Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath re-wrote cricket's record books as Australia trounced New Zealand in their Super Eight encounter at Queen's Park, Grenada on 20th April, 2007. 

The two sides had already qualified for the semi-finals before this match so the result was meaningless although it can have done nothing but damage to New Zealand's confidence. Hayden (103) hit a record-equalling third World Cup century while McGrath's two wickets haul took his tally for this tournament to 22, his best ever in a World Cup 

Australia quickly shook off the surprise of seeing Adam Gilchrist heading for the pavilion after making just one run. Hayden and Ricky Ponting were at their magnificent best, putting on a second-wicket stand of 137 in 21 overs.

Hayden raced to his century in just 97 balls, blasting ten fours and a six before being caught and bowled by Scott Styris. Ponting ran riot and had chalked up 66 runs when he was caught by Ross Taylor, off Jeetan Patel.

Michael Clarke then added a further 49 runs and after he was bowled by James Franklin, Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds made a joint stand of 48. Australia then looked to Shane Watson to consolidate their score and he did not disappoint them.

Scoring an average of two runs per ball, Watson charged to an unbeaten 65 and Australia closed out their innings at 348-6, putting enormous pressure on New Zealand's batsmen.

With McGrath in such good form and his fellow-bowlers Brad Hogg (four for 29) and Shaun Tait (three for 23), the Kiwis became nothing more than cannon fodder as they stumbled their way to a mere 133 runs, 62 of which came courtesy of one man, Peter Fulton. 

Australia won the match by 215 runs and emphasised once again that they are head and shoulders above any other team in the tournament.

Article by Julian Armfield, BBC World Service Sport, reporting for Totally Barbados

Article Posted On:
April 23rd, 2007

http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Entertainment/Sports/Cricket/