There is presently one immutable rule that you must bear in mind whenwatching cricket – never dismiss the Australians, no matter howprecarious their position

Charlie Austin22-Jan-2000There is presently one immutable rule that you must bear in mind whenwatching cricket – never dismiss the Australians, no matter howprecarious their position. In a match that brought back some memoriesof Steve Waugh’s team in the 1999 World Cup, Australia beat NewZealand by 69 runs at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa.In a low scoring but exciting match, Australia were dismissed for 122after winning the toss and electing to bat on a wicket that gotdramatically slower and lower as the day progressed. In reply theKiwis were skittled out for just 53 in 27 overs.When CRICINFO asked Rod Marsh, the Australian captain whether he hadfelt his side could win after being bowled out for 122 he replied, ‘Ialways thought we had a big chance of winning it but never expected itto be that easy. It wasn’t a good pitch for one-day cricket – far toolow and far too slow, it was impossible for the boys to play theirshots. We just concentrated on bowling stump to stump and if theymiss, you hit.’Marsh however was disappointed with the batting again. ‘I can usebowling other sides out but just hope that someone can get someruns. Luckily if we go through, we don?t have to play at Premadasaagain.’New Zealand must be devastated to lose this game after such a fineperformance in the field. Their bowling was accurate and the groundfielding electric. James Franklin was particularly impressive. A tallleft arm pace bowler with a slingy action, he finished with 4-18 offhis 8.2 overs. Nathan McCullum, who took over the captaincy in thisgame, was also impressive. His flat but accurate offspin beinginstrumental in reducing the Australian scoring rate and increasingthe pressure on their batsmen. He finished with 2-16 off his 10 overs.Shaun Marsh (5) and Edward Cowan (28) started the innings well for theAussies, putting on 29 for the first wicket. Amazingly the partnershipwas the highest of the match. However in the 6th over Franklin trappedMarsh LBW – The first of a staggering 11 leg before decisions in thematch. In his next over he cleaned bowled Michael Clarke (4).Edward Cowan and Andrew McDonald (13) compiled 28 for the third wicketbefore the economical McCullum bowled McDonald. The runs now startedto dry up for the Australians and Cowan was LBW to Taraia Robin whilsttrying to manufacture some runs through the leg-side.When Gareth Hayne was brought into the attack in the 25th over heappeared to release the pressure with a couple of short balls in hisfirst over. However Watson (4), perhaps lulled into a false sense ofsecurity, top edged a full toss in his second over and was caught atmid-wicket.Wickets now fell at regular intervals until Tim Welsford (30), who hadscored 70 against the Kiwis in their practice game, was joined byHartley (6). They put on 21 for the eighth wicket.His morale boosted by being Australia?s top scorer, Welsford, thendismantled the New Zealand batting in quite spectacularfashion. Bowling his medium pace wicket to wicket with a ring offielders in front of the wicket, he claimed 5-22 off his allotted tenovers. Four of these were LBW?s, a testament to the straightness ofhis bowling and the inadequacy of the pitch.New Zealand asked to bat for 25 minutes before lunch were immediatelyin trouble, slipping to 3-4 in the 4th over. They never looked likerecovering. The highest partnership of the innings was a paltry 15between Leighton Morgan (11) and Jamie Franklin (5).