Archive for the ‘October’ Category:
Black Caps go Vettoriless and Victoryless
Good fortune continued to smile upon Australia before the ICC Champions Trophy final. The Kiwis were without their heart and soul, Daniel Vettori, when he pulled a hamstring. Not only was the pitch conducive to spin (Haurtiz took 3-37) but the Black Caps could have benefitted from Vettori’s late order resolve and class (Vettori had the second best batting average of the tournament for the Kiwis).
New Zealand managed a modest 9/200, which Australia wiped off easily, after some early worries. After scoring three successive ducks, Watson scored his second successive century (both unbeaten) and rocketed to the top of the averages. He’s the gift to Australian cricket that just keeps on giving. The best opener Australia has seen probably since Andrew Hilditch. Whatever the case, having his place in the team absolutely guaranteed, does appear to help Watson’s confidence.
Australia wins in a canter. But who did Australia really beat? They didn’t have to play South Africa nor Sri Lanka. The match against India was washed out (admittedly with Australia in a strong position). Fate strangely and kindly determined that Australia would play England in the semi final. It seemed like just five minutes beforehand that they flogged England 6-1and England was without its best bowler (Broad). Then Vettori’s mishap before the final.
Buy hey – you can only beat the teams that you play against and Australia won every completed match. I don’t know if they are officially the number one ranked team yet but who cares? They have won the last three World Cups and the last two Champions Trophies. Perhaps that speaks louder than any computer-based ranking system.
The Trophy is Staying Down Under
Australia and New Zealand have won their respective ICC Champions Trophy semi finals and that means the trophy will stay in the Antipodeas.
Australia showed that the final ball bye against Pakistan was worth the effort. Topping Pool A put them up against England. Without the best bowler of the tournament, Stuart Broad, the Poms were swept aside. Watson, the batsman who wasn’t really out of form, proved the selectors were right. He hit 136 not out, Ponting 111 not out as Australia prevailed by nine wickets with almost ten overs remaining.
New Zealand was a little harder pressed to dispatch Pakistan. In their must win final match in Pool B, Grant Elliot shone with the ball. In the semi final, aided by Vettori, he guided the Black Caps home with an unbeaten 75.
Well done to New Zealand. I believe that this is their first final of a major tournament (no, I don’t count the B&H Tri Series). It’s all come together for the Black Caps. They could not take a trick in their preparation tournament in Sri Lanka and they were soundly beaten by South Africa in their first match here. They even lost their warm up match against the Warriors (a local first class team). Who’d have thought they’d be playing the final, with every chance of prevailing against a very beatable Australian team.