The Hindu : Sport : Australia's domination continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

Sport

Sport

Australia's domination continues

AUCKLAND, MARCH 29. Australia completed its rout of New Zealand with an emphatic nine-wicket win in the third Test with a day to spare here on Tuesday, comfortably wrapping up the series 2-0, and underscoring its reputation as one of the greatest cricket sides ever.

In a frantic chase to beat rain and fading light, captain Ricky Ponting blasted an unbeaten 86 at a run-a-ball pace and Justin Langer was on 59 when Australia reached its 164-run target in the 30th over under the Eden Park floodlights.

The only wicket to fall was that of Matthew Hayden, run out for nine by a Daniel Vettori direct hit from mid-off, as Australia set out determined to wrap up the Test in four days rather than risk the weather on Wednesday after being denied victory in the second Test because of rain.

While the jury is still out on whether this Australian side is definitely the greatest of all time, it was hailed as a "once in a lifetime" team by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

"It was a mauling," Fleming said as he summed up the series.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't put up more of a fight. There are plenty of reasons and excuses but the criticism's got to be taken on the chin — we were just well and truly outplayed by a great group of players in a once in a lifetime team."

The manner in which Australia dealt to New Zealand underlined the vast gulf between the trans-Tasman neighbours.

"We have played some great cricket," Ponting said.

"We've set very high standards over a long period of time and I think we've lived up to those standards."

As much as Fleming tried to slow the game down, hoping the inclement weather would intervene, Ponting stepped up the pace walloping 86 from 84 balls including 12 fours and two sixes. Langer chimed in with 59 from 76 balls including 10 fours.

New Zealand had been outclassed in the series and a late revival in its second innings, moving from 23 for four to be all out for 254, was never going to be enough. — AFP

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