Johnson And Hussey Set Up Easy Win For Australia

Australia 119-4 (Hussey 46, Bond  2-32) beat
New Zealand 118 (Franklin 43, Johnson 3-19) by six wickets
First One-Day International, Wellington
Scorecard

Three wickets for Mitchell Johnson and an innings of 46 from David Hussey underpinned a comfortable six-wicket victory for Australia over New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 International in Wellington.

Australia began their tour much as they had left off in Australia, where they were unbeaten, dismissing their hosts for 118 and then reaching their target with four overs to spare.

Opening bowlers Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes dovetailed neatly once again, both snaffling a pair of wickets but Johnson, on as first change, did the serious damage by dismissing Peter Ingram (2), Martin Guptill (30) and Ross Taylor (9) to complete figures of three for 19.

James Franklin hit back for the Black Caps, making 43 in 42 balls before he became Tait's second victim while there was also a pair of wickets for all-rounder Shane Watson. Gareth Hopkins, just the third man to reach double figures for the home side, blasted 21 in 13 balls before New Zealand collapsed from 104 for six to be all out for 118 in 20 overs.

Shane Bond marked his latest return to international cricket with the wickets of David Warner (19) and Johnson (1), both bowled as New Zealand made a bright start, Daniel Vettori also trapping Watson in front for 19.

However, captain Michael Clarke, unbeaten on 18 in 26 balls, and Hussey, whose 46 came from 36, then put on 67 for the fourth wicket to take the game away from New Zealand and although Hussey fell to Nathan McCullum, Cameron White was on hand to hit a quick unbeaten 11 to ensure a comfortable win for Australia.

The second and final match is in Christchurch on Sunday (28th February).

© Cricket World 2010

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