Gilchrist gives Australia edge

Tuesday 29 March 2005 00:00 BST
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Adam Gilchrist hit an unbeaten, run-a-ball half-century and Glenn McGrath edged closer to his 500th career wicket as Australia seized control of the third and final Test with New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, yesterday.

Gilchrist smashed 60 not out from 62 balls to help Australia post a first-innings total of 383 and establish a 91-run lead.

McGrath, aiming to become the fourth bowler to take 500 Test wickets, then took his total to 497 when dismissing Craig Cumming and James Marshall, leaving New Zealand in deep trouble at 11 for 2 when bad light stopped play on the third day.

The paceman trapped Cumming leg before with the second ball of the innings, then removed Marshall for three when the debutant fended a ball to Justin Langer at third slip.

Gilchrist's half-century swung the match Australia's way after they had led by just 11 runs with two wickets in hand. He tore into the bowlers, belting 10 boundaries and a six in a record ninth-wicket stand of 74 with Michael Kasprowicz before he ran out of partners. James Franklin mopped up the last four wickets to finish with career-best figures of 6 for 119.

England suffered their first defeat at the Women's World Cup in South Africa, slipping to a seven-wicket reverse against India at the Laudium Oval.

Charlotte Edwards made the highest score with 58 and Arran Brindle finished unbeaten on 51, but England were all out for 139 in 49.3 overs and an unbroken stand of 106 between Anjum Chopra (64 not out) and Rumeli Dhar (42 not out) saw India home with 4.1 overs to spare.

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