Ponting and Clarke put Australia in winning position

Australia piled on the runs and pressure on the second day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Ricky Ponting registering a hundred and Michael Clarke an unbeaten maiden double to leave the hosts leading by 291 at stumps.

All the media hype has surrounded Sachin Tendulkar, but never has Ponting faced so much skepticism about his ability or so many calls for his removal from the side by people ‘in the know’. Yet Punter showed no discouragement, cruising along until Ishant Sharma had him out for 134, moving his series average up to 85, and proving the doubters wrong.

The day had begun in a rather sombre mood, polite applause for Clarke and Ponting’s half-centuries drowned out by the stadium announcer. India looked suitably dejected –  shoulders slouched, an unwillingness to chase in the field feeding Australia’s dominance with the bat. Stroke by stroke the current and former captain dismantled the visitors.

Ponting showcased the grit and determination needed to make his ton in one frenetic final single. Having hovered one shot away from breaking his near two-year century drought for three overs, he tapped one to the on-side, scampered down the pitch, threw himself into the dirt and slid to safety, praying that the throw was wide. It was, and he had completed the necessities; subsequent shots flew gracefully from the bat – the relieved man going just after tea. From that point on it was all about the new guy in charge, Clarke (251 not out) controlling play, merciless in his hunt for runs.

The hosts looked sharp, yet their endeavour raises questions about India’s lack – Virender Sehwag’s fourth ball of his second spell summing up their current state. Jogging in, he mistimed the release of delivery, flung the ball straight up, missed umpire Erasmus by inches – only for laughter to erupt all-round. India simply aren’t hurting, showing no embarrassment for their performance and certainly no desire to improve the situation.

A cameo innings by Mike Hussey – 55 not out – didn’t help matters, Mr Cricket surely cementing his place in the side for the series. On a pitch that may hold out one more day before deteriorating, India could really do with Tendulkar finally getting that 100^th hundred if they are to have any chance of not losing this match and the series.

Late wicket revive England’s hopes

Flower’s appointment key for England

It’s taken 18 attempts and 35 years, but England have finally won a global limited-overs tournament.

Victory over Australia – and a crushing victory at that – in the World Twenty20, finally shed an unwanted record: no longer are England the only major Test nation to never have won a major, world trophy. For a team that last reached a major final in 2004 – and hasn’t looked consistently dangerous in limited overs cricket for nearly 20 years – that is a fine achievement.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of this success is that it was based around an all-round team performance. England have only used 12 players in the entire event – and Bopara played just the one game while KP was on paternity leave – with all of the first choice XI contributing.

Ryan Sidebottom, who was controversially selected ahead of James Anderson, vindicated that faith by finishing as England’s leading wicket-taker in the event (equal with the excellent Graeme Swann) and claiming two early wickets in the final. Luke Wright contributed with a couple of fine innings and a nerveless over under pressure in the final, Mike Yardy was mean with the ball and Eoin Morgan, despite limited opportunities, reinforced the impression that he could become one of the finest players in the world.

Neither Lumb – who was exposed by Australia’s pace – or Kieswetter – who was lucky to see Swann catch Watson via a rebound off Kieswetter’s iron-like gloves in the first over and has questions to answer against the short ball – are ready for Test cricket.

But they proved the right choice for this event. Broad conceded fewer than seven runs an over and Bresnan showed well-honed skill with bat and ball. All have fielded with commitment and skill. It has been a highly impressive performance.

For all that, one man stood out this tournament. Kevin Pietersen was immense for England. It was not just that he was the second highest run-scorer in the event (only Mahela Jayawardene managed more), it was the manner he scored them. KP’s batting now intimidates bowlers in a way that few  – Bradman and Viv Richards spring to mind – have ever managed. He’s not just back to his best, he’s batting better than ever. A prolific summer looms.

His batting in the final emboldened the team. Before his arrival, Lumb and Kieswetter had both looked troubled by the extreme pace of Nannes and Tait.

KP looked to have all the time in the world, however. Treating Tait – who topped 97 mph at one stage – like a medium-pace trundler – KP, lent back and drove him for six over mid-off. It was batting of the highest class.

Recognition as player of the tournament was no more than he deserved.
Afterwards, Pietersen admitted that his improved form was rooted in “disappointment”. “It was the disappointment of the last 12 months [that motivated me],” he said. “So I worked very hard in Bangladesh and India. I spent hours in the nets, had lots of nights and dinners with ‘Colly’ [Paul Collingwood] when I had lost sight of how I should play.

“So these are moments to savour. It’s difficult to believe. It’s humbling.
“But the team is the important thing and if not for the team, I wouldn’t be here.”

Kieswetter followed KP’s suit with some audacious strokes. He’s nowhere near the finished article, but he demonstrated some raw talent that bodes very well for the future.

And what of Andy Flower? It’s little over a year ago that Flower assumed the England coaching role against a background of chaos and discord. After a tricky start – remember the ignominy of Jamaica and Holland – he’s now overseen Ashes victory and that elusive limited-overs success. That, by any standards, is an excellent achievement and it is no coincedence that England’s revival coincided his appointment. 

England are almost unrecognisable from the rabble he inherited. Where once the players seemed timid and hesitant, they now appear fearless and positive. Where once England were, at best, workmanlike in the field, they are now consistently superb, and where once their bowling was predictable, it is now intelligent and disciplined. Flower must take much of the credit.

Perhaps England had a little fortune in the final. The dismissal of Haddin surely owed more to poor umpiring than fine bowling, but Michael Clarke was quite right when he admitted afterwards that his team had been “outplayed by a better team.” Indeed, he said England played “wonderful cricket.”

In truth, Australia had been living dangerously for a while. Their top-order had rarely fired at this event and, excellent though the Husseys and White remained until the end, it was asking too much of them to continually rebuild.

Collingwood compared the success favourably with any in his career. Including the Ashes.

“It’s very special,” he said. “This is right up there with the best [moments of my career]. To be the first [England] team to win a [cricket] world cup is amazing and it’s something that can never be taken away from us.

“Everyone in the team contributed but, the really exciting thing is that we have a lot more potential. The good team kick-on and we can do that now.

“This [no global success] has been a real monkey on our back. But now we’ve done it on the big occasion; we’ve done it under pressure and we’ve done it as a team. It’s a very special moment.”