Glory boys Aussies

Watson and White architects of victory:

Ranjan Anandappa reporting from South Africa

Shane Watson ( 105 n.o) masterminded a typical Aussie fight back with a resourseful century ably supported by Cameron White as defending champions Australia maintained their supremacy sweeping away an early threat to beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in a disappointing final at the Champions Trophy 2009 at the Centurion Park yesterday.

Shane Watson who opened the innings after seeing his partner Tim Paine making an early exit continued his devastating form striking four enormous sixes three off Jeetan Patel and one off Ian Butler as he carried off his bat facing 128 deliveries with ten fours. Kyle Mills and Shane Bond provided the early breakthrough, Bond first sent back Tim Paine and in the following over Mills got the prize wicket of Ricky Ponting.

Ponting, who looks vulnerable in the early part of his Innings like most of the batsmen, had to come as a virtual opener. Australia lost two quick wickets in the second over and Cameron White walked in with a big job in his hand. White and Watson quickly indicated that they would not get carried away or go after the bowling during the power play while chasing the moderate total. Occupation of the crease was their main motive.

Watson and White posted the 50 runs in 111 balls. Just before that Cameron White trying to hook Ian Butler top edged one which flew towards short fine leg and wicket keeper and stand in captain Brendon McCullum running to take the catch dropped it. Cameron was 16 and the total 42 for 2 in the 18th over. With that the slim chances of New Zealand’s effort of defending their 200 also dropped drastically.

Without Daniel Vettori , one of the candidates for the player of the tournament and the lynch pin of the Zealanders not in the side created a big vacuum and it looked moderate despite the early two wickets that fell. With out Vettori It did not adequately support the pacemen, although Bond, Mills and Butler bowled their hearts out.

Sahne Watson who got an unbeaten 136 against England continued from where he had left. The strongly built allrounder cut, drove and pulled with immense power and showed that he could be an ideal replacement for Andrew Symonds.

Cameroon White’s promotion in the top order instead of regular Mike Hussey too, paid off as a good tactical move.

However, Watson and White both had their moments of anxieties playing and missing, but with the ball wearing off and bowlers losing it’s zest Watson and White was in full control.

Watson reached his 50 off 74 deliveries with five fours and White had struck 62 facing 102 deliveries with seven boundaries and a six before he was bowled by hard working Kyle Mills. By the time Watson and White had added 128 runs for the third wicket off 195 deliveries they already laid the base for an Australian win with strong batting to follow. Man of the match - Shane Watson. Prize money two million USD.