New Zealand keep pressure on Aussies

James Franklin removed both openers as New Zealand kept the pressure on Australia in their Commonwealth Bank Series clash in Melbourne.

In reply to the Black Caps’ 290 for seven, the hosts moved on to 120 for three at the 25-over mark.

Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden both got good starts for Australia but neither man could go on to register a big score with Franklin doing the damage.

Gilchrist was first to go having made 29 off just 28 balls, missing an attempted slog with the ball clipping the bat on its way to hitting the stumps.

Hayden followed shortly afterwards for 28 when a heave on the leg-side went straight to Ross Taylor in the deep.

Captain Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke moved the score past three figures before the latter edged a wide ball from spinner Daniel Vettori to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum for nine.

Ponting remained at the crease on 45 not out and his contribution could prove vital to the outcome.

Earlier, Lou Vincent made a gritty 90 to put New Zealand on the front foot.

The 28-year-old top scored for the Black Caps although Peter Fulton chipped in with 60 – the pair putting on 151 for the second wicket on a docile drop-in pitch at the MCG.

Vincent has been in the headlines for a number of reasons over the past few days.

He made 66 in Perth last week before launching a broadside at Ricky Ponting’s men, accusing them of arrogance and behaving like “a pack of dogs” in the field.

The expected Aussie retribution did not materialise, however, as the hosts’ attack failed to fire, although Shaun Tait was impressive, taking one for 26 from his 10 overs with one delivery recorded at 99.4mph.

Tait opened the bowling with fellow paceman Brett Lee in what looked a threatening partnership.

But the benign pitch did them no favours, even though Lee accounted for New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming early on.

Fleming’s dismissal brought Fulton to the crease and he and Vincent prospered with some pugnacious batting.

They saw through the remainder of the 20 powerplay overs – New Zealand making 99 runs with the fielding restrictions in place – and rarely looked threatened by an Australia side which has gone a little off the boil in recent outings.

Part-time spinner Clarke eventually made the breakthrough, trapping Fulton leg before wicket.

Vincent followed five overs later, Tait spearing another rapid ball on to the stumps.

Having been given such a solid platform, the rest of the batsmen were given licence to chase quick runs.

Taylor (21) and the returning Scott Styris, who made 34, contributed useful efforts while the in-form Jacob Oram looked dangerous before holing out to Brad Hodge in the deep off Lee for 15.

If New Zealand win in Melbourne it would put them in pole position to meet Australia again in the best-of-three finals.

Fleming’s side started the day on nine points, the same number as England with the teams due to meet in Brisbane on Tuesday.