. S. Fleming
4. N. Astle
5. C. McMillian
6. H. Marshall
7. B. McCullum
8. D. Vettori
9. D. Tuffey
10. S. Bond
11. I. Butler


New Zealand won the toss and elected to field.

 

[Roofrom50]

England step to the crease

England may feel like they are extremley lucky to be batting 1st. England find that the pitch is great to bat on, and who ever bats 1st, will come very close to posting a match winning score. Vaughan believes that the cracks will start opening up when New Zealand step into the crease, which will be handy for Pietersen and Giles with there spin bowling.

The M.C.G packed to the rafters for the Final between England and New Zealand

Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick walked onto the ground, Both these men having great tournaments. With Strauss 2nd most runs, and Trescothick 3rd most runs for the tournament, was today going to be the case again, can these two men, open up a huge total for England like they have done succesfully in the past.
And open the batting is what they did. Strauss playing alot more defensive then times gone by, maybe thinking this is a final, not trying to smash the ball around early. Both Strauss and Trescothick looked in good form, and Shane Bond was bowling very poorly for New Zealand, giving away 3 wides in the 1 over to Trescothick.

But Bond got his rhythm back, and started bowling a better line and length to Trescothick, but Trescothick was aware of what he was trying to do, and capalyzing on everything Bond pitched. Bond came in for his 4th over, having given away 20+ runs and 3 wides, Bond really needed to trouble the batsman with some consistant bowling. Strauss was on strike for England, and again Bond was wayward with his bowling. Bond pitched a wider bowl, which had a bit of in swing, and Strauss didnt know wether to play it or not, and in decision, Strauss had to play it in the end, and miss judged the ball, with the inswing from Bond, was caught by Tuffey and Strauss was gone for 28, his lowest score for the Tournament. Bond has his 1st wicket, with poor bowling. New Zealand got the important wicket of arguably the player of the Series.

Andrew Strauss looked in good form early, but this miss judment of the in-swinger was enough for Tuffey to catch and Bond to snare his 1st wicket,

Captain Michael Vaughan came to the crease but was at the non - stirkers end, with Trescothick on strike, with Bond still bowling his over. Trescothick hit the ball down and thought there was a possible single, Trescothick called yes, but Vaughan was slow of the mark, Vettori was the fieldsman, who picked up the ball, and threw it to the Keeper, McCullum, and hit the stumps, it was close the umpire may need the 3rd umpire, but in the end they didnt, and called Vaughan out, run out. New Zealand had a bonus, with Vaughan gone for 0. 2 gone already, could New Zealand ask for a better start.

Michael Vaughan thinks to himself, what happened there?

England's middle order players played well, unlike the tournament, where it was England's top order batsman that did the damage. Pietersen who has been talked up by Shane Warne alot over the summer, played very consitently during the Innings, taking his total 31 before he was caught by McCullum and bawled by McMillian. Paul Collingwood who was a late inclusion for Solanki was in at number 5, played well also, contributing to England's total, before he was gone on 18.
Andrew Flintoff, has been great at the tail end of the middle order batsman, many believe he should play higher, but Warne has kept him 6th, and he played aswell with 21 before he was lbw by Astle. And now we thought the wickets will come quick and England will struggle. 14 to Jones, 12 to Giles, and 8 to Gough was the score for the lower order batsman.
And with Harmison and Anderson left, it will seem to be over in the next 2 overs.
But Harmison and Anderson werent gunna give up that easy. Anderson hit 3 sixes and 4 fours to take his total to 39 before being lbw by Astle, and up the other end, Stephen Harmison was not out on 26



A. Strauss: c. Tuffey - b. Bond - 28
M. Trescothick: b. McMillian - 62
M. Vaughan: run out - 0
K. Pietersen: c. McCullum - b. McMillian - 31
P. Collingwood: c. Vincent - b. Astle - 18
A. Flintoff: lbw - b. Astle - 21
G. Jones: run out - 14
A. Giles: c. McMillian - b. Astle - 12
D. Gough: c. McCullum - b. Butler - 8
S. Harmison: not out - 26
J. Anderson: lbw - b. Astle - 39

Extra's: 7
Total: all out after 43.5 overs: 266



New Zealand Bowling (Runs - Wickets)

S. Bond: 53 - 1
D. Tuffey: 58 - 0
D. Vettori: 8 - 0
C. McMillian: 44 - 2
N. Astle: 41 - 4
I. Butler: 61 - 1


New Zealand needs 267 runs to win

 

[gamerkid22]

267 is a good total .England should with this one .

 

[RoboRocks]

2 wickets for Mcmillian?
Why are England getting out to him?

 

[Roofrom50]

New Zealand needs 267 to win can they do it?

New Zealand needed 267 runs to win the 1st Final at the M.C.G against England, but it was not to be. New Zealand looked really poor in the batting lineup this time around. Only their 2 opening batsman looked dangerous, not even captain Stephen Fleming looked to post a good score. Vincent and Sinclair were the only 2 major runners with Vincent taking 43, being bowled by Anderson and caught by Marcus Trescothick. M. Sinclair posted his way to 38, before being bawled by Freddy Flintoff.
Freddy then went on to taking another 6 wickets, which gave his total to 7 for the match. Taking out Sinclair as we said, Astle, McMillian, Marshall, Vettori, Tuffey and Shane Bond, defiently rapping himself the winner of Man of the Match award.



L. Vincent: c. Trescothick - b. Anderson - 43
M. Sinclair: b. Flintoff - 38
S. Fleming: run out - 10
N. Astle: c. Jones - b, Flintoff - 16
C. McMillian: c. Jones - b. Flintoff - 9
H. Marshall: c. Pietersen - b. Flintoff - 10
B. McCullum: b. Giles - 16
D. Vettori: c. Gough - b. Flintoff - 4
D. Tuffey: c&b - b. Flintoff - 6
S. Bond: c. Jones - b. Flintoff - 8
I. Butler: not out - 0

Extra's: 11
Total: all out after 43.2 overs: 171



England Bowling (Runs - Wickets)

D. Gough: 28 - 0
S. Harmison: 40 - 0
J. Anderson: 32 - 1
A. Flintoff: 54 - 7
A. Giles: 13 - 1



Full Scoreboard: England: 266 - New Zealand: 171 - Man of the Match: Andrew Flintoff: England

 

[plympilgrim]

wow what a bowling performance by fred

 

[Jaztheman]

wow amazing by freddie he could get 8 wickets, he needs to do this in real life

 

[Roofrom50]

England vs New Zealand - 2nd World Series Final at Sydney - S.C.G
Day - Hard - Sunny - Hot

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field



England's 11

1. A. Strauss
2. M. Trescothick
3. M. Vaughan
4. K. Pietersen
5. P. Colllingwood
6. A. Flintoff
7. G. Jones
8. A. Giles
9. D. Gough
10. S. Harmison
11. J. Anderson


New Zealand's 11

1. L. Vincent
2. M. Sinclair
3. S. Fleming
4. N. Astle
5. C. McMillian
6. H. Marshall
7. B. McCullum
8. D. Vettori
9. D, Tuffey
10. S. Bond
11. I. Butler


The Summary

If England win this match. They will be 2-0 ahead and win the World Series Championships. But if New Zealand win, we will need to play a 3rd match to decide the winner.

 

[Roofrom50]

England was up 1st against New Zealand. The Pitch looks good and will favour England who will bat first. Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick openend the batting for England again, just like they have done all tournmanet. During the tournament they have been the best batting partnership, stasitics wise. Andrew Strauss looked in good form today, like he has been all summer. Alot of good running between the wickets from Strauss and Trescothick got England's score rolling along nicely with 6 runs an over on average. Strauss and Trescothick were hitting the odd boundaries aswell with the quick singles, everything was going right. A bit of luck for Strauss, with an edge over the 1st slip's head away for four. Trescothick gave the crowd something to cheer about, with 3 sixes off the same over from D. Tuffey, taking 2 sweep shots for 6.

Marcus Trescothick on fire, hitting a massive 6

D. Tuffey was getting frasturated as Strauss started hitting 4's from his overs, hitting the hook shot with perfection all day, Strauss looked in great form. His partner up the other end was looking to bad either. Strauss and Trescothick looked to put on a huge partnership with this run rate at this moment. But Stepehen Fleming was thinking of changing his bowling order around. D. Vettori came into the attack, it was his 2nd over before he got his man. Andrew Strauss went for the cover drive, walked in on Vettori and completely missed the ball, and Vettori was accurate and hit off stump. New Zealand finally got their break through, Strauss was gone for 60, a beautiful and handy Innings from Strauss, left England in a strong position with Trescothick playing nicely up the other end.

Vettori gets the important wicket of Andrew Strauss

Captain Michael Vaughan was the next player in, and he was waiting for this match more then anyone. Shane Bond was bowling to Vaughan, and it took Vaughan a while to get off the mark, played 9 balls before he got off the mark with a ball down the leg side, taking a single, and those singles are vitaly important. Vaughan played a backwards cover drive for four on his next ball, and looked to run away with a big total. England were playing well with a run rate of 4.42 an over. Hitting the odd 12 runs an over. The England captain Michael Vaughan was going alright, with Trescothick still battling up the other end. Michael Vaughan was showing some promising as he was hitting the ball with pleasure, but he was then run out, and was gone for 16. Vaughan and Trescothick were good through the wickets, but this occasion were stuck to what will happen, and Vaughan was the man that had to take the run out, gone for 16

Michael Vaughan distrought, after being run out

Kevin Pitersen was in next, with still Trescothick still handling the pressure up the other end. Pietersen faced only 1 ball before he was dismissed, only facing 1 ball from I. Butler and was caught by Captain Stephen Fleming, Pietersen was gone for a Duck, something he didnt want and need. Has been very inconsistant throughout the Summer, and now will be looking for the Ashes Series to cement his spot in the England side for years to come. Marcus Trescothick at the moment was England's hope, but the next ball with new batsman Paul Collingwood at the crease, Trescothick hit the ball looking for a single, but half way through their run, Collingwood decided to say no to the call, and Vettori was quick in the field, hitting the stumps before Trescothick could get back, New Zealand have another 1. Trescothick was close to making his half centur, making 45, a very handy 45, getting England a good score 1st up.

Marcus Trescothick played a brilliant Innings, but go out

Paul Collingwood was playing well, making 20 of just 8 balls. Andrew Flintoff was the new batsman, and New Zealand needed a quick way to get Flintoff out, as he has caused New Zealand and every other team problems this Series. Flintoff and Collingwood were usually up the order for England, but with Pietersen and Vaughan in the side, they had to be taken back to 6-7. As we said, Collingwood was playing nicely, and Flintoff started of very well aswell. Hitting the singles, and taking the odd boundary. But another mishap through the running process for England saw Andrew Flintoff being at the recievers end of the run out, Flintoff gone for 17, and New Zealand had the wicket they have been looking for all Summer.

Andrew Flintoff played a good shot, but good fielding aswell, getting Flintoff run out

Paul Collingwood went on to making a resonable score. And a very hand score for England making 33 from 20 balls, before he was bowled by Vettori, with the spin bowl, with alot of spin, suprised Collingwood. Geriat Jones, played extremely well playing every shot, didnt block any ball, moved his feet well to give himself room to smash the ball to the boundary. Played a well Innings hitting 32 from 18 balls. Before he was run out, the 4th run out vitim of the match. England are in a commanding position. And look to post a score around 280-290.
A. Giles and D. Gough play consitantly, with Giles going for 18, and Gough for 8. Harmison and Anderson were in next, and with the last match they played, this might be a vital partnership for New Zealand, and it was this case again. Harmison hit 21 from 6 balls, hitting 3 sixes along the way. And Anderson hit 20 with his Innings. Harmison was caught by Fleming and bowled by Astle, and England had a massive score for New Zealand to chase in the end. New Zealand needed 294 runs to win. A huge total posted by England. Looked in a commanding Position.






A. Strauss: b. Vettori - 60
M. Trescothick: run out - 45
M. Vaughan: run out - 16
K. Pietersen: c. Fleming - b. Butler - 0
P. COllingwood: b. Vettori - 33
A. Flintoff: run out - 17
G. Jones: run out - 32
A. Giles: c. Tuffey - b. Bond - 18
D. Gough: run out - 8
S. Harmison: c. Fleming - b. Astle - 21
J. Anderson: not out - 20

Extra's: 27
Total: all out after 48.0 overs: 293



New Zealand Bowling (Runs - Wickets)

S. Bond: 58 - 1
D. Tuffey: 40 - 0
I. Butler: 38 - 1
D. Vettori: 63 - 2
C. McMillian: 58 - 0
N. Astle: 17 - 1


New Zealand needs 294 runs to win

 

[Roofrom50]

New Zealand had a daunting task to face. A 293 Innings total by England led by Opener Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick will Paul Collingwood a helper, made New Zealand really think about what they will need to do to win this match, and make it a best out of 3 to determin to see who wins the World Series.
L. Vincent and M. Sinclair have been a good partnership for New Zealand through out the Series so far. But this will be the biggest game in their career's. Vincent and Sinclair have posted the 2nd best partnership behind Strauss and Trescothick for England in this tournament.
Vincent was on fire off the 1st few overs. Hitting the ball of the middle of the bat, hitting fours all over the place. And things didnt start well for Anderson and England.
Even Stephen Harmison couldnt find the perfect line and or length, and he himself was getting belted around by Sinclair. England batted well, they wouldnt want that to be taken away from poor bowling.

New Zealand opener M. Sinclair looked in great touch

Vincent was playing well, only because of England's bad bowling from Anderson and Harmison, Vaughan thought they needed a change in the bowling, after using his 1st Power play, as Vincent and Sinclair were hitting the boundaries over the circles heads. New Zealand's partnership's were gaining every match, as New Zealand's Vincet and Sinclair put on a 50 run partnership. Followings Strauss and Trescothicks partnerships innings. This pitch is defiently a batting pitch and that is why England posted a massive score first up. New Zeland looked steady for the 1st 15- 20 overs. But Gough finally got the break through for England, taking care of Vincent who made a good contribution of 48.


His partner up the other end, Sinclair was starting to get the ball rolling again, as Sinclair went back into his shell, after smashing the new ball around for a while, but with the slower bowler of Gough, Sinclair started to bring down the run rate. And now with captain Stephen Fleming at the crease, Sinclair started to put on the runs again, and New Zealand all of a sudden started to look dangerous again. But Sinclair made his half century from 56 balls, with 2 sixes and 5 boundaries, a great Innings from Sinclair, and England needed to get him out before he put on more Danger. Harmison was the one that got rid of Sinclair, had the assistance from the keeper, Jones, Sinclair was gone for 57.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming gone

The Scoreboard looked very similar to England's at the start of the match. Can New Zealand go on and post a big enough score to trouble the Poms, it seemed like they could. But the middle order let them down badly, Fleming gone for 15, Astle gone for a goood 19, McMillian gone for a low low 6. H. Marshall started off very well, making 18, bowled by Flintoff and caught by Trescothick. England look in charge at the moment, and look to be World Series champions. McCullum came in a made a reasonable 21 for New Zealand, but it was a little to late, as England looked to have this match all sewn up. Ashley Giles got the last wicket of the day, helping Vaughan catch Shane Bond, and England have won the World Series.
Andrew Flintoff was again the better bowlers for England taking 3 wickets, and may cement himself in the man of the match award.


L. Vincent: c. Strauss - b. Gough - 48
M. Sinclair: c. Jones - b. Harmison - 57
S. Fleming: b. Gough - 15
N. Astle: b. Giles - 19
C. McMillian: lbw - b. Flintoff - 6
H. Marshall: c. Trescothick - b. Flintoff - 18
B. McCullum: b. Giles - 21
D. Vettori: c. Vaughan - b. Flintoff - 17
D. Tuffey: b. Giles - 12
S. Bond: c. Vaughan - b. Giles - 8
I. Butler: not out - 4

Extra's: 8
Total: All out after 48.1 overs: 233


England Bowling Stats (Runs- Wickets)

D. Gough: 60 - 2
S. Harmison: 41 - 1
J. Anderson: 38 - 0
A. Giles: 54 - 4
A. Flintoff: 38 - 3


Pictures from England's World Series Win

Full Scoreboard: England: 293 - New Zealand: 233 - England have won - Man of the Match: Ashley Giles (Eng)


England have won the World Series Championship


Player of the Series. Nathan Astle of New Zealand

 

[gamerkid22]

Great bowling by Giles . England won hurray .:happyA ray of hope to win the world cup . Astle played well throughout the series and deserved the Player of the series.

 

[Roofrom50]

Just like to say well done to M_Vaughan who guessed that England would win the World Series, and he got it right :happy

 

[plympilgrim]

england actually won something wohoo

 

[mehkar]

giles bowled nicely
great presentation mate

 

[sir cricket]

england actually won something