— Photo: AFP

MASTERLY KNOCK: Matthew Hayden, after a cautious start, came up with a blistering innings of 158.

St. Peter's: Matthew Hayden struck a brutal, glowering 158 as Australia made 322 for six from 50 overs in the first Super Eight game of the World Cup here on Tuesday.

Appropriately, Hayden's show of strength — inclusive of 14 fours and four sixes — came on a ground named after a man who did it better and more often than anyone the game has seen.

The Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground is unlike any in the Caribbean. For one it's outside the city. The most singular feature of cricket grounds in this part of the world is that they are extensions of West Indian life. Music and cook-up food isn't part of the viewing experience; it is the viewing experience.

A cricket match here isn't a picnic or a day out. It just is the most happening party next street. Convenience is everything.

For Antiguans, leaving St. John's and driving on the freshly-tarred road to St. Peter's even if it's the World Cup and even if it's a national holiday, couldn't have been easy.

Yet, the grassy banks, such an integral part of watching cricket here, were nearly full as the captains came out to toss. Beach 366, the mini wave pool christened Antigua's 366th beach, had been waded into.

It must be said, however, that the crayon yellow of Australia's supporters was nearly as prevalent as the maroon of the West Indian.

And the seated areas of this exquisitely modern stadium — split spaceship-silver roofing, five-storied grand stands — weren't as filled as the organisers would have hoped. The early cricket may have convinced a few following it on their transistor radios to make the trip. Both Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor bowled pinning lines and lengths, and just 16 came off the first five overs.

Moreover, the West Indies snared Adam Gilchrist. Both Gilchrist and Hayden had looked like men with sponges at a pig-sticking contest, such was their lack of success at laying bat on ball. Powell strong-armed Gilchrist into inside-edging, and Denesh Ramdin gloved it neat.

The ball was neither coming off the track nor streaking across the sandy outfield, and Lara's decision to bowl looked vindicated. Lara took out second slip and put him at short-cover — further proof that driving on the up was to be attempted only by the strong of heart.

Ricky Ponting has been world cricket's best batsmen over the last few years. On Tuesday, he showed why.

Till Ramnaresh Sarwan hit the stumps from extra cover, Ponting was lord and master. He drove from that famous belligerent forward press. He used it to push on to the back-foot and wheel into pulls. The flick pick-up, even if his head fell away, foamed with intent.

Ponting had advanced Australia to 76 for one in the 15th over when Sarwan did a number on him. The push into the covers was so well timed that neither Sarwan's weak shoulder nor Ponting's speed over twenty yards compromised the run out.

Indifferent start

Hayden worked past an indifferent start to bludgeon the ball. The word bludgeon is often used as a substitute for hit when describing a stroke, but Hayden confers authenticity upon it. He uses his bat like a blunt instrument. The stroke even sounds like a bludgeon - dull, ponderous, muffled.

By the time he reached his fifty, Hayden was back to his old ways, menacing down the track to the quick bowlers, charging the spinners, drag-pulling all comers.

Clarke, on the other hand, was like mercury on a tile. He wristed joyously to leg as Lara dove over the ball.

For variety, he leapt away from the stumps, and late cut. A shower, goaded by stiff cross-winds, slanted across the stadium, but Hayden and Clarke kept their concentration.

Their partnership was tipping the balance of power.

Chris Gayle, bowling with his cap on, had no effect on proceedings. Finally, Dwayne Bravo ended the 98-run partnership by trapping Clarke in front.

Hayden, having biffed a straight six one-handed, was progressing to his second century in as many games. He reached it without fuss.

Brilliant comeback

The West Indies fought back with wickets. Marlon Samuels got one to bounce on Andrew Symonds. Ramdin completed his second excellent catch. Michael Hussey sucked one on his stumps. Another wicket at that stage — 234 for five in the 41st — might have allowed the West Indies to keep Australia under 300.

Hayden, however, powered from 100 to 150 in 27 balls, banging sixes and, one occasion, finessing a four.

Rain suspended play in the 47th over, but Shane Watson took Australia past the inevitable 300.

scoreboard

Australia: A. Gilchrist c Ramdin b Powell 7, M. Hayden c Samuels b Bravo 158, R. Ponting run out) 35, M. Clarke lbw b Bravo 41, A. Symonds c Ramdin b Samuels 13, M. Hussey b Powell S. Watson (not out) 33, B. Hogg not out) 5; Extras (b-1, lb-9, w-8, nb-3): 21. Total (for six wkts, 50 overs): 322.

Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-76, 3-174, 4-208, 5-234, 6-297. West Indies bowling: Powell 10-2-53-2, Taylor 10-0-67-0, Collymore 10-0-56-0, Gayle 4-0- 29-0, Bravo 7-0-49-2, Samuels 0-58-1.

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