Australia win to keep their hopes alive by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Australia v New Zealand
Player:	GD Elliott, BJ Haddin
Event:	New Zealand in Australia 2008/09

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DateLine: 8th February 2009

 

Brad Haddin's maiden one-day international century - the first by an Australian batsman since June last year - propelled the hosts to 9 for 301 and their highest total of the home summer. Haddin proved of immense value to an Australian team attempting to keep alive the Chappell-Hadlee Series, and posted a career-best 109 from 114 deliveries in an innings defined by clean, straight hitting and authoritative footwork. Haddin was run-out from the second ball of the batting Powerplay, but not before he had confirmed his status as a pariah to New Zealand. He was widely criticised for his role in Neil Broom's dismissal in Perth last week, and added to the tourists' frustration by helping set what would be a ground-record run-chase. A brisk sixth-wicket partnership of 62 between Michael Hussey and Callum Ferguson allowed the hosts to pass the 300-run barrier in an ODI for the first time since the tour of the West Indies.

 

The surprise recall of Ricky Ponting from a designated rest period afforded selectors the chance to restructure Australia's faltering batting line-up. David Warner was the major casualty, omitted from the starting XI after a string of low scores, and Australia's new-look opening partnership of Clarke and Haddin delivered with a 135-run stand. Clarke was dismissed driving a wide Grant Elliott offering to Martin Guptill at cover for 64 from 69 balls. By then Australia were well on their way to a commanding total. Clarke was offered a reprieve in the sixth over of the innings when Southee coaxed him into a leading edge, but the ball sailed past Peter Fulton at short cover.

 

Early wickets and a modest New Zealand run-rate had Australia well positioned for a series-reviving victory. New Zealand had nudged and nurdled in the opening passage of the game instead of blasting away. New Zealand's run-chase began poorly when Martin Guptill (6) and Ross Taylor (4) were dismissed by Nathan Bracken and Ben Hilfenhaus respectively inside the first six overs. Taylor was most unfortunate to have been adjudged lbw by the umpire Steve Bucknor to a delivery he appeared to edge. Peter Fulton and Grant Elliott combined for a steady 80-run third-wicket partnership. By the time of Fulton's dismissal to a brilliant Cameron White catch in the covers for 40 off 63 balls, the game was slipping from the tourists' grasp. The hosts appeared set for a comfortable victory at the fall of Tim Southee's wicket in the 37th over, but a brilliant partnership of 69 from 49 deliveries between Grant Elliott, who struck 115 from 124 balls, and the injured Brendon McCullum (36 from 27) raised hopes of a stunning upset. McCullum, playing with the assistance of a pain-killing injection after injuring his shoulder in the field, punished Nathan Bracken from the uncustomary position of No. 9, while Elliott adopted a more measured approach in compiling his maiden limited-overs hundred.

 

Elliott, however, holed out to Michael Hussey off the bowling of James Hopes in the 45th over to effectively end New Zealand's surge. McCullum followed in bizarre circumstances - his bat flying to midwicket, the ball to wide mid-off - and Jeetan Patel fell with 15 balls remaining to seal a 32-run victory for Australia that ended an inglorious five-game losing streak.