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Marred match Ponting scores century as Australia beats India
Posted: Thursday January 13, 2000 08:18 AM
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Ricky Ponting celebrated his promotion to vice-capain of Australia's limited-overs cricket side by playing a leading role in Wednesday's tri-series victory over India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In a match marred by poor crowd behavior, Ponting smashed 115 off just 121 balls to provide the backbone of Australia's total of 269-7, a target which proved too great for India which could only manage 241-6 in reply despite a gallant century from opener Saurav Ganguly. It was Ganguly's dismissal for 100 in the 40th over that sparked the worst of the crowd trouble. Ganguly was beaten by a direct throw from Andrew Symonds at mid-off, having failed to ground his bat despite having made it past the crease when the throw connected with the stumps. The decision went to the third umpire, who ruled the left-hander out. However, the verdict upset the large contingent of Indian fans among the huge crowd of 73,219, who then delayed the game for 17 minutes by littering the outfield in front of the Southern Stand with plastic battles. Ponting was only given the deputy leadership role to Steve Waugh late Tuesday following the torn side muscle injury to Shane Warne and responded in style by playing a trademark cavalier innings. The 25-year-old, whose appointment was seen by many as the first step toward ultimately becoming Australian captain, came to the wicket in only the third over following the early loss of opener Adam Gilchrist. Ponting brought up his century by the 40th over as the Indian bowlers struggled to make an impact on an ideal batting wicket. Ponting took 109 balls to bring up the sixth one-day century of his 93-match career but his first since clubbing 124 not out against Pakistan at Lahore in November, 1998. The highlight was a superb pull shot which went for six over square leg in the 12th over off Javagal Srinath and along with Michael Bevan (41 off 54 balls), Steve Waugh (23 off 31 balls) and Damien Martyn (30 off 45 balls) he resurrected the innings after the home side had slumped to 19-2 in the fourth over. India's innings got off to a disastrous start when V.V.S. Laxman was out in just the third over, caught behind for two off Glenn McGrath, as India managed just 26 runs in their first 10 overs. When skipper Sachin Tendulkar was run out for 12 in the 17th over with the score at just 68 off a great return from the outfield by Shane Lee, India appeared to have no chance. But Ganguly's fighting knock, his century coming off 126 balls, at least gave the visitors hope. After the match, New South Wales leg spinner Stuart MacGill was added to the Australian squad for the next two matches, replacing Warne.
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