Australia Thumped Yet Again! - Lose Number 1 Status
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Australia lost for the second time to New Zealand in three days, to lose their series - they are 2-0 down with one to play.
Australia have also lost the World Number 1 ranking in One Day cricket to the South Africans, and they have now lost four games in a row.
Things started well for Australia. They batted, and made a mammoth total of 336/4 from their fifty overs, scoring at 6.72 an over. Mike Hussey made 105 off 84 balls, and Brad Hodge was unbeaten at the end with 97 not out off 86 balls. Cameron White made a rapid 42 not out off just 19 balls. The New Zealand bowling was poor.
New Zealand were 47/2 in reply with their captain Stephen Fleming back in the pavilion along with Lou Vincent. But the up and coming Ross Taylor hit 117 off 127 balls to give New Zealand a chance. Peter Fulton hit 76 not out off 65 balls. Other contributions included Craig McMillan's 52 off 30 balls, and Brandon McCullum's 19 not out off 12 balls at the end. The Australian bowling attack was woeful - only really Shane Watson caused any trouble with 3 for 58. New Zealand reached 337/5 with 8 balls to spare.
It is a disappointing loss for Australia, but they were missing several players from their squad that will be at the World Cup, such as their captain Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
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its not quite a crisis point yet, we are missing some serious firepower but the boys will still be a little concerned that they let the kiwis get this one after batting so well.
Bring on game 3 in hamilton