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Ponting demolishes minnows Scotland
Skipper Ricky Ponting led World Champions Australia from the front to register a blistering 203-run victory over minnows Scotland in their World Cup 2007 Group A opener. Playing at the Warner Park Stadium in St. Kitts, Australia annihilated Scotland's cricketing talent and morale with their exemplary performance in all departments of the game.
The Australian cricket team today has some of the world's most outstanding cricketers, dominating all spheres of the game. Australia plays top ranking batsmen, bowlers, fielders and all-rounder, which makes it the most difficult side to beat. On the contrary, the Scotland cricket team doesn't has much experience in international cricket. If we compare relative strengths of Australia and Scotland cricket teams, the later is no match to the world champions. We predict Australia the winner in its match against Scotland in St. Kitts and Nevis.Put in to bat first, Australia posted a colossal target of 335 runs for Scotland. All top order Aussie batsmen had good batting practice with the lackluster Scots doing absolutely nothing to contain them. Openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist scored 60 and 46 runs respectively.
Captain Ponting set the stands on fire, scoring blazing 113 runs in just 93 balls. He ravaged the Scottish bowling attack, hitting bowlers all over the park. After his dismissal, Brad Hodge (29) and Brad Hogg (40 not out) held fort and took Australia to a mammoth total.
When Scotland came into bat, they were already a highly demoralized lot. With an almost impossible target to chase, they succumbed to pressure and kept losing wickets at close intervals to get bundled out for a meager 131 runs. Glenn McGrath, pick of Australian bowlers, grabbed 3 for 14 in his six overs. He was ably supported by Shaun Tait (2-45) and Hogg (1-17).
For Scotland, the only saving grace came in the form of wicketkeeper-batsman Colin Smith, who showed some gumption by scoring a timely half-century against the mighty Aussie bowling attack.
Playing against a lowly opposition, Australia showed their class and gave an indication of what lies in store for other teams of Cricket World Cup 2007. Scotland and Australia now play against South Africa and The Netherlands respectively.
Brief Score: Australia 334/6 (Ponting 113, Hayden 60) vs. Scotland 131 (Smith 51, McGrath 3-14)
Result: Australia won by 203 runs
Man of the Match: Ricky Ponting
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