commentary: australia v new zealand

Australia (349-6) beat New Zealand (133 all out) by 215 runs
Yet another commanding performance by Ricky Ponting's men, who never really looked like recording anything but a convincing win. New Zealand will be very disappointed with their performance with both bat and ball, and this match merely confirms the gulf of class between Australia and the rest in this World Cup.

P Fulton b Hogg 62 (72)
Fulton prods and pushes at the first four balls of the over, before going for a sweep and is bowled around his legs by a wrong 'un. Australia win by 215 runs.

Over 25: Patel plays a confident forward defensive from the remaining ball of the over, but it's all over now for his side.
New Zealand 133/9 (RR: 5.32): Fulton 62* (67), Patel 0* (1)
New Zealand need 216 runs to win from 25 overs at 8.64 runs per over.

Jeetan Patel is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Mason c Gilchrist b Tait 0 (5)
Tait's first couple are full and straight, but he then slides down the leg side and a wide is signalled. The next couple are straight, and then gets Mason to chase one outside off, Gilchrist takes the catch and the finger goes up.

Shaun Tait is back into the attack.

Over 24: Hogg bowls a wide first up, then Fulton clubs a pull for four behind square, just wide of the dive of Hayden.
New Zealand 132/8 (RR: 5.50): Fulton 62* (67), Mason 0* (0)
New Zealand need 217 runs to win from 26 overs at 8.35 runs per over.

Michael Mason is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Gillespie c McGrath b Hogg 2 (8)
Fulton tucks a single off his hips, then Gillespie gets a single when two was on from a clip round the corner. Fulton wristily flicks a single down to fine leg, then Gillespie top-edges a sweep and the ball loops gently to McGrath at mid-on.

Over 23: Fulton gets four through straight mid-wicket with a wonderful clip off his pads, then a single to the cover sweeper. Gillespie gets off the mark with a late cut to third man for a single, then Fulton takes a risky single to mid-on, but just about gets there.
New Zealand 124/7 (RR: 5.39): Fulton 56* (63), Gillespie 1* (6)
New Zealand need 225 runs to win from 27 overs at 8.33 runs per over.

Over 22: Gillespie's first ball oh-so-nearly sneaks through the gate, and the fielders again go up for a bat-pad catch to no avail. Gillespie just about keeps out the rest of the over, but it's only a matter of time now.
New Zealand 117/7 (RR: 5.32): Fulton 50* (58), Gillespie 0* (5)
New Zealand need 232 runs to win from 28 overs at 8.29 runs per over.

Mark Gillespie is the new batsman.

WICKET!
D Vettori c Symonds b Hogg 4 (4)
Poor cricket from Vettori. He goes for the sweep but in truth gets nowhere near enough to it, and the top edge loops kindly into the waiting hands of Symonds at short fine leg. Australia are strolling this.

Over 21: Fulton brings up an excellent fifty with a nice push just wide of third man, but can't get anything else from the rest of a good Watson over.
New Zealand 117/6 (RR: 5.57): Fulton 50* (58), Vettori 4* (3)
New Zealand need 232 runs to win from 29 overs at 8.00 runs per over.

Over 20: Vettori gets off the mark with a fine whipped pull through straight mid-wicket, but is then almost flummoxed by a wrong'un from Hogg.
New Zealand 115/6 (RR: 5.75): Fulton 48* (52), Vettori 4* (3)
New Zealand need 234 runs to win from 30 overs at 7.80 runs per over.

Daniel Vettori is the new batsman.

WICKET!
B McCullum c Hussey b Hogg 7 (16)
Ponting appeals for a bat pad catch, but it was all pad an no bat, and McCullum survives. He tucks a couple round the corner, then slog sweeps straight to Hussey at deep mid-wicket who takes a simple catch.

Over 19: Fulton carves down to third man for a couple, then two balls later he gets another couple down to fine leg, but four an over will not do it for New Zealand.
New Zealand 109/5 (RR: 5.74): Fulton 48* (52), McCullum 5* (13)
New Zealand need 240 runs to win from 31 overs at 7.74 runs per over.

Over 18: Fulton paddle sweeps round the corner for a couple, then tucks off his hips for one more. McCullum goes down on one knee and sweeps to deep mid-wicket for a single, as does Fulton next ball.
New Zealand 105/5 (RR: 5.83): Fulton 44* (46), McCullum 5* (13)
New Zealand need 244 runs to win from 32 overs at 7.63 runs per over.

Over 17: McCullum very nearly plays on to his stumps, but instead gets a single from an inside edge. Fulton tucks a single off his pads to bring up the hundred, then McCullum blocks out the remainder of the over.
New Zealand 100/5 (RR: 5.88): Fulton 40* (43), McCullum 4* (10)
New Zealand need 249 runs to win from 33 overs at 7.56 runs per over.

Over 16: Fulton takes a single down to long-on, then McCullum gets another streaky run just wide of point. Fulton takes a pair of twos, one to fine leg then the second an edge down to third man.
New Zealand 98/5 (RR: 6.13): Fulton 39* (42), McCullum 3* (5)
New Zealand need 251 runs to win from 34 overs at 7.38 runs per over.

Over 15: Watson goes up for an lbw shout first ball, but it hit McCullum outside off. He then bowls a leg side wide, before McCullum gets off the mark with a streaky couple through square leg.
New Zealand 92/5 (RR: 6.12): Fulton 34* (38), McCullum 2* (3)
New Zealand need 257 runs to win from 35 overs at 7.34 runs per over.

Brendon McCullum is the new batsman.

WICKET!
J Franklin b Watson 6 (9)
Franklin tucks two off his pads, then is bowled off an inside edge by a full ball on off stump. Simple stuff, and this innings is floundering badly for New Zealand

Shane Watson is into the attack.

Over 14: Fulton takes a quick single to mid-on, then Franklin sweeps from in front of the stumps for a single. Fulton whips another single to mid-wicket, then Franklin does the same from the last ball of the over.
New Zealand 87/4 (RR: 6.21): Fulton 34* (38), Franklin 4* (6)
New Zealand need 262 runs to win from 36 overs at 7.28 runs per over.

Brad Hogg is into the attack.

Over 13: Tait welcomes Franklin with a brute of a ball that hits him on the glove, and they take two, before Tait bowls another wide.
New Zealand 83/4 (RR: 6.38): Fulton 32* (35), Franklin 2 (3)
New Zealand need 266 runs to win from 37 overs at 7.19 runs per over.

James Franklin is the new batsman.

WICKET!
C McMillan lbw b Tait 1 (5)
Fulton pulls heartily, but Hogg has now been placed on the deep square leg fence and he keeps them to a single. McMillan is then trapped in front by an in-dipper from Tait that would have hit the top of middle and leg, although umpire Rauf took an age to give the decision.

Over 12: McMillan keeps out a cracking yorker first up, then reaches for a wide one and squirts along the ground to point. He gets off the mark with a cut to third man, then Fulton clips to fine leg for a single.
New Zealand 79/3 (RR: 6.58): Fulton 31* (33), McMillan 1* (4)
New Zealand need 270 runs to win from 38 overs at 7.11 runs per over.

Craig McMillan is the new batsman.

WICKET!
S Styris c Hayden b McGrath 27 (22)
Styris takes a stride or two down the track and tries a club over mid-on, but doesn't get hold of it and the ball goes straight to Hayden, who takes a simple catch. Key wicket for Australia.

Over 11: Tait bowls the first three straight as can be, then goes up massively for lbw, but umpire Rauf rules there was bat involved, but replays suggest that it hit pad first. Styris pulls just short of deep backward square from the last ball of the over, and they take two.
New Zealand 77/2 (RR: 7.00): Fulton 30* (32), Styris 27* (21)
New Zealand need 272 runs to win from 39 overs at 6.97 runs per over.

Australia take the second powerplay.

Over 10: Fulton drives another two just wide of mid-off, then scampers a quick single mid-on. Styris doesn't quite get hold of a pull and takes one down to fine leg, then Fulton gets an inside edge on to his pad that probably saved him from lbw and takes a quick single.
New Zealand 75/2 (RR: 7.50): Fulton 28* (28), Styris 26* (19)
New Zealand need 274 runs to win from 40 overs at 6.85 runs per over.

Over 9: Tait starts with a wide outside off, then Fulton hammers a flat and powerful pull over square leg for a one-bounce four. He late cuts down to third man for one more single, then Styris top edges a pull that not only lands safe but goes for four through mid-wicket. Each batsman then get a single each to just wide of mid-on, then Tait bowls a no-ball that probably would've been a wide anyway. Styris finishes another excellent over by driving an attempted yorker down the ground for four.
New Zealand 70/2 (RR: 7.78): Fulton 24* (22), Styris 25* (18)
New Zealand need 279 runs to win from 41 overs at 6.80 runs per over.

Shaun Tait is back into the attack.

Over 8: Fulton takes a quick single to mid-off, then Styris hammers two excellent cover pushes to the boundary for consecutive fours. He gets another two to third man, and that's a good over for the Kiwis.
New Zealand 53/2 (RR: 6.63): Fulton 19* (20), Styris 16* (14)
New Zealand need 296 runs to win from 42 overs at 7.05 runs per over.

Over 7: Fulton goes for a drive outside off but gets a big nick, and th ball shoots through where first slip would've been and gets four. He takes a quick single next up, then Bracken bowls his first wide of the innings.
New Zealand 42/2 (RR: 6.00): Fulton 18* (19), Styris 6* (9)
New Zealand need 307 runs to win from 43 overs at 7.14 runs per over.

Over 6: McGrath digs another in to Styris first up, but he gets more on the pull than Taylor did and takes two out to deep mid-wicket. Styris misses with a swipe outside off, but it was a no-ball from McGrath. Styris gets some width from the next ball, and he gratefully accepts, punching through the covers for four. He then gets a bottom edge from an attempted pull which lands just short of Gilchrist.
New Zealand 36/2 (RR: 6.00): Fulton 13* (16), Styris 6* (6)
New Zealand need 313 runs to win from 44 overs at 7.11 runs per over.

Scott Styris is the new batsman.

WICKET!
R Taylor c Hussey b McGrath 3 (6)
McGrath gets Taylor first ball! He digs one in slightly back of a length that Taylor tries to pull, but only succeeds in dollying a catch to Hussey at short mid-wicket. This isn't going well at all for New Zealand.

Glenn McGrath is into the attack for Australia.

Over 5: Fulton latches on to a short one from Bracken and smacks a lovely pull shotthrough square leg for four. Fulton punches down the ground for a quick single, then Taylor gets off the mark with a nice drive through the covers that Symonds stops just short of the ropes and they take three.
New Zealand 29/1 (RR: 5.80): Fulton 13* (16), Taylor 3* (5)
New Zealand need 320 runs to win from 45 overs at 7.11 runs per over.

Over 4: Tait welcomes Taylor with the classic full-one/short-one combo, then he's denied his first runs by a great diving stop by Hussey at square leg.
New Zealand 21/1 (RR: 5.25): Fulton 8* (12), Taylor 0* (3)
New Zealand need 328 runs to win from 46 overs at 7.13 runs per over.

Ross Taylor is the new batsman.

WICKET!
S Fleming c Ponting b Tait 12 (9)
Fulton takes a single off his hips first up, then Fleming drives at a widish one and edge for four past slip. Fleming then mis-times a hook shot and the ball loops to Ponting at slip. Replays suggest that missed both bat and glove and hit Fleming's arm, but he has to go.

Over 3: Fulton drives to just wide of mid-off for a quick single, then Bracken drifts on to his legs and he almost casually lofts over wide mid-on for six. Cracking shot. He takes a quick single to mid-off, then Symonds mis-fields a Fulton push off the back foot and they take three.
New Zealand 16/0 (RR: 5.33): Fulton 7* (11), Fleming 8* (7)
New Zealand need 333 runs to win from 47 overs at 7.09 runs per over.

Over 2: Fleming gets off the mark with a tuck off his hips, then Tait bowls the first wide of the innings down leg, then is lucky to get away with a similar delivery next up. Fulton picks up a single from the last ball of the over with a controlled tuck from a rising quick ball to square leg.
New Zealand 5/0 (RR: 2.50): Fulton 3* (9), Fleming 1* (3)
New Zealand need 344 runs to win from 48 overs at 7.17 runs per over.

Shaun Tait will share the new ball.

Over 1: After three tight deliveries from Bracken, he gives Fulton a bit of width and he pushes through the covers off the back foot for two. Nothing comes from the rest of the over - good start for Bracken.
New Zealand 2/0 (RR: 2.00): Fulton 2* (6), Fleming 0* (0)
New Zealand need 347 runs to win from 49 overs at 7.08 runs per over.

Nathan Bracken will open the bowling.

The players are out for New Zealand's reply. Stephen Fleming and Peter Fulton will open the batting.

Australia 348-6 (50 overs)
New Zealand need 349 runs to win at 6.98 runs per over.
Excellent total in the end from Australia. The opening assault from Hayden was brutal, and despite a slight sag in the middle when Symonds of all people was at the crease, 349 will take some chasing. However, New Zealand have reached targets like this against Australia in the very recent past, so the reply will be very interesting.

Over 50: Watson clubs another big six over long-on from an attempted yorker from Franklin. Two are flicked to deep square leg, before Watson finishes the innings with a massive six over the deep cover boundary. Superb knock from Watson, who accelerated at just the right time.
Australia 348/6 (RR: 6.96): Watson 65* (32), Hogg 0* (0)

Brad Hogg is the new batsman.

WICKET!M Hussey c Styris b Franklin 37 (44)
Watson reaches his fifty with a very quick two out to deep point. He then gets a single to mid-wicket, and Hussey tries a big slog-sweep, but top-edging straight down the throat of Styris at short fine-leg.

Franklin is back into the attack.

Over 49: Hussey takes a single, then Watsontries to launch another assault. He gets two into the leg side, then four with a brutal club down the ground. Three more singles from the over, and Australia are getting towards the total that their blistering start promised.
Australia 331/5 (RR: 6.76): Hussey 37* (43), Watson 48* (27)

Over 48: Gillespie bowls Hussey all ends up with a cracker of a yorker.....but a no-ball is called. That's the tenth of the innings. Hussey clips a quick single off his toes, then Watson takes a step away and clubs over wid mid-off for a big six. He tries again next ball, but doesn't get hold of it and they settle for two. Watson gets another four with one of those lap sweeps from outside off, just dropping over the head of short fine-leg and to the ropes. Gillespie tries a slower ball that ends up as a looping full toss, that Watson clubs over straight mid-wicket for four. Watson finishes a brilliant over by hitting another six over long-on - 24 from the over.
Australia 321/5 (RR: 6.69): Hussey 35* (41), Watson 40* (23)

Over 47: Hussey gets a full toss first up, that he slog-sweeps over mid-wicket for four, then tries the shot again but misses a McMillan slower ball. He waits for the next slower ball and takes a single, then Watson takes a quick single to mid-off, from where Styris throws down the stumps, and he only just makes his ground. Hussey drives one more from the last ball.
Australia 297/5 (RR: 6.32): Hussey 35* (39), Watson 18* (18)

McMillan is back into the attack.

Over 46: Watson gets the first boundary for a while by stepping a long way across his stumps and scooping a sweep over short fine-leg and to the fence. He tries it again next ball but can only get a single this time. Hussey skips down to a slower ball and misses a drive outside off, then pushes a single into the covers. Watson waits for a slower ball from Gillespie and steals a single to the short third man, and Hussey takes one more from the last ball of the over.
Australia 290/5 (RR: 6.30): Hussey 29* (35), Watson 17* (16)

Gillespie is back into the attack.

Over 45: More singles from Australia, and while this would've been good in the middle overs of the innings, they really need to crack on now. Hussey tries to next ball, but inside edges a slog-sweep onto his foot and they scramble a single. Patel does well until his last ball, which is a no-ball that Hussey clips for a single, and Watson tucks the extra ball off his toes for one more.
Australia 282/5 (RR: 6.27): Hussey 27* (32), Watson 11* (13)

Over 44: Hussey skips down the track but can only get a single, then Watson moves a long way across his crease and laps round the corner from way outside off for a couple. The batsmen take a single apiece from the rest of the over, but that's another good one for New Zealand.
Australia 275/5 (RR: 6.25): Hussey 24* (28), Watson 8* (10)

Over 43: Hussey takes a massive swipe at an attempted sweep that misses the bat by a long way, and misses off stump by a whisker. He does connect with the next, but only takes a single, and Watson can't get anything from the last two balls. Excellent over at this stage - or any other stage for that matter - for New Zealand.
Australia 270/5 (RR: 6.30): Hussey 22* (24), Watson 5* (8)

Over 42: Watson takes another single down the ground, then Hussey dabs one just behind point. Watson cuts for another, and Hussey gets two with a delicate and well placed dab down to third man. Two more singles from and that's seven from that over without breaking sweat.
Australia 268/5 (RR: 6.38): Hussey 21* (21), Watson 4* (5)

Over 41: Hussey takes a quick couple throughmid-wicket, then cuts for one more. Watson gets off the mark with a single down to long-on, and thus ends a successful over from Jeetan Patel.
Australia 261/5 (RR: 6.37): Hussey 17* (18), Watson 1* (2)

Shane Watson is the new batsman.

WICKET!
A Symonds c Mason b Patel 11 (16)
Crucial wicket for New Zealand. Symonds looks to get on with things, but gets a toe-end to Patel's first ball back and skies it to Mason running in from the cover fence to take a solid catch.

Patel is back into the attack.

Over 40: Five singles dabbed all around the square are followed by a sharp couple from a Hussey pull down to deep backward square leg.
Australia 257/4 (RR: 6.44): Hussey 14* (15), Symonds 11* (15)

Vettori is back into the attack.

Over 39: More singles - four of them from the over - are setting them up quite nicely for Symonds or perhaps Watson to really tee off. On the other side, Styris has done well to just go for five an over from his spell.
Australia 251/4 (RR: 6.44): Hussey 10* (12), Symonds 9* (11)

Over 38: Symonds gets a single with the latest cut you'll ever see, almost taking the ball from level with the off bail. Another couple of singles come from more delicate dabs, and Australia look like they're just setting themselves up for an assault in the last ten. 30 runs from the third and final powerplay, which could've been worse for New Zealand.
Australia 247/4 (RR: 6.50): Hussey 8* (10), Symonds 7* (8)

Over 37: Hussey plays a jabbed pull to deep mid-wicket for a single. Symonds takes a single from a dab round the corner, then Hussey slams a flat-batter pull through straight mid-wicket for a boundary.
Australia 244/4 (RR: 6.59): Hussey 7* (7), Symonds 5* (5)

Over 36: Franklin's second ball to Symonds is an absolute shocker - very wide and about at waist height. Symonds then gets off the mark by slamming a wide half-volley through the covers for four.
Australia 238/4 (RR: 6.61): Hussey 2* (3), Symonds 3* (3)

Andrew Symonds is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Clarke b Franklin 49 (46)
Franklin serves up a full toss on off first up, which Clarke expertly drives just wide of mid-off and to the fence. Clarke gets another four with a nice clip off his toes, but then gets out in bizarre circumstances. Franklin bowls a slower ball angling in from around the wicket, that for reasons passing understanding Clarke leaves alone, and it crashes into middle stump.

Over 35: After a couple of frustrating dot balls for Australia, Stryis drifts on to Clarke's pads and he feathers a leg glance fine down to the boundary for four. Clarke takes a single down to long-on, and New Zealand would probably have settled for eight runs from the first two overs of this powerplay.
Australia 225/3 (RR: 6.43): Clarke 41* (43), Hussey 2* (3)

Over 34: McCullum puts down a very tough caught behind chance standing up to the stumps, with Clarke getting the faintest feather through to the keeper. Another couple of dots follow, before Clarke takes a quick single to point. Hussey gets off the mark by turning a couple of runs round the corner. Decent return over from Franklin.
Australia 220/3 (RR: 6.47): Clarke 36* (38), Hussey 2* (2)

James Franklin is back into the attack.

New Zealand take the third and final powerplay.

Over 33: Clarke takes a single down the ground, and Hussey blocks the last ball of the over.
Australia 217/3 (RR: 6.69): Clarke 35* (33), Hussey 0* (1)

Mike Hussey is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Hayden c&b Styris 103 (100)
Styris starts the over with a wide, then Clarke wristily flicks to mid-wicket for a quick single. Hayden then goes for one huge hit to many and it goes high, high into the air. A few people look like they might take it, but eventually Styris runs round to take the catch from his own bowling just about where mid-on would've been. Another brilliant knock from Hayden comes to an end.

Over 32: Simple stuff from Australia - they go at a run a ball, all from delicate dabs either side of the wicket square.
Australia 214/2 (RR: 6.69): Hayden 103* (99), Clarke 33* (29)

Hayden 100: 96 balls, 10x4, 2x6.

Over 31: Clarke takes a single down to long-on, allowing Hayden to bring up his century with a back-foot push down to long-on. Breathtaking innings of power and sometimes even subtlety from the opener.
Australia 208/2 (RR: 6.87): Hayden 100* (96), Clarke 30* (26)

Over 30: A couple of easy singles each then a no-ball - from Vettori - brings the 200 up for Australia. Unbelievably Vettori bowls another no-ball, which Clarke late cuts for four down to third man, and ends the over with another single.
Australia 206/2 (RR: 6.87): Hayden 99* (94), Clarke 29* (22)

Over 29: Two singles down the ground from the first two balls, then Clarke whips another through mid-wicket. Styris is then lucky to get away with a very wide one outside off, before Hayden hits a brute of a shot high, high, high over long-on for six.
Australia 196/2 (RR: 6.76): Hayden 97* (91), Clarke 23* (18)

Scott Styris is into the attack.

Over 28: Clarke takes a single first up, then Hayden hits three fours in a row down the ground. The was one of the best shots you're likely to see, as he stepped down the track and smashed over mid-off despite Vettori seeing him coming and altering his pace and flight accordingly. Awesome stuff from Hayden.
Australia 186/2 (RR: 6.64): Hayden 89* (86), Clarke 21* (16)

Danil Vettori is back into the attack.

Over 27: The batsmen keep things ticking over with four simple singles from the over, with Patel bowling a tight, testing line. At least there weren't any boundaries from that over.
Australia 173/2 (RR: 6.41): Hayden 77* (81), Clarke 20* (15)

Over 26: Clarke hits his first four of the innings with a wonderful cover drive off Gillespie, then gets his second with a rather more streaky effort with an edge past the keeper. He brings up three fours in a row with another great drive, then picks up a quick two with a whip through straight mid-wicket.
Australia 169/2 (RR: 6.50): Hayden 75* (79), Clarke 18* (11)

Over 25: Patel does well to keep them down to singles, but even a run a ball at this stage will see Australia post 300-odd. Hayden almost serves up a catch to mid-off, but it bounces just in front of the fielder.
Australia 155/2 (RR: 6.20): Hayden 75* (79), Clarke 4* (5)

Over 24: Hayden shows his intentions by making room for himself and clubbing down the ground, but can only get a single to long-off. Clarke gets off the mark with a sharp single to mid-off, then Hayden smashes the first boundary for a while over mid-on, with the bare minimum of effort. Gillespie then stops a certain four by blocking another Hayden club in his follow through, and they have to settle for a single. Clarke finishes the over with a repeat of his first ball, picking up a single.
Australia 152/2 (RR: 6.33): Hayden 74* (76), Clarke 2* (2)

New Zealand take the second powerplay, and bring Gillespie backinto the attack.

Over 23:
Australia 144/2 (RR: 6.26): Hayden 68* (72), Clarke 0* (0)

Michael Clarke is the new batsman.

WICKET!
R Ponting c Taylor b Patel 66 (70)
Hayden picks up a couple after a sweep along the ground is misfielded by McMillan in the deep. Three more singles are taken, before Ponting middles a flick aiming over mid-wicket straight to Ross Taylor, who takes a sharp catch. That's the breakthrough that New Zealand were so desperately looking for.

Over 22: New Zealand's problem at the moment is that they just can't stop the flow of singles, and that's not to do with poor bowling, just the mastery of the batting and judgement of runs. Four runs taken from the over, without a single risk.
Australia 139/1 (RR: 6.43): Hayden 64* (68), Ponting 65* (68)

Craig McMillan is into the attack.

Over 21: More steady accumulation from Australia, taking a single then a two, before the third umpire is called into action after McCullum throws down the stumps at the bowlers end. Ponting got there with room to spare, but that was the closest New Zealand have come to picking up a wicket since Gilchrist was out.
Australia 135/1 (RR: 6.43): Hayden 63* (67), Ponting 62* (63)

Over 20: Ponting drives out to long-off, and some smart running gets two, then late cuts a single to third man. Hayden pats a single to the leg side, and this period of play is almost worse for New Zealand than when they were smashing boundaries, because Australia are still accumulating without taking any risks. Ponting takes two then a single from almost identical shots to wide long-on, then Hayden picks up a single from a similar shot.
Australia 127/1 (RR: 6.35): Hayden 59* (64), Ponting 58* (60)

Over 19: Hayden cuts nicely for a single first up, a shot that Ponting repeats for the same result. Patel pitches the next one right up, but Hayden still manages a single to the covers. Ponting drives down the ground for a single, and that another quiet but productive over for Australia.
Australia 119/1 (RR: 6.26): Hayden 57* (62), Ponting 52* (56)

Patel is back into the attack for New Zealand.

Ponting 50: 53 balls, 7x4.

Over 18: Ponting reaches his half-century with a nice clip through mid-wicket for just one, sensibly turning down the single. Gillespie makes the fatal mistake of offering some width to Hayden, and he punishes it by driving past mid-off for four. He bowls exactly the same next ball, but this time Hayden can only drive to extra cover and no run is taken. The next couple are straight and tight, before Hayden drives to the cover sweeper for a single.
Australia 115/1 (RR: 6.39): Hayden 55* (59), Ponting 50* (53)

Mark Gillespie is back into the attack.

Hayden 50: 54 balls, 5x4, 6x1.

Over 17: Hayden nudges down to third man for a single after the drinks break, then the batsmen exchange ones from drives down the ground. Styris then slips down leg for a wide that Brendon McCullum can't gather behind the stumps. Hayden then brings up his fifty with a careful dabbed single just behind point. Ponting cuts to point, but is allowed a single after Patel misfields.
Australia 109/1 (RR: 6.41): Hayden 50* (54), Ponting 49* (52)

Over 16: Hayden brings the hundred up for Australia by on-driving for a single, before Ponting gets another with a sweep. Hayden cuts for another, before Ponting nearly makes a mess of a leg side ball from Vettori, getting a leading edge that luckily for him goes all along the ground. Another good over from the left-arm spinner.
Australia 102/1 (RR: 6.38): Hayden 47* (50), Ponting 47* (50)

Over 15: Styris takes so much pace off the ball that Ponting is too early on a careful dab round the corner and gets a top-edge, but it falls safe behind the keeper and they take two. Next up he appears to have come to terms with the pace, pulling a ball barely short enough to the deep backward square fence for four. He carefully plays down the ground for a single, before Hayden edges rather loosely for one of his own.
Australia 99/1 (RR: 6.60): Hayden 45* (48), Ponting 46* (46)

Over 14: Both Vettori and Styris have stopped the avalanche of runs by taking lots of pace of the ball, leaving the batsmen waiting for an age for the ball to actually get to them. But wait they do, and still manage to milk another five singles from the over, mostly down the ground to long off/on.
Australia 91/1 (RR: 6.50): Hayden 44* (47), Ponting 39* (41)

Over 13: Hayden and Ponting have apparently decided that if they can't bludgeon boundaries, then singles will do nicely. Four are taken from the over, to all parts of the spread field.
Australia 86/1 (RR: 6.62): Hayden 42* (44), Ponting 36* (38)

Over 12: Ponting takes a single to the cover fence sweeper, before Hayden turns another through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single apiece down the ground, and things have quitened down rather after that explosive start.
Australia 82/1 (RR: 6.83): Hayden 40* (41), Ponting 34* (35)

Over 11: Ponting takes a single from a careful dab down to third man, then a newly watchful and careful Hayden defends three, before missing out on a big smear down the ground. Another good over for New Zealand - if they keep this up they may get the run rate down to below seven soon.
Australia 78/1 (RR: 7.09): Hayden 38* (39), Ponting 32* (31)

New Zealand choose not to take the second powerplay.

Scott Styris is into the attack for New Zealand.

Over 10: Ponting late cuts Vettori's first ball for a single, then Hayden pats his first couple down the pitch. Hayden misses with a huge swiped sweep attempt, but defends the last two and brings to an end New Zealand's best over of the day - just one run from it.
Australia 77/1 (RR: 7.70): Hayden 38* (35), Ponting 31* (29)

Fleming is trying everything to stem the flow, nay torrent of runs, and brings Daniel Vettori into the attack.

Over 9: Mason tries a slower ball first up, but it goes horribly wrong and dribbles down the leg side for a wide. Hayden then doesn't quite get hold of a pull and they settle for a single out to deep mid-wicket. Ponting plays the latest of cuts from another no-ball, and this really has to stop before it gets out of hand for New Zealand. Hayden and Ponting then exchange singles with a pair of late cuts, before Hayden gets a couple of runs from a delicate guide to third man. Delicate is not the word to describe the next shot, which Hayden bludgeons straight down the ground for a massive six. Blistering start from Australia.
Australia 76/1 (RR: 8.44): Hayden 38* (30), Ponting 30* (28)

Michael Mason is back into the attack.

Over 8: Hayden takes a step down the track to Franklin and clubs the ball so straight that umpire Asad Rauf cops one on the wrist. New Zealand will thank him because it saved a certain four, but there is no umpire in the way as Hayden square drives the next ball through point for a boundary. Franklin then bowls a couple of no-balls, the first of which Hayden takes an additional single from, the second Ponting cover drives majestically for four. After managing to keep his foot behind the line for one ball, Franklin yet again over-steps and Ponting again punishes himwith a four, this time through straight mid-wicket. Ponting rocks back from the next ball and pulls powerfully, but Patel does well to stop at square leg, but can't gather in time to run out Hayden. Expensive over for Franklin.
Australia 62/1 (RR: 7.75): Hayden 28* (25), Ponting 28* (26)

Over 7: Hayden looks like he's itching to get after Patel, but has to settle for a pushed single down to long-off. Ponting then doesn't quite time a cover drive and takes two, before not quite timing a loft over mid-on, but this time he gets a boundary.
Australia 44/1 (RR: 6.29): Hayden 21* (21), Ponting 20* (21)

Over 6: Hayden again lulls the bowlers into a falses sense of economy, by watching Franklin's first two then clubbing the third over extra-cover for four. He takes a delicate dabbed single down to third man, and Ponting takes no more runs from the over.
Australia 37/1 (RR: 6.17): Hayden 20* (18), Ponting 14* (18)

Over 5: Patel tightens things up with his first three balls, all dots, but Ponting was clearly just sizing him up as the fourth is slog-swept over mid-wicket for a one-bounce four. Ponting then makes a mess of an attempted cut, totally missing the shot, and another engrossing over comes to an end.
Australia 32/1 (RR: 6.40): Hayden 15* (14), Ponting 14* (16)

Stephen Fleming has already had enough of his pacemen - the off-spin of Jeetan Patel comes into the attack.

Over 4: Franklin hasn't quite found his consistent line just yet, and Ponting clips another leg side ball round the corner for a single. His first ball to Hayden is a no-ball, as is his third, which the opener very nearly plays on. The next delivery doesn't fare much better, with Hayden cutting a short and wide one to the point fence for four. Franklin then decides pitching up might be a better plan, but that doesn't work either as Hayden claims a second consecutive boundary with a classic cover drive.
Australia 28/1 (RR: 7.00): Hayden 15* (14), Ponting 10* (10)

Over 3: Hayden takes a single to a rather loose shot, going aerially through the gully region. Ponting then shows how to do it by rocking on to the back foot and hammering a pull through straight mid-wicket for four. Ponting survives a half-decent lbw shout from Mason - umpire Aleem Dar correctly ruling that it would have missed leg-stump. Ponting clips a single down to fine-leg from the final ball, and it's been an eventful start.
Australia 17/1 (RR: 5.67): Hayden 7* (7), Ponting 9* (9)

Over 2: Ponting gets off the mark first ball with a boundary, helping a leg-side long-hop round the corner to the fine-leg fence. Franklin beats him outside off with the first decent ball of the day next up, and Ponting blocks or leaves the rest of the over.
Australia 11/1 (RR: 5.50): Hayden 6* (5), Ponting 4* (5)

Ricky Ponting is the new batsman.

WICKET!
A Gilchrist c Gillespie b Franklin 1 (2)
Franklin strikes with his first ball, but in truth it was poor cricket all round. Gilchrist goes for big upper-cut from a rank wide long-hop from Franklin, but gets a top-edge and skies it to Gillespie at third man.

James Franklin will share the new ball.

Over 1: Both openers get off the mark from their first balls - Gilchrist with a single down to third man, Hayden with a punch through mid-wicket for two. Mason keeps things relatively tight until the last ball of the over, when Hayden takes a step down the track and hammers a flat-batted four over mid-on.
Australia 7/0 (RR: 7.00): Gilchrist 1* (1), Hayden 6*(5)

In the absence of Bond, Michael Mason will open the bowling for New Zealand.

The players are out on the field, with Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden opening the innings for Australia.

Teams:

Australia: Gilchrist (wkt), Hayden, Ponting (capt), Clarke, Symonds, Hussey, Watson, Hogg, Bracken, Tait, McGrath.

New Zealand: Fulton, Fleming (capt), Taylor, Styris, McMillan, McCullum (wkt), Vettori, Franklin, Gillespie, Patel, Mason.

Some interesting team news from New Zealand - Shane Bond doesn't play, presumably because there is really no need to risk his famously fragile fitness. As announced yesterday Jacob Oram also misses out, and Michael Mason and Mark Gillespie play in their stead.

One change for Australia - the fit again Shane Watson comes in, with the unlucky Brad Hodge again the man to make way.

Ricky Ponting has won the toss and has chosen to bat first.

Afternoon. Despite this technically being a dead rubber there is plenty of interest in any clash between New Zealand and Australia, especially after the Black Cap's Chappell-Hadlee whitewash earlier in the year.