Aussies have big lead
30 November, 2008

Brad Haddin A blazing maiden test century by Brad Haddin has Australia in total control of its 3 Mobile Test match against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval.

Australia was bowled out for 535 late on day three with Haddin's knock of 169 the highlight. The wicketkeeper scored 108 of those runs from 24 boundaries and two sixes during his 222-delivery stay at the crease. Michael Clarke also had a memorable day after posting 110.

New Zealand trailed by 265 after its first innings of 270 but have whittled that difference down by 35 runs after a positive nine-over stint before stumps.

Aaron Redmond is not out 15 while Jamie How is unbeaten on 13.

Brett Lee found the edge on a few occasions but went for 16 runs off his first over and has figures of 0-25.

The Kiwis would've taken some heart from their openers' stand but Sunday belonged to Haddin and Clarke.

They put on 181 runs for the sixth wicket after coming together when Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds were dismissed in quick succession in the morning. Haddin was the aggressor while Clarke played a more measured but just as effective innings.

Clarke, who was bowled for 98 in the First Test at the Gabba, gave his fans a scare as he closed in on triple figures.

He pushed the ball out onto the leg side, hesitated mid pitch before completing the single that notched up his ninth Test century.

The 178-centimetre right-hander was eventually dismissed when he slashed at a wide one and was caught by Jesse Ryder in the gully. His 239-ball innings featured 11 boundaries.

Haddin didn't ease his ways into the nineties, smashing three boundaries off four Ryder deliveries to race to 97 before he scored his ton with a mid-wicket four a couple of overs later.

He staged the biggest celebrations of the series moments later, raising his bat in gusto on several occasions.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum shook his hand after the achievement while Adam Gilchrist was in the stands to applaud the innings.

Haddin had some luck with Daniel Flynn dropping the simplest of catches at mid-on when he was on 72 while an appeal for a bat-pad catch was turned down.

He continued to dominate after tea and used the slog-sweep to bring up his 150. He then smashed 17 off one Redmond over but was caught on the midwicket fence soon after.

Iain O'Brien finished with 3-111 while Redmond, Daniel Vettori and Chris Martin all collected two wickets each. Vettori was the workhorse of the Black Caps attack and bowled 59.4 overs for figures of 2-124.

Australia started day three on 3-241. They were momentarily put on the back foot when Martin took two wickets in an over with the new ball.

Hussey miscued a pull shot and was caught by Redmond at square leg while Andrew Symonds was caught behind for a third-ball duck.


Day Two featured a bustling innings of 79 runs by Ricky Ponting and a solid partnership between Hussey and Clarke which steadied the ship in the final session.

Brett Lee also played a part in his team's strong position, ripping through New Zealand's lower order to see the tourists bowled out for their below-par tally early on Saturday.

On day one Redmond's innings was a highlight. He was dismissed by Nathan Hauritz for 83 runs with 68 of his tally coming from boundaries and sixes.