ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Australia v/s NZ - The Quick Flicks

I was eagerly anticipating the renewal of the famous Trans-Tasmanian rivalry when the Kangaroos locked horns with the Black Caps at Edgbaston today. However, the game turned out to be a damp squib, with rain playing spoilsport and forcing a no-result. The Australians didn’t have a good time with the bat either, but still managed to post a decent enough total on a tough batting track. For their part, the Kiwis bowled their hearts out and were rewarded well for their efforts.

Here’s a look at some of the snapshots for today:

A Match Of Three Mitchells

I’d like to label this game as a battle between three Mitchells – Johnson and Marsh from Australia, and McClenaghan from NZ. Coincidentally, all of them are pretty good seamers. Even more amazing is the fact that both Johnson and McClenaghan are left-armers. While the Kiwi pacer was on song as he picked up his second four-wicket haul, the Aussie quicks didn’t get the chance to do the damage they’re known to cause when in full flow. Oh well, perhaps there’ll be another battle on another day and on a different ground.

The Madness of Mr. Hughes

Phil Hughes hasn’t exactly been in the best of form lately. With the aggressive David Warner being dropped for disciplinary reasons, much was expected of the southpaw at No.3. Unfortunately, Martin Guptill chose to fire in a direct hit at exactly the most inopportune moment, and Hughes was dismissed. There was nothing wrong with his partner’s call, but the diminutive batsman seemed to have left his running shoes behind. Back to the Pura Cup tournaments for you, Phil!

Dead Duck Wade

Matthew Wade was just about shaping up for a big score when he decided to walk across to a full delivery on middle from off-break bowler Nathan McCullum. Now, if it were a genuine athletic movement, I wouldn’t be so caustic. But his waltz looked like the waddling of a duck to me, and when he missed his flick, he was dead. Had he sat down to play the sweep and then missed, I’d have used the words sitting duck. Got to learn how to use those webbed feet better, Wade.

The Bailey-Voges and Voges-Marsh Stands

With the top order wiped out, it was left to stand-in captain George Bailey and veteran batsman Adam Voges to resurrect the Australian innings. The two put on an enterprising 77-run stand in 96 balls as they mixed caution with aggression and safely negotiated the Kiwi bowlers before off-spinner Nathan McCullum removed the Aussie skipper for a well-made 55. Voges, likening his approach to that of the charismatic Steve Waugh, then added 42 runs with seamer Mitchell Marsh, thus setting the stage for all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to hit some quick runs. The Bailey-Voges pair reminded me of the numerous partnerships shared by Michael Bevan with the lower-middle order and the tail-enders. Solid, but too slow for ODI cricket, folks!

Maxwell’s Million Dollar Knock

He may not have got enough opportunities to play for the Mumbai Indians, but IPL 2013′s “Million Dollar Man” Glenn Maxwell played a quick cameo to push his side’s total to 243. Kane Williamson bore the brunt of his assault as Maxwell blasted him for two sixes and a boundary off a reverse slog-sweep. If not for his heroics, Australia might have finished at a much lower score. Great push, Max!