Hayden And Ponting Are Retiring Types After Picking Off Somerset Attack
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday June 16, 2005
Taunton: Matthew Hayden's belligerent start to the Ashes tour continued against Somerset on Wednesday when he compiled a swift 76 before retiring to allow his teammates a hit. Ricky Ponting followed suit by heading for the dressing rooms upon hitting a six high over the long-on fence to reach 80.
Time in the middle was of the essence for Australia's batsmen ahead of Saturday's first one-day international against Bangladesh, to the point where Hayden and Ponting each sacrificed a probable hundred to allow Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey to bat.Against an attack depleted by injuries to former England bowler Andy Caddick and West Indian Nixon McLean, they would otherwise have spent all 50 overs cooling their heels in the pavilion as the top order had its way.Since the Australians arrived, Hayden has made 79 in a Twenty20 warm-up match, 107 against Leicestershire and 76 from 53 balls here. Hard to believe it is only four months since, at the end of a miserable summer for the Queenslander, he was dropped from the one-day side. Australia rested Adam Gilchrist, giving Brad Haddin a run with the gloves and allowing Simon Katich to open. The NSW captain made only 12, but Martyn reached 44 before being stumped off South Africa captain Graeme Smith. Clarke (63 not out) and Hussey (51) then scored freely as the tourists racked up 5-342.
© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald
