The US cricket team is heading home after two humbling defeats in the Champions Trophy that set records for futility. But the Americans insist the experience was worthwhile.
Amid widespread criticism of the inclusion of inexperienced, below-par teams in prestigious cricket events, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said lesser cricketing nations such as the US should be learning about the game in their own tournaments, not in major competitions.
PHOTO: EPA
American captain Richard Staple has had to constantly defend his aging team of amateurs, who hail from the Caribbean, India and Pakistan. The Americans have only one well-known player -- 42-year-old former West Indies star Clayton Lambert -- and he missed the Australia match with injury. Only one US player, Leon Romero, was born in America.
Ponting was speaking after his team's nine-wicket demolition of the US at the Rose Bowl in a match lasting only 191 balls.
The US, put in to bat by Ponting, were shot out for 65 in 24 overs and Australia knocked off the runs in 7.5 overs for the loss of opener Matthew Hayden.
The quickfire victory gave them a better net run rate than New Zealand, who beat the rank outsiders by 210 runs on Friday, and the statistic could become important if the final Group A clash between the Antipodean rivals is washed out.
It was all too easy for the rampant Aussies, as Ponting was quick to concede, his only regret was that his team were not more severely tested.
"We understand why countries such as the United States are in it but I am not convinced the ICC Champions Trophy or the World Cup is the best place for them to learn," said Ponting.
"I hope they got something out of the game. I know they will be in our dressing room picking our brains.
"We want to be playing against the best teams so I am not sure we got much out of this game.
"Teams like the US need to be playing in tournaments against those of their own strength and showing they can dominate at that level before stepping up."
Steve Massiah was the only US batsman to reach double figures with a defiant 23, including three of his country's four boundaries.
Michael Kasprowicz earned the man of the match award for his four for 14 while Jason Gillespie finished with figures of four for 15.
Australia wasted no time in knocking off the 66 they needed. Adam Gilchrist smashed 24 not out from 25 balls, charging down the wicket in the first over, as Australia reached their target of 66 in 7.5 overs.
Matthew Hayden edged a wild swipe behind for 23, caught at the wicket by namesake Mark Johnson to give Howard Johnson a prize wicket while Charles Reid dropped a caught-and-bowled chance off Gilchrist when he had scored only 13.
Brett Lee started the US' demolition by bowling opener Mark Johnson for a duck second ball before Michael Clarke dropped a chance in the slips off Leon Romero next delivery.
Romero was run out by Damien Martyn next over, however, unintentionally blocked by bowler Glenn McGrath going for a dubious run.
McGrath, 34, returned to the Australia attack for their first game in the 12-team tournament but failed to take a wicket.
Kasprowicz earlier grabbed four for 14 and Gillespie four for 15 to limit the US to 65, the lowest total in Champions Trophy history, in just 24 overs.
"We needed to get the run rate up for when we meet New Zealand on Thursday [tomorrow] in case it rains," Ponting said.
"We would have liked a good, solid game as a build up to the New Zealand match. We had exhausted our training and a practice match against Hampshire was washed out."
US captain Donovan Blake said the thrashing had not affected morale among his assortment of ex-patriate West Indians and other nations.
"We can only improve by playing teams like the Australians. It won't set us back at all," Blake said.
"We can only have learned from playing against some great players and we will take that knowledge home with us.
"It was the same when we lost to New Zealand, they were very hospitable towards us and were pleased to help.
"Our next big tournament is the World Cup qualifiers and I believe by then we will be a better and younger team."
The US qualified for the 10-team Champions Trophy by winning a qualifying tournament ear-lier this year. Staple's next aim is to qualify for the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean; a qualifying tournament will be played in Ireland next year.
"It's very important for US cricket that we do well in that tournament and qualify for the World Cup," Staple said.
Staple hopes that cricket can become a popular sport in the US. He wants to see cricket introduced in schools. The US has about only a half-dozen full-fledged cricket fields -- all in California and Florida.
"Most of the cricket that's being played [in America] is by expats, guys from Asian and West Indian background," Staple said.
"The most important thing is that we get the game into the schools so we have new talent coming through.
Once that happens I think there will be much more interest in the game."
Kenya vs Pakistan
Play in the ICC Champions Trophy Pool C match between Kenya and Pakistan at Edgbaston yesterday was abandoned for the day because of rain without a ball being bowled.
Rain on Monday was followed by a further downpour overnight and more showers yesterday. The umpires abandoned play for the day 45 minutes before the scheduled start.
However, all Champions Trophy matches come equipped with a reserve day and play is now due to start at 9:15am today.
The game will still be a 50 overs per side contest and Duckworth/Lewis will only come into operation if there is a further stoppage for bad weather.
This match was Pakistan's first of the tournament. Kenya went down to a 98-run defeat against India on Saturday.
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