Watson steers Australia to Champions Trophy triumph
By IANSMonday, October 5, 2009
CENTURION - Shane Watson hit a marvellous unbeaten century to guide defending champions Australia to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy at the SuperSport Park here Monday.
Chasing a target of 201, Man of the Match Watson remained not out on 105, his second consecutive century, as Australia shrugged off a shaky start and made 206 for four in 45.2 overs. Australia also became the first team to retain the trophy.
It was an all-round performance by the Australian team, after the bowlers did well to restrict New Zealand to 200 for nine in 50 overs following New Zealand’s stand-in captain Brendan McCullum decision to bat first. McCullum was in charge since inspirational all-rounder Daniel Vettori strained his hamstring.
Opener Martin Guptill (40), Neil Broom (37), James Franklin (33) and Aaron Redmond (26) were the only New Zealand bastmen to pass the 20-run mark.
Defending a small total, New Zealand fast bowler especially Shane Bond (1-34) and Kyle Mills (3-27) came out with inspiring performances to raise their hopes of winning the second title but the back-up bowler were not good enough to save the day for the Black Caps. New Zealand had earlier won the title in 2000 when it was known as the ICC Knockout Tournament.
Bond struck with his second ball to remove Tim Paine (1) and in the next over Mills trapped Ricky Ponting (1) leg before the wicket to put Australia on the back foot.
After being reduced to six for two, Watson and Cameron White (62) shared a 128-run partnership for the third wicket to take Australia home safely. Watson and White were troubled by Mills and Bond, but they survived their deadly spell to lead Australia’s fight back.
The only chance New Zealand got to break this partnership was when White, on 15, pulled Ian Butler but wicketkeeper McCullum messed up an easy opportunity to grab the skier.
Watson hit two consecutive sixes off Jeetan Patel to bring up his century and the winning runs for Australia.
Earlier in the day, Australian bowlers made the best use of the overcast conditions to wreck the New Zealand batting. Spinner Nathan Hauritz was the most successful with his three for 37 while fast bowler Brett Lee got two for 45.
