Cricket Tournaments

Cricket was first played over a span of five days between a few teams like England, Australia and South Africa. This five-day format is called test cricket. Soon, other countries too joined in and started playing cricket, taking it as a serious sport.

Test cricket was at its peak until the first ever 60-overs one-day international match was played between Australia and England at MCG in January 1971. Soon, this format of the game became so popular that the first limited-overs World Championship of Cricket was played in England just four years later, which West Indies won.

Ever since then, the one-day game has been prone to changes. For example, in the 1980s, the ICC reduced the amount of overs in a limited-overs fixture from 60 to 50, making the game more interesting for spectators. And till today, a one-day international (ODI) game remains a usual 50-over affair.

Since the era of commercializing cricket perhaps began in the 90’s, it was expected that the ODIS would be a hit among sponsors as well, who would be willing to advertise as viewers across the world are glued to their television sets watching a cricket match intensely as ever. More World Cup tournaments were held with coloured clothing introduced in the 1992 edition of the World Cup, which was the idea of Kerry Packer, the Australian who advocated cricket with coloured clothing as early as the 70’s.

White balls were introduced, making it possible to host day-night matches using white balls. Soon white balls were given the thumbs-up to be used in day matches as well which even required new, black sight-screens. Thus the one-day game became a favourite amongst every cricket lover.

But then came perhaps the golden phase of cricket. In 2003, a new version of limited overs cricket called the T-20’s was introduced in England. This format meant that unlike matches in which each team had to bat 50 overs, here the teams have to bat just 20 overs each or 120 balls in simple terms.

This implied that matches would get over quickly and runs would be scored at a faster rate. Twenty-20 became a hit in England and thus like the one-day game was spread across the world. And it has also become internationally-acclaimed when the ICC introduced the T-20 internationals concept in 2005. Since then, T-20 has taken the world by storm. It has reached heights as spectators would be more willing to watch a much more exciting and short T-20 game rather than a relatively boring and a longer 50-over game.

So the question rises – Can the 50-over survive for long?

It may not, as the inaugural T-20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa, saw a large number of audiences in the stadium as well as on television, bettering the 2007 50-over World Cup in the West Indies by far. And to top it, India won the T-20 World Cup, resulting in more fan-following as India is a popular team in most cricketing countries.

As a matter of fact, the T-20 was a mode of cricket getting globalized and not just commercialized through India. Soon, the Indian Premier League (IPL) followed which was the Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) brainchild. And this tournaments played between the top 8 cricketing cities across India, became a hit amongst viewers across the world as well as international players in the first edition itself in 2008.

Then Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, made sure that the tournament took place in South Africa in 2009 despite security threats. South Africa, too embraced T-20s like never before. Looking at this, other countries like England and Australia are planning to form their own tournaments based on the concept of IPL as cricket then would reach to a new level in the countries due to the dwindling interest of people there in the one-dayers. The ICC too is reckoning whether the IPL must have a place in the future tours programme (FTP), which is basically the international cricket calendar.

However, the one-day game still has a place in cricket even if cricketers give importance to either test cricket or T-20s. The one-dayers determine whether a batsman is wholesome, i.e, if he can defend as well as attack, reacting to the situation as demanded. It shows whether bowlers are skilled enough to face challenges in test cricket. It tests the pressures of fielders, therefore one-dayers can determine fielding standards of a team.

So, the one day game can survive as long as the ICC gives meaning to it in its FTP. It could foster national pride within players as well rather than they wanting to play in tournaments such as the IPL. Or like Sachin Tendulkar suggested that the one-day format could be further revamped by making it like a longer T-20 in the test style where each team bats 25 overs in two innings each and are followed by strategic time-outs.

This makes the scoring rate faster like the T-20s and could rekindle the interest of audiences across the world. Perhaps more matches could also take place with top one-day teams clashing against each other, such as India, Australia and South Africa. The ICC has tried to make the one day game survive by the successful organizing of the Champions Trophy every two years in different countries. They have also taken a risk by making the game batting-friendly by allowing 20 overs of the power play for the batting side, i.e. fielding restrictions.

However, the one day format of cricket is falling apart thanks to all countries accepting T-20’s as the future of the game. T-20’s seem to be a practical way of playing cricket these days. With events such as the IPL, the one day game is nowhere at the moment. Even Tendulkar’s idea will take time to be implemented by the ICC and accepted by people warmly.

Reducing ticket prices won’t help if people aren’t interested and patient in watching 50-over cricket. So, its true that cricket needs to respect the 50-over format and recognize players appropriately for their achievements, like in the 90’s. The 50-over game can survive if the ICC doesn’t act like a puppet to the BCCI and respects the quality of cricket rather than the money involved in it. In fact, I believe that if 50-over cricket will grow money if its quality is good enough to appeal fans across the world.

Australia won the toss on a warm and sultry morning at the Adelaide oval and decided as ever to have a bat. Australia aimed to keep their winning streak going and finish off the series by taking an unassailable lead of 3-0.

And so they did! The opening pair of Watson and Marsh started off in a circumspect manner with ‘wickets in hand for the last ten’ being their major priority. The duo put on 63 in 12 Overs with Watson falling for 33 attempting a wild slog. The skipper Ricky Ponting was next to go after misjudging the length of the ball. He was trapped LBW without scoring. Once again falling playing the pull shot. Ponting, one of the best players of short pitch bowling, ironically has been dismissed on quite a few occasions playing the pull Getting older, ehh?

Australia looked to be in a spot of bother at 65 for 2 but it was marsh with 83 who kept the score ticking along. Michael Clarke played another brilliant knock and was there right till the end forming substantial partnerships with marsh, white and Hussey. Clarke eventually fell for 80 in the last over of the innings.

Australia fell away a little in the middle stage of the innings due to some tight bowling from Saeed Ajmal and rana. But, again it was Pakistan’s indiscipline in the field and with extras that was their down bringing. Australia’s Michael Hussey took full toll of this and hammered the Pakistani’s to all parts of the ground en route his 28 ball 49 which gave the Australian innings some much needed impetus. Michael Hussey showed his class and skills once again and bailed Australia out of what would have been an average situation.

What a versatile player he is! Put him in at20 for 3 and he will come up with the goods or like today ask him to slog-he’ll do it for you. Truly, MR. CRICKET! Umar Gul one of the best death bowlers not just from Pakistan but in the world took a pasting on the day and went for 80 in his 10 over spell including a huge over which costed him 23 runs.

The momentum was with Australia when they came on to the field. Salman butt started positively playing some gorgeous flicks and cover drives. He eventually fell prey to Clint McKay LBW for 34. Ryan Harris the 30 year old seamer playing his second ODI bowled with good pace and eventually claimed 5 for 43 in his 10 over spell which included the wickets of Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi who at a certain point were threatening to take the match away.

Once again it was a failure of the top order. Former captain, Younis khan looks terribly out of form and Pakistan must consider promoting Umar Akmal or Mohd Yousuf to the crucial no 3 spot. Pakistan must try out new things considering they have already lost the series. However, these changes might help them in the long run too especially with England coming up soon.

Pakistan were in a precarious position at 60 for 4 before young guns Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam steadied the ship. They put on 85 before Umar Akmal fell to Harris. Afridi provided some late fireworks with a quick 29 ball 40. But, it was to be all to late in the cause and Pakistan eventually folded for 246 in 47 Overs giving Australia their 3rd straight win and the series.

The decade gone by just saw the development of good players into fabulous ones. Players who had the talent and potential eventually converted it on to the world stage.

Australian Standout: Ricky Ponting for one amassed over 9000 runs in both forms of the game.

South African Standout: Graeme Smith has not just scored the runs but lead South Africa to a brief stay at the World No.1 rankings. Along with him, Jacques Kallis with his all-round displays was instrumental in getting the South African’s a ‘world beater’ status.

Indian Standout: Many to choose from in the Indian ranks from Yuvraj Singh to Sehwag to the turbinator (Bhajji). But, if it was one man who revolutionized Indian cricket it has to be the skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MSD with his batting and now powerful captaincy and personality has changed the face of Indian cricket and the way Indian cricket is looked at.

England Standout: Kevin Pietersen proved himself at the international stage with 4 hundreds in a series against RSA midway through the decade. His antics at the Oval test match won’t be forgotten either.

Sri Lankan Standout: Both Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have been the batting mainstays of the Sri Lankan unit. Both in their tenures as captain have helped bring Sri Lankan cricket forward.

West Indian Standout: Not much to speak of as far as the West Indies cricket is concerned. But, if someone was said to make an impact it has to be Chris Gayle with his powerful stroke play and calm appearance.

New Zealand Standout: No prizes guessing who New Zealand’s man of the decade was. Daniel Vettori has single handedly kept New Zealand still in the race amongst other countries. The black caps who lack talent but remain a bunch of hard triers.

Pakistan Standout: Pakistan’s premier and most consistent batsman in this era especially after the retirement of Inzamam has been Mohd Yousuf. Yousuf has averaged a phenomenal 50+ average in the 5 day version of the game and is closing in on the elite club of 10000 runs in the ODI format.

These were few of the players that stood out and embossed their names on the world stage.
What about the next set of players?
A sneak peak at who they could be:
Australia:
Peter Siddle: The tough Victorian aged 25 is one for the future certainly. Often compared to Merv Hughes Siddle had a very ordinary debut (test cricket) but since then has bagged 60 wickets in 17 matches at 31.53.

Mitchell Marsh: Younger brother to Shaun Marsh and currently Australian skipper at the U19 level, the southpaw must be kept a key eye on.

South Africa:
Wayne Parnell: Wayne Parnell came into the reckoning after his wonderful performance with the ball at the U19 WC. The young 20 year old left armer has already struck gold as far as the IPL is concerned.

India:

Virat Kohli: India’s young sensation with the bat and perhaps future captain in the waiting. Kohli along with his batting brings a lot of exuberance and energy in the field too.

England:
Eoin Morgan: Another of England’s foreign collection. The “English-Irishman” proved his credentials after a wonderful NatWest series and champions trophy.

Watch out for him!

Stuart Broad: Son of match referee Chris Broad the lanky pacer at the age of 23 has already seen a lot of ups and downs in his career. Right from being taken apart by Yuvraj to winning England the ashes at oval Broad has shown a lot of character and will to learn. A potential ‘Andrew Flintoff’ in the making Broad is handy with the willow too low down the order.
Look out!!!

Sri Lanka:
Angelo Mathews: The young all-rounder at the young age of 22 has displayed a mature head on his shoulders. He is also a dynamic fielder and a Lankan asset to boast off in the future!

West Indies:
Kemar Roach: Not the first from the Windies to bowl a 150km/hr+ and rest assured not the last. The young pacer shot to fame after smashing Ricky Ponting in the elbow with a vicious bouncer at the WACA thus forcing Ponting to retire hurt for the first time in his career. Not the first one who’s made his career after harming Ponting, ehh? (Referring to Ishant Sharma)

Kieron Pollard: A typical Caribbean when it comes to the enthusiasm or the flamboyance. Kieron pollard is one of the Windies most exciting prospects. His performance in the inaugural champions league T20 earned him a huge IPL Mumbai Indians contract. Perhaps that’s what he needs before capturing the world stage.

New Zealand:
Martin Guptill: New Zealand seem to lack when it comes to talent. Martin Guptill the 21 year old opener is the only sign of talent. Many experts have said that the ease and grace with which Guptill plays is comparable to Sri Lankan batting star Mahela Jayawardene.

Pakistan:
Mohammed Aamer: The young 17 year old left arm pacer rose to fame with his performance in the T20 WC in England. He has continued to impress in New Zealand and Australia with his lively pace and is already one to fear about for opposition batsmen.

Umar Akmal: Youngest of the Akmal brothers and by far the most promising of the lot (3). Umar Akmal hammered a century on his test debut perhaps fore-shadowing what is to come.

These are some of the potential stars of the coming decade; only time will tell if they convert their talent into something big and clearly define what is ‘GOOD’ and what is ‘GREAT’!!

Australia
no

The IPL Season 3 isn’t too far away from wooing Indian viewers yet again. However, Pakistani players will not being playing, just as the second season. Remember, Pakistan are the champions in T-20 cricket having won the World Cup last year. So how is it that none of the eight franchisees were interested in buying Pakistan’s players?

Well, there are three sets of people who are responsible for the snub according to me.

The Indian government which has been accused of secretly persuading the franchisees not to buy Pakistani players in revenge of the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008, which has seen sour political relations between the two countries ever since. The scenario is possible as the IPL’s governing body might have acted as a medium of communication between the Indian government and the franchisees.

It could be the IPL directly who might have instructed the franchisees to act in the manner they did, in the best interests of the BCCI. The BCCI and the PCB, like the governments, have been in a tiff since India cancelled a scheduled tour of Pakistan in December 2008, right after the Mumbai attacks. Sri Lanka had to act as mediator and played ODIS against both the countries.

Followed by which Pakistan didn’t permit their players to participate in the IPL Season 2 in South Africa despite the best security assured as the tournament shifted from India. The BCCI might have then felt insulted, believing that Pakistan doesn’t want to get involved in cricketing ties featuring India in the near future, resulting in the snub of the Pakistani players this season.

3) Worst, it could be the franchisees themselves who must have had a consensus that none of them would pick the Pakistani players perhaps due to strained political relations or the fact that the players hardly played in the first edition of the IPL and didn’t play in the second. This meant that the franchisees’ investing in Pakistani players in the future won’t make much of sense as many of the contracted players had been signed for three years by their respective franchisees.

The government has washed off their hands over this major issue on the pretext that they had issued visas to the Pakistanis which made them eligible to play in the IPL this time around. India’s home minister P Chidambaram also feels that Pakistan’s exclusion is a ‘disservice to cricket’. These comments come after an outrage in Pakistan has occurred with the PCB threatening to snap ties with Indian cricket unless there is no change seen in the immediate future.

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has himself denied any role of the BCCI in this issue saying that IPL is a completely different entity from the BCCI even if the tournament is the board’s brainchild. So, BCCI might not be involved.

The franchisees have also taken blame partly by agreeing that they felt that their investments won’t be safe by buying Pakistani players. However, they may also not be blamed as they have followed what they believe is right for the team’s benefit as they didn’t pick many Australian or English players for that matter.

I believe that whoever is responsible for this debacle has facilitated miscommunication between the IPL and the franchisees. Cricket needs unity at the moment and not discord, especially between India and Pakistan. Indian cricket has almost died by showing that they are not willing to welcome players from countries like Pakistan to come and play the game in India. The IPL is a major event in international cricket, but it has fallen in the eyes of its lovers for this outrageous exclusion.

David Morgan, the ICC president, recently expressed his desire to hold talks between India and Pakistan to persuade them to start playing cricket against each other, therefore renewing their rivalry which is good for the game. However the million dollar question arises –

‘Would India and Pakistan ever be united, especially after this ‘royal snub’?

Well, the whole of the cricketing fraternity is asking are the Aussies still invincible? The answer is no. Australia are certainly no more invincible but are and will definitely be a very competitive team. With experienced pro’s retiring from the international circuit in a hurry Australia find themselves in barren land. But, most experts feel that the Aussies have handled this situation much better than any other team would have handled it.

It’s clearly seen that Australia are found wanting in India (test matches). With Andrew Symonds too out due to controversy Australia find themselves in a hole with large shoes to fill in.

Many Australian news papers asked for the recall of Andrew Symonds but Australia have always had strong disciplinary rules and do not mind sacrificing on a couple of series so as to dominate 10 years. It could be debated out that India too will have to face a similar situation in the near future with respect to test match cricket as India will be playing without the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble also known as the “Fab Five”.

Australia are missing their bowling attack more than ever. Australia virtually do not have anyone on the spin bowling front. The batting department still has most of their key players but the retirement of so many greats (Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath, and Shane Warne) has hurt Australia psychologically more than anything. Also, called the bad boys of cricket build up the name for themselves by taking a dig at their opponents before every key game.

On a balance Australia known to be having one of the best cricket training systems should be able to make up as the Australian bench strength can never be questioned!!

This is was a piece I wrote a year and a half back. Looking at it now, Australia indeed do have the best cricket systems across the world. After the disappointing ashes loss in 2009 Australia seem to have finally got their players to gel along in both the ODI as well as the Test format.

Australia’s record after the ashes speaks for itself:

• Australia VS England –NatWest series.

Result: 6-1 to Australia
• Champions trophy
Result: 4-0 to Australia
Champions
• Australia VS India in India
Result: 4-2 to Australia

Season at home

• Australia VS West Indies (Tests)
Result: 2-0 to Australia
• Australia VS Pakistan (Tests)
Result: 3-0 to Australia
• Australia VS Pakistan
Result: Unassailable lead of 3-0 (2 to go)

Australia have proved their credentials in all facets of the game. They now have a very good spinner in Nathan Hauritz. A young and consistent pace attack in Bollinger, Siddle, Hilfenhaus with Mitchell Johnson the potential attack leader. Australia have found a replacement to controversial all rounder Andrew Symonds. Cameron white stamped his authority on international cricket when he took that no.3 position in England in place of Ponting.

India have lost out on two of their 5 champions in Ganguly and Kumble. The batting line up still looks a solid one but, the question arises whether India will be able to cope with the loss of the Fab 5 like how Australia did?

Donald Bradman

Want to be a great batsman: Make sure you are not TALL

What distinguishes the good and the great batsmen from each other?

Hours of concentration, determination, hard work and technique.  If one ever needed proof that good things do come in small packages we don’t have to look beyond the cricketing circle. The following statistic proves the above:

These men are not just here proving a point; they have crossed the periphery of greatness. At least 7 out of the 8 batsmen mentioned above featuring in the Top 8 run getters in the world be it in the test or one day format. The only one missing out being Sir Donald Bradman but, who can ever question the greatness of THE “DON”.

What is it with these batsmen? Are they able to pick length better or is it just pure co-incidence. Are the good length balls to short for them? It is important for every bowler to change their length depending on the height and the manner in which a batsman plays. What’s the problem here? Perhaps, the bowlers have just not adapted to these “kind” of batsmen.

Is the recipe to being a great batsman being short? Perhaps, one of the shorties could tell.

Indeed, good things do come in SMALL packages.

The IPL auction was perhaps the most awaited event of 2010 in the world of cricket. This is due to the fact that 66 players from around the world confirmed their availability for playing in the lucrative competition to be held in March and once again in India.

The excitement was growing within the owners of the 8 franchises of the IPL as they checked in the Trident Hotel on a sunny, sultry day in Mumbai. The auction began in unceremonious fashion when Shahid Afridi, arguably Pakistan’s star player in the T-20 format, had no takers even at a base price of $250,000.

What a shock that must have been for Pakistan’s cricket lovers! Next up was Kieron Pollard, West Indian all-rounder who impressed the cricketing world with his all-round antics in the 2009 T-20 Champions League, while playing for Trinidad and Tobago as well as recently in the Big Bash tournament representing the South Australian Red Backs.

He was a hot, hot buy with his bid going easily to $750,000 due to demands of the Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore franchises respectively.

In an edge-of-a-seat silent tiebreaker, Mumbai Indians captured Pollard and their chances of going a step further are said to have increased significantly ever since then. After the Pollard mania, it was the turn of the Brad Haddin, the Australian wicket-keeper and he too like Afridi was rejected perhaps due to availability issues.

Graeme Swann, England’s recent spin sensation surprisingly suffered the same fate. As the first pool of players were dealt with, the atmosphere in the auction room could have been cut with a knife.

Uncertainty prevailed as it was the turn of the young South African bowling all-rounder Wayne Parnell. Fascinating for many, Parnell was also sought after by the defending champions Deccan Chargers as well as Delhi Daredevils. Delhi, eventually got Parnell for a massive $610,000.

Shane Bond was in contention for a place in the IPL after his remarkable comeback in international cricket a year back. For Bond too, there was heavy bidding with Chennai and Deccan interested in buying him initially but it was down to Deccan and Kolkata in the end when his bid reached up to $750,000.

Astonishing, because his base price was just a mere $100000! He was in the end sold to the Kolkata Knight Riders at an undisclosed amount, showing that experience is required in the shorter version of the game. Mohd Kaif, the Uttar Pradesh captain went unsold in the first round but was wanted a little later by the Bangalore and Punjab franchises respectively.

He turned out to be the highest paid Indian player in the auction when Punjab bagged him for $250000. The young and pacey Kemar Roach had made a name for himself in Australia when he injured Ricky Ponting and got him to retire hurt for the first time in his career.

So, Roach too was an attractive investment for several franchises, especially those who desperately needed a fast bowler and who had missed out on Bond. However, Roach was grabbed by the Deccan Chargers for an astronomical price of $720000.

Eoin Morgan is undoubtedly, England’s new find along with Graeme Swann. The young 23 year old impressed in the NatWest series against Australia and at the Champions trophy. However, he beat Swann when it comes to playing in the IPL as Bangalore made their first inroad in the auction by pouching him for $220000.

As the first half of the auction ended, it was expected that the future of many young players from around the world was to be decided as the star players were already auctioned. It was a further shock to many when Darren Ganga, the Trinidad and Tobago captain as well as leading Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib al Hasan went unsold, perhaps due to the $750000 cap being completed by most of the franchises.

Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger too wasn’t considered as an attractive option despite his recent exploits in international cricket. However, controversy was further created when Pakistani players Sohail Tanvir, Umar and Kamran Akmal, Rana Naved-al-Hasan and Imran Nazir were overlooked.

A significant bid was that of Damien Martyn, the Australian ICL returnee, who was bought by the Shane Warne led Rajasthan Royals at the base price of $100000. After another long wait, it was the turn of Chennai Super Kings to enter in the action when they managed to purchase Sri Lankan allrounder Thisra Perera for just $50000 as well as Justin Kemp, the South African batsman for $100000 in a span of a few minutes.

The Royals once again showed their loyalty to Shane Warne when they bought Adam Voges, Australian batsman for $50000. The auction ended in style when 3 Indian U-19 players were sold to Mumbai, Bangalore and Deccan franchises, showing that the teams respected talent despite many players remaining unsold after the two rounds of the auction.

Pakistan came back to Sydney—the same Sydney Cricket ground where they were embarrassed by the same Australian unit. Pakistan tried to lift their morale and change the result this time around. Not to be though.

Mohd Yousuf won the toss for the second time in a row and this time around put Australia in to bat. Australia fielded the same unit that played at the gabba after Michael Clarke (rib injury) was declared fit this morning.

However, Pakistan rung in one change i.e. they brought in Umar Gul in place of Mohd Asif.

The first ball of the match set the tone for what was to come! Shane Watson creamed Aamer through cover point for 4. It was clearly the sign of things to come.

Australian Dominance!!

Watson played some incredible shots through cover, over point and over mid-on. He later accepted in an interview that it was tough to bat if the ball was pitched up. Fortunately for Watson a lot of short balls were bowled which he took full toll of.

Watson played a brilliant pull of Rana Naved where the ball wasn’t too short but he just swatted at it on one knee and got six for it. Watson finally fell to Afridi for 69 but not before giving Australia a strong start.

The Aussies got a bit stuck in the middle over with the spin trio of Afridi, Ajmal and Malik working well for Pakistan. Australia took 84 balls to reach their 3rd fifty and from 80 for 0 after 13 Overs slipped to 138 for 3 after 30 Overs.

It was again Cameron white who rescued the innings for Australia with a powerful half century which got them up to 267 at the end of 50 Overs. White scored 55 with Clarke (25), Hussey (29) and Haddin (27) all chipping in.

Pakistan looked out of sorts from ball one. Australia came out and bowled with admirable discipline at the two Pakistani openers. Both Bollinger and Siddle were immaculate with their lines and lengths.

The duo together conceded just 7 runs in the first two wickets and picked up two crucial wickets including one of former captain Younis khan. Ponting was on the money with his captaincy and field placement. He had a 7-2 field for a short period of time.

The Australian fielders were brilliant with Ponting and Cameron white taking sensational catches at point and slip respectively. Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and Clint McKay ripped the heart out of the Pakistani batting line up by picking up five quick wickets which left Pakistan struggling at 42 for 5.

The Pakistani batsmen barring Mohd Yousuf showed no kind of resistance and succumbed to the Aussie bowling attack. They were eventually bundled out for a 127 with the skipper Mohd Yousuf making 58 of those.

The wicket really seemed to liven up under lights with a tinge of moisture perhaps due to the dew around. The Australians profited from this and within 38 Overs of the Pakistan innings had them bowled out and ensured a 140 run win.

Another dominant display by the Aussies; another convincing victory and as it looks now another series victory coming their way.
Australia went into the match as favourites; came out giving a pounding!