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Ricky Ponting’s face said it all as he celebrated victory in the third game of the Chappell-Hadlee series the other night. Withstanding another brave fight from the Kiwis, Australia dismissed them for 269, after Elliot and McCullum threatened to claim an unlikely victory.
Set 302 to win, the Kiwi’s chance of hauling in the huge total suffered early setbacks with one day player of the year, Nathan Bracken, and Ben Hilfinheus breaking through, the latter claiming the important wicket of the talented Ross Taylor for just 4.
Falling behind the run rate and losing regular wickets, the cross-Tasman rivals seemed to be to be falling a long way short until the injured Brendan McCullum, batting down the order at nine, joined Elliot for a cameo that placed the pressure back on the Australian side seemingly losing confidence by the over.
Despite bringing up a fighting century, Elliot could not carry his team over the line, falling to the impressive James Hopes, whose tight bowling has been one of the only positives to come out of the recent run of losses.
Despite not making an impact with the bat in Australia’s largest one day total of the summer, Ricky Ponting’s presence in the side surely had an influence on his team mates, the captain playing only after pleading with chairmen of selectors Andrew Hilditch to be reinstated after he was due to be rested for the second game in a row.
The win was set up by some fine batting from first time opening pairing, Michael Clarke, whose 68 continued his summer of growing maturity, and man of the match Brad Haddin, whose century was the catalyst for the Australian revival.
We have what could be the makings of a great pairing, with aggression and composure two qualities that seem to fit so brilliantly together.
The ACB, sponsors, and fans will be praying the side take some momentum from this win and takes the series to a decider in Brisbane. It may be sufficient to erase some of the negativity that has formed after five straight losses, and on field and off-field controversy.
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