Haddin stars as Australia win with ease
Mar 09 2010 - 10:09:23
A superb century from Brad Haddin and fine bowling efforts from Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris lifted Australia to a comfortable six-wicket win against New Zealand in the third Chappell-Hadlee one-day international in Hamilton.
After Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bowl, Mitchell took three for 41 and Harris three for 48 as New Zealand were restricted to 245 all out in 46.2 overs at a packed Seddon Park.
It was a total Australia had no trouble in reaching, particularly once Haddin and Ponting got settled, and the visitors cruised to 248 for four in 47.2 overs to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Black Caps strike bowler Shane Bond left the field towards the end of the match after taking a blow to the thumb of his left hand when attempting a tough caught and bowled chance off Haddin in the seventh over.
The Australia wicketkeeper was only on eight at the time and made the most of his opportunity to bring up his 50 in 51 balls, which included five boundaries and two sixes. Haddin had another nervous moment on 83 when it appeared he had holed out in the deep to Tim Southee off part-time bowler Martin Guptill, but the young bowler failed to hold on to the ball as his elbows hit the ground.
There were no nerves in the 90s, though, from the right-hander who launched Scott Styris for a six - his fourth of the innings - to move to 99, then brought up a deserved three figures with a single the next ball. Surprisingly it was just his second one-day century, his first also coming against New Zealand in Sydney in February last year.
After Shane Watson was run out by Gareth Hopkins for 15, Ponting and Haddin broke the back of the run-chase with a 151-run partnership before Ponting hit a shorter Michael Mason delivery straight to Ross Taylor at mid-wicket to depart for 69.
Michael Hussey (nine) lasted only 15 balls before Haddin strode down the crease to a Daniel Vettori delivery with less than 20 runs required and was stumped by Hopkins for 110. That left Cameron White (25 not out) and Adam Voges (13no) to get their side across the line.
Earlier, Taylor (62) once again led the way for the Black Caps with the bat, while Hopkins contributed 45 and Styris scored 41.