Rain played spoilsport and led to the abandonment of an intriguing clash between Australia and New Zealand. Chasing Australia's 243/8, New Zealand had moved to 51/2 after 15 overs when rain stopped play. There was no further play possible and the match was called off.
Any clash between Australia and New Zealand invokes passion and when you add context to it, it's like adding the icing on the cake. The Trans-Tasmanian rivalry shifted to Birmingham with Australia desperate for a win, for a loss would in all probability end their chances of making the semi-finals. New Zealand on the other hand were seeking a win to consolidate their chances of making it to the knock-out stage.
David Warner was stood down from the match after being reportedly involved in a pub brawl with England's Joe Root. With skipper, Michael Clarke still unavailable due to a back injury, the Australian batting line-up seemed a wee bit feeble.
Stand-in skipper, George Bailey won the toss and elected to bat. The Indian T20 League's newest 'million dollar baby', Glenn Maxwell replaced Warner, and Mitchell Starc gave way for Xavier Doherty. New Zealand retained their winning eleven.
New Zealand got the big fish, Shane Watson, early in the innings with Mitchell McClenaghan getting rid of the all-rounder in the 2nd over. A brilliant piece of fielding from Martin Guptill saw the back of Phillip Hughes a couple of overs later. Australia had limped to 32/2 after the mandatory powerplay. Kyle Mills and McClenaghan had bowled a good line and length and kept a tight leash on the batsmen.
George Bailey broke the shackles getting three boundaries within the space of six deliveries. He put together a steady 64 run partnership with Mathew Wade before the latter was trapped lbw off the bowling of Nathan McCullum in the 19th over of the innings - the decision of the on-field umpire upheld by the DRS.
Nathan McCullum and Daniel Vettori bowled in tandem from the 14th to the 23rd overs and gave away just 30 runs in the 10-over period. Bailey found an able partner in Adam Voges and the pair built a solid stand without taking any risks. Voges broke free by easing Southee for two consecutive straight drives in the 28th over before hitting McClenaghan for two in the next. Meanwhile Bailey had registered his second consecutive half-century. Voges followed suit and the pair had put on 77 before the Australian captain was cleaned up by McCullum for 55. Only 25 runs were scored in the batting powerplay.
Mitchell March and Adam Voges put a foot on the accelerator before they were sent packing in successive overs from McClenaghan for 22 and 71 respectively. Glenn Maxwell hit a few lusty blows to lift Australia to a competitive 243/8. McClenaghan was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers and snaffled four wickets.
Clint Mckay gave Australia the early breakthrough by getting Martin Guptill caught at backward point for eight in the 4th over - the ball stopping on the batsman, courtesy the slowness of the wicket. The Australian seamer also had Luke Ronchi caught by Shane Watson stationed at a position somewhere between fourth slip and gully. At this stage, New Zealand were reduced to 26/2 in the 8th.
The Australian seamers kept things tight and built pressure on the incumbent New Zealand batsmen - Kane Wiiliamson and Ross Taylor. New Zealand had moved to 51/2 after 15 overs when rain stopped play. There was no further play possible and the match was called off. Both the teams split a point each. New Zealand now take on England on Sunday (June 16) at Cardiff while Australia will clash with Sri Lanka in London on Monday.
Any clash between Australia and New Zealand invokes passion and when you add context to it, it's like adding the icing on the cake. The Trans-Tasmanian rivalry shifted to Birmingham with Australia desperate for a win, for a loss would in all probability end their chances of making the semi-finals. New Zealand on the other hand were seeking a win to consolidate their chances of making it to the knock-out stage.
David Warner was stood down from the match after being reportedly involved in a pub brawl with England's Joe Root. With skipper, Michael Clarke still unavailable due to a back injury, the Australian batting line-up seemed a wee bit feeble.
Stand-in skipper, George Bailey won the toss and elected to bat. The Indian T20 League's newest 'million dollar baby', Glenn Maxwell replaced Warner, and Mitchell Starc gave way for Xavier Doherty. New Zealand retained their winning eleven.
New Zealand got the big fish, Shane Watson, early in the innings with Mitchell McClenaghan getting rid of the all-rounder in the 2nd over. A brilliant piece of fielding from Martin Guptill saw the back of Phillip Hughes a couple of overs later. Australia had limped to 32/2 after the mandatory powerplay. Kyle Mills and McClenaghan had bowled a good line and length and kept a tight leash on the batsmen.
George Bailey broke the shackles getting three boundaries within the space of six deliveries. He put together a steady 64 run partnership with Mathew Wade before the latter was trapped lbw off the bowling of Nathan McCullum in the 19th over of the innings - the decision of the on-field umpire upheld by the DRS.
Nathan McCullum and Daniel Vettori bowled in tandem from the 14th to the 23rd overs and gave away just 30 runs in the 10-over period. Bailey found an able partner in Adam Voges and the pair built a solid stand without taking any risks. Voges broke free by easing Southee for two consecutive straight drives in the 28th over before hitting McClenaghan for two in the next. Meanwhile Bailey had registered his second consecutive half-century. Voges followed suit and the pair had put on 77 before the Australian captain was cleaned up by McCullum for 55. Only 25 runs were scored in the batting powerplay.
Mitchell March and Adam Voges put a foot on the accelerator before they were sent packing in successive overs from McClenaghan for 22 and 71 respectively. Glenn Maxwell hit a few lusty blows to lift Australia to a competitive 243/8. McClenaghan was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers and snaffled four wickets.
Clint Mckay gave Australia the early breakthrough by getting Martin Guptill caught at backward point for eight in the 4th over - the ball stopping on the batsman, courtesy the slowness of the wicket. The Australian seamer also had Luke Ronchi caught by Shane Watson stationed at a position somewhere between fourth slip and gully. At this stage, New Zealand were reduced to 26/2 in the 8th.
The Australian seamers kept things tight and built pressure on the incumbent New Zealand batsmen - Kane Wiiliamson and Ross Taylor. New Zealand had moved to 51/2 after 15 overs when rain stopped play. There was no further play possible and the match was called off. Both the teams split a point each. New Zealand now take on England on Sunday (June 16) at Cardiff while Australia will clash with Sri Lanka in London on Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment