Cricket Update: Australia enjoy a good day with the bat against Derbyshire
Australia enjoyed a good day out with the bat against Derbyshire in the 2 day match before the test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 begins at lords on July the 12th.
Rick Ponting after winning the toss decided to give the batsmen some practice rather than trying out his bowling attack.
Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, though could not cashed in and was dismissed for just 5 runs from 6 balls; he was trapped leg before by Sheikh. Simon Katich making his way back into the team looked determined to impress yet again.
However, he also departed after scoring 22 runs from 25 balls 4 boundaries; he was caught by Madsen off the bowling of Sheikh.
Next in was the Australian captain who had been struggling for runs in the one day series against England but did get 90 odd in the 4th match.
Ponting, was looking in good nick and made sure he did not miss out on the opportunity of getting some runs under his belt before the test match. The PUNTER took some time to get his eye in and scratched around in the initial period. This is quite typical of the Australian captain even in one day internationals, he does take some time to settle in and those few balls are the best time for any bowler to get his wicket, as once he settles down he is more than a handful for any attack.
His deputy Michael Clarke though could not make it count, and hid poor T-20 form followed him here as well, he was dismissed after scoring just one run from 5 balls. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 who is also a nervous starter let go couple of deliveries and after getting off the mark he decided to go for an expensive drive through the covers, and Footitt found his way through Clarke’s defence.
The next man in was Mr. Cricket, Hussey and he made sure he made the most of his chance, and alongside his captain piled on the runs.
The left right combination did not make things any easier for the Derbyshire attack, Ponting after a shaky initial period was looking at his best, the famous Ponting cover drives of the front and back foot were there to see, and the instinctive Pulls and Hooks also came out of the bag. While Hussey at the other end continued to play mostly in his 2 favourite areas that are midwicket and extra cover. The left hander has an amazing ability to drive the ball time and again through the same area, and when he gets anything on his pads or anywhere close to it, he clips the ball towards midwicket.
The run feats continued well into the 2nd session, as both completed their hundreds. The stand was finally broken just before tea when Ponting decided to head back to the dressing room and let others play; Ponting scored 116 runs from 150 balls with 14 smashing boundaries and 3 big sixes.
Michael Hussey was dismissed after scoring 132 runs from 140 balls with 15 boundaries and 4 sixes; he was caught by Whiteley off the bowling of Needham.
Nevertheless, the fun did not stop for the Aussies; Marcus North who has been part of the test team in recent times, scored 21 runs from 32 balls and was bowled when one cut back sharply from Needham.
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Leg spinner Smith put together a stand of 67 runs, Paine was unbeaten with 52 runs from 95 balls with 4 boundaries, while Smith scored 48 from 43 balls with 9 fours.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 were all out in the final over of the day at 436 runs, it was all in all a good day of batting practice for Australia, and would be hoping to do the same with the ball on the 2nd day of the 2 day match.
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