3rd ODI : Sachin Tendulkar's 43rd ODI century : Record of most sixes
When square boundaries are just 60 yards, third man & mid-wicket only 54 yards - you know Indian batsmen can make a mediocre bowling attack look silly. even before this 3rd India vs New Zealand one day international started at AMI stadium in Christchurch, home team plans were to bowl at stumps and force wristy Indian batters to play straight where the boundaries actually were 80 yards far.Kiwi bowlers failed in plan, bowled it short & wide to which Indians replied with score of 392 = 10th highest ODI total! (3rd ODI Scorecard). Another big record was broken today = most sixes in a 50 over match = 31, beating Australia-Southafrica Greatest ODI at Johannesburg where 26 times ball flew over the boundary. Indian team hit 18 sixes, equally their own record of most sixes hit in an ODI innings, with South Africa and New Zealand. Sachin Tendulkar scored his 43rd ODI century, allowing his younger/stronger batting partners to take risks at the other end. Tendulkar himself hit 5 sixes and notched up his second highest ODI score as well = 163. his best still remains as 186 not out against same New Zealand team at Hyderabad. Interestingly, Sachin wasn't dismissed in this Chirstchurch ODI, but retired hurt after he ran out of energy in the 45th over. Indian maestro confessed he thought about double century, but couldn't go on for team's benefit. Jesse Ryder lead New Zealand reply in emphatic fashion, scoring 105 off just 80 balls. His opening partnership with Brendon McCullum took home team to a roket start of 166 almost at 8 runs per over but middle order collapse did kiwis in. late heroics from Kyle Mills (54 off 32 balls) along with Ian Butler's 19 ball 24 brought back glimer of hope for New Zealand but Indians kept their nerves intact to win the game with 58 runs. Brendon McCullum captained New Zealand for the first time. He filled in for Daniel Vettori who took an paternity leave as his wife Mary was expecting couple's first child. Jesse Ryder missed scoring the fastest century by a new zealand batsman, as his century came in 72 balls and record stood at 67 balls ton from Craig McMillan. Tim Southee bowled the 3rd most expensive spell in one day cricket, behind Dan Sedden's 105 off 12 overs and Mick Lewis's 113 runs from 10 overs. Southee gave away 105 from his 10 overs without picking up a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar made his first ODI century in New Zealand, in his 23rd innings here. Tendulkar's previous best at any New Zealand ground was 87. Related Articles |