Fightback from Oram and Vettori! 81 runs for the seventh wicket thus far and NZ are 116/6, needing 6 an over to win from here. Can it be done? Will this partnership win the match for NZ? Or will it simply be too little, too late?

Eight wickets down (with Vettori at the crease not out on half century) and needing 80 or so for victory things do not look good for New Zealand.

Good bowling gets its rewards on these pitches and with the ball zipping around early on (and New Zealand's major collapse) I think Ponting's knock [who came to the crease after only four overs] really was top class stuff. Having to play Bond (who has dismissed him 6 times in 7 games) getting the ball to swing and seam viciously was definitely testing stuff.

This pitch would be perfect for a test match; any bowler (apart from seaming the ball has spun plenty if given the opportunity) should want to roll this pitch up and take it to any test match.

That would sort the men from the boys.

ps. Gibbs_fan, I was also watching this match when I got the opportunity (I would rather watch this match than ANY of England's matches) but I've been at school so it makes things a little bit difficult.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

193-9 puts Australia in a nearly guaranteed position of victory.

I'll get my congratulations in early, well done Australia on getting to the final of the CT.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Hamish Marshall is NOT GOOD ENOUGH at this level. Pure stubbornness sees him repeatedly in the side. I thought he'd finally been dropped, but due to the injury to Styris, he gets ANOTHER CHANCE!

On the other hand, I've critisised Mills and praised Franklin in the past. On the basis of this trophy though, Mills has found his line with the ball, whereas Franklin really needs to put some work into getting a consistent line and length.

Who would have thought it would have finished so closely when the Kiwis were 6 down though?

Yes excellent fightback from the kiwis but their top order needs to take a logn hard look at Vettoris innings... he was very very good!!!

Well done aussies... to the final and then to the cup!!!!

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good match. fight from new zealnd came way too late. aussies showing ruthlessness. dont know how england are going to keep the ashes with australia going at this rate.Australia are bound to win this champions trophy and are heading to get their ashes back and retaining the world cup.

It's a different game on November 23rd. The Aussies are currently a better one-day team than a test team, and the Ashes this year will again be a massive contest, don't worry about that!

Are you saying there's a level he's good at? Some lowly form of club cricket perhaps?!

Fulton is a much better long term prospect than Marshall could ever be.

The trouble is that Two Metre Peter has struggled just as badly as Marshall in the ICCCT. Personally, Fulton looks to have a much more solid techique then Marshall and is more likely to 'come good'. Bracewell has wasted too much effort on Marshall - showing the stubbornness that only Duncan Fletcher can display (e.g. over Geraint Jones!)

Batsmen who should be ahead of of Marshall - Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Michael Papps, Jesse Ryder, Martin Crowe, Jeetan Patel, Geoff Boycott's Grandmother

Now, now Andy, you can't be that harsh on Geraint! He has talent but Marshall does not!

Fulton started his ODI career very promisingly but isn't in his best form now, though he is still way ahead of Hamish "Where's the ball gone? Oh, onto my off stump again!" Marshall!

What happened to How by the way? He was looking good too.