He might have given a lesson in the art of shutting out a game, battling for six-and-a-half hours on a slow pitch, but Brian Lara was keen that the surfaces for the next two games are a lot livelier. He was proud of the way his team had scrapped on the final day, as if taking a cue from the Soca Warriors’ hard-earned draw against Sweden on Saturday, but came down on the pitch, which he felt they hadn’t cashed in on the home advantage.”The only time we were in front on the nine days of cricket was when we got a true Test pitch,” he said referring to the first two days in Antigua. “It was a situation where the fast bowlers had a say in the first couple of days and the the spinners took care of it later in the match. I would love to see St Kitts and Jamaica show that they are capable of producing fair pitches. Nothing that would be terrible for Test cricket – too green or anything – but the fact is we need good Test cricket. In this particular match, after the first two days, it was difficult for us to do anything. The pitch was dusting already, the spinners were coming in – it didn’t spin or bounce but it was tough to score.”The Indians will be accustomed to this – this is what you get in Madras or Bombay – and it’s tough for us. We picked four fast bowlers after seeing a tinge of green. In hindsight we should have picked a spinner. But I was confident of our fast bowling and as batters we are better equipped against the Indian fast bowling. Let’s make it fair. Make it a situation when the boys are going to enjoy the first two days bowling on the pitch and if it deteriorates later on – if the spinners come into play – so be it. We are very buoyant after this result and we’re looking forward to the next ten days of Test cricket.”The series was kept at 0-0 thanks largely to Lara’s masterful century, slow but vital. “It was something that the situation dictated,” he said of his approach. “I was still able to get a hundred in two sessions. This particular innings seemed to alter a couple of rash shots. It was a situation where I needed to get 50-60 runs under my belt and, hopefully, move on form there. You’ve got to understand that there will be occasions that you’re going to be on top of the bowling and you’re going to dictate to the bowlers. In other situations you got to dig deep, show character. At no point of time was I or the team on top of the bowling. The innings that you really enjoy are ones you tough out. My 153 against Australia in 1999 was much better than my 375 or 500, when you tough out and get the result. It’s a situation like the first innings of a Test match when I need to be in a similar mood – consolidating and showing that the team benefits from a long innings from me … I’m not sure how much of this I’ve played in the past but definitely I’ve realised I’m capable of batting for long periods without scoring doubles and triples. The amount of balls I faced today, I’d definitely be on 250 or something like that. But it will be beneficial for the team if I can spend time in the middle.”It was only the third instance in two years that Lara walked in at No.3 – he’d made 400 not out and 83 in the last two instances – but he revealed the strategy behind the move: “It’s a situation to discuss with the coaching staff and with [Ramnaresh] Sarwan as well. No. 3 is not just the best batsman in the team but he also sends a message to the guys who are going out to bat. If the pitch is difficult – he’s got to send a message saying we need to tough it out there and if it’s easy you got to dictate. Lot of guys feed off the No. 3 batsman and that’s where I’d like to see Sarwan do a lot more. He did pretty well in the shorter version of the game but in the Test matches it is a more pivotal position in any team … You don’t want to be two down after the first five or ten overs. Also the Indian fast bowlers were getting the ball the nip back to the right-handers and I thought a left-hander would be the best person to bat.”

Anil Kumble passed Courtney Walsh’s haul of 519 wickets on the third day of the St Lucia Test, but speaking to the press after the close of play, he said that such landmarks hardly mattered to him, and winning the Test was more important.Daren Ganga also spoke to the press about the challenge that lay ahead for the West Indies, and how they would take it one session at a time.Listen in!Anil Kumble’s press conference
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Percy Sonn, speaking at the ICC’s annual conference at Lord’s on the day he took over from Ehsan Mani as ICC president, said that the next 12 months was a vital period for the long-term health of the game.”During that time we will be negotiating the sale of our commercial and broadcast rights for the next eight years to 2015,” he explained. “The last time we did that, in 2000, we received US$550 million and that money has benefited every one of our Members in some way. It provided financial security that has allowed us to develop plans to take the game forward and the next agreement will, we hope, do the same.”But while commercialism is important, we must not let it dominate the landscape or lose sight of what this great game is all about. Financial considerations cannot be our only driver and cricketing considerations must also play a vital part in any decisions the ICC makes.”After all, we should all remember how and why we came to love this great game. I did so because of the joy I got from playing it, the excitement I got from watching it and the fellowship that came from being part of a team sport that has always embodied fair play.I am keen that we remember all these things so we can ensure cricket can be a strong sport growing stronger during my Presidency.”In order for cricket to do that the ICC must maintain a unity of purpose, something that characterised the discussions of our board in April when it agreed to the venues for the hosting of 17 events over eight years with a positive consensus.”We should never overlook the simple truth that, as an organisation, we are stronger when we all act together. It sends out the right messages to our stakeholders and it is something else I am keen to maintain over my time as ICC president.”

Martin Bicknell, the Surrey and England fast bowler, has retired. Bicknell, 37, had enjoyed some outings in Surrey’s first team this year, but had always said this was to be his final season and he finally called time on his playing career today, a few weeks earlier than planned. “Physically I was struggling,” he said,”but it just felt like it was the right time.”I’m relieved in a way,” he added, “but also a bit sad. It’s the end of an era.” It certainly is. Bicknell has been with Surrey for the last 28 years, since he joined them at the age of ten. He always wanted to play professional cricket and that dream came true when he was handed his first county contract at the age of 17, following a successful season in the seconds.In all he took 1047 wickets for the county, but he also fashioned something of a batting career for himself, and he’s rightly proud of his 6740 first-class runs. He smiles: “I was almost an allrounder.”He also flirted with the Test stage, although he only had four matches at that level. His debut, in 1993 against Australia, was a most fiery baptism. “I was thinking this is so tough – Allan Border, Steve Waugh, David Boon, all at the height of their careers.” Nevertheless, he had some success, taking four wickets, but injury wrecked his chances of a winter tour.He then waited for a call but that only came a decade later. “I wasn’t selected, it baffled me for a while.” True, he had stiff competition from Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough because he was seen as a new-ball bowler, but Bicknell still finds that perception bemusing. “It’s a bit of a mystery. I was actually most successful on the unresponsive pitches at The Oval.”He just shrugged and got on with being a strikeforce for Surrey, and helped them lift the Championship trophy in 1999, another career highlight. Then came the surprise Test recall in 2003, when he was 34. “I had just gone past my peak,” he admits. “I was very concerned at how I’d get on.” He need not have worried; he took a wicket with his second ball against South Africa at Headingley and then bowled England to victory in the final Test at The Oval.

“I had two very good performances and that left a good feeling for me. I had happy experiences of playing Test cricket.” But should he have played more? “People will look back and think I was a bit unlucky. Obviously it would be nice to have played 60 or 70 Tests, but it’s just one of those things. I was lucky to have played Test cricket at all.”Alan Butcher, the manager of cricket at Surrey, added, “Martin Bicknell is one of the true Surrey greats. He was integral to Surrey’s success during the glory years between 1997-2003, and is one of those cricketers who are truly irreplaceable.”Bicknell may have called time on playing, but he intends to maintain his Surrey links, hopefully getting involved with coaching their juniors. “That would be very enjoyable.” And he will be nurturing more youth as Head of Cricket at Charterhouse School, after four successful months with them.When he’s not involved in cricket, Bicknell enjoys his golf – and he has an impressive handicap of 2. He’s back off to India in February for the World Cup of Golf, where former international cricketers compete for the honours, and he hopes to claim the title this year, after Kapil Dev pipped him in the inaugural competition this year. “It’s a lovely day out,” he says of playing golf. “I love the game. I could play every day.”And as for cricket, though he won’t be playing every day, he will look back on his time with happiness. “I’m not leaving the game with any regrets.”

ScorecardAn innings of immense promise from Sarah Taylor enabled England to secure a three-wicket victory in the fourth one-day international at the Rose Bowl and with it the series against India. Taylor’s 61 was the outstanding innings of the day and she batted with an ease that no one else managed. England’s chase was not without its alarms, but they had enough in reserve as Jane Smit and Katherine Brunt carried them over the line with 26 balls to spare.India had fought back after a poor start as they lost both openers with just a single on the board. Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra added 108 for the third wicket to lead the fightback, however a clutch of late wickets restricted the total to below 200.England’s chase was rocking after an impressive early spell from Jhulan Goswami, who took three wickets in an eight-over burst that went for just 10 runs. She claimed two in two balls when Caroline Atkins inside-edged onto her stumps then Charlotte Edwards, again batting down the order, pushed at her first ball and was well taken by Karu Jain.It was anyone’s game at 17 for 3, but the innings was steadied by Claire Taylor and Jenny Gunn. India gained another vital breakthrough when Taylor was stumped down the leg-side, bringing Sarah Taylor to the middle. For the first match of this series she was selected as the wicketkeeper, in place of Smit, but she can more than hold her own as a batsman.In the third match, at Arundel, her 40 was full of class and at Brighton College she loses nothing in comparison with her male colleagues. This innings gave a wider audience a view of her ability as she timed the ball from the outset and was well-organised throughout. “It’s been a steep learning curve,” she said later, although such sentiments could have applied to India’s bowlers as she routinely punished them with conviction. Much of the batting up to that point had been a struggle, but Taylor found the gaps and had the timing to reach the fence.Her half-century came off 51 balls – “I’m looking to score at a run a ball” she later confirmed – but when she sliced to point the game was not quite won with 29 still needed. However, Smit – who had originally been left out as keeper in favour Taylor – used her experience to strike five boundaries, the final three arriving in a rush to seal the match.Despite India’s early wickets they had always appeared about 25 runs short after struggling to press the accelerator following the early loss of their openers. Raj and Chopra played well, in a record third-wicket stand between the two teams, but were reluctant to chance their arm. It was left to Hemlata Kala to pick up the rate with a well-paced 40 off 46 balls.England’s bowlers stuck to their task with Holly Colvin, who earlier in the day gained 10 A-stars in her GCSEs, producing an economical spell with her left-arm spin. However, it was England’s other young star who played the vital hand, and laid a marker for the future -“I’m loving it” she smiled – as the team managed to reverse their series defeat from the winter.

Division One

A remarkable unbeaten 261 from Darren Lehmann, made from only 302 balls, powered Yorkshire to 473 for 3 on the first breathless day in the relegation decider against Durham at Headingley. The winner of this match stays in the first division and Yorkshire have raced out of the blocks and can already eye safety. Although in some trouble at 43 for 2, Lehmann was dominant from the outset and brought up his first hundred in just over two hours from just 114 balls. He wasn’t finished, though, clobbering 43 fours and two sixes for good measure before the umpires finally called stumps, to end a miserable day for Durham. His innings utterly overshadowed those of Anthony McGrath – whose 79-ball 62 was no less attractive – and Michael Lumb who remained unbeaten on 82.Two fine hundreds from David Fulton and Matt Walker led for Kent on the first day against Middlesex at Canterbury as the home side reached an impressive 353 for 3. The Middlesex bowling left a lot to be desired – only Chris Silverwood, who took two economical wickets, was any resemblance of a threat – as Fulton, in what is likely to be a farewell appearance for Kent, and Joe Denly, the 20-year-old right-hander, put on 123 for the opening stand. Silverwood finally made the breakthrough, bowling Denly for 66, but Walker and Fulton batted magnificently together to put on 196 for the third wicket.For a full report of Sussex‘s key clash against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge click here.For a full report of Lancashire‘s crucial match against Hampshire down at The Rose Bowl click here.

Division Two

A fine 77 from Lee Goddard saved Derbyshire from capitulation on the first day against Surrey at Derby. Goddard came to the crease with his side in deep trouble at 102 for 5, but found excellent support in Graeme Wagg. The pair put on an unbeaten stand of 149 – comfortably the innings’ highest – as Derbyshire closed on 273 for 6.Fifties from Hamish Marshall, Chris Taylor and a particularly aggressive unbeaten 87 from Alex Gidman gave Gloucestershire the honours on the first day against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Both Gloucestershire’s openers, Kadeer Ali and Craig Spearman, fell cheaply to leave the middle order shouldering the responsibility – and they did just that. Marshall smacked 11 fours and cleared the boundary twice in his 79, before he was run out. But Taylor (54) and Gidman made good Marshall’s work as the visitors closed on 342 for 5.Alastair Cook celebrated his first England contract with a brilliant 132, salvaging a sinking Essex ship on the first day against Leicestershire at Grace Road and keeping them in control of their own promotion. Mark Pettini and Ravinder Bopara both fell for 11 and, once Andy Flower (5) and Ronnie Irani departed Essex were in danger of collapsing. Enter James Foster, the forgotten England wicketkeeper, who helped stage a superb fight-back with Cook; the pair put on 155. Though Cook fell, Foster (94*) found good support from Ryan ten Doeschate as the visitors closed on 322 for 6. Essex began with a four point advantage over Worcestershire and will be confident of bagging at least four batting bonus points on the second day.A typically bullish 96 from David Sales was the standout performance for Northamptonshire against Worcestershire on the first day at Northampton. Worcestershire, though, managed three vital bonus points in their push for promotion. The home side’s batsmen all made starts, but only Sales and Ben Phillips (75) took advantage. However, in spite of the impressive run-rate, both fell in quick succession and Northants were dismissed for 342 when the umpires called stumps.

Andrew Flintoff could have done with a fly-swatter while addressing themedia on the eve of England’s knock-out game against Australia. As heanswered a variety of questions – ranging from the Ashes to hisshirt-waving spectacle at Mumbai in 2002 and the Diwali fireworks expectedtomorrow – Flintoff couldn’t but swing his arms, trying to keep out thepests that swarmed around him.During the game tomorrow, especially after sunset, he might feel likeblocking his nose and stuffing his ears. The flies may keep away but theexplosive fire-crackers – a part and parcel of Diwali, the festivalof lights – is likely to pose a share of problems. Locals estimate thatthe pollution levels (both air and noise) increase by 200% on Diwali day.Both captains warned that there’s still a while to go before the event butthere’ll be plenty of ashes around the city tomorrow.The cloud of smoke that’s likely to envelope the city might well affectthe dew factor, an issue that’s slowly becoming one of the talking pointsof the tournament. Pakistan benefited from the film of dew while chasingagainst Sri Lanka but whether there will be dew to the same extent tomorrow, with thenight skies set alight, remains the question. Added to that is the possibility ofshowers – Australia’s practice session was slightly delayed owing toearly-morning rain. Modern cricket teams are accompanied by a sizeablesupport staff but it’s high time someone appointed a permanentmeteorologist.”Some days the dew’s been a factor, some days it’s not,” said a slightlybemused Flintoff when asked about how he went about practicing for thedew. “I don’t think there’s any hard and fast way to find out when it’sgoing to come down. In the game we played against India, I don’t think thedew came down a great deal. It’s something we’ve to look at on the day,after seeing overhead conditions.”England are no doubt preparing themselves for fielding under lights, withthe prospect of having to bowl and field with a soggy ball. “We had afielding practice before the India game,” said Flintoff as he continuedhis battle with the flies,” and we’re having another session underfloodlights tonight. It’s something we’ve come across before – we’veplayed under floodlights in England and the dew plays a part in SouthAfrica as well.”As far as tactics go, it’s pretty much the same really. A good area tobowl is a good area to bowl. You need to bowl pretty straight, thatdoesn’t change if the dew comes in. Sometimes you get a bit more swing, orball may seam a bit more but the areas you put the ball is prettysimilar.”Irrespective of the atmospherics, England are likely to stick to the sameXI that played the first game. The spinners – Michael Yardy and JamieDalrymple – were impressive against India while the seamers did their bitto make a meagre total into a challenging one. What England couldn’t doagainst India, and what they can’t do without tomorrow, is to raise theirintensity and Flintoff underlined the importance of an aggressiveapproach. “Australia are a fine side and remain favourites going into it,”he added. “But both sides have lost first and I don’t think they’ll be.We’ll try and take Australia on and see what happens.”Statistics don’t reveal much. The two teams have encountered each otherjust twice on Indian conditions: first at the famous World Cup final in 1987, when Mike Gatting reverse-swept England to their doom, and next atthe Nehru Cup in 1989, when a Wayne Larkins hundred steered England home.Ultimately it will come down to the team that holds its nerve, gas-masksand ear-muffs best. It promises to be a cracker, in more ways than one.England (likely): 1 Andrew Strauss, 2 Ian Bell, 3 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Michael Yardy, 7 Jamie Dalrymple, 8 Chris Read (wk), 9 James Anderson, 10 Sajid Mahmood, 11 Steve Harmison.

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) succumbed to an innings and 11-run defeat at the hands of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), on the final day of their Patrons Trophy match at Karachi on Tuesday.The writing was very much on the wall for them after ZTBL had compiled a big total of 440 in their first innings and National Bank crashed to a poor 202 all out in reply. At 134 for 3 overnight, in their follow-on innings, they still needed another 104 runs to make ZTBL bat again. Instead, after having reached 160 for 4, their last six wickets managed to add only a further 67. Fawad Alam, the left-handed batsman from Karachi who had top-scored in the first innings with 56, fought a lone battle for National Bank.He stayed at the crease for two and three-quarter hours, faced 114 deliveries for his unbeaten 47 that included four boundaries. Rao Iftikhar, the ZTBL captain, finished with figures of 4 for 41.ZTBL, who still remain at third place in Pool A behind Habib Bank and National Bank, will now meet Pakistan Customs in a third-round match, starting at the same venue from Friday. National Bank play against Habib Bank from the same date here at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1.An inspired spell of fast-medium bowling by Jaffer Nazir helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) gain an outright win as they beat Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) at Rawalpindi. Jaffer’s 5 for 51 had SNGPL dismissed for 142 in their second innings. KRL chased the 133 needed for victory in 23 overs only, though they lost six wickets in the process.Jaffer, who also plays for Sialkot, in fact top-scored for KRL in their first innings with 43. Yesterday, he added another worthy 28 off just 17 deliveries as his team chased the target. He also earned the distinction of completing 400 wickets in a first-class career that started in 1997-98. He has now appeared in 101 such matches.KRL now meet table toppers Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the same venue. On the same day, SNGPL will be playing against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at the Sheikhupura Stadium.Pakistan Customs had to be content with only a draw and three points, at the end of their Patrons Trophy match against Attock Group, at Karachi.Attock Group lost their last wicket at 318 which gave the opposition a 61-run first- innings lead. That was enough to provide them the first innings points. During the rest of the day, with nothing more at stake, the Pakistan Customs batsmen had a rollicking time posting a second innings score of 278 for 4.Kashif Siddiq made amends for his first innings duck to score 110 yesterday. With Usman Arshad, who remained unbeaten with 119, his second-wicket partnership was worth 140. Kashif, son of international umpire Siddiq Khan, hit 14 boundaries. Usman, son of former Pakistan batsman Arshad Pervez, hit 11 boundaries in his knock,which came off 127 balls.Earlier, Attock Group centurion Pervez Aziz added only one run to his overnight score, his 114 lasting 278 balls. His last-wicket stand with Asim Butt (24 not out) produced 71 runs.

Boosted by their victory in the Pro20 game on Friday night, India’scricketers head to Centurion on Sunday seeking to avoid a 4-0 drubbing inthe one-day series. Thus far, South Africa have had it all their own way,with the 80-run margin at Port Elizabeth the closest in a hopelesslyone-sided series.To be fair, India’s bowlers have nearly matched their South Africancounterparts, with Zaheer Khan especially impressive. But the batting,with the odd exception here and there, has been appalling, with run chasesruined even before the Powerplays were exhausted.The return of VVS Laxman, who batted in the nets at Centurion on Saturday,should herald some improvement. His one-day record in South Africa isnothing special – 20 runs in two innings – but as he has repeatedly shownin Australia, the extra bounce doesn’t faze him. Lateral movement isanother matter, but there’s unlikely to be much of that on a bone-dryCenturion pitch that should be full of runs.There will be enough bounce to keep pace bowlers on both sides interestedand the strong winds that blow across the ground – two sides of it arecompletely exposed to the elements – will also be a major factor in a daygame starting at 10 AM. Chasing a target could well be the smart option,though given India’s travails, they might just prefer to defend whatevertotal they can put up. Having dealt with the likes of Johan van der Wathand Tyron Henderson in the Pro20 game, they will once more be confrontedwith the far more lethal trio of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel.Laxman’s inclusion provides a nice sidelight to a game that is little morethan a statistical irrelevance. On Sunday, the side will be led byVirender Sehwag, who has just lost deputy status in the Test team to the manreplacing him – Laxman. At the press conference following the Pro20 game,Sehwag suggested that he would just get on with his game, slap on thewrist notwithstanding. And that’s exactly what the team needs from anindividual who can still turn a game in the space of a few overs with someblistering strokeplay.For Mohammad Kaif, who has failed to grasp his chance, the match should bean opportunity to remind the selectors of what he can offer, with onlyeight more games remaining before India head for the World Cup. His exclusionfrom the Test side is a bitter blow, and it will be a test of character tosee how he bounces back.With Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel both injured, the bowling is down to thebare bones, and Harbhajan Singh should return to partner Anil Kumble in anattack spearheaded by Zaheer and Sreesanth. Irfan Pathan probably savedhis tour with a good allround display in Port Elizabeth, and needs torecover much of the ground lost in the past few months.For South Africa, the choices are far more straightforward. Andrew Hall,whose allround show was so pivotal in the Cape Town victory, is carryingan injury, and Robin Peterson could get a first game of the series.Loots Bosman’s failures at the top will see the equally inconsistent AB deVilliers moving up to partner Graeme Smith, opening a spot for Ashwell Prince in the middle-order.Smith’s form is a matter of concern, and he needs to reassess his approachto Zaheer in the initial overs. Great batsmen eventually adjust, andSmith has enough quality about him to solve the problem. India will onlyhope that he doesn’t find a solution until the tour is over.TeamsSouth Africa (likely): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 AB de Villiers, 3Jacques Kallis, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 Mark Boucher (wk),7 Justin Kemp, 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Robin Peterson, 10 Andre Nel, 11 MakhayaNtini.India (likely): 1 Virender Sehwag (capt), 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 VVSLaxman, 4 Mohammad Kaif, 5 Dinesh Karthik, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 7 IrfanPathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Anil Kumble, 11 Sreesanth.

Scorecard

Michael Hussey again finished a difficult job for his team, taking Australia to victory against New Zealand with two wickets to spare. Hussey’s unbeaten 65 was the key in a tight run-chase of 219 and he brought up the win with a six in the 49th over.New Zealand pushed Australia to the very end but their decision to play only four bowlers cost them dearly as Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle proved too easy to score off in the dying overs. McMillan had already done his part with 89 in New Zealand’s 219 but Hussey and Michael Clarke (75) earned Australia their fourth win of the series.Clarke’s dismissal in the 38th over triggered a mini-collapse as Cameron White and Brett Lee fell soon after and when Nathan Bracken was caught with two runs required the outcome was still uncertain. But Hussey pulled Astle over square leg for six to end another matchwinning innings.The visitors played an extra batsman with Hamish Marshall replacing Jeetan Patel and the move backfired on two counts. Marshall made 0 in another disappointing team effort and in the dying overs Stephen Fleming was forced to use part-time medium-pacers when his four strikers were bowled out.Defending New Zealand’s below-par total was always going to require a flawless performance in the field. Instead, they repeatedly gave lives to Clarke and Hussey and failed to capitalise on a terrific opening that had Australia at 3 for 17.The most telling error was a shambolic attempted run out when both batsmen almost ended up at the striker’s end. With the score on 4 for 116, Clarke pushed into the off side and took off for a single before halting but Hussey kept coming and should have been caught well short at the bowler’s end. Marshall fumbled several times before ending up sprawled on the pitch and flicking the ball back to Daniel Vettori who broke the stumps with his hand rather than the ball with Hussey short of his ground.The mistake not only allowed Hussey, who was 18 at the time, to continue through the innings but it also demoralised the tourists at a critical moment. Clarke was dropped on 17 and again on 42 and holding either chance could have put New Zealand back on top. The first was a simple outfield opportunity when James Franklin spilled a top-edged hook at deep backward square leg. The second was an inside edge to Brendon McCullum, standing up to the stumps, off Franklin’s bowling.

When Clarke gave his third chance, a skied opportunity that Ross Taylor took on the second bite at midwicket, he had already hurt the visitors and taken Australia within 52 runs of victory. Clarke and Andrew Symonds (38) steadied Australia after the home team stumbled to 3 for 17 from six overs.Adam Gilchrist flayed at an extra wide Franklin outswinger and was caught behind for 3 and Matthew Hayden continued his disappointing series with a drive in the air to cover for 0. Ponting, who batted at No. 4 to allow Clarke a promotion, was lbw for 5 to a Michael Mason ball that jagged back off an uneven strip on the pitch.New Zealand also started poorly and it was only through McMillan’s innings – his best ODI score since 2002 – that they recovered from 4 for 54. McMillan’s 87-ball innings featured three sixes – one was a spectacular cut shot over backward point off Lee – and he made the most of a lucky break when he was given not out on 1 despite replays suggesting he edged behind.McMillan and Franklin added 57 in a 39-ball eighth-wicket partnership that restored some dignity to the New Zealand scorecard but Glenn McGrath (3 for 24) and Stuart Clark (4 for 54) ensured the total did not get out of hand.The visitors were unable to bat out the 50 overs and their inability to compile a consistent, professional batting effort was again underlined. The top order remained a concern as Lee’s opening spell shattered any hopes of a solid foundation. New Zealand were 2 for 7 as Lee had both openers caught behind with fast, swinging deliveries.