Match report: 2nd ODI, February 22 2005 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch by Jim Ellingham

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Scorecard:

New Zealand v Australia

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DateLine: 13th March 2005

 

Reality Hits Home

 

Facing a New Zealand team confident of victory after a narrow defeat in the 1st ODI at Wellington, the Australian came into the second one dayer in Christchurch with a point to prove. Their were murmurings around the Australian camp surrounding the green and gold’s disappointment at their performances in the VB series Finals and at Westpac Stadium.

 

Things started going Australia’s way from the toss where in perfect batting condition on the best pitch in New Zealand, Stephen Fleming won the toss and couldn’t deviate from his rigidness surrounding the bat second policy. Ian Chappell once said that if you win the toss you bat first or you think about it for a while and still bat first. In circumstances like this one wonders what the point in having a toss is as the Australian would always relish batting in natural light and then allow their speedsters to operate with a slippery ball in the night session.

 

Things started well for the Black Caps as Tuffey strangled Gilchrist down the leg side and for the umpteenth time, claimed a wicket in the first over of an international. This though brought inform captain Ponting to the wicket and he blasted a quick and aesthetically pleasing 53 whilst Hayden continued to struggle for form but showed characteristic determination. It was thought that Damien Martyn might struggle on the slower New Zealand wickets, especially after his early tour failures. He proved his critics wrong at Jade with a masterly half century. Some late hitting from Hussey and Clarke saw Australia through to an imposing 314, the star being Hayden who once he reached fifty took on a new lease of life and deposited New Zealand’s mediocre seam attack to all parts of the ground. As at Wellington, New Zealand’s shining light with ball in hand was Daniel Vettori who again bowled ten economic overs. He failed to claim a wicket however and the Australian look happy to block him out and score runs from the other end. Again Tuffey and Mills failed to find a decent length for death bowling and Jeff Wilson, playing his first one dayer for twelve years may have wished to recall more happy experiences on Jade Stadium with an oval shaped ball. His six overs went for fifty-seven runs.

 

New Zealand were always behind the rate required. However, Daniel Vettori provided some much needed resistance and continued his fine summer in scoring 83 runs in characteristically unique fashion. His partnership with Wilson was the only stand worth more then fifty as all the top and middle order made starts but failed to go on. Wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist claimed five catches as the Australians produced one of the more remarkable fielding displays ever seen in New Zealand. Hayden’s catch to dismiss a fired up Chris Cairns, diving full length in the outfield summed up the Australians day. Hayden did though badly injure his shoulder in making the catch, which may give the talented yet frustrated Katich, or inform newcomer Hussey a chance to open the batting at Eden Park. New Zealand look short of options, confidence and fresh ideas and will do well to avoid a five nil white wash.

 

Australia 314/6 in 50 overs (M.Hayden 114, R.Ponting 53, D.Martyn 58, M.Hussey 32 not out, D.Tuffey 8-1-72-1, K.Mills 10-0-62-2, D.Vettori 10-0-31-0, J.Wilson 6-0-57-0) beat New Zealand 208 all out in 40.4 overs (C.Cairns 22, D.Vettori 83, J.Wilson 22, B.Lee 8-2-28-2, A.Symonds 6-0-41-3) by 106 runs.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Jim Ellingham)