The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Trans-Tasman tussle today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Trans-Tasman tussle today

By Our Special Correspondent

LONDON, SEPT. 15. Australia tests its might against New Zealand in what promises to be a quality contest on Thursday.

The two teams have been involved in some close encounters in the past and the Champions Trophy match at The Oval points to yet another classic.

The first quarterfinal, literally, of the tournament should save the administrators of growing criticism on the format of the tournament.

One-sided matches involving the minnows of international cricket have not been received well in the media. Even a few captains have been critical of the methods to promote cricket globally but Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming can bury their worries and get down to business. Only the winner of this match survives.

New Zealand has been listed among the favourites in this edition but then Australia is the team to beat. This game should test the character of performers like Andrew Symonds, Chris Cairns, Stephen Fleming and Adam Gilchrist. They have the ability to raise the quality of the contest with their individual brilliance.

The conditions require the two teams to be at their best. And if that happens, a close contest is ensured.

The teams (from):

Australia: Ricky Ponting (Captain), Adam Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Michael Kasprowicz, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (Captain), Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendan McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey and Daniel Vettori.

Umpires: Messrs Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen; Third umpire: Mr. David Shepherd; Match Referee: Mr. Ranjan Madugalle.

Hours of play (IST): 2.45 to 6.15 p.m; 7 p.m. onwards.

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