whetzel Greatest Spin Bowler
Number of posts : 2682 Age : 32 City : OLD TRAFFORD Job : diggin bens grandma up Hobbies : CRICKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Registration date : 2006-10-09
Personal Scoreboard Favourite Team: England Favourite Player: Monty Panesar Test Runs: (505/500)
| Subject: Defeat costs Aussies top ranking Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:59 pm | |
| South Africa have replaced Australia at the top of the one-day rankings after the world champions lost by five wickets to New Zealand in Auckland. The Aussies, who have now lost four games in a row and five out of their last six, amassed 336-4 in Auckland. Stand-in skipper Mike Hussey hit 105 and Brad Hodge an unbeaten 97. But Ross Taylor replied with 117, while Peter Fulton (76no) and Craig McMillan (52) hit rapid fifties to clinch the series 2-0 with eight balls to spare. It is the first time Australia have not topped the rankings since they were introduced in October 2002. Missing captain Ricky Ponting and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist (both rested), and with several other key players out injured, they were hammered by 10 wickets in the opening game in Wellington. But they responded with a record score at Eden Park, easily surpassing New Zealand's 304-5 against Sri Lanka 24 years ago. They were contained at the start by Shane Bond, whose opening six-over spell conceded just seven runs. Reserve keeper Brad Haddin chipped in with a useful 49 before Hussey and Hodge provided the acceleration with a partnership of 130 for the fourth wicket. Hussey smashed his second ODI century off 81 balls, including eight fours and six sixes, three of which came in succession off part-time bowler Lou Vincent to move from 85 to 103. Hodge was left stranded just short of his century after managing only a single off the penultimate ball but he and Cameron White (42no off 19 balls) crashed 82 off the last seven overs to end the innings with a real swagger. New Zealand's chase started shakily when captain Stephen Fleming and in-form fellow opener Vincent fell cheaply to Nathan Bracken to make it 47-2. Taylor dominated his partnership of 66 with Scott Styris, who never looked comfortable and departed for 17 in the 20th over to leave the Kiwis in some trouble at 113-3. However, Fulton - drafted in after Jacob Oram broke a finger in the previous game - provided admirable support in a stand of 115. The tall batsman brought up his half-century when White caught the ball but stepped over the rope to concede six runs. McMillan blazed away with seven fours and two sixes in a breezy 30-ball knock before he was caught by Hussey off Shane Watson off a no-ball and then next ball off a legitimate delivery. Brendon McCullum joined in the fun to crack 19 off 12 balls, help his team win the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the first time and consign Australia to another famous defeat. Scorecard | |
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whetzel Greatest Spin Bowler
Number of posts : 2682 Age : 32 City : OLD TRAFFORD Job : diggin bens grandma up Hobbies : CRICKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Registration date : 2006-10-09
Personal Scoreboard Favourite Team: England Favourite Player: Monty Panesar Test Runs: (505/500)
| Subject: Re: Defeat costs Aussies top ranking Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:01 pm | |
| Mike Hussey insists Australia can find their form at the World Cup despite losing their one-day rankings top spot. The Aussies were beaten by five wickets by New Zealand to make it four straight defeats and five losses in six games. But stand-in skipper Hussey said: "It's not ideal but though we're disappointed the spirit is okay. We can't afford to panic and make wholesale changes. "We have to trust our personnel, our own games and each other. I know if we keep working hard we'll be fine." Australia are in their worst sequence in limited-overs cricket since 1997, when they lost five matches in a row, and have been hit by injuries to key players ahead of next month's World Cup in the Caribbean. They made 336-4 in Auckland but saw that overhauled by the hosts with eight ball to spare. 'I still think we've got the right people in the team and in the squad' Mike Hussey It was New Zealand's first triumph in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, having romped to a 10-wicket win in Friday's opening game, and the second time within a year that Australia have set a big target and lost. South Africa made a world-record 438-9 to stun the Aussies in Johannesburg last March. But Hussey is confident his team will be fine when they defend the World Cup, which they have won in the last two tournaments in 1999 and 2003. "I know big totals being chased down is an area of concern and we're going to have to get better at it," Hussey, who made 105 on Sunday, added. "But I still think we've got the right people in the team and in the squad. I actually don't think we did too badly with the ball and in the field. "A few things didn't go our way, we had a few very close shaves, and on another day they might go our way." 'We've tried to maintain a positive feel but we didn't expect the results to be as spectacular as the last two' Stephen Fleming Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming was left to revel in the glory of another famous victory over his country's illustrious neighbours. Fleming's men went into the series on the back of seven defeats in eight games in the recent tri-series in Australia and even he was surprised by the quick change in fortunes. "It was an amazing day, great for the game and great for us to get across the line in a big-scoring match," he said. "We've fallen short numerous times against Australia. "A lot of work has been done behind the scenes, we've been smart off the field, but the performances have let us down on it. "We've tried to maintain a positive feel but we didn't expect the results to be as spectacular as the last two. "Scores of around 300 and over are now gettable and teams believe they have a chance if the conditions are right." | |
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whetzel Greatest Spin Bowler
Number of posts : 2682 Age : 32 City : OLD TRAFFORD Job : diggin bens grandma up Hobbies : CRICKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Registration date : 2006-10-09
Personal Scoreboard Favourite Team: England Favourite Player: Monty Panesar Test Runs: (505/500)
| Subject: Re: Defeat costs Aussies top ranking Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:03 pm | |
| South Africa will head to the World Cup in a confident mood after toppling Australia at the top of the world one-day rankings, says Allan Donald. Australia lost the title after slumping to their fourth consecutive defeat in a five-wicket loss to New Zealand. South Africa sealed a 3-1 victory over Pakistan to move into top spot with three weeks to go before the World Cup. "It's a great honour for South Africa, it's come at the right time," the former fast bowler told BBC Five Live. "They played all right against Pakistan but I still think a few things need to be ironed out before the World Cup starts but this will give South Africa a massive boost, " said Donald, who played in 72 Tests and 164 ODIs for South Africa. "To win World Cups you need to have 15 players in form, or 15 players that you know you can pick one or the other. "South Africa are just catching that momentum, they are just moving in with a lot more confidence." 'I think it's anybody's cup this year, I think it's going to be closer than anyone thinks and I don't think one side is going to run away with it' Allan Donald Donald said it was difficult to predict the winner of the World Cup, which starts in the Caribbean on 13 March, with pre-tournament favourites Australia suffering a wobble in form. "Maybe Australia are feeling the heat a little bit because I think there could be a few players who are really tired," he said. "The timing of it, although Australia will not admit it, going into the World Cup a little bit bruised and a few egos being hurt. "I think it's anybody's cup this year, I think it's going to be closer than anyone thinks and I don't think one side is going to run away with it. "England have got such a massive confidence boost beating Australia in Australia in the CB Series after being whipping boys in the Ashes." | |
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Clements Greatest batsmen of all time
Number of posts : 1043 Age : 32 City : NEWCASTLE Hobbies : Cricket Registration date : 2006-10-09
Personal Scoreboard Favourite Team: England Favourite Player: Andrew Flintoff Test Runs: (171/500)
| Subject: Re: Defeat costs Aussies top ranking Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:18 pm | |
| its great now the aussies wont b as cockey anymore | |
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