Cricket LIVE update - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 v New Zealand, Aussie bowlers restrict Kiwi's to 206 runs
The Trans-Tasmanian rivalry was rekindled as the two teams from southern hemisphere took to the field in World Cup 2011. Australia holds the upper hands on its neighbour in general and also in the world cup. New Zealand has shown the willingness to
take the game to their more accomplished neighbours in recent times. And maybe that was the reason they went a bit too hard early on, and gave away too many wickets in first 10 overs. Daniel Vettori the captain of Black Caps gave the innings some stability,
but still they managed to score just 206 runs and would have to bowl extremely well to restrict Australia.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision at first was met by some raised eyebrows, but as soon as the new ball was seen bouncing at knee length his decision started to look the correct one. Flashy Brendon
McCullum and Martin Guptill came out to open for New Zealand. Brett Lee and Shaun Tait did get just enough assistance from the pitch, and the low bounce made sure that the two right handers did not have a quick start.
Brendon McCullum who is by trade an aggressive player could not hold himself back for long. He got a couple of good boundaries and felt that the ball was finally starting to come onto the bat. He played an upper cut down to third man and was caught
for 16 off Shaun Tait. Jesse Ryder and Martin Gupill added 20 more runs, before Guptill was clean bowled by Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 for 10 runs with two boundaries.
Ross Taylor came in next, and did not find the pitch easy to get to terms with. Ryder started to find the middle of the bat and played a few delightful strokes in his typical laid back manner. However his foot movement was limited and that also accounted
for his downfall. He was back on a ball which he should have come forward to, and nicked one to the keeper for 25 runs. Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 followed soon for just 7, bowled by Tait. Next two men, James Franklin and Scott Styris came and left without disturbing the
scorers. And http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 were in a real spot of bother at 73 for 6.
Nathan McCullum and Jamie How put on a rear guard action and added 48 for the 7th wicket. How was dismissed for 22, and Daniel Vettori joined Nathan to put on another fighting stand of 54 runs. Nathan McCullum was the only
player to complete his half century. He was dismissed for 52 runs. Vettori fought a lone battle in the final overs and was dismissed for 44 runs. New Zealand were eventually all out with more than 5 overs to spare for 206 runs. Mitchell Johnson claimed 4,
while Shaun Tait bagged 3 wickets.
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