New Zealand 218 Australia 224-8: Hussey stars again to finish off New Zealand

Jon Fisher
Sunday 21 January 2007 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Michael Hussey was once again the star of the show as Australia defeated New Zealand by two wickets here in the fifth Tri-Series one-day international yesterday.

The middle-order run machine guided Australia home after they had lost three early wickets chasing 219 for victory. New Zealand were bowled out for just 218 but Australia edged home with only eight balls to spare. Michael Clarke made 75 while Hussey was 65 not out after hitting a Nathan Astle delivery for six to seal Australia's latest victory. Craig McMillan top-scored for New Zealand with 89 after helping the Kiwis recover from 136 for 7 to post a competitive score.

Ricky Ponting lavished praise on Hussey, who enhanced his reputation as the team's "finisher" with his 10th one-day international half-century.

"He has managed to win a lot of games off his own bat whether it be in Test matches or controlling one-day games," Ponting said.

Comparisons have been drawn between Hussey and Michael Bevan, Australia's past master of closing games out, and Ponting added: "[Hussey] is a very good finisher and someone has asked me whether he has stepped into the Bevan mould and he is doing as well as Bevan ever did."

Ponting was not happy with his side's all-round display. "There's no doubt we haven't played that great in our last couple of games but we've still managed to win," he said.

"If there is an area of improvement it's with our top order because the middle order is doing its job."

Scoreboard from Sydney

New Zealand won toss

New Zealand

*S P Fleming c Hussey b Clark 12

N J Astle c Gilchrist b Lee 0

H J H Marshall c Gilchrist b Lee 0

R L Taylor c Hussey b Clark 26

P G Fulton c Hayden b Clark 19

ÝC D McMillan c and b McGrath 89

B B McCullum lbw b McGrath 15

D L Vettori c Ponting b Clark 6

J E C Franklin c Hayden b McGrath 18

M R Gillespie not out 6

M J Mason b Bracken 4

Extras (b2 lb12 w5 nb4) 23

Total (47.4 overs) 218

Fall: 1-5 2-7 3-38 4-53 5-84 6-126 7-136 8-193 9-205.

Bowling: Lee 10-1-43-2; Bracken 8.4-2-33-1; McGrath 10-1-24-3; Clark 10-1-54-4. Symonds 8-0-44-0; White 1-0-6-0.

Australia

ÝA C Gilchrist c McCullum b Franklin 3

M L Hayden c Taylor b Mason 0

M J Clarke c Taylor b Vettori 75

*R T Ponting lbw b Mason 5

A Symonds b Vettori 38

M E K Hussey not out 65

C L White c Fulton b Gillespie 5

B Lee c Marshall b Gillespie 2

N W Bracken c Taylor b McMillan 14

S R Clark not out 1

Extras (lb6 w4 nb6) 16

Total (for 8, 48.4 overs) 224

Fall: 1-6 2-6 3-17 4-77 5-167 6-175 7-198 8-217.

Did not bat: G D McGrath.

Bowling: Mason 10-2-46-2; Franklin 10-1-47-1; Gillespie 10-2-34-2; Vettori 10-0-41-2; Astle 2.4-0-22-0; McMillan 6-0-28-1.

Australia win by two wickets

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and S J A Taufel (Aus).

P W L T NR Pts RR

Australia 4 4 0 0 0 18 1.01

England 3 1 2 0 0 4 -0.51

New Zealand 3 0 3 0 0 0 -0.80

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in