Aus defeat NZ by 34 runs; enter final
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Source: NDTV
Image Source: AP
Mohali: Australia beat New Zealand by 34 runs in the first semifinal at Mohali on Wednesday for their maiden entry into the ICC Champions Trophy final.
Chasing 241 to win, New Zealand were bowled out for 206 in 46 overs.
But credit must be given to the Kiwis, who put up a fight even after they were reduced to 35 for six within the first 10 overs. Daniel Vettori, who was dropped on five, and Jacob Oram put on a 103-run partnership to give a glimmer of hope to the New Zealand team.
Kyle Mills, the last player to be dismissed, hit 21 runs from 17 balls, but at the end it wasn't just enough.
Glenn McGrath was adjudged Man of the Match for picking up three wickets for 22 runs.
Incisive McGrath
Glenn McGrath started the New Zealand slide with the first wicket of Lou Vincent. He was caught at slip by Ricky Ponting for one. The batsman struggled for 15 deliveries.
Brett Lee also got into the act with Nathan Astle dragging the ball back onto his stumps for naught.
McGrath then picked up the wicket of Hamish Marshall, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist for five.
Nathan Bracken then joined the party. He sent back Stephen Fleming for 15, caught at slip by Ponting.
McGrath then picked up his third wicket as he bowled Peter Fulton for two. The batsman did not offer any shot and the delivery cut back in to knock off his off stump out of the ground.
Bracken, following in McGrath's run-up, dismissed Brendon McCullum, caught by Damien Martyn for one.
Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram, who came after the loss of the top order, put on a 103-run partnership to give some respectability to the New Zealand score.
Oram was finally out, stumped by Gilchrist off an Andrew Symonds delivery for 43.
James Franklin could last only 11 deliveries before he was caught behind by Gilchrist off a Shane Watson delivery.
Vettori, who was dropped by Hussey on five, made 79 runs to lead New Zealand's fight back. He was bowled by Mitchell Johnson.
The last wicket to fall was that of Kyle Mills, who hit 21 from 17 deliveries. He was caught by Gilchrist off a Lee delivery.
Strong partnerships
Earlier, three major partnerships helped Australia post 240 for nine after they lost wickets at the top of the order as well as at the death.
Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and asked Australia to bat first. He was rewarded for his decision as early as in the third over when Kyle Mills sent back both the openers with just four runs on the board.
Shane Watson was caught by Peter Fulton for naught and Adam Gilchrist flicked a delivery off his pads only to find Jacob Oram hold on to a blinder.
Damien Martyn and skipper Ricky Ponting then put on 66 runs for the third wicket to put Australia back on track, before Daniel Vettori trapped Martyn leg before for 26.
Ponting went on to his 55th one-day international fifty and his ninth against New Zealand and put on a 50-run partnership with Michael Hussey. The Aussie skipper was Mills' third victim, caught by Vettori for 58. His 80-ball knock included nine hits to the fence.
Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey upped the scoring rate and put on 65 runs for the fifth wicket. Hussey was caught by Hamish Marshall off a James Franklin delivery for 35.
Symonds went next, bowled by Shane Bond for a run-a-ball 58 that included three boundaries and one six.
Mills picked up his fourth wicket of the match when Michael Clarke holed out to Vettori for 14. Lee was bowled by Bond for five and Mitchell Johnson was run out.
Bracken chanced his arm at the end and hit 15 runs from eight balls to take Australia to a competitive total.
For Wednesday's match, New Zealand left out Scott Styris and brought in Hamish Marshall, while Australia went in with an unchanged side.
The Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds.
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond.
Edited by indian_masala - 18 years ago
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