Related Links
A disciplined Australian bowling attack kept the BLACKCAPS to 200 in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Centurion.
The BLACKCAPS were dealt a cruel blow before play started with inspirational captain Daniel Vettori ruled out with a hamstring injury. This followed the loss of front line players Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder and Daryl Tuffey earlier in the tournament.
It was a shaky start for the BLACKCAPS who lost stand in captain Brendon McCullum for a 14 ball duck and then struggled with the pace, bounce and swing of the Australian quicks.
The first ten over yielding only 22 runs but Aaron Redmond and Martin Guptill managed to weather the storm from the seamers providing some stability to the innings.
However, it was the spin of Nathan Hauritz that broke the 61 run partnership, having Redmond stumped for 26 and he soon had his second when he caught Guptill of his own bowling for 40.
The wickets kept tumbling with Ross Taylor was the next to go for 6 and then Grant Elliott for 9 with the BLACKCAPS in all sorts of trouble at 94 for five.
It was left to Neil Broom and James Franklin to hold the innings together. Runs didn’t come easily as they defended their wickets and eked out the odd single but a couple of fruitful powerplay overs got the score moving.
Unfortunately the 65 run partnership was cut short by a mix up that lead to Broom being run out and on 37 with Franklin bowled shortly after for 33 to have the BLACKCAPS teetering on 159 for six.
Ian Butler was trapped LBW for 6 handing Hauritz his third wicket with Kyle Mills run out for 12.
A valuable 16 from Jeetan Patel helped as the team staggered through to 200.
