Hamilton, Mar 9(ANI): Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin’s century helped the visitors defeat New Zealand by six wickets in the third ODI played at Seddon Park in Hamilton, and take a 2-1 lead in the Chappell-Hadlee series.
Set a target of 246 for victory, Australia scaled it down with six wickets and 16 balls to spare.
Haddin rode his luck and was dropped twice, as he went on to score 110 from 121 deliveries, with the help of seven boundaries and four sixes.
He beat his previous-best score by one run and shared a partnership of 151 for the second wicket with skipper Ricky Ponting (69 off 71 balls), Fox Sports reports.
The tourists lost opener Shane Watson early as he was run out for 15, but after his dismissal Australia showed no sign of being unsettled.
Haddin was eventually stumped off Daniel Vettori, but Cameron White and Adam Voges saw Australia home on 248-4.
Earlier in the day, Australian fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson took three wickets each to restrict New Zealand to 245 in 46.2 overs.
Going into the game with a hamstring problem, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor top scored for the home side with a fine 62 from 66 balls, while Scott Styris (41) and Gareth Hopkins (45) also got starts.
The Black Caps lost the plot when they lost their last five wickets for 32 runs, to collapse from 6-213 to 245 all out.
The fourth game of the five-game series will be played in Auckland on Thursday.
Brief scorecard:
Australia 248 for 4 (Haddin 110, Ponting 69)
New Zealand 245 (Taylor 62, Johnson 3-41, Harris 3-48) (ANI) |
