Chappell-Hadlee series- Black Caps defeat Aus
Mar 13 2010 - 09:27:44
Four wickets apiece for Shane Bond and Tim Southee lifted New Zealand to a 51-run win over Australia in the final Chappell-Hadlee one-day international.
Another faltering display with the bat saw New Zealand post 241 for nine off their 50 overs at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, a total that Australia would typically have reached with ease.
But smarting from two heavy defeats, with the series already gone and the two-Test series beginning next week, New Zealand produced a fine performance with the ball, led by Bond and Southee, to bowl the visitors out for 190 in 46.1 overs.
New Zealand went into the final match of the series knowing an improved batting performance was essential. It did not materialise and once again it was left to Scott Styris to dig his team-mates out of trouble as they lost early wickets to be 32 for three inside just eight overs.
The all-rounder top-scored with 55, the only New Zealander to make a half-century, and formed vital partnerships of 53 and 68 with Ross Taylor (30) and Daniel Vettori (28), respectively. Daryl Tuffey also chipped in with another cameo of 36 at the end to get his side above 240.
Australia, though, failed to make a strong start in reply, with Bond taking the wickets of Brad Haddin (17) and Ricky Ponting (nought) in two balls as the tourists fell to 27 for two.
Southee then got dangerman Cameron White (six) and Adam Voges (five) cheaply and New Zealand's 241 was beginning to look defendable with Australia struggling on 72 for four in 20 overs.
Opener Shane Watson (55) got the only score of note, bringing up his 15th one-day fifty - and first in the series - with a single off Nathan McCullum the 23rd over. But the spinner eventually got his man when Watson hit one straight to Taylor to end his 79-ball stay that produced just four boundaries.
Michael Hussey and James Hopes put on 50 runs for the sixth wicket but Southee was brought back into the fray and struck in successive overs to remove Hussey (46) then Mitchell Johnson (six).
Bond then had Nathan Hauritz caught by Scott Styris for nine, Vettori got Hopes (40) before the New Zealand quick combined with Southee to dismiss Clint McKay (two) and wrap up the win.