Hi and welcome to the Australia v New Zealand game. I am Sriram Veera and will bring you all the live action today.

Toss Ricky Ponting opts to bat.

Team changes Big news is that Shane Bond will miss the game. Jacob Oram has already been ruled out. Mark Gillespie and Michael Mason get a look in. Shane Watson in for Brad Hodge.

Pitch report: It looks a pretty good batting track. Damien Fleming reckons change of pace will be key for the bowlers.

In Oram's absence James Franklin will have to bat higher up the order. The preferred option seems to be to promote James Franklin three places to No. 6 so Brendon McCullum doesn't have to shift from seven. "It's about making this seamless and I think James is really looking forward to the challenge of it," Bracewell told NZPA. "He's batted quite well for a long period of time for us - it's nothing new for him to bat in the middle order."

Big game for Daniel Vettori. This will be his 200th ODI.

0.1

Mason to Gilchrist, 1 run, On the target, around off stump, dabbed to third man for a single

Hayden takes guard, goes down on his knees, peers down the track.

0.2

Mason to Hayden, 2 runs, on a length, around middle and leg, Hayden punches it through wide midwicket region for two runs

0.3

Mason to Hayden, no run, again on that middle and leg, curves in slightly, turned to square-leg

Umpires are wearing red dress since New Zealand are wearing black and Australia are in green and gold.

0.4

Mason to Hayden, no run, angling away from Hayden who lets it go through to the 'keeper

0.5

Mason to Hayden, no run, leans forward, pushes a length-delivery, on the middle and off to mid-off

0.6

Mason to Hayden, FOUR, There he goes. Hayden decides to impose himself. That trademark walk down the track, the bowler invariably bowls it short and he heaves it over wide mid-on. Head still and arms going through the line.

1.1

Franklin to Gilchrist, OUT, Gilchrist is gone! Caught at third man. Short and wide, he has biffed them for sixes before, he goes back and across, frees his arms and it flies off a thick edge straight to Mark Gillespie. Franklin has a sheepish smile on him.

AC Gilchrist c Gillespie b Franklin 1 (7m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

1.2

Franklin to Ponting, FOUR, Lollypop down the leg side - short and Ponting slaps it to fine leg boundary

1.3

Franklin to Ponting, no run, beauty. Fuller, on a length, around off and middle, Ponting lunges forward and the ball leaves him.

1.4

Franklin to Ponting, no run, length-delivery on the middle and leg, turned to midwicket

1.5

Franklin to Ponting, no run, leans forward, pushed a length-delivery to the on side

1.6

Franklin to Ponting, no run, lovely probing delivery, angling away from the off stump line, Ponting lunges forward in his characteristic fashion and shoulders arms.

Ponting has got to have the most aggressive leave in cricket today. Almost as if I can hit that if I want to but ....

2.1

Mason to Hayden, no run, around the off stump line, on a length, steered to point

On Bond's absence: Fleming said at the toss that he is still seeing the doctor. There has been some reports of him being sick. You never know..

2.2

Mason to Hayden, 1 run, short and outside off, cut to third man

2.3

Mason to Ponting, FOUR, It was short and bang. Ponting swivels and pulls it in front of square. The best puller in World Cricket.

2.4

Mason to Ponting, no run

2.5

Mason to Ponting, no run, shout for lbw. Fuller, on the middle and leg, angling in, Ponting, as his wont, gets his front leg across and has to play around it, misses and it thuds into the pad. But it was going down leg side

2.6

Mason to Ponting, 1 run, similar delivery, Ponting puts bat to ball this time, flicks it past square-leg for a single

Ah.. Trevor Chesterfield, the renowned cricket writer, is back with us. "C'mon Kiwis . . . give the Aussies an early wobble."

3.1

Franklin to Ponting, 1 run, Another single past square-leg. They are trying to get him lbw but straying a bit too much to the legs.

3.2

Franklin to Hayden, 1 no ball, full-pitched outside off stump, driven to cover

3.2

Franklin to Hayden, no run

3.3

Franklin to Hayden, 1 no ball, almost chopped on. Slightly short in length, just outside the off stump, Hayden thought about leaving it initially, then had a poke and gets a inside edge.

3.3

Franklin to Hayden, FOUR, Hayden rings the room service and Franklin serves one short and wide, slapped past point.

3.4

Franklin to Hayden, FOUR, Chesters, you have to wait for that wobble. Another boundary gift-wrapped by the bowler. Overpitched outside off stump and creamed through cover region. He leant on to that nicely, head over the ball and the right-elbow high.

3.5

Franklin to Hayden, no run, Around the off stump, on a length and Hayden pays respect by shouldering arms

3.6

Franklin to Hayden, no run, And again.

Colin A Misquita, from Qatar, is bewildered. "Whats happening?? All coaches resigning! Chappel, Fletcher, Whatmore, Buchanan, the late Woolmer, Moody (maybe)...Never seen something like this happening!"

Spin has been introduced. Jeetan Patel has come on. Shades of Martin Crowe using another Patel in the 1992. Deepak Patel was the man then.

4.1

Patel to Ponting, no run, turns in from outside off, Ponting leans forward, defends solidly

4.2

Patel to Ponting, no run, again spins in from outside off, Ponting lunges forward, guides to backward point. Will he charge out now?

Deep midwicket has moved to long on

4.3

Patel to Ponting, no run, Hello? sharp spin there. Turned in from outside off stump, Ponting back to cut and was surprised at the amount of spin and bounce, ends up jabbing it to point. We have a contest. Will he go for the sweep now?

4.4

Patel to Ponting, FOUR, Aha! he goes for the slog sweep. No man at deep midwicket and he went down on his knee and swung it over midwicket. Game on.

4.5

Patel to Ponting, no run, beaten. Quicker, straighter, outside off and Ponting tried to crash it through the off side, not the length for it, nor was there any width ( But of course had he pulled it off, I would have praised how he did it so brutally!) and is beaten

4.6

Patel to Ponting, no run, full and straight, fastish, defended carefully to the on side

5.1

Franklin to Hayden, no run, full in length, on the middle stump line, coming with the arm, pushed to mid-on

5.2

Franklin to Hayden, no run, Outside the off stump line, on a length, Hayden covers the off stump and lets it sail past him

5.3

Franklin to Hayden, FOUR, Hayden has a walk down the track. And oh .... he flat-bats a short of length delivery past mid-off. Merv Hughes, who is watching the game, looks pretty happy with the stroke.

5.4

Franklin to Hayden, 1 run

5.5

Franklin to Ponting, no run, Angling away from Ponting who leans forward and lets the ball go through to McCullum

5.6

Franklin to Ponting, no run, lands on a length, around off and middle, goes on with the angle, Ponting guides it to point

Scott: "I'm an Aussie fan, but I would be quite happy to see New Zealand win today. The longer we go without a loss in this World Cup, the more I am beginning to worry it will occur in one of the two matches after this!! Let's get that loss out of the system today boys."

6.1

Patel to Hayden, no run, on the middle stump line, from round the stumps, defended on the back foot.

Fleming is standing at first slip

6.2

Patel to Hayden, no run, on the off stump line, flat and quick, mistimes a cut to point

6.3

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, nice variation. Flighs this one, above the eye level, and it dips in front of off, driven to long off

6.4

Patel to Ponting, 2 runs, outside off stump, slight turn in, he is not ripping it so far this over, driven through extra cover

6.5

Patel to Ponting, FOUR, beaten in the flight but Ponting had the sense to go through with the shot. There was a deep midwicket, no long on and he gets a boundary. Flighted delivery and it dipped rapidly and beat Ponting who was looking to drive. He took the bottom-hand off the handle and went through with the shot and got it over mid-on.

6.6

Patel to Ponting, no run, spins in from outside off stump, driven to mid-off

7.1

Franklin to Hayden, no run, back of length, outside off stump and cut to Styris at deepish point.

7.2

Franklin to Hayden, 2 runs, Asad Rauf is hurt. Ouch. Hayden drills it straight back at him. Full-pitched, on the middle and Hayden goes for the red. Bang. Rauf tries to get away but there is no hiding. It thuds into his left arm. He wags his finger at Hayden, in mock threat.

7.3

Franklin to Hayden, FOUR, Rauf can breathe easy. Hayden carves this full-pitched one outside off stump through cover point.

7.4

Franklin to Hayden, (no ball) 1 run, slower one, on the middle and leg, pushed to the on side

7.4

Franklin to Ponting, (no ball) FOUR, Another no ball. Rauf screams No, Ponting says yes to the overpitched delivery outside off. He leans forward, square-drives to the point boundary.

7.4

Franklin to Ponting, no run, Just short of driveable length, outside off stump, pushed to Styris at short cover who turns around and throws down the stumps at non-striker's end. Hayden is inside the crease, may be he was aiming for Rauf

7.5

Franklin to Ponting, (no ball) FOUR, Fours keep coming. In a flood. Fullish, on the middle and leg, Ponting leans forward, on drives it past Vettori at mid-on. And would you believe it , it was another no ball.

7.5

Franklin to Ponting, no run, short and Ponting pulls it powerfully but Ross Taylor makes a good stop at square-leg

7.6

Franklin to Ponting, no run

Ben: "As a Kiwi, I completely agree with Scott, if for.. different reasons. We lost the league, so the cricket is ours!"

8.1

Mason to Hayden, 1 wide, Franklin bowls no ballsand Mason says time for me to bowl wides. From round the stumps and it slips down the leg side.

8.1

Mason to Hayden, no run, on the off and middle, defended back to the bowler

McCullum is standing up the stumps.

8.2

Mason to Hayden, 1 run, Slightly short in length, outside the off stump, Hayden pulls it , the bottom-hand comes off the handle, to deep midwicket

8.3

Mason to Ponting, (no ball) 1 run, Oh here comes a no ball. On a length, on the off stump line, Ponting opens the bat-face, guides it to third man

8.3

Mason to Hayden, 1 run, It's not a no-ball nor a wide. Minor miracle. On the off stump line, pushed past point for a single

8.4

Mason to Ponting, 1 run, length-delivery, outside off stump, cut to wide third man

8.5

Mason to Hayden, 2 runs, slower one, outside off stump, Hayden shows that he can play the touch game as well. Late cuts it to fine third man.

8.6

Mason to Hayden, SIX, Biffed. Clubbed and the rest of that Batman and Robin comic strip exclamations would fit. Fullish, on the middle stump line, Hayden heaves forward, takes out the front leg from the line and smokes it straight over the bowler's head and it soars over the boundary. Brutal.

Vettori comes on. Can he apply the band aid to the New Zealand wounds?

9.1

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, starts off with a flat delivery around off stump, cut to deep point

9.2

Vettori to Hayden, no run, on the middle stump line, pushed back to the bowler

9.3

Vettori to Hayden, no run

9.4

Vettori to Hayden, no run, outside off stump, and Hayden goes for a sweep. No wood on the leather though.

9.5

Vettori to Hayden, no run, nagging line on the middle, on a length, worked to midwicket. Last ball coming up, will he go for it?

9.6

Vettori to Hayden, no run, faster, arm-ball on the middle stump line, Hayden turns it to midwicket. End of a tight over. The first one without any boundary in it. That is as much a tribute to Vettori as it is a statement on how brutal Australia have been.

Another bowling change. Styris is on. Powerplay not taken

10.1

Styris to Ponting, no run, on the middle and leg, flicked to square-leg

Todd: "I'm an Aussie too and there is no way I want to see them lose to the Kiwis again. After the chappell hadlee series we need to get the wood over them again. Plus an undefeated world cup run is just their style!"

10.2

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, full and straight, outside off stump, Ponting leans forward, opens the bat-face, guides it to third man region

10.3

Styris to Hayden, no run, full in length, outside off stump, Hayden is struck on the pad as he tries to work it to off side. Point of impact was outside off though

10.4

Styris to Hayden, no run

10.5

Styris to Hayden, no run, lands on the middle, on a length, moves towards middle and off, Hayden stays beside the line, steers it to cover

10.6

Styris to Hayden, no run, Only two runs in the last two overs. Hayden backs away to the leg side, Styris keeps it full and straight, on the middle, Hayden tries to slog it across the line, bat-face shuts and the ball rolls over to the on side

11.1

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, tossed-up, slow through the air, Ponting is made to wait and he cuts it to deep cover

11.2

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, on the middle and leg, flatter, Hayden stays back, whips it to deep midwicket

11.3

Vettori to Ponting, no run, on the middle, comes in with the arm, Ponting leans forward and defends.

11.4

Vettori to Ponting, no run, full and on the middle and leg, Ponting leans forward, turns it to midwicket.

11.5

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, arm-ball, lands on the off stump line, comes in towards leg, Ponting pushes it out to long-off

11.6

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, Hayden skips down the track nonviolently and eases a fullish ball to long on

12.1

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, back of length, slanting outside off stump, Hayden pulls it to deep midwicket

12.2

Styris to Ponting, no run, on the middle stump line, full in length, comes in a touch, worked to midwicket

12.3

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, fullish, slightly slower, on the middle, driven down to long on

12.4

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, on the middle and leg, Hayden wrists it to deep midwicket

12.5

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, on the middle stump line, Ponting waits, flicks it past square-leg

12.6

Styris to Hayden, no run, patted to the off side, full ball outside off

13.1

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, slightly wide of off and Ponting cuts it away through the off side field for a single. Slightly short and he latches on

13.2

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, faster on on off, Hayden pushes his front foot forward and drives to long-on for a single

13.3

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, flighted outside off, pushed solidly to the covers for another easy single

13.4

Vettori to Hayden, no run, continues from around the wicket and fires it on the left-handers off stump, pushed confidently down the ground

changes to over the wicket this time, shifting the angle

13.5

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, full on off and Hayden angles it to long-on for a single

13.6

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, dropped it slightly short outside off to Ponting, punched to long-on for another single. Too easy this. New Zealand need wickets

14.1

Styris to Ponting, 2 runs, drifting down leg, Ponting turns it and gets a top-edge to fine leg for a brace. No fielder inside the circle at short fine, otherwise that could have been a chance

14.2

Styris to Ponting, no run, defended to the off side, cautious that time

14.3

Styris to Ponting, FOUR, too short and at Styris's pace all Ponting needs to do is wait on the back foot, swivel and beat square leg. It doesn't rise that much after pitching and Ponting just needs to roll his wrists to get a four

14.4

Styris to Ponting, no run, pushed to short midwicket, slightly uppish but drops well short of the fielder

14.5

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, driven to long-on for a single

14.6

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, slightly slower, outside off and seaming away, angled away to third man for a single

15.1

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, over the wicket again, Hayden down the track and pushes it wide of mid-on for another single. 100 up, in just the 16th over.

15.2

Vettori to Ponting, 1 run, full and swept away to square for a single

15.3

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, short and Hayden simply waits to club it through the off side for a single

15.4

Vettori to Ponting, no run, faster on off, defended to the off side

15.5

Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted ball outside leg and turning in, Ponting tries to work it to the leg side but can only get a leading edge to the off. Good change of pace from Vettori that time

15.6

Vettori to Ponting, no run, defended to cover, good over from Vettori that time. Time for drinks

Srini: "Australia should get a "bye" and go directly to the final of the next world cup. Rest of the teams should play among themselves and choose a winner to meet Australia. This game is already working out to be brutal."

Powerplay not taken yet.

16.1

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, around the off stump line, on a length, cut to short third man

16.2

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, fullish, on the middle, driven to long on

Tushar Walhekar is in a cheeky mood. "Did anyone notice who the reserve umpire is for the match, a certain Mr D J Harper of Australia! I think Hayden's shot at Asad Rauf was part of the plan"

16.3

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, another drive down the ground, this time to long off

16.4

Styris to Ponting, 2 wides, slips down the leg side, Ponting tries to lap it around the corner, misses and blinds McCullum in the process and it bobs away off McCullum's gloves

fine leg goes back. Mid on is in.

16.4

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, Hayden gets his 3rd WC fifty with a dab towards cover point. Ponting rushes across to shake his hands.

16.5

Styris to Ponting, 1 run, slightly short, outside off , cut to point, slight fumble there and they get a single

16.6

Styris to Hayden, no run, off cutter, on the off stump line, late cut to backward point and Hayden screams out No! to Ponting.

Sen Saba from USA sends this chuckle across. "where does all this aggression comes from for the aussie batsmen? were they not hugged enough as kids? damn it aussie moms..show ur kids some love..the other teams need their chances too." Gem!

17.1

Gillespie to Ponting, 1 run, On the leg side, Ponting leans forward, flicks it past midwicket. Fifty up. Merv Hughes, the selector, is seen clapping. Ponting raises his bat in acknowledgement to the crowd. Another Australian reaches a fifty. Surprise? Not.

17.2

Gillespie to Hayden, no run, full-pitched, on the off stump line, driven to mid-off

17.3

Gillespie to Hayden, FOUR, well outside the off stump, overpitched, and Hayden decides to thrash it straight down the ground, between the bowler and mid-off. He could have gone the conventional route through cover but then it is Hayden. He needs to bully and intimidate. Fab striker.

17.4

Gillespie to Hayden, no run, another thrash, quite similar delivery and this time he hits straight to cover. May be that's why he went down the ground last time

17.5

Gillespie to Hayden, no run, slow yorker, on the middle stump line, dug out to cover

17.6

Gillespie to Hayden, 1 run, fullish, on the off stump line, Hayden doesn't thrust his front leg forward, just bends down a touch and square-drives to deep point

Aussie in Denver chips in: "FYI, the Aussies have an average run rate this tournament of over 6.3, and have bowled the opposition out on all but 2 occasions (one being the shortened match against Bangladesh). " Hmm.....

18.1

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, slow in the air, outside the off stump, spins away a touch, cut to Vettori at sweeper cover

No slip in place.

18.2

Patel to Ponting, 1 run, well outside the off stump, doesn't turn in much, Ponting reaches out, cuts to sweeper cover

18.3

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, fuller, from round the stumps, on the off stump, well-flighted delivery, driven to extra cover

18.4

Patel to Ponting, no run, lands outside off, turns in, Ponting goes back, swats it to midwicket

18.5

Patel to Ponting, 1 run, tossed-up, outside off stump, Ponting caresses it down the ground.

18.6

Patel to Hayden, no run, arm-ball, outside off stump, Hayden leant back, waiting for the spin so that he can cut it away, sees that the ball is coming in, dabs it away to backward point

19.1

Gillespie to Ponting, 2 runs, length-delivery, outside off, Ponting eases it to widish long-off.

19.2

Gillespie to Ponting, 1 run, outside the off stump, comes in a touch, Ponting is again on that front foot, sees the width, opens the bat-face, steers it to third man

19.3

Gillespie to Hayden, 1 run, on the off stump line, back of length, Hayden stays where he is, punches it past midwicket. Another single.

19.4

Gillespie to Ponting, 2 runs, fullish, on middle and leg, on driven to wide long on. Two more.

19.5

Gillespie to Ponting, 1 run, full-pitched, on the off stump line, Ponting whips it across to deep midwicket

19.6

Gillespie to Hayden, 1 run, on a length, around off stump line, Hayden punches it down the ground to long off. Clinical. No risk. And still they get 8 runs in the over.

20.1

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, tossed-up, on the middle and leg, from round the stumps, eased down to long on

20.2

Patel to Ponting, 2 runs, spins in from well outside off, Ponting leans back, cuts it to deep cover. Last ten overs, 51 runs.

20.3

Patel to Ponting, 1 run, dabbed to the off side and they rush across for a quick single. McCullum rushes after it, takes his right gloves off and fires in a direct hit. Ponting is home though.

20.4

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, on the leg stump line, full, flicked to long leg

20.5

Patel to Ponting, 1 run, low full-toss, on the middle and leg, driven down the ground.

20.6

Patel to Hayden, 2 runs, flighted, outside off, Hayden leans forward and places it well to left of sweeper cover. Two more. Runs keep coming here. Fleming can't find a way to stem the rot.

Mark, a kiwi in denver, : "I suggest that the Aussie fan (in denver) and I find a bar (alas, still only 9am on Friday), to reflect on how well Australia has defended its large totals against the Black Caps in recent times!

9 am is fine guys. Go ... go .. go!

21.1

McMillan to Ponting, 1 run, on the middle and leg, flicked to midwicket region

21.2

McMillan to Hayden, 1 run, slightly short of length, slower, on the middle and off, Hayden picks up a single with a firm push to long off.

21.3

McMillan to Ponting, no run, on the off stump line, on a length, Ponting comes forward and defends solidly.

21.4

McMillan to Ponting, no run, similar delivery, Ponting tries to work it for a single, by pushing it towards mid-on region but the straight midwicket coems across to stop

21.5

McMillan to Ponting, 2 runs, Ponting says ok, then i will turn it to your right. Leans forward and whips it to right of midwicket and picks up two.

21.6

McMillan to Ponting, no run, on the off and middle, jabbed away

22.1

Patel to Hayden, no run, slow in the air, lands on the middle and off, turns towards off, dabbed away to the off side.

22.2

Patel to Hayden, 2 runs, fuller, on the off stump line, swept to long leg where McMillan fumbles and gives away an extra run

22.3

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, flighted, really slow in the air, Hayden is on the sweep, is made to wait and he takes out the top-hand off the handle, sweeps it to McMillan. No mistake from him this time and the crowd cheer. He smiles.

22.4

Patel to Ponting, 1 run, on the middle stump line, Ponting paddles it away behind square-leg

22.5

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, Another sweep, again it is McMillan. Again the crowd give him the full treatment.

22.6

Patel to Ponting, OUT, Suddenly, against the run of play, Ponting falls. Tossed-up, full in length, on the off stump line, Ponting skips down the track and whips it, but it goes in the air and Ross Taylor, at midwicket, jumps up to grab it. Ponting was trying to get it past Taylor and ping the cow corner but he hit it straight at the fielder.

RT Ponting c Taylor b Patel 66 (96m 70b 7x4 0x6) SR: 94.28

Fleming takes the 2nd Powerplay.

23.1

Gillespie to Hayden, no run, fullish, almost yorker-length, on the off stump line, jabbed back to the bowler

23.2

Gillespie to Hayden, 1 run, low full-toss, on the off stump line, flat-batted to long off

23.3

Gillespie to Clarke, 1 run, gets off the mark straightaway with a drive to left of mid-off.

23.4

Gillespie to Hayden, FOUR, Smoked. Hayden was waiting for the Powerplay and heaves a fullish-delivery on the leg and middle over wide mid-on.

23.5

Gillespie to Hayden, 1 run, low full-toss, on the middle, drilled down the track, Gillespie gets a hand on it and makes a half-stop

23.6

Gillespie to Clarke, 1 run, outside the off stump, full in length, Clarke drives to left of mid-off where McMillan makes a diving stop

24.1

Patel to Clarke, 1 run, on the middle and leg, flicked past square-leg

24.2

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, full, on the off stump line, Hayden clears the front foot but the ball is almost yorker-length, and he is not able to get under the ball, still jabs it away to mid-on

24.3

Patel to Clarke, no run, leans forward to defend.

24.4

Patel to Clarke, 1 run, nice. Flighted delivery, Clarke leant forward but the ball dipped rapidly in front of him and he adjusted to work it to the on side.

24.5

Patel to Hayden, no run, Hayden backs away, Patel hurls if full, on the middle and off, driven straight to Fleming at mid-off

24.6

Patel to Hayden, no run, comes down the track and Patel fires it in the block hole, dug out to the on side and Patel makes the stop. Good over from Patel. He varied the pace, flight and the length.

25.1

Gillespie to Clarke, no run, length-delivery, on the off stump line, punched to mid-off

25.2

Gillespie to Clarke, FOUR, width outside off, full in length and Clarke reaches it and crashes it to cover point.

25.3

Gillespie to Clarke, FOUR, edged to third man boundary. Again well outside off stump, on a length, Clarke moved towards the line, slashes it.

25.4

Gillespie to Clarke, FOUR, Three in a row. Clarke is up and running in style. Overpitched, outside off and he leant forward to cream it through extra cover. There was a short extra cover and a cover in place and he pierced the two.

25.5

Gillespie to Clarke, no run, again he lunges forward, it is just short of a driveable length and he pushes it towards cover point

25.6

Gillespie to Clarke, 2 runs, on the middle and leg, fullish, Clarke flicks it to deep midwicket. They run hard and come back for the second run.

26.1

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, full-pitched, Hayden begins to back away and Patel follows him and driven down the ground

26.2

Patel to Clarke, 1 run, flatter, turns in from outside off, Clarke pushes it to right of mid-on. Another single.

26.3

Patel to Hayden, 1 run, again full, on the middle stump line, Hayden takes out the front leg from the line, heaves but the length is such that he is not able to loft it and gets it through widish mid-on

26.4

Patel to Clarke, no run, driven straight to mid-off

26.5

Patel to Clarke, no run, flighted, on the middle, Clarke comes down the track, the ball dips, flicks to midwicket. Nice bowling.

26.6

Patel to Clarke, 1 run, flatter, pushes that one through, on the off stump line, driven to long on

Wareo in Fort Lauderdale, in Florida, asks if anyone knows of aussie bars in Ft Lauderdale that are showing the cricket?

If you find Indians or Pakistanis there, go easy on them ok?

27.1

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, flicked past square-leg

27.2

Vettori to Hayden, no run, on the middle stump line, Hayden backs away, but doesn't find room to cut, dabs it to point

deep backward square comes into the circle and square leg back on the fence

27.3

Vettori to Hayden, no run, backs away and Vettori follows him, can only defend it to the off side

27.4

Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, imposing shot that time, down the track and lofted over mid-off for a glorious four. With the power of an ox, he clatters that

27.5

Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, take that again! down the track and driven past mid-off for another four. Checked his shot in the last moment but it's racing away.

27.6

Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, Blitzer that time. That's the third successive four and the best of the lot, backing away down the track and tonk! Vettori can only show his frustration as Hayden biffs that over his head for another four. It's not Powerplay time but Hayden's power is doing all the playing

Styris into the attack

28.1

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, driven to long-on for a single. Full on off and Clarke gets his front foot foward and works it away

28.2

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, slightly short outside off, on the back foot and slaps it to long-on for a single. Wanted to get it towards midwicket and is angry with himself

28.3

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, turned away towards square for a brisk single

28.4

Styris to Hayden, no run, backs away outside off again and Styris sees him this time, delivers it full and wide outside off.

28.5

Styris to Hayden, SIX, Too easy. Full on middle and Hayden tees off, in most emphatic fashion. From the middle of the bat the ball soars way, way over wide long-on for a huge six. Cracking them straight and cracking them with the touch of the brutal

28.6

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, cut away to square for a single

29.1

Vettori to Hayden, no run, tapped away to the off side, can't find the gap

29.2

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, cramped for room but tucked away towards mid-on for a quick single

29.3

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, faster one on middle and off, driven wide of mid-on for a single

29.4

Vettori to Hayden, no run, low full toss on middle, driven straight to short midwicket

29.5

Vettori to Hayden, (no ball) 1 run, fired in on middle and leg, drives on the front foot for a single to long-on

29.5

Vettori to Clarke, no run, faster ball on off, defended to the off side, can't pierce the gap

29.6

Vettori to Clarke, (no ball) FOUR, goes for the arm ball, short and wide and Clarke is waiting on the back foot there, cuts it away fiercely past short third man for a four. He plays the spinners beautifully

29.6

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, tucked away to square for a single

HRG: This will be the 100th hundred in World Cups if and when Hayden gets there

30.1

Styris to Clarke, no run, leans forward to defend

30.2

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, on the middle and off, driven to long on

30.3

Styris to Hayden, no run, slower, outside the off stump, Hayden tries to carve it through the off side but misses

30.4

Styris to Hayden, 1 run, That's it! He reaches his 10th ODI hundred with a drive to long on. Arms held aloft, Clarke rushes to hug him, players are up in the balcony, the crowd cheer, flags are being waved. This is the 100th ton in the history of World Cups. Well done Haydos.

30.5

Styris to Clarke, no run

30.6

Styris to Clarke, no run, leans forward, tickles a delivery on the middle and leg past square-leg. Time for drinks

Allan S Gopie has the news on the pub: "There is a place in Fort Lauderdale showing the game but they are not Aussie fans, more like West Indies Fans. It is called the D River Cook, on the corner of Oakland Park Blvd & University Drive - All Trinidad people run it. Should be packed there tomorrow with it being Lara's last game."

Go there boys. Have fun. Cheers!

31.1

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, on the middle and off, driven to long on

Ashwin slaps me with this: "Can't you comment with out being sarcastic about India/Pakistan loosing early? I am sick and tired of this and so will be many disappointed people."

arre! Don't take it to heart boss. (Dil mat ley bhai!)

31.2

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, another single with a drive to long on

31.3

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run

31.4

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, short of length, arm-ball, outside off stump, punched to deep point for a single

31.5

Vettori to Hayden, 1 run, fuller, on the off stump line, Hayden shuffles across, gets close to the line, drives to long on

31.6

Vettori to Clarke, 1 run, from round the stumps, drifts in on the middle, straightens, Clarke waits, wrists it to square-leg

32.1

Styris to Clarke, 1 wide, slips down the leg side.

32.1

Styris to Clarke, no run, Clarke threatens to back away, then gets back in line, Styris is unfazed, bowls full and straight, tucked to square-leg

32.2

Styris to Clarke, no run, on the off and middle, offcutter, pushed back to the bowler

32.3

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, fuller, on the middle, flicked away to right of midwicket where Taylor dives to make the stop

32.4

Styris to Hayden, OUT, Styris takes a beauty, running back towards the 30-yard circle. Off cutter, on the middle and Hayden has a swing across the line and ends up lobbing it high towards long on. The fielder rushes forward from the deep, Styris runs back ,gravity pulls the ball down and Styris reaches, lunges forward to grab it. Fab knock from Hayden.

ML Hayden c & b Styris 103 (150m 100b 10x4 2x6) SR: 103.00

32.5

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, on the middle stump line, driven to long on

32.6

Styris to Hussey, no run, full and outside off stump, right up there, jabbed away to cover

3rd Powerplay taken.

33.1

Franklin to Clarke, no run, on the off and middle, pushed back to the bowler.

33.2

Franklin to Clarke, no run

33.3

Franklin to Clarke, no run, full and outside off, driven straight to extra cover

33.4

Franklin to Clarke, no run, Clarke backs away, Franklin, from round the stumps, hurls it fuller and on the middle and leg, sliced away to point

33.5

Franklin to Clarke, 1 run, again he backs away and carves a low full toss outside off past point

33.6

Franklin to Hussey, 2 runs, fullish, flicked to square-leg

Sattu offers more news on the Lauderdal pub: "Fort Lauderdale:Waxy's irish pub on SE 17th street shows some games esp all of english, irish and some NZ, AUs, SA ones." That should do. I don't want the other pub owners now complaining why I have not plugged for them as well.

A few fans have flamed me for getting that hindi phrase wrong. It was a mere typo gentlemen. It should have been Dil pey mat ley ? Ok? Happy now?!

34.1

Styris to Clarke, no run, driven to mid-on

34.2

Styris to Clarke, no run, backs away, Styris follows him, cramps him for room and the ball beats the loose drive and rushes between Clarke and the leg stump

34.3

Styris to Clarke, FOUR, fuller, on the legs, Clarke leans across, flicks it fine. Very fine.

34.4

Styris to Clarke, no run, full, on a length, on middle and leg, driven to mid-on

34.5

Styris to Clarke, 1 run, on the off stump line, full in length, driven to long on

34.6

Styris to Hussey, no run, pushed across Hussey who tries to cut but misses.

35.1

Franklin to Clarke, FOUR, attempts a yorker, ends up as a low full-toss, outside off stump and Clarke drives to left of mid-off. Easy pickings.

35.2

Franklin to Clarke, FOUR, Another boundary. Overpitched on the leg and middle, not the line to bowl and Clarke swings it to deep midwicket

35.3

Franklin to Clarke, OUT, OMG! Clarke shoulders arms and hey presto! the middle stump has gone for a walk. Unbelievable! Comedy of errors. It was a slower one, on the middle, Clarke backed away, raised his bat and then was indecisive what to with the delivery. He just let the bat hang high and watched in horror his own demise. It went through straight, (get the bat down man get the bat down, nope) and kissed the middle stump. Clarke is gone. Bizarre. Watch it on the Youtube.

MJ Clarke b Franklin 49 (59m 46b 7x4 0x6) SR: 106.52

35.4

Franklin to Symonds, no run, on the middle stump line, wirsted to midwicket where Taylor does the job

35.5

Franklin to Symonds, 1 wide, loses control at the point of delivery, sends a full toss way outside off stump, Symonds can't reach it and McCullum, standing up to the stumps, gathers

35.5

Franklin to Symonds, no run, length-delivery, well outside the off stump, Hayden has a flash and a miss

35.6

Franklin to Symonds, FOUR, again well outside the off stump, as if he is giving him some batting practice at clearing rubbish, and Symonds thrashes it to cover boundary.

36.1

Styris to Hussey, 1 run, slower one, off cutter, outside off stump, Hussey fetches it from there and pulls it to deep midwicket

36.2

Styris to Symonds, no run, full and on the off stump, straighter one, driven to midwicket

36.3

Styris to Symonds, 1 run, on the middle and leg, tickled behind square-leg

36.4

Styris to Hussey, no run, short and outside off, cut to point. Styris is bowling a slew of off cutters

36.5

Styris to Hussey, FOUR, another off cutter, slightly short in length and outside off stump and Hussey rocks back, pulls it from there to deep midwicket boundary. It was too short and pleaded to be hit. Hussey did the mercy killing.

36.6

Styris to Hussey, no run, overpitched, outside off stump, driven to cover

37.1

Franklin to Symonds, no run, on the off stump line, dabbed to point on the front foot

37.2

Franklin to Symonds, 1 run, back of length, comes in from the off stump line, Symonds stays beside the line, opens the bat-face, late cuts it to third man region

37.3

Franklin to Hussey, 1 run, slower one, off break, Hussey waits, pats it to backward point region

37.4

Franklin to Symonds, 1 run, length-delivery outside off, swatted to long off

37.5

Franklin to Hussey, no run, full in length, outside off stump, comes in a touch, driven to cover.

37.6

Franklin to Hussey, no run, slow off cutter, back of length, outside off stump, cut straight to point

38.1

Styris to Symonds, 1 run, fullish, outside off stump, drilled to long off

38.2

Styris to Hussey, 1 run, full, straight, on the middle stump line, Hussey waits, tickles it to short third man region

38.3

Styris to Symonds, no run, slower one, dips on the middle stump line, pushed back to the bowler.

38.4

Styris to Symonds, 1 run, length-delivery, angling in towards leg stump, turned to square-leg. McMillan fires in a direct hit at the non-striker's end, and Aussies take the overthrow on the rebound. 250 up.

38.5

Styris to Hussey, 1 run, full-pitched, another slow off cutter, Hussey eases it to long off

38.6

Styris to Symonds, no run, on the middle and leg, punched to midwicket

39.1

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, full and on the off stump line and once again Hussey drives to long off. Can we pick some other place please?!

39.2

Vettori to Symonds, no run, arm-ball, on the off stump line, Symonds waits and waits, the ball appears to be crashing on the off stump when he condescends to bring the bat down, chops to backward point

39.3

Vettori to Symonds, 1 run, on the middle stump line, defleced past midwicket

39.4

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, bit of air, bit of loop, outside off stump, and yep, he drives to long off.

39.5

Vettori to Symonds, 1 run, arm-ball, just outside the off stump, Symonds goes back and across, late-cuts it to short third man region. It hit him high on the bat and hence he doesn't get much power behind it.

39.6

Vettori to Hussey, 2 runs, if its not long off, he will pull it to deep midwicket region. Don't blame him, it was short and he swatted it away

40.1

Patel to Symonds, OUT, Done in the flight and Mason gets under a swirling delivery at long off. Tossed-up and Symonds charged out but it dipped outside off stump and Symonds reached out and ended up scooping it out high. It swirled as it came down, Mason went left and left, then to right, the ball came down as if its drunk, swaying and swirling and he lunged back to take the catch. Well done.

A Symonds c Mason b Patel 11 (20m 16b 1x4 0x6) SR: 68.75

40.2

Patel to Hussey, 2 runs, on the leg and middle, flicked to square-leg

40.3

Patel to Hussey, 1 run, on a length, outside off stump, turns with bounce, Hussey rocks back, cuts past point

40.4

Patel to Watson, no run, leans forward to defend

40.5

Patel to Watson, 1 run, drives to long on for a single

40.6

Patel to Hussey, no run, flatter, went with the arm, from round the stumps, Hussey pats it to point. No chance of a run.

Patel has been very impressive so far. Nice flight and loop and he has kept varying it. Pushes it flatter on occasions.

41.1

Vettori to Watson, 1 run, floated from round the stumps, on the middle and off, driven to long on

41.2

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, on the off stump line, goes on with the angle, Hussey leans forward, taps it to short third man region for a single.

41.3

Vettori to Watson, 1 run, short, flat, quick and Watson cuts to deep point

41.4

Vettori to Hussey, 2 runs, on the off stump line, Hussey leant forward and drove it inside-out past point. He placed it very well at the right pace and picks up two as a reward.

41.5

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, full and straight, on the middle and off, guided to short third man

41.6

Vettori to Watson, 1 run, flighted, slow through the air, on the middle and off stump line, drifting in, Watson leans forward, waits, turns it past midwicket

42.1

Patel to Watson, 1 run, quickish off spin, on the middle and leg, Watson stays back, wrists it behind square-leg

Fleming has a long chat with the square-leg umpire. Dunno whats it all about. Was he asking the officials to force the Australian batsmen to go easy?!

42.2

Patel to Hussey, no run, on the off stump line, driven to cover

42.3

Patel to Hussey, no run, beaten. From round the stumps, it lands on the off stump line and spun away, Hussey shaped to swing/slog it away over midwicket, misses.

42.4

Patel to Hussey, 1 run, sweeps it this time, will get a single

42.5

Patel to Watson, no run, flatter, lands outside the off stump, turns in, worked to midwicket

42.6

Patel to Watson, no run, slower - again varies the pace, outside off stump, turns in a touch, Watson is made to wait, pats it to backward point.

43.1

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, single down to long on

Gaurav: "I don't get the point, why McMillan was'nt given more than 1 over despite having the best bowling figures in the NZ- SA clash 5-0-23-3?"

43.2

Vettori to Watson, 2 runs, Watson shuffles right across the stumps, Vettori slows the pace, floats it on the middle and Watson paddles it away

43.3

Vettori to Watson, 1 run, full and outside off stump, Watson square-drives it to deep point

43.4

Vettori to Hussey, no run, on the middle and leg, worked to midwicket

43.5

Vettori to Hussey, no run, And again. The spinners are bowling very well here. Lovely change of pace.

43.6

Vettori to Hussey, 1 run, flatter, on the middle and leg, goes on straight, Hussey turns it past square-leg

44.1

Patel to Hussey, 1 run, charges down the track, takes it on the full, square-drives to sweeper cover

44.2

Patel to Watson, 1 run, spins in from outside the off stump, Watson shuffles across, whips it past square-leg

44.3

Patel to Hussey, 1 run, from round the stumps, loops it in full on the middle stump line, Hussey shapes to slog sweep it, the ball grips, spins and he gets a inside edge on to the pad and it rolls away to short third man area

44.4

Patel to Watson, 1 run, on the off and middle, driven to long on

44.5

Patel to Hussey, no run, full and on the middle and leg, at the yorker-length, turned straight to midwicket.

44.6

Patel to Hussey, (no ball) 1 run, loopy delivery, low full-toss, on middle and off, driven to long on

44.6

Patel to Watson, 1 run, full and on the middle, keeping it right up there, Watson works it past square-leg

45.1

Gillespie to Watson, FOUR, Paddle scoop! Watson shuffles across the sticks, leans forward, laps a full-length delivery behind square-leg

45.2

Gillespie to Watson, 1 run, tries to repeat the stroke, doesn't get the elevation though.

Asaad Saeed: "f it wasn't for Fleming and shrewd captaincy, Australia would be reaching for 400 not 300. Patel, Vettori, and Styris have done an excellent job, who needs McMillan?"

45.3

Gillespie to Hussey, no run, Hussey charges out, Gillespie hurls in a slower one, full and outside off, Hussey tries to jab it away to third man, bat meets air, ball goes through to McCullum

45.4

Gillespie to Hussey, 1 run, full-pitched, around off stump, driven to extra cover.

45.5

Gillespie to Watson, 1 run, slower one again, delivered from the back of the hand, on the off stump line, chopped down to short third man

45.6

Gillespie to Hussey, 1 run, from round the stumps comes a yorker-length delivery, dug out past cover.

Saurav offers another reason: "I guess McMillan will be Fleming's secret bowling weapon for the Semi-final and the final if they reach :)"

Here comes McMillan.

46.1

McMillan to Hussey, FOUR, Low full-toss, slower one, outside the off stump, Hussey waits, sweeps it over midwicket.

46.2

McMillan to Hussey, no run, another slower one, another slog sweep attempted but he doesn't connect. It just kisses past the off stump

46.3

McMillan to Hussey, 1 run, Again a slow one. This time full at the blockhole, on the middle, driven to long off

46.4

McMillan to Watson, no run, And again the change of the pace. Slow, loopy, on the middle and off, pushed back to the bowler. Actually, it will be a change of pace if he works up the pace. Clever.

46.5

McMillan to Watson, 1 run, appeal for a run out. Driven to midwicket and a direct hit at the non-striker's hand but Watson had grounded his bat in time.

46.6

McMillan to Hussey, 1 run, yeah you guessed right. Yet another slow one. Off break,. outside off stump, Hussey waits and waits, drives to long off

47.1

Gillespie to Hussey, 1 no ball, The off stump goes for a walk but hold on .. its a no ball. Sorrow for the bowler, joy for Hussey. Hussey backed away and is beaten on the drive by a yorker on the off stump.

Gillespie is bowling round the stumps at Hussey

47.1

Gillespie to Hussey, 1 leg bye, length-delivery, angling in on the middle and leg, tries to lap it away, and it rolls of the pad

47.2

Gillespie to Watson, SIX, Whack. Watson takes one step back with his front leg and then thrusts forward, like a baseball hitter, and swing a fullish delivery outside off over cover. Flat and fast. Screaming six.

47.3

Gillespie to Watson, 2 runs, He goes again, gets a bit too under the delivery and it lands in no man's land beyond cover

47.4

Gillespie to Watson, FOUR, Cute. Shuffles across and paddle scoops, laps it over short fine leg. Ala Ashraful. Of course had he missed, I would have written too cute for his own comfort.

47.5

Gillespie to Watson, FOUR, Whoosh! Disappears to the midwicket boundary. It was a slower one, ends up as a low full-toss, on the off stump and clubbed over midwicket.

47.6

Gillespie to Watson, SIX, Leading edge to six over long on. Hmm... Gillespie went round the stumps, bowled one fullish, on leg and middle, Watson tried to loft it over wide midwicket, got a leading edge and it flew over the ropes.

48.1

McMillan to Hussey, 1 run, backs away, McMillan sends across one of his specials - a slow off break, well outside the off stump and Hussey reaches out, jabs it past point

48.2

McMillan to Watson, 2 runs, This is interesting. Yet another slower one, again the batsmen is unable to do much with it, shovelled past midwicket

48.3

McMillan to Watson, FOUR, Not any more. Sends this slower one to long on boundary. Watson waited this time and hit it down the ground. Marshall at long on rushed across to his left and threw in a full length dive but can't reach it. One bounce over the ropes

48.4

McMillan to Watson, 1 run, on the off stump line, late cut to third man

48.5

McMillan to Hussey, 1 run, full and outside off stump, slicked past cover

48.6

McMillan to Watson, 1 run, another slow off break, lands outside off stump and turns in. Watson had shuffled across the stumps to play his lap/paddle shot but there is not much pace to work with and he ends up swatting it to short fine leg region

49.1

Franklin to Watson, 2 runs, moves outside leg stump and slices a fullish delivery towards deep point. Comes back for the second and hello! its his fifty. Breezy knock.

49.2

Franklin to Watson, 1 run, on the middle and leg, pushed to midwicket for a single. Franklin is bowling from round the stumps

49.3

Franklin to Hussey, OUT, Fools Hussey with a slower one. From over the wicket, full and outside off, Hussey went down his knee and tried to swing it across the line, got a top edge to square-leg.

MEK Hussey c Styris b Franklin 37 (75m 44b 2x4 0x6) SR: 84.09

49.4

Franklin to Watson, SIX, Up .. up and over long on. Full, from round the stumps, right in the slot and Watson knives through the line.

49.5

Franklin to Watson, 2 runs, slower ball, on the leg stump line, Watson retains the strike with a push past square-leg.

49.6

Franklin to Watson, SIX, The white ball is flying everywhere. This one, the last ball of the innings, has been sucked over cover. He backed to the leg side and smoked a full-pitched one up and over cover.

In the record chase in Hamilton New Zealand hunted down 346. Today they have to beat that. 349 to win. Can they? The wicket has got a bit slower. Join us in a while to find out.