On this day in 2004: USA play their first ODI
It was the second match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 when USA played its first-ever ODI against New Zealand at The Oval on September 10, 2004. As expected, the favourites, New Zealand won the game by a huge margin of 210. Nevertheless, it was a historic day in the history of American cricket as they put themselves on the map in a mega event.
The American side, led by Richard Staple, won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first. And the Kiwis came out with the familiar opening pairing of Nathan Astle and skipper Stephen Fleming. The newcomers had a promising start getting rid of Fleming in the sixth over for 15, and it got even better when they got the second scalp of Hamish Marshall for 11 in the 13th over.
After New Zealand were on 43 for two, it was the partnership between Astle and Scott Styris that steadied the ship for the Black Caps, adding 163 runs for the third wicket. USA were still in the game, having picked four wickets for 211 in 42.2 overs but then came the innings from Craig McMillan, which took virtually took the game away from USA. He scored an explosive 64 runs off 27 balls with two fours and seven sixes and took them to a total of 347 on 50 overs. The pick of the USA bowlers was seamer Tony Reid, who finished with one for 37 in 10 overs.
USA’s chase began steadily with both their openers, Rohan Alexander and Mark Johnson getting the starts. But once they lost their first wicket in the tenth over, with Johnson departing for 20, three more wickets followed in the next six balls, and the game was all but over. Clayton Lambert, at number six, top-scored for the American side, scoring 39, and they were bowled out for 137 in 42.4 overs.
It was pacer Jacob Oram who starred with the ball, picking up five wickets for 36 runs with one maiden in 9.4 overs. Spinner Daniel Vettori also chipped in with figures of three wickets for 14 runs with three maidens in ten overs. The Player of the Match award was given to Astle for his performance with the bat.
