Too Easy!

In the TVS Cup last night, Australia brushed aside India in a display reminiscent of the World Cup final earlier this year. Aussies made 2/347 with Gilchrist 111 from 104 balls (14 x 4, 1 x 6) and Ponting 108 not out from 103 balls, doing most of the damage. Ponting’s effort of just one four and seven sixes left the umpires with heavy arms and the Indians with nightmares of his World Cup performance.

India made 8/286 from the 50 overs with Tendulkar top scoring with a fine 89.

Around the traps, West Indies are 3/282 after the first day’s play. Only 63 overs were possible and the West Indies are well placed with Lara on 77 and Sarwan 46.

The Blues are playing Tasmania at Bellerive, Hobart. NSW made a hefty 5/453 with Waugh, 157 (16 x 4, 5 x 6) and Katich, 171 (22 x 4, 2 x 6) doing the big scoring. When Katich was run out, it halted a run of 424 runs without dismissal. And even then, the bowlers couldn’t take any credit. Tassie are 3/235 in reply at tea. Note that SCG MacGill is in the NSW eleven.

Queensland are taking on the Vics in Melbourne. Victoria 9 dec 381 (Elliot 106). Queensland in reply have the first innings points and are 4/406. Love is making some timely runs, given Katich’s recent achievements and is 209 not out.

So it seems that it is bat triumphing over ball pretty much around the world at present. Too easy!

News in brief

ING Cup – SA 7/262 lost to WA 3/265 (47.1) but not before Andy Flower collected $50,000 for hitting the ING sign over the square leg boundary. It was nice to see a smile on the face of Zimbabwe’s former captain. Welcome to Australia! Of course, he won’t receive all the cash as it will be divided amongst the team (and possibly selected charities) using a pre-agreed “hair by a freckle” method but we should remember that $50,000 is at least double the GDP of Flower’s estranged homeland.

Pura Cup – NSW defeated WA in Perth in a thrilling final day. WA set the Blues a target of 303 in not many overs (thanks to a welcome 165* from Langer). The Blues overhauled this in 47.2 overs (RR 6.40) with five wickets in hand. Steve Waugh posted 117* (141 balls) and Katich followed his match winning first innings score of 182* with 71* (from just 45 balls). Good to see the Test players in form.

TVS Cup – Aust 7/225 def NZ 181 (45.3). Australia rested Gillie, Hayden and Williams and once again it was Bevan to the rescue with 84*. Kiwi bats couldn’t match up to the Aussies for the third time in the series. Bracken again in the wickets (3-34).

Test match – Zimbabwe (507 & 7/200) drew with West Indies (335 & 9/207). Zimbabwe failed by one miserable wicket to win its first Test since Steve Waugh was a young man. They had 12 overs at the final pairing but couldn’t make the break through. Star with the ball was Ray Price (following his excellent showing in the Sydney Test) with 6/73 & 4/88.