Australia surged to a colossal 359 for two on the back of a breathtaking century from Ricky Ponting in the World Cup cricket final against India at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Ponting made 140 not out from 121 balls to give the 1999 World Champions an outstanding chance of becoming the first side to successfully defend the title. The Australian skipper put on 234 from 188 balls with Damien Martyn, who made an unbeaten 88 from 84 balls.
After a curiously slow first 50, Ponting’s second 50 came off a mere 29 balls, smashing five sixes in the process. His savage assault in the latter stages of the innings saw Australia rush past their own record of 311 for the most runs scored at the Wanderers which they set against Pakistan in the first round.
As well as Australia batted — and they batted extraordinarily well –they were aided enormously by a wayward Indian bowling attack complemented by a disappointingly shabby fielding display.
Winning the toss with plenty of low cloud around, Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was let down by his opening bowlers. Until the final, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Drinath had been outstanding but on Sunday were unable to come to grips with the
alarming swing, as well as the occasion.
Khan’s first over cost 15 runs, courtesy of six wides and two no balls. The rest of the attack apparently took their cue from that opening over as the Indians conceded a staggering seven no balls and 16 wides.
The initial impetus of the innings was provided, unsurprisingly, by Adam Gilchrist. The wicketkeeper completely outscored his opening partner Gilchrist, but chanced his arm once to often against Harbhajan Singh having made 57 in 48 balls.
That opening stand though of 105 in 14 overs provided the ideal platform for Ponting and Martyn to build a huge innings. What made Martyn’s knock all the more noteworthy was that he had to pass a late fitness test on the morning of the match after fracturing his index finger in Port Elizabeth last week. – Sapa