RoastedLinuxUnified Kiwis too strong for Australia
February 7th 2009 01:05
There is no 'I' in team and there is definitely no 'I' in New Zealand at the moment after they registered a six Wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI at the MCG.
The Black Caps have found a new lease of life under captain Daniel Vettori, which has allowed them to not only play as a team, but play for each other.
There is now a sense of belief and attitude that was not evident in the Kiwis that toured for the two Test series against Australia late last year.
New Zealand now find themselves on the cusp of receiving the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, after outplaying Australia with both bat and Ball last night.
In the field, the Black Caps offered Australia no respite as they bowled the perfect line and length to literally strangle their batting line-up into submission and error.
Only Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey were able to prolong their stay at the middle for Australia, as Vettori, Kyle Mills and Tim Southee bowled with conviction to slay the rest of Australia's top order.
Although Clark finished on 98 runs, it was not the fluent innings that would put the Kiwis on the back foot for the rest of the match.
In the end, Australia only posted a par total of 225 for victory and it seemed that once again, New Zealand were in the driving seat to go 2 nil up.
Despite the Kiwis batting line-up not being at its best, they displayed a willingness to attack Australia's bowlers and keep the likes of Bracken, Hilfenhaus and Johnson under immense pressure.
Hilfenhaus in particular went for a hefty 57 runs for no wicket against a Black Caps side that are now starting to hit top gear.
Only James Hopes held his head high against the Kiwis, with his tight bowling registering two wickets for the loss of just 30 runs.
But against a Kiwis batting line-up that worked in tandem to reach Australia's total, Hopes' efforts ultimately came to nothing.
New Zealand batsmen McCullum, Fulton, Taylor, Elliott and Broom all registered substantial runs to put the Australian total to the sword with seven balls remaining.
Elliott in particular played very well for his 61 of 75 balls to guide New Zealand to victory against their Trans-Tasman rivals.
If the Kiwis keep performing the way they are, no doubt the Chappell-Hadlee trophy will make its way across the Tasman come Sunday night.
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