The 2007 Cricket World Cup Thread! [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

Groundhog

03-12-2007, 08:18 PM

I think the top 4 will be Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and India, in that order. I'll happily admit to being biased however, and this is the most vulnerable Aussie team in some time.

New Zealand are a definate wild card though. They could do anything from slump badly to reign supreme. I think their inconsistency will hurt them, but they are capable of beating any team in the world when they are on. All it will take is a nice little run in the later stages and they could be champs.

England could also be up there, but I'm just not that impressed with them of late, even after they handled the Aussies earlier this year. Could easily be a top 4 team however, probably over India.

Crapshoot

03-12-2007, 08:32 PM

I tend to agree. If Shane Bond lasts the tournament without getting injured, I think New Zealand may win the damn thing - the guy, when healthy, may be the best fast bowler in the world, IMO. India, as I (or any of you lot who watch) can tell you, are just as likely to lose to Bermuda as they are to win the damn thing - the whole "Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" is an Indian archetype. I'm curious about Pakistan, but IMO I think the loss of Asif (who I rate more highly than Akhtar) is really worrysome for them. As much as Inzy and Younus scare me though, I don't think it will be enough.

tanglewood

03-12-2007, 08:35 PM

Pakistan are dead in the water without Shoaib and Asif. I don't think they'll make the semis and are the worst of the top 8 teams at the tournament, but then again it's so open this year anything can happen.

But to be honest, I have no idea who will win it all. Australia are obviously still favourites, but without Lee their bowling is could be questionable and just how fit Symonds will be no-one knows. The Saffies have really come on in the last 12 months but have no spinner of any note to speak of, which it seems will play a large part based on the pitches in the warmup games. Sri Lanka have matchwinners up the order and of course Murali but little else. I just don't know at all!

However, predictions for whatever sake:

Semis: Sri Lanka, Australia, India, England

Final: India beat Australia by 2 wickets/15 runs

EagleFan

03-12-2007, 09:56 PM

Australia to dominate. India to not make the semis (they are playing outside of India afterall).

Critch

03-13-2007, 02:11 PM

First game is underway, West Indies set a fair total considering their slow start and have handled the opening Pakistan batsmen very nicely.

So anybody got any idea about streaming commentary? BBC stuff is inside the UK only.

SirFozzie

03-13-2007, 02:38 PM

The only thing I can come up with is use an english proxy to get the BBC stuff :(

Young Drachma

03-13-2007, 02:57 PM

Go Springboks

Young Drachma

03-13-2007, 03:00 PM

There are some really nice cricket grounds in South Africa. Or at least, that's a nice view of Sahara Park Newlands.

I just went to look at some pics. Wow.

http://images.supersport.co.za/2006-07_SaharaParkNewlands_sunset_400.jpg

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 03:27 PM

I wish I could be watching the game in question.. :mad:

That being said, looks finely poised. As long as Inzy's out there, I have to back Pakistan - but who knows?

albionmoonlight

03-13-2007, 03:27 PM

http://cricketslime.net/wc.html

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 03:30 PM

stickcricket.com is a lot of fun, FYI.

Critch

03-13-2007, 03:44 PM

Pakistan are going to have to kick up the run rate pretty soon, getting a bit late for them.

And yes, stickcricket.com is a lot of fun, I'm regularly trying to bump up Sussex in the UK 2nd division.

tanglewood

03-13-2007, 03:56 PM

Yousuf was pretty silly in that over. Walking across his stumps then wafting at two outside off. Got what he deserverd. You would have to say WI are well in the driving seat now.

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 04:02 PM

Yousuf was pretty silly in that over. Walking across his stumps then wafting at two outside off. Got what he deserverd. You would have to say WI are well in the driving seat now.

Yeah, but Inzy's still there. The potato can bat like no one else (and I'm Indian!)- he's a throwback to an era when cricketers weren't exactly athletes. :D

SirFozzie

03-13-2007, 04:05 PM

ouch. Major LBW there for Pakistan.

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 04:08 PM

And now Akmal. I'd say game over, but you never really know.

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 05:18 PM

And then its over - nice win for the Windies, but the Pakistani batsman should the intelligence of mole rats there.

st.cronin

03-13-2007, 05:25 PM

I keep waiting for this thread to bounce to page 2 so I can bump it with ...

*crickets*

:D

Crapshoot

03-13-2007, 07:43 PM

I keep waiting for this thread to bounce to page 2 so I can bump it with ...

*crickets*

:D

Fozzie, may I borrow a I KEEL YOU KNOW! rant? :mad:

Critch

03-14-2007, 08:27 AM

Scotland have put Australia into bat. So at least the game should last til after lunchtime.

SirFozzie

03-14-2007, 08:33 AM

Fozzie, may I borrow a I KEEL YOU KNOW! rant? :mad:

sure :)

SirFozzie

03-14-2007, 09:25 AM

Dola:

Aussies off to a flying start, run rate over six an over so far.. and this early, you expect more conservative #'s.. 400 or so would be a possible target if they keep this up.

SirFozzie

03-14-2007, 01:53 PM

Australia slow down, but still finish at 334/6 (334 runs, 6 out after all 50 overs (300 Balls))

Scotland are at 32/3 so far. This one should be over fairly quickly.

In the other game, it's the minnows Canada and Kenya, Canada could only put up a total of 199, Kenya are 50/1 in reply. If things stand the way they're going, Kenya will win

SirFozzie

03-14-2007, 04:01 PM

And it's over.

Australia (334/6) defeats Scotland (131) by 203 runs. (that's a first class ass kickin, but nothing more was expected)

In the other game, Kenya (203) defeated Canada (199) by 7 wickets (pretty comfortable win, Kenya had more than 6 full overs left when they topped the Canadian total)

Critch

03-14-2007, 05:34 PM

As the esteemed Sir Fozzie has pointed out, Australia's victory over Scotland was indeed a first class ass kickin as expected. But it wasn't the worst ever defeat in the World Cup, so it's a victory of sorts for Scotland. Could have been worse.

MartinD

03-14-2007, 06:16 PM

And it's over.

Australia (334/6) defeats Scotland (131) by 203 runs. (that's a first class ass kickin, but nothing more was expected)

Yes - Scotland will have had a good tournament if they manage not to get embarrassed too much by Australia and South Africa, then get a win over the Netherlands.

It definitely could have been worse (like playing a day-night match where the game's over before it gets dark... ;) - sorry, couldn't resist the reference to the Australia Day game :p )

Martin

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 11:51 AM

Today's Games:

Ireland has fallen flat so far, down at 126/5 with just over 16 overs left, they're going to really need to step up the scoring (and of course, not give up any more wickets) to give Zimbabwe a target to shoot for.

Sri Lanka is beating up minnow of the minnows Bermuda at 282/4 with just five overs left. This one should be a laugher for Sri Lanka

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 01:21 PM

Ireland come back to finish at 221/9, so Zimbabwe will have to work for it, at least.

Sri Lanka have already got FOUR Bermudan wickets, Bermuda's 24/4 after 8 overs. This one could be over in a hurry, one of the lowest scoring innings ever?

Critch

03-15-2007, 01:34 PM

Apparently Canada were all out for 35 against Sri Lanka at the last World Cup, so Bermuda may be all out for the lowest ever.

Crapshoot

03-15-2007, 02:18 PM

Good news for Ireland - Bray scored an unbeaten 115, which is pretty good as things go.

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 02:24 PM

Bermuda stumble through to 59/7 so far, so the Canadian shame will continue..

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 02:50 PM

And it's all over. Bermuda all out for 78. Sri Lanka wins

Critch

03-15-2007, 02:51 PM

Zimbabwe 55-1 after 11 overs. Nice 5 runs per over run rate and wickets to spare, it's starting to tip in their favor.

Not that either of them will beat out West Indies or Pakistan for the qualifying spots anyway.

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 04:13 PM

Well now, this is interesting. Zimbabwe are 134/5 and require 88 runs with 5 wickets and 19.0 overs remaining.

Ireland could pull the upset

Fighter of Foo

03-15-2007, 04:32 PM

I thought Pakistan was supposed to be crap for this tournament? At least that's what my Indian co-workers are telling me ;)

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 04:37 PM

*laughs* And considering the history of India/Pakistan (look up the Kashmir).. you believed em? :D

Crim

03-15-2007, 05:09 PM

... I don't get it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making fun, I just don't get it. I work with an Indian, and he's passionate about cricket, but it just seems redundant to me.

Come to think of it, I guess baseball could be seen the same way.

Groundhog

03-15-2007, 05:21 PM

... I don't get it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making fun, I just don't get it. I work with an Indian, and he's passionate about cricket, but it just seems redundant to me.

It what way does it seem redundant? Cricket is a huge sport internationally, and has been for a long time now.

Come to think of it, I guess baseball could be seen the same way.

As I said in another thread, I find baseball spectacularily boring, yet love cricket. The reasons for that are probably exactly the same as with those folks who feel the opposite - there are a lot of subtleties in cricket & baseball that are lost on people who aren't familiar with the games.

Critch

03-15-2007, 05:26 PM

... I don't get it.

I'm not a great cricket fan, I know the rules and I recognize some of the players names. But it's a sports event that's on while I'm at work with access to the internet, so I'll pay attention to the scores.

Pretty much the same as I'm doing with the NCAA tournament despite not watching basketball for the rest of the year, and just like I'll do with the Tour de France.

Groundhog

03-15-2007, 05:40 PM

That was a pretty fantastic finish to the Ireland-Zimbabwe game. Ireland celebrating like they just won the world cup, but they'd have to be kicking themselves that they dropped that catch.

kiwiLB57

03-15-2007, 06:21 PM

That was a pretty fantastic finish to the Ireland-Zimbabwe game. Ireland celebrating like they just won the world cup, but they'd have to be kicking themselves that they dropped that catch.

For a match between an associate team and one of the worst test playing nations, this was probably the most nailbiting finish we'll see at this world cup! The pressure Zimbabwe piled on themselves was crazy! Like Kamikaze cricket. Good to see one of the minnows of the sport score a point on one of the major nations, hopefully not the last.

Big match tomorrow: New Zealand v Australia. I am flicking work for the afternoon and going to the pub to watch the game. Nothing like sitting in an English pub cheering loudly and obnoxiously for the other team!

Cheers,

kiwiLB57

Crapshoot

03-15-2007, 06:47 PM

How many "Luck of the Irish" headlines will we see tomorrow? :D

Crapshoot

03-15-2007, 06:48 PM

I thought Pakistan was supposed to be crap for this tournament? At least that's what my Indian co-workers are telling me ;)

He's lying. Every Indian knows in their heart that Pakistan at their most crap are most likely to beat India (and vice-versa - we beat em when they won the World Cup in 1992). :D

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 06:55 PM

How many "Luck of the Irish" headlines will we see tomorrow? :D

I prefered Sky Sports's version "Irish Ties are Smiling.."

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 06:56 PM

For a match between an associate team and one of the worst test playing nations, this was probably the most nailbiting finish we'll see at this world cup! The pressure Zimbabwe piled on themselves was crazy! Like Kamikaze cricket. Good to see one of the minnows of the sport score a point on one of the major nations, hopefully not the last.

Big match tomorrow: New Zealand v Australia. I am flicking work for the afternoon and going to the pub to watch the game. Nothing like sitting in an English pub cheering loudly and obnoxiously for the other team!

Cheers,

kiwiLB57

You mean New Zealand vs England, Kiwi? :D

Fighter of Foo

03-15-2007, 11:32 PM

Seriously though, doesn't pakistan have multiple players out through suspension/injury? I thought I read/heard that.

Need to know these things for gambling purposes...

SirFozzie

03-15-2007, 11:45 PM

2 Pakistan bowlers are out due to injury covering for dug use (they were already suspended once, but the country's cricket board overturned it, stating they did not know they were taking a banned substance (one of the few times, I thought the WADA was RIGHT to howl)

AlexB

03-16-2007, 10:01 AM

England off to their usual fast start :(

BBC on form again with their text commentary:

5th over: Eng 12-1
There's a gaggle of 10 or so female NZ fans in one of the stands who are very much enjoying the attention of the TV cameras. Are they worth it? I'm saying nothing.

6th over: Eng 17-1
Nice from Vaughan - he rocks back to a shorter one from Bondo and pulls him high over midwicket for England's first boundary of the tournament. The gaggle are unmoved.

9th over: WICKET - Bell ct McCullum b Oram 5, Eng 30-2 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=44 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42669000/gif/_42669961_out_44x44.gif

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Jacob Oram comes on for Franklin, and it's instant joy for the wobbler - Bell advances down the track, drives loosely at a wide one and McCullum goes high to his right to take the snag. He won't be putting that shot in his scrapbook. Unless he's some sort of obsessive, detailing all his worst ever dismissals.

11th over: Eng 32-2
Whoosh - almost a disastrous run-out as KP calls for an insane single. Vettori hurls the ball at McCullum with Vaughan half a pitch short, only for the 'keeper to fail to gather the ball. Massive let-off.
In reply to those of you asking for more info on the gaggle - specifically, how many are international class - I say two things: firstly, that that sort of sexist badinage has no place on the BBC, and secondly, about half of them.

:D

(Put the wicket description in as that made me laugh as well!)

Crapshoot

03-16-2007, 11:25 AM

Jari - do you follow the Guardian OBO stuff? I like the BBC, but the Guardian (especially Smyth, Booth, and Bull) is frigging hilarious.

SirFozzie

03-16-2007, 01:06 PM

Wow, something that had never been done in International Cricket before, six straight shots hit for six runs (You score six runs when you hit the ball in the air, over the boundary of the ground. The closest thing you can compare it to is hitting six straight homeruns on six straight pitches (where the pitcher is trying to strike you out, not like a homerun derby)

29.1 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Violence! Gibbs charged down the track and hoicked it over long on.
29.2 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Murder! Floated on the leg and middle stump line and Gibbs sends it soaring over long-off.
29.3 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Carnage! Flatter one this time but it makes no difference to Gibbs. He just stands there and delivers. This one also has been sucked over long off
29.4 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Wah Wah! Low full toss and guess where this went Yep. A slap slog and it went over deep midwicket! He is going to go for 6 sixes in this over!
29.5 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Short in length, on the off stump line and Gibbs rocks back and swat-pulls it over wide long off. SImply amazing. What a batsman. This is pure violence!
29.6 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, He has done it! One-day record. No one has hit six sixes in a row. GIbbs stands alone in that zone. And the minnow bashing continues! Full and outside off and bludgeoned over long off

Crapshoot

03-16-2007, 01:37 PM

Yeah, but its against the Dutch - that doesn't really count.

By the way Foz - nice England collapse eh? :D You couldn't really say it wasn't predictable.

SirFozzie

03-16-2007, 01:46 PM

Yes, but New Zealand isn't doing much better so far..

AlexB

03-16-2007, 01:47 PM

Making a fight of it now though! BUt you're right - it was the same old batting story.

I haven't really seen the Grauniad's ball by ball - I'll check it out next time I'm at work.

AlexB

03-16-2007, 01:48 PM

Dola,

Nixon proves the same point as the England rugby team needs to learn - put more Leicester in the team and all will be good - Stuart Broad should be there.

SirFozzie

03-16-2007, 02:53 PM

Nice, the SixSixes were worth $1 Million

Gibbs's fireworks was worth $1million to charity after a World Cup sponsor promised to donate the sum if a player hit six sixes in an over during the tournament.

AlexB

03-16-2007, 04:33 PM

And we lose - with a whimper unfortunately - no point in bringing everybody in when you've got Plunkett & Dalrymple playing with 25 runs.

But win the remaining two and we're in the super 8's, albeit behind the 8-ball unless a shock occurs.

Crapshoot

03-16-2007, 04:49 PM

AlexB

03-16-2007, 05:31 PM

I'm not gonna rise to the bait ;)

Crapshoot

03-16-2007, 05:34 PM

I'm not gonna rise to the bait ;)

Dude, no bait - I like the English! I followed along the Ashes hoping someone could thrash Australia. Its also just as probable that India will find a way to lose to Bangladesh tomorrow.

Crapshoot

03-17-2007, 12:53 PM

Dude, no bait - I like the English! I followed along the Ashes hoping someone could thrash Australia. Its also just as probable that India will find a way to lose to Bangladesh tomorrow.

Talk about foresight... :rolleyes:

Also, Ireland has Pakistan at 130/9. Basically, if they lose, this is the end of Pakistan in the World Cup, and the careers of all involved. :D

SirFozzie

03-17-2007, 04:40 PM

What a day for the minnows, Bangladesh shock India, and Ireland are about to send Pakistan home early! Ireland in the Super Eights? WHO KNEW!

AlexB

03-17-2007, 05:25 PM

Ireland trying their best to throw it away... O'brien hits a majestic six, then dances down the pitch to get himself stumped (that always used to happen to me - hit a boundary, take a swipe at the next one and out).

Two more down while I'm typing this - 113-7, need 15 more to win. Very tight now.

AlexB

03-17-2007, 05:37 PM

To make it even more tense, the light's shocking. Great shots of the irish coach getting a shoulder massage and being so tense he's wincing in pain!

AlexB

03-17-2007, 06:01 PM

The captain wins it with a 6! Wow. Great times for Ireland, and Pakistan are punished for their brazen attempts to avoid drug bans for their two top bowlers by an early exit.

With the 6 nations win, great St Patrick's Day for the Irish.

SirFozzie

03-17-2007, 06:04 PM

Massive Six! What a great victory.

too bad France stole the Six Nations at the end

AlexB

03-17-2007, 06:06 PM

Did they? Oops! So they did - thought the French won 39-19, didn;t see the last try obviously. In that case makes up for the 6 nations defeat ;)

Crapshoot

03-17-2007, 06:23 PM

Mother******** Indian SOB'S!#!%!^ N!^

All credit to Ireland though, on the upset of World Cup history.

kiwiLB57

03-17-2007, 08:56 PM

Nice work Ireland and Bangladesh. Clearing out two top teams for the Dark Horsemen to continue their run in the tournament...

Beige Brigade....Chaaarrrrgggggggggeee!

SirFozzie

03-18-2007, 01:45 PM

Get ready for the conspiracy theories.. Sad.

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, has died in a Kington hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel room hours after his side's elimination from the World Cup. He was 58.

Although Woolmer played 19 Tests for England, it was as an international coach he really made his mark, first with South Africa and then, after a spell as the ICC's High Performance Manager, with Pakistan.

Crapshoot

03-18-2007, 05:47 PM

Yeah, a bloody tragedy. My first thought (honestly) was that it may have been suicide or murder - I hope to god it wasn't.

MIJB#19

03-18-2007, 07:53 PM

Bummer that the death of Pakistani coach is drawing more media interest than the tournament itself... :(

Yeah, but its against the Dutch - that doesn't really count.

By the way Foz - nice England collapse eh? :D You couldn't really say it wasn't predictable.
Hey now, Don't think I'm not monitoring this thread! ;)

I heard we're considered some 3rd world country for cricket standards. I bet it has something to do with us being the only non-Commonwealth related country in the tournament. Yet I also understood that after the expected bad beatings by world powers South Africa and Australia, the lowly Scots would get a soccer-like a**w... Well, a "good game" comment to reply the "'grats, lads".

heardie

03-18-2007, 08:54 PM

Bummer that the death of Pakistani coach is drawing more media interest than the tournament itself... :(

Hey now, Don't think I'm not monitoring this thread! ;)

I heard we're considered some 3rd world country for cricket standards. I bet it has something to do with us being the only non-Commonwealth related country in the tournament. Yet I also understood that after the expected bad beatings by world powers South Africa and Australia, the lowly Scots would get a soccer-like a**w... Well, a "good game" comment to reply the "'grats, lads".

I was saddened by Woolmer's death. Lets hope it doesn't turn out to be suss. I am hearing reports he was in ill health, and had diabetes already (or this is just the beginning of some cover up)

In terms of cricket Australia smashed the Netherlands. Brad Hodge finally got his first centrury (he has had 2 not outs in the 90s recently I believe). Interesting to note that he will probably be dropped for the SA game to make way for Andrew Symonds (some [me] think Brad Hogg should be dropped. He didnt play much in our summer series, and then went wicketless in NZ. He took 4/27 today but can you read much into a game against the Dutch?). Stiff to score 120 odd, and then be dropped. Alas, such is the life of the Australian batsmen. The bowling is another story now though...

Crapshoot

03-18-2007, 11:48 PM

Groundhog

03-18-2007, 11:52 PM

FWIW, I think another issue is the disgraceful behavior of Indian and Pakistani cricket fans. This shit about threatening lives over cricket is beyond absurd.

Yeah, if only they could behave more humanely, like soccer/football fans for example! :D

Crapshoot

03-19-2007, 12:02 AM

Yeah, if only they could behave more humanely, like soccer/football fans for example! :D

Roffle. Point. Its just depressing as an Indian to be associated with the crowd who went up to Dhoni's house, for example.

shefffred

03-19-2007, 04:45 AM

[quote=Crapshoot;1422130]Hey - as one review put it, cricket is a game that was forced on the entire Commenwealth by the British, at gun point. That explains everyone - except the Dutch. :D

Hey, the Dutch are the only people on earth (other than the Aussies) that can play the major 'striking' games,cricket AND baseball AND field hockey, to a decent standard.

I don't know what that proves, just thought I'd say it...

MIJB#19

03-19-2007, 06:01 AM

Hey, the Dutch are the only people on earth (other than the Aussies) that can play the major 'striking' games,cricket AND baseball AND field hockey, to a decent standard.

I don't know what that proves, just thought I'd say it...Also, the bigger the devices get, the better 'we' are at it. All of a sudden it isn't so strange that we also have good archers, darts throwers and people who put big blades under their feet. Sadly, we're unable to handle both a blade and a stick to fight with...

Okay, enough off topic stuff, back to cricket.

Fighter of Foo

03-19-2007, 04:12 PM

Neat little game between West Indies and Zimbabwe going on right now. Apparently, West Indies should score enough runs to win, but a couple of quick outs could change everything.

Why are these games so freaking long? I'm doing my best, but this is hard.

Groundhog

03-19-2007, 04:23 PM

Fighter of Foo

03-19-2007, 04:27 PM

OK so here's another question: I understand the Aussies won this ashes thing 5-0. If it's best of 5 why did they play the last two?

Crapshoot

03-19-2007, 04:34 PM

OK so here's another question: I understand the Aussies won this ashes thing 5-0. If it's best of 5 why did they play the last two?

Tradition my dear boy, tradition. :D

Seriously - that's how cricket works. You play all the games.

AlexB

03-23-2007, 04:19 PM

Somebody check Crapshoot is OK - India lose to Sri Lanka, which means unless Bermuda, who appear to be about the worst team in the tournament from what I've seen (but do have the 21-stone Duane Leverock, a bowler built like The Frdige) beat Bangladesh, India are going home.

India and Pakistan both failing to get to the super 8 stage - you would have got big odds on that.

For reference: this is the man who India are relying on:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/images/283144.jpg

Crapshoot

03-23-2007, 04:20 PM

......

Fuck It. This Fucking team isn't worth my trouble.

AlexB

03-23-2007, 04:27 PM

I feel for you Crap - I only hope your words won't turn out to be prophetic when we play Kenya this weekend

Crapshoot

03-23-2007, 04:33 PM

Shit Jari,
you guys and New Zealand are my rooting interests at this point. Basically, as long as the Australian's don't win it, I'll feel better.

heardie

03-24-2007, 10:22 PM

Shit Jari,
you guys and New Zealand are my rooting interests at this point. Basically, as long as the Australian's don't win it, I'll feel better.

Speaking of Australia...

Skipper Ricky Ponting praised his side for keeping their heads under pressure after an 83-run win over South Africa.

After setting a target of 378, their bowlers came in for severe punishment as South Africa raced to 220-1 before fading to 294 all out.

"South Africa obviously like chasing, so it was crucial for us to hang in there," Ponting commented.

"The message to the bowlers was if you get hit for a boundary from a good ball don't worry, just get back in there."

Opposite number opted to put Australia in after inning the toss, and Ponting afterwards admitted he would have made the same decision.

"I was going to chase today - on these small grounds with good wickets, sometimes you don't know when you're setting what a good total is.

"At one stage we thought we could 400 - we came up a little bit short of that but otherwise it's been a pretty good game for us," he said.

Matthew Hayden
Hayden turns the ball away for four during his dazzling innings

Ponting hailed Matthew Hayden's 66-ball century as an awesome knock and also praised Shane Watson for a piece of fielding which gave Australia a much needed breakthrough in South Africa's innings.

Watson ran out AB de Villiers for 92 with a direct hit from deep fine leg after he and Graeme Smith had launched the reply with a partnership of 167 - a record first wicket stand for South Africa against Australia in a one-dayer.

"It shows how one ball or one piece of brilliance in the field can change the course of a game - that's what happened today, a great throw from the deep and that just changed the way everything was going for us.

"We bowled well after that and took everything that came our way as a result of that one great piece of fielding," Ponting added.

Hayden, meanwhile, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his innings "from ball one".

He continued: "When I saw the first few balls skip on I thought 'Hang on, we've probably got a pretty good wicket here and by the second third over we were looking to really get off to that flyer that I think we're going to need throughout the Caribbean.

"It's all about power. The game has changed enormously since the [2003] World Cup and teams are just taking the game away with boundary-hitting performances."