06 October,2009 07:44 AM IST | | Khalid A-H Ansari
The neighbours from across the Tasman wore red ribbons on their shirts as a symbol of compassion for HIV victims.
But, in keeping with traditional sporting rivalry, no quarters were expected, nor given, in yesterday's Champions Trophy final at Centurion's SuperSport Park where holders Australia outclassed New Zealand by six-wickets.u00a0
This was Big Brother Australia's 16th win in 17 matches played between the arch sporting rivals on neutral soil.
Given their captain's invaluable worth to the side as all-rounder and astute, inspirational leader, the injury-plagued New Zealanders were dealt a further grievous blow even before commencement of the duel with Daniel Vettori's inability to marshal his forces because of a hamstring injury.
Asked to field after stand-in skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss, holders Australia took the field with characteristic fervour. It was obvious from the very first over bowled by Brett Lee that Ponting's new-look side were hell-bent upon proving a point about their reclaimed standing in world cricket.
Athletic fielding
With the fieldsmen backing their efforts with athletic ground fielding, Brett Lee and Peter Siddle were unfazed at the slowness of the track and exploited the breezy overcast conditions to the hilt.
So vice-like was the grip of the Australian attack at the start that as many as 28 dot balls were bowled in the first five overs.
Never one to be shackled for long, McCullum, who had dawdled for 14 deliveries without opening his account, perished in trying to break loose while slashing at an away going delivery from Siddle outside the off stump.
Opener Aaron Redmond and Martin Guptill batted with exaggerated circumspection, enabling the disciplined Australian attack to restrict the Kiwis to 22 for one after 10 overs and gain ascendancy.
The introduction of Nathan Hauritz in the attack soon bore fruit, the off spinner claiming both batsmen, who were beginning to show signs of breaking free, with intelligent varied deliveries.
Michael Hussey then held a brilliant catch offered by the aggressive Ross Taylor off Mitchell Johnson in the covers to reduce New Zealand to a miserable 94 for 5 off 26.4 overs.
The Australian attack refused to take the boot away from the Kiwis' throats, but Neil Broom (37 off 62 balls) and James Franklin (33 off 43) stood firm until Broom was run out, in quixotic fashion, as the result of brilliant fielding in the covers, again, by Hussey.
Hauritz finished with three for 37, and Brett Lee, who claimed his 50th wicket against New Zealand, when trapping the dangerous Grant Elliot for 9, two for 45.
Peter Siddle, took one for 30 in a particularly impressive performance, bowling his full quota of overs aggressively and fielding until the end, despite visibly being under the weather.
Chasing 201 at 4.02 per over, Australia dramatically lost opener Tim Paine (1) and skipper Ponting (1), top scorer in the tournament with 287 and needing 103 to equal Chris Gayle's Champions Trophy career record of 695 runs, with the score just six.
The fate of the match now appeared in the balance, but wicket-keeper McCullum dropped a simple catch offered by Cameron White to enable the Australians to coast to a well-deserved win.
White was bowled for 62, scored off 102 balls, with 67 runs still needed off 91, and seven wickets in hand.u00a0 Drooping and desperate Kiwi hopes were now buoyed.
Hussey was consumed by Jiten Patel in the covers off Mills to leave Australia needing 45 from 69 with six wickets in hand and diehard Kiwi fans clutching at straws.
But wishes were not about to be horses. The rampaging Watson, who has indubitably benefited by playing in the IPL, duly completed 2,000 runs in ODIs with two consecutive sixes, while scoring back-to-back centuries.
Along with James Hopes (22 not out), Watson steered Australia home to signal the start of well-deserved
celebrations.
Ponting's new-look side have demonstrated that they are on their way to being considered worthy successors to Australian greats Steve and Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn et al in ODI cricket.
That said, they have inherited a glorious tradition that, by the nature of providential decree, will take time to emulate.
