RESULT
11th Match (D/N), Melbourne, February 04, 2007, Commonwealth Bank Series
(48.2/50 ov, T:291) 291/5

Australia won by 5 wickets (with 10 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
104 (113)
ricky-ponting
New
AUS
Full commentary

Hodge leaves the ground to massive cheers. He had scores of 0 and 1 in the series before this and has put his hand up with an outstanding hundred at his home ground.

Vincent and Fulton set up the game nicely by powering New Zealand to 290. During the chase the asking-rate crept up to seven an over by the half-way stage but not once did Ponting or Hodge panic. Ponting led from the front with an super-cool century and Hodge overcame a nervy start to see Australia through to the target.

This defeat means that New Zealand and England are on equal points heading into the final group match at Brisbane on Tuesday. That match is a virtual semi-final and make sure you tune in for it. I've enjoyed bringing this game to you, thanks for all your emails. Cheers!

48.2
2
Gillespie to Hodge, 2 runs

that's the victory! Hodge drives through point and shouts "wait", once he sees the ball beat the infield he sets off for the double, he finishes on 99, pity he didn't get his hundred but I doubt he'll care too much, it's been a fantastic innings from him

Australia need two, Hodge needs three.

testing data

48.1
1
Gillespie to White, 1 run

White pulls it down to fine leg for the single, Hodge has his chance

White could possibly take a single off the first ball and then Hodge could hit a boundary to get his hundred, what a fairytale that would be!

end of over 4816 runs • 1 wicket
AUS: 288/5CRR: 6.00 RRR: 1.50
Brad Hodge97 (85b 7x4 1x6)
Cameron White0 (0b)
Jacob Oram 5-0-44-0
Mark Gillespie 8-0-42-1
47.6
2
Oram to Hodge, 2 runs

Hodge drives and beats the fielder at cover, he runs two to the man in the deep, he's on 97 but will not be on strike, Australia need just three more

47.5
2
Oram to Hodge, 2 runs

Hodge steers it down to third man for two more, he is on 95 and Australia need just five more

47.5
5nb
Oram to Hodge, (no ball) FOUR runs

full toss outside off stump and a no-ball to boot, terrible stuff from Oram, Hodge drives through covers and find sthe gap, four more

Cameron White is the new batsman but Hodge will be on strike. Australia need 12 off 14 balls.

47.4
1W
Oram to Hussey, 1 run, OUT

Hussey is run-out, Hussey drove that into the deep cover region, he called for the second and took off from the non-striker's end, Hodge sent him back, the throw was flat and powerful from Vincent in the deep and Oram broke the stumps with Hussey just short

Michael Hussey run out (Vincent/Oram) 8 (5b 1x4 0x6 9m) SR: 160
47.3
4
Oram to Hussey, FOUR runs

full toss on off stump, Hussey lofts it over cover and places it to perfection, he splits the gap in the deep

47.2
1
Oram to Hodge, 1 run

fullish length outside off stump, Hodge powers it down the gorund to long off for a single

47.1
1
Oram to Hussey, 1 run

chipped down to long-on for a single, that got to the fielder on one bounce

Australia need 19 off 18 balls. They have plenty of wickets in hand. Oram has the ball once again. Hodge is on 88 but Hussey is on strike. Oram comes round the wicket to the left-hander.

end of over 476 runs • 1 wicket
AUS: 272/4CRR: 5.78 RRR: 6.33
Michael Hussey2 (2b)
Brad Hodge88 (81b 6x4 1x6)
Mark Gillespie 8-0-42-1
Shane Bond 9-0-64-0
46.6
1
Gillespie to Hussey, 1 run

full ball drifting on to the pads once again, Hussey flicks behind square for another single

46.5
1
Gillespie to Hodge, 1 run

full and nearly in the blockhole, Hodge clips it off his pads for a single to deep square leg

46.4
1
Gillespie to Hussey, 1 run

Gillespie fires it into the blockhole, Hussey pushes to long-on for a single

Hussey prepares to face his first ball.

46.3
1
Gillespie to Hodge, 1 run

Hodge walks out of his crease and thumps it through cover, just the single this time

46.2
2
Gillespie to Hodge, 2 runs

full outside off stump, Hodge drives through covers and calls for two, he gets them as well, he moves on to 86

Hussey walks out to replace Ponting, 25 needed off 23 and New Zealand have a chance to fight back.

Big big wicket for New Zealand. Is there another twist at this late stage?

46.1
W
Gillespie to Ponting, OUT

caught in the deep! Ponting slams it down the ground to long-off, he hit that right out of the screws, Vincent sprinted in from the fence, dived forward and took an excellent low catch

Ricky Ponting c Vincent b Gillespie 104 (113b 6x4 1x6 171m) SR: 92.03

Australia need 25 to win, Hodge needs 16 for his maiden ODI hundred.

end of over 4611 runs
AUS: 266/3CRR: 5.78 RRR: 6.25
Ricky Ponting104 (112b 6x4 1x6)
Brad Hodge84 (78b 6x4 1x6)
Shane Bond 9-0-64-0
Mark Gillespie 7-0-36-0

Mirza is awestruck. "Australia isn't just a mere cricket team, it is an ever-evolving, totipotent genetically-engineered cyborg, slowly devouring all who dare to stand up to it, in an orgy of willow-encrusted destruction."

45.6
1
Bond to Ponting, 1 run

played with soft hands down to long-off for a single

45.5
Bond to Ponting, no run

defended on the front foot to point, what's that? A dot ball?

45.4
1
Bond to Hodge, 1 run

pushed to midwicket for one more run

Can Hodge get his 100?

45.3
1
Bond to Ponting, 1 run

pushed to cover on the front foot for yet another single

45.2
1
Bond to Hodge, 1 run

driven to, long-on for one more

AskESPNcricinfo Logo
Instant answers to T20 questions
Australia Innings
<1 / 3>

Commonwealth Bank Series

TEAMMWLPTNRR
AUS871310.667
ENG83513-0.608
NZ8269-0.007