DANIEL GARB

THE Australian cricket team is much like a yo-yo at the moment, up one day down the next but they picked the perfect match to fire - destroying Great Britain by 123 runs in their clash on July 16 and restoring their chances of playing off in the gold medal game. A win over India on July 17 will all but secure that with the demolition of the Brits boosting their net run rate.

A century opening stand from Victorian brothers David and Brad Majtlis inspired the victory and helped Australia post a total of 216, the largest of the tournament so far.

It was then up to the bowlers to do the rest and with the controversial run out of captain Brett Rosen motivating the side in the field - they ripped through a brittle British outfit for just 93. It was backs to the wall stuff from Australia.

After the embarrassing loss to Israel on July 15 the Australians had to fight back against a British side which is expected to test them all the way for a spot in the gold medal match. And they couldn’t have hoped for more from the Majtlis brothers.

The pair put on 103 for the opening stand, with the watchful approach of David the perfect foil for his younger brother’s aggressive strokeplay.

Brad set the Ramat Gan stadium alight, sending the ball to all parts of the ground in a scintilatting innings of 6,.but when he was dismissed it triggered a mini-collapse for the Aussies.

Vice-captain Dylan Weiner was caught behind for 1 before the highly controversial dismissal of captain Brett Rosen, who was run out off a dead ball while venturing up the pitch to talk to his partner.

The decision by the umprire to give him out was mindboggling, but the sportsmanship from Great Britain was nothing short of disgraceful and with some players disagreeing with their captain’s decision to claim the wicket, it seemed to rock their morale..

The incident failed to knock the concentration of Dave Majtlis though, who kept his composure and batted through pain to compile a superb innings of 74.

The bottom order provided a solid rearguard once again with Rory Weiner, Adam Zemski, Timmy Freed, Dean Beissel and David Fayman all hanging around for long enough to help Australia put on a score that was always going to be difficult to rein in.

With the injustice of Rosen’s run out still in their mind, a revved up bowling attack skittled the Brits.West Australian Beissel was outstanding claiming three wickets with the rest of the bowlers providing valuable support.