Reshuffled Batting Order Does The Trick For Australia

Australia 301-9 (Haddin 109, Clarke 64, M Hussey 51) v
New Zealand

Third One Day International, Sydney, NZ lead series 2-0
By Jim White

Australia shuffled their batting order and got the perfect response as a Brad Haddin century helped them post 301 for nine in the third One Day International against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With Ricky Ponting returning ahead of schedule to lead the side, and Australia 2-0 down with three to play, a good performance was essential and they got that with Haddin replacing David Warner at the top of the order, the youngster left out to accommodate Ponting's return.

Haddin (109) and Michael Clarke (64) put on 135 for the first wicket in 23.3 overs before Clarke was caught by Martin Guptill off of Grant Elliott. Australia then lost Ponting (16), David Hussey (7) and Cameron White (10) cheaply as New Zealand fought back.

However, just as in the previous match in Melbourne, Mike Hussey steadied the ship with a vital half-century, this one of an altogether character as he blasted 51 in just 32 balls, carrying on from where Haddin had left off when he was run out by Brendon McCullum having hit eight fours and three sixes in his maiden ODI century.

Callum Ferguson chipped in late on with 28 in 23 balls before Iain O'Brien bowled James Hopes to finish with three for 68. Elliott managed two for 44 and Kyle Mills two for 59.

© Cricket World 2009