Kiwis defeat Aussies again, India now ranked number two in ODIs

Melbourne, Feb.6 (ANI): Australia on Friday lost its second placed ranking among one-day international teams to India after being defeated by New Zealand in their second one-day international on the trot at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

India, which has been hogging the headlines in world cricket through its scintillating performance in Sri Lanka ( 4-0 lead in the five match one-day series), has 122 points. Australia has 121 points, while the South Africans are at the top of the table with 125 points.

Australia lost the match by six wickets. The fifth consecutive defeat on home soil came when New Zealand batters Brendon McCullum (39), Ross Taylor (47), G.Elliot (61 not out) and N.T. Broom (21 not out) steered their team to the winning target of 226. The Kiwis won the match with seven balls to spare.

Friday's defeat has all but certified that the once invincible Aussies are a struggling side, and will have to pull up their socks to prevent another series defeat in the ongoing five match series for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. New Zealand lead the series two games to nil. For Australians, the only consolation came in the form of stand-in skipper Michael Clarke winning the Man of the Match award for his 98 in a total score of 225 for five. He was ably assisted by Mr. Fixit' Michael Hussey, who scored 75."We fell a few runs short. The wicket was a little slow, and the spinners bowled pretty well, and I think I could have scored a little bit quicker. Our bowlers did a pretty good job, but we couldn't tighten them up in the middle overs. We need to close these games off, and be a little more positive and go for wickets than just try to contain them," Clarke was quoted as saying by cricinfo.

Vettori received a huge cheer from the spectators for putting up another wonderful show.

"We've bowled exceptionally, especially Kyle Mills. Ross Taylor and Elliot batted superbly, so did Neil Broom and the fact that the youngsters are doing well shapes up really well for New Zealand cricket," said Vettori. (ANI)