10 February, 2009

Australia has kept the Commonwealth Bank Series alive with a six-wicket win in game four at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Needing 245 for victory, the Aussies posted 4-247 with 10 balls to spare.

David Hussey ran out Brad Haddin in the 25th over when the opener was on 43 but made amends by registering a career-best 79 from 96 balls.

He joined forces with brother Mike (75 not out from 71 deliveries) to compile a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 115.

Mike Hussey hit a mid-on six off Kyle Mills to win the game while Callum Ferguson, playing his first ODI on his home ground, was unbeaten on 13.

Iain O'Brien took 2-54 off his 10 overs while Tim Southee was the other wicket-taker.

Craig Cumming dropped Mike Hussey in the deep when he was on 40 but apart from that spill the Black Caps had limited chances to change the course of the game.

And despite a rush of runs in their batting powerplay, their total of 244 was never going to be enough against a desperate Australian unit.

Both sides have won twice meaning the series will be decided in game five at the Gabba on Friday.

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the Aussies but the run chase had been tighter at the half-way mark of their dig.

Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting were back in the shed without making much of an impact while Haddin was run out when the score was 101.

David Hussey called the wicketkeeper through for a second run and then left him stranded metres from the striker's end and an accurate throw from outfielder Cumming to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum made sure of the breakthrough.

It was a massive blow for the home side as Haddin had been controlling the innings with some clean hitting.

However the Husseys' union brought the game back into Australia's favour with the brothers running hard and hitting the bad balls to the boundary - especially during the batting powerplay (overs 42 to 46).

David Hussey was eventually bowled but the crowd weren't too upset - the dismissal bringing to the crease home-town hero Ferguson.

In the afternoon a fruitful batting powerplay helped New Zealand post a competitive total.

Clusters of wickets and cheap dismissals made it difficult for the tourists to accelerate earlier in the innings but they bludgeoned 53 runs - between overs 45 to 49 - to finish with 8-244 from their allotment.

Ross Taylor led the charge with 76 from 72 deliveries while some lusty blows saw Mills chip in with a handy 23 from 27 balls.

Openers Martin Guptill (45) and McCullum (33) were the other major contributors.

Mitchell Johnson finished with 3-51 while James Hopes (2-37) and Michael Clarke (1-23 off eight overs) were also handy with the ball.

New Zealand made a steady start to the contest with McCullum and Guptill putting on 69 for the opening stand but in a matter of minutes the tourists had slumped to 3-86 and the Aussies were on top.


The Kiwis' innings regained momentum when Taylor and Grant Elliott went after Cameron White and combined for a flowing 55-run stand.

Cumming and Neil Broom went cheaply before Taylor and Mills came together for an explosive 53-run partnership.

Before the game the players, umpires and spectators held a minute silence to pay their respects to the bushfire victims in Victoria.

The Commonwealth Bank Series Bushfire Appeal has raised more than $6 million for people affected by the natural disaster.