Tactical Blunder Costs Kiwis Dear

Australia put their one-day cricket tri-series campaignback on track with an eight-wicket demolition of New Zealand in a highlyone-sided encounter in Faridabad today.

After skittling out New Zealand, who opted to bat, for97 in 33.4 overs, the world champions overhauled the target in just 16.4 oversfor their first win of the tri-series after losing to India in their opener inGwalior on Sunday.

Adam Gilchrist scored a rapid fire 29 off 18 balls andMatthew Hayden a 53-ball 51 as Australia made a mockery of their trans-Tasmanrivals who have now lost ten of the 11 matches at neutral venues to the Aussies.

This was the third instance when the Black Caps failedto go past the hundred mark against the Aussies and their total was also thelowest-ever at Faridabad, the previous being India's 177 against the West Indiesin 1994-95.

Brad Williams claimed his career-best four for 22though left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken was more effective, capturing three for 25as the duo wrecked the Kiwi top order in an destructive opening spell.

Australia have now seven points and are behind India ateight points. New Zealand, who gained three points from the abandoned seriesopener against India in Chennai, have been pushed down to the bottom of thetable.

In sharp contrast to the Kiwis, Australia, who had to bat for eight overs beforethe lunch break due to the early dismissal of their rivals, were off to a flier.

The two openers -- Gilchrist and Hayden -- launched thereply with a flourish, racing to 47 in six overs.

Gilchrist departed for an 18-ball 29 but not before hehad entertained a packed crowd at the Nahar Singh Stadium with a flurry of fivefours and a huge six.

Hayden, who looked a little tentative in Gwalioralthough he did manage to score 47, was his usual aggressive self as hedisplayed some brilliant shots.

His unbeaten 51 contained seven boundaries and a six asthe Kiwi new-ball bowlers went through their motions knowing the futility of itall.

The Kiwis were in trouble right from the start afterskipper Stephen Fleming made a surprise decision to bat first on a pitch thatoffered a lot of movement and bounce.

Fleming had mentioned in his pre-match Press conferenceyesterday that moisture on a morning start would help the seamers early on.

His predictions came true as Bracken and Williams,later named the man-of-the-match, exploited the conditions to the hilt and hadthe opposition reeling at 21 for five in the ninth over of the innings.

Had it not been for the 52-run sixth wicket partnership between Craig McMillan(24) and Chris Harris (14), and the huge number of extras (32) -- the Kiwiinnings might not have lasted the distance it did.

Compounding the misery was the pitch which offered somuch movement and bounce that the seamers had problems controlling their line,resulting in so many extras.

Bracken, who removed Virender Sehwag in the first overat Gwalior, struck again in his first over removing Chris Nevin for a duck.

There was no doubt when a thick edge from Fleming wastaken cleanly by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist diving to his left in Bracken'sthird over.

At 11 for two, the situation demanded some caution, butLou Vincent played an irresponsible shot to get out and leave his team in deeptrouble. Vincent, whose patient hundred laid the foundation for New Zealand'sdomination in the second Test, chose to pull Williams off a good length ball.The result was a simple catch to Andy Bichel at mid-off.

Scott Styris, another centurion at Mohali, middled theball well but got a bit carried away by his early success. Going for anambitious drive, Styris edged Williams to Ponting in second slip.

Bracken then struck for the third time when Jacob Oramtoo failed to adjust to the movement off the pitch and gave Gilchrist his secondcatch of the match.

It was only the ninth over, and the Black Caps had sunk to 21 for five. CraigMcMillan survived a strong appeal for caught behind off Williams in the verynext over but umpire S. Venkataraghavan gave the benefit of doubt to thebatsman.

The right hander, on 13, also had a reprieve whenMatthew Hayden grassed a simple catch at first slip off Bichel.

Bichel like Williams, who conceded nine extras in hisfirst six over, had difficulty in finding rhythm. In his fifth over, he concededthree consecutive wides besides a no-ball.

Ian Harvey too got enough movement in the air and theright-arm trundler broke the Harris-McMillan partnership when he had the formertrapped leg before wicket. Workhorse Bichel soon fetched his reward whenMcMillan, playing down the leg, was ruled leg before wicket.

Williams returned to remove Brendon McCullum who fellto a good low catch by Damien Martyn at square leg before Harvey rapped Vettorion the pads. Williams then had Paul Hitchcock caught by Hayden at first slip.

Australia retained the team that played against Indiaat Gwalior while New Zealand named Chris Nevin in place of Chris Cairns whopulled his hamstring in the Chennai match.

The tri-series action now moves to Mumbai whereAustralia will take on India in a day-night match on Saturday.

PTI