Cricket - Tri-series

An imperious century from skipper Ricky Ponting and an unbeaten 99 from Brad Hodge guided Australia to a tense five-wicket victory in the tri-series match against New Zealand yesterday. Ponting, returning to the side after missing Friday's defeat by...

An imperious century from skipper Ricky Ponting and an unbeaten 99 from Brad Hodge guided Australia to a tense five-wicket victory in the tri-series match against New Zealand yesterday.

Ponting, returning to the side after missing Friday's defeat by England with a hip problem, struck 104 as he and Hodge helped the hosts reach their victory target of 291 with 10 balls to spare at the Melbourne CG.

The victory means the winner of tomorrow's match between England and New Zealand in Brisbane will take on the hosts in the best-of-three final starting in Melbourne on Friday.

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