The Hindu : Sport : Hayden hammers fastest WC hundred

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Sunday, Mar 25, 2007
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Hayden hammers fastest WC hundred

Australia off to a blistering start; Ponting, Clarke on song

— Photo: AP

HEAVY HITTING: Matthew Hayden was on the rampage from the word go and showed scant respect for the South African attack.

St. Kitts: Australia's Matthew Hayden blasted the fastest hundred in World Cup history against South Africa, in a crucial Group `A' match on Saturday.

The left-handed opener powered his way to a hundred off 66 deliveries, bettering Canadian John Davison's 67-ball century against the West Indies in the 2003 edition.

Breezy knock

After 36 overs, Australia was on an imposing 250 for two. Skipper Ricky Ponting was on a fluent 63-ball 53, and Michael Clarke on a breezy 44-ball 45. The third-wicket pair has added 83 in 12.3 overs.

Both, Australia and South Africa have already qualified to the Super Eight stage but the side that wins here will carry two points into the next phase.

Right intent

Australia certainly showed the right intent. The side secured the early momentum with Hayden and Adam Gilchrist cutting loose after the side was inserted by Greame Smith.

The South African new ball combination of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini was taken to the cleaners on a surface that encouraged stroke-play.

The Aussie duo cut, pulled and drove, not allowing the bowlers to settle down. This was dominant batting against a competent pace attack.

The all-left opening pair put on 106 in just 14.5 overs when swing bowler Charl Langeveldt produced the breakthrough. Gilchrist (42, 42b, 6x4, 1x6) was caught at point by Herschelle Gibbs.

Hayden (101, 68b, 14x4, 4x6) continued to plunder the bowling, freeing his large arms to send the ball scorching to the fence or soaring over it.

Good touch

With Ponting appearing in good touch too, the Australian innings motored along. The score had progressed to 167 in 23.3 overs when South Africa finally saw the back of Hayden. The powerfully built batsman was picked up square off the wicket by Gibbs off all-rounder Jacques Kallis. He returned to a rousing ovation.

Significantly for Australia, all-rounder Andrew Symonds was included in the eleven after passing a fitness test.

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