Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - Cricket: Hayden dominates, world record

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_42040.asp

Quote:

Hayden's heroics dominate Test

Zimbabwe was 1-79 at stumps on day two of the first cricket Test against Australia at the WACA Ground, with an enormous job in front of it to avoid a crushing defeat.

Only a Matthew Hayden-esque innings can save Zimbabwe, which was sent in to face 31 overs after Australia declared on 6-735 following Hayden's dismissal for 380, the highest individual score in Test match history.

Zimbabweans Trevor Gripper (37) and Mark Vermeulen (nine) were unbeaten at the close, with the team still 656 runs adrift of Australia's total.

Dion Ebrahim was the man out, bowled by Jason Gillespie for 29.

Hayden passed Brian Lara's previous mark of 375 just before tea and Australian captain Steve Waugh gave him the chance to become the first man to crack 400.

But the left-handed opener was caught sweeping after a marathon innings of 622 minutes and 438 balls, during which he clobbered 38 boundaries and 11 sixes.

On the day, Hayden made the game's key individual record his own, Australia's enormous total was its second-highest and highest on Australian soil.

Hayden and Adam Gilchrist (113 not out) also smashed hundreds during the second session in what's believed to be the first time an Australian pair made hundreds in a session.

Given the enormity of Hayden's knock, Gilchrist almost went unnoticed despite blazing a century off 84 balls in a partnership of 223.

But the day belonged to Hayden, who joined cricket's greats when he pushed a single off spinner Ray Price.

He doffed his cap, raised his bat and was embraced by batting partner Adam Gilchrist.

He raised his arms in jubilation when he passed Lara's score and was embraced by Gilchrist.

As he walked off the ground at tea, Hayden was congratulated by the Zimbabwe team and mobbed by his teammates, who were led on to the ground by captain Steve Waugh.

He is just the fifth Australian to score a triple century and just the second man to pass 300 on Australian soil, after Bob Cowper scored 307 at the MCG in 1965-66

pretty damn impressive, even though it was against Zimbabwe, not one of the top sides in the world, but no too bad either.

Although, Just standing out there for 622 minutes facing 438 balls is impressive!

Go Aussies!