Aussies in action!
Today was a day less ordinary! I've always dreamt of seeing the Aussie juggernaut live in action. School, exams, college (really?) kept coming in the way, and the last time they played in Pune, I had a stupid job! Finally, the occasion presented in the form of a practice match organised for the Aussies (we're having the Champions trophy, remember?) and they took on Mumbai at the MIG club in Bandra.
Hopes of seeing a ridiculously high score on a small ground were dashed when I realised that Australia were fielding first.
The Aussies polished off the Mumbai batsmen in a hurry and we were seriously left wondering as to how to spend the later half of the day, when the rearguard action came from No.9 & No. 10, & Mumbai managed to post a respectable 218!
Gilly was in commanding form and feasted on Mumbai's mediocre pace attack. Even the 'once-India-star' Zaheer Khan could do little but watch the ball disappear to different parts of the ground! Against the run of play, Mumbaikars Nilesh Kulkarni (skipper) & Redkar combined beautifully to put the Aussies in some trouble, getting rid of Gilly & Watson in quick succession. But Ponting & Martyn put on a century stand which took the Aussies very close to victory.
After that what followed was absolutely incredulous! Apparently, the Aussies were going for 300. So the match really picked up after Aus passed 218 in the 42nd over. 82 in 8 overs was always on the cards and Symonds showed how dangerous he can be, esp.for the crowds on small grounds. A six sent the spectators on the pavilion terrace ducking for cover! But Symonds, Clarke, Hogg & Hussey departed soon. It was left to Mcgrath & Bracken to garner 19 from the final over and even though 'Pigeon' smashed a superb flat six, Aussies ended up with 292.
Had lots of fun esp. with the Aussie fielders on the boundary. Watson was the one who probably learnt the most Hindi today! The crowd also teased Mcgrath by chanting 'Sachin Sachin' to which we received a wry smile! Hope my friend Swapnil has clicked some good pictures and videos for us to enjoy later.
All said and done, a great day! A sore butt (sitting in cramped quarters for 7 hours on a wooden platform) not withstanding, a dayI'll cherish till I see the wonderful champions again!
Hope they finally go home with the only elusive trophy for them!!!
Hopes of seeing a ridiculously high score on a small ground were dashed when I realised that Australia were fielding first.
The Aussies polished off the Mumbai batsmen in a hurry and we were seriously left wondering as to how to spend the later half of the day, when the rearguard action came from No.9 & No. 10, & Mumbai managed to post a respectable 218!
Gilly was in commanding form and feasted on Mumbai's mediocre pace attack. Even the 'once-India-star' Zaheer Khan could do little but watch the ball disappear to different parts of the ground! Against the run of play, Mumbaikars Nilesh Kulkarni (skipper) & Redkar combined beautifully to put the Aussies in some trouble, getting rid of Gilly & Watson in quick succession. But Ponting & Martyn put on a century stand which took the Aussies very close to victory.
After that what followed was absolutely incredulous! Apparently, the Aussies were going for 300. So the match really picked up after Aus passed 218 in the 42nd over. 82 in 8 overs was always on the cards and Symonds showed how dangerous he can be, esp.for the crowds on small grounds. A six sent the spectators on the pavilion terrace ducking for cover! But Symonds, Clarke, Hogg & Hussey departed soon. It was left to Mcgrath & Bracken to garner 19 from the final over and even though 'Pigeon' smashed a superb flat six, Aussies ended up with 292.
Had lots of fun esp. with the Aussie fielders on the boundary. Watson was the one who probably learnt the most Hindi today! The crowd also teased Mcgrath by chanting 'Sachin Sachin' to which we received a wry smile! Hope my friend Swapnil has clicked some good pictures and videos for us to enjoy later.
All said and done, a great day! A sore butt (sitting in cramped quarters for 7 hours on a wooden platform) not withstanding, a dayI'll cherish till I see the wonderful champions again!
Hope they finally go home with the only elusive trophy for them!!!
posted by sajetspeaketh at 4:47 AM
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