Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden tore the Sri Lankan bowling apart to help Australia record a crushing nine–wicket win in today's VB Series dead rubber in Melbourne.
Both Ponting and Hayden sat out Sunday's four–wicket win over England, but they showed no sign of rustiness as Australia easily passed Sri Lanka's miserly 214 for eight for the loss of only Adam Gilchrist.
Australia skipper Ponting led the way with a thrilling unbeaten 106 while opener Hayden bludgeoned four sixes in his 80 not out.
The duo put on an unbroken stand of 178, a record second–wicket partnership for Australia against Sri Lanka.
The win was Australia's seventh in eight VB Series matches and they will meet England in the three–match final, starting in Sydney in Thursday.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments